MicroRNA-9 suppresses cancer proliferation and cell cycle progression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia with inverse association of neuropilin-1

The effect of microRNA-9 overexpression on inhibition of melanoma cancer stem cells tumorigenicity

Most of the studies have reported the downregulation of miR-9 in metastatic melanomas compared to primary tumors. They indicated that miR-9 negatively regulates the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by inhibiting SNAIL1 expression and consequently promotes CDH1 expression. Since the process of EMT is associated to stem cell features, it could be interesting to study the effect of miR-9 on melanoma cancer stem cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of miR-9 manipulation on the stemness potential of melanoma cells. Our data demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-9 in A375 and NA8 cells significantly inhibits the ability of proliferation, self-renewal, migration, and tumorigenicity of melanoma cells which was concomitant with changes in the level of BRAF , some EMT factors, and stemness genes. Likewise, the reduction of miR-9 levels led to an increase in cell proliferation, colony and sphere formation, and the ability of cell migration and tumorigenicity. In conclusion, our results specified the role of miR-9 as a tumor suppressor miRNA to inhibit many aspects of melanoma stem cells, and therefore, it could be a potential candidate for the suppression of melanoma growth and progression.

MicroRNAs and the Diagnosis of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Re-Analysis with Novel Small RNA-Seq Tools

Simple Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been under the spotlight for the last three decades. These non-coding RNAs seem to be dynamic regulators of mRNA stability and translation, in addition to interfering with transcription. Circulating miRNAs play a critical role in cell-to-cell interplay; therefore, they can serve as disease biomarkers. Meta-analysis of published data revealed that the CC genotype of rs4938723 in pri-miR-34b/c and the TT genotype of rs543412 in miR-100 confer protection against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. Reanalysis of small RNA-seq data with novel tools identified significantly overexpressed members of the miR-128, miR-181, miR-130 and miR-17 families and significantly lower expression of miR-30, miR-24-2 and miR143~145 clusters, miR-574 and miR-618 in pediatric T-ALL cases compared with controls. Inconsistencies in methodology and study designs in most published material preclude reproducibility, and further cohort studies need to be conducted in order to empower novel tools, such as ALLSorts and RNAseqCNV.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) pathogenesis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of miRNA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in childhood ALL compared with healthy children, which revealed (i) that the CC genotype of rs4938723 in pri-miR-34b/c and the TT genotype of rs543412 in miR-100 confer protection against ALL occurrence in children; (ii) no significant association between rs2910164 genotypes in miR-146a and childhood ALL; and (iii) SNPs in DROSHA, miR-449b, miR-938, miR-3117 and miR-3689d-2 genes seem to be associated with susceptibility to B-ALL in childhood. A review of published literature on differential expression of miRNAs in children with ALL compared with controls revealed a significant upregulation of the miR-128 family, miR-130b, miR-155, miR-181 family, miR-210, miR-222, miR-363 and miR-708, along with significant downregulation of miR-143 and miR-148a, seem to have a definite role in childhood ALL development. MicroRNA signatures among childhood ALL subtypes, along with differential miRNA expression patterns between B-ALL and T-ALL cases, were scrutinized. With respect to T-ALL pediatric cases, we reanalyzed RNA-seq datasets with a robust and sensitive pipeline and confirmed the significant differential expression of hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-19b-3p, hsa-miR-92a-2-5p, hsa-miR-128-3p (ranked first), hsa-miR-130b-3p and -5p, hsa-miR-181a-5p, -2-3p and -3p, hsa-miR-181b-5p and -3p, hsa-miR-145-5p and hsa-miR-574-3p, as described in the literature, along with novel identified miRNAs.

LINC00265/miR-4500 Axis Accelerates Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Progression by Enhancing STAT3 Signals

Background

Long noncoding RNA LINC00265 or miR-4500 is involved in the pathogenesis of many cancers. However, their functions in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remain unknown. In this study, we investigated how LINC00265 and miR-4500 regulate the malignant characteristics of ALL.

Methods

Real-time PCR was used in examining the expression of LINC00265 in ALL cell lines and blood of patients with ALL. Cell proliferation, cell migration, and xenograft tumor assays were performed to verify the function of LINC00265 subjected to overexpressing and silencing experiments. The ceRNA mechanism with LINC00265/miR-4500/STAT3 was investigated through luciferase and RNA pull-down assays. Finally, the function of the LINC00265/miR-4500/STAT3 axis subjected to overexpressing and silencing assays was determined through cell proliferation, cell migration, and xenograft tumor assays.

Results

LINC00265 was highly expressed in ALL cell lines and blood of patients with ALL and facilitated the proliferation, migration, invasion, and growth of xenograft tumors of ALL cells. The silencing of LINC00265 expression with LINC00265 siRNA significantly inhibited the malignancy of the ALL cells. RNA pull-down and luciferase assays demonstrated that LINC00265 competitively targeted miR-4500 and enhanced STAT3 expression. Furthermore, miR-4500 inhibitors or overexpressed LINC00265 up-regulated STAT3 expression, and miR-4500 mimics or STAT3 shRNAs eliminated the LINC00265-induced malignancy of the ALL cells.

Conclusion

Mechanistically, LncRNA LINC00265 can competitively interact with miR-4500 and thereby up-regulates STAT3 signaling and enhances the malignancy of tumors.

Targeting neuropilin-1 interactions is a promising anti-tumor strategy

ABSTRACT

Neuropilins (NRP1 and NRP2) are multifunctional receptor proteins that are involved in nerve, blood vessel, and tumor development. NRP1 was first found to be expressed in neurons, but subsequent studies have demonstrated its surface expression in cells from the endothelium and lymph nodes. NRP1 has been demonstrated to be involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of cancers. NRP1 interacts with various cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor family and its receptor and transforming growth factor β1 and its receptor, to affect tumor angiogenesis, tumor proliferation, and migration. In addition, NRP1+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an inhibitory role in tumor immunity. High numbers of NRP1+ Tregs were associated with cancer prognosis. Targeting NRP1 has shown promise, and antagonists against NRP1 have had therapeutic efficacy in preliminary clinical studies. NRP1 treatment modalities using nanomaterials, targeted drugs, oncolytic viruses, and radio-chemotherapy have gradually been developed. Hence, we reviewed the use of NRP1 in the context of tumorigenesis, progression, and treatment.

Emerging Effects of Sepantronium Bromide (YM155) on MOLT-4 Cell Line Apoptosis Induction and Expression of Critical Genes Involved in Apoptotic Pathways

Purpose: Sepantronium bromide (YM155) is a Survivin inhibitor which recently advanced as an anticancer agent in phase II clinical trials. Survivin belongs to IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) gene family and is a pivotal target for treatment due to its overexpression and oncogenic function in many malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Although survivin is a specific target for YM155, recent reports have shown that it has many other crucial targets that regulate its anti-apoptotic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether YM155 could have an effect on cell death-inducing genes as well as inducing apoptosis in T-ALL MOLT4- cell line. Methods: We treated MOLT-4 cells with increasing concentrations of YM155 and then cell viability was determined using MTT (methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium) assay. Also, the rate of induction of apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells and the target genes expression levels were evaluated by Annexin V/PI and real-time PCR, respectively. Results: YM155 inhibited cell growth in MOLT-4 cells. This outcome is achieved by inducing apoptosis and a significant increase in the expression level of P53, MiR-9, caspase 3 and decreasing the mRNA expression levels of survivin, Sirtuin1(SIRT1), member of anti-apoptotic proteins family (Bcl-2), and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) initiating factors Snail1and Zeb2. Conclusion: The results showed that use of YM155 can be a potential drug therapy in T-ALL patients with promising effects on apoptosis induction.

MicroRNA-31 is a potential biomarker for screening B-lymphoblastic leukemia in children

The present study aimed to investigate the expression and significance of microRNA-31 (miR-31) in children with acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Bone marrow specimens and peripheral blood were collected from children with B-ALL (n=38) and healthy controls (n=18). Total RNA was extracted and the expression levels of miR-31 were measured using quantitative PCR. In addition, a receiver operating characteristic curve was generated, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-31 for the development of B-ALL. miR-31 expression was significantly lower in the B-ALL group compared with in the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, the expression levels of miR-31 in the B-ALL group before treatment were markedly lower than in the B-ALL group after treatment, and miR-31 expression was significantly lower after 30 days of treatment compared with after 12 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, miR-31 expression in the group of children ≥10 years of age was higher than that in the group of children <10 years of age. Furthermore, the expression levels of miR-31 were higher in the low-risk group compared with in the medium- and high-risk groups (P<0.05). When the cutoff value was set at 1.8, the AUC of miR-31 for B-ALL diagnosis was 0.915 (95% CI, 0.828-1.000; P<0.0001), with a sensitivity and specificity of 80.8 and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, miR-31 may exert an anticancer role in B-ALL in children and may be a potential marker to assist in diagnosis and prognostic prediction.

Semaphorins and Their Receptors in Hematological Malignancies

While semaphorins were initially identified as axonal guidance cues for wiring the neural network, it was then recognized their wide relevance in tissue development and homeostasis. Notably, semaphorin activities were also extensively studied in many types of solid tumors; however, their relevance in hematological malignancies is far from understood. In this mini-review, we surveyed the current knowledge about semaphorins and their receptors in leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. Noteworthy, current data support a promoting role for Semaphorin 4D and Neuropilin-1 in these tumors, while Semaphorin 3A seems to consistently act as oncosuppressor in leukemias and multiple myeloma. The expression levels and functional activities of SEMA3B, SEMA3F, and Neuropilin-2 have furthermore been investigated in leukemias and lymphoma cells. Herein, we reviewed the state of the art and highlighted some of the open questions to be addressed in the field.