Propofol suppresses proliferation and migration of papillary thyroid cancer cells by down-regulation of lncRNA ANRIL.

Abstract Background Propofol is a popular anesthetic agent, with potent anti-tumor activity against many cancers. The objective of this study was to explore the potential effect of propofol on papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in vitro. Methods Human PTC cell lines TPC-1 and IHH-4 were treated by propofol. ANRIL expression vector (pc-ANRIL) was transfected into TPC-1 cells to overexpress the expression of ANRIL. CCK-8, BrdU assay, transwell assay, flow cytometry and Western blot were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. The expression changes of ANRIL were detected by RT-qPCR. Results Propofol with a concentration of 6 μg/mL significantly reduced TPC-1 and IHH-4 cells proliferation and migration, and significantly induced apoptosis. However, 6 μg/mL of propofol had no significant impacts on the proliferation and apoptosis of normal human thyroid follicular epithelial Nthy-ori 3–1 cells. Meanwhile, the expression of ANRIL in TPC-1 cells was down-regulated by propofol. The anti-tumor activity of propofol was attenuated when ANRIL was overexpressed. Additionally, propofol blocked Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB pathways in an ANRIL-dependent fashion. Conclusion Our findings suggested the in vitro anti-tumor potential of propofol in PTC. One possible mechanism involved in the anti-tumor activity was preliminary revealed: propofol down-regulated the expression of ANRIL, and thus blocking Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB pathways. Highlights • Propofol suppresses PTC cells proliferation and migration. • Propofol induces PTC cells apoptosis. • Propofol down-regulates ANRIL expression. • Propofol blocks Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB pathways. • Propofol confers its action via down-regulation of ANRIL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]