Long Noncoding RNA SOX2OT Accelerates the Carcinogenesis of Wilms' Tumor Through ceRNA Through miR-363/FOXP4 Axis.

Increasing literature supports the vital functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in human cancers. However, the biological function and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in Wilms' tumor are still elusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical significance and pathological role of lncRNA SOX2OT in Wilms' tumor progression. SOX2OT was identified to be upregulated in Wilms' tumor tissue and cells. In vitro, SOX2OT knockdown suppressed Wilms' tumor cells (SK-NEP-1, G-401) proliferation and invasion, and triggered apoptosis. In vivo xenograft assays and SOX2OT knockdown significantly inhibited Wilms' tumor growth. With the help of bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay, SOX2OT was validated to harbor miR-363, acting as miRNA sponge or competing endogenous RNA. Furthermore, FOXP4 was validated to be the target protein of miR-363. Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed that SOX2OT was positively correlated with FOXP4 protein through sponging miR-363, forming a negative cascade regulation. In conclusion, our study realizes that SOX2OT acted as oncogene in the tumorigenesis of Wilms' tumor, suggesting the SOX2OT/miR-363/FOXP4 pathway in Wilms' tumor.