HOXA11 antisense long noncoding RNA (HOXA11-AS): A promising lncRNA in human cancers

LncRNAs: the art of being influential without protein

The plant long noncoding (lnc)RNA field is on the brink of transitioning from large-scale identification of lncRNAs to their functional characterization. Due to the cross-kingdom conservation of interaction types and molecular functions, there is much to be learned from mammalian lncRNA research. Here, we discuss the different molecular processes involving lncRNAs from the regulation of chromatin to splicing. Furthermore, we discuss the lncRNA interactome, which includes proteins, other RNAs, and DNA. We explore and discuss how mammalian lncRNA functionalities could be reflected in similar pathways in plants and hypothesize that several breakthroughs in mammalian research could lead to the discovery of novel plant lncRNA molecular functions. Expanding our knowledge of the biological role of lncRNAs and their multiple applications paves the way for future agricultural applications.

Expression profile of long noncoding RNAs and comprehensive analysis of lncRNA-cisTF-DGE regulation in condyloma acuminatum

OBJECTIVE

To identify differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in condyloma acuminatum (CA) and to explore their probable regulatory mechanisms by establishing coexpression networks.

METHODS

High-throughput RNA sequencing was performed to assess genome-wide lncRNA expression in CA and paired adjacent mucosal tissue. The expression of candidate lncRNAs and their target genes in larger CA specimens was validated using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR). Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used for the functional enrichment analysis of these candidate lncRNAs and differential mRNAs. The coexpressed mRNAs of the candidate lncRNAs, calculated by Pearson's correlation coefficient, were also analysed using GO and KEGG analysis. In addition, the interactions among differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs)-cis-regulatory transcription factors (cisTFs)-differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analysed and their network was constructed.

RESULTS

A total of 546 lncRNAs and 2553 mRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in CA compared to the paired control. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs coexpressed with DElncRNAs were enriched in the terms of cell adhesion and keratinocyte differentiation, and the pathways of ECM-receptor interaction, local adhesion, PI3K/AKT and TGF-ß signaling. We further constructed the network among DElncRNAs-cisTFs-DEGs and found that these 95 DEGs were mainly enriched in GO terms of epithelial development, regulation of transcription or gene expression. Furthermore, the expression of 3 pairs of DElncRNAs and cisTFs, EVX1-AS and HOXA13, HOXA11-AS and EVX1, and DLX6-AS and DLX5, was validated with a larger number of specimens using RT‒qPCR.

CONCLUSION

CA has a specific lncRNA profile, and the differentially expressed lncRNAs play regulatory roles in mRNA expression through cis-acting TFs, which provides insight into their regulatory networks. It will be useful to understand the pathogenesis of CA to provide new directions for the prevention, clinical treatment and efficacy evaluation of CA.

Targeting HOXA11-AS to mitigate prostate cancer via the glycolytic metabolism: In vitro and in vivo

As oncogenes or oncogene suppressors, long-stranded non-coding RNAs are essential for the formation and progression of human tumours. However, the mechanisms behind the regulatory role of RNA HOXA11-AS in prostate cancer (PCa) are unclear. PCa is a common malignant tumour worldwide, and an increasing number of studies have focused on its metabolic profile. Studies have shown that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA11-AS is aberrantly expressed in many tumours. However, the role of HOXA11-AS in PCa is unclear. This work aimed to determine how HOXA11-AS regulated PCa in vitro and in vivo. We first explored the clinical role of HOXA11-AS in PCa using bioinformatics methods, including single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-logistics systematically. In this study, PCa cell lines were selected to assess the PCa regulatory role of HOXA11-AS overexpression versus silencing in vitro, and tumour xenografts were performed in nude mice to assess tumour suppression by HOXA11-AS silencing in vivo. HOXA11-AS expression was significantly correlated with clinicopathological factors, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and glycolysis. Moreover, key genes downstream of HOXA11-AS exhibited good clinical diagnostic properties for PCa. Furthermore, we studied both in vitro and in vivo effects of HOXA11-AS expression on PCa. Overexpression of HOXA11-AS increased PCa cell proliferation, migration and EMT, while silencing HOXA11-AS had the opposite effect on PCa cells. In addition, multiple metabolites were downregulated by silencing HOXA11-AS via the glycolytic pathway. HOXA11-AS silencing significantly inhibited tumour development in vivo. In summary, silencing HOXA11-AS can inhibit PCa by regulating glucose metabolism and may provide a future guidance for the treatment of PCa.

From diagnosis to therapy: The transformative role of lncRNAs in eye cancer management

The genomic era has brought about a transformative shift in our comprehension of cancer, unveiling the intricate molecular landscape underlying disease development. Eye cancers (ECs), encompassing diverse malignancies affecting ocular tissues, pose distinctive challenges in diagnosis and management. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), an emerging category of non-coding RNAs, are pivotal actors in the genomic intricacies of eye cancers. LncRNAs have garnered recognition for their multifaceted roles in gene expression regulation and influence on many cellular processes. Many studies support that the lncRNAs have a role in developing various cancers. Recent investigations have pinpointed specific lncRNAs associated with ECs, including retinoblastoma and uveal melanoma. These lncRNAs exert control over critical pathways governing tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis, endowing them with the ability to function as evaluation, predictive, and therapeutic indicators. The article aims to synthesize the existing information concerning the functions of lncRNAs in ECs, elucidating their regulatory mechanisms and clinical significance. By delving into the lncRNAs' expanding relevance in the modulation of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive networks, we gain a deeper understanding of the molecular complexities intrinsic to these diseases. In our exploration of the genomic intricacies of ECs, lncRNAs introduce a fresh perspective, providing an opportunity to function as clinical and therapeutic indicators, and they also have therapeutic benefits that show promise for advancing the treatment of ECs. This comprehensive review bridges the intricate relationship between lncRNAs and ECs within the context of the genomic era.

LINC00665: A Promising Biomarker in Gastrointestinal Tumors

An increasing volume of studies has reported that long non-codingRNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the carcinogenesis of many different cancers. Especially in gastrointestinal tumors, lncRNAs are found to participate in various physiological and pathological processes. LncRNAs can regulate gene expression at multiple levels, including transcriptional, post-transcription, translational, and post-translational levels. Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 665(LINC00665), a novel cancer-related lncRNA, is frequently dysregulated in multiple gastrointestinal tumors, including gastric and colorectal cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma, and so on. In this review, we analyzed the expression and prognostic value of LINC00665 in human gastrointestinal tumors, systematically summarized the current literature about the clinical significance of this lncRNA, and explored the regulatory mechanisms of LINC00665 as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in tumor progression. Consequently, we concluded that LINC00665 might act as a prognostic biomarker and a potential target for gastrointestinal tumor diagnosis and treatment.

The role of lncFABP4 in modulating adipogenic differentiation in buffalo intramuscular preadipocytes

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is a crucial determinant of meat quality and is influenced by various regulatory factors. Despite the growing recognition of the important role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in IMF deposition, the mechanisms underlying buffalo IMF deposition remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified and characterized a lncRNA, lncFABP4, which is transcribed from the antisense strand of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4). lncFABP4 inhibited cell proliferation in buffalo intramuscular preadipocytes. Moreover, lncFABP4 significantly increased intramuscular preadipocyte differentiation, as indicated by an increase in the expression of the adipogenic markers peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), and FABP4. Mechanistically, lncFABP4 was found to have the potential to regulate downstream gene expression by participating in protein-protein interaction pathways. These findings contribute to further understanding of the intricate mechanisms through which lncRNAs modulate intramuscular adipogenesis in buffaloes.

Long non-coding RNA HOXA11-AS regulates ischemic neuronal death by targeting miR-337-3p/YBX1 signaling pathway: protective effect of dexmedetomidine

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a common neurological disease. Homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS), a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been demonstrated as an important regulator in diverse human cancers. However, its function and regulatory mechanism in ischemic stroke remains largely unknown. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) have received wide attraction because of its neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to explore the possible link between Dex and HOXA11-AS in protecting neuronal cells from by ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis. We used oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) in mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cells and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MACO) mouse model to test the link. We found that Dex significantly alleviated OGD/R-induced DNA fragmentation, cell viability and apoptosis, and rescued the decreased HOXA11-AS expression after ischemic damage in Neuro-2a cells. Gain-/loss-of-function studies revealed that HOXA11-AS promoted proliferation, inhibited apoptosis in Neuro-2a cells exposed to OGD/R. Knockdown of HOXA11-AS decreased the protective effect of Dex on OGD/R cells. HOXA11-AS was found to transcriptionally regulate microRNA-337-3p (miR-337-3p) expression as evidenced by luciferase reporter assay, while miR-337-3p expression was upregulated following ischemia in vitro and in vivo. Besides, knockdown of miR-337-3p protected OGD/R-induced apoptotic death of Neuro-2a cells. Furthermore, HOXA11-AS functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and competed with Y box protein 1 (Ybx1) mRNA for directly binding to miR-337-3p, which protected ischemic neuronal death. Dex treatment protected against ischemic damage and improved overall neurological functions in vivo. Our data suggest a novel mechanism of Dex neuroprotection for ischemic stroke through regulating lncRNA HOXA11-AS by targeting the miR-337-3p/Ybx1 signaling pathway, which might help develop new strategies for the therapeutic interventions in cerebral ischemic stroke.

The long noncoding RNA HOXA11-AS promotes lung adenocarcinoma proliferation and glycolysis via the microRNA-148b-3p/PKM2 axis

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the most common malignancy in the world and a growing number of researches have focused on its metabolic characteristics. Studies have shown that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA11-AS is aberrantly expressed in many tumors. However, the role of HOXA11-AS in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) glycolysis and other energy metabolism pathways has not been characterized.

METHOD

The mRNA levels of HOXA11-AS, microRNA-148b-3p (miR-148b-3p), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) were detected using qRT-PCR. The expression levels of proteins were measured using immunohistochemistry and western blot. The CCK-8, EdU, and colony formation assays were used to assess proliferation. Glycolytic changes were assessed by measuring lactate production, ATP production, and ¹⁸ F-FDG uptake. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to characterize the relationship between HOXA11-AS, miR-148b-3p, and PKM2. Proliferation and glycolytic changes were analyzed in xenograft tumor experiments using Micro-PET imaging after downregulation of HOXA11-AS in vivo.

RESULTS

The expression of HOXA11-AS was markedly increased in LUAD, and was strongly associated with a poor prognosis. In addition, HOXA11-AS promoted proliferation and glycolysis in LUAD, and miR-148b-3p inhibited proliferation and glycolysis in LUAD. Mechanistically, HOXA11-AS positively regulated PKM2 expression by binding to miR-148b-3p, thereby promoting LUAD proliferation and glycolysis. In addition, HOXA11-AS inhibited LUAD xenograft growth and glycolysis via upregulation of miR-148b-3p expression and downregulation of PKM2 expression in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

These results showed that HOXA11-AS enhanced LUAD proliferation and glycolysis via the miR-148b-3p/PKM2 axis. The findings in this paper expanded our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of LUAD tumorigenesis and glycolysis and showed that HOXA11-AS could be useful as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for LUAD. ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT can be used to visually evaluate the therapeutic effect of targeting HOXA11-AS.

ZBTB20-AS1 promoted Alzheimer's disease progression through ZBTB20/GSK-3β/Tau pathway

To elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of ZBTB20-AS1 on ZBTB20 and GSK-3β/Tau signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), SH-SY5Y cells were obtained for in vitro experiments and AD models were constructed using β-Amyloid 1-42. CCK8 assay was implemented for determining cell viability. Flow cytometry was used for cell apoptosis detection. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA-RNA pull down assay was employed for elucidating molecular interactions. Immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR and western blotting were performed for measuring gene expression. The results showed that expression of LncRNA ZBTB20-AS1 was significantly upregulated, while ZBTB20 was downregulated in SH-SY5Y-AD cells. ZBTB20 was the target gene of LncRNA ZBTB20-AS1. Overexpression of ZBTB20 or knockdown of LncRNA ZBTB20-AS1 inhibited SH-SY5Y-AD cells apoptosis and suppressed GSK3β/Tau pathway, and knockdown of ZBTB20-AS1 increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis. In conclusion, overexpression of ZBTB20-AS1 inhibited ZBTB20 expression and promoted GSK-3β expression and Tau phosphorylation, contributing to the development of AD.

Long non-coding RNAs involved in retinoblastoma

INTRODUCTION

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common childhood tumor that can occur in the retina and develop in a sporadic or heritable form. Although various traditional treatment options have been used for patients with RB, identifying novel strategies for childhood cancers is necessary.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Recently, molecular-based targeted therapies have opened a greater therapeutic window for RB. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) presented a potential role as a biomarker for the detection of RB in various stages.

CONCLUSION

LncRNAs by targeting several miRNA/transcription factors play critical roles in the stimulation or suppression of RB. In this review, we summarized recent progress on the functions of tumor suppressors or oncogenes lncRNAs in RB.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma progression: Biological functions and new therapeutic targets

Liver is an important organ in body that performs vital functions such as detoxification. Liver is susceptible to development of cancers, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among them. 75-85% of liver cancer cases are related to HCC. Therefore, much attention has been directed towards understanding factors mediating HCC progression. LncRNAs are epigenetic factors with more than 200 nucleotides in length located in both nucleus and cytoplasm and they are promising candidates in cancer therapy. Directing studies towards understanding function of lncRNAs in HCC is of importance. LncRNAs regulate cell cycle progression and growth of HCC cells, and they can also induce/inhibit apoptosis in tumor cells. LncRNAs affect invasion and metastasis in HCC mainly by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism. Revealing the association between lncRNAs and downstream signaling pathways in HCC is discussed in the current manuscript. Infectious diseases can affect lncRNA expression in mediating HCC development and then, altered expression level of lncRNA is associated with drug resistance and radio-resistance. Biomarker application of lncRNAs and their role in prognosis and diagnosis of HCC are also discussed to pave the way for treatment of HCC patients.

Epigenetic regulation of autophagy by non-coding RNAs in gastrointestinal tumors: Biological functions and therapeutic perspectives

Cancer is the manifestation of changes and mutations in genetic and epigenetic levels. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are commonly dysregulated in disease pathogenesis, and their role in cancer has been well-documented. The ncRNAs regulate various molecular pathways and mechanisms in cancer that can lead to induction/inhibition of carcinogenesis. Autophagy is a molecular "self-digestion" mechanism its function can be pro-survival or pro-death in tumor cells. The aim of the present review is to evaluate the role of ncRNAs in regulating autophagy in gastrointestinal tumors. The role of the ncRNA/autophagy axis in affecting the progression of gastric, liver, colorectal, pancreatic, esophageal, and gallbladder cancers is investigated. Both ncRNAs and autophagy mechanisms can function as oncogenic or onco-suppressor and this interaction can determine the growth, invasion, and therapy response of gastrointestinal tumors. ncRNA/autophagy axis can reduce/increase the proliferation of gastrointestinal tumors via the glycolysis mechanism. Furthermore, related molecular pathways of metastasis, such as EMT and MMPs, are affected by the ncRNA/autophagy axis. The response of gastrointestinal tumors to chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be suppressed by pro-survival autophagy, and ncRNAs are essential regulators of this mechanism. miRNAs can regulate related genes and proteins of autophagy, such as ATGs and Beclin-1. Furthermore, lncRNAs and circRNAs down-regulate miRNA expression via sponging to modulate the autophagy mechanism. Moreover, anti-cancer agents can affect the expression level of ncRNAs regulating autophagy in gastrointestinal tumors. Therefore, translating these findings into clinics can improve the prognosis of patients.

HOXA11-OS participates in lupus nephritis by targeting miR-124-3p mediating Cyr61 to regulate podocyte autophagy

BACKGROUND

The long chain non-coding RNA HOXA11-OS was recently identified. Increasing studies have shown that HOXA11-OS has regulatory effects on genes in gastric cancer, prostate cancer, and various kidney diseases, but research on its role in systemic lupus erythematosus is still lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the role of HOXA11-OS in the regulation of podocyte autophagy in the development of lupus nephritis (LN) and its potential molecular mechanism.

METHODS

mRNA and protein expression of the target gene (i.e., Cyr61) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Mouse podocytes were induced using serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) from patients with lupus and their viability was detected using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The interaction of miR-124-3p with HOXA11-OS and Cyr61 was analyzed by double luciferase reporter gene assay. Serum autoantibody levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological lesions in the kidney tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin and periodate-Schiff staining. The independent samples t-test was used for comparing two groups, and one-way analysis of variance for comparing multiple groups.

RESULTS

HOXA11-OS was highly expressed in LN tissues, serum, and cells, and the expression of some key autophagy factors and Cyr61 was significantly increased, while miR-124-3p expression was significantly decreased. In vitro, LN-IgG inhibited podocyte activity, increased autophagy and Cyr61 expression, and aggravated podocyte injury in a time- and dose-dependent manner. As a competitive endogenous RNA of miR-124-3p, HOXA11-OS promoted the expression of Cyr61, thus enhancing the autophagy increase induced by LN-IgG and aggravating podocyte injury. Knockdown of HOXA11-OS had the opposite effect. miR-124-3p mimic or Cyr61 knockdown restored the high expression of autophagy factors and Cyr61 induced by HOXA11-OS overexpression and alleviated podocyte injury. Further in vivo experiments showed that injection of sh-HOXA11-OS adeno-associated virus downregulated HOXA11-OS and significantly alleviated renal damage in lupus mice.

CONCLUSIONS

HOXA11-OS is involved in the occurrence and development of LN by regulating podocyte autophagy through miR-124-3p/Cyr61 sponging, which may provide a good potential therapeutic target for LN.

Long non-coding RNA OGFRP1 regulates cell proliferation and ferroptosis by miR-299-3p/SLC38A1 axis in lung cancer

Lung cancer is devastating cancer that ranks as the leading cause of cancer-related death. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) opioid growth factor receptor pseudogene 1 (OGFRP1) was recognized as an oncogene in many cancers. However, the molecular mechanism of OGFRP1 in lung cancer is still poorly understood. The expression of target RNAs and genes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. The interaction between miR-299-3p and OGFRP1 or solute carrier family 38 member 1 (SLC38A1) was predicted by StarbaseV3.0 and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Besides, a transplantation model of human lung cancer in nude mice was established to evaluate the role of OGFRP1 in lung cancer. OGFRP1 and SLC38A1 were overexpressed, whereas miR-299-3p was lowly expressed in lung cancer tumors and cells. OGFRP1 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and facilitated ferroptosis by promoting lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation in lung cancer. Besides, Furthermore, miR-299-3p inhibitor or SLC38A1 overexpression attenuated OGFRP1 depletion-induced suppression on cell proliferation and ferroptosis in lung cancer. Animal experiments indicated that OGFRP1 deficiency restrained tumor growth in vivo by regulating the miR-299-3p/SLC38A1 axis. OGFRP1 regulated cell proliferation and ferroptosis in lung cancer by inhibiting miR-299-3p to enhance SLC38A1 expression, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.

FOXD1 facilitates pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis by regulating GLUT1-mediated aerobic glycolysis

Although FOXD1 has been found to be involved in the malignant processes of several types of cancers, its role in pancreatic cancer (PC) is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the expression and function of FOXD1 in PC. We found that FOXD1 mRNA and protein expression were upregulated in PC tissues compared with non-tumor tissues, and high expression level of FOXD1 was associated with an adverse prognostic index of PC. The results of in vitro and in vivo assays indicate that overexpression of FOXD1 promotes aerobic glycolysis and the capacity of PC cells to proliferate, invade, and metastasize, whereas FOXD1 knockdown inhibits these functions. The results of mechanistic experiments suggest that FOXD1 can not only directly promote SLC2A1 transcription but also inhibit the degradation of SLC2A1 through the RNA-induced silencing complex. As a result, FOXD1 enhances GLUT1 expression and ultimately facilitates PC cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis by regulating aerobic glycolysis. Taken together, FOXD1 is suggested to be a potential therapeutic target for PC.

Comparative analysis of transient receptor potential channel 5 opposite strand-induced gene expression patterns and protein-protein interactions in triple-negative breast cancer

In patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), high tumour mutation burden and aberrant oncogene expression profiles are some of the causes of poor prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to identify aberrantly expressed oncogenes, since they have the potential to serve as therapeutic targets. Transient receptor potential channel 5 opposite strand (TRPC5OS) has been previously shown to function as a novel tumour inducer. However, the underlying mechanism of TRPC5OS function in TNBC remain to be elucidated. Therefore, in the present study TRPC5OS expression was first measured in tissue samples of patients with TNBC and a panel of breast cancer cell lines (ZR-75-1, MDA-MB-453, SK-BR-3, JIMT-1, BT474 and HCC1937) by using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Subsequently, the possible effects of TRPC5OS on MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 and 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine assays after Lentiviral transfection of MDA-MB-231. In addition, potential interaction partners of TRPC5OS were explored using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS. Gene expression patterns following TRPC5OS overexpression were also detected in MDA-MB-231 cells by using High-throughput sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were then used to systematically verify the potential interactions among the TRPC5OS-regulated genes. The potential relationship between TRPC5OS-interacting proteins and gene expression patterns were studied using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) analysis. TRPC5OS expression was found to be significantly higher in TNBC tumour tissues and breast cancer cell lines compared with luminal tumour tissues and ZR-75-1. In addition, the overexpression of TRPC5OS significantly increased cell proliferation. High-throughput sequencing results revealed that 5,256 genes exhibited differential expression following TRPC5OS overexpression, including 3,269 upregulated genes and 1,987 downregulated genes. GO analysis results indicated that the functions of these differentially expressed genes were enriched in the categories of ‘cell division’ and ‘cell proliferation’ regulation. KEGG analysis showed that the TRPC5OS-regulated genes were associated with processes of ‘homologous recombination’ and ‘TNF signalling pathways’. Subsequently, 17 TRPC5OS-interacting proteins were found using LC-MS/MS and STRING analysis. The most important protein among interacting proteins was ENO1 which was associated with glycolysis and regulated proliferation of cancer. In summary, data from the present study suggest that TRPC5OS overexpression can increase TNBC cell proliferation and ENO1 may be a potential target protein mediated by TRPC5OS. Therefore, TRPC5OS may serve as a novel therapeutic target for TNBC.

Regulation of the TUG1/miR‑145‑5p/SOX2 axis on the migratory and invasive capabilities of melanoma cells

Melanoma is the most prevalent malignancy of cutaneous carcinomas. Taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1), a lncRNA, is a pivotal regulator of cutaneous malignancies. The present study aimed to investigate the impact and possible mechanisms of action of TUG1 behind the progression of melanomas. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was conducted to detect the expression levels of TUG1, microRNA (miR)-145-5p and SOX2 in melanoma tissues and cell lines. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were performed to measure the proliferative ability of melanoma cells and transwell assays were used to examine the migration and invasion of melanoma cells. Dual luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were utilized to identify the interactions among TUG1, miR-145-5p and SOX2. Western blotting and immunohistochemical assays were performed to determine the expression profile of SOX2. The impact of TUG1 on melanoma tumorigenesis was assessed using tumorigenicity assays. TUG1 expression levels were elevated in melanoma tumor tissues and cell lines. Reduced TUG1 expression levels significantly inhibited the proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of melanoma cells. The expression levels of miR-145-5p were decreased in melanoma tumor tissues and cell lines. TUG1 directly targeted miR-145-5p and downregulated miR-145-5p. Upregulation of TUG1 counteracted the promotion of the proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of melanoma cells induced by the overexpression of miR-145-5p. SOX2 was a target of miR-145-5p and its expression was negatively regulated by miR-145-5p, while positively regulated by TUG1. TUG1 regulated SOX2 expression through sponging miR-145-5p. Silencing of TUG1 also inhibited melanoma tumorigenesis in mice. In conclusion, the TUG1/miR-145-5p/SOX2 axis regulated the migration and invasion of melanoma cells.

Antisense long non-coding RNAs in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is a global health problem with high mortality. The incidence of gastric cancer has significant regional differences. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and its interaction with epigenetics are closely related to the occurrence of gastric cancer. It is of great significance to explore the early diagnosis and effective therapeutic targets of gastric cancer. Emerging evidence indicates that antisense long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely associated with various biological and functional aspects of gastric cancer. However, diverse antisense lncRNAs in gastric cancer have not been compiled and discussed. In this review, we summarize the predisposing factors and compile the interaction between H. pylori and epigenetics in gastric cancer. Moreover, we focus on the underlying molecular mechanism and regulatory role of each antisense lncRNA in gastric cancer. In addition, we provide a new insight into the potential diagnosis and treatment of antisense lncRNAs in gastric cancer.

Up-regulation of LINC00665 contributes to the progression of glioma and correlates with its MRI characteristics

BACKGROUND

LncRNA LINC00665 partakes in controlling the malignant phenotype of cancer cells, but its role in glioma and the related regulatory mechanism remain uncertain.

METHODS

RT-PCR was exploited to examine LINC00665 expression. The relationships among the LINC00665 expression, the clinicopathologic values and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of glioma were analyzed. The multiplication, movement, and aggressiveness of glioma cell lines were evaluated by CCK-8, EdU, and Transwell experiments after constructing LINC00665 overexpression and LINC00665 knockdown cell models. A dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment and RIP experiment were executed to validate the interactions between LINC00665 and miR-129-5p, and between miR-129-5p and HMGB1. Western blot and RT-PCR were conducted to find the impact of LINC00665 and miR-129-5p on HMGB1 expression. Nude mouse model was also constructed to examine the impact of LINC00665 on multiplication and aggressiveness of glioma cells in vivo.

RESULTS

LINC00665 expression was markedly increased in glioma. High LINC00665 expression in glioma was closely linked to larger tumor diameter, higher pathologic grade, heterogeneous MRI signal of the tumor, increased peritumoral edema, and stronger MRI enhancement characteristics. LINC00665 overexpression facilitated the malignant behavior of glioma cells, while LINC00665 knockdown played the reverse role. Mechanistically, LINC00665 could decoy miR-129-5p, and indirectly increased HMGB1 expression.

CONCLUSION

LINC00665 functions as an oncogenic lncRNA in glioma, to accelerate glioma progression by modulating miR-129-5p and increasing HMGB1 expression.

Construction of a HOXA11-AS-Interact Ed Network in Keloid Fibroblasts Using Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis and in Vitro Validation

Background: Expression of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA11-AS significantly increased in keloids by unclarified molecular regulation mechanisms.

Methods: Using successfully primary cultured keloid-derived fibroblasts from central region of chronic keloid tissues (sample 0), small interfering RNAs were designed and transfected into two keloid fibroblast samples (samples 1 and 2) to knockdown HOXA11-AS. One nonspecific transfection control (sample 3) and one blank control (sample 4) were used to remove nonspecific overlap from the studied group. The lncRNAs, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) of five samples were sequenced to identify differentially expressed (DE) profiles in HOXA11-AS-knockdown keloid fibroblasts in samples 1 and 2 (by intersection), which facilitated removal of overlap with the nonspecific controls (samples 3 and 4, by union). Using stepwise bioinformatic analysis, a HOXA11-AS-interacted competing endogenous network (ceRNA) was screened based on three DE profiles.

Results: Keloid fibroblasts with or without HOXA11-AS as well as with or without nonspecific interferences were successfully constructed respectively. A total of 1,396 mRNAs and 39 lncRNAs were significantly changed in keloid fibroblast with HOXA11-AS knockdown. Simultaneously, 1,626 mRNAs and 99 lncRNAs were significantly changed in keloid fibroblast with nonspecific interference. With removal of nonspecific overlap, a lncRNA–mRNA interactive network characterized by close natural/intronic antisense relationship was initially constructed in keloid fibroblast with HOXA11-AS knockdown. Based on this network, a lncRNA–mRNA–protein interaction network was extended by integration of the human protein–protein interaction network. Significant functional genes were screened using PageRank algorithm in the extended network. Three genes, including SNED1, NIPAL3, and VTN, were validated by real-time PCR in HOXA11-AS-knockdown keloid fibroblasts. Only NIPAL3 was predicted to be a target gene for HOXA11-AS via three competing endogenous miRNAs (hsa-miRNA-19a-3p, hsa-miR-141-3p, and hsa-miR-140-5p).

Conclusion: An interactive network of HOXA11-AS–three miRNAs–NIPAL3 was predicted in keloid fibroblasts by integrative bioinformatic analysis and in vitro validation.

LncRNA HCG18 facilitates melanoma progression by modulating miR-324-5p/CDK16 axis

OBJECTIVE

LncRNA HCG18 has been reported to act as a tumor promoter in gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the role of HCG18 in melanoma is still not clear. In this study, we detected the expression and molecular function of HCG18 in melanoma.

METHODS

The expression of HCG18 in melanoma cell lines and 50 pairs of melanoma and corresponding non-cancer tissues was detected by RT-qPCR. The relationship between HCG18 and clinicopathology was analyzed. We used HCG18 overexpressing melanoma cell lines A375 and M14, and si-HCG18 to knock down HCG18 expression. CCK-8, clone formation, Transwell assay and FCM were used to explore the effect of HCG18 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis in melanoma cells. Bioinformatics software was used to predict the downstream miRNA regulated by HCG18, and the downstream target genes regulated by miR-324-5p. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were used to verify whether miR-324-5p was related to the predicted sequence of HCG18.

RESULTS

HCG18 was highly expressed in melanoma tissues and cells. Besides, we found that HCG18 was closely correlated with thickness, TNM stage and metastasis. Functional experiments discovered that HCG18 knockdown restrained cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while promoted cell apoptosis in melanoma cells. HCG18 was confirmed to be a sponge of miR-324-5p, and CDK16 might be a downstream gene of miR-324-5p. HCG18 was found to reverse the effect of miR-324-5p by upregulating CDK16 expression in melanoma cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in vitro.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that HCG18 played an essential role in the pathogenesis of melanoma and suggested that HCG18 might be a potential target for the treatment and diagnosis of melanoma.

A Pan-Cancer Landscape of HOX-Related lncRNAs and Their Association With Prognosis and Tumor Microenvironment

The highly conserved homology cassette family (HOX) as well as 18 referenced long non-coding antisense transcripts (HOXATs) play vital roles in the development of some cancers. Nevertheless, their expression patterns as well as their association with cancer prognosis and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in pan-cancers are still unclear. Here, based on public databases, the expression levels of HOXATs, their prognostic potentials, and correlation with tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune cell infiltration, immune subtype, immune response-related genes, and stemness scores corresponding to 33 tumor types were analyzed systematically using R language. The results of the analysis indicated that different cancer tissues show different HOXAT expression profiles. Further, HOXAT expression showed association with cancer prognosis and immune and stemness regulation. Gene set enrichment analysis also demonstrated that HOXATs participate in cancer- and immune-related pathways, and based on their expression levels, HOTAIRM1 and HOXB-AS1 showed potential involvement in oncogenesis as well as possible involvement in immune regulation across a variety of cancer types. Further investigation also confirmed a significantly higher expression of HOXB-AS1 in GBM than in lower grade glioma tissues. Importantly, in vitro cell function experiments indicated that HOXB-AS1 supports cancer stem cell and plays a fundamental role in glioma metastasis. In conclusion, our results provide valuable resources that can guide the investigation of the mechanisms related to the role of HOXATs in cancers as well as therapeutic analysis in this regard.

The long non-coding RNA HOXA11-AS activates ITGB3 expression to promote the migration and invasion of gastric cancer by sponging miR-124-3p

BACKGROUND

miR-124-3p can inhibit integrin β3 (ITGB3) expression to suppress the migration and invasion of gastric cancer (GC), and in the process lncRNA HOXA11-AS may act as a molecular sponge.

METHODS

Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the binding of miR-124-3p and HOXA11-AS. RT-PCR and western blot were performed to detect the expression of HOXA11-AS, miR-124-3p and ITGB3 in GC tissues and cells. Gene silence and overexpression experiments as well as cell migration and invasion assays on GC cell lines were performed to determine the regulation of molecular pathways, HOXA11-AS/miR-124-3p/ITGB3. Furthermore, the role of HOXA11-AS in GC was confirmed in mice models.

RESULTS

We found HOXA11-AS is up-regulated in GC tissues and can bind with miR-124-3p. Through overexpression/knockdown experiments and function tests in vitro, we demonstrated HOXA11-AS can promote ITGB3 expression by sponging miR-124-3p, consequently enhance the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Meanwhile, we validated that HOXA11-AS promotes migration and invasion of GC cells via down-regulating miR-124-3p and up-regulating ITGB3 in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that lncRNA HOXA11-AS can increase ITGB3 expression to promote the migration and invasion of gastric cancer by sponging miR-124-3p. Our results suggested that HOXA11-AS may reasonably serve as a promising diagnostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target of GC.

Long noncoding RNA LINC01703 exacerbates the malignant properties of non-small-cell lung cancer by upregulating MACC1 in a microRNA-605-3p-mediated manner

Long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 1703 (LINC01703) has diagnostic significancein lung adenocarcinoma. However, its specific roles in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and downstream mechanisms have not been investigated. In the current study,we characterized the role of LINC01703 in NSCLC malignancy and elucidated itsdetailed mechanism of action. LINC01703 expression was measured by qRT-PCR. Theregulatory effects of LINC01703 on the malignancy of NSCLC cells were assessed bymultiple functional experiments. The targeted interaction was confirmed by RNAimmunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. Herein, overexpression ofLINC01703 in NSCLC was indicated in the TCGA database and further proven in ourcohort. Functional studies revealed that knocking down LINC01703 repressed cellproliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in vitro, which wasaccompanied by the induction of apoptosis. The tumor growth of LINC01703-silencedcells was also inhibited in vivo. Mechanistic analyses revealed that LINC01703functioned as a competing endogenous RNA for microRNA-605-3p (miR-605-3p) inNSCLC cells, which thereby upregulated the miR-605-3p target metastasis associatedwith colon cancer 1 (MACC1). Rescue experiments highlighted that the regulatoryactions of LINC01703 ablation on NSCLC cells were abolished in response to miR-605-3p downregulation or MACC1 overexpression. In conclusion, LINC01703enhanced the aggressiveness of NSCLC cells by altering miR-605-3p/MACC1. Ourwork suggests the therapeutic potential of LINC01703/miR-605-3p/MACC1 in NSCLC.

The Role of LncRNAs in Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular cancer tumor with high metastatic risk. It is considered a rare disease, but 90% of affected patients die within 15 years. Non-coding elements (ncRNAs) such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a crucial role in cellular homeostasis maintenance, taking part in many critical cellular pathways. Their deregulation, therefore, contributes to the induction of cancer and neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. In cancer, lncRNAs are implicated in apoptosis evasion, proliferation, invasion, drug resistance, and other roles because they affect tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. For these reasons, lncRNAs are promising targets in personalized medicine and can be used as biomarkers for diseases including UM.

Long noncoding HOXA11-AS knockdown suppresses the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating miR-3619-5p/SALL4 axis

Accumulating evidence suggested that many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were widely involved in the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the roles of lncRNA homeobox A11 antisense (HOXA11-AS) and its underlying mechanism in NSCLC remains largely unknown. The expression levels of HOXA11-AS, miR-3619-5p and sal-like protein 4 (SALL4) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein levels of hexokinase II (HK2) and SALL4. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and transwell assay, respectively. The glucose consumption and lactate production were measured using glucose assay kit and lactate assay kit, respectively. The potential binding sites between miR-3619-5p and HOXA11-AS or SALL4 were predicted by online software and verified by luciferase report assay. A xenograft tumor model was established to confirm the function of HOXA11-AS in NSCLC in vivo. HOXA11-AS and SALL4 were upregulated while miR-3619-5p was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. HOXA11-AS knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis but promoted apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Moreover, miR-3619-5p could directly bind to HOXA11-AS and its inhibition attenuated the inhibitory effect of HOXA11-AS knockdown on progression of NSCLC cells. Furthermore, SALL4 was a direct target of miR-3619-5p and its overexpression reversed the anti-tumor role of miR-3619-5p in NSCLC cells. Besides, HOXA11-AS modulated SALL4 expression via sponging miR-3619-5p. Additionally, silencing HOXA11-AS inhibited tumor growth though upregulating miR-3619-5p and downregulating SALL4. Collectively, HOXA11-AS knockdown inhibited the progression of NSCLC by regulating miR-3619-5p/SALL4 axis, which might offer a novel avenue for interpreting the mechanism of NSCLC development.

Identification of hub driving genes and regulators of lung adenocarcinoma based on the gene Co-expression network

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate target gene expression and participate in tumor genesis and progression. However, hub driving genes and regulators playing a potential role in LUAD progression have not been fully elucidated yet. Based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, 2837 differentially expressed genes, 741 DE-regulators were screened by comparing cancer tissues with paracancerous tissues. Then, 651 hub driving genes were selected by the topological relation of the protein-protein interaction network. Also, the target genes of DE-regulators were identified. Moreover, a key gene set containing 65 genes was obtained from the hub driving genes and target genes intersection. Subsequently, 183 hub regulators were selected based on the analysis of node degree in the ceRNA network. Next, a comprehensive analysis of the subgroups and Wnt, mTOR, and MAPK signaling pathways was conducted to understand enrichment of the subgroups. Survival analysis and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were further used to screen for the key genes and regulators. Furthermore, we verified key molecules based on external database, LRRK2, PECAM1, EPAS1, LDB2, and HOXA11-AS showed good results. LRRK2 was further identified as promising biomarker associated with CNV alteration and various immune cells' infiltration levels in LUAD. Overall, the present study provided a novel perspective and insight into hub driving genes and regulators in LUAD, suggesting that the identified signature could serve as an independent prognostic biomarker.

Long Non-Coding RNA HOXA11-AS Modulates Proliferation, Apoptosis, Metastasis and EMT in Cutaneous Melanoma Cells Partly via miR-152-3p/ITGA9 Axis

Background

Long non-coding RNA homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) was showed to participate in the progression of different kinds of tumors, but the specific role of HOXA11-AS in cutaneous melanoma is not entirely unambiguous.

Methods

The levels of HOXA11-AS, microRNA-152-3p (miR-152-3p) and integrin alpha9 (ITGA9) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation was detected via 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The assessment of cell metastasis was performed by transwell migration and invasion assays. The protein levels were detected through Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was utilized to explore the target relationship among HOXA11-AS, miR-152-3p and ITGA9. The effect of HOXA11-AS on melanoma in vivo was investigated via xenograft experiment.

Results

HOXA11-AS and ITGA9 were up-regulated while miR-152-3p was down-regulated in melanoma. Knockdown of HOXA11-AS refrained cell proliferation, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) but induced apoptosis in melanoma cells. HOXA11-AS targeted miR-152-3p and overexpression of HOXA11-AS mitigated the miR-152-3p-induced effects on melanoma cellular behaviors. ITGA9 was a target of miR-152-3p and miR-152-3p inhibitor relieved the repression on proliferation, metastasis and EMT while elevation on apoptosis caused by si-ITGA9 via elevating ITGA9. HOXA11-AS knockdown restrained ITGA9 expression via up-regulating miR-152-3p. Suppression of HOXA11-AS inhibited melanoma progression in part through increasing miR-152-3p and decreasing ITGA9 expression in vivo.

Conclusion

HOXA11-AS modulated proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and EMT in melanoma cells by regulating miR-152-3p/ITGA9 axis in part. HOXA11-AS could promote melanoma development and be used as a promising biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment for cutaneous melanoma.

miR‑576‑5p promotes epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer by targeting the Wnt5a‑mediated Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of malignancy and the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth leading cause of cancer‑associated mortality. MicroRNA (miR)‑576‑5p has been reported to be highly expressed in patients with CRC; however, its biological role remains unclear. The present study aimed therefore to investigate the biological role and underlying mechanism of miR‑576‑5p in CRC cell line SW480. The viability of SW480 cells following transfection with miR‑576‑5p mimic or inhibitor was analyzed using MTT assay. Wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to determine the cell migratory and invasive abilities, respectively. A dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the predicted binding site between miR‑576‑5p and Wnt5a. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to analyze the expression levels of miR‑576‑5p, E‑cadherin, N‑cadherin, vimentin, Snail1, Wnt5a, β‑catenin, c‑myc, cyclin D1 and p/t‑c‑Jun. Using bioinformatics analysis, high expression of miR‑576‑5p was found not only in tumor tissues, compared with the normal tissue, but also in CRC cells, compared with NCM460 cells. Furthermore, the inhibition of miR‑576‑5p expression significantly decreased the cell viability and the migratory and invasive abilities of SW480 cells, and suppressed the epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, miR‑576‑5p could interact with Wnt5a and regulate the expression level of Wnt5a in order to influence the activity of Wnt/β‑catenin signaling. The results from rescue experiments further demonstrated that the effect of miR‑576‑5p overexpression on cell metastasis and EMT was reversed by Wnt5a overexpression or treatment with XAV‑939, which is an inhibitor of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, the findings from the present study suggested that inhibition of miR‑576‑5p may suppress SW480 cell metastasis and EMT by targeting Wnt5a and regulating the Wnt5a‑mediated Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway, providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.

LINC00968 can inhibit the progression of lung adenocarcinoma through the miR-21-5p/SMAD7 signal axis

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been associated with several types of cancer. However, little is known about their role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Results: LINC00968 was significantly differentially expressed in LUAD tissues. Downregulated LINC00968 was associated with clinicopathological features of LUAD. LINC00968 inhibited cell growth and metastasis by regulating the Hippo signaling pathway We demonstrated that LINC00968 acts as a ceRNA to consume miR-21-5p, enhancing the accumulation of SMAD7, a miR-21-5p target.

Conclusions: LINC00968 limits LUAD progression via the miR-21-5p/SMAD7 axis and may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD.

Methods: We conducted comprehensive data mining on LINC00968 based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The expression of LINC00968 in LUAD cells was determined using in situ hybridization. We detected LINC00968 function in LUAD cells using the MTT, clone formation, and transwell assays, and tumor xenografts. Label-free quantitative proteomics, western blotting, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, immunofluorescence, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were used to determine the correlations among LINC00968, miR-21-5p, and SMAD7. Gain- and loss-function approaches were used to explore the effects of LINC00968, miR-21-5p, and SMAD7 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Liquid lncRNA Biopsy for the Evaluation of Locally Advanced and Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Head and Neck

Background: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) are RNA molecules that are more than 200 nucleotides long and have the ability to modify the activity of genes. They can be found in both healthy and cancer tissues, as well as in plasma, saliva and other bodily fluids. They can also be used as biomarkers of early detection, prognosis and chemotherapy resistance in several cancer types. Treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients with locally advanced disease is still difficult, and choice of treatment should be based on more precise and available biomarkers, such as those obtained from a liquid biopsy. For improvement of treatment efficacy, identification and clinical implementation of new biomarkers are of the utmost importance. Methods: Plasma samples drawn before (p1) and three cycles post (p2) (TPF: docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil/PF: cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy from 53 HNSCC patients (17 with locally advanced and 36 with metastatic disease) and 14 healthy volunteers were studied. Expression levels of 90 lncRNA expression were analyzed using the qRT-PCR method, and the obtained results were compared between proper groups. Statistical analyses were carried out using Jupyter Notebooks (5.7.2), Python (ver. 3.6) and GraphPad Prism 8. Results: The study demonstrated the differences between the expressions of several lncRNA in cancer patients' and healthy volunteers' plasma, as well as between locally advanced and metastatic patients' groups. A correlation between the response to systemic therapy and lncRNA expression levels was observed. Patients with a (high/low) expression of Alpha 250 and Emx2os showed statistically significant differences in progression free survival (PFS), as well as for overall survival (OS) depending on the level of Alpha 250, snaR, SNHG1. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression model showed Alpha 250 as the best prognostic factor for HNSCC patients. Conclusions: Liquid biopsies based on lncRNAs are promising diagnostic tools that can be used to differentiate between those with cancer and healthy individuals. Additionally, they can also serve as biomarkers for chemotherapy resistance. An identified, circulating lncRNA Alpha 250 seems to prove the best prognostic biomarker, associated with extended PFS and OS, and should be validated in a larger cohort in the future.

Long Non-Coding RNA LINC01089 Enhances the Development of Gastric Cancer by Sponging miR-145-5p to Mediate SOX9 Expression

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have potential regulatory effects in oncogenesis. Previous studies showed that several lncRNAs could participate in the progression of gastric cancer (GC). However, the specific biological mechanisms in GC are still unclear. We analyzed an lncRNA microarray of GC and selected LINC01089 for study.

METHODS

LINC01089 expression in GC was tested by qRT-PCR. GC cell proliferation was assessed using CCK-8 and EdU assays. Cell invasion was assessed using the Transwell assay. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and bioinformatics assay were performed to detect potential targets of LINC01089. Additionally, RNA immunoprecipitation and Western blot assays were performed to clarify their interactions and roles in the regulation of GC progression.

RESULTS

High LINC01089 expression was observed in GC cells. LINC01089 overexpression notably expedited cell migration, proliferation, and invasion. LINC01089 positively regulated SOX9 expression by competitively binding to microRNA (miR-145-5p).

CONCLUSION

LINC01089 competitively binds to miR-145-5p to mediate SOX9 expression. LINC01089 may participate in the progression of GC.

Long non‑coding RNA HOXA11‑AS accelerates cell proliferation and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma by modulating the miR‑506‑3p/Slug axis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressively malignant type of cancer with a complex pathogenesis. Multiple studies have identified that lncRNA HOXA11-AS is involved in the development of HCC. Nevertheless, the pathological mechanisms of HOXA11-AS in the development of HCC require further investigation. In the present study, the role and underlying mechanisms of HOXA11-AS in HCC were examined. RT-qPCR revealed that HOXA11-AS expression was increased, while that of miR-506-3p was decreased in HCC tissues and cells compared with that in adjacent non-tumor tissues and normal hepatic cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay indicated that HOXA11-AS directly interacted with miR-506-3p. miR-506-3p downregulation reversed the inhibitory effects of HOXA11-AS deletion on cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as shown by CCK-8 and Transwell assays, as well as western blot analysis. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that Slug was a target gene of miR-506-3p. The overexpression of Slug reversed the effects of HOXA11-AS deletion on the viability, invasion and the EMT of HCC cells. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that HOXA11-AS functions as an oncogene to promote the progression of HCC via the miR-506-3p/Slug axis, providing a therapeutic target for patients with HCC.

LINC00665/miR-9-5p/ATF1 is a novel axis involved in the progression of colorectal cancer

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abnormally expressed in many malignant tumors and involved in regulating the malignant phenotypes of cancer cells. However, the role of LINC00665 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its regulatory mechanism remain unclear. In this study, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of LINC00665, miR-9-5p and activating transcription factor 1 (ATF1) mRNA in CRC tissues. The expression of ATF1 in CRC tissues was also detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. CCK-8 and colony formation assays were employed to detect cell proliferation. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Scratch healing assay and Transwell test were exploited to detect cell migration and invasion. The targeting relationships between LINC00665 and miR-9-5p, and miR-9-5p and ATF1 were validated by dual luciferase reporter assay. We found that LINC00665 was significantly overexpressed in CRC tissues, and it was also negatively correlated with the expression of miR-9-5p and positively associated with the expression of ATF1. Besides, LINC00665 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells, and inhibited cell apoptosis by sponging miR-9-5p. ATF1 was proved to be the downstream target of miR-9-5p and was indirectly regulated by LINC00665. Collectively, it is concluded that LINC00665 contributes to the progression of CRC by regulating miR-9-5p/ATF1 axis.

Recent advances in unraveling the molecular mechanisms and functions of HOXA11‑AS in human cancers and other diseases (Review)

A large number of previously published research articles have demonstrated that the expression levels of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are generally dysregulated, either through overexpression or underexpression, in cancer and other types of disease. As a recently discovered lncRNA, HOXA11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) is able to serve as an oncogenic or tumor-suppressor gene and serves a vital role in the processes of proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells. HOXA11-AS appears to be a major factor contributing to epigenetic modification, and exerts transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational regulatory effects on genes through a variety of mechanisms; for example, by competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and a molecular scaffold mechanism. A number of reports have demonstrated that HOXA11-AS functions as a protein scaffold for polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1) and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) to perform epigenetic modifications on chromosomes in the nucleus. Furthermore, HOXA11-AS is also located in the cytoplasm and can act as a ceRNA, which sponges miRNAs. In addition, HOXA11-AS may be useful as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. In the present review article, the clinical value, phenotype and mechanism of HOXA11-AS in a variety of tumors types are briefly summarized, as well as its clinical value in certain additional diseases. The perspective of the authors is that HOXA11-AS may represent an effective tumor marker and therapeutic target for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

lncRNA HOXA11-AS Promotes Proliferation and Migration via Sponging miR-155 in Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies in the head and neck. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA11-AS is proven to function as an oncogene and a therapeutic target in various tumors. Our previous study and others have demonstrated that HOXA11-AS is one of the most upregulated lncRNAs in HSCC. However, the role of HOXA11-AS in HSCC has not yet been identified. The current study demonstrated that the expression of HOXA11-AS was significantly upregulated in HSCC tumors and was positively associated with lymph node metastasis. Moreover, functional experiments revealed that HOXA11-AS knockdown suppressed the proliferation and migration potential in FaDu cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter gene assay combined with cellular functional experiments demonstrated that HOXA11-AS functioned as a molecular sponge for miR-155, and inhibition of miR-155 attenuated the suppressive effect of HOXA11-AS knockdown on the aggressive phenotype in HSCC. This study identifies a tumor-promoting role of HOXA11-AS in HSCC and suggests HOXA11-AS might be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for HSCC.

Long Non-Coding RNA HOXA11-AS Promotes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumorigenesis Through microRNA-148a-3p/DNMT1 Regulatory Axis

Objective

Our present study aimed to further investigate the molecular basis of long non-coding RNA homeobox A11 antisense (HOXA11-AS) in the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

HOXA11-AS, microRNA-148a-3p (miR-148a-3p), and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) mRNA levels were measured by RT-qPCR assay. DNMT1 protein level was determined by Western blot assay. Cell proliferative capacity and apoptotic rate were determined by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The relationships of HOXA11-AS, miR-148a-3p, and DNMT1 were tested through bioinformatics analysis, luciferase assay, and RNA pull down assay. Mouse xenograft models of NSCLC were established to examine the biological function of HOXA11-AS in vivo.

Results

HOXA11-AS expression was notably upregulated and miR-148a-3p expression was conspicuously downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. HOXA11-AS knockdown curbed NSCLC cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis through directly increasing miR-148a-3p expression. Moreover, miR-148a-3p overexpression suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. HOXA11-AS functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-148a-3p to increase DNMT1 expression in NSCLC cells. And, DNMT1 upregulation weakened the influence of HOXA11-AS1 loss on NSCLC cell proliferation and apoptosis. Additionally, HOXA11-AS knockdown suppressed NSCLC xenograft growth by upregulating miR-148a-3p and downregulating DNMT1 in vivo.

Conclusion

HOXA11-AS facilitated NSCLC tumorigenesis through miR-148a-3p/DNMT1 axis in vitro and in vivo, deepening our understanding of the molecular basis of HOXA11-AS in the development of NSCLC.

LncRNA HOXA11-AS promotes OSCC progression by sponging miR-98-5p to upregulate YBX2 expression

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a type of oral malignancy. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be related to the occurrence and development of many cancers. Here, we aimed to study the role and molecular mechanism of lncRNA Homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) in OSCC.

METHODS

The expression levels of HOXA11-AS, miR-98-5p and Y box binding protein 2 (YBX2) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry and transwell assays were utilized to determine the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of OSCC cells. Western blot (WB) analysis was conducted to measure the levels of apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), proliferation-related proteins and YBX2 protein. Besides, Dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull down assays were carried out to examine the relationship among HOXA11-AS, miR-98-5p and YBX2. The mice xenograft models were constructed to further determine the effect of HOXA11-AS on OSCC tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS

HOXA11-AS was highly expressed in OSCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of HOXA11-AS significantly reduced proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT, while promoted apoptosis of OSCC cells. MiR-98-5p was a target of HOXA11-AS, and its inhibitor could revert the inhibition effect of silenced-HOXA11-AS on the progression of OSCC. Also, YBX2 was a target of miR-98-5p, and its overexpression could invert the suppression effect of miR-98-5p overexpression on the progression of OSCC. YBX2 expression was regulated by HOXA11-AS and miR-98-5p. Furthermore, HOXA11-AS silencing could reduce the tumor growth of OSCC in vivo.

CONCLUSION

HOXA11-AS plays an active role in the progression of OSCC, and the discovery of HOXA11-AS/miR-98-5p/YBX2 axis provides new therapeutic targets for OSCC.

Long noncoding RNA LRRC75A-AS1 inhibits cell proliferation and migration in colorectal carcinoma

With the continuous improvement of technology in the molecular field, more and more evidence indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely expressed in a broad spectrum of human tumors, playing an important role in the development and progression of tumors. Most studies reported that lncRNAs might serve as reliable biomarkers and effective clinical therapeutic target. Leucine-rich repeat containing 75 A-antisense RNA1 (LRRC75A-AS1) was reported to be relevant to many types of cancers and indicated to do influence on colorectal carcinoma (CRC). This research firstly examined the role of LRRC75A-AS1 in CRC and analyzed its association with the biological behaviors of CRC cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) brought to light that LRRC75A-AS1 was remarkably expressed at low levels in CRC tissues. We also found that LRRC75A-AS1 was localized in the cytoplasm. In addition, LRRC75A-AS1 knockdown also notably promoted CRC cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and colony formation. To summarize, these experimental results showed that LRRC75A-AS1 might serve as an anti-oncogene for CRC tumorigenesis and advancement, and it may become a novel molecular marker for clinical diagnosis.

Impact statement

It is reported that colorectal cancer has seriously threatened human health. The incidence of colorectal cancer in China is increasing year by year. At present, the treatment of cancer is gradually developing towards individualized treatment whose core is targeted therapy, and molecular pathology is the basis of targeted therapy. Previous studies have shown that in addition to protein-coding genes that regulate tumor invasion and metastasis, there are also some non-coding genes involved in tumor encroachment and spread. Our study found that long noncoding RNA LRRC75A-AS1 is closely related to CRC and is related to its proliferation and migration. And it may become a novel molecular marker for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Long noncoding RNA HOXA11-AS promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and invasion via SRSF1 and functions as a biomarker in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most frequent malignancy all over the world. The diagnosis of GC is challenging and the prognosis of GC is very unfavorable. Accumulating evidence reveals that serum long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can function as biomarkers in various types of cancers, including GC.

AIM

To explore the level and molecular mechanism of the lncRNA HOXA11-AS in GC and the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum HOXA11-AS in GC.

METHODS

HOXA11-AS levels in GC tissue, cell lines, and serum samples were measured. The correlation between HOXA11-AS expression and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. The role of HOXA11-AS in the diagnosis and prognosis of GC was evaluated. Cell function assays were performed for exploration of the roles of HOXA11-AS in GC cells. Moreover, Western blot was performed to explore the target regulated by HOXA11-AS in GC cells.

RESULTS

Up-regulation of HOXA11-AS was found in GC tissues, cell lines, and serum samples. In GC patients, decreased serum HOXA11-AS levels were negatively related with tumor size, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of serum HOXA11-AS in the diagnosis of GC was 0.924 (95%CI: 0.881-0.967; sensitivity, 0.787; specificity 0.978). Results of the Kaplan-Meier survival curves suggested the GC patients with a lower HOXA11-AS level having a better overall survival rate. HOXA11-AS promoted GC cell proliferation and invasion. SRSF1 may be the target regulated by HOXA11-AS in GC cells.

CONCLUSION

HOXA11-AS promotes GC cell proliferation and invasion via SRSF1 and may function as a promising marker in GC.

An inverse interaction between HOXA11 and HOXA11-AS is associated with cisplatin resistance in lung adenocarcinoma

HOXA11, which is a member of the homeobox (HOX) gene family, and its natural antisense transcript (NAT) HOXA11-AS have been reported to be closely related to the development of lung cancer. We aimed to investigate their specific roles in cisplatin (DDP) resistance in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). First, we found that HOXA11 is hypermethylated and significantly downregulated in a DDP-resistant A549 cell line (A549/DDP) and LUAD tissues, while the HOXA11-AS expression level is elevated. Although HOXA11 and HOXA11-AS mRNA overlap in the 5'-untranslated region (5' UTR) and share two CpG islands, DNA methylation only regulates the expression of HOXA11. Then, we found that HOXA11 and HOXA11-AS have an inverse interaction by transfecting their siRNAs and overexpression vectors into A549 and A549/DDP cells. A dual-luciferase reporter assay further confirmed that the overlapping 5'UTR is essential for the bidirectional regulation between HOXA11 and HOXA11-AS. Functional analysis showed that knockdown of HOXA11 expression in A549 cells induced DDP resistance and activated Akt/β-catenin signaling, while overexpression of HOXA11 in A549/DDP cells increased DDP sensitivity and inhibited Akt/β-catenin signaling. Moreover, HOXA11-AS knockdown in A549 cells increased DDP sensitivity and inhibited Akt/β-catenin signaling, while the overexpression of HOXA11-AS in A549/DDP cells induced DDP resistance and activated Akt/β-catenin signaling. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the inverse interaction between HOXA11 and HOXA11-AS promotes DDP resistance in LUAD.

LncRNA HOXA11-AS Promotes Proliferation and Cisplatin Resistance of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Suppression of miR-214-3p Expression

Drug resistance to platinum limited therapeutic options for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In the current study, we investigated the role of lncRNA HOMEOBOX A11 (HOXA11) antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) in OSCC resistance to cisplatin (CDDP). We used clinical tissues and OSCC cell lines and induced CDDP resistance in OSCC cells. Gain and loss of function were performed in OSCC-resistant cells. Xenograft mice were also established. HOXA11-AS expression was increased in OSCC clinical tissues and cell lines and upregulated in CDDP-resistant cells. Upregulation of HOXA11-AS promoted proliferation in CDDP-sensitive cells and inhibited CDDP-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, downregulation of HOXA11-AS decreased proliferation in CDDP-resistant cells and increased CDDP-induced cytotoxicity. Knockdown of HOXA11-AS inhibited the tumor growth in xenograft mice injected by CDDP. Downregulation of HOXA11-AS increased apoptosis and caspase 3 activities in CDDP-resistant OSCC cells. Bioinformatics, reporter assay, and loss and gain of function assay indicated that HOXA11-AS and miR-214-3p could negatively regulate each other. miR-214-3p was decreased in OSCC clinical tissues and cell lines. We further revealed that proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase (PIM1) was the target of miR-214-3p. PIM1 expression could be negatively regulated by miR-214-3p and positively regulated by HOXA11-AS. Inhibition of PIM1 suppressed anti-miR-214-3p-induced increase of cell proliferation and decrease of apoptosis. In summary, HOXA11-AS was identified to facilitate CDDP-resistance in OSCC and miR-214-3p/PIM1 was found to be the downstream target of HOXA11-AS. The findings highlight the importance of HOXA11-AS/miR-214-3p/PIM1 axis in the drug resistance of OSCC and provide potential targets for improving chemotherapy of OSCC.

HOX cluster-embedded antisense long non-coding RNAs in lung cancer

Homeobox (HOX) genes play vital roles in embryonic development and oncogenesis. In humans, there are 39 HOX genes found in four clusters that are located on different chromosomes. The HOX clusters also contain numerous non-protein-coding RNAs, including some lncRNAs. The HOX cluster-embedded lncRNAs (HOX-lncRNAs), most notably, HOTTIP and HOTAIR play a major role in the regulation of their adjacent coding genes. Recently, most HOX-lncRNAs have been shown to impact tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Several HOX-lncRNAs, including HOTTIP, HOXA11-AS, HOTAIRM1, HOXA-AS3, HOXA10-AS, HOTAIR, and HAGLR, are dysregulated in lung cancer. Moreover, their expression levels are correlated with the clinical features of this disease. These HOX-lncRNAs regulate the proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemo-resistance of lung cancer cells through various molecular mechanisms. Although lncRNAs have received much attention lately, the functions of some HOX-lncRNAs in the development of cancer are unclear. Thus, HOX-embedded lncRNAs should be widely investigated in cancer. Here, we review the functions of HOX-lncRNAs in lung cancer.

The protean world of non-coding RNAs in glioblastoma

Non-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) are a diverse group of RNA molecules that are mostly not translated into proteins following transcription. We review the role of ncRNAs in the pathobiology of glioblastoma (GBM), and their potential applications for GBM therapy. Significant advances in our understanding of the protean manifestations of ncRNAs have been made, allowing us to better decipher the molecular complexity of GBM. A large number of regulatory ncRNAs appear to have a greater influence on the molecular pathology of GBM than thought previously. Importantly, also, a range of therapeutic approaches are emerging whereby ncRNA-based systems may be used to molecularly target GBM. The most successful of these is RNA interference, and some of these strategies are being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials. However, a number of limitations exist in the clinical translation of ncRNA-based therapeutic systems, such as delivery mechanisms and cytotoxicity; concerted research endeavors are currently underway in an attempt to overcome these. Ongoing and future studies will determine the potential practical role for ncRNA-based therapeutic systems in the clinical management of GBM. These applications may be especially promising, given that current treatment options are limited and prognosis remains poor for this challenging malignancy.

Long non-coding RNA homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) promotes retinoblastoma progression via sponging miR-506-3p

Background: Long non-coding RNA homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) has been reported to be involved in initiation and development of multiple cancers. However, the detailed biological roles and underlying molecular mechanism of HOXA11-AS remain unclear in retinoblastoma (RB). Herein, the goals of this study were to explore the biological function and the potential mechanism of HOXA11-AS in RB.

Materials and methods: The expression of HOXA11-AS in RB tissues and cell lines was detected using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, cycle arrest and apoptosis were measured using a cell counting kit 8 and flow cytometry. The target miRNAs of HOXA11-AS was predicted by Starbase2.0 software and was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay.

Result: We found that HOXA11-AS expression was markedly elevated in RB tissues and cell lines compared to normal retina tissues and human retinal epithelial cells, respectively. Functional analysis showed that knockdown of HOXA11-AS in RB cells significantly suppressed cell proliferation, and induced cell cycle arrest at G1/G0 phase and promoted cell apoptosis. We also found that HOXA11-AS could serve as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that inhibited miR-506-3p expression, which regulated its downstream target NIMA-related kinase 6 (NEK6) in RB. In addition, miR-506-3p inhibitors partially reversed the effect of HOXA11-AS depletion on proliferation, cycle arrest and apoptosis in RB cells.

Conclusion: Taken together, these findings demonstrated that HOXA11-AS could promote RB progression by sponging miR-506-3p, suggesting that HOXA-11-AS might be a potential therapeutic target for RB.

CCEPR is a novel clinical biomarker for prognosis and regulates cell proliferation through PCNA in osteosarcoma

CCEPR (cervical carcinoma expressed PCNA regulatory lncRNA) has been found to be upregulated and enhance cell proliferation in human cancers. However, the role of CCEPR in osteosarcoma remains to be discovered. In this study, we found CCEPR expression was elevated in osteosarcoma tissue specimens and cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissue specimens and osteoblast cell line, respectively. Meanwhile, osteosarcoma patients with advanced stage or tumor size greater than 8 cm had higher expression of CCEPR than patients with early stage or tumor size less than or equal to 8 cm, respectively. Survival analysis suggested that osteosarcoma patients with high CCEPR expression had a worse overall survival rate than those with low CCEPR expression. The in vitro study indicated that CCEPR positively regulated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in osteosarcoma cells and silencing of CCEPR inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation through decreasing PCNA expression. In conclusion, CCEPR is a potential prognostic predictor and functions as oncogenic long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) to regulate cell proliferation via PCNA in osteosarcoma.

Taurine-upregulated gene 1 contributes to cancers through sponging microRNA

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNAs whose transcripts are more than 200 nucleotides in length and lack protein-coding ability. Taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1), a novel cancer-related lncRNA, has been documented to be abnormally expressed in various types of cancers and act as an oncogene or anti-oncogene. It has been considered previously that TUG1 is closely related to the cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis of cancer. In recent years, it has been found that TUG1 acts as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge to indirectly regulate the expression of the miRNA target gene and dominates cancer progression in several types of cancers. However, TUG1 also binds to different miRNAs to produce diverse regulatory mechanisms in the same cancer. TUG1 is expected to be a biomarker and a new therapeutic target for the diagnosis and prognosis of certain cancers. In this review, we highlight the up-to-date original studies that focus on the role of TUG1 sponging miRNA in cancers and summarize the function of TUG1 in cancer progression. The novel TUG1-miRNA regulatory network is comprehensively and minutely included in this review. We hope that this review will help readers obtain a more detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanism by which TUG1 sponging miRNA plays its role in cancers, and provide some insights and directions for future cancer research.

Identification of a 26-lncRNAs Risk Model for Predicting Overall Survival of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis

As a common malignancy in women, cervical squamous cell carcinoma is a major cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Recent studies have demonstrated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) can function as potential biomarkers in cancer prognosis; however, little is known about its role in cervical cancer. In this study, we downloaded the gene expression profiles along with the clinical data of patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas. By applying bioinformatics analysis including random forest selection and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) cox regression model along with 10-fold cross-validation, we constructed a 26-lncRNAs risk model that can be used to predict the overall survival of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. After that, Kaplan-Meier analysis combined with log-rank p test was applied to assess the predictive accuracy of the 26-lncRNAs risk model. Further analysis showed that the prognostic value of 26-lncRNAs risk model was independent of other clinicopathological factors. At last, lncRNAs in the model were put into gene ontology biological process enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways analysis, which suggested that these lncRNAs might contribute to cancer-associated processes such as cell cycle and apoptosis. This study indicated that lncRNAs signature could be a useful marker to predict the prognosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.