Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of human osteosarcoma cells

Aim: Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been identified to play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and the progression of many types of tumors. However, the clinical significance and biological function of lncRNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1(NEAT1) in human osteosarcoma remains unknown. Here, we investigated the role of NEAT1 in human osteosarcoma cell lines and clinical tumor samples. Methods: In this study, expression of NEAT1 was analyzed in 19 osteosarcoma tissues and paired adjacent non-tumor tissues by using quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, knockdown of NEAT1 expression using Lentivirus-mediated siRNA was performed in order to explore the biological function of NEAT1 on osteosarcoma cell proliferation and metastasis through MTT, colony formation assay and transwell assay. Results: NEAT1 was over-expressed in osteosarcoma tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues. In addition, knockdown of NEAT1 expression could suppress cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Conclusion: LncRNA NEAT1 was up-regulated in osteosarcoma tissue, promoting proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. These findings indicate the role of this substance, as a growth regulator in osteosarcoma, and thus it may serve as a novel biomarker, and drug target for developing osteosarcoma therapies.