MiR-130a-3p inhibits migration and invasion by regulating RAB5B in human breast cancer stem cell-like cells

Extracellular miRNAs for the Management of Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), the major histologic type of esophageal cancer (EC) in Western countries, is a disease with a poor prognosis, primarily due to usual diagnosis at an advanced stage. The prevalence of EAC has increased in recent years, both in Western countries and in Asia. Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a precursor lesion of EAC. Therefore, early detection and proper management of BE and EAC is important to improve prognosis. Here, we systematically summarize current knowledge about the potential utility of extracellular microRNAs (miRNAs), which are thought to be non-invasive biomarkers for many diseases, for these purposes. A search of the PubMed and Embase databases identified 22 papers about extracellular miRNAs that have potential utility for management of EAC. Among them, 19 were EAC-related and ten were BE-related; some of these dealt with both conditions. The articles included studies reporting diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment responses. Multiple papers report dysregulation of miR-194-5p in BE and miR-21-5p, -25-3p, and -93-5p in EAC. Although it will take time to utilize these miRNAs in clinical practice, they are likely to be useful non-invasive markers in the future.

Long non-coding RNA MIAT promotes gastric cancer proliferation and metastasis via modulating the miR-331-3p/RAB5B pathway

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a threat to the health of the global population. The present study investigated the effects and mechanisms of the long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) on the proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis of GC (HGC-27 and AGS) cells. The expression levels of MIAT, micoRNA (miR)-331-3p and RAB5B mRNA were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Cell growth, apoptosis, migration and invasion were measured using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine, flow cytometry, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. A luciferase assay was used to determine whether miR-331-3p targeted MIAT and RAB5B. The results indicated that MIAT levels were significantly upregulated in GC tissues and cells, correlated with RAB5B levels and inversely associated with miR-331-3p levels. MIAT overexpression promoted proliferation and metastasis, and inhibited the apoptosis of GC cells. MIAT knockdown had the opposite effect on GC cells. The rescue experiments revealed that the effects of MIAT knockdown on the biological behaviour of GC cells were attenuated by RAB5B overexpression. These data suggest that MIAT promotes GC progression via modulating miR-331-3p/RAB5B pathway.

Transcriptome-wide analysis and modelling of prognostic alternative splicing signatures in invasive breast cancer: a prospective clinical study

Aberrant alternative splicing (AS) has been highly involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of most cancers. The potential role of AS in invasive breast cancer (IBC) remains largely unknown. In this study, RNA sequencing of IBC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas was acquired. AS events were screened by conducting univariate and multivariate Cox analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. In total, 2146 survival-related AS events were identified from 1551 parental genes, of which 93 were related to prognosis, and a prognostic marker model containing 14 AS events was constructed. We also constructed the regulatory network of splicing factors (SFs) and AS events, and identified DDX39B as the node SF gene, and verified the accuracy of the network through experiments. Next, we performed quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in triple negative breast cancer patients with different responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and found that the exon-specific expression of EPHX2, C6orf141, and HERC4 was associated with the different status of patients that received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In conclusion, this study found that DDX39B, EPHX2 (exo7), and HERC4 (exo23) can be used as potential targets for the treatment of breast cancer, which provides a new idea for the treatment of breast cancer.

Pathway Analysis of Selected Circulating miRNAs in Plasma of Breast Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Study

MicroRNAs in the circulation of breast cancer (BC) patients have great potential for the early diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of breast cancer. The aim of this preliminary study was to obtain the expression profile of selected miRNAs in the plasma of BC patients that could discriminate BC patients from healthy volunteers and may be useful in early detection of BC. Significantly deregulated miRNAs were evaluated by pathway analysis with the prediction of potential miRNA targets. The study enrolled plasma samples from 65 BC patients and 34 healthy volunteers. Selected miRNAs were screened in pilot testing by the real-time PCR (qPCR) method, and the most appropriate reference genes were selected for normalisation by the geNorm algorithm. In the final testing, we detected miR-99a, miR-130a, miR-484 and miR-1260a (p < 0.05) as significantly up-regulated in the plasma of BC patients. Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that all significantly deregulated miRNAs are involved in the Hippo and Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) signalling pathways. Our study confirmed a different profile of selected circulating miRNAs in the plasma of BC patients with an emphasis on some critical points in the analysis process.

miR-4463 regulates aromatase expression and activity for 17β-estradiol synthesis in response to follicle-stimulating hormone

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate microRNAs (miRNAs) related to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) responsiveness using miRNA microarrays and to identify their target genes to determine the molecular regulatory pathways involved in FSH signaling in KGN cells.

Methods

To change the cellular responsiveness to FSH, KGN cells were treated with FSH receptor (FSHR)-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) followed by FSH. miRNA expression profiles were determined through miRNA microarray analysis. Potential target genes of selected miRNAs were predicted using bioinformatics tools, and their regulatory function was confirmed in KGN cells.

Results

We found that six miRNAs (miR-1261, miR-130a-3p, miR-329-3p, miR-185-5p, miR-144-5p and miR-4463) were differentially expressed after FSHR siRNA treatment in KGN cells. Through a bioinformatics analysis, we showed that these miRNAs were predicted to regulate a large number of genes, which we narrowed down to cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1) and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) as the main targets for miR-4463. Functional analysis revealed that miR-4463 is a regulatory factor for aromatase expression and function in KGN cells.

Conclusion

In this study, we identified differentially expressed miRNAs related to FSH responsiveness. In particular, upregulation of miR-4463 expression by FSHR deficiency in human granulosa cells impaired 17β-estradiol synthesis by targeting CYP19A1 and ESR1. Therefore, our data might provide novel candidates for molecular biomarkers for use in research into poor responders.

MicroRNA-Dependent Targeting of RSU1 and the IPP Adhesion Complex Regulates the PTEN/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

(1) Background: The microRNA (miR)-directed control of gene expression is correlated with numerous physiological processes as well as the pathological features of tumors. The focus of this study is on the role of miRs in the regulation of RSU1 and proteins in the IPP (integrin linked kinase, PINCH and parvin) complex. Because the IPP adaptor proteins link β integrins to actin cytoskeleton, and the RSU1 signaling protein connects the complex to the activation of cJun, ATF2 and the transcription of PTEN, their reduction by miRs has the potential to alter both adhesion and survival signaling. (2) Methods: Multiple database analyses were used to identify miRs that target RSU1 and PINCH1. miR transfection validated the effects of miRs on RSU1, PINCH1 and downstream targets in breast cancer cell lines. (3) Results: The miRs targeting RSU1 mRNA include miR-182-5p, -409-3p, -130a-3p, -221-3p, -744-5p and -106b-5p. Data show that miR-182-5p and -409-3p reduce RSU1, PINCH1 and inhibit the ATF2 activation of PTEN expression. miR-221-3p and miR-130a-3p target RSU1 and PINCH1 and, conversely, RSU1 depletion increases miR-221-3p and miR-130a-3p. (4) Conclusions: miRs targeting RSU1 and PINCH1 in mammary epithelial or luminal breast cancer cell lines reduced RSU1 signaling to p38 MAP kinase and ATF2, inhibiting the expression of PTEN. miR-221-3p, known to target PTEN and cell cycle regulators, also targets RSU1 and PINCH1 in luminal breast cancer cell lines.

Downregulated miR‑130a enhances the sensitivity of acute myeloid leukemia cells to Adriamycin

MicroRNA (miR)-130a has been reported to promote cancer growth; however, its role during acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not completely understood. In the present study, the effects of miR-130a on the sensitivity of AML cells to Adriamycin (Adr) were investigated. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) was used to stimulate Adr resistance in AML cells, and cell viability and miR-130a expression were determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. miR-130a overexpression and knockdown in Adr-resistant AML cells was performed to investigate the proliferative and invasive abilities of the cells using CCK-8 and Transwell assays, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of miR-130a on the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in Adr-resistant AML cells were detected using western blot analysis. Pre-treatment with 5-Aza-dC enhanced the cell viability and miR-130a expression of Adr-treated AML cells. Adr and miR-130a expression showed a dose-dependent relationship, with miR-130a expression decreasing with increasing Adr concentrations. Moreover, miR-130a overexpression alleviated the inhibitory effects of Adr on cell viability and invasion, while miR-130a knockdown enhanced the sensitivity of AML cells to Adr. Furthermore, Adr exerted an inhibitory effect on EMT in AML cells, which was rescued by miR-130a overexpression and enhanced by miR-130a knockdown. miR-130a knockdown also increased the sensitivity of AML cells to Adr by decreasing cell viability, invasion and EMT. Therefore, miR-130a knockdown is a potential therapeutic strategy for Adr-resistant AML.

Potential miRNAs for miRNA-Based Therapeutics in Breast Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can post-transcriptionally regulate the genes involved in critical cellular processes. The aberrant expressions of oncogenic or tumor suppressor miRNAs have been associated with cancer progression and malignancies. This resulted in the dysregulation of signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis and survival, metastasis, cancer recurrence and chemoresistance. In this review, we will first (i) provide an overview of the miRNA biogenesis pathways, and in vitro and in vivo models for research, (ii) summarize the most recent findings on the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) that could potentially be used for miRNA-based therapy in the treatment of breast cancer and (iii) discuss the various therapeutic applications.

Exosomal MicroRNAs and Organotropism in Breast Cancer Metastasis

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy for women in which one in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. Despite advances made in treating primary breast cancer, there is still no effective treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Consequently, metastatic breast cancer is responsible for 90% of breast cancer-related deaths while only accounting for approximately one third of all breast cancer cases. To help develop effective treatments for metastatic breast cancer, it is important to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which breast cancer metastasizes, particularly, those underlying organotropism towards brain, bone, and lungs. In this review, we will primarily focus on the roles that circulating exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) play in organotropism of breast cancer metastasis. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that play critical roles in intercellular communication. MicroRNAs can be encapsulated in exosomes; cargo-loaded exosomes can be secreted by tumor cells into the tumor microenvironment to facilitate tumor-stroma interactions or released to circulation to prime distant organs for subsequent metastasis. Here, we will summarize our current knowledge on the biogenesis of exosomes and miRNAs, mechanisms of cargo sorting into exosomes, the exosomal miRNAs implicated in breast cancer metastasis, and therapeutic exosomal miRNAs.

Antitumor potential of dark sweet cherry sweet (Prunus avium) phenolics in suppressing xenograft tumor growth of MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells

This study investigated in vivo the antitumor activity of dark sweet cherry (DSC) whole extracted phenolics (WE) and fractions enriched in anthocyanins (ACN) or proanthocyanidins (PCA) in athymic mice xenografted with MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells. Mice were gavaged with WE, ACN or PCA extracts (150 mg/kg body weight/day) for 36 days. Results showed that tumor growth was suppressed at similar levels by WE, ACN and PCA compared to control group (C) without signs of toxicity or significant changes in mRNA oncogenic biomarkers in tumors or mRNA invasive biomarker in distant organs. Tumor protein analyses showed that WE, ACN and PCA induced at similar levels the stress-regulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, known to be linked to apoptosis induction. However, ACN showed enhanced antitumor activity through down-regulation of total oncogenic and stress-related Akt, STAT3, p38, JNK and NF-kB proteins. In addition, immunohistochemistry analysis of Ki-67 revealed inhibition of tumor cell proliferation with potency WE ≥ ACN ≥ PCA. Differential quantitative proteomic high-resolution nano-HPLC tandem mass spectrometry analysis of tumors from ACN and C groups revealed the identity of 66 proteins associated with poor breast cancer prognosis that were expressed only in C group (61 proteins) or differentially up-regulated (P<.05) in C group (5 proteins). These findings revealed ACN-targeted proteins associated to tumor growth and invasion and the potential of DSC ACN for breast cancer treatment. Results lead to a follow-up study with highly immunodeficient mice/invasive cell line subtype and advanced tumor development to validate the anti-invasive activity of DSC anthocyanins.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0054537 sponges miR-130a-3p to promote the progression of renal cell carcinoma through regulating cMet pathway

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common tumors of the urinary system, seriously impacting public health. CircRNAs have been indicated as potentially critical mediators in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, their specific role in the metastasis of RCC remains unclear. In present study, we identified that miR-130a-3p presented aberrantly low-level in RCC cells. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that upregulated miR-130a-3p suppressed the proliferation and migration of cell and promoted cell apoptosis in RCC. Then we predicted the underlyingly upstream modulator of miR-130a-3p was a novel circRNA hsa_circ_0054537, which exhibited dysregulated in RCC cells. Subsequently, we confirmed the direct interaction between hsa_circ_0054537 and miR-130a-3p by RNA pulldown assay. Additionally, luciferase assay confirmed the correlation between hsa_circ_0054537 and miR-130a-3p at the transcriptional level. We also found hsa_circ_0054537 could affect the tumorigenesis through binding to miR-130a-3p competitively. In addition, we identified the target of miR-130a-3p was oncogene cMet, which could be co-controlled by hsa_circ_0054537 and miR-130a-3p. In conclusion, we demonstrated that circRNA hsa_circ_0054537 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate cMet expression via sponging miR-130a-3p in renal cancer.

Plasma-based microRNA signatures in early diagnosis of breast cancer

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer (BC). The purpose of the present study was to identify plasma miRNAs enabling early diagnosis of BC.

Materials and Methods

Expression levels of seven plasma miRNAs (miR‐23a‐3p, miR‐29b‐2‐5p, miR‐130a‐5p, miR‐144‐3p, miR‐148a‐3p, miR‐152‐3p, and miR‐182‐5p) in 106 patients with newly diagnosed BC and 96 healthy participants were analyzed by qRT‐PCR. We also evaluated the relationship between the expression levels of these miRNAs and clinicopathological features of patients with BC.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, we found that miR‐23a‐3p (p = .025), miR‐130a‐5p (p = .006), miR‐144‐3p (p = .040), miR‐148a‐3p (p = .023), and miR‐152‐3p (p = .019) were downregulated in the plasma of patients with BC. MiR‐130a‐5p, miR‐144‐3p, and miR‐152‐3p were downexpressed in BC tissues as well as plasma. The expression of the miR‐23a‐3p, miR‐144‐3p, and miR‐152‐3p was related to ER positive and PR positive. Besides, miR‐23a‐3p, miR‐144‐3p, and miR‐152‐3p did show the significant difference in the staging compromised to the control, especially in stage I‐II. Moreover, we also found that miR‐144‐3p and miR‐148a‐3p were associated with lymph node invasion.

Conclusions

The expression levels of the miR‐23a‐3p, miR‐130a‐5p, miR‐144‐3p, miR‐148a‐3p, and miR‐152‐3p were lower in patients with BC compared to healthy controls and were associated with ex hormone receptor, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis, indicating the diagnostic potential of these miRNAs in BC.

LncRNA HOTAIR knockdown inhibits glycolysis by regulating miR-130a-3p/HIF1A in hepatocellular carcinoma under hypoxia

High rate of glycolysis supports hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell growth even in a hypoxic environment. However, the mechanism underlying glycolysis under hypoxia remains largely unknown. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in regulating glucose metabolism in cancers. This study aimed to explore the role of lncRNA homeobox transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in HCC glycolysis under hypoxia. Thirty-eight HCC patients were recruited. HepG2 and Huh7 cells were used for study in vitro. The expression levels of HOTAIR, microRNA-130a-3p (miR-130a-3p) and hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. The glycolysis under hypoxia (1 % O₂) condition was investigated by glucose consumption, lactate production and hexokinase 2 (HK2) level. The target interaction between miR-130a-3p and HOTIR or HIF1A was analyzed by bioinformatics analysis, luciferase assay, RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation. We found that HOTAIR expression was enhanced in HCC tissues and cells. Under hypoxia condition, HOTAIR expression was increased and its knockdown inhibited glycolysis in HCC cells. HOTAIR was validated as a decoy of miR-130a-3p and miR-130a-3p deficiency reversed the suppressive effect of HOTAIR silence on glycolysis under hypoxia. HIF1A was indicated as a target of miR-130a-3p and miR-130a-3p overexpression repressed glycolysis under hypoxia by targeting HIF1A. Moreover, HIF1A expression was regulated by HOTAIR and miR-130a-3p. In conclusion, knockdown of HOTAIR suppressed glycolysis by regulating miR-130a-3p and HIF1A in HCC cells treated by hypoxia, elucidating a novel mechanism in HCC glycolysis.

Non-Coding RNAs as Regulators and Markers for Targeting of Breast Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

Breast cancer is regarded as a heterogeneous and complicated disease that remains the prime focus in the domain of public health concern. Next-generation sequencing technologies provided a new perspective dimension to non-coding RNAs, which were initially considered to be transcriptional noise or a product generated from erroneous transcription. Even though understanding of biological and molecular functions of noncoding RNA remains enigmatic, researchers have established the pivotal role of these RNAs in governing a plethora of biological phenomena that includes cancer-associated cellular processes such as proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis, and stemness. In addition to this, the transmission of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs was identified as a source of communication to breast cancer cells either locally or systemically. The present review provides in-depth information with an aim at discovering the fundamental potential of non-coding RNAs, by providing knowledge of biogenesis and functional roles of micro RNA and long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer and breast cancer stem cells, as either oncogenic drivers or tumor suppressors. Furthermore, non-coding RNAs and their potential role as diagnostic and therapeutic moieties have also been summarized.

Identification of miRNA-Based Signature as a Novel Potential Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Breast Cancer

To identify the novel, noninvasive biomarkers to assess the outcome and prognosis of breast cancer (BC), patients with high sensitivity and specificity are greatly desired. Herein, the miRNA expression profile and matched clinical features of BC patients were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The preliminary candidates were screened out by the univariate Cox regression test. Then, with the help of LASSO Cox regression analysis, the hsa-let-7b, hsa-mir-101-2, hsa-mir-135a-2, hsa-mir-22, hsa-mir-30a, hsa-mir-31, hsa-mir-3130-1, hsa-mir-320b-1, hsa-mir-3678, hsa-mir-4662a, hsa-mir-4772, hsa-mir-493, hsa-mir-556, hsa-mir-652, hsa-mir-6733, hsa-mir-874, and hsa-mir-9-3 were selected to construct the overall survival (OS) predicting signature, while the hsa-mir-130a, hsa-mir-204, hsa-mir-217, hsa-mir-223, hsa-mir-24-2, hsa-mir-29b-1, hsa-mir-363, hsa-mir-5001, hsa-mir-514a-1, hsa-mir-624, hsa-mir-639, hsa-mir-659, and hsa-mir-6892 were adopted to establish the recurrence-free survival (RFS) predicting signature. Referring to the median risk scores generated by the OS and RFS formulas, respectively, subgroup patients with high risk were strongly related to a poor OS and RFS revealed by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) plots. Meanwhile, receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis validated the accuracy and stability of these two signatures. When stratified by clinical features, such as tumor stage, age, and molecular subtypes, we found that the miRNA-based OS and RFS classifiers were still significant in predicting OS/RFS and showed the best predictive values than any other features. Besides, functional prediction analyses showed that these targeted genes of the enrolled miRNAs were enriched in cancer-associated pathways, such as MAPK/RTK, Ras, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. In summary, our observations demonstrate that the novel miRNA-based OS and RFS signatures are independent prognostic indicators for BC patients and worthy to be validated by further prospective studies.

Circulating Exosomal miRNA Profiles Predict the Occurrence and Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Direct-Acting Antiviral-Induced Sustained Viral Response

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection patients (CH) results in a sustained viral response (SVR) in over 95% of patients. However, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs in 1–5% of patients who achieved an SVR after treatment with interferon. We attempted to develop a minimally invasive and highly reliable method of predicting the occurrence and recurrence of HCC in patients who achieved an SVR with DAA therapy. The exosomal miRNA expression patterns of 69 CH patients who underwent HCC curative treatment and 70 CH patients were assessed using microarray analysis. We identified a miRNA expression pattern characteristic of SVR-HCC by using machine learning. Twenty-five of 69 patients had HCC recurrence. The expression of four exosomal miRNAs predicted HCC recurrence with 85.3% accuracy. Fifteen of 70 patients had HCC occurrence. The expression of four exosomal miRNAs predicted the onset of HCC with 85.5% accuracy. The expression patterns of miR-4718, 642a-5p, 6826-3p, and 762 in exosomes were positively correlated with those in the liver, and downregulation of these miRNAs induced cell proliferation and prevented apoptosis in vitro. Aberrant expression of four miRNAs, which was used for prediction, was associated with HCC onset after HCV eradication. Expression patterns of exosomal miRNAs are a promising tool to predict SVR-HCC.

MicroRNAs and Epigenetics Strategies to Reverse Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a sporadic disease with genetic and epigenetic components. Genomic instability in breast cancer leads to mutations, copy number variations, and genetic rearrangements, while epigenetic remodeling involves alteration by DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNAs (miRNAs) of gene expression profiles. The accrued scientific findings strongly suggest epigenetic dysregulation in breast cancer pathogenesis though genomic instability is central to breast cancer hallmarks. Being reversible and plastic, epigenetic processes appear more amenable toward therapeutic intervention than the more unidirectional genetic alterations. In this review, we discuss the epigenetic reprogramming associated with breast cancer such as shuffling of DNA methylation, histone acetylation, histone methylation, and miRNAs expression profiles. As part of this, we illustrate how epigenetic instability orchestrates the attainment of cancer hallmarks which stimulate the neoplastic transformation-tumorigenesis-malignancy cascades. As reversibility of epigenetic controls is a promising feature to optimize for devising novel therapeutic approaches, we also focus on the strategies for restoring the epistate that favor improved disease outcome and therapeutic intervention.

Microarray and RNA in situ hybridization assay for recurrence risk markers of breast carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ: Evidence supporting the use of diverse pathways panels

Breast tumor stratification by recurrence-risk is critical for deciding patient treatment. Here an approach combining cancer pathways microarray data complemented by RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) was investigated as a means for recurrence marker discovery and visualization in pathology specimens. LncRNA and mRNA expressions in breast carcinomas with low (n = 8) vs intermediate/high (n = 10) recurrence-scores as estimated by 21-gene assay and pathology review were compared by microarray assay. Tissue microarrays were prepared from breast carcinomas (n = 20) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) specimens (n = 84 patients) with known outcomes. Thirteen RNA ISH assays were performed: lncRNAs (BBC3-1, FER3, RAD21-AS1, ZEB1-2) and mRNAs (GLO1, GLTSCR2, TGFB1, TLR2) (implicated by the microarray data); MKI67; a pooled panel of recurrence-associated proliferation markers (BIRC5, Cyclin B1, MKI67, MYBL2, STK15); a pooled panel of non-proliferation recurrence-associated markers (CEACAM5, HTF9C, NDRG1, TP53, SLC7A5); and lncRNAs H19 and HOTAIR. Seven lncRNAs and 10 mRNAs showed significantly (P < .05) altered upregulation or downregulation by microarray assay: carcinoma RNA ISH staining did not mirror these patterns. HOTAIR staining was associated with a higher breast cancer recurrence score (P = .0152); qualitatively, H19 was massively expressed in a metaplastic triple negative breast carcinoma. Among the DCIS cohort, significant associations with multiple outcome variables were noted for TGFB1 and the non-proliferation panel (P-value range: .0001 to .047); proliferation panel staining showed an association with increasing DCIS grade (P = .0269) but not with outcomes. The findings support recurrence-risk estimation by the use of multi-marker panels that are representative of diverse cellular pathways rather than over-reliance on proliferation targets. H19, HOTAIR, and TGFB1 RNA ISH show potential for selective diagnostics.

Deregulated miRNAs in osteoporosis: effects in bone metastasis

Starting from their role exerted on osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and activity pathways, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been recently identified as regulators of different processes in bone homeostasis. For this purpose, in a recent review, we highlighted, as deregulated miRNAs could be involved in different bone diseases such as osteoporosis. In addition, recent studies supported the concept that osteoporosis-induced bone alterations might offer a receptive site for cancer cells to form bone metastases, However, to date, no data on specific-shared miRNAs between osteoporosis and bone metastases have been considered and described to clarify the evidence of this link. The main goal of this review is to underline as deregulated miRNAs in osteoporosis may have specific roles in the development of bone metastases. The review showed that several circulating osteoporotic miRNAs could facilitate tumor progression and bone-metastasis formation in several tumor types, i.e., breast cancer, prostate cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and multiple myeloma. In detail, serum up-regulation of pro-osteoporotic miRNAs, as well as serum down-regulation of anti-osteoporotic miRNAs are common features of all these tumors and are able to promote bone metastasis. These results are of key importance and could help researcher and clinicians to establish new therapeutic strategies connected with deregulation of circulating miRNAs and able to interfere with pathogenic processes of osteoporosis, tumor progressions, and bone-metastasis formation.

The Role of Exosomal MicroRNAs in the Tumor Microenvironment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer, ranking first among women's cancers worldwide, develops from the breast tissue. Study of the breast tissue is, therefore of great significance to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Exosomes, acting as an effective communicator between cells, are in the ascendant in recent years. One of the most important cargoes contained in the exosomes is microRNAs, belonging to the non-coding RNA family. When the exosomal microRNAs are absorbed into the intracellular location, most of the microRNAs will act as tumor promoters or suppressors by inhibiting the translation process of the target mRNA, thus affecting the behavior of other stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. At present, growing research focuses on the different types of donor cell sources, their contribution to cancer, miRNA profiling, their biomarker potential, etc. This review aims to state the function of diverse miRNAs in exosomes medicated cell-cell communication and the potency of some specific enriched miRNAs as molecular markers in clinical trials. We also describe the mechanism of anti-cancer compounds through exosomes and the exploration of artificially engineered techniques that lead miRNA-inhibitors into exosomes for therapeutic use.

Role of miRNA-Regulated Cancer Stem Cells in the Pathogenesis of Human Malignancies

Recent biomedical discoveries have revolutionized the concept and understanding of carcinogenesis, a complex and multistep phenomenon which involves accretion of genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, and histological changes, with special reference to MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs). miRNAs are small noncoding molecules known to regulate expression of more than 60% of the human genes, and their aberrant expression has been associated with the pathogenesis of human cancers and the regulation of stemness features of CSCs. CSCs are the small population of cells present in human malignancies well-known for cancer resistance, relapse, tumorigenesis, and poor clinical outcome which compels the development of novel and effective therapeutic protocols for better clinical outcome. Interestingly, the role of miRNAs in maintaining and regulating the functioning of CSCs through targeting various oncogenic signaling pathways, such as Notch, wingless (WNT)/β-Catenin, janus kinases/ signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3/AKT), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NF-kB), is critical and poses a huge challenge to cancer treatment. Based on recent findings, here, we have documented the regulatory action or the underlying mechanisms of how miRNAs affect the signaling pathways attributed to stemness features of CSCs, such as self-renewal, differentiation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, resistance and recurrence etc., associated with the pathogenesis of various types of human malignancies including colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, etc. We also shed light on the fact that the targeted attenuation of deregulated functioning of miRNA related to stemness in human carcinogenesis could be a viable approach for cancer treatment.

Recent advancements in the study of breast cancer exosomes as mediators of intratumoral communication

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, with a morbidity rate of 27.8% and a mortality rate of 15% among women population worldwide. Understanding how this cancer develops and the mechanisms behind tumor progression and chemoresistance is of utmost importance. Exosomes mediate communication in a population of heterogeneous tumoral cells. They have a cargo composed of oncogenes and oncomiRs which change the transcriptomic scenario of their targeted cells and activate numerous tumor-promoting signaling pathways. Exosomes secreted by breast cancer cells lead to enhanced cell proliferation, replicative immortality, angiogenesis, invasion, migration, and chemoresistance. Studying exosomes from this perspective offers more in depth understanding of breast malignancy and may aid in the future development of early diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic options. We present the latest findings in this area and offer practical solutions which may further stimulate the much-needed research of exosome in breast cancer.

LncRNA SNHG1 correlates with higher T stage and worse overall survival, and promotes cell proliferation while reduces cell apoptosis in breast cancer

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) with the prognosis in breast cancer patients, and its effect on breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Methods

A total of 178 breast cancer patients were consecutively recruited, then tumor tissue and the paired adjacent tissue were obtained during surgery for lncRNA SNHG1 determination by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). LncRNA SNHG1 expression was also measured in breast cancer cell lines and normal breast epithelial cell line. Subsequently, negative control (NC) overexpression plasmids, lncRNA SNHG1 overexpression plasmids, NC short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmids and lncRNA SNHG1 shRNA plasmids were transfected into MDA-MB-453 cells as well as MCF7 cells, and cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured afterward.

Results

LncRNA SNHG1 expression in tumor tissue was increased compared with paired adjacent tissue, and it correlated with higher T stage and worse overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients. LncRNA SNHG1 expression was also elevated in breast cancer cell lines compared with normal breast epithelial cell line. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay revealed that lncRNA SNHG1 overexpression promoted while lncRNA SNHG1 shRNA reduced cell proliferation, and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining (AV/PI) assay illustrated that lncRNA SNHG1 overexpression decreased while lncRNA SNHG1 shRNA increased cell apoptosis rate. In addition, Western Blot assay disclosed that lncRNA SNHG1 overexpression downregulated while lncRNA SNHG1 shRNA upregulated pro-apoptotic marker (C-Caspase3) expression, and lncRNA SNHG1 overexpression increased while lncRNA SNHG1 shRNA decreased anti-apoptotic marker (p-P38) expression.

Conclusions

LncRNA SNHG1 is upregulated in tumor tissue and correlates with higher T stage and worse OS, and it promotes cell proliferation but inhibits cell apoptosis in breast cancer.

miR-130a-3p regulated TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition depends on SMAD4 in EC-1 cells

Metastasis and invasion are the primary causes of malignant progression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial step of acquisition of "stemness" properties in tumor cells. However, the mechanism of esophageal cancer metastasis remains unclear. This research was designed to explore the role and mechanism of SMAD4 and miR‐130a‐3p in the progression of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)‐induced EMT in vivo and in vitro. The expression of miR‐130a‐3p in ESCC cell line and normal esophageal epithelial cell was determined by RT‐qPCR. The protein expression levels of TGF‐β‐induced changes in EMT were analyzed by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Dual‐luciferase report assays were used to validate the regulation of miR‐130a‐3p‐SMAD4 axis. The effect of miR‐130a‐3p and SMAD4 in TGF‐β‐induced migration, invasion in the ESCC cell line EC‐1 was investigated by wound healing assays and Transwell assays. Here we found that knocked down SMAD4 could partially reverse TGF‐β‐induced migration, invasion, and EMT progression in the ESCC cell line EC‐1. miR‐130a‐3p, which directly targets SMAD4, is down‐regulated in ESCC. miR‐130a‐3p inhibits the migration and invasion of EC‐1 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, miR‐130a‐3p inhibits TGF‐β‐induced EC‐1 cell migration, invasion, and EMT progression in a SMAD4‐dependent way. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the mechanism underlying ESCC metastasis. The TGF‐β/miR‐130a‐3p/SMAD4 pathway could be potential targets for clinical treatment of ESCC.

GGNBP2 suppresses triple-negative breast cancer aggressiveness through inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signaling activation

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, lacking effective targeted therapies, and whose underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The gene coding for Gametogenetin-binding protein (GGNBP2), also known as Zinc Finger Protein 403 (ZNF403), is located on chromosome 17q12-q23, a region known as a breast cancer susceptibility locus. We have previously reported that GGNBP2 functions as a tumor suppressor in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and mechanisms of GGNBP2 in TNBC.

METHODS

The effect of GGNBP2 on TNBC aggressiveness was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The protein and mRNA expression levels were analyzed by western blotting and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis was used to evaluate the cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of GGNBP2 in breast cancer tissues.

RESULTS

We find that GGNBP2 expression decreases in TNBC tissues and is associated with the outcome of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, experimental overexpression of GGNBP2 in MDA-MB-231 and Cal51 cells suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion, reduces the cancer stem cell subpopulation, and promotes cell apoptosis in vitro as well as inhibits tumor growth in vivo. In these cell models, overexpression of GGNBP2 decreases the activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate that GGNBP2 suppresses cancer aggressiveness by inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 activation in TNBC.