miR-922 regulates apoptosis, migration, and invasion by targeting SOCS1 in gastric cancer

The Interplay Between Helicobacter pylori and Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) Molecules in the Development of Gastric Cancer and Induction of Immune Response

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonizes the stomach and leads to the secretion of a vast range of cytokines by infiltrated leukocytes directing immune/inflammatory response against the bacterium. To regulate immune/inflammatory responses, suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins bind to multiple signaling components located downstream of cytokine receptors, such as Janus kinase (JAK), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT). Dysfunctional SOCS proteins in immune cells may facilitate the immune evasion of H. pylori, allowing the bacteria to induce chronic inflammation. Dysregulation of SOCS expression and function can contribute to the sustained H. pylori-mediated gastric inflammation which can lead to gastric cancer (GC) development. Among SOCS molecules, dysregulated expression of SOCS1, SOCS2, SOCS3, and SOCS6 were indicated in H. pylori-infected individuals as well as in GC tissues and cells. H. pylori-induced SOCS1, SOCS2, SOCS3, and SOCS6 dysregulation can contribute to the GC development. The expression of SOCS molecules can be influenced by various factors, such as epigenetic DNA methylation, noncoding RNAs, and gene polymorphisms. Modulation of the expression of SOCS molecules in gastric epithelial cells and immune cells can be considered to control gastric carcinogenesis as well as regulate antitumor immune responses, respectively. This review aimed to explain the interplay between H. pylori and SOCS molecules in GC development and immune response induction as well as to provide insights regarding potential therapeutic strategies modulating SOCS molecules.

Epigenetic modulation of cytokine expression in gastric cancer: influence on angiogenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance

Cytokines are proteins that act in the immune response and inflammation and have been associated with the development of some types of cancer, such as gastric cancer (GC). GC is a malignant neoplasm that ranks fifth in incidence and third in cancer-related mortality worldwide, making it a major public health issue. Recent studies have focused on the role these cytokines may play in GC associated with angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance, which are key factors that can affect carcinogenesis and tumor progression, quality, and patient survival. These inflammatory mediators can be regulated by epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone protein modification, and non-coding RNA, which results in the silencing or overexpression of key genes in GC, presenting different targets of action, either direct or mediated by modifications in key genes of cytokine-related signaling pathways. This review seeks insight into the relationship between cytokine-associated epigenetic regulation and its potential effects on the different stages of development and chemoresistance in GC.

Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Role of miRNAs as Biomarkers of Tumor Invasion

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the most frequent neoplasm, responsible for half of all cancer-related deaths. Metastasis is the leading cause of death from GI cancer; thus, studying the processes that regulate cancer cell migration is of paramount importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms adopted by cancer cells to promote cell migration and the subsequent metastasis formation by highlighting the key role that tumor microenvironment components play in deregulating cellular pathways involved in these processes. We, therefore, provide an overview of the role of different microRNAs in promoting tumor metastasis and their role as potential biomarkers for the prognosis, monitoring, and diagnosis of GI cancer patients. Finally, we relate the possible use of nutraceuticals as a new strategy for targeting numerous microRNAs and different pathways involved in GI tumor invasiveness.

A ferroptosis-related gene in Helicobacter pylori infection, SOCS1, serves as a potential prognostic biomarker and corresponds with tumor immune infiltration in stomach adenocarcinoma: In silico approach

OBJECTIVE

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major risk factor for the stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). This study aimed to investigate the potential role of a H. pylori infection-related gene, SOCS1, in STAD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Online available databases were analyzed to determine the expression, correlations with clinicopathologic parameters, patients' survival, and immunological characteristics of SOCS1 in TCGA-STAD or GEO datasets. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine independent risk factors, which were further integrated to establish a nomogram. A comparison of drug sensitivity was conducted for the chemotherapy responses between individuals with low- and high-SOCS1. Prediction of tumor response to checkpoint inhibitors was based on the tumor immunodeficiency and exclusion (TIDE) score.

RESULTS

SOCS1 expression was significantly increased in both H. pylori-infected and STAD patients. Higher SOCS1 expression indicated an undesirable prognosis in STAD patients. SOCS1 upregulation was related to enhanced immune cell infiltrations and the upregulation of immune checkpoints in STAD patients. N stage, age and SOCS1 were identified as independent risk factors for higher mortality of STAD patients and confirmed using the nomogram. Drug sensitivity analyses demonstrated that high expression of SOCS1 in STAD patients could improve the sensitivity to chemotherapy. TIDE score showed that STAD patients with high SOCS1 expression would have superior response to immunotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

SOCS1 may act as a potential biomarker for uncovering the underlying mechanisms of gastric cancer. Increasing the activity of immunotherapy through ferroptosis-immunomodulation may be a viable strategy in STAD therapy.

The SOCS-1 -1478CA/del functional polymorphism (rs33989964) is associated with gastric cancer but is unrelated to overall survival

BACKGROUND

In vitro studies have shown that the functional - 1478CA > del polymorphism (rs33989964) of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 gene is associated with an altered trascriptional activity. Here, we sought to examine the potential association of this polymorphism with the risk of gastric cancer (GC) and to analyze its prognostic impact on overall survival (OS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 74 Turkish patients with GC and 52 healthy controls. Genotyping of the SOCS-1 -1478CA > del polymorphism was carried out using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTS

After allowance of age and sex, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the carriage of the del allele of the SOCS-1 -1478CA > del polymorphism was independently associated with an increased risk of GC (odds ratio = 6.78, 95% confidence interval = 3.24-10.99, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant differences in OS for patients harboring at least one del allele of rs33989964 compared with CA/CA homozygotes (log-rank test, P = 0.17).

CONCLUSION

While the SOCS-1 -1478CA > del polymorphism is significantly associated with the risk of GC in the Turkish population, it does not affect OS.

MicroRNAs regulating SOX2 in cancer progression and therapy response

The proliferation, metastasis and therapy response of tumour cells are tightly regulated by interaction among various signalling networks. The microRNAs (miRNAs) can bind to 3'-UTR of mRNA and down-regulate expression of target gene. The miRNAs target various molecular pathways in regulating biological events such as apoptosis, differentiation, angiogenesis and migration. The aberrant expression of miRNAs occurs in cancers and they have both tumour-suppressor and tumour-promoting functions. On the contrary, SOX proteins are capable of binding to DNA and regulating gene expression. SOX2 is a well-known member of SOX family that its overexpression in different cancers to ensure progression and stemness. The present review focuses on modulatory impact of miRNAs on SOX2 in affecting growth, migration and therapy response of cancers. The lncRNAs and circRNAs can function as upstream mediators of miRNA/SOX2 axis in cancers. In addition, NF-κB, TNF-α and SOX17 are among other molecular pathways regulating miRNA/SOX2 axis in cancer. Noteworthy, anti-cancer compounds including bufalin and ovatodiolide are suggested to regulate miRNA/SOX2 axis in cancers. The translation of current findings to clinical course can pave the way to effective treatment of cancer patients and improve their prognosis.

CREB1 acts via the miR‑922/ARID2 axis to enhance malignant behavior of liver cancer cells

There is little information on the role of microRNA (miR)‑922 in the malignant behavior of liver cancer. The present study investigated the regulation of miR‑922 expression levels by cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) in liver cancer tissue, its role in regulating malignant behavior and its potential targets in liver cancer. miR‑922 expression in liver cancer cells and tissue was determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. The binding of CREB1 to the promoter region of mir‑922 was tested by chromatin immunoprecipitation‑PCR. The predicted AT‑rich interactive domain 2 (ARID2) and fidgetin, microtubule severing factor targets of miR‑922 were characterized by dual luciferase reporter assay. The effects of altered ARID2 expression levels on miR‑922‑enhanced malignant behavior of liver cancer cells were tested. CREB1 bound to the promoter region of miR‑922. Elevated miR‑922 transcripts were inversely associated with ARID2 expression in liver cancer tissue and cells. miR‑922 inhibited ARID2‑regulated luciferase expression and was present in the miR/argonaute RISC catalytic component 2 complex. ARID2 significantly decreased malignant behavior of liver cancer MHCC97L cells. Similarly, ARID2 over‑expression inhibited growth of xenograft liver cancer tumors and decreased miR‑922, Bcl‑2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1, MMP3 and MMP9 expression and serum VEGF and TNF‑α levels, but enhanced Bax expression levels in tumors. ARID2 over‑expression abrogated malignant behavior promoted by miR‑922 over‑expression and enhanced miR‑922‑decreased malignant behavior of liver cancer cells. CREB induced miR‑922 transcription, which targeted ARID2 to enhance malignant behavior of liver cancer cells, indicating that the CREB1/miR‑922/ARID2 axis may be a potential target for liver cancer treatment.