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Huang M, Wu Z, Jia L, Wang Y, Gao S, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Li J. Bioinformatics and network pharmacology identify promotional effects and potential mechanisms of ethanol on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and experimental validation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 474:116615. [PMID: 37406968 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116615] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Ethanol is an important risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, the molecular mechanisms behind how ethanol promotes ESCC development remain poorly understood. In this study, ethanol-ESCC-associated target genes were constructed and screened using network pharmacology and subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and bioinformatics analysis. A mouse ethanol-exposed esophageal cancer model was constructed with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) to assess its survival and tumor lesion status, and the mechanism of ethanol-promoted ESCC lesions was verified by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that 126 ethanol-ESCC crossover genes were obtained, which were significantly enriched in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Bioinformatics results showed that the target genes TNF, IL6, IL1β and JUN were highly expressed in esophageal tumor samples and positively correlated with tumor proliferation and apoptosis genes, and the genetic information of these genes was mutated to different degrees. Animal model experiments showed that ethanol decreased the survival rate and aggravated the occurrence of esophageal cancer in mice. qRT-PCR showed that ethanol promoted the expression of TNF, IL6, IL1β and JUN mRNA in mouse esophageal tumor tissues, and Western blotting showed that ethanol promoted p-PI3K and p-AKT protein expression in mouse esophageal tumor tissues. In conclusion, ethanol promotes esophageal carcinogenesis by increasing the expression of TNF, IL6, IL1β and JUN and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Huang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Zhongbing Wu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Lei Jia
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Yu Wang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Shuang Gao
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Ying Liu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Yushuang Zhang
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China.
| | - Jing Li
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China.
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Knapp K, Verchio V, Coburn-Flynn O, Li Y, Xiong Z, Morrison JC, Shersher DD, Spitz F, Chen X. Exploring cell competition for the prevention and therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 214:115639. [PMID: 37290594 PMCID: PMC10528900 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115639] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is characterized by the development of cancer in the esophageal squamous epithelium through a step-by-step accumulation of genetic, epigenetic, and histopathological alterations. Recent studies have demonstrated that cancer-associated gene mutations exist in histologically normal or precancerous clones of the human esophageal epithelium. However, only a small proportion of such mutant clones will develop ESCC, and most ESCC patients develop only one cancer. This suggests that most of these mutant clones are kept in a histologically normal state by neighboring cells with higher competitive fitness. When some of the mutant cells evade cell competition, they become "super-competitors" and develop into clinical cancer. It is known that human ESCC is composed of a heterogeneous population of cancer cells that interact with and influence their environment and neighbors. During cancer therapy, these cancer cells not only respond to therapeutic agents but also compete with each other. Therefore, competition between ESCC cells within the same ESCC tumor is a constantly dynamic process. However, it remains challenging to fine-tune the competitive fitness of various clones for therapeutic benefits. In this review, we will explore the role of cell competition in carcinogenesis, cancer prevention, and therapy, using NRF2, NOTCH pathway, and TP53 as examples. We believe that cell competition is a research area with promising targets for clinical translation. Manipulating cell competition may help improve the prevention and therapy of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Knapp
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Vincent Verchio
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | | | - Yahui Li
- Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Zhaohui Xiong
- Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Jamin C Morrison
- MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - David D Shersher
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Francis Spitz
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Xiaoxin Chen
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
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Khalatbari A, Castle JD, Li T, Shaker A. Direct and indirect effects of alcohol and its toxic metabolite acetaldehyde on human esophageal myofibroblasts and epithelial cells. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:1297-1311. [PMID: 37128647 PMCID: PMC10524176 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanisms by which alcohol increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remain undefined. Human esophageal myofibroblasts (HEMFs) subjacent to the squamous epithelium are exposed directly to these agents via epithelial barrier defects and indirectly via factors derived from the exposed epithelium. Our aim was to investigate the cellular biology of HEMFs and HEMF-esophageal epithelial cell interactions in response to alcohol and its toxic metabolite acetaldehyde. METHODS An immortalized HEMF and a human esophageal epithelial cell line (Epi) were treated with alcohol (0 to 200 mM) or acetaldehyde (0 to 100 μM) in a cyclic fashion or incubated with supernatants collected from treated cells. Healthy cell %, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and proliferation were assessed via flow cytometry, luminescence, scratch wound, and colorimetric assays, respectively. A 15-plex multiplex assay was performed on cell supernatants, followed by IL-6 and IL-8 qRT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS Healthy HEMF decreased to less than 80% at 30 mM alcohol and 70 μM acetaldehyde, with microscopic changes at 40 μM acetaldehyde. HEMF ROS was detected at 100 mM alcohol and 80 μM acetaldehyde. Supernatants from 30 mM alcohol- or 40 μM acetaldehyde-treated HEMFs increased Epi proliferation more than two-fold that of lower doses. In the complementary studies, healthy Epi cells decreased to less than 80% at 50 mM and 70 μM acetaldehyde, with microscopic changes at 40 μM. Supernatants from Epi treated with 50 mM alcohol or 40 μM acetaldehyde increased HEMF proliferation more than two-fold that of lower doses. A multiplex assay of supernatants showed the greatest increase in concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in HEMFs and in Epi treated with higher doses of alcohol or acetaldehyde. Neutralization of IL-6 and IL-8 in supernatants of HEMFS and esophageal epithelial cells inhibited the proliferation of Epi and HEMFs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol and acetaldehyde doses in which the majority of HEMFs and epithelial cells are healthy, elicit the production of paracrine mediators with pro-proliferative effects on neighboring cells. Understanding the effect of alcohol and acetaldehyde on HEMFs and HEMF-epithelial interactions could help to identify the molecular basis by which alcohol increases the risk for esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atousa Khalatbari
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 810, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Joshua D. Castle
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 810, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Tao Li
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 810, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Anisa Shaker
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 810, Los Angeles, CA 90089
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Zhang M, Zhou J, Ji Y, Shu S, Zhang M, Liang Y. LncRNA-NONMMUT100923.1 regulates mouse embryonic palatal shelf adhesion by sponging miR-200a-3p to modulate medial epithelial cell desmosome junction during palatogenesis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16329. [PMID: 37251885 PMCID: PMC10208945 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cleft palate (CP) is a common neonatal craniofacial defect caused by the adhesion and fusion dysfunction of bilateral embryonic palatal shelf structures. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is involved in CP formation with regulatory mechanism unknown. In this study, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was used to induced cleft palate in embryonic mice as model group. The RNA-sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed genes between the normal and model group on embryonic day 16.5, and the expression of LncRNA-NONMMUT100923.1 and miR-200a-3p, Cdsn was confirmed by RT-PCR and western blotting. Colony formation, CCK-8 and EDU assays were performed to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis on mouse embryonic palatal shelf (MEPS) epithelial cells in vitro. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and dual luciferase activity assays was used to investigate the regulatory effect of LncRNA-NONMMUT100923.1 on miRNA and its target genes. Up-regulation of LncRNA-NONMMUT100923.1 and Cdsn while downregulation of miR-200a-3p was found in the model group. The sponging effects of LncRNA-NONMMUT100923 on miR-200a-3p and the target gene relations between Cdsn and miR-200a-3p was confirmed. Low expression of miR-200a-3p was related to the increased expressed levels of Cdsn and the proliferation of MEPS epithelial cells. Thus, a potential ceRNA regulatory network in which LncRNA-NONMMUT100923.1 regulates Cdsn expression by competitively binding to endogenous miR-200a-3p during palatogenesis, which may inhibit MEPS adhesion by preventing the disintegration of the desmosome junction in medial edge epithelium cells. These findings indicate the regulatory role of lncRNA and provides a potential direction for target gene therapy of CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhang
- The Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Jieyan Zhou
- The Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Yingwen Ji
- The Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Shenyou Shu
- The Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Mingjun Zhang
- The Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563099, Guizhou, China
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Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is common in the developing world with decreasing incidence in developed countries and carries significant morbidity and mortality. Major risk factors for ESCC development include significant use of alcohol and tobacco. Screening for ESCC can be recommended in high-risk populations living in highly endemic regions. The treatment of ESCC ranges from endoscopic resection therapy or surgery in localized disease to chemoradiotherapy in metastatic disease, and prognosis is directly related to the stage at diagnosis. New immunotherapies and molecular targeted therapies may improve the dismal survival outcomes in patients with metastatic ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Chamil Codipilly
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, SMH Campus, 6 Alfred GI Unit, 200 1st Street South West, Rochester MN 55905, USA
| | - Kenneth K Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, SMH Campus, 6 Alfred GI Unit, 200 1st Street South West, Rochester MN 55905, USA.
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Chen X, Li Y, Paiboonrungruang C, Li Y, Peters H, Kist R, Xiong Z. PAX9 in Cancer Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5589. [PMID: 35628401 PMCID: PMC9147292 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Paired box 9 (PAX9) is a transcription factor of the PAX family functioning as both a transcriptional activator and repressor. Its functional roles in the embryonic development of various tissues and organs have been well studied. However, its roles and molecular mechanisms in cancer development are largely unknown. Here, we review the current understanding of PAX9 expression, upstream regulation of PAX9, and PAX9 downstream events in cancer development. Promoter hypermethylation, promoter SNP, microRNA, and inhibition of upstream pathways (e.g., NOTCH) result in PAX9 silencing or downregulation, whereas gene amplification and an epigenetic axis upregulate PAX9 expression. PAX9 may contribute to carcinogenesis through dysregulation of its transcriptional targets and related molecular pathways. In summary, extensive studies on PAX9 in its cellular and tissue contexts are warranted in various cancers, in particular, HNSCC, ESCC, lung cancer, and cervical SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxin Chen
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (X.C.); (Y.L.); (C.P.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yahui Li
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (X.C.); (Y.L.); (C.P.); (Y.L.)
| | - Chorlada Paiboonrungruang
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (X.C.); (Y.L.); (C.P.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yong Li
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (X.C.); (Y.L.); (C.P.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center, Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 17 Panjiayuan Nanli Road, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Heiko Peters
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, UK;
| | - Ralf Kist
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, UK;
- School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, UK
| | - Zhaohui Xiong
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (X.C.); (Y.L.); (C.P.); (Y.L.)
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Bhol CS, Mishra SR, Patil S, Sahu SK, Kirtana R, Manna S, Shanmugam MK, Sethi G, Patra SK, Bhutia SK. PAX9 reactivation by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase triggers antitumor effect in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166428. [PMID: 35533906 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant DNA hypermethylation is associated with oral carcinogenesis. Procaine, a local anesthetic, is a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor that activates anticancer mechanisms. However, its effect on silenced tumor suppressor gene (TSG) activation and its biological role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unknown. Here, we report procaine inhibited DNA methylation by suppressing DNMT activity and increased the expression of PAX9, a differentiation gene in OSCC cells. Interestingly, the reactivation of PAX9 by procaine found to inhibit cell growth and trigger apoptosis in OSCC in vitro and in vivo. Likely, the enhanced PAX9 expression after exposure to procaine controls stemness and differentiation through the autophagy-dependent pathway in OSCC cells. PAX9 inhibition abrogated procaine-induced apoptosis, autophagy, and inhibition of stemness. In OSCC cells, procaine improved anticancer drug sensitivity through PAX9, and its deficiency significantly blunted the anticancer drug sensitivity mediated by procaine. Additionally, NRF2 activation by procaine facilitated the antitumor response of PAX9, and pharmacological inhibition of NRF2 by ML385 reduced death and prevented the decrease in the orosphere-forming potential of OSCC cells. Furthermore, procaine promoted antitumor activity in FaDu xenografts in athymic nude mice, and immunohistochemistry data showed that PAX9 expression was significantly enhanced in the procaine group compared to the vehicle control. In conclusion, PAX9 reactivation in response to DNMT inhibition could trigger a potent antitumor mechanism to provide a new therapeutic strategy for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Sekhar Bhol
- Cancer and Cell Death Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sundergarh 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Soumya Ranjan Mishra
- Cancer and Cell Death Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sundergarh 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Shankargouda Patil
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sunil Kumar Sahu
- Cancer and Cell Death Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sundergarh 769008, Odisha, India
| | - R Kirtana
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sundergarh 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Soumen Manna
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sundergarh 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Muthu Kumaraswamy Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Samir Kumar Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sundergarh 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Sujit Kumar Bhutia
- Cancer and Cell Death Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sundergarh 769008, Odisha, India.
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Knockdown of microRNA-214-3p Promotes Tumor Growth and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235875. [PMID: 34884984 PMCID: PMC8656576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Prostate Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In this study, we analyzed a molecule known as a microRNA, which regulates the expression of genes. microRNAs are involved in processes related to cancer onset and progression. Abnormal expression of microRNAs can promote prostate cancer. This study showed that knockdown of microRNA miR-214-3p enhanced the progression and of prostate cancer. In addition, miR-214 regulated the expression of many genes. These results are useful to better understand the function of miR-214-3p in prostate cancer and can be a useful target in the treatment of the disease. Abstract Abnormal expression of microRNA miR-214-3p (miR-214) is associated with multiple cancers. In this study, we assessed the effects of CRISPR/Cas9 mediated miR-214 depletion in prostate cancer (PCa) cells and the underlying mechanisms. Knockdown of miR-214 promoted PCa cell proliferation, invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and increased resistance to anoikis, a key feature of PCa cells that undergo metastasis. The reintroduction of miR-214 in miR-214 knockdown cells reversed these effects and significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These in vitro studies are consistent with the role of miR-214 as a tumor suppressor. Moreover, miR-214 knockout increased tumor growth in PCa xenografts in nude mice supporting its anti-oncogenic role in PCa. Knockdown of miR-214 increased the expression of its target protein, Protein Tyrosine Kinase 6 (PTK6), a kinase shown to promote oncogenic signaling and tumorigenesis in PCa. In addition, miR-214 modulated EMT as exhibited by differential regulation of E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, and Vimentin both in vitro and in vivo. RNA-seq analysis of miR-214 knockdown cells revealed altered gene expression related to PCa tumor growth pathways, including EMT and metastasis. Collectively, our findings reveal that miR-214 is a key regulator of PCa oncogenesis and is a potential novel therapeutic target for the treatment of the disease.
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