TUG1 acts as a biomarker to predict the relapse of gastric cancer after endoscopic submucosal dissection (EMR)

Introduction MiR-382 was reported to act as a prognostic biomarker for the relapse of gastric cancer (GC) after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). In addition, TUG1 was reported to regulate cell proliferation via sponging miR-382. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the value of TUG1 in predicting post-EMR relapse of GC. Material and methods Log rank test was utilized to analyze relapse-free rate and validate the prognostic value of TUG1 in predicting post-EMR GC relapse. Real-time PCR, Western Blot and luciferase assays were performed to clarify the regulatory relationships among TUG1, miR-382 and CD44, thus establishing a TUG1/miR-382/CD44 signaling pathway. Moreover, MTT assays were conducted to observe the effect of TUG1 on cell proliferation and post-EMR GC relapse. Results The AUC of the high TUG1 expression group was obviously smaller than that of the low TUG1 expression group, which indicated that the expression of TUG1 could be used as a prognostic biomarker to predict the risk of post-EMR GC relapse. In addition, a negative correlation was found between miR-382 expression and the expression of its endogenous competing RNA TUG1. Furthermore, miR-382 was shown to inhibit the expression of its target gene CD44. Finally, a TUG1/miR-382/CD44 signaling pathway was established and was implicated in post-EMR recurrence of GC, and the overexpression of TUG1 was shown to promote the proliferation of GC cells. Conclusions Reduced expression of TUG1 could inhibit the proliferation of GC cells and increase the expression of miR-382, which in turn down-regulated CD44 expression and lowered the risk of post-EMR GC relapse.