Introduction: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NCK1-AS1 could regulate multiple cancer progression. However, little is known regarding the roles and acting mechanisms of NCK-AS1 in gastric cancer (GC) progression. This work was aimed to explore the relationship between NCK1-AS1 and GC progression to illustrate the mechanisms of NCK1-AS1. Methods: NCK1-AS1 expression level in GC tissues and cells was measured with a quantitative real-time PCR method. In vitro experiments including cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, wound-healing assay, and transwell invasion assay were employed to detect biological roles of NCK1-AS1 in GC progression. In vivo experiments were performed to analyze the roles of NCK1-AS1 on GC malignant phenotype. Moreover, mechanisms behind the biological roles of NCK1-AS1 in GC were investigated using bioinformatic analysis, luciferase activity reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, and rescue experiments. Results: NCK1-AS1 was found to have elevated expression in GC tissues and cells in comparison with normal counterparts. Loss-of-function experiments showed knockdown of NCK1-AS1 refrained GC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Animal experiments showed silence of NCK1-AS1 suppresses tumor growth in vivo. Functionally, NCK1-AS1 serves as a sponge for microRNA-137 (miR-137) to upregulate nucleoporin 43 (NUP43) expression in GC. Rescue experiments proved the carcinogenic role of NCK1-AS1/miR-137/NUP43 axis in GC progression. Discussion: In conclusion, the NCK1-AS1/miR-137/NUP43 axis was identified that could contribute to GC malignancy behaviors.

The effects of interleukin 1 (IL-1) on induction and maintenance of immune tolerance in vitro have been studied by using splenocytes from C57BL/6 male mice. B cell tolerance to the hapten trinitrophenol (TNP) was induced with TNP-human gamma globulin (HGG) and the cells were challenged with TNP-Ficoll. To determine the tolerance (or immunity), antibody concentrations in the supernatant fluids were measured by using a TNP-specific ELISA assay. Partially purified murine IL-1 abrogated tolerance induction, and when it was added at challenge phase, it also abrogated tolerance. In addition, partially purified IL-1 converted TNP-HGG from a tolerogen into an immunogen without any additional exposure to antigen. Similar results were obtained when recombinant human IL-1 alpha was used in place of partially purified natural IL-1. IL-1 is most likely acting directly on B cells rather than through the agency of T cells because purified B cells failed to become tolerant in the presence of IL-1. Studies of IL-1 production by antigen- or tolerogen-stimulated splenocytes or purified B cells showed that only antigen could elicit IL-1 production in these cells. That tolerance abrogation is unique to IL-1 is suggested by studies which show that TNF, IL-2, and INF gamma, alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with subeffective concentrations of IL-1 failed to effect tolerance abrogation.