miR-144 reverses cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer via targeting LHX2

Non-coding RNA in cancer drug resistance: Underlying mechanisms and clinical applications

Cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignant diseases worldwide, posing a serious, long-term threat to patients’ health and life. Systemic chemotherapy remains the first-line therapeutic approach for recurrent or metastatic cancer patients after surgery, with the potential to effectively extend patient survival. However, the development of drug resistance seriously limits the clinical efficiency of chemotherapy and ultimately results in treatment failure and patient death. A large number of studies have shown that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, are widely involved in the regulation of cancer drug resistance. Their dysregulation contributes to the development of cancer drug resistance by modulating the expression of specific target genes involved in cellular apoptosis, autophagy, drug efflux, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cancer stem cells (CSCs). Moreover, some ncRNAs also possess great potential as efficient, specific biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis as well as therapeutic targets in cancer patients. In this review, we summarize the recent findings on the emerging role and underlying mechanisms of ncRNAs involved in cancer drug resistance and focus on their clinical applications as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. This information will be of great benefit to early diagnosis and prognostic assessments of cancer as well as the development of ncRNA-based therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.

linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 modulates cisplatin resistance and angiogenesis through AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA pathway in cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles that lead to poor prognosis in cervical cancer. linc00958 was reported to be an oncogene in cervical cancer. However, its role in mediating chemoresistance remains to be revealed.

PURPOSE

To explore the regulatory mechanisms of linc00958 in cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer cells and further validate in xenograft mice.

METHODS

Online bioinformatic tools were used to conduct the pre-investigation of linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 and predict the associations between RSF-1 and AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA in cervical cancer. RT-qPCR measured the RNA expression levels of linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 in SiHa and SiHa/DDP. Cell survival rates were evaluated by CCK8 methods after cells were exposed to differential concentrations of DDP. Dual-luciferase reporter methods were used to measure luciferase activity. Western blot measured RSF-1 protein and phosphorylated changes of AKT1/GSK3β. Immunofluorescence was employed to observe VEGFA secretion in vitro. Tube formation was applied to evaluate the in-vitro changes of angiogenesis. The SiHa/DDP cells stably transfected with pLKO-sh-NC or pLKO-sh-linc00958 plasmids, were injected into mice, establishing xenograft models. The changes in mice weight and tumor volumes were recorded. H&E staining and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was further performed.

RESULTS

linc00958 expression was higher in SiHa/DDP cells. High linc00958 expression was associated with low overall survival. In SiHa/DDP cells linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 axis inhibited the cellular resistance to cisplatin and suppressed VEGFA and the tube formation through AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA pathway. The knockdown of linc00958 inhibited RSF-1 and Ki67, curbing tumor growth; it also inhibited VEGFA and CD34, decreasing angiogenesis in mice.

CONCLUSION

linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 modulates cisplatin resistance and angiogenesis through AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA pathway in cervical cancer.

Cellular landscaping of cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the largest causes of malignancies in women worldwide. Cisplatin is one of the widely used drugs for the treatment of CC is rendered ineffective owing to drug resistance. This review highlights the cause of resistance and the mechanism of cisplatin resistance cells in CC to develop therapeutic ventures and strategies that could be utilized to overcome the aforementioned issue. These strategies would include the application of nanocarries, miRNA, CRIPSR/Cas system, and chemotherapeutics in synergy with cisplatin to not only overcome the issues of drug resistance but also enhance its anti-cancer efficiency. Moreover, we have also discussed the signaling network of cisplatin resistance cells in CC that would provide insights to develop therapeutic target sites and inhibitors. Furthermore, we have discussed the role of CC metabolism on cisplatin resistance cells and the physical and biological factors affecting the tumor microenvironments.

MicroRNA-92a-3p Enhances Cisplatin Resistance by Regulating Krüppel-Like Factor 4-Mediated Cell Apoptosis and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cervical Cancer

Recent studies have confirmed the existence and key roles of microRNA (miRNAs) in cancer drug resistance, including cervical cancer (CC). The present study aims to establish a novel role for miR-92a-3p and its associated gene networks in cisplatin (DDP) resistance of CC. First, the disparities in miRNA expression between CC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were screened based on GSE19611 microarray data that retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and we identified several miRs that were significantly downregulated or upregulated in CC tissues including miR-92a-3p. Moreover, miR-92a-3p was significantly up-regulated in DDP-resistant cells and was the most differently expressed miRNA. Functionally, knockdown of miR-92a-3p increased the sensitivity of DDP-resistant cells to DDP via inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoting apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of miR-92a-3p significantly induced DDP resistance in CC parental cells including HeLa and SiHa cells. Moreover, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) was identified as a direct target of miR-92a-3p, and an obvious inverse correlation was observed between the expression of miR-92a-3p and KLF4 in 40 pairs of cancer tissues. Furthermore, KLF4 knockdown reversed the promoting effect of miR-92a-3p inhibition on DDP sensitivity in DDP-resistant CC cells. Besides, high expression of miR-92a-3p was associated with DDP resistance, as well as a short overall survival in clinic. Taken together, these findings provide important evidence that miR-92a-3p targets KLF4 and is significant in DDP resistance in CC, indicating that miR-92a-3p may be an attractive target to increase DDP sensitivity in clinical CC treatment.

Functional New Transcription Factors (TFs) Associated with Cervical Cancer

The goal of this research was to find noval transcription factors (TFs) that are involved in cervical carcinogenesis. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was utilized to analyze ten cervical cancer datasets using the Robust Rank Aggregation (RRA) technique. Survival and differential expression were validated using GEPIA (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis). The transcriptional regulatory network and putative targets were built using Cytoscape. A real-time PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) experiment was used to confirm the mRNA expression. Using public cervical cancer single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), bulk TCGA-CESC RNA-seq, and microarray datasets, coexpression correlations between putative targets and TFs were confirmed. After combining the results of 10 datasets, 8 TFs, including EMX2 (Empty Spiracles Homeobox 2), were chosen among 385 robust DEGs. In the normal female reproductive tract, EMX2 is extensively expressed, but it is reduced in cervical cancer. Overexpression EMX2 suppresses the proliferation of HeLa cells. 12 potential targets of EMX2 were selected. Our research has revealed evidence that EMX2 acted as a tumor suppressor in cervical cancer and PDZRN3 might be possible target of EMX2 in cervical cancer. It might be a therapeutic target in the future.

Revealing the role of miRNA-489 as a new onco-suppressor factor in different cancers based on pre-clinical and clinical evidence

Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have shown to be potential therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic targets in disease therapy. These endogenous non-coding RNAs contribute to regulation of different cellular events that are necessary for maintaining physiological condition. Dysregulation of miRNAs is correlated with development of various pathological events such as neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. miRNA-489 is a new emerging miRNA and studies are extensively investigating its role in pathological conditions. Herein, potential function of miRNA-489 as tumor-suppressor in various cancers is described. miRNA-489 is able to sensitize cancer cells into chemotherapy by disrupting molecular pathways involved in cancer growth such as PI3K/Akt, and induction of apoptosis. The PROX1 and SUZ12 as oncogenic pathways, are affected by miRNA-489 in suppressing metastasis of cancer cells. Wnt/β-catenin as an oncogenic factor ensuring growth and malignancy of tumors is inhibited via miRNA-489 function. For enhancing drug sensitivity of tumors, restoring miRNA-489 expression is a promising strategy. The lncRNAs can modulate miRNA-489 expression in tumors and studies about circRNA role in miRNA-489 modulation should be performed. The expression level of miRNA-489 is a diagnostic tool for tumor detection. Besides, down-regulation of miRNA-489 in tumors provides unfavorable prognosis.

Long noncoding RNA NORAD acts as a ceRNA mediates gemcitabine resistance in bladder cancer by sponging miR-155-5p to regulate WEE1 expression

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidences have proved that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate the occurrence of bladder cancer (BC) and participate in various pathophysiology processes. However, little is unknown about the role of lncRNAs in drug resistance of BC cells. In this study, we explored the role of non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD) in the gemcitabine (GEM) resistant of BC cells and explored its potential mechanism.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of NORAD and miR-155-5p of BC cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Western blot were used to detect cell inhibition rate and the expression of WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase (WEE1), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1). Flow cytometry detected cell cycle and apoptosis. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were used to confirm the targeting relationship between miR-155-5p, NORAD and WEE1. The xenograft model was used to observe the function of NORAD in vivo. immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay was used to detect the expression of WEE1, caspase-3 and Ki67 in tumor tissues.

RESULTS

NORAD highly expressed in GEM-resistant BC cell lines. Knockdown of NORAD significantly inhibited the proliferation of T24/GEM cells, the expression of drug-resistant proteins P-gp and MRP1, inhibit the G0/G1 phase of cells, and induce cell apoptosis. Knockdown of NORAD reversed the promotion effect of miR-155-5p on WEE1 expression and promoted the sensitivity of T24/GEM cells to GEM. In vivo, knockdown of NORAD inhibited the tumor growth, and enhanced the GEM-sensitivity in mice.

CONCLUSION

These data highlight the potential of NORAD acts as a therapeutic target for BC GEM resistance. It revealed the vital roles of NORAD/miR-155-5p/WEE1 axis in GEM resistant BC cells, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for BC.

Cancer-Derived Exosomal miR-651 as a Diagnostic Marker Restrains Cisplatin Resistance and Directly Targets ATG3 for Cervical Cancer

Objective

Cancer-derived exosomes can facilitate drug resistance in cervical cancer. However, the mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we observed the roles of exosomal miR-651 in cisplatin resistance of cervical cancer.

Methods

Circulating miR-651 was detected in cervical cancer and healthy individuals. The diagnostic efficacy was determined. When transfected with miR-651 mimics, cisplatin resistance, apoptosis, and proliferation were assessed. The cancer-derived exosomes were separated and identified. We observed the uptake of PKH67-labeled exosomes by HeLa/S cells. After coculture with exosomes secreted by HeLa/S or HeLa/DDP cells, malignant behaviors were examined in HeLa/S cells. The interactions between ATG3 and miR-651 were validated by dual luciferase report. Biological behaviors were investigated for HeLa/S cells cocultured with exosomes secreted by miR-651 mimic-transfected HeLa/DDP cells.

Results

Downregulated circulating miR-651 was found in cancer subjects than healthy individuals. It possessed high sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosing cervical cancer (AUC = 0.9050). Lower miR-651 expression was confirmed in HeLa/DDP than HeLa/S cells. Forced miR-651 lessened cisplatin resistance and proliferation and elevated apoptosis in HeLa cells. ATG3 was a direct target of miR-651. The exosomes isolated from HeLa cells were rich in CD63, CD9, and CD81 proteins, thereby identifying the isolated exosomes. Exosomes secreted by HeLa/DDP cells can be absorbed by HeLa/S cells. When being cocultured with exosomes secreted by HeLa/DDP cells, malignant behaviors of HeLa/S cells were enhanced, which were ameliorated by miR-651 mimic exosomes.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that cancer-derived exosomal miR-651 restrained cisplatin resistance and directly targeted ATG3, indicating that exosomal miR-651 could be a therapeutic agent.

Cervical cancer development, chemoresistance, and therapy: a snapshot of involvement of microRNA

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the leading causes of death in women due to cancer and a major concern in the developing world. Persistent human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the major causative agent for CC. Besides HPV infection, genetic and epigenetic factors including microRNA (miRNA) also contribute to the malignant transformation. Earlier studies have revealed that miRNAs participate in cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, and chemoresistance processes by binding and inversely regulating the target oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Based on functions and mechanistic insights, miRNAs have been identified as cellular modulators that have an enormous role in diagnosis, prognosis, and cancer therapy. Signatures of miRNA could be used as diagnostic markers which are necessary for early diagnosis and management of CC. The therapeutic potential of miRNAs has been shown in CC; however, more comprehensive clinical trials are required for the clinical translation of miRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics. Understanding the molecular mechanism of miRNAs and their target genes has been useful to develop miRNA-based therapeutic strategies for CC and overcome chemoresistance. In this review, we summarize the role of miRNAs in the development, progression, and metastasis of CC as well as chemoresistance. Further, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of miRNAs to overcome chemoresistance and treatment of CC.

Understanding the Molecular Mechanism of miR-877-3p Could Provide Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix

No therapeutic targets and molecular biomarkers are available in cervical cancer (CC) management. In other cancer types, micro-RNA-877-3p (miR-877-3p) has been associated with events relevant for CC development. Thus, we aimed to determine miR-877-3p role in CC. miR-877-3p levels were examined by quantitative-PCR in 117 cervical lesions and tumors. Effects on CC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated upon anti-miR-877-3p transfection. miR-877-3p dependent molecular mechanism was comprehensively explored by proteomics, dual-luciferase reporter assay, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Cervical tumors expressed higher miR-877-3p levels than benign lesions. miR-877-3p promoted CC cell migration and invasion, at least partly by modulating cytoskeletal protein folding through the chaperonin-containing T-complex protein 1 complex. Notably, miR-877-3p silencing synergized with paclitaxel. Interestingly, miR-877-3p downregulated the levels of an in silico-predicted target, ZNF177, whose expression and subcellular location significantly distinguished high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) and squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix (SCCCs). Cytoplasmic ZNF177 was significantly associated with worse progression-free survival in SCCC. Our results suggest that: (i) miR-877-3p is a potential therapeutic target whose inhibition improves paclitaxel effects; (ii) the expression and location of its target ZNF177 could be diagnostic biomarkers between HSIL and SCCC; and (iii) cytoplasmic ZNF177 is a poor-prognosis biomarker in SCCC.

The Role of microRNAs in the Cisplatin- and Radio-Resistance of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. The chemotherapeutical agent cisplatin, a small platinum-based compound, is considered as the standard therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer or recurrent cancers, sometimes in combination with radiotherapy or other drugs. However, drug resistance and radio-resistance phenomena could reduce the life expectancy of cervical cancer patients. Resistance mechanisms are complex and often involve multiple cellular pathways in which microRNAs (miRNAs) play a fundamental role. miRNAs are a class of endogenous non-coding small RNAs responsible for post-transcriptional gene regulation. Convincing evidence demonstrates that several deregulated miRNAs are important regulators in the onset of drug and radioresistance in cervical cancer, thus underlying their potential applications in a clinical setting. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms by which miRNAs affect both cisplatin and radioresistance in cervical cancer. We also described the regulatory loops between miRNAs and lncRNAs promoting drug resistance. Besides, we reported evidence for the role of miRNAs in sensitizing cancer cells to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, and provided some suggestions for the development of new combined therapies for cervical cancer.

MicroRNA-144: A novel biological marker and potential therapeutic target in human solid cancers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. It has been reported that microRNA-144 (miR-144) is highly conserved and can combine complementarily with the 3'-UTRs of target gene mRNAs to inhibit mRNA translation or promote targeted mRNA degradation. MiR-144 is abnormally expressed and has been identified as a tumor suppressor in many types of solid tumors. Increasing evidence supports a crucial role for miR-144 in modulating physiopathologic processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration and angiogenesis in different tumor cells. Apart from these functions, miR-144 can also affect drug sensitivity, cancer treatment and patient prognosis. In this review, we summarize the biological functions of miR-144, its direct targets and the important signal pathways through which it acts in relation to various tumors. We also discuss the role of miR-144 in tumor biology and its clinical significance in detail and offer novel insights into molecular targeting therapy for human cancers.

PIM-1 may function as an oncogene in cervical cancer via activating the EGFR signaling

BACKGROUND

This work was designed to explore the roles of PIM-1 in the development of cervical cancer.

METHODS

There were 90 paired cervical tumor samples and the non-tumor adjacent tissue. The levels of PIM-1 in different samples were examined using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) methods. The potential diagnostic value of PIM-1 was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve; furthermore, the expression of EGFR in tumor samples was detected, and Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the expression of PIM-1 and EGFR. Finally, cervical cancer cell line Hela cells were cultured and treated by PIM-1 siRNA, and MTT assay and Pi/Annexin V assay were performed to explore the effects of PIM-1 siRNA on the growth and apoptosis ability of the Hela cells.

RESULTS

PIM-1 was significantly up-regulated in cervical cancer tissue compared to adjacent tissue, and the expression of PIM-1 in patients with cervical cancer is positively associated with the size and metastasis of the tumor. ROC analysis showed PIM-1 is a sensitive biomarker for the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Furthermore, EGFR was over-expressed in cervical cancer tumor tissues, and the levels of PIM-1 and EGFR in cervical cancer tissue were positively correlated. Finally, PIM-1 siRNA dramatically inhibited the viability and promoted the apoptosis of the Hela cells.

CONCLUSION

Our findings prove that PIM-1 may function as an oncogene in cervical cancer and can regulate the EGFR signaling in cervical cancer.

Recent advances in the contribution of noncoding RNAs to cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a major disease burden on the female population worldwide. Chemotherapy with cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II); CDDP) and related drugs are the main treatment option for CC; however, their efficacy is limited by the development of drug resistance. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been found to play critical roles in numerous physiological and pathological cellular processes, including drug resistance of cancer cells. In this review, we describe some of the ncRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs, that are involved in the sensitivity/resistance of CC to CDDP-based chemotherapy and discuss their mechanisms of action. We also describe some ncRNAs that could be therapeutic targets to improve the sensitivity of CC to CDDP-based chemotherapy.

Long Non-coding RNA SNHG17 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Invasion in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer by Targeting the miR-144/CD51 Axis

Previously, we found that the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 17 (SNHG17) was up-regulated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells compared to that in hormone sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) cells. Moreover, we found that CD51 was up-regulated in prostate cancer cells and promoted the carcinogenesis and progression of prostate cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism of SNHG17 and CD51 in the development of CRPC remains unclear. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the expressions, functions, and underlying mechanism of SNHG17 and CD51 in CRPC. Our results further confirmed that both SNHG17 and CD51 were up-regulated in CRPC tissues and cells. In addition, we found that SNHG17 expression was positively correlated with CD51 expression in prostate cancer. Mechanically, SNHG17 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to up-regulate CD51 expression through competitively sponging microRNA-144 (miR-144), and CD51 was identified as a direct downstream target of miR-144 in CRPC. Functionally, down-regulation of SNHG17 or up-regulation of miR-144 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRPC cells, whereas up-regulation of SNHG17 and down-regulation of miR-144 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRPC cells in vitro and in vivo. Using gain and loss-of function assay and rescue assay, we showed that miR-144 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion by directly inhibiting CD51 expression, and SNHG17 promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion by directly enhancing CD51 expression in CRPC cells. Taken together, our study reveals the role of the SNHG17/miR-144/CD51 axis in accelerating CRPC cell proliferation and invasion, and suggests that SNHG17 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for CRPC.

MiR-144: A New Possible Therapeutic Target and Diagnostic/Prognostic Tool in Cancers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and non-coding RNAs that display aberrant expression in the tissue and plasma of cancer patients when tested in comparison to healthy individuals. In past decades, research data proposed that miRNAs could be diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer patients. It has been confirmed that miRNAs can act either as oncogenes by silencing tumor inhibitors or as tumor suppressors by targeting oncoproteins. MiR-144s are located in the chromosomal region 17q11.2, which is subject to significant damage in many types of cancers. In this review, we assess the involvement of miR-144s in several cancer types by illustrating the possible target genes that are related to each cancer, and we also briefly describe the clinical applications of miR-144s as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in cancers.

microRNA-144 functions as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for retinoblastoma

OBJECTIVES

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a highly malignant eye tumor with a low survival rate and a high metastatic rate. The current work was designed to investigate the potential roles of microRNA-144 (miR-144) in the diagnosis and prognosis of RB.

METHODS

miR-144 expression levels in RB tissues and adjacent normal tissues, as well as serum samples from RB patients and healthy controls were measured. The association between miR-144 expression levels and clinical features were analyzed. Moreover, diagnostic and prognostic values of miR-144 in RB were verified by receiver operating characteristic analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival assays.

RESULTS

The expression level of miR-144 was markedly decreased in tumor tissues of RB patients, and the expression level of miR-144 was positively associated with tumor size and metastasis in RB patients. Moreover, miR-144 can distinguish tumor tissues from normal tissues with high specificity and sensitivity, and RB patients with lower miR-144 expression have shorter overall and disease-free survival rates than those with higher miR-144 expression. Alternatively, miR-144 also decreased in the serum of RB patients in comparison with healthy subjects, and miR-144 expression levels in the tissue samples and serum were positively correlated. Furthermore, miR-144 levels in the serum of RB patients sensitively distinguished RB patients from healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-144 expression was downregulated in serum and tissue samples of RB patients and may function as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for RB.