Long non-coding RNA TUG1 knockdown repressed the viability, migration and differentiation of osteoblasts by sponging miR-214

The maxillofacial region in the human body is susceptible to fracture and corresponding soft tissue injury. In the current study, the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) on maxillofacial fracture development was investigated. In total, 50 patients diagnosed with maxillary fracture and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Participants' TUG1 expression level in serum was measured using reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q)PCR. After transfection with small interfering (si)-TUG1, microRNA (miR)-214 mimic, miR-214 inhibitor, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) mimic or a combination, the biological behavior of osteoblasts was evaluated using MTT, Transwell assays, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry and western blot analysis. Recovery experiments were used to explore the potential mechanism. Results demonstrated that TUG1 expression was decreased in the serum of patients with maxillary fractures. Knockdown of TUG1 repressed viability, migration and differentiation and induced apoptosis of osteoblasts. StarBase v2.0 revealed that TUG1 served as a sponge for miR-214 and BMP2 is a direct target of miR-214. Altogether, it was revealed that TUG1 expression was decreased in patients with maxillary fractures and TUG1 knockdown repressed the biological process of osteoblasts by sponging miR-214.