LncRNA SBF2-AS1 Promotes Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Growth by Regulating FGFR2 via Sponging miR-494-3p

PURPOSE: Currently, there is no efficient and feasible method for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in clinical practice, and the main reason is the unclear pathogenesis of DLBCL, which leads to a high fatality rate of DLBCL. METHODS: Therefore, it is meaningful to explore the molecular mechanism of DLBCL and find a targeted therapeutic approach from the molecular level. RESULTS: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SBF2-AS1 was highly expressed in DLBCL tissues and cell lines. Silencing of SBF2-AS1 inhibited the viability and growth of OCI-LY-3 cells. Furthermore, SBF2-AS1 acted as a sponge of miR-494-3p and inhibited its expression. And miR-494-3p directly targeted FGFR2. Functionally, forced expression of miR-494-3p or knockdown of FGFR2 removed the promoted effects of lncRNA SBF2-AS1 on DLBCL development. In vivo tumorigenesis experiments indicated SBF2-AS1 accelerated tumor growth via miR-494-3p/FGFR2 axis. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that SBF2-AS1 promoted the growth of DLBCL, which were mediated by miR-494-3p/FGFR2 axis.