Affiliations: [a] Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi, China | [b] Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi, China | [c] Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Shuangsuo Dang, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, NO 157 West 5 Road, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi, China. Tel.: +86 013636712752; E-mail: pitun3080@163.com.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). METHODS: The relative expression levels of lncRNA SNHG12 (hereinafter referred to as SNHG12) in 42 pairs of PTC tissues and para-carcinoma tissues were detected via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). SNHG12 specific interference sequences were designed and synthesized. The relative expression level and transfection efficiency of SNHG12 in PTC cells were detected via qRT-PCR. After the interference in SNHG12 expression, the change in cell proliferation capacity was detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, the change in cell cycle distribution was detected via flow cytometry, the changes in cell migration and invasion capacities were detected via Transwell assay and wound healing assay, and the changes in expressions of molecular markers of Wnt/β-catenin pathway were detected via Western blotting. The pulmonary metastasis model of nude mice was established, and the changes in migration and invasion capacities of tumor cells were studied via the in-vivo experiment after the interference in SNHG12 expression. RESULTS: The results of qRT-PCR showed that the SNHG12 expression was up-regulated in 30 pairs of PTC tissues and cells. The results of MTT assay showed that the cell proliferation capacity was inhibited after the interference in SNHG12. The results of flow cytometry showed that the cell cycle progression was blocked in G1-G0 phase after the knockdown of SNHG12 expression. The results of Transwell assay and Western blotting showed that the interference in SNHG12 could inhibit the invasion and metastasis capacities of tumor cells through influencing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Metastatic tumor model of nude mice showed that SNHG12 could affect the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells in vivo. CONCLUSION: The SNHG12 expression is relatively high in PTC tissues and cells. In-vivo/in-vitro experiments prove that SNHG12 can promote the proliferation and metastasis of PTC cells through influencing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
