Abstract 1405: Long non-coding RNA LINC01614 augments papillary thyroid cancer cell phenotype

Abstract Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) accounts for the vast majority of thyroid cancer cases and despite high survival rates, disease recurrence and metastasis remain prominent issues. Therefore, there is a need to identify potential molecular markers associated with PTC that aid in early diagnosis, prognosis, and that may serve as therapeutic targets. One area of focus for cancer study is trending towards the epigenome and its functional regulators. The largest subclass of RNA molecules in the human genome consists of long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) with many of their functions yet to be identified. Evidence supports their roles in the regulation of gene expression, as these molecules can act as scaffolds for RNA and protein localization as well as act as molecular “sponges” for binding to and inhibiting action of specific miRNAs. Recently, long non-coding RNA molecules have been demonstrated to play roles in both the development and progression of cancer, deeming them as both attractive and specific biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for study. Data from our patient sample biobank identified LINC01614 as being significantly upregulated (~12 fold increase) in PTC, when compared to normal, matched thyroid tissue. There was also ~30 fold increase in LINC01614 expression in male PTC, compared to ~5.5 fold increase in female PTC, highlighting a potential sex correlation for study. Thus, we are studying LINC01614 as a potential PTC biomarker. Functional analysis of LINC01614 in vitro found it to be upregulated in various thyroid cancer cell lines, specifically two PTC cell lines: TPC1 (~5 fold; RET/PTC rearrangement; female) and K1 (~2 fold; BRAFV600E; male) when compared to the immortalized “normal” thyroid cell line (Nthy-ori-3-1). To establish a phenotype for LINC01614 expression, we utilized the CRISPRi technique to knockdown expression of this lincRNA in both TPC1 and K1. Knockdown resulted in decreased healing capacity (~20% for both), clonogenicity (~50% and ~34%, respectively), and proliferation (~55% and ~45%, respectively) in both the TPC1 and K1 PTC cell lines. Studies are underway to further assess migration, invasion, and morphology in both cell lines as well as studies to elucidate potential protein interactions and mechanisms of action of LINC01614 in PTC. Studying lincRNAs and their regulatory roles in cancer cell function can aid in the identification of various molecular markers for therapeutic intervention. Elucidation of how these molecules impact PTC development and progression is a promising avenue of exploration. Citation Format: Danielle Quaranto, Michelle Carnazza, Nicole DeSouza, Sina Dadafarin, Augustine Moscatello, Raj Tiwari, Jan Geliebter. Long non-coding RNA LINC01614 augments papillary thyroid cancer cell phenotype [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1405.