LincRNA-p21 predicts favorable clinical outcome and impairs tumorigenesis in diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients treated with R-CHOP chemotherapy

Noncoding RNAs in B cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma

B-cell non-Hodgkins lymphomas (BCNHLs) are a category of B-cell cancers that show heterogeneity. These blood disorders are derived from different levels of B-cell maturity. Among NHL cases, ∼80-90 % are derived from B-cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) contribute to almost all parts of mechanisms and are essential in tumorigenesis, including B-cell non-Hodgkins lymphomas. The study of ncRNA dysregulations in B-cell lymphoma unravels important mysteries in lymphoma's molecular etiology. It seems also necessary for discovering novel trials as well as investigating the potential of ncRNAs as markers for their diagnosis and prognosis. In the current study, we summarize the role of ncRNAs involving miRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, as well as circular RNAs in the development or progression of BCNHLs.

Knockdown of the long non‑coding RNA CACNA1G‑AS1 enhances cytotoxicity and apoptosis of human diffuse large B cell lymphoma by regulating miR‑3160‑5p

Abstract: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been confirmed to be connected with tumor proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and recurrence. Previous studies have indicated that lncRNA calcium voltage-gated channel subunit α1 G (CACNA1G)-antisense 1 (AS1) can function as a pro-oncogene in several types of cancer. However, the specific role and mechanism of CACNA1G-AS1 have not been fully elucidated in human diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In the present study, CACNA1G-AS1 expression was verified in DLBCL tissues and cells by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and the relationship between CACNA1G-AS1 and microRNA (miR)-3160-5p was confirmed using luciferase reporter assays. After CACNA1G-AS1-knockdown and miR-3160-5p-overexpression, MTT, colony formation and flow cytometry assays were conducted to assess the changes in the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of OCI-Ly10 and SUDHL-4 cells. In addition, in vivo experiments were performed to determine the impact of CACNA1G-AS1-knockdown on tumor growth and apoptosis. It was revealed that CACNA1G-AS1 was highly expressed in DLBCL tissues and cells and that expression of CACNA1G-AS1 was associated with the clinical stage of DLBCL. Functionally, CACNA1G-AS1-knockdown was demonstrated to increase cytotoxicity and expedite apoptosis in DLBCL cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, CACNA1G-AS1 could downregulate miR-3160-5p by targeting binding in DLBCL cells. Overexpression of miR-3160-5p had the same effects on the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of DLBCL cells as CACNA1G-AS1-knockdown. Overall, the present study revealed that CACNA1G-AS1-knockdown and miR-3160-5p-overexpression could prevent DLBCL carcinogenesis, which might provide novel therapeutic targets for DLBCL.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in human lymphomas

Lymphomas are a diverse group of haematologic malignancies, which occur in infection-fighting cells of the lymphatic system. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs, which have recently received significant attention as the main mediators of gene expression. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on lncRNAs involved in lymphomas, their molecular functions, as well as their potential clinical value. Relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search of English language papers using the following terms: Lymphoma, LncRNA, leukemia, proliferation, apoptosis, and prognosis. LncRNAs are imperative for lymphoma carcinogenesis through affecting apoptosis, cell proliferation, invasion, and response to chemotherapy. The expression level of lncRNAs can affect chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Taken together, lncRNA dysregulation in lymphoma cells is not only an epiphenomenon but also lncRNA transcription is critically related to the initiation and progression of lymphomas. Aberrant expression of lncRNAs can lead to the transformation of normal lymphocytes into lymphoma cells.

Noncoding RNAs as novel immunotherapeutic tools against cancer

Immunotherapy is implemented as an important treatment strategy in various malignancies. In cancer, immunotherapy is employed for successful killing of tumor cells with high specificity and greater efficacy, with minimum side effects. Despite various available strategies, cellular immunotherapy including innate (NK cells, macrophages, dendritic cells) and adaptive (B cells and T cells) immune cells plays a critical role in tumor microenvironment. Since past few years, many drugs targeting immune checkpoint proteins including CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 have been investigated as immunotherapy approach against cancer but complete effectiveness still remains a question, as diverse mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis may result in the development of cancer cell resistance. Number of evidences have highlighted the significant role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in regulating multiple stages of cancer initiation, progression & immunity. ncRNAs comprises 98% human transcriptome and are basically considered as dark genome. Among ncRNAs, miRNAs and lncRNAs have been extensively studied in regulating diverse processes of cancer tumorigenesis. Upregulation of oncogenic and downregulation of tumor suppressive miRNAs/lncRNAs has been reported to facilitate the cancer progression and invasiveness. This chapter summarizes how an interplay between ncRNAs and immune cells in cancer pathogenesis can be therapeutically targeted to improve current treatment regimen. Strategies should be employed to improve the efficacy and reduce off-target effects of ncRNA based immunotherapy. Henceforth, combination of ncRNAs and available immunotherapy can be argued to enhance the efficacy of existing immunotherapeutic approaches against cancer to improve patient's survival.

The emerging role non-coding RNAs in B cell-related disorders

Long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs have recently attained much attention regarding their role in the development of B cell lineage as well as participation in the lymphomagenesis. These transcripts have a highly cell type specific signature which endows them the potential to be used as biomarkers for clinical situations. Aberrant expression of several non-coding RNAs has been linked with B cell malignancies and immune related disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous, asthma and graft-versus-host disease. Moreover, these transcripts can alter response of immune system to infectious conditions. miR-7, miR-16-1, miR-15a, miR-150, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-212 and miR-132 are among microRNAs whose role in the development of B cell-associated disorders has been investigated. Similarly, SNHG14, MALAT1, CRNDE, AL133346.1, NEAT1, SMAD5-AS1, OR3A4 and some other long non-coding RNAs participate in this process. In the current review, we describe the role of non-coding RNAs in B cell malignancies.

Competitive Endogenous RNA Network Involving miRNA and lncRNA in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Current Advances and Clinical Perspectives

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous malignancy with variable patient outcomes. There is still a lack of understanding about the different players involved in lymphomagenesis, and the identification of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is urgent. MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs emerged as master regulators of B-cell development, and their deregulation has been associated with the initiation and progression of lymphomagenesis. They can function by acting alone or, as recently proposed, by creating competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. Most studies have focused on individual miRNAs/lncRNAs function in lymphoma, and there is still limited data regarding their interactions in lymphoma progression. The study of miRNAs' and lncRNAs' deregulation in NHL, either alone or as ceRNAs networks, offers new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphoma pathogenesis and opens a window of opportunity to identify potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge regarding the role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in B-cell lymphoma, including their interactions and regulatory networks. Finally, we summarized the studies investigating the potential of miRNAs and lncRNAs as clinical biomarkers, with a special focus on the circulating profiles, to be applied as a non-invasive, easy-to-obtain, and reproducible liquid biopsy for dynamic management of NHL patients.

LincRNA-p21 alleviates atherosclerosis progression through regulating the miR-221/SIRT1/Pcsk9 axis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main aetiology of coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction and peripheral vascular disease in humans. Long‐noncoding RNA (LincRNA)‐p21 has been reported to participate in the development of AS. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the mechanism of LincRNA‐p21 on suppressing the development of AS. We fed ApoE^−/− mice with a high‐fat diet to induce an AS mouse model where the lesion area of AS and the extent of lipid deposition were measured. The binding of LincRNA‐p21 and miR‐221 or miR‐221 and SIRT1 was measured using a dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RIP. Following loss‐ and gain‐ function assays, CCK8, EdU, Transwell assay and scratch test were performed to determine the biological processes of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). miR‐221 was highly expressed while SIRT1 was poorly expressed in AS. LincRNA‐p21 acted as a sponge for miR‐221. miR‐221 targeted and negatively regulated the expression of SIRT1. LincRNA‐p21 promoted the deacetylation of Pcsk9 by SIRT1 by competitively binding to miR‐221, whereby promoting HAEC proliferation, migration and tube formation. In conclusion, LincRNA‐p21 acted as a molecular sponge for miR‐221 to promote deacetylation of the promoter region of Pcsk9 by SIRT1, therefore preventing the development of AS.

Non-coding RNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs) and their roles in lymphogenesis in all types of lymphomas and lymphoid malignancies

Contemporary developments in molecular biology have been combined with discoveries on the analysis of the role of all non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in human diseases, particularly in cancer, by examining their roles in cells. Currently, included among these common types of cancer, are all the lymphomas and lymphoid malignancies, which represent a diverse group of neoplasms and malignant disorders. Initial data suggest that non-coding RNAs, particularly long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), play key roles in oncogenesis and that lncRNA-mediated biology is an important key pathway to cancer progression. Other non-coding RNAs, termed microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), are very promising cancer molecular biomarkers. They can be detected in tissues, cell lines, biopsy material and all biological fluids, such as blood. With the number of well-characterized cancer-related lncRNAs and miRNAs increasing, the study of the roles of non-coding RNAs in cancer is bringing forth new hypotheses of the biology of cancerous cells. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the present review provides an up-to-date summary of the recent literature referring to all diagnosed ncRNAs that mediate the pathogenesis of all types of lymphomas and lymphoid malignancies.

Long Non-Coding RNAs: Role in Testicular Cancers

In the last few years lncRNAs have gained increasing attention among the scientific community, thanks to the discovery of their implication in many physio-pathological processes. In particular, their contribution to tumor initiation, progression, and response to treatment has attracted the interest of experts in the oncologic field for their potential clinical application. Testicular cancer is one of the tumors in which lncRNAs role is emerging. Said malignancies already have very effective treatments, which although lead to the development of quite serious treatment-related conditions, such as secondary tumors, infertility, and cardiovascular diseases. It is therefore important to study the impact of lncRNAs in the tumorigenesis of testicular cancer in order to learn how to exploit them in a clinical setting and to substitute more toxic treatments. Eventually, the use of lncRNAs as biomarkers, drug targets, or therapeutics for testicular cancer may represent a valid alternative to that of conventional tools, leading to a better management of this malignancy and its related conditions, and possibly even to the treatment of poor prognosis cases.

Circulating RNA biomarkers in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a systematic review

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histological subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). DLBCL is an aggressive malignancy that displays a great heterogeneity in terms of morphology, genetics and biological behavior. While a sustained complete remission is obtained in the majority of patients with standard immunochemotherapy, patients with refractory of relapsed disease after first-line treatment have a poor prognosis. This patient group represents an important unmet need in lymphoma treatment. In recent years, improved understanding of the underlying molecular pathogenesis had led to new classification and prognostication tools, including the development of cell-free biomarkers in liquid biopsies. Although the majority of studies have focused on the use of cell-free fragments of DNA (cfDNA), there has been an increased interest in circulating-free coding and non-coding RNA, including messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA), as well as RNA encapsulated in extracellular vesicles or tumor-educated platelets (TEPs). We performed a systematic search in PubMed to identify articles that evaluated circulating RNA as diagnostic, subtype, treatment response or prognostic biomarkers in a human DLBCL population. A total of 35 articles met the inclusion criteria. The aim of this systematic review is to present the current understanding of circulating RNA molecules as biomarker in DLBCL and to discuss their future potential.

Circulating long non-coding RNAs HOTAIR, Linc-p21, GAS5 and XIST expression profiles in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: association with R-CHOP responsiveness

The reliable identification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-specific targets owns huge implications for its diagnosis and treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in DLBCL pathogenesis; however, circulating DLBCL-related lncRNAs are barely investigated. We investigated plasma lncRNAs; HOTAIR, Linc-p21, GAS5 and XIST as biomarkers for DLBCL diagnosis and responsiveness to R-CHOP therapy. Eighty-four DLBCL patients and thirty-three healthy controls were included. Only plasma HOTAIR, XIST and GAS5 were differentially expressed in DLBCL patients compared to controls. Pretreatment plasma HOTAIR was higher, whereas GAS5 was lower in non-responders than responders to R-CHOP. Plasma GAS5 demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.97) whereas a panel of HOTAIR + GAS5 superiorly discriminated responders from non-responders by ROC analysis. In multivariate analysis, HOTAIR was an independent predictor of non-response. Among patients, plasma HOTAIR, Linc-p21 and XIST were correlated. Plasma GAS5 negatively correlated with International Prognostic Index, whereas HOTAIR positively correlated with performance status, denoting their prognostic potential. We constructed the lncRNAs-related protein-protein interaction networks linked to drug response via bioinformatics analysis. In conclusion, we introduce plasma HOTAIR, GAS5 and XIST as potential non-invasive diagnostic tools for DLBCL, and pretreatment HOTAIR and GAS5 as candidates for evaluating therapy response, with HOTAIR as a predictor of R-CHOP failure. We provide novel surrogates for future predictive studies in personalized medicine.

The Functions and Unique Features of LncRNAs in Cancer Development and Tumorigenesis

Over the past decades, research on cancer biology has focused on the involvement of protein-coding genes in cancer development. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that lack protein-coding potential, are an important class of RNA molecules that are involved in a variety of biological functions. Although the functions of a majority of lncRNAs have yet to be clarified, some lncRNAs have been shown to be associated with human diseases such as cancer. LncRNAs have been shown to contribute to many important cancer phenotypes through their interactions with other cellular macromolecules including DNA, protein and RNA. Here we describe the literature regarding the biogenesis and features of lncRNAs. We also present an overview of the current knowledge regarding the roles of lncRNAs in cancer from the view of various aspects of cellular homeostasis, including proliferation, survival, migration and genomic stability. Furthermore, we discuss the methodologies used to identify the function of lncRNAs in cancer development and tumorigenesis. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involving lncRNA functions in cancer is critical for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against tumorigenesis.

Non-Coding RNAs in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma worldwide. The molecular mechanisms underlying DLBCL have not been fully elucidated, and approximately 40% of patients who undergo standard chemoimmunotherapy still present with primary refractory disease or relapse. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), a group of biomolecules functioning at the RNA level, are increasingly recognized as vital components of molecular biology. With the development of RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology, accumulating evidence shows that ncRNAs are important mediators of diverse biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. They are also considered promising biomarkers and better candidates than proteins and genes for the early recognition of disease onset, as they are associated with relative stability, specificity, and reproducibility. In this review, we provide the first comprehensive description of the current knowledge regarding three groups of ncRNAs-microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)-focusing on their characteristics, molecular functions, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic potential in DLBCL. This review provides an exhaustive account for researchers to explore novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of DLBCL and therapeutic targets.

The Role of Noncoding RNAs in B-Cell Lymphoma

In recent years, emerging evidence has suggested that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) participate in nearly every aspect of biological processes and play a crucial role in the genesis and progression of numerous tumors, including B-cell lymphoma. The exploration of ncRNA dysregulations and their functions in B-cell lymphoma provides new insights into lymphoma pathogenesis and is essential for indicating future clinical trials and optimizing the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the role of ncRNAs in B-cell lymphoma and discuss their potential in clinical applications.

LincRNA-p21 Levels Relates to Survival and Post-Operative Radiotherapy Benefit in Rectal Cancer Patients

LincRNA-p21 is a long non-coding RNA involved in the p53 pathway and angiogenesis regulation that acts as prognostic marker in several tumors. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the clinical value of lincRNA-p21 in 177 resected stage I–III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Tumor and normal paired tissue and plasma samples from tumor-draining mesenteric veins and paired peripheral veins were analyzed. LincRNA-p21 expression was determined by RTqPCR and correlated with disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). LincRNA-p21 was downregulated in tumor versus normal tissue (p = 0.0012). CRC patients with high lincRNA-p21 expression had shorter DFS (p = 0.0372) and shorter OS (p = 0.0465). Of note, the major prognostic impact was observed in the subset of rectal cancer patients where patients with high lincRNA-p21 levels had worse DFS (p = 0.0226) and OS (p = 0.0457). Interestingly, rectal cancer patients with high lincRNA-p21 benefited from post-operative chemoradiotherapy, as indicated by a longer OS in the group of high lincRNA-p21 patients receiving post-operative chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.04). Finally, patients with high lincRNA-p21 levels in mesenteric vein (MV) had shorter OS (p = 0.0329). LincRNA-p21 is a marker of advanced disease and worse outcome in CRC. Moreover, rectal cancer patients with high lincRNA-p21 levels could benefit from post-operative chemoradiotherapy, and plasmatic-lincRNA-p21 is a promising liquid biopsy biomarker.

Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer: Current Research and Future Prospects

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide, despite progress made in detection and management through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Novel therapeutic agents have improved survival in both the adjuvant and advanced disease settings, albeit with an increased risk of toxicity and cost. However, metastatic disease continues to have a poor long-term prognosis and significant challenges remain due to late stage diagnosis and treatment failure. Biomarkers are a key tool in early detection, prognostication, survival, and predicting treatment response. The past three decades have seen advances in genomics and molecular pathology of cancer biomarkers, allowing for greater individualization of therapy with a positive impact on survival outcomes. Clinically useful predictive biomarkers aid clinical decision making, such as the presence of KRAS gene mutations predicting benefit from epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibiting antibodies. However, few biomarkers have been translated into clinical practice highlighting the need for further investigation. We review a range of protein, DNA and RNA-based biomarkers under investigation for diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic properties for CRC. In particular, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), have been investigated as biomarkers in a range of cancers including colorectal cancer. Specifically, we evaluate the potential role of lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1), an oncogene, as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarker in colorectal cancer.

An update on long intergenic noncoding RNA p21: a regulatory molecule with various significant functions in cancer

Long intergenic noncoding RNA p21 was mapped on the human chromosome 6p21.2. Accordingly, it was firstly described by promoting the p53-dependent apoptosis in the mouse. Also, it is a new lncRNA playing some vital roles in the cell cycle, apoptosis, cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. In this regard, it was shown that, lincRNA-p21 regulates these biological processes involved in carcinogenesis through various signaling pathways including Notch signaling, JAK2/STAT3, and AKT/mTOR pathways. Another mechanism by that lincRNA-p21 can affect these processes is a cross-talk with different miRNAs. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed dysregulation of lincRNA-p21 in various human cancers. In addition, emerging evidence demonstrated that, lincRNA-p21 can be considered as a potential prognostic and therapeutic biomarker in cancers. Also, lincRNA-p21 enhances the response to radiotherapy for colorectal cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of lincRNA-p21 in carcinogenesis have not been fully elucidated so far. So, this review summarizes the function of lincRNA-p21, as a tumor suppressor factor in different biological processes implicated in cancers.

Long Noncoding RNAs in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Current Advances and Perspectives

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a complex and aggressive malignancy originating from B lymphocytes and characterized by extensive clinical, phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity. Although research conducted over the past decades has substantially improved our understanding of DLBCL, its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. The development of RNA sequencing technology has allowed the identification of numerous long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that exhibit aberrant expression in DLBCL. These lncRNAs play crucial roles in DLBCL development and pathogenesis and are thus good candidates for use as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets. In this review, we describe the lncRNAs associated with DLBCL, summarize their characteristics and molecular functions, and discuss their relationships with clinical practice.

Noncoding RNAs in cancer immunity: functions, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical application

It is well acknowledged that immune system is deeply involved in cancer initiation and progression, and can exert both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic effects, depending on specific microenvironment. With the better understanding of cancer-associated immune cells, especially T cells, immunotherapy was developed and applied in multiple cancers and exhibits remarkable efficacy. However, currently only a subset of patients have responses to immunotherapy, suggesting that a boarder view of cancer immunity is required. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), mainly including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), are identified as critical regulators in both cancer cells and immune cells, thus show great potential to serve as new therapeutic targets to improve the response of immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the functions and regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs in cancer immunity, and highlight the potential of ncRNAs as novel targets for immunotherapy.

Role of long non-coding RNAs in lymphoma: A systematic review and clinical perspectives

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are over 200 nucleotides in length, and they rarely act as templates for protein synthesis. Mounting studies have shown that lncRNAs play a crucial regulatory role in various processes that sustain life, such as epigenetic regulation, cell cycle control, splicing, and post-transcriptional regulation. LncRNAs were aberrantly expressed in most hematological malignancies including lymphoma, participating in tumor suppression or promoting oncogenesis and modulating key genes in different pathways. The specific expression patterns of lncRNAs in lymphoma make them good candidates to be used as diagnostic biomarkers or as therapeutic targets. LncRNAs can be targeted by multiple approaches including nucleic acid therapeutics, CRISPR/Cas genome editing techniques, small molecule inhibitors, and gene therapy. Efforts are made to develop therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting lncRNAs, but there are still some avenues to be covered before they can be applied to the clinical treatment of lymphoma.

p53-targeted lincRNA-p21 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Long intergenic noncoding RNA p21 (lincRNA-p21) is considered a target of wild-type p53, but little is known about its regulation by mutant p53 and its functions during the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

RNAscope was used to detect the expression and distribution of lincRNA-p21. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed to analyze the transcriptional regulation of lincRNA-p21 in HNSCC cells. The biological functions of lincRNA-p21 were investigated in vitro and in vivo. RNA immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays were used to detect the direct binding of lincRNA-p21.

Results

Lower lincRNA-p21 expression was observed in HNSCC tissues and indicated worse prognosis. Both wild and mutant type p53 transcriptionally regulated lincRNA-p21, but nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha (NF-YA) was essential for mutant p53 in the regulation of lincRNA-p21. Ectopic expression of lincRNA-p21 significantly inhibited cell proliferation capacity in vitro and in vivo and vice versa. Moreover, the overexpression of lincRNA-p21 induced G1 arrest and apoptosis. Knockdown NF-YA expression reversed tumor suppressor activation of lincRNA-p21 in mutant p53 cells, not wild-type p53 cells. A negative correlation was observed between lincRNA-p21 and the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) in HNSCC tissues. High lincRNA-p21 expression inhibited Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT3 signal activation and vice versa. Further, we observed direct binding to STAT3 by lincRNA-p21 in HNSCC cells, which suppressed STAT3-induced oncogenic potential.

Conclusions

Our results revealed the transcriptional regulation of lincRNA-p21 by the mutant p53/NF-YA complex in HNSCC. LincRNA-p21 acted as a tumor suppressor in HNSCC progression, which was attributed to direct binding to STAT3 and blocking of JAK2/STAT3 signaling.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12943-019-0993-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Emerging roles of long non-coding RNA in cancer

Since comprehensive analysis of the mammalian genome revealed that the majority of genomic products are transcribed in long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA), increasing attention has been paid to these transcripts. The applied next‐generation sequencing technologies have provided accumulating evidence of dysregulated lncRNA in cancer. The implication of this finding can be seen in many forms and at multiple levels. With impacts ranging from integrating chromatin remodeling complexes to regulating transcription and post‐transcriptional processes, aberrant expression of lncRNA may have repercussions in cell proliferation, tumor progression or metastasis. lncRNA may act as enhancers, scaffolds or decoys by physically interacting with other RNA species or proteins, resulting in a direct impact on cell signaling cascades. Even though their functional classification is well‐established in the context of cancer, clearer characterization in terms of their phenotypic outputs is needed to optimize and identify suitable candidates that enable the development of new therapeutic strategies and the design of novel diagnostic approaches. The present article aims to outline different cancer‐associated lncRNA according to their contribution to tumor suppression or tumor promotion based on their most current functional annotations.

Comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs reveals ceRNA networks in the transformation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the malignancies with a high mortality rate. The molecular mechanisms involved in transformation of DLBCL remain unclear. Therefore, it is critically important to investigate the biological mechanisms of DLBCL. Accumulating evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve key functions in tumorigenesis, cancer progression and metastasis. Compared with follicular lymphoma (FL), a total of 123 upregulated lncRNAs and 192 downregulated lncRNAs in DLBCL were identified. Subsequently, a specific DLBCL-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and a specific FL-associated ceRNA network was constructed. Gene Oncology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that differentially expressed lncRNAs served key functions in regulating signal transduction, transcription, cell adhesion, development and protein amino acid phosphorylation. Furthermore, the molecular functions of PRKCQ antisense RNA 1, HLA complex P5, OIP5 antisense RNA 1, growth arrest specific 5 and taurine upregulated 1 were investigated, and it was revealed that these lncRNAs served important functions in regulating a series of biological processes, including anti-apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA repair, response to oxidative stress and transcription. The present study may provide a potential novel therapeutic and prognostic target for the treatment of DLBCL.

The long non-coding RNA NONHSAG026900 predicts prognosis as a favorable biomarker in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Long non-coding RNAs are known to be involved in cancer progression, but their biological functions and prognostic values are still largely unexplored in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In this study, long non-coding RNAs expression was characterized in 1,403 samples including normal and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by repurposing 7 microarray datasets. Compared with any stage of normal B cells, NONHSAG026900 expression was significantly decreased in tumor samples. And in germinal center B-cell subtype, the significantly higher expression of NONHSAG026900 indicated it was a favorable prognosis biomarker. Then the prognostic power of NONHSAG026900 was validated with another independent dataset and NONHSAG026900 improved the predictive power of International Prognostic Index as an independent factor. Moreover, functional prediction and validation demonstrated that NONHSAG026900 could inhibit cell cycle activity to restrain tumor proliferation. These findings identified NONHSAG026900 as a novel prognostic biomarker and offered a new therapeutic target for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients.

Long non-coding RNAs in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a disabling autoimmune disease, is associated with altered gene expression in circulating immune cells and synovial tissues. Accumulating evidence has suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which modulate gene expression through multiple mechanisms, are important molecules involved in immune and inflammatory pathways. Importantly, many studies have reported that lncRNAs can be utilized as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognostication. Recently, dysregulation of lncRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases has been revealed. Experimental studies also confirmed their crosstalk with matrix metalloproteinases, nuclear factor-κB signalling and T-cell response pertinent to autoimmunity and inflammation. Circulating lncRNAs, such as HOTAIR, differentiated patients with rheumatoid arthritis from healthy subjects. Taken together, lncRNAs are good candidates as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis. Further investigation on in vivo delivery of these regulatory molecules and large-cohort validation of their clinical applicability may be useful.

LncRNA EGOT Promotes Tumorigenesis Via Hedgehog Pathway in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the mostly terminal malignancies with poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNA EGOT (EGOT) acts as a crucial regulator in the breast cancer. However, the function of EGOT in GC remains unknown. This work was to explore the clinical value and biological significance of EGOT in GC. EGOT levels in GC tissue and cell were analyzed by qRT-PCR. After knockdown of EGOT, GC cell growth and cycle progression were detected. The expression of EGOT was observably elevated in GC. Upregulation of EGOT was related with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage. In addition, knockdown of EGOT by siRNA could significantly inhibit GC cell proliferation and arrest cycle progression in G1 phase. Moreover, EGOT mediated cyclin D1 expression in GC cells which was regulated by Hedgehog pathway. Further, loss of EGOT downregulated Hedgehog signaling pathway in GC cells. EGOT functions as an oncogene in GC, and may be useful as a conceivable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for GC tumorigenesis.

Predictive analysis of long non-coding RNA expression profiles in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in many tumors. To find novel targets for study of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), our team performed genome-wide analyses of lncRNA expression in 5 DLBCL cell lines using the 4*180K Agilent lncRNA Chip system, and in normal B cells. Five lncRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were identified via false discovery rate and fold-change filtering. Potential targets correlated with DLBCL were recognized via gene ontology and pathway analysis. Establishment of the co-expression network was done using Cytoscape. In total, 1053 lncRNAs and 4391 mRNAs were dysregulated in DLBCL cells, being comparing with normal B cells. The results suggested that the expressions of the 5 lncRNAs were consistent with the chip results. Several terms including the cell cycle, apoptosis, B cell receptor and NF-κB signaling pathways were important in the progression of DLBCL. The chromosome locations of a few lncRNAs and the associated coexpressed genes were demonstrated by cis-regulatory gene analyses. The results of trans-analyses showed that multiple transcription factors regulated lncRNA and gene expression. Those outstanding lncRNAs in each group were implicated in the regulation of the TF-lncRNA-target gene network. Our study identified a set of lncRNAs differentially expressed in DLBCL cells.

Long noncoding RNA identification in lymphoma

It has been found that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) are abnormally expressed in lymphoma and play an important role in its pathogenesis. Through the detection and analysis of lncRNA, it was found that lncRNA could be used as an excellent biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. In lymphoma, abnormal lncRNA expression is associated with the patient's clinical characteristics, it can be used to determine the prognosis of the patient and serve as a therapeutic target in the disease.

Emerging roles for long noncoding RNAs in B-cell development and malignancy

Long noncoding (lnc)RNAs have emerged as essential mediators of cellular biology, differentiation and malignant transformation. LncRNAs have a broad range of possible functions at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and protein level and their aberrant expression significantly contributes to the hallmarks of cancer cell biology. In addition, their high tissue- and cell-type specificity makes lncRNAs especially interesting as biomarkers, prognostic factors or specific therapeutic targets. Here, we review current knowledge on lncRNA expression changes during normal B-cell development, indicating essential functions in the differentiation process. In addition we address lncRNA deregulation in B-cell malignancies, the putative prognostic value of this as well as the molecular functions of multiple deregulated lncRNAs. Altogether, the discussed work indicates major roles for lncRNAs in normal and malignant B cells affecting oncogenic pathways as well as the response to common therapeutics.

Identification of key lncRNAs in colorectal cancer progression based on associated protein-protein interaction analysis

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) was one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies. The molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of CRC remain unclear. Accumulating evidences showed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) played key roles in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and metastasis. Therefore, we aimed to explore the roles of lncRNAs in the progression of CRC.

METHODS

In this study, we aimed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in CRC by analyzing a cohort of previously published datasets: GSE64857. GO and KEGG pathway analyses were applied to give us insight in the functions of those lncRNAs and mRNAs in CRC.

RESULTS

Totally, 46 lncRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between stage II and stage III CRC for the first time screening by microarray. GO and KEGG pathway analyses showed that differentially expressed lncRNAs were involved in regulating signal transduction, cell adhesion, cell differentiation, focal adhesion, and cell adhesion molecules.

CONCLUSIONS

We found three lncRNAs (LOC100129973, PGM5-AS1, and TTTY10) widely co-expressed with differentially expressed mRNAs. We also constructed lncRNA-associated PPI in CRC and found that these lncRNAs may be associated with CRC progression. Moreover, we found that high PGM5-AS1 expression levels were associated with worse overall survival in CRC cancer. We believe that this study would provide novel potential therapeutic and prognostic targets for CRC.

Discovery and validation of the tumor-suppressive function of long noncoding RNA PANDA in human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through the inactivation of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, and responds badly to existing treatment. Thus, it is of urgent need to identify novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets of DLBCL. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the development of cancer. By using the next generation HiSeq sequencing assay, we determined lncRNAs exhibiting differential expression between DLBCL patients and healthy controls. Then, RT-qPCR was performed for identification in clinical samples and cell materials, and lncRNA PANDA was verified to be down-regulated in DLBCL patients and have considerable diagnostic potential. In addition, decreased serum PANDA level was correlated to poorer clinical outcome and lower overall survival in DLBCL patients. Subsequently, we determined the experimental role of lncRNA PANDA in DLBCL progression. Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay suggested that lncRNA PANDA was induced by p53 and p53 interacts with the promoter region of PANDA. Cell functional assay further indicated that PANDA functioned as a tumor suppressor gene through the suppression of cell growth by a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in DLBCL. More importantly, Cignal Signal Transduction Reporter Array and western blot assay showed that lncRNA PANDA inactivated the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, our integrated approach demonstrates that PANDA in DLBCL confers a tumor suppressive function through inhibiting cell proliferation and silencing MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Thus, PANDA may be a promising therapeutic target for patients with DLBCL.

Serum lincRNA-p21 as a potential biomarker of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients

Serum long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as promising biomarkers for various human diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using serum long intergenic non-coding RNA-p21 (lincRNA-p21) as a biomarker for chronic hepatitis B patients. Serum lincRNA-p21 levels were quantified using real-time PCR in 417 CHB patients and 363 healthy controls. The promoter methylation level of lincRNA-p21 was detected using bisulphite-sequencing analysis in primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Sera from hepatitis B-infected patients contained lower levels of lincRNA-p21 than sera from healthy controls. Serum lincRNA-p21 levels negatively correlated with stages of liver fibrosis in infected patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses suggested that serum lincRNA-p21 had a significant diagnostic value for liver fibrosis in these patients. It yielded an area under the curve of ROC of 0.854 with 100% sensitivity and 70% specificity in discriminating liver fibrosis from healthy controls. There was additionally a negative correlation between serum lincRNA-p21 level and the markers of liver fibrosis including α-SMA and Col1A1. However, there was no correlation of serum lincRNA-p21 level with the markers of viral replication, liver inflammatory activity, and liver function. Notably, during primary HSCs culture, loss of lincRNA-p21 expression was associated with promoter methylation. Serum lincRNA-p21 could serve as a potential biomarker of liver fibrosis in CHB patients. Down-regulation of lincRNA-p21 in liver fibrosis may be associated with promoter methylation.

Long non-coding RNAs in B-cell malignancies: a comprehensive overview

B-cell malignancies constitute a large part of hematological neoplasias. They represent a heterogeneous group of diseases, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), some leukemias and myelomas. B-cell malignancies reflect defined stages of normal B-cell differentiation and this represents the major basis for their classification. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-protein-coding transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides, for which many recent studies have demonstrated a function in regulating gene expression, cell biology and carcinogenesis. Deregulated expression levels of lncRNAs have been observed in various types of cancers including hematological malignancies. The involvement of lncRNAs in cancer initiation and progression and their attractive features both as biomarker and for therapeutic research are becoming increasingly evident. In this review, we summarize the recent literature to highlight the status of the knowledge of lncRNAs role in normal B-cell development and in the pathogenesis of B-cell tumors.

Prognostic factors in children with PRES and hematologic diseases

OBJECTIVES

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical and radiological entity characterized by focal neurological signs, headache, confusion, and seizure, associated with transitory lesions in the posterior areas of the brain detectable with neuroimaging. Among children, one of the most common causes of PRES is cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this review, we present the cases of 5 children developing PRES after stem cell transplantation for hematological disease and review all the cases reported in English literature to investigate outcomes and associated risk factors.

RESULTS

One hundred and eleven cases were reported. Hypertension was very frequent (80%). Clinical features included seizures (80.1%), headache (44.1%), visual disturbance (26.1%), and mental change (48.6%). EEG was abnormal in 27 of 32 patients. MRI revealed characteristic lesions in all patients even in early stages. Abnormal MRI findings in late stages were associated with neurological sequelae. Nineteen patients died (17.1%) of which 2 of PRES. Among alive patients, 17 had neurological sequelae. Four cases of PRES relapse were described.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, all transplant recipients with symptoms consistent with PRES should be promptly recognized to avoid long-term complications or even death.