Background and purpose: In recent years

the studies have indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may play important roles in the initial stage and development of tumors. H19 is one of those lncRNAs

which is already proved to overexpress in a variety of tumors such as bladder cancer

stomach cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). And H19 also could promote tumor proliferation and increase tumor cell migration and invasion ability

but neither the expression nor the function of H19 in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) are clarified. This study aimed to observe the effects of H19 on the proliferation

epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion ability of NSCLC cell line A549. Methods: H19 was overexpressed by plasmids transfection

then the effect of H19 on the proliferation of A549 was measured by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)

the invasion of A549 cells was detected by Transwell assay

and the changes of cell morphology were observed with an optical microscope

and the expression of EMT-related proteins was detected by Western blot

and the promoter activity of CDH1 was measured by luciferase assay. Results: The proliferation of A549 cells was increased under the overexpression of H19(D value in blank group was 1.64±0.02

in negative control group was 1.59±0.04

in overexpression of H19 group 1.89±0.02

P0.05)

the invasion ability of A549 cells was dramatically enhanced [negative control group (30±6)/vision

overexpression of H19 group (110±7)/vision

P0.05]

and the A549 cells developed longer pseudopodia and had wider intercellular spaces. All these morphology changes indicated that the cells were undergoing the process of EMT

and meantime

the expres-sion of CDH1 was decreased

along with the expression of VIM and SNAI2 elevated

which were also related to the progression of EMT

and H19 also could depress the promoter activity of CDH1 by 60% (P0.05). Conclusion: The overexpression of H19 induces the EMT

and enhances the proliferation and invasion ability of A549 cells.