LncRNA WWTR1-AS1 upregulates Notch3 through miR-136 to increase cancer cell stemness in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background This Study investigated the role of WWTR1-AS1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Results WWTR1-AS1 expression was upregulated in CSCC tissues. WWTR1-AS1 was predicted to interact with miR-136, whereas correlation analysis revealed that there was no close correlation between WWTR1-AS1 and miR-136 across CSCC samples. Moreover, WWTR1-AS1 and miR-136 did not regulate the expression of each other. In addition, overexpression of WWTR1-AS1 increased the expression levels of Notch3, which could be targeted by miR-136. Cell stemness analysis indicated that the overexpression of WWTR1-AS1 and Notch3 increased CSCC cell stemness and the capacity of CSCC cell to grow as spheroids. Overexpression of miR-136 decreased CSCC cell stemness and reversed the effects of overexpression of WWTR1-AS1 on Notch3 in CSCC cells. Conclusion Therefore, WWTR1-AS1 may upregulate Notch3 through miR-136 to increase cancer cell stemness in CSCC.