Long Noncoding RNA HITTERS Protects Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells from Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptosis via Promoting MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 Complex Formation

Comprehensive analysis of endoplasmic reticulum stress related signature in head and neck squamous carcinoma

Head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC) is a prevalent malignant disease, with the majority of patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is considered to be a process that promotes tumorigenesis and impacts the tumor microenvironment (TME) in various cancers. The study aims to investigate the predictive value of ERS in HNSC and explore the correlation between ERS-related genes and TME. A series of bioinformatics analyses were carried out based on mRNA and scRNA-seq data from the TCGA and GEO databases. We conducted RT-qPCR and western blot to validate the signature, and performed cell functional experiments to investigate the in vitro biological functions of the gene. We identified 63 ERS-related genes that were associated with outcome and stage in HNSC. A three-gene signature (ATF6, TRIB3, and UBXN6) was developed, which presents predictive value in the prognosis and immunotherapy response of HNSC patients. The high-risk group exhibited a worse prognosis but may benefit from immunotherapy. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the signature and immune infiltration. In the high-risk group, fibroblasts were more active in intercellular communication, and more T cells were observed at the end of the sequential phase. The genes in the ERS-related signature were overexpressed in HNSC cells, and the knockdown of TRIB3 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration. This study established a novel ERS-related signature that has potential implications for HNSC therapy and the understanding of TME.

Characterization of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated lncRNA prognostic signature and the tumor-suppressive role of RP11-295G20.2 knockdown in lung adenocarcinoma

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is commonly induced by accumulating misfolded or unfolded proteins in tumor microenvironment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in ERS response and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression. However, the role of ERS-related lncRNAs in LUAD remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify ERS-associated lncRNAs with prognostic value in LUAD and characterize their clinical implications. Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analyses identified nine ERS-related lncRNAs with independent prognostic abilities, including five protective factors (CROCCP2, KIAA0125, LINC0996, RPARP-AS1 and TBX5-AS1) and four risk factors (LINC0857, LINC116, RP11-21L23.2 and RP11-295G20.2). We developed an ERS-related lncRNA risk prediction model in predicting overall survival of LUAD patients, which classified TCGA cohorts into high-risk (HS) and low-risk (LS) groups. Comprehensive bioinformatic analyses revealed HS patients featured with late-stage tumors, greater mutation burdens, weaker anti-tumor immunity/responses, and lower sensitivity to targeted drugs compared to LS patients, contributing to tumor progression and a poor prognosis. Functional enrichment analysis implicated these ERS-related lncRNAs in cell migration, cell death, and immunity. Furthermore, expression of the most significantly upregulated risk lncRNA, RP11-295G20.2, was validated at the mRNA level using clinical LUAD samples. Knockdown of RP11-295G20.2 obviously reduced ERS and suppressed proliferation, invasion, and migration of LUAD cells. This novel ERS-related lncRNA signature provides a new biomarker for prognostic prediction, and ERS-associated RP11-295G20.2 serves as a potential therapeutic target in LUAD.

A snapshot of miRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Difference between cancer cells and corresponding normal cells

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes the most aggressive tumors of the oral cavity and is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Although recent clinical treatment strategies have improved the survival rate, the outcome of OSCC patients still remains dismal because of the lack of efficient diagnostic and treatment tools. As one of the main actors of OSCC scenario, microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in triggering, progression and metastasis through the regulation of various cancer-related signaling pathways. Identification followed by precise study of the biology and mechanism of action of miRNAs will greatly help to provide valuable insights regarding OSCC development and can be considered as an anti-OSCC target. In the current review, we have provided a focused summary of the latest published papers on the role of miRNAs in apoptosis, cell cycle, proliferation, EMT and metastasis of OSCC as well as the role of long noncoding RNAs in the modulation of miRNAs in OSCC.

The Effect and Mechanism of POSTN and Its Alternative Splicing on the Apoptosis of Myocardial Cells in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Study in Vitro

Our study aimed to investigate key molecular targets in the pathogenesis of AMI, and provide new strategy for the treatment. In this work, the myocardial ischemia and hypoxia model was constructed by using HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes. The over-expressing POSTN wild-type, mutant and negative control lentiviruses (GV492-POSTNWT,GV492-POSTN-MUT, GV492-NC) was conducted and transfected. Cardiomyocytes were examined for cell proliferation and apoptosis to explore the effects of POSTN and its alternative splicing. The endoplasmic reticulum stess-related apoptosis proteins were selected and detected. We found that POSTN could promote the proliferation of normal and hypoxic cardiomyocytes and inhibit their apoptosis. The mechanism by which POSTN inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis may be through inhibiting the GRP78-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Alternative splicing of POSTN could inhibit the apoptosis of ischemic and hypoxic cardiomyocytes, and its mechanism needs to be confirmed by further studies. We drawed the conclusion that POSTN might be a potential therapeutic target for AMI.

Genetic disruption of mammalian endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation: Human phenotypes and animal and cellular disease models

Endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD) is a stringent quality control mechanism through which misfolded, unassembled and some native proteins are targeted for degradation to maintain appropriate cellular and organelle homeostasis. Several in vitro and in vivo ERAD-related studies have provided mechanistic insights into ERAD pathway activation and its consequent events; however, a majority of these have investigated the effect of ERAD substrates and their consequent diseases affecting the degradation process. In this review, we present all reported human single-gene disorders caused by genetic variation in genes that encode ERAD components rather than their substrates. Additionally, after extensive literature survey, we present various genetically manipulated higher cellular and mammalian animal models that lack specific components involved in various stages of the ERAD pathway.

Size-optimized nuclear-targeting phototherapy enhances the type I interferon response for "cold" tumor immunotherapy

There is growing interest in the effect of innate immune silencing in "cold" tumors, which always fail in the immune checkpoint blockade monotherapy using PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (aPD-L1). Combination of aPD-L1 with photodynamic therapy, i.e., photoimmunotherapy, is a promising strategy to improve the mono immunotherapy. Nuclear-targeting nanoparticles could elicit a type I interferon (IFN)-mediated innate immune response and reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment for long-term immunotherapy of "cold" tumors. Photosensitizers such as zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) have limited ability to target the nucleus and activate innate sensing pathways to minimize tumor recurrence. Additionally, the relationship between nanoparticle size and nuclear entry capacity remains unclear. Herein, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were employed as aPD-L1 and ZnPc carriers. Three particle sizes (200 nm, 32 nm and 5 nm) of aPD-L1/ZnPc/GQD-PEG (PZGE) were synthesized and tested. The 5 nm nanoparticles achieved the best nuclear enrichment capacity contributing to their ultrasmall size. Notably, 5 nm PZGE-based photodynamic therapy enabled an amplification of the type I IFN-mediated innate immune response and could convert "immune-cold" tumors into "immune-hot" ones. Utilizing their size advantage to target the nucleus, 5 nm nanoparticles induced DNA damage and activated the type I IFN-mediated innate immune response, subsequently promoting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte infiltration and reversing negative PD-L1 expression. Furthermore, the nanoplatform we designed is promising for the effective suppression of distant oral squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, for the first time, this study presents a size design strategy for nuclear-targeted photo-controlled immune adjuvants and the nuclear-targeted phototherapy-mediated immunomodulatory functions of type I IFN innate immune signalling for "immune-cold" tumors. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The potential of commonly used photosensitizers to activate innate sensing pathways for producing type I IFNs is limited due to the lack of nuclear targeting. Facilitating the nuclear-targeting of photosensitizers to enhance innate immune response and execute long-term tumor killing effect would be a promising strategy for "cold" tumor photoimmunotherapy. Herein, we report an optimal size of PZGE nanoparticles that enable the nuclear-targeting of ZnPc, which reinforces the type I IFN-mediated innate immune response, synergistically reversing "cold tumors" to "hot tumors" for effective primary and distant tumor photoimmunotherapy. This work highlights the marked efficacy of ultrasmall nuclear-located nanocarriers and offers new insight into "immune-cold tumors" via prominent innate immune activation mediated by nuclear-targeting photoimmunotherapy.

Prognostic signature of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related long noncoding RNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Association with somatic mutation and tumor immune microenvironment

Background/purpose

Analysis of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) may enable prognostic stratification in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the ERS-related LncRNAs signature and its effects on the prognosis, tumorigenesis, and tumor immune microenvironment in HNSCC.

Materials and methods

The transcriptome data of HNSCC were obtained from TCGA. Least absolute shrinkage selection operator algorithm, and multivariate Cox regression were used to screen LncRNAs for the signature construction. Somatic mutation, gene enrichment, and immune infiltration analyses were further performed.

Results

458 ERS-related LncRNAs were identified and 55 of which were correlated with HNSCC prognosis. Ten ERS-related LncRNAs were selected to establish a risk prediction signature. When dividing patients into high-risk and low-risk groups by signature score, high-risk group correlated with worse survival rates (hazard ratio = 1.211; 95% confidence interval 1.123-1.306, P < 0.001). The area under the curve was 0.751 and 0.716 in the training and validation cohorts at 3-year. Moreover, high-risk group have increased somatic mutation rates and reduced infiltration abundancy of B cells and CD8+ T cells.

Conclusion

The prognostic signature based on ERS-related LncRNAs may serve as a predictor of altered oncogene mutations and immune microenvironment, which provided an insight into the relationship between ERS, LncRNAs, and tumor progression.

Long non‑coding RNAs interact with RNA‑binding proteins to regulate genomic instability in cancer cells (Review)

Genomic instability, a feature of most cancers, contributes to malignant cell transformation and cancer progression due to the accumulation of genetic alterations. Genomic instability is reflected at numerous levels, from single nucleotide to the chromosome levels. However, the exact molecular mechanisms and regulators of genomic instability in cancer remain unclear. Growing evidence indicates that the binding of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to protein chaperones confers a variety of regulatory functions, including managing of genomic instability. The aim of the present review was to examine the roles of mitosis, telomeres, DNA repair, and epigenetics in genomic instability, and the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate them by binding proteins in cancer cells. This review contributes to our understanding of the role of lncRNAs and genomic instability in cancer and can potentially provide entry points and molecular targets for cancer therapies.

Pazopanib restricts small cell lung cancer proliferation via reactive oxygen species-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress

Background

Pazopanib is an approved multitarget anticancer agent for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is also under clinical investigation for other malignancies, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the potential anti‐SCLC mechanisms of pazopanib remain unclear.

Methods

Cell viability was evaluated by CCK‐8, apoptotic cell detection was conducted using annexin V/PI staining followed by flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis was used to detect the apoptotic‐related molecules and ER‐stress pathway effectors. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was determined by DCFH‐HA staining followed by flow cytometry. An NCI‐H446 xenograft model was established to evaluate pazopanib on tumor suppression in vivo. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess the proliferative activity of xenograft in NCI‐H446 cell‐bearing NOD‐SCID mice.

Results

Pazopanib dose‐ and time‐dependently inhibited SCLC cell proliferation induced significant apoptosis in SCLC cell lines, increased cleaved‐caspase3 and Bax, and decreased Bcl‐2. Moreover, the PERK‐related ER‐stress pathway was potently activated by pazopanib treatment, inhibiting ER‐stress by salubrinal significantly reversing pazopanib‐mediated apoptosis in SCLC cell lines. Furthermore, pazopanib‐induced intracellular ROS levels increased, while inhibiting ROS by NAC significantly reversed pazopanib‐induced apoptosis in SCLC cells. In addition, pazopanib significantly suppressed NCI‐H446 xenograft growth and decreased Ki67 positive cells in the tumor.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that pazopanib induces SCLC cell apoptosis through the ER‐stress process via upregulation of ROS levels. Further investigation of relevant biomarkers to accurately select patients for benefit from pazopanib should be further investigated.

Risk SNP-mediated LINC01614 upregulation drives head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

As potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the tumorigenesis of various tumors. Genetic variation in long noncoding regions can lead to lncRNA dysfunction and even cancer. Nevertheless, studies on the association between lncRNA-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain inadequate. Here, we aimed to explore the association between SNPs in LINC01614 and HNSCC risk, and the potential role of LINC01614 in tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that rs16854802 A > G (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-1.77, p < 0.001) and rs3113503 G > C (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.15-1.64, p < 0.001) in LINC01614 increased the risk of HNSCC in the Chinese population. Functional bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that rs3113503 G > C variant disrupted the binding of miRNA-616-3p to LINC01614, which resulted in the increased expression of LINC01614. Further analysis of the TCGA database demonstrated that the upregulated LINC01614 in HNSCC cancer tissues was associated with poor prognostic in HNSCC patients. In vitro experiments showed that knockdown of LINC01614 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability of HNSCC cells. Mechanistically, allele C of rs3113503 in LINC01614 was more effective than allele G in activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, the reduced expression of LINC01614 also inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In summary, our findings revealed that the risk SNP rs3113503 G > C in LINC01614 altered the binding to miR-616-3p, which led to increased LINC01614 expression and promoted HNSCC progression by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Stressing the Regulatory Role of Long Non-Coding RNA in the Cellular Stress Response during Cancer Progression and Therapy

Cellular stress response is an important adaptive mechanism for regulating cell fate decision when cells confront with stress. During tumorigenesis, tumor progression and the course of treatment, cellular stress signaling can activate subsequent response to deal with stress. Therefore, cellular stress response has impacts on the fate of tumor cells and tumor responsiveness relative to therapeutic agents. In recent years, attention has been drawn to long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a novel class of RNA molecules with more than 200 nucleotides in length, which has little protein-coding potential and possesses various functions in multiple biological processes. Accumulating evidence has shown that lncRNAs are also engaged in the regulation of cellular stress response, particularly in cancers. Here, we summarize lncRNAs that have been reported in the adaptive response to major types of cellular stress including genotoxic, hypoxic, oxidative, metabolic and endoplasmic reticulum stress, all of which are often encountered by cancer cells. Specifically, the molecular mechanisms of how lncRNAs regulate cellular stress response during tumor progression or the development of therapy resistance are emphasized. The potential clinical applications of stress-responsive lncRNAs as biomarkers will also be discussed.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Induces Immunosuppression of Neutrophils

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress of cancer cells not only determined cancer cell fate but also indirectly triggered proinflammatory or immunosuppressive responses of macrophages. In addition, ER stressed neutrophils were known to acquire immunosuppressive activity with surface expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1). Since the importance of tumor ER stress and immunosuppressive neutrophils has been emphasized in head and neck cancers, we hypothesized that the ER stress of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) could transform neutrophils into LOX-1 expressing immunosuppressive phenotype. Two human OSCC cell lines, SCC25 and OML1, were treated with either vehicle or thapsigargin (THG), an ER stress inducer. These tumor conditioned media (TCM) were collected accordingly. Then human peripheral blood neutrophils from healthy donors were cultured in these TCM. The results showed that neutrophils cultured in THG-treated TCM had higher expression of LOX-1 compared with those cultured in vehicle-treated TCM. Moreover, by interleukin-2/anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activated autologous T cell proliferation assay, neutrophils conditioned by THG-treated TCM were shown to inhibit T cell proliferation more significantly than those conditioned by vehicle-treated TCM. These novel findings indicated that the ER stress of OSCC could be transmitted to neutrophils which in turn expressed LOX-1 and obtained immunosuppressive ability. Our findings further supported the existence of "transmissible" ER stress between tumor cells and neutrophils.

Long non-coding RNA human leucocyte antigen complex group-18 HCG18 (HCG18) promoted cell proliferation and migration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through cyclin D1-WNT pathway

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) play a vital role in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, the biological effects and underlying mechanisms of human leukocyte antigen complex group-18 HCG18 (HCG18) have not yet been reported in HNSCC. In this study, we detected the expression of the HCG18 in HNSCC cell lines and patient tissues. We observed that HCG18 was upregulated in HNSCC patient tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, silencing of HCG18 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells, whereas the opposite effects were detected in the HCG18-overexpressed group. We also found that HCG18 directly binds to the functional protein cyclin D1. Upregulated cyclin D1 reversed the inhibitory effects of HCG18 in HNSCC cell lines and activated the WNT pathway-related proteins (AXIN2, survivin, c-Myc, and β-catenin) simultaneously. Knockdown of cyclin D1 could accelerate the inhibitory effects of HCG18 and decrease the expression of AXIN2, survivin, c-Myc, and β-catenin. This indicated that lncRNA HCG18 might be involved in the tumorigenesis of HNSCC via the cyclin D1-WNT pathway. These results suggest that lncRNA HCG18 could act as a promising prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in HNSCC patients.

Risk Scores Based on Six Survival-Related RNAs in a Competing Endogenous Network Composed of Differentially Expressed RNAs Between Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Carrying Wild-Type or Mutant Von Hippel-Lindau Serve Well to Predict Malignancy and Prognosis

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) carrying wild-type Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor are more invasive and of high morbidity. Concurrently, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network has been suggested to play an important role in ccRCC malignancy. In order to understand why the patients carrying wild-type VHL gene have high degrees of invasion and morbidity, we applied bioinformatics approaches to identify 861 differentially expressed RNAs (DE-RNAs) between patients carrying wild-type and patients carrying mutant VHL from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, established a ceRNA network including 122 RNAs, and elected six survival-related DE-RNAs including Linc00942, Linc00858, RP13_392I16.1, hsa-miR-182-5p, hsa-miR-183-5p, and PAX3. Examining clinical samples from our hospital revealed that patients carrying wild-type VHL had significantly higher levels of all six RNAs than those carrying mutant VHL. Patients carrying wild-type VHL had significantly higher risk scores, which were calculated based on expression levels of all six RNAs, than those carrying mutant VHL. Patients with higher risk scores had significantly shorter survival times than those with lower risk scores. Therefore, the risk scores serve well to predict malignancy and prognosis.

The Downregulation of Prognosis- and Immune Infiltration-Related Gene CYFIP2 Serves as a Novel Target in ccRCC

Background

Increasing evidence indicated that the aberrant expression of the cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein (CYFIP) family might possess critical role and potential functions in cancer. But the role of CYFIP2 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is still uncharacteristic.

Methods

We investigated the Cancer Genome Atlas Kidney Clear Cell Carcinoma (TCGA-KIRC) database for the expression profile, clinicopathological variables, clinical prognosis information, and promoter methylation levels of CYFIPs in ccRCC. The aberrant CYFIP2 protein expression was validated by the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to uncover CYFIP2 mRNA levels in 28 pairs of ccRCC cancer tissues. Kaplan–Meier analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression were performed to assess CYFIPs’ prognosis value. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to determined hallmark functions, gene ontology of CYFIP2. TIMER database was utilized to assess the correlation with immune infiltration in ccRCC.

Results

Results showed CYFIP2 was downregulated in ccRCC, relative to paired normal tissues in TCGA-KIRC database and 28 pairs of clinical samples (P < 0.0001). Similarly, a decreased CYFIP2 protein expression was confirmed by ccRCC tissues. The results showed CYFIP2 was negatively regulated by promoter DNA methylation. Survival analysis results showed CYFIP2 could be an independent biomarker for ccRCC and its reduction predicted a poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). GSEA showed CYFIP2 was involved in metabolic pathways and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Immune infiltration analysis revealed that a list of immune markers was significantly correlated with CYFIP2 expression especially with CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells in ccRCC.

Conclusion

These results show that CYFIP2 was downregulated in ccRCC patients and predicted an unfavorable prognosis. CYFIP2 might be a potential novel prognostic molecule, and related to immune infiltration, the metabolism, as well as EMT process in ccRCC. CYFIP2 could act as tumor suppressor gene in ccRCC and positive modulation of CYFIP2 might lead to development of a novel strategy for ccRCC treatment.

Interactions between long non‑coding RNAs and RNA‑binding proteins in cancer (Review)

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) fulfill important roles in the majority of cellular processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer. However, to date, the functions of only a small number of the known lncRNAs have been well-documented. lncRNAs comprise a class of multifunctional non-coding transcripts that are able to interact with different types of biomolecules. Interactions between lncRNAs and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) provide an important mechanism through which lncRNAs exert their regulatory functions, mainly through findings on ‘generalized RBPs’. Regulatory effects on lncRNAs mediated by RBPs have also been explored. Taking account of the research that has been completed to date, the continued and in-depth study of the bidirectional interactions between lncRNAs and RBPs will prove to be of major importance for understanding the pathogenesis of cancer and for developing effective therapies. The present review aims to explore the interactions between lncRNAs and RBPs that have been investigated in cancer, taking into consideration several different aspects, including the regulation of expression, subcellular localization and the mediation of diverse functions.

Long Non-coding RNAs: Potential Players in Cardiotoxicity Induced by Chemotherapy Drugs

One of the most important side effects of chemotherapy is cardiovascular complications, such as cardiotoxicity. Many factors are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiotoxicity; one of the most important of which is long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). lncRNA has 200-1000 nucleotides. It is involved in important processes such as cell proliferation, regeneration and apoptosis; today it is used as a prognostic and diagnostic factor. A, various drugs by acting on lncRNAs can affect cells. Therefore, by accurately identifying IncRNAs function, we can play an effective role in preventing the development of cardiotoxicity-induced chemotherapy drugs, and use them as a therapeutic strategy to improve clinical symptoms and increase patient survival.

The integration of differentially expressed genes based on multiple microarray datasets for prediction of the prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common human malignancy. However, its pathogenesis and prognostic information are poorly elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to probe the most significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their prognostic performance in OSCC. Multiple microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were aggregated to identify DEGs between OSCC tissue and control tissue. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox model was constructed to determine the prognostic performance of the aggregated DEGs based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) OSCC cohort. Ten datasets with 341 OSCC samples and 283 control samples were included. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment revealed that the integrated DEGs were enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, and amoebiasis, among others. Our LASSO Cox model was able to discriminate two groups with different overall survival in the training cohort and test cohort (p < 0.001). The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) values at one year, three years, and five years were 0.831, 0.898, and 0.887, respectively. In the testing cohort, the time-dependent ROC curve showed that the AUC values at one year, three years, and five years were 0.696, 0.693, and 0.860, respectively. Our study showed that the integrated DEGs of OSCC might be applicable in the evaluation of prognosis in OSCC. However, further research should be performed to validate our findings.

The evolving complexity of DNA damage foci: RNA, condensates and chromatin in DNA double-strand break repair

Formation of biomolecular condensates is increasingly recognized as a mechanism employed by cells to deal with stress and to optimize enzymatic reactions. Recent studies have characterized several DNA repair foci as phase-separated condensates, behaving like liquid droplets. Concomitantly, the apparent importance of long non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins for the repair of double-strand breaks has raised many questions about their exact contribution to the repair process. Here we discuss how RNA molecules can participate in condensate formation and how RNA-binding proteins can act as molecular scaffolds. We furthermore summarize our current knowledge about how properties of condensates can influence the choice of repair pathway (homologous recombination or non-homologous end joining) and identify the open questions in this field of emerging importance.

Cryptotanshinone Inhibits the Growth of HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Autophagy

Among cancers, colorectal cancer (CRC) has one of the highest annual incidence and death rates. Considering severe adverse reactions associated with classical chemotherapy medications, traditional Chinese medicines have become potential drug candidates. In the current study, the effects of cryptotanshinone (CPT), a major component of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) on CRC and underlying mechanism were explored. First of all, data from in vitro experiments and in vivo zebrafish models indicated that CPT selectively inhibited the growth and proliferation of HCT116 and SW620 cells while had little effect on SW480 cells. Secondly, both ER stress and autophagy were associated with CRC viability regulation. Interestingly, ER stress inhibitor and autophagy inhibitor merely alleviated cytotoxic effects on HCT116 cells in response to CPT stimulation, while have little effect on SW620 cells. The significance of apoptosis, autophagy and ER stress were verified by clinical data from CRC patients. In summary, the current study has revealed the anti-cancer effects of CPT in CRC by activating autophagy signaling mediated by ER stress. CPT is a promising drug candidate for CRC treatment.