Long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 deteriorates liver cancer via microRNA-18b-5p/LIM-only 4 axis

Extensive studies have explored the involvements of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in liver cancer. Limitedly, the concrete function of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) is still elusive. Therefore, the work was initiated to unearth SNHG15-oriented mechanism in liver cancer. Liver cancer tissues were resected. The connection between SNHG15 expression with prognosis and clinicopathological traits of liver cancer patients was evaluated. Liver cancer cells SMMC-7721 were transfected with restored microRNA (miR)-18b-5p or depleted SNHG15 to discover their effects on the proliferation, migration, invasion, cycle arrest, and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells. The transfected SMMC-7721 cells were injected into nude mice for further investigation. SNHG15, miR-18b-5p, and LIM-only 4 (LMO4) expressions in tissues and cells were tested. The regulatory connections among SNHG15, miR-18b-5p, and LMO4 were detected. SNHG15 and LMO4 were overexpressed while miR-18b-5p was downregulated in liver cancer tissues and cells. Up-regulated SNHG15 was connected with inferior prognosis and aggressive behaviors of liver cancer patients. SNHG15 knockdown or miR-18b-5p restoration depressed SMMC-7721 cell growth in vivo and in vitro. SNHG15 bound to miR-18b-5p and miR-18b-5p targeted LMO4. The work has illuminated that silencing SNHG15 represses liver cancer progression by modulating miR-18b-5p and LMO4, indicating the therapeutic potency of SNHG15/miR-18b-5p/LMO4 axis in liver cancer.