LAUSR

Background Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play important roles in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. However, the function of lncRNA SOX2-OT is unclear. This study was carried out to investigate the function of SOX2-OT in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Methods qRT-PCR and immunoblotting were used to detect the expression levels of SOX2-OT, miR-942-5p and death protein-5 (DP5) in DOX-treated primary cardiomyocytes and rat models. The relationship among miR-942-5p, SOX2-OT, and DP5 was explored by luciferase reporter assay. The effects of SOX2-OT, miR-942-5p and DP5 on doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis were evaluated by Annexin V-FITC/PI method and caspase-3 activity assay. The effect of SOX2-OT on cardiomyocyte apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL staining and echocardiography. Results SOX2-OT and DP5 were highly expressed, while miR-942-5p was down-regulated in DOX-treated primary cardiomyocytes and rat model. SOX2-OT can upregulate DP5 as a sponge of miR-942-5p, which was a direct target of miR-942-5p. In addition, miR-942-5p reversed the protective effect of knockdown of SOX2-OT on cardiomyocytes by inhibiting the expression of DP5 in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion Knockdown of SOX2-OT down-regulated DP5 via sponging miR-942-5p and inhibiting DOX-induced apoptosis of primary cardiomyocytes.