The expression and function of long noncoding RNA lncRNA-ATB in papillary thyroid cancer

X.-M. Fu, W. Guo, N. Li, H.-Z. Liu, J. Liu, S.-Q. Qiu, Q. Zhang, L.-C. Wang, F. Li, C.-L. Li

Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China. lichunlin301@163.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significances of long noncoding RNA-ATB (lncRNA-ATB) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and to explore the roles of lncRNA-ATB in PTC cell proliferation and migration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of lncRNA-ATB in 64 PTC tissues and paired adjacent noncancerous thyroid tissues was measured. The association between lncRNA-ATB expression and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed by Pearson X2. The diagnostic value of lncRNA-ATB was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses. The effects of lncRNA-ATB on PTC cell proliferation were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays and Ethynyl deoxyuridine incorporation assays. The effects of lncRNA-ATB on PTC cell migration were evaluated by transwell assays.

RESULTS: LncRNA-ATB is upregulated in PTC tissues compared with noncancerous tissues. LncRNA-ATB is also increased in PTC cell lines compared with normal thyroid follicular epithelial cell line. High-expression of lncRNA-ATB is associated with large tumor size and lymph node metastasis. ROC analyses revealed that lncRNA-ATB could sensitively discriminate PTCs from noncancerous tissues, as well as discriminating PTCs with lymph node metastasis from those without lymph node metastasis. Functional experiments showed that depletion of lncRNA-ATB significantly inhibits PTC cell proliferation and migration.

CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA-ATB is upregulated and functions as an oncogene in PTC. Furthermore, lncRNA-ATB may serve as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PTC.

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