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Assal RA, Elemam NM, Mekky RY, Attia AA, Soliman AH, Gomaa AI, Efthimiadou EK, Braoudaki M, Fahmy SA, Youness RA. A Novel Epigenetic Strategy to Concurrently Block Immune Checkpoints PD-1/PD-L1 and CD155/TIGIT in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Transl Oncol 2024; 45:101961. [PMID: 38631259 PMCID: PMC11040172 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment is an intricate web of stromal and immune cells creating an immune suppressive cordon around the tumor. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Tumor microenvironment is a formidable barrier towards novel immune therapeutic approaches recently evading the oncology field. In this study, the main aim was to identify the intricate immune evasion tactics mediated by HCC cells and to study the epigenetic modulation of the immune checkpoints; Programmed death-1 (PD-1)/ Programmed death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) and T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT)/Cluster of Differentiation 155 (CD155) at the tumor-immune synapse. Thus, liver tissues, PBMCs and sera were collected from Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), HCC as well as healthy individuals. Screening was performed to PD-L1/PD-1 and CD155/TIGIT axes in HCC patients. PDL1, CD155, PD-1 and TIGIT were found to be significantly upregulated in liver tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HCC patients. An array of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs validated to regulate such immune checkpoints were screened. The lncRNAs; CCAT-1, H19, and MALAT-1 were all significantly upregulated in the sera, PBMCs, and tissues of HCC patients as compared to HCV patients and healthy controls. However, miR-944-5p, miR-105-5p, miR-486-5p, miR-506-5p, and miR-30a-5p were downregulated in the sera and liver tissues of HCC patients. On the tumor cell side, knocking down of lncRNAs-CCAT-1, MALAT-1, or H19-markedly repressed the co-expression of PD-L1 and CD155 and accordingly induced the cytotoxicity of co-cultured primary immune cells. On the immune side, ectopic expression of the under-expressed microRNAs; miR-486-5p, miR-506-5p, and miR-30a-5p significantly decreased the transcript levels of PD-1 in PBMCs with no effect on TIGIT. On the other hand, ectopic expression of miR-944-5p and miR-105-5p in PBMCs dramatically reduced the co-expression of PD-1 and TIGIT. Finally, all studied miRNAs enhanced the cytotoxic effects of PBMCs against Huh7 cells. However, miR-105-5p showed the highest augmentation for PBMCs cytotoxicity against HCC cells. In conclusion, this study highlights a novel co-targeting strategy using miR-105-5p mimics, MALAT-1, CCAT-1 and H19 siRNAs to efficiently hampers the immune checkpoints; PD-L1/PD-1 and CD155/TIGIT immune evasion properties in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem A Assal
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, Cairo-Ismailia Desert Road, 11785, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha M Elemam
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Radwa Y Mekky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA University), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abdelrahman A Attia
- General Surgery Department, Ain Shams University, Demerdash Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aya Hesham Soliman
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Ibrahim Gomaa
- Department of Hepatology, National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Eleni K Efthimiadou
- Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Braoudaki
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical, and Biological Science, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
- Chemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A Youness
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, 11835, Cairo, Egypt; Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt.
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Elmasri RA, Rashwan AA, Gaber SH, Rostom MM, Karousi P, Yasser MB, Kontos CK, Youness RA. Puzzling out the role of MIAT LncRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma. Noncoding RNA Res 2024; 9:547-559. [PMID: 38515792 PMCID: PMC10955557 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A non-negligible part of our DNA has been proven to be transcribed into non-protein coding RNA and its intricate involvement in several physiological processes has been highly evidenced. The significant biological role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been variously reported. In the current review, the authors highlight the multifaceted role of myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT), a well-known lncRNA, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Since its discovery, MIAT has been described as a regulator of carcinogenesis in several malignant tumors and its overexpression predicts poor prognosis in most of them. At the molecular level, MIAT is closely linked to the initiation of metastasis, invasion, cellular migration, and proliferation, as evidenced by several in-vitro and in-vivo models. Thus, MIAT is considered a possible theranostic agent and therapeutic target in several malignancies. In this review, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying molecular mechanisms of MIAT in terms of its downstream target genes, interaction with other classes of ncRNAs, and potential clinical implications as a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawan Amr Elmasri
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa A. Rashwan
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo (AUC), 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sarah Hany Gaber
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Monica Mosaad Rostom
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Paraskevi Karousi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701, Athens, Greece
| | - Montaser Bellah Yasser
- Bioinformatics Group, Center for Informatics Sciences (CIS), School of Information Technology and Computer Science (ITCS), Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Christos K. Kontos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701, Athens, Greece
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
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3
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Zeinelabdeen Y, Abaza T, Yasser MB, Elemam NM, Youness RA. MIAT LncRNA: A multifunctional key player in non-oncological pathological conditions. Noncoding RNA Res 2024; 9:447-462. [PMID: 38511054 PMCID: PMC10950597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2024.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has unveiled a wide range of transcripts that do not encode proteins but play key roles in several cellular and molecular processes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are specific class of ncRNAs that are longer than 200 nucleotides and have gained significant attention due to their diverse mechanisms of action and potential involvement in various pathological conditions. In the current review, the authors focus on the role of lncRNAs, specifically highlighting the Myocardial Infarction Associated Transcript (MIAT), in non-oncological context. MIAT is a nuclear lncRNA that has been directly linked to myocardial infarction and is reported to control post-transcriptional processes as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) molecule. It interacts with microRNAs (miRNAs), thereby limiting the translation and expression of their respective target messenger RNA (mRNA) and regulating protein expression. Yet, MIAT has been implicated in other numerous pathological conditions such as other cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, and many others. In this review, the authors emphasize that MIAT exhibits distinct expression patterns and functions across different pathological conditions and is emerging as potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic agent. Additionally, the authors highlight the regulatory role of MIAT and shed light on the involvement of lncRNAs and specifically MIAT in various non-oncological pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousra Zeinelabdeen
- Molecular Genetics Research Team, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo, 11835, Egypt
- Faculty of Medical Sciences/UMCG, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713 AV, the Netherlands
| | - Tasneem Abaza
- Molecular Genetics Research Team, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo, 11835, Egypt
- Biotechnology and Biomolecular Biochemistry Program, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Montaser Bellah Yasser
- Bioinformatics Group, Center for Informatics Sciences (CIS), School of Information Technology and Computer Science (ITCS), Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Noha M. Elemam
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo, 11835, Egypt
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Gao J, Chen J, Huang X, Zheng Y, Hu K. Circular RNA circ_0058123 Targets the miR-939-5p/RAC1 Pathway to Promote the Development of Colorectal Cancer. Biochem Genet 2024; 62:1485-1501. [PMID: 37642813 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10485-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA) can be used as a potential target for cancer treatment. However, the biological function and potential molecular mechanism of circ_0058123 in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) are still unclear. The expression levels of circ_0058123, microRNA-939-5p (miR-939-5p) and Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or western blot assay. 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay, transwell assay, tube formation assay and flow cytometry apoptosis assay were conducted to assess CRC cell functions. In addition, protein expression was measured with western blot assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were conducted to confirm the relationships between miR-939-5p and circ_0058123, and miR-939-5p and RAC1. In vivo CRC tumor growth experiment also were carried out to determine circ_0058123-mediatede effects on tumor formation. Our data showed that circ_0058123 and RAC1 expression were increased, but miR-939-5p was decreased in both of CRC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0058123 depletion repressed CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation but promoted cell apoptosis. Down-regulation of circ_0058123 could significantly suppress the CRC progression, while the addition of miR-939-5p inhibitor could reverse this effect. Circ_0058123 directly targeted miR-939-5p, and RAC1 was a target of miR-939-5p. Furthermore, RAC1 overexpression could rescue the effect of miR-939-5p on CRC development. Lastly, silence of circ_0058123 inhibited CRC tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, circ_0058123 could promote CRC progression through regulating the miR-939-5p/RAC1 axis and may be a valuable biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nanping First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Nanping, 353023, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nanping First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Nanping, 353023, China
| | - Xing Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nanping First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Nanping, 353023, China
| | - Yiping Zheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanping First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Nanping, 353023, China
| | - Kongwang Hu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Fuyang Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, 236000, China.
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Kouchaki H, Kamyab P, Darbeheshti F, Gharezade A, Fouladseresht H, Tabrizi R. miR-939, as an important regulator in various cancers pathogenesis, has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic values: a review. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2024; 36:16. [PMID: 38679648 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-024-00220-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are highly conserved non-coding RNAs with a short length (18-24 nucleotides) that directly bind to a complementary sequence within 3'-untranslated regions of their target mRNAs and regulate gene expression, post-transcriptionally. They play crucial roles in diverse biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. In the context of cancer, miRNAs are key regulators of growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. MAIN BODY This review primarily focuses on miR-939 and its expanding roles and target genes in cancer pathogenesis. It compiles findings from various investigations. MiRNAs, due to their dysregulated expression in tumor environments, hold potential as cancer biomarkers. Several studies have highlighted the dysregulation of miR-939 expression in human cancers. CONCLUSION Our study highlights the potential of miR-939 as a valuable target in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The aberrant expression of miR-939, along with other miRNAs, underscores their significance in advancing our understanding of cancer biology and their promise in personalized cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosein Kouchaki
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Parnia Kamyab
- USERN Office, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Darbeheshti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arezou Gharezade
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hamed Fouladseresht
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Reza Tabrizi
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Valiasr Hospital, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Science, Fasa, Iran.
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Dawoud A, Youness RA, Nafea H, Manie T, Bourquin C, Szabo C, Abdel-Kader RM, Gad MZ. Pan-inhibition of the three H 2S synthesizing enzymes restrains tumor progression and immunosuppression in breast cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:136. [PMID: 38627665 PMCID: PMC11020979 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03317-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a significant endogenous mediator that has been implicated in the progression of various forms of cancer including breast cancer (BC). Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) are the three principal mammalian enzymes responsible for H2S production. Overexpression of CBS, CSE and 3MST was found to be associated with poor prognosis of BC patients. Moreover, H2S was linked to an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment in BC. Recently it was observed that BC cells, in response to single or dual inhibition of H2S synthesizing enzymes, develop an escape mechanism by overexpressing alternative sources of H2S generation. Thus, the aim of this work is to escape the H2S compensatory mechanism by pan repressing the three enzymes using microRNAs (miRNAs) and to investigate their impact on the oncogenic and immunogenic profile of BC cells. METHODS BC female patients (n = 25) were recruited. In-silico analysis was used to identify miRNAs targeting CBS, CSE, and 3MST. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured and transfected using oligonucleotides. Total RNA was extracted using Biazol, reverse transcribed and quantified using qRT-PCR. H2S levels were measured using AzMc assay. BC hallmarks were assessed using trans-well migration, wound healing, MTT, and colony forming assays. RESULTS miR-193a and miR-548c were validated by eight different bioinformatics software to simultaneously target CBS, CSE and 3MST. MiR-193a and miR-548c were significantly downregulated in BC tissues compared to their non-cancerous counterparts. Ectopic expression of miR-193a and miR-548c in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells resulted in a marked repression of CBS, CSE, and 3MST transcript and protein levels, a significant decrease in H2S levels, reduction in cellular viability, inhibition of migration and colony forming ability, repression of immune-suppressor proteins GAL3 GAL9, and CD155 and upregulation of the immunostimulatory MICA and MICB proteins. CONCLUSION This study sheds the light onto miR-193a and miR-548c as potential pan-repressors of the H2S synthesizing enzymes. and identifies them as novel tumor suppressor and immunomodulatory miRNAs in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyaa Dawoud
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A Youness
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heba Nafea
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tamer Manie
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Carole Bourquin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, 1211, Switzerland
| | - Csaba Szabo
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Reham M Abdel-Kader
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Z Gad
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.
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Ai JH, Wen YZ, Dai SJ, Zhang LD, Huang ZJ, Shi J. Exosomal lncRNA HEIH, an essential communicator for hepatocellular carcinoma cells and macrophage M2 polarization through the miR-98-5p/STAT3 axis. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2024; 38:e23686. [PMID: 38549433 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Part of human long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been elucidated to play an essential role in the carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of malignant tumor with poor outcomes. Tumor-derived exosomes harboring lncRNAs have also been implicated as crucial mediators to orchestrate biological functions among neighbor tumor cells. The recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exerting M2-like phenotype usually indicates the poor prognosis. Yet, the precise involvement of tumor-derived lncRNAs in cross-talk with environmental macrophages has not been fully identified. In this study, we reported the aberrantly overexpressed HCC upregulated EZH2-associated lncRNA (HEIH) in tumor tissues and cell lines was positively correlated with poor prognosis, as well as enriched exosomal HEIH levels in blood plasma and cell supernatants. Besides, HCC cell-derived exosomes transported HEIH into macrophages for triggering macrophage M2 polarization, thereby in turn promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Mechanistically, HEIH acted as a miRNA sponge for miR-98-5p to up-regulate STAT3, which was then further verified in the tumor xenograft models. Collectively, our study provides the evidence for recognizing tumor-derived exosomal lncRNA HEIH as a novel regulatory function through targeting miR-98-5p/STAT3 axis in environmental macrophages, which may shed light on the complicated tumor microenvironment among tumor and immune cells for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hua Ai
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R.China
| | - Yu-Zhong Wen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R.China
| | - Shi-Jie Dai
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R.China
| | - Li-Dong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R.China
| | - Zhong-Jing Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R.China
| | - Jun Shi
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R.China
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Rashwan HH, Taher AM, Hassan HA, Awaji AA, Kiriacos CJ, Assal RA, Youness RA. Harnessing the supremacy of MEG3 LncRNA to defeat gastrointestinal malignancies. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155223. [PMID: 38452587 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in the carcinogenesis and progression of various human malignancies including gastrointestinal malignancies. This comprehensive review reports the functions and mechanisms of the lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) involved in gastrointestinal malignancies. It summarizes its roles in mediating the regulation of cellular proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasiveness, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance in several gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal cancer, gall bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and most importantly, hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, the authors briefly highlight its implicated mechanistic role and interactions with different non-coding RNAs and oncogenic signaling cascades. This review presents the rationale for developing non coding RNA-based anticancer therapy via harnessing the power of MEG3 in gastrointestinal malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Rashwan
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt; Bioinformatics Group, Center for Informatics Science (CIS), School of Information Technology and Computer Science (ITCS), Nile University, 12677, Giza, Egypt
| | - A M Taher
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - H A Hassan
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - A A Awaji
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University College of Taymaa, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - C J Kiriacos
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - R A Assal
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, Cairo, Egypt
| | - R A Youness
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt.
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Dawoud A, Elmasri RA, Mohamed AH, Mahmoud A, Rostom MM, Youness RA. Involvement of CircRNAs in regulating The "New Generation of Cancer Hallmarks": A Special Depiction on Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104312. [PMID: 38428701 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The concept of 'Hallmarks of Cancer' is an approach of reducing the enormous complexity of cancer to a set of guiding principles. As the underlying mechanism of cancer are portrayed, we find that we gain insight and additional aspects of the disease arise. The understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) brought a new dimension and led to the discovery of novel hallmarks such as senescent cells, non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming, polymorphic microbiomes and unlocked phenotypic plasticity. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded, covalently closed RNA molecules that are ubiquitous across all species. Recent studies on the circRNAs have highlighted their crucial function in regulating the formation of human malignancies through a range of biological processes. The primary goal of this review is to clarify the role of circRNAs in the most common form of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review also addressed the topic of how circRNAs affect HCC hallmarks, including the new generation hallmarks. Finally, the enormous applications that these rapidly expanding ncRNA molecules serve in the functional and molecular development of effective HCC diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dawoud
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), 11835, New Administrative Capital, Egypt; School of Medicine, University of North California, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - R A Elmasri
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), 11835, New Administrative Capital, Egypt
| | - A H Mohamed
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), 11835, New Administrative Capital, Egypt; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A Mahmoud
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), 11835, New Administrative Capital, Egypt; Biotechnology School, Nile University, Giza 12677, Egypt
| | - M M Rostom
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - R A Youness
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), 11835, New Administrative Capital, Egypt.
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10
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Youness RA, Habashy DA, Khater N, Elsayed K, Dawoud A, Hakim S, Nafea H, Bourquin C, Abdel-Kader RM, Gad MZ. Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Oncological and Non-Oncological Disorders and Its Regulation by Non-Coding RNAs: A Comprehensive Review. Noncoding RNA 2024; 10:7. [PMID: 38250807 PMCID: PMC10801522 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, myriad studies have defined the versatile abilities of gasotransmitters and their synthesizing enzymes to play a "Maestro" role in orchestrating several oncological and non-oncological circuits and, thus, nominated them as possible therapeutic targets. Although a significant amount of work has been conducted on the role of nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) and their inter-relationship in the field of oncology, research about hydrogen sulfide (H2S) remains in its infancy. Recently, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been reported to play a dominating role in the regulation of the endogenous machinery system of H2S in several pathological contexts. A growing list of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are leading the way as upstream regulators for H2S biosynthesis in different mammalian cells during the development and progression of human diseases; therefore, their targeting can be of great therapeutic benefit. In the current review, the authors shed the light onto the biosynthetic pathways of H2S and their regulation by miRNAs and lncRNAs in various oncological and non-oncological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana A. Youness
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Danira Ashraf Habashy
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Nour Khater
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Kareem Elsayed
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Alyaa Dawoud
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Sousanna Hakim
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Heba Nafea
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Carole Bourquin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Reham M. Abdel-Kader
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Z. Gad
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11835, Egypt
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11
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Elemam NM, Mekky RY, Rashid G, Braoudaki M, Youness RA. Pharmacogenomic and epigenomic approaches to untangle the enigma of IL-10 blockade in oncology. Expert Rev Mol Med 2024; 26:e1. [PMID: 38186186 PMCID: PMC10941350 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2023.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The host immune system status remains an unresolved mystery among several malignancies. An immune-compromised state or smart immune-surveillance tactics orchestrated by cancer cells are the primary cause of cancer invasion and metastasis. Taking a closer look at the tumour-immune microenvironment, a complex network and crosstalk between infiltrating immune cells and cancer cells mediated by cytokines, chemokines, exosomal mediators and shed ligands are present. Cytokines such as interleukins can influence all components of the tumour microenvironment (TME), consequently promoting or suppressing tumour invasion based on their secreting source. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an interlocked cytokine that has been associated with several types of malignancies and proved to have paradoxical effects. IL-10 has multiple functions on cellular and non-cellular components within the TME. In this review, the authors shed the light on the regulatory role of IL-10 in the TME of several malignant contexts. Moreover, detailed epigenomic and pharmacogenomic approaches for the regulation of IL-10 were presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha M. Elemam
- Research Instiute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Radwa Y. Mekky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA University), Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Gowhar Rashid
- Amity Medical School, Amity University, Gurugram (Manesar) 122413, Haryana, India
| | - Maria Braoudaki
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University, Cairo 11835, Egypt
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12
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Soliman AH, Youness RA, Sebak AA, Handoussa H. Phytochemical-derived tumor-associated macrophage remodeling strategy using Phoenix dactylifera L. boosted photodynamic therapy in melanoma via H19/iNOS/PD-L1 axis. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2023; 44:103792. [PMID: 37689125 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a barrier to PDT efficacy among melanoma patients. The aim of this study is to employ a novel muti-tactic TME-remodeling strategy via repolarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the main TME immune cells in melanoma, from the pro-tumor M2 into the antitumor M1 phenotype using Phoenix dactylifera L. (date palm) in combination with PDT. METHODS Screening of different date cultivars was employed to choose extracts of selective toxicity to melanoma and TAMs, not normal macrophages. Potential extracts were then fractionated and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Finally, the efficacy and the potential molecular mechanism of the co-treatment were portrayed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS Initial screening resulted in the selection of the two Phoenix dactylifera L. cultivars Safawi and Sukkari methanolic extracts. Sukkari showed superior capacity to revert TAM phenotype into M1 as well as more prominent upregulation of M1 markers and repression of melanoma immunosuppressive markers relative to positive control (resiquimod). Molecularly, it was shown that PDT of melanoma cells in the presence of the secretome of repolarized TAMs surpassed the monotherapy via the modulation of the H19/iNOS/PD-L1immune-regulatory axis. CONCLUSION This study highlights the potential utilization of nutraceuticals in combination with PDT in the treatment of melanoma to provide a dual activity through alleviating the immune suppressive TME and potentiating the anti-tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya H Soliman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, Main Entrance El Tagamoa El Khames, New Cairo 11511, Egypt.
| | - Rana A Youness
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, Main Entrance El Tagamoa El Khames, New Cairo 11511, Egypt; Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University, New Administrative Capital, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Aya A Sebak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, New Cairo 11511, Egypt.
| | - Heba Handoussa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, Main Entrance El Tagamoa El Khames, New Cairo 11511, Egypt
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13
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Youness RA, Mohamed AH, Efthimiadou EK, Mekky RY, Braoudaki M, Fahmy SA. A Snapshot of Photoresponsive Liposomes in Cancer Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy: Opportunities and Challenges. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:44424-44436. [PMID: 38046305 PMCID: PMC10688172 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
To provide precise medical regimens, photonics technologies have been involved in the field of nanomedicine. Phototriggered liposomes have been cast as promising nanosystems that achieve controlled release of payloads in several pathological conditions such as cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. In contrast to the conventional liposomes, this photoresponsive element greatly improves therapeutic efficacy and reduces the adverse effects of gene/drug therapy during treatment. Recently, cancer immunotherpay has been one of the hot topics in the field of oncology due to the great success and therapeutic benefits that were well-recognized by the patients. However, several side effects have been encountered due to the unmonitored augmentation of the immune system. This Review highlights the most recent advancements in the development of photoresponsive liposome nanosystems in the field of oncology, with a specific emphasis on challenges and opportunities in the field of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana A. Youness
- Biology
and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, Cairo 4824201, Egrypt
- Biology
and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT),
School of Life and Medical Sciences, University
of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Adham H. Mohamed
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo
University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Eleni K. Efthimiadou
- Inorganic
Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou 157 71, Greece
| | - Radwa Y. Mekky
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA University), Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Maria Braoudaki
- Clinical,
Pharmaceutical, and Biological Science Department, School of Life
and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, U.K.
| | - Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
- Chemistry
Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt
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14
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Abaza T, El-Aziz MKA, Daniel KA, Karousi P, Papatsirou M, Fahmy SA, Hamdy NM, Kontos CK, Youness RA. Emerging Role of Circular RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16484. [PMID: 38003674 PMCID: PMC10671287 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly fatal malignancy with limited therapeutic options and high recurrence rates. Recently, immunotherapeutic agents such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a new paradigm shift in oncology. ICIs, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, have provided a new source of hope for patients with advanced HCC. Yet, the eligibility criteria of HCC patients for ICIs are still a missing piece in the puzzle. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently emerged as a new class of non-coding RNAs that play a fundamental role in cancer pathogenesis. Structurally, circRNAs are resistant to exonucleolytic degradation and have a longer half-life than their linear counterparts. Functionally, circRNAs possess the capability to influence various facets of the tumor microenvironment, especially at the HCC tumor-immune synapse. Notably, circRNAs have been observed to control the expression of immune checkpoint molecules within tumor cells, potentially impeding the therapeutic effectiveness of ICIs. Therefore, this renders them potential cancer-immune biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic regimen determinants. In this review, the authors shed light on the structure and functional roles of circRNAs and, most importantly, highlight the promising roles of circRNAs in HCC immunomodulation and their potential as promising biomarkers and immunotherapeutic regimen determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasneem Abaza
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt; (T.A.); (M.K.A.E.-A.); (K.A.D.)
- Biotechnology and Biomolecular Chemistry Program, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Mostafa K. Abd El-Aziz
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt; (T.A.); (M.K.A.E.-A.); (K.A.D.)
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71631, Egypt
| | - Kerolos Ashraf Daniel
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt; (T.A.); (M.K.A.E.-A.); (K.A.D.)
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Paraskevi Karousi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece; (P.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Papatsirou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece; (P.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
- Department of Chemistry, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, R5 New Garden City, New Capital, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
| | - Nadia M. Hamdy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
| | - Christos K. Kontos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece; (P.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), Cairo 11835, Egypt; (T.A.); (M.K.A.E.-A.); (K.A.D.)
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15
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Xiao Y, Hu Y, Liu S. Non-coding RNAs: a promising target for early metastasis intervention. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:2538-2550. [PMID: 37442775 PMCID: PMC10617820 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Metastases account for the overwhelming majority of cancer-associated deaths. The dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs involves a complex process known as the invasion-metastasis cascade. The underlying biological mechanisms of metastasis, however, remain largely elusive. Recently, the discovery and characterization of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have revealed the diversity of their regulatory roles, especially as key contributors throughout the metastatic cascade. Here, we review recent progress in how three major types of ncRNAs (microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs) are involved in the multistep procedure of metastasis. We further examine interactions among the three ncRNAs as well as current progress in their regulatory mechanisms. We also propose the prevention of metastasis in the early stages of cancer progression and discuss current translational studies using ncRNAs as targets for metastasis diagnosis and treatments. These studies provide insights into developing more effective strategies to target metastatic relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xiao
- Department of Stomatology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yijun Hu
- Clinical Research Center, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shanrong Liu
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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16
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Zhang J, Luo Q, Li X, Guo J, Zhu Q, Lu X, Wei L, Xiang Z, Peng M, Ou C, Zou Y. Novel role of immune-related non-coding RNAs as potential biomarkers regulating tumour immunoresponse via MICA/NKG2D pathway. Biomark Res 2023; 11:86. [PMID: 37784183 PMCID: PMC10546648 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00530-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class I related chain A (MICA) is an important and stress-induced ligand of the natural killer group 2 member D receptor (NKG2D) that is expressed in various tumour cells. Given that the MICA/NKG2D signalling system is critically embedded in the innate and adaptive immune responses, it is particularly involved in the surveillance of cancer and viral infections. Emerging evidence has revealed the important roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in different cancer types. We searched for all relevant publications in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science database using the keywords ncRNA, MICA, NKG2D, cancer, and miRNAs. All relevant studies published from 2008 to the 2023 were retrieved and collated. Notably, we found that miRNAs can target to NKG2D mRNA and MICA mRNA 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTR), leading to translation inhibition of NKG2D and MICA degradation. Several immune-related MICA/NKG2D pathways may be dysregulated in cancer with aberrant miRNA expressions. At the same time, the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis holds that circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs induce an abnormal MICA expression by directly targeting downstream miRNAs to mediate mRNA suppression in cancer. This review summarizes the novel mechanism of immune escape in the ncRNA-related MICA/NKG2D pathway mediated by NK cells and cancer cells. Moreover, we identified the miRNA-NKG2D, miRNA-MICA and circRNA/lncRNA/mRNA-miRNA-mRNA/MICA axis. Thus, we were particularly concerned with the regulation of mediated immune escape in the MICA/NKG2D pathway by ncRNAs as potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers of immunity and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Qizhi Luo
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Junshuang Guo
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Quan Zhu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaofang Lu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Leiyan Wei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Zhiqing Xiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Manqing Peng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Chunlin Ou
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.
| | - Yizhou Zou
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.
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17
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Nafea H, Youness RA, Dawoud A, Khater N, Manie T, Abdel-Kader R, Bourquin C, Szabo C, Gad MZ. Dual targeting of H 2S synthesizing enzymes; cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase by miR-939-5p effectively curbs triple negative breast cancer. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21063. [PMID: 37916110 PMCID: PMC10616356 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been recently scrutinized for its critical role in aggravating breast cancer (BC) tumorigenicity. Several cancers aberrantly express H2S synthesizing enzymes; Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE). However, their levels and interdependence in BC require further studies. Objectives Firstly, this study aimed to demonstrate a comparative expression profile of H2S synthesizing enzymes in BC vs normal tissue. Moreover, to investigate the reciprocal relationship between CBS and CSE and highlight the importance of dual targeting. Finally, to search for a valid dual repressor of the H2S synthesizing enzymes that could cease H2S production and reduce TNBC pathogenicity. Methods Pairwise analysis of tumor vs. normal tissues of 40 BC patients was carried out. The TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 was transfected with oligonucleotides to study the H2S mediated molecular mechanisms. In silico screening was performed to identify dual regulator(s) for CBS and CSE. Gene expression analysis was performed using qRT-PCR and was confirmed on protein level using Western blot. TNBC hallmarks were evaluated using MTT, migration, and clonogenicity assays. H2S levels were detected using a AzMc fluorescent probe. Results BC tissues exhibited elevated levels of both CBS and CSE. Interestingly, upon CBS knockdown, CSE levels increased compensating for H2S production in TNBC cells, underlining the importance of dually targeting both enzymes in TNBC. In silico screening suggested miR-939-5p as a regulator of both CBS and CSE with high binding scores. Low expression levels of miR-939-5p were found in BC tissues, especially the aggressive subtypes. Ectopic expression of miR-939-5p significantly repressed CBS and CSE transcript and protein levels, diminished H2S production and attenuated TNBC hallmarks. Moreover, it improved the immune surveillance potency of TNBC cells through up regulating the NKG2D ligands, MICB and ULBP2 and reducing the immune suppressive cytokine IL-10. Conclusion This study sheds light on the reciprocal relationship between CBS and CSE and on the importance of their dual targeting, particularly in TNBC. It also postulates miR-939-5p as a potent dual repressor for CBS and CSE overcoming their redundancy in H2S production, a mechanism that can potentially attenuate TNBC oncogenicity and improves the immunogenic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Nafea
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alyaa Dawoud
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nour Khater
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tamer Manie
- Breast Surgery Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham Abdel-Kader
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Carole Bourquin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland and Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
| | - Csaba Szabo
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed Z. Gad
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
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18
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Zhang L, Ren BC, Wei F, Liu Y, Gao Y, Yuan B. Ferroptosis regulator NOS2 is closely associated with the prognosis and cell malignant behaviors of hepatoblastoma: a bioinformatic and in vitro study. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1228199. [PMID: 37795447 PMCID: PMC10546316 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1228199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common liver tumor in children with easy metastasis. The emergence of ferroptosis as a novel form of cell death has gained increased attention in various human cancers. However, the roles of ferroptosis-related (FR) genes in HB remain elusive. Methods The GSE133039, GSE131329, and GSE81928 datasets were utilized for screening core FR genes in HB. Through Lasso regression analysis and using the support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithm, three candidate FR genes were obtained for characterizing HB. Their expression patterns and their clinical associations were explored through the 'Limma' R package, and their diagnostic potential was evaluated using ROC curves. Nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) emerged as a candidate for further analyses. The CIBERSORT algorithm and GSEA dataset were used to respectively investigate the immune and metabolism effects of NOS2; the former was validated through immunofluorescence. The GSDC database was employed to analyze the correlation between NOS2 expression and the therapeutic efficacy of multiple drugs. PCR, Western blotting, colony formation assays, and Transwell experiments, were used to determine biological functions of NOS2 in HB cells. Potential upstream transcription factors of NOS2 were predicted through the TRRUST, hTFtarget, GeneCards, and JASPAR databases. Results NQO1, SLC1A4, and NOS2 were identified as potential genes in HB and found to be significantly upregulated in tumor samples. Nevertheless, only NOS2 was closely associated with HB clinicopathological characteristics; high NOS2 expression indicated poor prognosis, metastatic tendency, and late clinical stage. Immune analyses indicated that high NOS2 expression was concomitant with decreased infiltration levels of CD8+ T cells but increased infiltration levels of macrophages. GSEA revealed that NOS2 failed to affect the enrichments of glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, and cholesterol biosynthesis in HB. Moreover, NOS2 was positively correlated with the IC50 values of trametinib, lapatinib, and cisplatin. NOS2 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 and HuH-6 cells. JUND was identified as a potential transcriptional regulator of NOS2 by binding to its promoter (5'-TTCTGACTCTTTT-3'). Conclusion NOS2 plays a significant role in HB clinical assessments and holds promise as a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Bin-cheng Ren
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Fei Wei
- Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ya Gao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Department of General Surgery, Xi’an Central Hospital, Xi’an, China
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19
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El-Aziz MKA, Dawoud A, Kiriacos CJ, Fahmy SA, Hamdy NM, Youness RA. Decoding hepatocarcinogenesis from a noncoding RNAs perspective. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:1982-2009. [PMID: 37450612 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Being a leading lethal malignancy worldwide, the pathophysiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has gained a lot of interest. Yet, underlying mechanistic basis of the liver tumorigenesis is poorly understood. The role of some coding genes and their respective translated proteins, then later on, some noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs have been extensively studied in context of HCC pathophysiology; however, the implication of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in HCC is indeed less investigated. As a subclass of the ncRNAs which has been elusive for long time ago, lncRNAs was found to be involved in plentiful cellular functions such as DNA, RNA, and proteins regulation. Hence, it is undisputed that lncRNAs dysregulation profoundly contributes to HCC via diverse etiologies. Accordingly, lncRNAs represent a hot research topic that requires prime focus in HCC. In this review, the authors discuss breakthrough discoveries involving lncRNAs and circRNAs dysregulation that have contributed to the contemporary concepts of HCC pathophysiology and how these concepts could be leveraged as potential novel diagnostic and prognostic HCC biomarkers. Further, this review article sheds light on future trends, thereby discussing the pathological roles of lncRNAs and circRNAs in HCC proliferation, migration, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Along this line of reasoning, future recommendations of how these targets could be exploited to achieve effective HCC-related drug development is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K Abd El-Aziz
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, Egypt
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alyaa Dawoud
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Caroline J Kiriacos
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
- Chemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nadia M Hamdy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
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20
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Fonseca-Montaño MA, Vázquez-Santillán KI, Hidalgo-Miranda A. The current advances of lncRNAs in breast cancer immunobiology research. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1194300. [PMID: 37342324 PMCID: PMC10277570 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Breast cancer development and progression are mainly associated with tumor-intrinsic alterations in diverse genes and signaling pathways and with tumor-extrinsic dysregulations linked to the tumor immune microenvironment. Significantly, abnormal expression of lncRNAs affects the tumor immune microenvironment characteristics and modulates the behavior of different cancer types, including breast cancer. In this review, we provide the current advances about the role of lncRNAs as tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic modulators of the antitumoral immune response and the immune microenvironment in breast cancer, as well as lncRNAs which are potential biomarkers of tumor immune microenvironment and clinicopathological characteristics in patients, suggesting that lncRNAs are potential targets for immunotherapy in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antonio Fonseca-Montaño
- Laboratorio de Genómica del Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, Mexico
- Programa de Doctorado, Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Alfredo Hidalgo-Miranda
- Laboratorio de Genómica del Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, Mexico
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21
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Mekky RY, Ragab MF, Manie T, Attia AA, Youness RA. MALAT-1: Immunomodulatory lncRNA hampering the innate and the adaptive immune arms in triple negative breast cancer. Transl Oncol 2023; 31:101653. [PMID: 36907052 PMCID: PMC10025146 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known as hot immunogenic tumor. Yet, it is one of the most aggressive BC subtypes. TNBC evolve several tactics to evade the immune surveillance phenomena, one of which is shedding of natural killer (NK) cells activating immune ligands such as MICA/B and/or by inducing the expression of the immune checkpoints such as PD-L1 and B7-H4. MALAT-1 is an oncogenic lncRNA. MALAT-1 immunogenic profile is not well investigated. AIM The study aims at exploring the immunogenic role of MALAT-1 in TNBC patients and cell lines and to identify its molecular mechanism in altering both innate and adaptive immune cells present at the tumor microenvironment of TNBC METHODS: BC patients (n = 35) were recruited. Primary NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were isolated from normal individuals using the negative selection method. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured and transfected by several oligonucleotides by lipofection technique. Screening of ncRNAs was performed using q-RT-PCR. Immunological functional analysis experiments were performed upon co-culturing primary natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes using LDH assay. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify potential microRNAs targeted by MALAT-1. RESULTS MALAT-1 expression was significantly upregulated in BC patinets with a profound expression in TNBC patients compared to their normal counterparts. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between MALAT-1, tumor size and lymph node metastasis. Knocking down of MALAT-1 in MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in a significant induction of MICA/B, repression of PD-L1 and B7-H4 expression levels. Enhancement of cytotoxic activity of co-cultured NK and CD8+ cells with MALAT-1 siRNAs transfected MDA-MB-231 cells. In silico analysis revealed that miR-34a and miR-17-5p are potential targets to MALAT-1; accordingly, they were found to be downregulated in BC patients. Forcing the expression of miR-34a in MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in a significant induction in MICA/B levels. Ectopic expression of miR-17-5p in MDA-MB-231 cells significantly repressed the expression of PD-L1 and B7-H4 checkpoints. Validations of MALAT-1/miR-34a" and "MALAT-1/miR-17-5p axes were performed by a series of co-transfections and functional assessment of cytotoxic profile of primary immune cells. CONCLUSION This study proposes a novel epigenetic alteration exerted by TNBC cells mainly by inducing the expression of MALAT-1 lncRNA. MALAT-1 mediates innate and adaptive immune suppression events partially via targeting miR-34a/MICA/B and miR-175p/PD-L1/B7-H4 axes in TNBC patients and cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radwa Y Mekky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA University), Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Mai F Ragab
- Pharmacology Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Tamer Manie
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abdelrahman A Attia
- General Surgery Department, Ain Shams University, Demerdash Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A Youness
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt.
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22
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Regulation of pleiotropic physiological roles of nitric oxide signaling. Cell Signal 2023; 101:110496. [PMID: 36252791 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Nitric Oxide (NO) is a highly diffusible, ubiquitous signaling molecule and a free radical that is naturally synthesized by our body. The pleiotropic effects of NO in biological systems are due to its reactivity with different molecules, such as molecular oxygen (O2), superoxide anion, DNA, lipids, and proteins. There are several contradictory findings in the literature pertaining to its role in oncology. NO is a Janus-faced molecule shown to have both tumor promoting and tumoricidal effects, which depend on its concentration, duration of exposure, and location. A high concentration is shown to have cytotoxic effects by triggering apoptosis, and at a low concentration, NO promotes angiogenesis, metastasis, and tumor progression. Upregulated NO synthesis has been implicated as a causal factor in several pathophysiological conditions including cancer. This dichotomous effect makes it highly challenging to discover its true potential in cancer biology. Understanding the mechanisms by which NO acts in different cancers helps to develop NO based therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. This review addresses the physiological role of this molecule, with a focus on its bimodal action in various types of cancers.
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23
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Fahmy SA, Dawoud A, Zeinelabdeen YA, Kiriacos CJ, Daniel KA, Eltahtawy O, Abdelhalim MM, Braoudaki M, Youness RA. Molecular Engines, Therapeutic Targets, and Challenges in Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Special Emphasis on Hydrogen Sulfide and RNA-Based Nano-Delivery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5244. [PMID: 36358663 PMCID: PMC9657918 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric primary brain tumors represent a real challenge in the oncology arena. Besides the psychosocial burden, brain tumors are considered one of the most difficult-to-treat malignancies due to their sophisticated cellular and molecular pathophysiology. Notwithstanding the advances in research and the substantial efforts to develop a suitable therapy, a full understanding of the molecular pathways involved in primary brain tumors is still demanded. On the other hand, the physiological nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the efficiency of many available treatments, including molecular therapeutic approaches. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), as a member of the gasotransmitters family, and its synthesizing machinery have represented promising molecular targets for plentiful cancer types. However, its role in primary brain tumors, generally, and pediatric types, particularly, is barely investigated. In this review, the authors shed the light on the novel role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a prominent player in pediatric brain tumor pathophysiology and its potential as a therapeutic avenue for brain tumors. In addition, the review also focuses on the challenges and opportunities of several molecular targeting approaches and proposes promising brain-delivery strategies for the sake of achieving better therapeutic results for brain tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
- Chemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, R5 New Capital City, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Alyaa Dawoud
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Yousra Ahmed Zeinelabdeen
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
- Faculty of Medical Sciences/UMCG, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline Joseph Kiriacos
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Kerolos Ashraf Daniel
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Omar Eltahtawy
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Miriam Mokhtar Abdelhalim
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Maria Braoudaki
- Clinical, Pharmaceutical, and Biological Science Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 11835, Egypt
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24
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Alghazali MW, Al-Hetty HRAK, Ali ZMM, Saleh MM, Suleiman AA, Jalil AT. Non-coding RNAs, another side of immune regulation during triple-negative breast cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 239:154132. [PMID: 36183439 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered about 12-24 % of all breast cancer cases. Patients experience poor overall survival, high recurrence rate, and distant metastasis compared to other breast cancer subtypes. Numerous studies have highlighted the crucial roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in carcinogenesis and proliferation, migration, and metastasis of tumor cells in TNBC. Recent research has demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in the regulation of the immune system by affecting the tumor microenvironment, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the regulation of dendritic cells and myeloid-derived stem cells, and T and B cell activation and differentiation. Immune-related miRNAs and lncRNAs, which have been established as predictive markers for various cancers, are strongly linked to immune cell infiltration and could be a viable therapeutic target for TNBC. In the current review, we discuss the recent updates of ncRNAs, including miRNAs and lncRNAs in TNBC, including their biogenesis, target genes, and biological function of their targets, which are mostly involved in the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zahraa Muhsen M Ali
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Rafidain University College, Iraq
| | - Marwan Mahmood Saleh
- Department of Biophysics, College of Applied Sciences, University of Anbar, Iraq; Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | | | - Abduladheem Turki Jalil
- Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon, Hilla 51001, Iraq.
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25
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Kumar S, Chatterjee M, Ghosh P, Ganguly KK, Basu M, Ghosh MK. Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in cancer immunotherapy: an effective strategy for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Genes Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
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26
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Salihi A, Al-Naqshabandi MA, Khudhur ZO, Housein Z, Hama HA, Abdullah RM, Hussen BM, Alkasalias T. Gasotransmitters in the tumor microenvironment: Impacts on cancer chemotherapy (Review). Mol Med Rep 2022; 26:233. [PMID: 35616143 PMCID: PMC9178674 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide are three endogenous gasotransmitters that serve a role in regulating normal and pathological cellular activities. They can stimulate or inhibit cancer cell proliferation and invasion, as well as interfere with cancer cell responses to drug treatments. Understanding the molecular pathways governing the interactions between these gases and the tumor microenvironment can be utilized for the identification of a novel technique to disrupt cancer cell interactions and may contribute to the conception of effective and safe cancer therapy strategies. The present review discusses the effects of these gases in modulating the action of chemotherapies, as well as prospective pharmacological and therapeutic interfering approaches. A deeper knowledge of the mechanisms that underpin the cellular and pharmacological effects, as well as interactions, of each of the three gases could pave the way for therapeutic treatments and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Salihi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University‑Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region 44001, Iraq
| | - Mohammed A Al-Naqshabandi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region 44001, Iraq
| | - Zhikal Omar Khudhur
- Department of Medical Analysis, Faculty of Applied Science, Tishk International University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region 44001, Iraq
| | - Zjwan Housein
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Technical Health and Medical College, Erbil Polytechnique University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region 44002, Iraq
| | - Harmand A Hama
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Tishk International University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region 44002, Iraq
| | - Ramyar M Abdullah
- College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region 44002, Iraq
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region 44002, Iraq
| | - Twana Alkasalias
- General Directorate of Scientific Research Center, Salahaddin University‑Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region 44002, Iraq
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27
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ZeinElAbdeen YA, AbdAlSeed A, Youness RA. Decoding Insulin-Like Growth Factor Signaling Pathway From a Non-coding RNAs Perspective: A Step Towards Precision Oncology in Breast Cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2022; 27:79-99. [PMID: 35146629 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-022-09511-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a highly complex and heterogenous disease. Several oncogenic signaling pathways drive BC oncogenic activity, thus hindering scientists to unravel the exact molecular pathogenesis of such multifaceted disease. This highlights the urgent need to find a key regulator that tunes up such intertwined oncogenic drivers to trim the malignant transformation process within the breast tissue. The Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway is a tenacious axis that is heavily intertwined with BC where it modulates the amplitude and activity of vital downstream oncogenic signaling pathways. Yet, the complexity of the pathway and the interactions driven by its different members seem to aggravate its oncogenicity and hinder its target-ability. In this review, the authors shed the light on the stubbornness of the IGF signaling pathway and its potential regulation by non-coding RNAs in different BC subtypes. Nonetheless, this review also spots light on the possible transport systems available for efficient delivery of non-coding RNAs to their respective targets to reach a personalized treatment code for BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousra Ahmed ZeinElAbdeen
- The Molecular Genetics Research Team, Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University, Main Entrance Al Tagamoa Al Khames, New Cairo CityCairo, 11835, Egypt
| | - Amna AbdAlSeed
- The Molecular Genetics Research Team, Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University, Main Entrance Al Tagamoa Al Khames, New Cairo CityCairo, 11835, Egypt
- University of Khartoum, Al-Gama a Avenue, 11115, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Rana A Youness
- The Molecular Genetics Research Team, Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University, Main Entrance Al Tagamoa Al Khames, New Cairo CityCairo, 11835, Egypt.
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted By Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo, 11586, Egypt.
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28
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Abdel-Latif M, Riad A, Soliman RA, Elkhouly AM, Nafae H, Gad MZ, Motaal AA, Youness RA. MALAT-1/p53/miR-155/miR-146a ceRNA circuit tuned by methoxylated quercitin glycoside alters immunogenic and oncogenic profiles of breast cancer. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:1281-1293. [PMID: 35129780 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04378-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and hot BC subtypes. Our research group has recently shed the light on the utility of natural compounds as effective immunotherapeutic agents. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of a methoxylated quercetin glycoside (MQG) isolated from Cleome droserifolia in harnessing TNBC progression and tuning the tumor microenvironment and natural killer cells cytotoxicity. Results showed that MQG showed the highest potency (IC50 = 12 µM) in repressing cellular proliferation, colony-forming ability, migration, and invasion capacities. Mechanistically, MQG was found to modulate a circuit of competing endogenous RNAs where it was found to reduce the oncogenic MALAT-1 lncRNA and induce TP53 and its downstream miRNAs; miR-155 and miR-146a. Accordingly, this leads to alteration in several downstream signaling pathways such as nitric oxide synthesizing machinery, natural killer cells' cytotoxicity through inducing the expression of its activating ligands such as MICA/B, ULBP2, CD155, and ICAM-1 and trimming of the immune-suppressive cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-10. In conclusion, this study shows that MQG act as a compelling anti-cancer agent repressing TNBC hallmarks, activating immune cell recognition, and alleviating the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment experienced by TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Abdel-Latif
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Riad
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Raghda A Soliman
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aisha M Elkhouly
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heba Nafae
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Z Gad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira Abdel Motaal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt. .,Department of Biology and Biochemistry, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo, 11578, Egypt.
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29
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Selem NA, Youness RA, Gad MZ. What is beyond LncRNAs in breast cancer: A special focus on colon cancer-associated Transcript-1 (CCAT-1). Noncoding RNA Res 2021; 6:174-186. [PMID: 34938928 PMCID: PMC8666458 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play a vital role in the process of malignant transformation. In breast cancer (BC), lncRNAs field is currently under intensive investigations. Yet, the role of lncRNAs as promising diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers and as therapeutic target/tool among BC patients still needs a special focus from the biomedical scientists. In BC, triple negative breast cancer patients (TNBC) are the unlucky group as they are always represented with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rates. For that reason, a special focus on TNBC and associated lncRNAs was addressed in this review. Colon cancer-associated transcript 1 (CCAT-1) is a newly discovered oncogenic lncRNA that has been emerged as a vital biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic interventions in multiple malignancies and showed differential expression among TNBC patients. In this review, the authors shed the light onto the general role of lncRNAs in BC and the specific functional activities, molecular mechanisms, competing endogenous ncRNA role of CCAT-1 in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha A. Selem
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted By Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, 11586, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Z. Gad
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
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30
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Yang D, Ma J, Ma XX. CDKN2B-AS1 Promotes Malignancy as a Novel Prognosis-Related Molecular Marker in the Endometrial Cancer Immune Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:721676. [PMID: 34712660 PMCID: PMC8546264 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.721676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer (EC) is closely associated with immune cell infiltration. Although abnormal long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression is also linked to poor prognosis in patients with EC, the function and action mechanism of immune infiltration-related lncRNAs underlying the occurrence and development of EC remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed lncRNA expression using The Cancer Genome Atlas and clinical data and identified six lncRNAs as prognostic markers for EC, all of which are associated with the infiltration of immune cell subtypes, as illustrated by ImmLnc database and ssGSEA analysis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that CDKN2B-AS1 was significantly overexpressed in EC, whereas its knockdown inhibited the proliferation and invasion of EC cells and the in vivo growth of transplanted tumors in nude mice. Finally, we constructed a competing endogenous RNA regulatory network and conducted Gene Ontology enrichment analysis to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism underlying CDKN2B-AS1 function. Overall, we identified molecular targets associated with immune infiltration and prognosis and provide new insights into the development of molecular therapies and treatment strategies against EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao-Xin Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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31
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Sun JY, Ni MM. Long non-coding RNA HEIH: a novel tumor activator in multiple cancers. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:558. [PMID: 34689775 PMCID: PMC8543845 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed the altered expression levels of long non-coding RNA HEIH in different types of cancer. More than half of the HEIH studies in cancer have been published within the last two years. To our knowledge, this is the first review to discuss very recent developments and insights into HEIH contribution to carcinogenesis. The functional role, molecular mechanism, and clinical significance of HEIH in human cancers are described in detail. The expression of HEIH is elevated in a broad spectrum of cancers, and its disorder contributes to cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance of cancer cells through different underlying mechanisms. In addition, the high expression of HEIH is significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, tumor size and decreased overall survival, suggesting HEIH may function as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Yu Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Ming Ni
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Rd., Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China.
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Shadbad MA, Safaei S, Brunetti O, Derakhshani A, Lotfinejad P, Mokhtarzadeh A, Hemmat N, Racanelli V, Solimando AG, Argentiero A, Silvestris N, Baradaran B. A Systematic Review on the Therapeutic Potentiality of PD-L1-Inhibiting MicroRNAs for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Toward Single-Cell Sequencing-Guided Biomimetic Delivery. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081206. [PMID: 34440380 PMCID: PMC8391239 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is a well-established inhibitory immune checkpoint axis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Growing evidence indicates that tumoral PD-L1 can lead to TNBC development. Although conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved TNBC patients’ prognosis, their effect is mainly focused on improving anti-tumoral immune responses without substantially regulating oncogenic signaling pathways in tumoral cells. Moreover, the conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors cannot impede the de novo expression of oncoproteins, like PD-L1, in tumoral cells. Accumulating evidence has indicated that the restoration of specific microRNAs (miRs) can downregulate tumoral PD-L1 and inhibit TNBC development. Since miRs can target multiple mRNAs, miR-based gene therapy can be an appealing approach to inhibit the de novo expression of oncoproteins, like PD-L1, restore anti-tumoral immune responses, and regulate various intracellular singling pathways in TNBC. Therefore, we conducted the current systematic review based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) to provide a comprehensive and unbiased synthesis of currently available evidence regarding the effect of PD-L1-inhibiting miRs restoration on TNBC development and tumor microenvironment. For this purpose, we systematically searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Ovid, and IranDoc databases to obtain the relevant peer-reviewed studies published before 25 May 2021. Based on the current evidence, the restoration of miR-424-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-570-3p, miR-200c-3p, miR-383-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-3609, miR-195-5p, and miR-497-5p can inhibit tumoral PD-L1 expression, transform immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment into the pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment, inhibit tumor proliferation, suppress tumor migration, enhance chemosensitivity of tumoral cells, stimulate tumor apoptosis, arrest cell cycle, repress the clonogenicity of tumoral cells, and regulate various oncogenic signaling pathways in TNBC cells. Concerning the biocompatibility of biomimetic carriers and the valuable insights provided by the single-cell sequencing technologies, single-cell sequencing-guided biomimetic delivery of these PD-L1-inhibiting miRs can decrease the toxicity of traditional approaches, increase the specificity of miR-delivery, enhance the efficacy of miR delivery, and provide the affected patients with personalized cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Abdoli Shadbad
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166614766, Iran; (M.A.S.); (P.L.)
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran; (S.S.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.M.)
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran
| | - Sahar Safaei
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran; (S.S.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.M.)
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (O.B.); (A.G.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Afshin Derakhshani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran; (S.S.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.M.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Parisa Lotfinejad
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166614766, Iran; (M.A.S.); (P.L.)
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran; (S.S.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.M.)
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran; (S.S.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.M.)
| | - Nima Hemmat
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran; (S.S.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.M.)
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (O.B.); (A.G.S.); (A.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Antonella Argentiero
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (O.B.); (A.G.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (O.B.); (A.G.S.); (A.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665811, Iran; (S.S.); (A.D.); (N.H.); (A.M.)
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166614766, Iran
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (B.B.)
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Role of Nitric Oxide in Gene Expression Regulation during Cancer: Epigenetic Modifications and Non-Coding RNAs. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126264. [PMID: 34200849 PMCID: PMC8230456 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) has been identified and described as a dual mediator in cancer according to dose-, time- and compartment-dependent NO generation. The present review addresses the different epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone modifications and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), miRNA and lncRNA, which regulate directly or indirectly nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and NO production, impacting all hallmarks of the oncogenic process. Among lncRNA, HEIH and UCA1 develop their oncogenic functions by inhibiting their target miRNAs and consequently reversing the inhibition of NOS and promoting tumor proliferation. The connection between miRNAs and NO is also involved in two important features in cancer, such as the tumor microenvironment that includes key cellular components such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs).
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Yao J, Yang Z, Yang J, Wang ZG, Zhang ZY. Long non-coding RNA FEZF1-AS1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via targeting miR-107/Wnt/β-catenin axis. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:13726-13738. [PMID: 34023817 PMCID: PMC8202841 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a public health problem around the world, with the molecular mechanisms being still incompletely clear. This study was carried out to explore the role and mechanism of long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA) FEZF1-AS1 in HCC progression. RNA sequencing and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT- PCR) were applied to identify differently expressed lncRNAs in HCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. CCK8 assay was adopted to test cell proliferation and flow cytometry was taken to detect cell apoptosis. Wound healing assay and transwell experiment were performed to determine cell migration and invasion. To validate the function of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 in vivo, tumor-burdened models were established. The results showed that lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 level was prominently enhanced in HCC tumor specimens and overexpression of FEZF1-AS1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells. In mechanism, overexpression of FEZF1-AS1 reduced the expression of miR-107 which inhibited the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Overexpression of β-catenin promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion which were inhibited by FEZF1-AS1 downregulation. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that FEZF1-AS1 promoted HCC progression through activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling by targeting miR-107, which provided a novel target for the therapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yao
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Wang
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Zheng-Yun Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
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Abdallah RM, Elkhouly AM, Soliman RA, El Meckawy N, El Sebaei A, Motaal AA, El-Askary H, Youness RA, Assal RA. Hindering The Synchronization Between Mir-486-5p And H19 Lncrna By Hesperetin Halts Breast Cancer Aggressiveness Through Tuning ICAM-1. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 22:586-595. [PMID: 33882812 DOI: 10.2174/1871520621666210419093652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, a novel crosstalk between non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has been casted. However, this has been seldomly investigated in metastatic BC (mBC). H19 and miR-486-5p role in mBC is controversial. ICAM-1 is a recently recognized metastatic engine in mBC. Natural compounds were recently found to alter ncRNAs/target circuits. Yet, Hesperitin modulatory role in altering such circuits has never been investigated in mBC. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of hesperitin on miR-486-5p/H19/ICAM-1 axis Methodology: BC patients (n=20) were recruited in the study. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using different prediction softwares. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were cultured and transfected using several oligonucleotides or treated with serial dilutions of hesperitin. RNA was extracted and gene expression analysis was performed using q-RT-PCR. ICAM-1 protein levels were assessed using human ICAM-1 Elisa Kit. Cytotoxic potential of hesperitin against normal cells was assessed by LDH assay. Several functional analysis experiments were performed such as MTT, colony forming and migration assays. RESULTS The study showed that miR-486-5p and H19 has a paradoxical expression profiles in mBC patients. miR-486-5p mimics and H19 siRNAs repressed ICAM-1 and halted mBC hallmarks. A novel crosstalk between miR-486-5p and H19 was observed highlighting a bi-directional relationship between them. Hesperetin restored the expression of miR-486-5p, inhibited H19 lncRNA and ICAM-1 expression and selectively regressed mBC cell aggressiveness. CONCLUSION miR-486-5p and H19 are inter-connected upstream regulators for ICAM-1 building up miR-486-5p/H19/ICAM-1 axis that has been successfully tuned in mBC cells by hesperitin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramah M Abdallah
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aisha M Elkhouly
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
| | - Raghda A Soliman
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Ahmed El Sebaei
- Pathology Department International Medical center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira A Motaal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Rana A Youness
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reem A Assal
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
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