Long noncoding RNA LINC00657 inhibits cervical cancer development by sponging miR-20a-5p and targeting RUNX3

Long noncoding RNAs act essential regulators in cervical cancer progression. Our study aimed to investigate the underlying function and molecular mechanisms of LINC00657 in cervical cancer. QRT-PCR results indicated that LINC00657 was significantly decreased in cervical cancer. Gain-and loss-of-function experiments were performed in SiHa and HeLa. Functional assays demonstrated that LINC00657 inhibited cervical cancer cell growth, migration and invasion. Moreover, miR-20a-5p was confirmed as a target of LINC00657. Furthermore, miR-20a-5p promoted the development of cervical cancer via targeting RUNX3. DR5 acts as a vital promoter in activating NK cells and is a downstream target of RUNX3. We found that LINC00657 overexpression promoted the cytotoxic activity of NK cells via regulating RUNX3/DR5 axis. Therefore, LINC00657 suppressed cervical cancer progression via inducing miR-20a-5p/RUNX3/DR5 mediated NK cell tolerance. In conclusion, LINC00657 was identified as a novel tumor-suppressor in cervical cancer and could function as a potential therapeutic target for clinical treatment. •LINC00657 was downregulated in cervical cancer (CC).•LINC00657/miR-20a-5p/RUNX3 suppressed the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cells.•Overexpression of LINC00657 enhanced the susceptibility of CC cells to NK cells via RUNX3/DR5 axis.