A novel lung cancer stem cell extracellular vesicles lncRNA ROLLCSC modulate non-stemness cancer cell plasticity through miR-5623-3p and miR-217-5p targeting lipid metabolism

The high mortality rate of lung cancer is largely attributed to metastasis. Lung cancer stem cells (CSC) are conducive to cancer heterogeneity. Long noncoding RNAs are known to participate in various biological processes regulating the development of lung cancer. However, characterization of the role and mechanisms of lncRNA in lung cancer metastasis remains a challenge.

In this study, we have characterized ROLLCSC, a novel lncRNA, as a pivotal regulator in the metastasis of lung cancer, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Specifically, we show that ROLLCSC is encapsulated by the EVs of LLC-SDs and transmitted to the LLCs, where it acts as a ceRNA of miR-5623-3p and miR-217-5p to stimulate lipid metabolism and ultimately augments metastatic colonization of LLCs.

We demonstrate that ROLLCSC, a highly expressed lncRNA in LLC-SDs, promotes the metastasis of the low metastatic LLCs both in vitro and in vivo. ROLLCSC can be transferred from LLC-SD to LLC through encapsulation in extracellular vesicles (EVs), ultimately leading to the enhancement of the metastatic phenotype of LLCs. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the pro-metastatic activity of ROLLCSC is achieved through its function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-5623-3p and miR-217-5p to stimulate lipid metabolism.