Clinical significance of circulating long non-coding RNA SNHG1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its association with cell proliferation of pancreatic β-cell

Abstract Background To explore the association of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG1/ miR-195 axis with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and islet function. Methods The expression of SNHG1 and miR-195 was measured in T2DM patients and in healthy subjects. Correlation between indciators was evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis. INS-1 cells were used to perform the cell function assays. Insulin secretion by INS-1 was detected using ELISA. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry was used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Luciferase report assay was to used to verify the target of SNHG1. Results The expression of SNHG1 was increased and miR-195 level was decreased in the serum of T2DM patients. Both SNHG1 and miR-195 could be biomarkers for T2DM diagnosis. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c were positively related to SNHG1 and negatively related to miR-195. SNHG1 inhibited insulin secretion, and cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis of INS-1 cells via binding to miR-195. Conclusions Detection of SNHG1 and miR-195 might predict T2DM. SNHG1 could suppress proliferation and insulin secretion, but promote apoptosis of INS-1 cells via sponging miR-195.