Long noncoding RNA FOXD3‐AS1 promotes colon adenocarcinoma progression and functions as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate SIRT1 by sponging miR‐135a‐5p

Research on the mechanism of exosomes from different sources influencing the progression of lung cancer

As a key regulator of intercellular communication, exosomes are essential for tumor cells. In our study, we will explore the mechanisms of exosomes from different sources on lung cancer. We isolated CD8+T cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from venous blood and tumor tissues of lung cancer patients, and isolated exosomes. MiR-2682 was high expression in CD8+T-derived exosomes, and lncRNA-FOXD3-AS1 was upregulated in CAF-derived exosomes. Online bioinformatics database analysis showed that RNA Binding Motif Protein 39 (RBM39) was identified as the target of miR-2682, and eukaryotic translation initiation factors 3B (EIF3B) was identified as the RNA binding protein of FOXD3-AS1. CD8+T-derived exosomes inhibited the growth of A549 cells and promoted apoptosis, while miR-2682 inhibits reversed these effects of CD8+T-derived exosomes. CAF-derived exosomes promoted the growth of A549 cells and inhibited apoptosis, while FOXD3-AS1 siRNA reversed the effect of CAF-derived exosomes. Mechanism studies have found that miR-2682 inhibits the growth of lung cancer cells by inhibiting the expression of RBM39. FOXD3-AS1 promoted the growth of lung cancer cells by binding to EIF3B. In vivo experiments showed that CD8+T cell-derived exosome miR-2682 inhibited lung cancer tumor formation, while CAF-derived exosome FOXD3-AS1 promoted lung cancer tumor formation. This study provides mechanistic insights into the role of miR-2682 and FOXD3-AS1 in lung cancer progression and provides new strategies for lung cancer treatment.

The oxidative stress-associated long non-coding RNAs in pancreatic cancer

PURPOSE

A lot of people are dying from pancreatic cancer (PC) annually. The early detection of this cancer is particularly challenging due to the fact that symptoms tend to appear in advanced stages. It has been suggested that oxidative stress may play a role in the development of PC. Several genes regulate this process, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). There is no comprehensive study on the expression pattern of lncRNAs related to oxidative stress in PC patients. In the present case-control study, we quantified levels of oxidative stress-associated lncRNAs in PC patients versus healthy controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the present study, we investigated the expression levels of lincRNA-p21, LUCAT, RMST, FOXD3-AS1, and MT1DP lncRNAs in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 53 ​PC patients and 50 healthy controls. The association between lncRNA expression and clinical and pathological characteristics was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The expression of lincRNA-P21 and rhabdomyosarcoma 2-associated transcript (RMST) lncRNAs in PC patients has significantly decreased. Expression of lncRNA RMST was significantly higher in TNM stage III-IV patients in comparison to TNM stage I-II patients. In addition, a significant positive association was recognized between candidate lncRNA expression, and finally, the AUC values of the expression levels of lincRNA-p21 and RMST were 0.60 and 0.61, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, our study suggests a possible role of lincRNA-p21 and RMST lncRNAs in the etiology of PC pathobiology, and their biomarker role may be understood in future studies.

Competitive endogenous RNA networks: Decoding the role of long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in colorectal cancer chemoresistance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is recognized as one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies across the globe. Despite significant progress in designing novel treatments for CRC, there is a pressing need for more effective therapeutic approaches. Unfortunately, many patients undergoing chemotherapy develop drug resistance, posing a significant challenge for cancer treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been found to play crucial roles in CRC development and its response to chemotherapy. However, there are still gaps in our understanding of interactions among various ncRNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). These ncRNAs can act as either oncogenes or tumour suppressors, affecting numerous biological functions in different cancers including CRC. A class of ncRNA molecules known as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) has emerged as a key player in various cellular processes. These molecules form networks through lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA and circRNA/miRNA/mRNA interactions. In CRC, dysregulation of ceRNA networks has been observed across various cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. These dysregulations are believed to play a significant role in the progression of CRC and, in certain instances, may contribute to the development of chemoresistance. Enriching our knowledge of these dysregulations holds promise for advancing the field of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for CRC. In this review, we discuss lncRNA- and circRNA-associated ceRNA networks implicated in the emergence and advancement of drug resistance in colorectal carcinogenesis.

The Essential Role of microRNAs in Inflammatory and Autoimmune Skin Diseases-A Review

The etiopathogenesis of autoimmune skin diseases is complex and still not fully understood. The role of epigenetic factors is emphasized in the development of such diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a group of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs-non-coding RNAs), are one of the important post-transcriptional epigenetic factors. miRNAs have a significant role in the regulation of the immune response by participating in the process of the differentiation and activation of B and T lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Recent advances in research on epigenetic factors have provided new insights into the pathogenesis and potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets of many pathologies. Numerous studies revealed a change in the expression of some microRNAs in inflammatory skin disorders, and the regulation of miRNA expression is a promising therapeutic goal. This review presents the state of the art regarding changes in the expression and role of miRNAs in inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, lichen planus, hidradenitis suppurativa, and autoimmune blistering diseases.

Succinylation-associated lncRNA signature to predict the prognosis of colon cancer based on integrative bioinformatics analysis

Colon cancer (CC) has a poor 5-year survival rate though the treatment techniques and strategies have been improved. Succinylation and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have prognostic value for CC patients. We analyzed and obtained succinylation-related lncRNA by co-expression in CC. A novel succinylation-related lncRNA model was developed by univariate and Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression analysis and we used principal component analysis (PCA), functional enrichment annotation, tumor immune environment, drug sensitivity and nomogram to verify the model, respectively. Six succinylation-related lncRNAs in our model were finally confirmed to distinguish the survival status of CC and showed statistically significant differences in training set, testing set, and entire set. The prognosis of with this model was associated with age, gender, M0 stage, N2 stage, T3 + T4 stage and Stage III + IV. The high-risk group showed a higher mutation rate than the low-risk group. We constructed a model to predict overall survival for 1-, 3-, and 5-year with AUCs of 0.694, 0.729, and 0.802, respectively. The high-risk group was sensitive to Cisplatin and Temozolomide compounds. Our study provided novel insights into the value of the succinylation-related lncRNA signature as a predictor of prognosis, which had high clinical application value in the future.

Prognostic and predictive value of a lncRNA signature in patients with stage II colon cancer

The current staging method is inadequate to identify high-risk recurrence patients with stage II colon cancer (CC). Using a systematic and comprehensive-biomarker discovery and validation method, we aimed to construct a lncRNA-based signature to improve the prognostic prediction of stage II CC. We identified 1,377 differently expressed lncRNAs by analyzing 16 paired stage II CC tumor tissue and adjacent normal mucosal tissue from the TCGA dataset. Subsequently, using a univariable and step multivariable Cox regression model, we trained an 11-lncRNA signature in the training cohort (n = 141), which could divide patients into high-risk and low-risk groups (AUC at 3 years = 0.801, 95% CI: 0.724-0.877; AUC at 5 years = 0.801, 95% CI: 0.718-0.885). Significantly, patients in the high-risk group had poorer recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared with the low-risk group (log-rank test, P < 0.001 in the training cohort). This lncRNA-based signature was further confirmed in the validation cohort (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression and stratified survival analyses showed that the prognostic value of this signature was independent of other clinicopathological risk factors (CEA, T stage, and chemotherapy). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that this signature had better prognostic ability than any other clinical risk factors or single lncRNAs (all P < 0.05). A nomogram was constructed for clinical use, which integrated both the lncRNA-based signature and clinical risk factors (CEA and T stage) and performed well in the calibration plots. Altogether, our lncRNA-based signature was an independent prognostic factor and possessed a stronger predictive power compared with the currently used clinicopathological risk factors when predicting the recurrence of patients with stage II CC. Collectively, this lncRNA-based signature might facilitate individualized treatment decisions and postoperative counseling, ultimately contributing to improved survival.

A nomogram model based on the number of examined lymph nodes-related signature to predict prognosis and guide clinical therapy in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests that the number of examined lymph nodes (ELNs) is strongly linked to the survivorship of gastric cancer (GC). The goal of this study was to assess the prognostic implications of the ELNs number and to construct an ELNs-based risk signature and nomogram model to predict overall survival (OS) characteristics in GC patients.

METHODS

This inception cohort study included 19,317 GC patients from the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, who were separated into a training group and an internal validation group. The nomogram was built with the training set, then internally verified with SEER data, and externally validated with two different data sets. Based on the RNA-seq data, ELNs-related DERNAs (DElncRNAs, DEmiRNAs, andDEmRNAs) and immune cells were identified. The LASSO-Cox regression analysis was utilized to construct ELNs-related DERNAs and immune cell prognostic signature in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. The OS of subgroups with high- and low-ELN signature was compared using the Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis. A nomogram was successfully constructed based on the ELNs signature and other clinical characteristics. The concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, receiver operating characteristic curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were all used to evaluate the nomogram model. The meta-analysis, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database, and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were utilized to validate the RNA expression or abundance of prognostic genes and immune cells between GC tissues and normal gastric tissues, respectively. Finally, we analyzed the correlations between immune checkpoints, chemotherapy drug sensitivity, and risk score.

RESULTS

The multivariate analysis revealed that the high ELNs improved OS compared with low ELNs (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.659, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.626-0.694, p < 0.0001). Using the training set, a nomogram incorporating ELNs was built and proven to have good calibration and discrimination (C-index [95% CI], 0.714 [0.710-0.718]), which was validated in the internal validation set (C-index [95% CI], 0.720 [0.714-0.726]), the TCGA set (C-index [95% CI], 0.693 [0.662-0.724]), and the Chinese set (C-index [95% CI], 0.750 [0.720-0.782]). An ELNs-related signature model based on ELNs group, regulatory T cells (Tregs), neutrophils, CDKN2B-AS1, H19, HOTTIP, LINC00643, MIR663AHG, TMEM236, ZNF705A, and hsa-miR-135a-5p was constructed by the LASSO-Cox regression analysis. The result showed that OS was remarkably lower in patients with high-ELNs signature compared with those with low-ELN signature (HR = 2.418, 95% CI: 1.804-3.241, p < 0.001). This signature performed well in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival (AUC [95% CI] = 0.688 [0.612-0.763], 0.744 [0.659-0.830], and 0.778 [0.647-0.909], respectively). The multivariate Cox analysis illustrated that the risk score was an independent predictor of survival for patients with GC. Moreover, the expression of prognostic genes (LINC00643, TMEM236, and hsa-miR-135a-5p) displayed differences between GC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. The C-index of the nomogram that can be used to predict the OS of GC patients was 0.710 (95% CI: 0.663-0.753). Both the calibration plots and DCA showed that the nomogram has good predictive performance. Moreover, the signature was significantly correlated with the N stage and T stage. According to our analysis, GC patients in the low-ELN signature group may have a better immunotherapy response and OS outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We explored the prognostic role of ELNs in GC and successfully constructed an ELNs signature linked to the GC prognosis in TCGA. The findings manifested that the signature is a powerful predictive indicator for patients with GC. The signature might contain potential biomarkers for treatment response prediction for GC patients. Additionally, we identified a novel and robust nomogram combining the characteristics of ELNs and clinical factors for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS in GC patients, which will facilitate personalized survival prediction and aid clinical decision-making in GC patients.

MicroRNAs: Emerging players in the pathogenesis of vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by presence of pale patchy areas of depigmentation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and play significant roles in diverse biological and pathological processes. Accumulating evidence has shown that miRNAs were differentially expressed in skin lesions and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with vitiligo. In particular, miRNAs are significantly correlated with the development and progression of vitiligo. The abundance of some miRNAs in serum was also correlated with the vitiligo lesion severity, indicating that miRNAs might serve as prognostic biomarkers. Importantly, the direct involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of vitiligo has been demonstrated. For example, increased expression of miR-25 contributes to vitiligo through promoting the dysfunction and oxidative stress-induced destruction of melanocytes. However, there are limited studies on the function and mechanism of deregulated miRNAs in vitiligo. Further studies are required to establish clinical applications of miRNAs for vitiligo. More in-depth investigations of miRNAs are needed for the understanding of the pathogenesis of vitiligo and the development of novel therapeutic targets. This present review summarizes the current literature on the deregulation and pathogenic roles of miRNAs in vitiligo. We also highlight the potential clinical applications of miRNAs in patients with vitiligo.

Investigating melanogenesis-related microRNAs as disease biomarkers in vitiligo

Vitiligo is considered a disabling disease that affects physical, social, psychological, and occupational aspects of an individual's quality of life. The search for non-invasive and reliable biomarkers for vitiligo's early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment prediction is under intensive investigation. There is currently an emerging interest in employing miRNAs as biomarkers to predict vitiligo diagnosis and prognosis, inspired by the well-preserved nature of miRNAs in serum or plasma. In the current study, we assessed a panel of 20 melanogenesis pathway-related microRNAs (miRNAs) using quantitative real-time PCR technique in 85 non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) patients compared to 85 normal controls followed by function and pathway enrichment analysis for the miRNAs with significant results. Twelve out of the 20 circulating miRNAs showed significantly higher expression levels in vitiligo patients relative to controls where miR-423 show the highest expression level followed by miR-182, miR-106a, miR-23b, miR-9, miR-124, miR-130a, miR-203a, miR-181, miR-152, and miR-320a. While six miRNAs (miR-224, miR-148a, miR-137, and miR-7, miR-148b, miR-145, miR-374b, and miR-196b) didn’t show significant expression level. The analysis of the receiver operating curve indicated that miR-423, miR-106a, and miR-182 were outstanding biomarkers with the highest areas under the curve in vitiligo. This study is the first Egyptian study to investigate a panel of miRNAs expression profile in the plasma of patients with NSV. Our results suggest that specific circulating miRNAs signature might be implicated in vitiligo pathogenesis and could potentially be used as biomarkers in vitiligo.

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 promotes breast cancer progression by mediating ARF6

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumor in women. The high metastatic characteristics cause a high mortality rate of breast cancer. Increasing number of studies have indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in the progression of human cancers including breast cancer. In this study, we studied the expression and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 in breast cancer.

METHODS

The expression of lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 was analyzed by TCGA database and RT-qPCR assay. CCK8 assay was used to measure cell proliferation ability. Cell migration and invasion capacities were detected by transwell assay. Potential targets of lncRNA and miRNA were predicted by bioinformatic tools. The targeting relationship between genes was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The nude mice tumor model was performed to study the effect of FOXD3-AS1 on breast cancer in vivo. Protein expression was detected by western blot.

RESULTS

In the present study, we found that the FOXD3-AS1 expression was significantly increased in breast cancer tissues compared with normal tissues and involved in the poor prognosis of patients. Functionally, knockdown of FOXD3-AS1 suppressed cell proliferation and metastasis abilities in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, FOXD3-AS1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to upregulate ARF6 expression by targeting miR-127-3p. In addition, the roles of FOXD3-AS1 on cell proliferation and metastasis were achieved through miR-127-3p/ARF6 axis.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our results reported the regulatory mechanism of FOXD3-AS1 in breast cancer progression by targeting miR-127-3p/ARF6 axis to affect cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor growth.

Association of sirtuins (SIRT1-7) with lung and intestinal diseases

"Exterior-interior correlation between the lung and large intestine" is one of the important contents of traditional Chinese medicine. This theory describes the role of the lung and the intestine in association with disease treatment. The "lung-gut" axis is a modern extension of the "exterior-interior correlation between lung and large intestine" theory in TCM. Sirtuin (SIRT) is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent enzyme family with deacetylase properties, which is highly conserved from bacteria to humans. The sirtuin defines seven silencing regulatory proteins (SIRT1-7) in human cells. It can regulate aging, metabolism, and certain diseases. Current studies have shown that sirtuins have dual characteristics, acting as both tumor promoters and tumor inhibitors in cancers. This paper provides a comparative summary of the roles of SIRT1-7 in the intestine and lung (both inflammatory diseases and tumors), and the promoter/suppressor effects of targeting SIRT family microRNAs and modulators of inflammation or tumors. Sirtuins have great potential as drug targets for the treatment of intestinal and respiratory diseases. Meanwhile, it may provide new ideas of future drug target research.

Emerging Roles and Mechanisms of lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 in Human Diseases

Numerous long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as powerful regulators of human diseases. The lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 is a novel lncRNA that was recently shown to exert imperative roles in the initialization and progression of several diseases. Emerging studies have shown aberrant expression of FOXD3-AS1 and close correlation with pathophysiological traits of numerous diseases, particularly cancers. More importantly, FOXD3-AS1 was also found to ubiquitously impact a range of biological functions. This study aims to summarize the expression, associated clinicopathological features, major functions and molecular mechanisms of FOXD3-AS1 in human diseases and to explore its possible clinical applications.

MicroRNAs and 'Sponging' Competitive Endogenous RNAs Dysregulated in Colorectal Cancer: Potential as Noninvasive Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract in mammals is comprised of dozens of cell types with varied functions, structures, and histological locations that respond in a myriad of ways to epigenetic and genetic factors, environmental cues, diet, and microbiota. The homeostatic functioning of these cells contained within this complex organ system has been shown to be highly regulated by the effect of microRNAs (miRNA). Multiple efforts have uncovered that these miRNAs are often tightly influential in either the suppression or overexpression of inflammatory, apoptotic, and differentiation-related genes and proteins in a variety of cell types in colorectal cancer (CRC). The early detection of CRC and other GI cancers can be difficult, attributable to the invasive nature of prophylactic colonoscopies. Additionally, the levels of miRNAs associated with CRC in biofluids can be contradictory and, therefore, must be considered in the context of other inhibiting competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) such as lncRNAs and circRNAs. There is now a high demand for disease treatments and noninvasive screenings such as testing for bloodborne or fecal miRNAs and their inhibitors/targets. The breadth of this review encompasses current literature on well-established CRC-related miRNAs and the possibilities for their use as biomarkers in the diagnoses of this potentially fatal GI cancer.

Constructing a novel competing Endogenous RNAs network based on NR3C1 and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein genes reveals potential prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer

Background:

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as the main modulatory molecules in various cancers and perform as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). The nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors (NR3C1) regulates numerous proliferative and metabolic processes such as tumorigenesis and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) belongs to a family of the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins, is located downstream of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR or NR3C1) pathway, and cooperates with GR to suppress apoptosis. However, the underlying mechanisms of NR3C1 and XIAP in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain mainly unclear. This research aims to clarify the potential RNA biomarkers and to construct a novel ceRNA network in CRC.

Materials and Methods:

Multistep bioinformatics methods such as Lnc2cancer and miRDB databases were applied to identify candidate lncRNAs and miRNAs. The interaction energy between lncRNAs, NR3C1, and XIAP genes was analyzed by the LncRRIsearch database. Plus, microRNAs and lncRNA were evaluated via the Diana tools database to select microRNAs with the most binding scores. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) was applied to verify RNA molecules’ expression levels and their association with the clinicopathological factors in 30 CRC tissues compared to 30 adjacent tissues.

Results:

QRT-PCR showed upregulation of KCNQ1OT1, NR3C1, and XIAP and downregulation of miR-421. The ceRNA network was constructed with 17 lncRNAs, 2 mRNAs, and 42 miRNAs. Thus, we explained the potential interactions between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-421 with NR3C1 and XIAP genes.

Conclusion:

Our study represents potential prognostic biomarkers and a new ceRNA network for further study in CRC.

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 Promotes Tumorigenesis of Glioma via Targeting miR-128-3p/SZRD1 Axis

Background

The aim of the current study was to investigate the roles of LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 (FOXD3-AS1) in the glioma progression, and its underlying mechanism of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network of FOXD3-AS1/miR-128-3p/SZRD1.

Materials and Methods

The FOXD3-AS1 expression and its prognostic relation were detected by bioinformatics tool. Next, glioma cell lines (HS683, U251, T98G, and SNB-19) were used to verify the FOXD3-AS1 expression. Furthermore, the roles of the FOXD3-AS1/miR-128-3p/SZRD1 axis on the glioma development in vitro and in vivo were examined.

Results

Bioinformatics analysis showed that FOXD3-AS1 was upregulated in the glioma and linked with poor prognosis. Consistently, FOXD3-AS1 level was overexpressed in the glioma cell lines (HS683 and U251). Subsequently, we verified that silencing of FOXD3-AS1 (si-FOXD3-AS1) restrained the cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor growth in vivo, and induced G0/G1 arrest, and promoted apoptosis. Further study also stated that FOXD3-AS1 interacted with miR-128-3p and SZRD1 was the target gene of miR-128-3p. Moreover, overexpression of miR-128-3p restrained the cell proliferation and metastasis of glioma, and reduced the SZRD1 level. Rescue assay illustrated that miR-128-3p inhibitor could reverse the suppressive impact of si-FOXD3-AS1 on the glioma progression. Similarly, SZRD1 overexpression could neutralize the influences of miR-128-3p mimic on glioma progression.

Conclusion

FOXD3-AS1 promoted the tumorigenesis of glioma, and exerted its function to modulate SZRD1 by targeting miR-128-3p.

Exosomal lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 upregulates ELAVL1 expression and activates PI3K/Akt pathway to enhance lung cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and 5-fluorouracil resistance

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FOXD3-AS1 expression is upregulated in lung cancer; however, its effect and mechanism on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance remain unclear. In this study, we determined the effects of FOXD3-AS1-enriched exosomes derived from lung cancer cells on the proliferation, invasion, and 5-FU resistance of lung cancer cells. Online bioinformatics database analysis showed that FOXD3-AS1 was upregulated in lung cancer progression. Real-time quantitative PCR results confirmed that FOXD3-AS1 expression was upregulated in lung cancer tissues and cell lines, and FOXD3-AS1 was greatly enriched in lung cancer cell-derived exosomes. ELAV-like RNA-binding protein 1 (ELAVL1) was identified as an RNA-binding protein of FOXD3-AS1. The lung cancer cell-derived exosomes promoted A549 cell proliferation and invasion and inhibited apoptosis caused by 5-FU, and transfection of si-FOXD3-AS1 or si-ELAVL1 in exosome-incubated A549 cells reversed these effects. Moreover, exosome-incubated A549 cells were co-transfected with si-FOXD3-AS1 and pcDNA-ELAVL1, showing the same cell proliferation, invasion, and 5-FU resistance as those of A549 cells treated with lung cancer cell-derived exosomes alone. Mechanistic studies identified that lung cancer cell-derived exosomes activated the PI3K/Akt pathway, and transfection of si-FOXD3-AS1 or treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 reversed the activation of the PI3K/Akt axis induced by exosomes. In conclusion, our study revealed that lung cancer cell-derived exosomal FOXD3-AS1 upregulated ELAVL1 expression and activated the PI3K/Akt pathway to promote lung cancer progression. Our findings provide a new strategy for lung cancer treatment.

lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 promotes the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating the miR-135a-5p/CDK6 axis

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is essential to the development and progression of malignant human cancer. Growing evidence suggests that the lncRNA forkhead box D3 antisense 1 (FOXD3-AS1) is a crucial regulatory effector for multiple cancer types and is closely associated with poor prognosis. However, in most cases, the molecular mechanism underlying the role of FOXD3-AS1 in cancer development has not yet been fully elucidated. The present study focused on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in order to gain insight into how FOXD3-AS1 drives cancer progression. First, FOXD3-AS1 expression in NSCLC tissue samples was detected using reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-qPCR). Moreover, cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assays and flow cytometry, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay was then performed to determine whether there was a direct binding association between FOXD3-AS1 and microRNA (miR)-135a-5p. Lastly, a tumor subcutaneous xenograft model was established to examine the role of FOXD3-AS1 in tumor growth. FOXD3-AS1 was significantly overexpressed in NSCLC tissue samples and cell lines compared with normal tissue samples and cells. FOXD3-AS1 silencing expression significantly inhibited A549 and H1229 cell proliferation while inducing apoptosis compared with sh-NC group. The luciferase reporter assay demonstrated the direct binding interaction between FOXD3-AS1 and miR-135a-5p. Moreover, FOXD3-AS1 silencing led to the upregulation of miR-135a-5p in A549 and H1229 cells compared with sh-NC group. It was also demonstrated that miR-135a-5p could bind to the 3′ untranslated region of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) and negatively modulate its transcription. miR-135a-5p knockdown or CDK6 overexpression reversed the inhibition on cell proliferation and apoptosis following FOXD3-AS1 knockdown. Altogether, the present study suggests that FOXD3-AS1 sponges miR-135a-5p to promote cell proliferation and concomitantly inhibit apoptosis by regulating CDK6 expression in NSCLC cells.

ERp29 forms a feedback regulation loop with microRNA-135a-5p and promotes progression of colorectal cancer

Expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated genes is often dysregulated in cancer progression. ER protein 29 (ERp29) is abnormally expressed in many neoplasms and plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Here, we showed ERp29 is a novel target for microRNA-135a-5p (miR-135a-5p) to inhibit the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC); correspondingly, ERp29 acts as an oncoprotein in CRC by promoting proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells, and suppressing apoptosis of the cells. More importantly, we found that miR-135a-5p expression is reversely upregulated by ERp29 through suppressing IL-1β-elicited methylation of miR-135a-5p promoter region, a process for enterocyte to maintain a balance between miR-135a-5p and ERp29 but dysregulated in CRC. Our study reveals a novel feedback regulation loop between miR-135a-5p and ERp29 that is critical for maintaining appropriate level of each of them, but partially imbalanced in CRC, resulting in abnormal expression of miR-135a-5p and ERp29, which further accelerates CRC progression. We provide supporting evidence for ERp29 and miR-135a-5p as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

Circular RNAs; powerful microRNA sponges to overcome diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), also known as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is a drastic renal complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Poorly controlled DM over the years, may disrupt kidneys' blood vessels, leading to the hypertension (HTN) and DN onset. During DN, kidneys' waste filtering ability becomes disturbed. Being on a healthy lifestyle and controlling both DM and HTN are now the best proceedings to prevent or at least delay DN occurrence. Unfortunately, about one-fourth of diabetic individuals eventually experience the corresponding renal failure, and thus it is critical to discover effective diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to combat DN. In the past few years, circular RNAs (circRNAs), as covalently closed endogenous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are believed to affect DN pathogenesis in a positive manner. CircRNAs are able to impact different cellular processes and signaling pathways by targeting biological molecules or various molecular mechanisms. Still, as a key regulatory axis, circRNAs can select miRNAs as their molecular targets, in which they are considered as miRNA sponges. In this way, circRNA-induced suppression of particular miRNAs may prevent from DN progression or promotes the DN elimination. Since the expression of circRNAs has also been reported to be increased in DN-associated cells and tissues, they can be employed as either diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Long non-coding RNA FOXD3 antisense RNA 1 augments anti-estrogen resistance in breast cancer cells through the microRNA-363/ trefoil factor 1/ phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B axis

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FOXD3 antisense RNA 1 (FOXD3-AS1) has been reported to participate in multiple processes that contribute toward the development of cancer. The present study aimed to explore the effect of lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 on anti-estrogen resistance in breast cancer (BC) cells. FOXD3-AS1 was found to be highly expressed in BC cell lines. Moreover, FOXD3-AS1 was highly expressed in estrogen receptor-negative (ER^-) cells compared to the ER-positive (ER⁺) cells. FOXD3-AS1 overexpression in T47D and MCF-7 (ER⁺) cells enhanced the resistance of cells to tamoxifen (TMX), whereas FOX3-AS1 downregulation reduced the TMX resistance in MDA-MB-231 (ER^-) cells. Similar results were reproduced in vivo that FOXD3-AS1 inhibition reduced the growth of xenograft tumors formed by MDA-MB-231 cells following TMX treatment whereas FOXD3-AS1 overexpression in T47D cells facilitated tumor growth. The bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assays indicated that FOXD3-AS1 sponged microRNA-363 (miR-363) to restore expression of trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) mRNA. Overexpression of miR-363 reduced T47D cell proliferation induced by FOXD3-AS1, whereas overexpression of TFF1 restored growth of MDA-MB-231 cells reduced after FOXD3-AS1 silencing. The phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) was increased by FOXD3-AS1 but attenuated by miR-363. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt blocked the role of FOXD3-AS1 and reduced the TMX resistance in T47D and MCF-7 cells. Taken together, the present study suggested that FOXD3-AS1 sponges miR-363 to upregulate TFF1 expression, leading to PI3K/Akt signaling activation and anti-estrogen resistance in BC cells.

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 Promotes the Malignant Progression of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Through Enhancing the Transcription of YBX1 by H3K27Ac Modification

BACKGROUND

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can affect the progression of various tumors, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 is highly expressed in NPC tissues through bioinformatics analysis and related to the malignant progression of NPC.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis and real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) assay were applied to identify the expression of FOXD3-AS1 in NPC tissues and cells. Specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) or overexpression plasmids were used to knockdown or upregulate FOXD3-AS1 in NPC cells. The effect of FOXD3-AS1 on proliferation and metastasis of NPC was confirmed by CCK8, colony formation, transwell assays in vitro and mouse tumor growth and metastasis models in vivo, of which the mechanism was explored by RNA pull down, mass spectrometry (MS), RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP), chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) and luciferase assays.

RESULTS

FOXD3-AS1 was highly expressed in NPC tissues and cells. Knockdown of FOXD3-AS1 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells in vitro and vivo. FOXD3-AS1 could specifically bind to YBX1 and have a positive effect on the expression of YBX1. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the promoter of YBX1 had a high enrichment of H3K27ac, which promote mRNA transcription and protein translation of YBX1. Moreover, overexpression of YBX1 could reverse the proliferation, migration and invasion arrest caused by FOXD3-AS1 knockdown.

CONCLUSION

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 is highly expressed and promotes malignant phenotype in NPC, which may provide a new molecular mechanism for NPC.

BVES-AS1 inhibits the malignant behaviors of colon adenocarcinoma cells via regulating BVES

The underexpression of the long noncoding RNA blood vessel epicardial substance antisense RNA 1 (BVES-AS1) has been shown in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) patients. However, its role in COAD remains to be explored. This study aimed to investigate the function and potential mechanism of BVES-AS1 in COAD. Colony formation, Cell Counting Kit-8, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay, wound healing, transwell, and western blot analyses were used to measure cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in COAD cells. RNA pull-down, luciferase reporter, and RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect the interaction of BVES-AS1 and downstream genes. BVES-AS1 was expressed at low levels in COAD cells. Overexpressed BVES-AS1 inhibited COAD cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT while elevating cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, BVES-AS1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA sponging miR-522-3p to regulate the expression of nearby gene blood vessel epicardial substance (BVES). Besides this, BVES-AS1 recruited TATA-box binding protein associated factor 15 (TAF15) to promote BVES messenger RNA stability. Taken together, our study confirmed that BVES-AS1 inhibited COAD progression via interacting with miR-522-3p and TAF15 to regulate BVES expression, which might offer a perspective for COAD treatment.

Clinical value of microRNA-135a and MMP-13 in colon cancer

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and prognostic value of microRNA-135a (miR-135a) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in serum of colon cancer (CC). A total of 117 cases of patients admitted to Sheng Li Oil Field Central Hospital from May 2015 to May 2017 were enrolled in the research group (RG), and 120 cases of subjects undergoing normal health examination were included in the control group (CG). The expression of miR-135 and MMP-13 in peripheral blood of the two groups were compared, and their values were analyzed. It was found that miR-135a was decreased and MMP-13 was increased in the RG (P<0.050), both of which were closely related to the pathological features and prognosis of CC (P<0.050), and was also significantly correlated with CEA (P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that both of them had great predictive value for the occurrence, prognosis and death of CC. In conclusion, miR-135a was low expressed in CC, while MMP-13 was increased in CC, suggesting that the combined detection of the two had a good diagnostic effect on the occurrence of CC, and was closely related to the prognosis of CCC patients, which might be an excellent potential indicator for the diagnosis and treatment of CC in the future.

LncRNA ACTA2-AS1 suppress colon adenocarcinoma progression by sponging miR-4428 upregulation BCL2L11

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNA is considered to be essential to modulate the development and progression of human malignant cancers. And long non-coding RNA can act as crucial modulators by sponging the corresponding microRNA in tumorigenesis. We aimed to elucidate the function of ACTA2-AS1 and its molecular mechanism in colon adenocarcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of ACTA2-AS1, miR-4428 and BCL2L11 in colon adenocarcinoma tissues were detected via qRT-PCR. SW480 and HT29 cells were transfected with shRNA ACTA2-AS1, OE ACTA2-AS1, miRNA mimics of miR-4428, miR-4428 inhibitor, si-BCL2L11 and over-expression of si-BCL2L11. Cell proliferation, colony formation and apoptosis were respectively assessed using CCK-8 assay, colony assay and flow cytometry. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the targets of ACTA2-AS1 and miR-4428. Tumor subcutaneous xenograft mode was constructed to explore tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS

ACTA2-AS1 was obviously downregulated in human colon adenocarcinoma tissues and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Silence or over-expression of ACTA2-AS1 promoted or inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation abilities, and regulated apoptosis. The silence of ACTA2-AS1 resulted in the decrease of Bax and increase of Bal2, while restored in OE ACTA2-AS1 group when compared with the control transfected cells. In addition, luciferase reporter assay revealed that ACTA2-AS1 interacted with miR-4428 and suppressed its expression. miR-4428 could bind to 3' untranslated region of BCL2L11 and modulated the expression of BCL2L11 negatively. Knockdown of ACTA2-AS1 and over-expression of BCL2L11 reversed the biological function that ACTA2-AS1 mediated by knockdown ACTA2-AS1 alone.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated that ACTA2-AS1 could suppress colon adenocarcinoma progression via sponging miR-4428 to regulate BCL2L11 expression.

circRNA_010383 Acts as a Sponge for miR-135a, and Its Downregulated Expression Contributes to Renal Fibrosis in Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a vascular complication of diabetes, is the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes. The contribution of aberrantly expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) to DN in vivo is poorly understood. Integrated comparative circRNA microarray profiling was used to examine the expression of circRNAs in diabetic kidney of db/db mice. We found that circRNA_010383 expression was markedly downregulated in diabetic kidneys, mesangial cells, and tubular epithelial cells cultured in high-glucose conditions. circRNA_010383 colocalized with miRNA-135a (miR-135a) and inhibited miR-135a function by directly binding to miR-135a. In vitro, the knockdown of circRNA_010383 promoted the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and downregulated the expression of transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 1 (TRPC1), which is a target protein of miR-135a. Furthermore, circRNA_010383 overexpression effectively inhibited the high-glucose-induced accumulation of ECM and increased TRPC1 levels in vitro. More importantly, the kidney target of circRNA_010383 overexpression inhibited proteinuria and renal fibrosis in db/db mice. Mechanistically, we identified that a loss of circRNA_010383 promoted proteinuria and renal fibrosis in DN by acting as a sponge for miR-135a. This study reveals that circRNA_010383 may be a novel therapeutic target for DN in the future.

SP1-induced lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 contributes to tumorigenesis of cervical cancer by modulating the miR-296-5p/HMGA1 pathway

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have drawn growing attention due to their regulatory roles in various diseases, including tumors. Recently, lncRNA FOXD3 antisense RNA 1 (FOXD3-AS1) was shown to be overexpressed in colon adenocarcinoma and glioma, exerting oncogenic functions. However, its expression and effects in cervical cancer (CC) remained unknown. In this research, our group first reported that the levels of FOXD3-AS1 were distinctly elevated in CC samples and cell lines. The distinct upregulation of FOXD3-AS1 was associated with lymphatic invasion, distant metastasis, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and also predicted poor clinical results of CC patients. Next, transcription factor SP1 was demonstrated to resulting in the upregulation of FOXD3-AS1 in CC. Functional assays indicated that knockdown of FOXD3-AS1 distinctly suppressed CC progression via affecting cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and metastasis. Moreover, mechanistic studies suggested that FOXD3-AS1 acted as an endogenous sponge by directly binding miR-296-5p, resulting in the suppression of miR-296-5p. In addition, we also reported that high mobility group A, a direct target of miR-296-5p, could mediate the tumor-promotive effects that FOXD3-AS1 displayed. Overall, our present study might help to lead a better understanding of the pathogenesis of CC, provide a novel possible tumor biomarker, and probe the feasibility of lncRNA-directed treatments for CC.

Astragaloside IV alleviates atherosclerosis through targeting circ_0000231/miR-135a-5p/CLIC4 axis in AS cell model in vitro

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have shown to act as crucial mediators in atherosclerosis (AS) development. The purpose of our study was to explore the role of Astragaloside IV (ASV) and circular RNA_0000231 (circ_0000231) in AS using AS cell model. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were used to analyze cell viability and apoptosis. Migration ability was assessed by transwell migration assay and wound healing assay. The inflammatory response was evaluated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oxidative status was assessed via matching commercial kits. Western blot assay was conducted to detect the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), and chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4). The levels of circ_0000231, its linear form Rho GTPase activating protein 12 (ARHGAP12), microRNA-135a-5p (miR-135a-5p), and CLIC4 messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Circ_0000231-miRNA interactions were established using Starbase and Circbank softwares, while the targets of miR-135a-5p were explored by Starbase software. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA-pull down assay were used to verify these target interactions. ASV suppressed the apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress while recovered the viability and migration ability of HUVECs which were mediated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Circ_0000231 overexpression antagonized the protective role of ASV in ox-LDL-induced HUVECs. MiR-135a-5p was verified as a direct target of circ_0000231, and circ_0000231 contributed to ox-LDL-induced cell injury of HUVECs through down-regulating miR-135a-5p. MiR-135a-5p directly interacted with the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of CLIC4 mRNA in HUVECs, and miR-135a-5p protected HUVECs against ox-LDL-induced injury through down-regulating CLIC4. ASV protected HUVECs against ox-LDL-induced injury through targeting circ_0000231/miR-135a-5p/CLIC4 axis. Targeting circ_0000231/miR-135a-5p/CLIC4 axis might provide a novel insight to develop effective strategy for AS treatment.

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1/miR-135a-5p function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

This research aimed to illustrate the biological function and associated regulatory mechanism of lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 (FOXD3-AS1) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This research initially found that FOXD3-AS1 was obviously upregulated in NPC cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) detection. Next, the direct target of FOXD3-AS1 was predicted by bioinformatics and further verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. MiroRNA-135a-5p (miR-135a-5p) was identified as the target gene of FOXD3-AS1 and down-expressed in C666-1 cells compared to NP69. In addition, function assays were conducted in C666-1 cells, including methyl tetrazolium assay, flow cytometry, Caspase3 activity detection, and western blot assay. Our results suggested that miR-135a-5p upregulation inhibited NPC cell growth, enhanced cell apoptosis, promoted Caspase3 activity, increased cleaved-Caspase3, and reduced pro-Caspase3 level. Moreover, we found that FOXD3-AS1 knockdown notably inhibited C666-1 cell proliferation, increased cell apoptosis, enhanced Caspase3 activity, enhanced cleaved-Caspase3 expression, and suppressed pro-Caspase3 level in C666-1 cells. However, these findings were reversed in C666-1 cells by miR-135a-5p mimic co-transfection. To sum up, our data showed that FOXD3-AS1 knockdown regulated cell growth and apoptosis in NCP cells via altering miR-135a-5p expression, suggesting that FOXD3-AS1 might be a therapeutic target for NPC diagnosis and treatment.

The Role of MicroRNAs in Vitiligo: Regulators and Therapeutic Targets

Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder clinically characterized by the progressive appearance of white maculae due to a loss of functioning epidermal melanocytes. Studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) modulate cellular differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis, including immune cell and melanocyte development and functions. The role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of several immune-related diseases has been explored. Novel approaches to target miRNAs have recently emerged allowing modulation of miRNAs levels in diverse pathological processes, thus making them promising targets for molecular-based diagnostics and therapy. Here, we report the present status of research on miRNAs expression and functional alterations in vitiligo, in order to more fully understand the role of these molecules in vitiligo pathology.

ELF1-activated FOXD3-AS1 promotes the migration, invasion and EMT of osteosarcoma cells via sponging miR-296-5p to upregulate ZCCHC3

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant carcinoma often occurring in adolescents. The critical function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer arouses increasing attention. Nevertheless, the specific function of FOXD3 Antisense RNA 1 (FOXD3-AS1) in OS has not been understood yet. In this research, FOXD3-AS1 showed strengthened level in OS specimens and cell lines, and its deficiency restrained cell migration, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OS. Then, we confirmed the interaction of FOXD3-AS1 with microRNA-296-5p (miR-296-5p) and that miR-296-5p overexpression blocked OS cell migration, invasion and EMT. Besides, miR-296-5p targeted zinc finger CCHC-type containing 3 (ZCCHC3), and FOXD3-AS1 released ZCCHC3 via sequestering miR-296-5p. Moreover, rescue assays delineated that ZCCHC3 upregulation neutralized the inhibitory effect of FOXD3-AS1 depletion on in vitro behaviors and in vivo tumorigenesis in OS. In addition, E74 like ETS transcription factor 1 (ELF1) stimulated FOXD3-AS1 transcription, and ELF1 silence-suppressed malignant phenotypes of OS cells were offset by FOXD3-AS1 upregulation. Overall, present work elucidated that ELF1-activated FOXD3-AS1 aggravated cell migration, invasion and EMT in OS via absorbing miR-296-5p to augment ZCCHC3 expression, which might provide potential guidance for researchers to find effective targets for OS treatment.

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 knockdown protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via miR-765/BCL2L13 axis

AIMS

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) FOXD3-AS1 was reported to be increased in cardiomyocyte ischemic injury. However, its role and underlying molecular mechanism in ischemic stroke remain unknown. This study was to investigate the role of FOXD3-AS1 in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

METHODS

The expression of FOXD3-AS1 and miR-765 were measured with qRT-PCR. The shared putative miR-765 binding sites both in BCL2L13 and FOXD3-AS1 were identified with bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Apoptosis and its related proteins were detected by TUNEL assay, Hoechst 33,258 staining, flow cytometry and western blot. Infarct volume and the neurological status were evaluated with TTC staining and neurologic deficit score, respectively.

RESULTS

The up-regulation of FOXD3-AS1 and down-regulation of miR-765 were found in both mouse brains after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and neuroblastoma cells of neuro-2A (N2a) after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). Moreover, the overexpression of miR-765 reduced N2a cell apoptosis caused by OGD/R. MiR-765 could target BCL2L13 directly. In addition, we found that FOXD3-AS1 bound to miR-765 directly, acting as a ceRNA to modulate the expression of BCL2L13. Overexpression of FOXD3-AS1 antagonized the inhibitory impact of miR-765 on the expression of BCL2L13 and the apoptosis of N2a cells treated with OGD/R, while FOXD3-AS1 knockdown promoted the inhibitory impact of miR-765 on the expression of BCL2L13 and the apoptosis of N2a cells treated with OGD/R. Furthermore, we found that neurological deficits and brain injury induced by I/R in vivo were attenuated by FOXD3-AS1 knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

We verified a critical signaling pathway of FOXD3-AS1/miR-765/BCL2L13 in regulating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 promoted chemo-resistance of NSCLC cells via directly acting on miR-127-3p/MDM2 axis

Background

This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying the high level of long non-coding RNA FOXD3-AS1 in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells.

Methods

Cisplatin-resistant cells were generated from A549 cells. CCK-8 were used to evaluate cell proliferation. The FOXD3-AS1, miR-127-3p, MDM2 and MRP1 mRNA expression levels were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Protein levels of MDM2 and MRP1 were determined by western blot assay. Luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were evaluated the relationship between miR-127-3p and FOXD3-AS1/MDM2. In vivo tumor growth was evaluated in a xenograft nude mice model.

Results

FOXD3-AS1 was up-regulated in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells (A549/DDP and H1299/DDP cells) in comparison with their parental cell lines. Overexpression of FOXD3-AS1 promoted cisplatin-resistance in A549 and H1299 cells; while FOXD3-AS1 knockdown sensitized A549/DDP and H1299/DDP cells to cisplatin treatment. FOXD3-AS1 regulated miR-127-3p expression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA, and miR-127-3p repressed MDM2 expression via targeting the 3'UTR. MiR-127-3p overexpression and MDM2 knockdown both increased the chemo-sensitivity in A549/DDP cells; while miR-127-3p knockdown and MDM2 overexpression both promoted chemoresistance in A549 cells. Further rescue experiments revealed that miR-127-3p knockdown or MDM2 overexpression counteracted the suppressive effects of FOXD3-AS1 knockdown on chemo-resistance and MRP1 expression in A549/DDP cells. In vivo studies showed that FOXD3-AS1 knockdown potentiated the antitumor effects of cisplatin treatment. Inspection of clinical samples showed the upregulation of FOXD3-AS1 and MDM2, and down-regulation of miR-127-3p in NSCLC tissues compared to normal adjacent tissues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results suggest that LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 promotes chemo-resistance of NSCLC cells via directly acting on miR-127-3p/MDM2 axis. Our findings may provide novel perspectives for the treatment of NSCLC in patients resistant to chemotherapy.

TRPC1 exacerbate metastasis in gastric cancer via ciRS-7/miR-135a-5p/TRPC1 axis

Metastasis is frequently occurred in end-stage GC. Nevertheless, the initiation and progression of metastasis in GC remains unclear. The transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) has been confirmed to be crucial for metastasis in many kinds of tumors, including GC. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating TRPC1 is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role and mechanisms of TRPC1 in GC metastasis. We first evaluated the role of TRPC1 in GC by searching the public database, and tested the expression of TRPC1 in 50 paired GC tissues by qRT-PCR and IHC assays. Then, we generated BGC-823-shTRPC1 cells and MKN-45-TRPC1 cells to investigate the effects of TRPC1 on metastasis in vitro. For the mechanism study, we applied luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down assay, as well as RIP assay to validate the interation of ciRS-7, miR-135a-5p and TRPC1 in GC cells. This study, we showed that TRPC1 exacerbate EMT in gastric cancer via ciRS-7/miR-135a-5p/TRPC1 axis, and target TRPC1 could be beneficial for end-stage GC patients.

Construction of ceRNA Coexpression Network and Screening of Molecular Targets in Colorectal Cancer

Objective

To screen some RNAs that correlated with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Differentially expressed miRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs between cancer tissues and normal tissues in CRC were identified using data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were performed to do the functional enrichment analysis. And a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed which correlated with CRC. RNAs in this network were subjected to analyze the relationship with the patient prognosis.

Results

A total of 688, 241, and 103 differentially expressed genes (diff-mRNA), diff-lncRNA, and diff-miRNA were obtained between cancer tissues and normal tissues. A total of 315 edges were obtained in the ceRNA network. lncRNA RP11-108K3.2 and mRNA ONECUT2 correlated with prognosis.

Conclusion

The identified RNAs and constructed ceRNA network could provide great sources for the researches of therapy of the CRC. And the lncRNA RP11-108K3.2 and mRNA ONECUT2 may serve as a novel prognostic predictor of CRC.

LINC00342 regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in colon adenocarcinoma via miR-545-5p/MDM2 axis

AIM

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is the third most common cancer in the world. We aimed to explore the functional mechanism of LINC00342 in COAD.

METHODS

The LINC00342 expressions in COAD tissues were detected via qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization analysis. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between LINC00342 expression and COAD clinical features. Small interfering LINC00342 (siLINC00342)/siCtrl were synthesized and then transfected into COAD cells. Cell apoptosis and proliferation were respectively assessed by flow cytometry and cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell migration and invasion were both measured using transwell assay. The target miRNA of LINC00342 were predicted and verified by online bioinformatics tools and luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay. Mice COAD models were constructed to explore the effects of LINC00342 on COAD in vivo.

RESULTS

LINC00342 was over-expressed in COAD tissues and LINC00342 overexpression was related to the poor prognosis of COAD patients. LINC00342 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis of COAD cells. LINC00342 targeted to miR-545-5p/murine double minute 2 (MDM2) in COAD. In COAD tissues and cell lines, LINC00342 expression was positively correlated to MDM2 expression, while it was negatively correlated to miR-545-5p expression. Both miR-545-5p-mimic and siMDM2 transfection could recover the changes of cell biological activities which were induced by LINC00342 overexpression. LINC00342 knockdown suppressed COAD tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

LINC00342 affected cell biological activities of COAD in vivo and in vitro via regulating miR-545-5p/MDM2. It might a novel target in COAD therapy.

Inhibition of LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 suppresses the aggressive biological behaviors of thyroid cancer via elevating miR-296-5p and inactivating TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor with relatively high incidence and mortality in endocrine system. Research about thyroid cancer-related targets is the basis for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer and the development of new drugs. However, the predictive value of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) for the diagnosis and prognosis of thyroid cancer is still in the preliminary stage of exploration. Thus, we for the first time investigated the effects and associated regulatory mechanism of lncRNA Forkhead box D3 antisense RNA 1 (FOXD3-AS1) in thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 and miR-296-5p. Cell proliferation was detected through colony formation assay. Cell cycle was analyzed through flow cytometry. Cell mobility was valued through transwell invasion assay and wound healing assay. Western blotting was used to examine the expression of proteins related to cell proliferation and cell migration and TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between FOXD3-AS1 and miR-296-5p. Tumor xenograft model was established and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine the expression of Ki67 and VEGF.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of lncRNA FOXD3-AS1was upregulated and it had negative correlation with the level of miR-296-5p in thyroid cancer tissues and cells. LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 knockdown effectively suppressed cell proliferation and cell invasion in vitro. Further study revealed that miR-296-5p was a target of lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 and FOXD3-AS1 exerted anti-tumor effect through up-regulating miR-296-5p. Moreover, we found that FOXD3-AS1 knockdown suppressed the aggressive biological behaviors of thyroid cancer through inactivating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Subsequently, the in vivo experiments further verified that the FOXD3-AS1/miR-296-5p axis exerted obvious anti-tumor effect through inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis and the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway was also inactivated in vivo by the inhibition of FOXD3-AS1.

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 suppresses the aggressive biological behaviors of thyroid cancer via elevating miR-296-5p and inactivating TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

MiR-135a biogenesis and regulation in malignancy: a new hope for cancer research and therapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved small non-coding RNAs that affect posttranscriptional regulation by binding to the 3′-untranslated region of target messenger RNAs. MiR-135a is a critical miRNA that regulates gene expression, and many studies have focused on its function in cancer research. MiR-135a is dysregulated in various cancers and regulates cancer cell proliferation and invasion via several signaling pathways, such as the MAPK and JAK2/STAT3 pathways. MiR-135a has also been found to promote or inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and chemoresistance in different cancers. Several studies have discovered the value of miR-135a as a novel biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. These studies have suggested the potential of therapeutically manipulating miR-135a to improve the outcome of cancer patients. Although these findings have demonstrated the role of miR-135a in cancer progression and clinical applications, a number of questions remain to be answered, such as the dual functional roles of miR-135a in cancer. In this review, we summarize the available studies regarding miR-135a and cancer, including background on the biogenesis and expression of miR-135a in cancer and relevant signaling pathways involved in miR-135a-mediated tumor progression. We also focus on the clinical application of miR-135a as a biomarker in diagnosis and as a therapeutic agent or target in cancer treatment, which will provide a greater level of insight into the translational value of miR-135a.

Silencing lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and drug resistance of drug-resistant glioma cells and promotes their apoptosis via microRNA-98-5p/CPEB4 axis

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to elucidate the long non-coding RNA FOXD2-AS1 (lncRNA FOXD2-AS1) expression in glioma and its mechanism on the biological features of glioma cells and the drug resistance of temozolomide (TMZ).

RESULTS

Highly expressed FOXD2-AS1 was found in glioma. There was more powerful chemotherapeutic resistance of TMZ resistant cell lines than that of the parent cell lines. Silence of FOXD2-AS1 suppressed proliferation and drug resistance and promoted apoptosis of drug-resistant glioma cells. Overexpressed FOXD2-AS1 presented an opposite trend. FOXD2-AS1 could be used as a competing endogenous RNA to adsorb miR-98-5p, thereby up-regulating CPEB4.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that down-regulated FOXD2-AS1 repressed invasion, proliferation, migration and drug resistance of drug-resistant glioma cells while stimulating their apoptosis via increasing miR-98-5p and inhibiting CPEB4 expression.

METHODS

FOXD2-AS1, microRNA-98-5p (miR-98-5p) and cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB4) expression in glioma tissues were tested. Expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin in glioma cells were explored. A series of assays were conducted to detect the function of FOXD2-AS1 in migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of glioma cells. Changes in drug-resistance of cells under TMZ treatment were examined, and tumor formation in nude mice was performed to test the changes of drug resistance in vivo.

LncRNA MBNL1-AS1 represses cell proliferation and enhances cell apoptosis via targeting miR-135a-5p/PHLPP2/FOXO1 axis in bladder cancer

LncRNAs have been shown to play essential roles in bladder cancer (BC) progress. Our microarrays of clinical samples firstly screened that lncRNA muscleblind‐like 1 antisense RNA 1 (MBNL1‐AS1) was poorly expressed in BC tissues. However, its biological function in BC remains not well understood. Here we examined the clinical correlations with MBNL1‐AS1 in BC patients. Then, 5673 and T24 cell lines were employed to investigate the role of MBNL1‐AS1 in the proliferation and apoptosis of BC cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, miR‐135a‐5p (miR‐135a)/PHLPP2/FOXO1 axis was focused to explore its regulatory mechanism in BC. The results showed that MBNL1‐AS1 was significantly downregulated in bladder tumor tissues, and associated with BC progression. In vitro, MBNL1‐AS1 knockdown increased the number of viable cells and bromodeoxyuridine‐positive cells, accelerated cell cycle, and dysregulated proliferative regulators (Ki67, p21, p27, and Cyclin D1) in BC cells. The apoptotic cells and the cleavages of caspase‐3/9 were reduced in MBNL1‐AS1‐silenced BC cells. Overexpression of MBNL1‐AS1 had opposite effects on BC cell proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover miR‐135a was demonstrated to interact with MBNL1‐AS1, and inhibiting miR‐135a reversed the effects of shMBNL1‐AS1 on BC cells. The downstream effectors (PHLPP2 and FOXO1) were positively regulated by MBNL1‐AS1, but negatively regulated by miR‐135a. Similar results were also observed in xenograft tumors. In conclusion, this study firstly suggests that MBNL1‐AS1 acts as a tumor suppressor of BC by targeting miR‐135a/PHLPP2/FOXO1 axis, providing a novel insight for BC diagnosis and treatment.

Long Noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-Mediated Competing Endogenous RNA Networks Provide Novel Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and has a high metastasis and reoccurrence rate. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in CRC growth and metastasis. Recent studies revealed that lncRNAs participate in CRC progression by coordinating with microRNAs (miRNAs) and protein-coding mRNAs. LncRNAs function as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) by competitively occupying the shared binding sequences of miRNAs, thus sequestering the miRNAs and changing the expression of their downstream target genes. Such ceRNA networks formed by lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA interactions have been found in a broad spectrum of biological processes in CRC, including liver metastasis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), inflammation formation, and chemo-/radioresistance. In this review, we summarize typical paradigms of lncRNA-associated ceRNA networks, which are involved in the underlying molecular mechanisms of CRC initiation and progression. We comprehensively discuss the competitive crosstalk among RNA transcripts and the novel targets for CRC prognosis and therapy.

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 promotes proliferation, invasion and migration of cutaneous malignant melanoma via regulating miR-325/MAP3K2

PURPOSE

The aim was to study the mechanism of LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 in cutaneous melanoma.

METHODS

FOXD3-AS1 levels in 47 pairs of melanoma samples were detected. We used qRT-PCR to detect FOXD3-AS1, miR-325 and MAP3K2 expression in different staging samples and cutaneous melanoma cell lines. We used Kaplan-Meier curve to analyze survival rate in patients with FOXD3-AS1 high and low expression. Sh-FOXD3-AS1, miR-325, miR-325 inhibitor and oeMAP3K2 were transfected. The proliferation of A375 and SK-MEL-1 was detected by CCK8 and EdU labeling assay and cell clone formation assay. Dual luciferase reporter assay and pull down assay was used to confirm the binding site of FOXD3-AS1, miR-325 and MAP3K2. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the effect of lncRNA on cell cycle. The migration and invasion ability were detected by transwell assay.

RESULTS

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 highly expressed in cutaneous melanoma cells and tissues. Patients with highly expressed LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 were always with shorter overall survival time. When LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 was knockdown, proliferation, invasion and migration of cutaneous malignant melanoma, and tumor weight was inhibited, and cell cycle was arrested. LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 negatively regulated the expression of miR-325, and then improved the level of MAP3K2. MiR-325 was with similarly effects on above biological process, and MAP3K2 overexpression could rescue the influence of sh-FOXD3-AS1. Tumor volume and weight were measured to confirm the effect of sh-FOXD3-AS1 in vivo.

CONCLUSION

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 could promote proliferation, invasion and migration of cutaneous malignant melanoma via regulating miR-325/MAP3K2 axis.