Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells via STAT3 in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Introduction: Studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are aberrantly expressed in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) ovaries and may have a role in PCOS development. In this study, the role and therapeutic implications of lncRNA H19 were investigated in PCOS ovaries and granulosa cells. Material and methods: qRT-PCR was used for expression analysis. Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was used for cell viability and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining was used to detect apoptosis. All transfections were carried out with Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. Western blot analysis was used for protein expression analysis. Results: The expression of lncRNA H19 was remarkably upregulated in the PCOS ovarian tissues as well as the granulosa cells. Suppression of lncRNA H19 expression caused the inhibition of KGN granulosa cell proliferation due to the triggering of apoptosis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the presence of the GAS binding site for STAT3 in the promoter of lncRNA H19. Silencing of STAT3 suppressed the expression of lncRNA H19 in KGN cells and also halted their growth by triggering apoptosis. Co-transfect experiments revealed that STAT3 and lncRNA H19 silencing cause inhibition of KGN growth synergistically. Conclusions: lncRNA H19 regulates the growth of ovarian granulosa cells and might prove to be a therapeutic target for management of PCOS.