UCA1 promotes papillary thyroid carcinoma development by stimulating cell proliferation via Wnt pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether lncRNA UCA1 (long non-coding RNA urothelial carcinoma associated 1) could promote the development of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) via Wnt pathway and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: UCA1 expression in PTC tissues, paracancerous tissues, and thyroid cancer cells were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). UCA1 lentivirus was then constructed for the following in vitro experiments. Proliferative ability of MTC and SW579 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay. Cell apoptosis after altering UCA1 expression in MTC and SW579 cells was detected by flow cytometry and Western blot. Invasive ability of MTC and SW579 cells was detected by transwell and wound healing assay. Finally, protein expressions of Wnt pathway-related genes were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS: UCA1 was overexpressed in PTC tissues and thyroid cancer cells. UCA1 expression was positively correlated to tumor size, tumor stage, and metastasis of PTC. Overexpressed UCA1 promoted proliferation and invasion, whereas inhibited apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells via Wnt pathway.
CONCLUSIONS: Overexpressed UCA1 promotes PTC development by stimulating proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells via activating Wnt pathway.