Distinct subgroup of the Ras family member 3 (DIRAS3) expression impairs metastasis and induces autophagy of gastric cancer cells in mice

LncRNA H19: a novel player in the regulation of diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), one of the most severe complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), has received considerable attention owing to its increasing prevalence and contribution to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESRD). However, the use of drugs targeting DKD remains limited. Recent data suggest that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a vital role in the development of DKD. The lncRNA H19 is the first imprinted gene, which is expressed in the embryo and down-regulated at birth, and its role in tumors has long been a subject of controversy, however, in recent years, it has received increasing attention in kidney disease. The LncRNA H19 is engaged in the pathological progression of DKD, including glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis via the induction of inflammatory responses, apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and oxidative damage. In this review, we highlight the most recent research on the molecular mechanism and regulatory forms of lncRNA H19 in DKD, including epigenetic, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation, providing a new predictive marker and therapeutic target for the management of DKD.

DIRAS3 regulates autophagy in an endometriosis epithelial cell line

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the role of DIRAS3 in endometriosis pathogenesis?

DESIGN

Prospective patient cohort study combined with experiments in the 12Z human endometriosis epithelial cell line model to determine the role of DIRAS3 in endometriosis. Endometrium and endometriosis lesion samples were collected from premenopausal women from 24 control and 40 endometriosis patients by laparoscopic surgery. The role of DIRAS3 in endometriosis was assessed by siRNA knockdown in 12Z cells followed by proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and autophagy assays. Autophagy was induced by serum starvation and the levels of autophagy determined by assessing changes in the expression levels and localization of autophagy marker proteins, such as LC3.

RESULTS

DIRAS3 mRNA showed a large increase in expression in ectopic endometriosis lesions compared with endometrium from control patients, with expression largely localized to the epithelium. DIRAS3 knockdown in 12Z endometriosis epithelial cells caused a significant reduction in the number of proliferating cells (1.6-fold, adjusted P = 0.0007) and increased apoptosis (AnnexinV/7AAD double-positive cells +48%, P = 0.01), indicating an effect on cell proliferation. Induction of autophagy by serum starvation caused significant upregulation in DIRAS3 expression after 24 h (mRNA +2.4-fold [adjusted P = 0.017], protein +8.1-fold (adjusted P = 0.029), reduced LC3I/LC3II ratio (-2.2-fold, adjusted P = 0.044) and an increase in the number of double positive LC3/DIRAS3 puncta (+2.3-fold, P = 0.02). Knockdown of DIRAS3 in serum-starved cells led to a reduction in autophagy, indicated by an overall decrease in LC3 expression and significant increase in LC3I/LC3II ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

DIRAS3 is highly upregulated in endometriosis lesions. Studies in an endometriosis epithelial cell line indicate that DIRAS3 facilitates cell survival in this context by inducing autophagy.

DIRAS3, GPR171 and RAC2 were identified as the key molecular patterns associated with brain metastasis of breast cancer

Objective

Brain metastasis is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients. Therefore, elucidation and understanding of the underlying mechanisms are essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Methods

Differential gene analysis was performed for those with and without distant metastasis in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and those with and without recurrence in the brain in the dataset GSE12276. The differentially expressed genes procured from the two databases were intersected to obtain the intersecting genes associated with brain metastasis. Thereafter, the intersecting genes were subjected to LASSO model construction to screen for prognostic genes. The expression of the obtained genes in metastatic breast cancer was observed, and survival analysis was performed. Finally, GSEA analysis of the obtained genes was performed, and the relationship between them and immune cells was explored.

Results

A total of 335 differential genes for the occurrence of distant metastases were obtained based on the TCGA database. A total of 1070 differential genes for recurrence to the brain were obtained based on the dataset GSE12276. The Venn diagram showed 24 intersecting genes associated with brain metastasis. The LASSO prognostic model contained a total of five genes (GBP2, GPR171, DIRAS3, RAC2, and CACNA1D). Expression difference analysis showed that GBP2, GPR171, DIRAS3, and RAC2 were significantly down-regulated in expression in metastatic breast cancer compared with primary breast cancer tumors. Only GPR171, DIRAS3, and RAC2 were strongly correlated with the overall survival of breast cancer patients. Their correlation analysis with immune cells showed that the correlation coefficient between the expression levels of DIRAS3 and immune cells was low, and the expression levels of GPR171 and RAC2 were more closely correlated with B cells and macrophages.

Conclusions

The expression of DIRAS3, GPR171 and RAC2, genes associated with brain metastasis, was reduced in metastatic breast cancer, and GPR171 was found to promote brain metastasis of breast cancer cells by inducing B cells and thereby.

GTP-binding protein Di-RAS3 diminishes the migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer by inhibiting the RAS/extracellular-regulated kinase pathway

The GTP-binding protein Di-Ras3 (DIRAS3) has been established as a maternally imprinted tumor suppressor gene. Growing evidence has correlated the DIRAS3 gene with tumor progression, but its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is rarely reported. Accordingly, the current study sought to evaluate the role and mechanism of DIRAS3 in NSCLC cell progression. First, we uncovered that DIRAS3 was poorly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cells. Subsequently, we examined the effect of DIRAS3 over-expression or knockdown in different lung cancer cells on their malignant phenotypes, with the help of transwell cell migration and invasion assays, and Western blot analyses. It was found that the over-expression of DIRAS3 inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 cells or H520 cells, whereas knockdown of DIRAS3 led to opposing trends. In addition, over-expression of DIRAS3 attenuated the tumor growth and reduced the number of lung tumor nodules. Mechanistically, DIRAS3 may inhibit the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells by inhibiting the RAS/extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. Collectively, our findings indicate that DIRAS3 could serve as a potential therapeutic target biomarker for NSCLC.

Identification of a Nomogram with an Autophagy-Related Risk Signature for Survival Prediction in Patients with Glioma

Background

Glioma is a common type of tumor in the central nervous system characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Autophagy plays vital roles in the development and progression of glioma, and is involved in both normal physiological and various pathophysiological progresses.

Patients and Methods

A total of 531 autophagy-related genes (ARGs) were obtained and 1738 glioma patients were collected from three public databases. We performed least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to identify the optimal prognosis-related genes and constructed an autophagy-related risk signature. The performance of the signature was validated by receiver operating characteristic analysis, survival analysis, clinic correlation analysis, and Cox regression. A nomogram model was established by using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Schoenfeld’s global and individual test were used to estimate time-varying covariance for the assumption of the Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. The R programming language was used as the main data analysis and visualizing tool.

Results

An overall survival-related risk signature consisting of 15 ARGs was constructed and significantly stratified glioma patients into high- and low-risk groups (P < 0.0001). The area under the ROC curve of 1-, 3-, 5-year survival was 0.890, 0.923, and 0.889, respectively. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses indicated that the risk signature was a satisfactory independent prognostic factor. Moreover, a nomogram model integrating risk signature with clinical information for predicting survival rates of patients with glioma was constructed (C-index=0.861±0.024).

Conclusion

This study constructed a novel and reliable ARG-related risk signature, which was verified as a satisfactory prognostic marker. The nomogram model could provide a reference for individually predicting the prognosis for each patient with glioma and promoting the selection of optimal treatment.

Overexpression of ARHI increases the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to paclitaxel through inducing apoptosis and autophagy

Cervical cancer (CC) is a common malignant tumor of the female reproductive system. This study investigated the role of aplysia ras homolog I (ARHI) in resistance to CC in vitro and in patients' tissues. Hela cells were continuously treated with different concentrations of paclitaxel (1-10 nM) to construct paclitaxel-resistant cell model (Hela-TR). CC or CC-TR tissues were obtained from CC patients or CC patients who had developed paclitaxel resistance. The level of ARHI and multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) in cells and tissues were detected by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Cell viability, apoptosis and the number of colonies were assessed by MTT, flow cytometry and cell clone assay in Hela and Hela-TR cells after the ARHI plasmid or shARHI were transfected into cells. The autophagy and apoptosis signaling related proteins were analyzed by western blotting. The results revealed that the levels of ARHI mRNA and protein were down-regulated in CC tissues, and were further reduced in paclitaxel-resistant tissues and Hela cell model. High expression of ARHI inhibited the expression of MDR1 in Hela and Hela-TR cells. The cell viability and cell clone of Hela and Hela-TR cells were decreased by ARHI overexpression but increased by ARHI suppression. In addition, highly expressed ARHI promoted apoptosis and activated autophagy by increasing LC3-II/LC3-I through inactivating AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In conclusion, overexpression of ARHI can increase the sensitivity of CC to paclitaxel through promoting apoptosis and autophagy in a AKT/mTOR inactivation dependent pathway.

Shensu IV prevents glomerular podocyte injury in nephrotic rats via promoting lncRNA H19/DIRAS3-mediated autophagy

Shensu IV is a Chinese prescription well-known for its function in treating chronic kidney diseases. However, the potential mechanisms underlying how Shensu IV exerts its effects remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Shensu IV on glomerular podocyte injury in nephrotic rats and puromycin-induced injury in cultured podocytes, and assessed the associated molecular mechanisms. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) results showed that the main components of Shensu IV were l-Carnitine, P-lysoPC (LPC) 16:0, Coumaroyl tyramine, Tetramethylpyrazine, LPC 18:1, Choline, (S,S)-Butane-2,3-diol, and Scopoletin. We further found that nephrotic rats displayed pathological alterations in kidney tissues and ultrastructural changes in glomerular podocytes; however, these effects were reversed with Shensu IV treatment. Compared with the control, the numbers of autophagosomes were markedly reduced in the model group, but not in the Shensu IV treatment group. Furthermore, the expression of p62 was significantly higher in the model group than in the controls, whereas the LC3-II/I ratio was significantly lower; however, these changes were not observed when Shensu IV was administered. The protective effects of Shensu IV were further confirmed in podocytes displaying puromycin-induced injury. Compared with control group, the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19, mTOR, p-mTOR, and p62 was significantly increased in the puromycin group, whereas that of distinct subgroup of the RAS family member 3 (DIRAS3) was significantly decreased, as was the LC3-II/I ratio. The opposite results were obtained for both shH19- and Shensu IV-treated cells. Collectively, our data demonstrated that Shensu IV can prevent glomerular podocyte injury in nephrotic rats and puromycin-treated podocytes, likely via promoting lncRNA H19/DIRAS3-regulated autophagy.

Incidence and prognosis of undifferentiated cancers of the digestive system: a population-based cohort study

Background

Cases of undifferentiated cancers of the digestive system (UCDS) are occasionally encountered in clinical practice; however, no large-scale studies have described their characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, prognosis, and treatment strategies of UCDS.

Methods

We used the data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database to evaluate clinical characteristics in UCDS patients. A cohort of 1,372 patients was included to estimate UCDS incidence; another cohort of 1,816 patients was followed up until December 31, 2017 to evaluate treatment and prognosis. The incidence, trends, treatments, overall survival, and cause-specific survival were assessed.

Results

The estimated incidence of UCDS was 0.136 per 100,000 people-years [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.129-0.143] from 1975 to 2016 with respect to sex, age, year of diagnosis, race, region, site, income, and education. The age-adjusted rates of UCDS dropped from 0.567 per 100,000 people-years in 1978 to 0.031 per 100,000 people-years in 2016. The rates of surgery, beam radiation, and chemotherapy in patients with UCDS were 37.3%, 17.3%, and 30.7%, respectively. Overall, the 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 18%, with a median cause-specific survival of 4 months. Patient prognosis improved significantly over the decades; stage, site, year of diagnosis, surgery, beam radiation, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for UCDS mortality.

Conclusions

The incidence of UCDS has decreased in the United States over the past 40 years. Patients benefited from surgery, beam radiation, and chemotherapy. The survival of patients with UCDS has improved. Further research on developing decision-making recommendations for UCDS treatment is crucial.

TFAP2B, AP-1 and JAZF1 Expression in Tissues of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients; Clinical, Pathological and Prognostic Values

OBJECTIVE

Transcription factor activating protein 2 B (TFAP2 B) is a transcription factor that regulates many steps of embryogenesis, cell growth, apoptosis and recently oncogenesis and cancer progression. AP-1 is a transcription factor that is a downstream molecule of the MAPK signaling pathway. Juxtaposed with zinc finger gene 1 (JAZF1) is a recently detected transforming growth factor which has a role in carcinogenesis. Hence the present study aimed to assess those markers expression in tissues from patients with such cancer correlation their expression with clinic-pathological findings of the tumor and prognostic and follow-up findings of patients.

METHODS

We have collected tissue samples from papillary thyroid cancer patients and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues from 80 patients. We assessed the expression of TFAP2B, AP-1 and JAZF1 using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Expression of TFAP2B was positively associated with lymph nodes metastases (p=0.003), distant metastases (p=0.002), recurrence of the tumor (p=0.002), unfavourable disease-free survival rate (p=0.003). AP-1 expression is positively associated with advanced stage (p=0.002), presence of extra-thyroid invasion (p=0.005), recurrence of the tumor (p=0.005), unfavorable disease-free survival rate (p=0.01). JAZF1 expression is negatively associated with huge tumor size (0.023), vascular invasion (p=0.007) and unfavorable overall survival rate (p=.030).

CONCLUSION

High expression levels of TFAP2B and AP-1 and low expression levels of JAZF1 were associated with unfavourable pathological, prognostic parameters and dismal patient's outcome.<br />.

A risk signature with four autophagy-related genes for predicting survival of glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating brain tumour without effective treatment. Recent studies have shown that autophagy is a promising therapeutic strategy for GBM. Therefore, it is necessary to identify novel biomarkers associated with autophagy in GBM. In this study, we downloaded autophagy-related genes from Human Autophagy Database (HADb) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) website. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to identify genes for constructing a risk signature. A nomogram was developed by integrating the risk signature with clinicopathological factors. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration plot were used to evaluate the efficiency of the prognostic model. Finally, four autophagy-related genes (DIRAS3, LGALS8, MAPK8 and STAM) were identified and were used for constructing a risk signature, which proved to be an independent risk factor for GBM patients. Furthermore, a nomogram was developed based on the risk signature and clinicopathological factors (IDH1 status, age and history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy). ROC curve and calibration plot suggested the nomogram could accurately predict 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate of GBM patients. For function analysis, the risk signature was associated with apoptosis, necrosis, immunity, inflammation response and MAPK signalling pathway. In conclusion, the risk signature with 4 autophagy-related genes could serve as an independent prognostic factor for GBM patients. Moreover, we developed a nomogram based on the risk signature and clinical traits which was validated to perform better for predicting 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate of GBM.

JAZF1 Suppresses Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Facilitates Apoptosis via Regulating TAK1/NF-κB Pathways

Purpose

Juxtaposed with another zinc finger gene 1 (JAZF1) is involved in gluconeogenesis, insulin sensitivity, cell differentiation, lipid metabolism and inflammation, but its role in carcinoma remains inexplicit.

Patients and methods

We explored the JAZF1 expression in human papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) tissues, adjacent normal thyroid tissues and nodular goitre tissues, as well as Ki67 expression in PTC tissues, using immunohistochemistry staining. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed to explore the JAZF1 expression levels in Nthy-ori 3–1, BCPAP and TPC-1 cells. BCPAP cells overexpressing JAZF1 were constructed using an Adv-JAZF1-GFP recombinant adenovirus vector. Next, the cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis and immunofluorescence were performed. The mRNA expression level of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) was examined using RT-qPCR. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p-p65 were examined using Western blotting.

Results

The expression of JAZF1 in human PTC tissues was downregulated compared with adjacent thyroid tissues or nodular goitre. Additionally, JAZF1 expression was associated with the location and lymph node metastasis of PTC. The expression level of JAZF1 had a negative correlation with Ki67 labelling index (LI). Compared to Nthy-ori 3–1 cells and TPC-1 cells, BCPAP cells expressed the lowest JAZF1. JAZF1 overexpressed significantly inhibited proliferation, caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and promoted apoptosis in BCPAP cells. Furthermore, JAZF1 overexpressed in BCPAP cells clearly upregulated the expression level of Bax protein, whereas decreased the expression of Bcl-2, TAK1, NF-κB but did not affect the mRNA or protein expression level of NF-κB p65.

Conclusion

JAZF1 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in BCPAP cells by suppressing the activation of TAK1/NF-κB signalling pathways, suggesting that JAZF1 may serve as a reliable molecular marker in PTC.

Amino Acid Deprivation-Induced Autophagy Requires Upregulation of DIRAS3 through Reduction of E2F1 and E2F4 Transcriptional Repression

Failure to cure ovarian cancer relates to the persistence of dormant, drug-resistant cancer cells following surgery and chemotherapy. “Second look” surgery can detect small, poorly vascularized nodules of persistent ovarian cancer in ~50% of patients, where >80% are undergoing autophagy and express DIRAS3. Autophagy is one mechanism by which dormant cancer cells survive in nutrient poor environments. DIRAS3 is a tumor suppressor gene downregulated in >60% of primary ovarian cancers by genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, that upon re-expression can induce autophagy and dormancy in a xenograft model of ovarian cancer. We examined the expression of DIRAS3 and autophagy in ovarian cancer cells following nutrient deprivation and the mechanism by which they are upregulated. We have found that DIRAS3 mediates autophagy induced by amino acid starvation, where nutrient sensing by mTOR plays a central role. Withdrawal of amino acids downregulates mTOR, decreases binding of E2F1/4 to the DIRAS3 promoter, upregulates DIRAS3 and induces autophagy. By contrast, acute amino acid deprivation did not affect epigenetic regulation of DIRAS3 or expression of miRNAs that regulate DIRAS3. Under nutrient poor conditions DIRAS3 can be transcriptionally upregulated, inducing autophagy that could sustain dormant ovarian cancer cells.