Genetic variants in the metzincin metallopeptidase family genes predict melanoma survival

MMP1 and MMP9 are potential prognostic biomarkers and targets for uveal melanoma

BACKGROUND

Uveal melanoma (UVM) is the leading cause of eye-related mortality worldwide. This study aimed to explore the expression and prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UVM.

METHODS

Gene expression levels were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Oncomine databases. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. GeneMANIA was then applied to construct a protein-protein interaction network and identify the hub genes. Moreover, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) analysis for the hub genes was performed using the UALCAN and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online tool. Furthermore, TRRUST was used to predict the targets of the MMPs.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that the transcriptional levels of MMP1, MMP9, MMP10, MMP11, MMP13, MMP14, and MMP17 were upregulated in UVM tissues compared to normal tissues. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and the top 50 hub genes were identified. The functions of MMPs and their neighboring proteins are mainly associated with ECM-receptor interaction, proteoglycans in cancer, the IL-17 signaling pathway, and microRNAs in cancer. Among the MMPs, MMP1/2/9/11/14/15/16/17/24 played significant roles in the progression of UVM from stage 3 to stage 4. We also found that the expression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, and MMP16 positively correlated with OS and DFS in patients with UVM. Additionally, 18 transcription factors associated with nine MMPs were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study may provide potential biomarkers and targets for UVM. However, further studies are required to confirm these results.

Genetic markers for characterization and prediction of prognosis of melanoma subtypes: a 2021 update

In this article we examined the most important genetic markers involved in melanoma susceptibility, initiation and progression, and their impact on the prognosis of the disease. Current knowledge in melanoma genetics identifies distinct pathways to the development of different melanoma subtypes characterized by specific clinico-pathological features and partially known genetic markers, modulated by high, low or absence of cumulative sun damage. The most prevalent somatic mutations are related to the activation of the MAPK pathway, which are classified into four major subtypes: BRAF mutant, NRAS mutant, NF1 mutant and triple wild type. Moreover, germinal mutations are also involved in the characterization and predictions of prognosis in melanoma. Currently, CDKN2A is seen as the main high-risk gene involved in melanoma susceptibility being mutated in around 20% of melanoma-prone families. Other high-risk susceptibility genes described include CDK4, POT1, BAP1, TERT promoter, ACD, and TERF2IP. Melanoma is one of the most genetically predisposed among all cancers in humans, and ultraviolet light from the sun is the main environmental factor. This genetic predisposition is starting to be understood, impacting not only on the risk of developing melanoma but also on the risk of developing other types of cancer, as well as on the prognosis of the disease.

Prognostic Values for the mRNA Expression of the ADAMTS Family of Genes in Gastric Cancer

The “A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motif” (ADAMTS) family of genes is involved in the occurrence and development of different cancers. However, the prognostic value of these genes in gastric cancer (GC) has not been revealed. The present study was thus conducted to determine the prognostic value for the ADAMTS family of genes in GC. First, we evaluated the mRNA expression levels of the ADAMTS family in GC patients using a GEPIA dataset. Thereafter, we determined the prognostic value of these genes by analyzing their mRNA level using the Kaplan–Meier Plotter database. The mRNA expression level of ADAMTS12 was randomly validated by qRT-PCR and meta-analysis while its coexpression genes were derived using Coexpedia. Finally, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses using the OmicShare Tools. Compared to normal tissues, expression of ADAMTS2 and 12 was significantly higher while that of ADAMTS1, 13, and 15 was significantly lower in GC tissues. According to the RNA-seq and gene chip data, the ADAMTS family (6, 7, 12, 15, and 18) of genes was closely related to the prognosis of GC, and their high expression levels were associated with poor prognosis and survival time. In addition, ADAMTS12 was highly expressed in 20 pairs of GC tissues based on RT-PCR (P=0.016) and meta-analysis (SMD: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.32–1.14, P < 0.001). GO and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that the ADAMTS12 coexpressed genes were enriched in the pathways of extracellular matrix organization, extracellular matrix structural constituent, extracellular matrix, and protein digestion and absorption. Herein, we discovered the prognostic values and biological roles of the ADAMTS genes in GC.

Functional Roles of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Melanoma

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the regulation of the tissue microenvironment and in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Several proteins with a proteolytic activity toward several ECM components are involved in the regulation and remodeling of the ECM. Among these, Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a class of peptidase able to remodel the ECM by favoring the tumor invasive processes. Of these peptidases, MMP-9 is the most involved in the development of cancer, including that of melanoma. Dysregulations of the MAPKs and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways can lead to an aberrant overexpression of MMP-9. Even ncRNAs are implicated in the aberrant production of MMP-9 protein, as well as other proteins responsible for the activation or inhibition of MMP-9, such as Osteopontin and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases. Currently, there are different therapeutic approaches for melanoma, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies. However, no biomarkers are available for the prediction of the therapeutic response. In this context, several studies have tried to understand the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential of MMP-9 in melanoma patients by performing clinical trials with synthetic MMPs inhibitors. Therefore, MMP-9 may be considered a promising molecule for the management of melanoma patients due to its role as a biomarker and therapeutic target.

A protective polymorphism in MMP16, improved blood gas levels, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases: Family and two population-based studies

The aberrant expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of airway remodeling and alveolar disruption in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the discovery stage, 11 COPD from five families were subjected to whole-genome sequencing, and 21 common polymorphisms in MMPs and TIMPs were identified. These polymorphisms were genotyped in two subsequent verification studies. Of these polymorphisms, c.2392G>A (rs2664370T>C) and c.4158C>A (rs2664369T>G) in MMP16 remained significantly different. Functionally, we found that MMP16 expression was significantly increased in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) from COPD and in cigarette smoke extract-treated 16HBE cells compared with controls. This was also shown by bioinformatics analysis. COPD carrying rs2664370CC showed decreased levels of MMP16 in the plasma and in PBMCs compared with those carrying CT and TT. Treatment with hsa-miR-576-5p mimics led to a greater reduction in luciferase reporter activity in cells transfected with rs2664370CC. Moreover, blood levels of base excess, PCO₂ , and PO₂ in COPD with rs2664370CC were significantly lower than those with rs2664370CT+TT. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the rs2664370T>C polymorphism in MMP16 protects against the risk of COPD, likely by favoring interaction with hsa-miR-576-5p, leading to reduced MMP16 expression and improved blood gas levels.