Knockdown of UCA1 restrains cell proliferation and metastasis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by counteracting miR-331-3p expression

Long non-coding RNA urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) has been reported to act as a carcinogen in bladder cancer, while its role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains unclear. The present study was designed to explore the expression pattern and role of UCA1 in DLBCL. The expression pattern of UCA1 and microRNA (miR)-331-3p in DLBCL tissues and cell lines were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to explore the relationship between UCA1 and miR-331-3p. Cell proliferation was explored by MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion abilities were assessed by Transwell assay. In the present study, it was revealed that the expression of UCA1 was significantly upregulated, while miR-331-3p was downregulated in DLBCL tissues and cell lines. Moreover, UCA1 was revealed to competitively bind with miR-331-3p in DLBCL. Functionally, knockdown of UCA1 was revealed to suppress cell proliferation, migration and invasion in DLBCL cells. Furthermore, upregulation of miR-331-3p prevented cell proliferation, migration and invasion in DLBC cells. In conclusion, the present findings firstly demonstrated that UCA1 silencing restrained DLBCL cell proliferation and metastases viability by suppressing miR-331-3p expression. It is suggested that UCA1 could be a possible medicinal target and biomarker for DLBCL.