MicroRNA-625-5p Sponges lncRNA MALAT1 to Inhibit Cervical Carcinoma Cell Growth by Suppressing NF-κB Signaling

Serum miRNA Combined With Transvaginal Color Doppler Ultrasound Diagnosis Clinical Research on Cervical Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To explore clinical value of miRNA-18a, miRNA-130a, and miRNA-92a combined with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound (TVCDS) in the diagnosis of cervical cancer (CC).

METHODS

One hundred patients with pathologically confirmed CC (CC group), 100 patients with cervical epithelial neoplasia (disease group), and 100 patients with benign uterine lesions (control group) were selected. TVCDS was performed, and the levels of serum miRNA-18a, miRNA-130a, and miRNA-92a were detected.

RESULTS

The systolic blood velocity of the cancer group, the disease group, and the control group decreased sequentially, while the resistance index and pulsatility index increased sequentially. The serum miR-18a, miR-130a, miR-92a, and expression levels of the patients' increased sequentially. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection, menopause, blood flow RI, serum miRNA-18a, miRNA-92a, and miRNA-130a were the influencing factors of CC. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under curve of transvaginal Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of CC were 86.43%, 88.01%, 84.32%, and 0.913; serum miR-18a were, respectively, 76.56, 81.30, 80.36, and 0.839; serum miR-130a were 77.88%, 76.97%, 78.32%, and 0.0.864; serum miR-92a were 71.04%, 80.39%, 80.74%, and 0.894; 90.33%, 95.14%, 91.25%, and 0.947, the area under curve of the combined detection of the 3 was greater than that of the single detection.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum miRNA combined with TVCDS has the advantages of it being noninvasive, and having high sensitivity and high specificity in the diagnosis of CC.

The involvement of MALAT1-ALKBH5 signaling axis into proliferation and metastasis of human papillomavirus-positive cervical cancer

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), for example, with types 16 and 18, is closely associated with cervical cancer development, which continues to threaten women's health globally. Although HPV oncogenes have been recognized as the main cause of transformation of normal cervical epithelial cells, non-coding RNA could also be involved in the initiation and promotion of cervical cancer development. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a well-documented long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been previously reported to exert roles in HPV-positive cervical cancer; however, the detailed underlying mechanism has yet to be investigated. In the present study, high expression levels of MALAT1 in HPV-Positive Cervical Cancer cells were confirmed, and silencing MALAT1 resulted in decreased rates of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, both in vitro and in a zebrafish xenograft tumor model. Moreover, the results obtained showed that silencing MALAT1 led to down-regulation of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase ALKBH5 via regulating miR-141-3p expression, which caused a decrease in the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 expression, thereby suppressing cell migration and invasion. Taken together, the results obtained have suggested that the MALAT-ALKBH5 signaling axis may be activated in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells, which could contribute to cell proliferation and metastasis through the regulation of key genes, such as MMP2 or MMP9. The findings of the present study should both help to improve our understanding of the underlying tumorigenic mechanisms of HPV-positive cervical cancer and be of further use in the development of potential therapeutic drugs.

CESCProg: a compact prognostic model and nomogram for cervical cancer based on miRNA biomarkers

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma, more commonly cervical cancer, is the fourth common cancer among women worldwide with substantial burden of disease, and less-invasive, reliable and effective methods for its prognosis are necessary today. Micro-RNAs are increasingly recognized as viable alternative biomarkers for direct diagnosis and prognosis of disease conditions, including various cancers. In this work, we addressed the problem of systematically developing an miRNA-based nomogram for the reliable prognosis of cervical cancer. Towards this, we preprocessed public-domain miRNA -omics data from cervical cancer patients, and applied a cascade of filters in the following sequence: (i) differential expression criteria with respect to controls; (ii) significance with univariate survival analysis; (iii) passage through dimensionality reduction algorithms; and (iv) stepwise backward selection with multivariate Cox modeling. This workflow yielded a compact prognostic DEmiR signature of three miRNAs, namely hsa-miR-625-5p, hs-miR-95-3p, and hsa-miR-330-3p, which were used to construct a risk-score model for the classification of cervical cancer patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. The risk-score model was subjected to evaluation on an unseen test dataset, yielding a one-year AUROC of 0.84 and five-year AUROC of 0.71. The model was validated on an out-of-domain, external dataset yielding significantly worse prognosis for high-risk patients. The risk-score was combined with significant features of the clinical profile to establish a predictive prognostic nomogram. Both the miRNA-based risk score model and the integrated nomogram are freely available for academic and not-for-profit use at CESCProg, a web-app (https://apalania.shinyapps.io/cescprog).

Circular RNA circ_0000212 accelerates cervical cancer progression by acting as a miR-625-5p sponge to upregulate PTP4A1

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been shown to play a crucial role in cervical cancer. Here, the aim of this study was to explore the functions and a novel miRNA/mRNA network underlying circ_0000212 in cervical cancer regulation. The expression of circ_000212, miR-625-5p and Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 4A1 (PTP4A1) mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay was conducted to detect the proliferation of cervical cancer cells. Wound healing and transwell assays were employed to assess cell migration and invasion. The angiogenesis abilities of cervical cancer cells were evaluated by tube formation assay. Flow cytometry was performed for analyzing cell apoptosis. The expression of PTP4A1 protein and apoptosis-relative protein were detected via western blot. The dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were employed to clarify the interaction between circ_0000212 or PTP4A1 and miR-625-5p. The impact of circ_0000212 on cervical cancer growth in vivo was detected by xenograft assay. Circ_0000212 and PTP4A1 were highly expressed and miR-625-5p expression level was decreased in cervical cancer. Circ_0000212 silencing suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis while promoting apoptosis. MiR-625-5p was targeted by circ_0000212, and miR-625-5p inhibition reversed the effects of circ_0000212 knockdown. MiR-625-5p directly targeted PTP4A1, and the inhibitory effect of miR-625-5p on the malignant progression of cervical cancer was reversed after PTP4A1 overexpression. In-vivo assays validated that circ_0000212 promoted cervical cancer tumor growth in vivo . circ_0000212 acted as an oncogene in cervical cancer progression, and knockdown of circ_0000212 repressed cervical cancer development by increasing miR-625-5p and decreasing PTP4A1.

The IncRNA SCIRT Promotes the Proliferative, Migratory, and Invasive Properties of Cervical Cancer Cells by Upregulating MMP-2/-9

Objective. The morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer (CC) rank the fourth-most common among cancers in females, seriously threatening women’s health and affecting their quality of life. However, the molecular mechanism of CC development remains poorly understood. This study investigates the role of lncRNA SCIRT in the development of CC. Methods. The expression profile of long noncoding RNA stem cell inhibitory RNA transcript (lncRNA SCIRT) in CC (n = 34), tumor-adjacent tissue, and CC cell culture was determined through fluorescence quantitative PCR. The knockdown /overexpressed lncRNA SCIRT vectors were constructed and transfected into cells, and the effects of knockdown or overexpression of lncRNA SCIRT on the proliferative, invasive, and migratory properties of CC cells were determined through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony forming, and Transwell experiments. Western blot was employed to determine the knockdown/overexpression efficiency of SCIRT and its role on the expression of proteins (e-cadherin, n-cadherin, vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-2) in CC cells. Finally, SCIRT knockdown on the proliferative ability for CC cells was determined through tumorigenic experiment in nude mice. Results. LncRNA SCIRT was highly expressed in CC tissues and cells, and significantly linked with clinical/pathology-based characteristics of patients, including Federation Internationale of Gynecologie and Obstetrigue (FIGO) stage, tumor dimensions, and lymph-node metastasis. SCIRT knockdown markedly reduced CC proliferative, colony forming, and invasive properties, while overexpressing SCIRT promoted the proliferative and invasive properties of CC. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that SCIRT knockdown upregulated e-cadherin and downregulated n-cadherin, vimentin, MMP-9, and MMP-2. Meanwhile, overexpressing SCIRT of lncRNA SCIRT had the opposite effect. Tumorigenic experiment showed that SCIRT knockdown could markedly reduce CC proliferative property the nude mouse. Conclusion. LncRNA SCIRT was highly expressed in CC clinical cases. Knockdown/overexpressing SCIRT affected CC proliferative/invasive properties. Hence, lncRNA SCIRT is a promising drug-target and a new biological diagnostic molecule for CC patients.

Circ_0051079 silencing inhibits the malignant phenotypes of osteosarcoma cells by the TRIM66/Wnt/β-catenin pathway in a miR-625-5p-dependent manner

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Circ_0051079 was significantly increased in OS tissues and cells.

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Circ_0051079 knockdown inhibited OS cell malignant progression.

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Circ_0051079 regulated TRIM66 expression through miR-625-5p.

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Circ_0051079 mediated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by regulating TRIM66.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Long non-coding RNAs in virus-related cancers

Some viral infections lead to tumourigenesis explained by a variety of underlying molecular mechanisms. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have the potential to be added to this list due to their diverse mechanisms in biological functions and disease processes via gene alternation, transcriptional regulation, protein modification, microRNA sponging and interaction with RNA/DNA/proteins. In this review, we summarise the dysregulation and mechanism of lncRNAs in virus-related cancers focussing on Hepatitis B virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Human Papillomavirus. We will also discuss the potential implications of lncRNAs in COVID-19.

Crucial Roles of miR-625 in Human Cancer

Genetic and epigenetic characteristics are core factors of cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level via binding to corresponding mRNAs. Recently, increasing evidence has proven that miRNAs regulate the occurrence and development of human cancer. Here, we mainly review the abnormal expression of miR-625 in a variety of cancers. In summarizing the role and potential molecular mechanisms of miR-625 in various tumors in detail, we reveal that miR-625 is involved in a variety of biological processes, such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and drug resistance. In addition, we discuss the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks and briefly explain the specific mechanisms of competing endogenous RNAs. In conclusion, we reveal the potential value of miR-625 in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis and hope to provide new ideas for the clinical application of miR-625.

The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Female Oriented Cancers

Recent advances in molecular biology have discovered the mysterious role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and targets for advanced cancer therapy. Studies have shown that lncRNAs take part in the incidence and development of cancers in humans. However, previously they were considered as mere RNA noise or transcription byproducts lacking any biological function. In this article, we present a summary of the progress on ascertaining the biological functions of five lncRNAs (HOTAIR, NEAT1, H19, MALAT1, and MEG3) in female-oriented cancers, including breast and gynecological cancers, with the perspective of carcinogenesis, cancer proliferation, and metastasis. We provide the current state of knowledge from the past five years of the literature to discuss the clinical importance of such lncRNAs as therapeutic targets or early diagnostic biomarkers. We reviewed the consequences, either oncogenic or tumor-suppressing features, of their aberrant expression in female-oriented cancers. We tried to explain the established mechanism by which they regulate cancer proliferation and metastasis by competing with miRNAs and other mechanisms involved via regulating genes and signaling pathways. In addition, we revealed the association between stated lncRNAs and chemo-resistance or radio-resistance and their potential clinical applications and future perspectives.

Reflections on the Role of Malat1 in Gynecological Cancer

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have received significant attention over the last few years. Malat1, as one of the most extensively studied ncRNAs, is believed to be not only a potential biomarker for disease diagnosis and prognosis, but also a candidate drug target for gynecological cancers. This potential is supported by a growing body of experimental evidence demonstrating that Malat1 participates in the occurrence, progression, and metastasis of tumors. Research has also shown that Malat1 can influence patient survival by regulating a range of target genes and signaling pathways. However, previous review articles have generally failed to consider the role of Malat1 in gynecological cancer in detail. In the present review, we summarize recent progress in research relating to the clinical relevance of Malat1 and the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of this ncRNA. Besides, we put forward some action points for further research after taking into consideration the sub-location and other essential properties of Malat1, which might enable us to have a better understanding of the potential of this molecule regarding clinical diagnosis and treatment.

miR‑34c‑5p targets Notch1 and suppresses the metastasis and invasion of cervical cancer

Micro (mi)RNAs are crucial participants in the progression of cervical cancer (CC). Growing evidence indicates that miRNA (miR)-34c-5p is a pivotal tumor suppressor in numerous types of cancer and its functions in CC require further investigating. The present study demonstrated that there was a decreased level of miR-34c-5p in CC-associated cell lines compared with healthy control samples. It also demonstrated that miR-34c-5p targeted Notch1 and suppressed CC progression. Dual-Luciferase reporter assays verified the targeted relationship of miR-34c-5p and Notch1. The expression of Notch1 in HeLa cells was markedly reduced following miR-34c-5p overexpression and the proliferation, migration and invasion of HeLa cells were reduced although apoptosis was accelerated. However, overexpression of miR-34c-5p was reversed following the addition of Notch1, which supported the finding of the targeted relationship between miR-34c-5p and Notch1. Flow cytometry demonstrated that miR-34c-5p inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells while accelerating apoptosis. The present study concluded that miR-34c-5p was a tumor suppressor in CC and may be a novel measure for the future treatment of CC.

LncRNA LINC00511 plays an oncogenic role in lung adenocarcinoma by regulating PKM2 expression via sponging miR-625-5p

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) is the most prominent histological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a high rate of mortality and metastasis. Accumulating evidence has shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play malfunctioning roles in the development of human tumors. Hence, this study aimed to determine the biological function of LINC00511 in LAC and to provide a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for it.

METHODS

LINC00511 expression in LAC tissues and cell lines (H1299 and A549) were detected by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to analyze cell proliferative ability. Cell metastasis change was measured using transwell assay. Moreover, we revealed a novel target gene of LINC00511 and elucidated the underlying competitive endogenous RNA regulatory mechanism in LAC cells.

RESULTS

Data from our study demonstrated that LINC00511 expression was increased in LAC tissues and cells in comparison to their corresponding controls. Moreover, overexpression of LINC00511 indicated the poor prognosis of LAC patients. Overexpression of LINC00511 promoted proliferation, invasion and migration capacities of LAC cells. Moreover, LINC00511 promoted LAC progression via serving as a sponge of miR-625-5p and regulating PKM2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that LINC00511 was involved in LAC progression by targeting miR-625-5p/PKM2, indicating that LINC00511/miR-625-5p/PKM2 may function as promising therapeutic targets for LAC.

The Role of Long Noncoding RNAs in Human Papillomavirus-associated Pathogenesis

Infections with high-risk human papillomaviruses cause ~5% of all human cancers. E6 and E7 are the only viral genes that are consistently expressed in cancers, and they are necessary for tumor initiation, progression, and maintenance. E6 and E7 encode small proteins that lack intrinsic enzymatic activities and they function by binding to cellular regulatory molecules, thereby subverting normal cellular homeostasis. Much effort has focused on identifying protein targets of the E6 and E7 proteins, but it has been estimated that ~98% of the human transcriptome does not encode proteins. There is a growing interest in studying noncoding RNAs as biochemical targets and biological mediators of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 oncogenic activities. This review focuses on HPV E6/E7 targeting cellular long noncoding RNAs, a class of biologically versatile molecules that regulate almost every known biological process and how this may contribute to viral oncogenesis.