Long noncoding RNA TUG1 facilitates cell ovarian cancer progression through targeting MiR-29b-3p/MDM2 axis

MicroRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs and gynecological cancers: focus on metastasis

Gynecologic cancer is a significant cause of death in women worldwide, with cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer being among the most well-known types. The initiation and progression of gynecologic cancers involve a variety of biological functions, including angiogenesis and metastasis-given that death mostly occurs from metastatic tumors that have invaded the surrounding tissues. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathways underlying gynecologic cancer metastasis is critical for enhancing patient survival and outcomes. Recent research has revealed the contribution of numerous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to metastasis and invasion of gynecologic cancer by affecting specific cellular pathways. This review focuses on three types of gynecologic cancer (ovarian, endometrial, and cervical) and three kinds of ncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs). We summarize the detailed role of non-coding RNAs in the different pathways and molecular interactions involved in the invasion and metastasis of these cancers.

MiR-29b-3p Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma by Downregulating COL1A1 and COL5A1

Introduction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate genetic expression and are also vital for tumor initiation and development. MiR-29b-3p was found to be involved in regulating various biological processes of tumors, including tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis inhibition; however, the biofunction and molecule-level mechanisms of miR-29b-3p inpapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remain unclear.

Methods

The expression of miR-29b-3p in PTC samples was tested via qRT-PCR. Cellular proliferation was analyzed by CCK-8 and EdU assays, and cellular migratory and invasive abilities were assessed utilizing wound-healing and Transwell assays. In addition, protein expressions of COL1A1, COL5A1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, and Vimentin were identified via Western blot (WB) assay. Bioinformatics, qRT-PCR, WB, and dual luciferase reporter assays were completed to identify whether miR-29b-3p targeted COL1A1 and COL5A1. In addition, our team explored the treatment effects of miR-29b-3p on a murine heterograft model.

Results

Our findings revealed that miR-29b-3p proved much more regulated downward in PTC tissue specimens than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Meanwhile, decreased expression of miR-29b-3p was strongly related to the TNM stage of PTC patients (p<0.001), while overexpression of miR-29b-3p in PTC cells suppressed cellular migration, invasion, proliferation, and EMT. Conversely, silencing miR-29b-3p yielded the opposite effect. COL1A1 and COL5A1 were affirmed as the target of miR-29b-3p. Additionally, the COL1A1 and COL5A1 were highly expressed in PTC tumor samples than in contrast to neighboring healthy samples. Functional assays revealed that overexpression of COL1A1 or COL5A1 reversed the suppressive role of miR-29b-3p in migration, invasion, and EMT of PTC cells. Finally, miR-29b-3p agomir treatment dramatically inhibited Xenograft tumor growth in the animal model.

Conclusions

These findings document that miR-29b-3p inhibited PTC cells invasion and metastasis by targeting COL1A1 and COL5A1; this study also sparks new ideas for risk assessment and miRNA replacement therapy in PTC.

Downregulation of miR-29b-3p aggravates podocyte injury by targeting HDAC4 in LPS-induced acute kidney injury

Sepsis is a severe organ dysfunction disease, usually accompanied by acute kidney injury (AKI). miR-29b-3p was inhibited in sepsis-induced AKI, while its role in AKI was unclear. Therefore, this study determined the role of miR-29b-3p in sepsis-induced AKI, and investigated its underlying mechanism. In this study, the AKI model was established through injecting with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) intraperitoneally. In LPS challenged mice, serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were increased, and renal tissues pathological damage was induced. Besides, miR-29b-3p was declined in LPS-induced AKI mice and podocytes. In addition, HDAC4 was elevated in LPS-treated podocytes. Furthermore, upregulated miR-29b-3p attenuated LPS-induced mice podocyte injury, and HDAC4 was identified as a direct target of miR-29b-3p. Moreover, overexpression of miR-29b-3p attenuated LPS-induced AKI in mice. In conclusion, miR-29b-3p was inhibited in LPS-induced AKI. Downregulation of miR-29b-3p aggravated podocyte injury through targeting HDAC4 in LPS-induced AKI. miR-29b-3p may act as a valuable target for AKI therapy.

Role of long noncoding RNA taurine-upregulated gene 1 in cancers

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non-protein coding RNAs with a length of more than 200 bp. The lncRNA taurine up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) is abnormally expressed in many human malignant cancers, where it acts as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), regulating gene expression by specifically sponging its corresponding microRNAs. In the present review, we summarised the current understanding of the role of lncRNA TUG1 in cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, chemotherapeutic drug resistance, radiosensitivity, cell regulation, and cell glycolysis, as well as highlighting its potential application as a clinical biomarker or therapeutic target for malignant cancer. This review provides the basis for new research directions for lncRNA TUG1 in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers of Tumor Progression and Metastatic Spread in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Simple Summary

Despite advances in cancer research in recent years, efficient predictive biomarkers of tumor progression and metastatic spread for ovarian cancer are still missing. Therefore, we critically address recent findings in the field of non-coding RNAs (microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs) and DNA methylation in ovarian cancer patients as promising novel biomarkers of ovarian cancer progression.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common causes of death among gynecological malignancies. Molecular changes occurring in the primary tumor lead to metastatic spread into the peritoneum and the formation of distant metastases. Identification of these changes helps to reveal the nature of metastases development and decipher early biomarkers of prognosis and disease progression. Comparing differences in gene expression profiles between primary tumors and metastases, together with disclosing their epigenetic regulation, provides interesting associations with progression and metastasizing. Regulatory elements from the non-coding RNA families such as microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs seem to participate in these processes and represent potential molecular biomarkers of patient prognosis. Progress in therapy individualization and its proper targeting also rely upon a better understanding of interactions among the above-listed factors. This review aims to summarize currently available findings of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs linked with tumor progression and metastatic process in ovarian cancer. These biomolecules provide promising tools for monitoring the patient’s response to treatment, and further they serve as potential therapeutic targets of this deadly disease.

Gynecologic cancers and non-coding RNAs: Epigenetic regulators with emerging roles

Gynecologic cancers involve the female genital organs, such as the vulva, vagina, cervix, endometrium, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The occurrence and frequency of gynecologic cancer depends on personal lifestyle, history of exposure to viruses or carcinogens, genetics, body shape, and geographical habitat. For a long time, research into the molecular biology of cancer was broadly restricted to protein-coding genes. Recently it has been realized that non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), including long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs), microRNAs, circular RNAs and piRNAs (PIWI-interacting RNAs), can all play a role in the regulation of cellular function within gynecological cancer. It is now known that ncRNAs are able to play dual roles, i.e. can exert both oncogenic or tumor suppressive functions in gynecological cancer. Moreover, several clinical trials are underway looking at the biomarker and therapeutic roles of ncRNAs. These efforts may provide a new horizon for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancer. Herein, we summarize some of the ncRNAs that have been shown to be important in gynecological cancers.

LncRNAs in Ovarian Cancer Progression, Metastasis, and Main Pathways: ceRNA and Alternative Mechanisms

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) develops asymptomatically until it reaches the advanced stages with metastasis, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis. Our review focuses on the analysis of regulatory long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) competing with protein-coding mRNAs for binding to miRNAs according to the model of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in OvCa. Analysis of publications showed that most lncRNAs acting as ceRNAs participate in OvCa progression: migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis. More than 30 lncRNAs turned out to be predictors of survival and/or response to therapy in patients with OvCa. For a number of oncogenic (CCAT1, HOTAIR, NEAT1, and TUG1 among others) and some suppressive lncRNAs, several lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA axes were identified, which revealed various functions for each of them. Our review also considers examples of alternative mechanisms of actions for lncRNAs besides being ceRNAs, including binding directly to mRNA or protein, and some of them (DANCR, GAS5, MALAT1, and UCA1 among others) act by both mechanisms depending on the target protein. A systematic analysis based on the data from literature and Panther or KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) databases showed that a significant part of lncRNAs affects the key pathways involved in OvCa metastasis, EMT, and chemoresistance.

The Challenges and Opportunities of LncRNAs in Ovarian Cancer Research and Clinical Use

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies worldwide because it tends to be detected late, when the disease has already spread, and prognosis is poor. In this review we aim to highlight the importance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment choice, to make progress towards increasingly personalized medicine in this malignancy. We review the effects of lncRNAs associated with ovarian cancer in the context of cancer hallmarks. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs become involved in cellular physiology; the onset, development and progression of ovarian cancer; and lncRNAs' regulatory mechanisms at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational stages of gene expression. Finally, we compile a series of online resources useful for the study of lncRNAs, especially in the context of ovarian cancer. Future work required in the field is also discussed along with some concluding remarks.