Objective:To determine the expression of small nucleolar RNA host gene 16(SNHG16)in fibroblast-like synovio-cytes(FLS)of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and its role in the development of RA.Methods:RT-qPCR was performed to measure SNHG16,miR-182-5p and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG)mRNA expression;dual-luciferase assay was performed to measure the interaction between SNHG16,miR-182-5p and PPARG mRNA;EdU and Transwell were per-formed to measure cell proliferation and invasion;Western blot was performed to measure PPARG protein level.Results:SNHG16 and PPARG mRNA expression were up-regulated and miR-182-5p expression was down-regulated in RA synovial tissue and human RA-FLS line(HFLS-RA).SNHG16 negatively targeted miR-182-5p expression and positively regulated PPARG(miR-182-5p target)expression.Silencing of SNHG16 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of HFLS-RA;down-regulation of miR-182-5p partially re-versed the inhibitory effect of SNHG16 silencing on cell proliferation and invasion;overexpression of PPARG partially reversed the in-hibitory effect of up-regulation of miR-182-5p on the proliferation and invasion of HFLS-RA.Conclusion:Silencing SNHG16 target-ing miR-182-5p/PPARG axis inhibits the proliferation and invasion of HFLS-RA.