Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were obtained by ultra-centrifugation. EV RNA was isolated and

analyzed using qPCR or digital PCR. siRNA was used to modulate lncRNA expression. Cell viability was examined by MTS assay. Expression of HIF1α was assessed using ELISA and of other signaling proteins by Western blot. Results: We identified 20 hypoxia-responsive lncRNA in HepG2 cells. Amongst these, 7 were also increased by >2-fold in HepG2 cells compared to HH cells, and including linc-RoR. In other HCC cells, linc-RoR expression was Protease Inhibitor Library increased by 1.7–4.7 fold compared to HH. siRNA to linc-RoR decreased HCC cell viability under hypoxia. Furthermore, linc-RoR expression was increased in hypoxic Ku-0059436 order areas compared to non-hypoxic areas in vivo. Linc-RoR was highly expressed

in HCC-cell EVs, and EV linc-RoR was further increased during hypoxia. EVs could be taken up by other cells and transfer linc-RoR to recipient cells. EVs from hypoxic cells increased HIF-1α expression and cell survival in recipient cells during hypoxia. Compared to controls, siRNA to linc-RoR decreased p70S6K1 phosphoryla-tion, PDK1 and HIF1α protein expression, and increased expression of the linc-RoR target miR-145 in HepG2 cells and in HCC xenografts in vivo. Conclusions: These findings provide mechanistic insights into resistance to hypoxia stress by (a) identifying hypoxia-responsive lncRNA e.g. linc-RoR, (b) showing a functional link between linc-RoR and hypoxia signaling in HCC, and (c) identifying a mechanistic role of inter-cellular EV mediated transfer of linc-RoR in MCE promoting cell survival during hypoxic stress. These observations identify previously unrecognized mechanisms by which lncRNA can modulate cellular responses to hypoxia and have biological as well as therapeutic relevance. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Kenji Takahashi, Irene K. Yan, Hiroaki Haga, Tushar Patel Background: Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth

factor (HB-EGF) is a potent growth factor for hepato-cytes and is overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), suggesting an autocrine growth mechanism in the tumors as we described previously (Ref. 1,2. CRM197, a non-toxic mutant form of diphtheria toxin, is known to inhibit the action of HB-EGF (Ref.3). We demonstrate here that CRM197 can suppress the growth of human HCC in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The effects of recombinant HB-EGF, anti-human HB-EGF polyclonal antibody, and CRM197 on cell growth were examined using the human hepatoma-derived cell lines Hep3B and Huh7. The effect of CRM1 97 on EGFR phosphorylation in vitro was analyzed by Western blotting. CRM197 was also injected intraperitoneally into male nude mice that had been inoculated with Hep3B or Huh7 daily for 14 days. Results: Recombinant HB-EGF dose-dependently stimulated the growth of Hep3B and Huh7 cells.