Expression and role of PTV1 lncRNA in glioma cells progression*

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of PTV1 lncRNA in gliomas and the mechanism of its interaction with miR-203a. Methods U87 and U251 cells were cultured stably and transfected with sh-PTV1 or ov-PTV1, respectively. The proliferative activity of U87 and U251 cells was detected and the transplanted tumor model nude mice were divided into U87 and U251 groups. U87-sh and u251-ov cells were injected into the armpit, then miR-203a mic and miR-203a inhibitors were administered to detect the changes in the expression of tumor-related proteins. Results The relative expression of PTV1 in gliomas was significantly higher than that in normal brain tissues, while in GBM it was significantly higher than that in low-grade gliomas. Knockdown of PTV1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of U87 cells, resulting in fewer cell clones; overexpression of rPTV1 significantly promoted the proliferation of U251 cells, resulting in more cell colonies. The dual Luciferase Reporter assay showed that SP2 was a potential target of miR-203a. When U87 cells were treated with a miR-203a mimic, the expression of SP2 decreased; and when U251 cells were treated with a miR-203a inhibitor, the expression of SP2 increased significantly. SP2 was overexpressed in u87-sh cells and the proliferation, migration, and invasion of u87-sh cells were significantly enhanced. U251-ov cells showed the opposite trend. Compared with the control group mice, the tumor volume in u87-sh group mice was significantly smaller and the positive rate of SP2 in tumor tissue was significantly lower. After administration of the miR-203a inhibitor, the tumor volume increased gradually and the positive rate of SP2 increased significantly, while u251-ov mice showed the opposite trend. Conclusion lncRNA PTV1 can be used as a molecule to interfere with miR-203a expression in order to downregulate SP2 and to promote the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells. lncRNA PTV1 may be a new biomarker and therapeutic target for glioma.