LncRNA TUG1 Promoted Stabilization of BAG5 by Binding DDX3X to Exacerbate Ketamine-Induced Neurotoxicity

Chronic exposure to (2 R,6 R)-hydroxynorketamine induces developmental neurotoxicity in hESC-derived cerebral organoids

(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) has been increasingly used recreationally and medicinally worldwide; however, it cannot be removed by conventional wastewater treatment plants. Both ketamine and its metabolite norketamine have been frequently detected to a significant degree in effluents, aquatic, and even atmospheric environments, which may pose risks to organisms and humans via drinking water and aerosols. Ketamine has been shown to affect the brain development of unborn babies, while it is still elusive whether (2 R,6 R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) induces similar neurotoxicity. Here, we investigated the neurotoxic effect of (2 R,6 R)-HNK exposure at the early stages of gestation by applying human cerebral organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Short-term (2 R,6 R)-HNK exposure did not significantly affect the development of cerebral organoids, but chronic high-concentration (2 R,6 R)-HNK exposure at day 16 inhibited the expansion of organoids by suppressing the proliferation and augmentation of neural precursor cells (NPCs). Notably, the division mode of apical radial glia was unexpectedly switched from vertical to horizontal division planes following chronic (2 R,6 R)-HNK exposure in cerebral organoids. Chronic (2 R,6 R)-HNK exposure at day 44 mainly inhibited the differentiation but not the proliferation of NPCs. Overall, our findings indicate that (2 R,6 R)-HNK administration leads to the abnormal development of cortical organoids, which may be mediated by inhibiting HDAC2. Future clinical studies are needed to explore the neurotoxic effects of (2 R,6 R)-HNK on the early development of the human brain.

LINC02323 facilitates development of lung squamous cell carcinoma by miRNA sponge and RBP dysregulation and links to poor prognosis

BACKGROUND

The poor outcome of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) highlights the importance of the identification of novel effective prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have generally been considered to serve important roles in tumorigenesis and the development of various types of cancer, including LUSC.

METHODS

Here, we aimed to investigate the role of LINC02323 in LUSC and its potential mechanisms by performing comprehensive bioinformatic analyses.

RESULTS

LINC02323 was elevated and positively associated with unfavorable prognosis of LUSC patients. LINC02323 exerted oncogenic function by competitively binding to miR-1343-3p and miR-6783-3p, thereby upregulating L1CAM expression. Indeed, we also determined that LINC02323 could interact with the RNA-binding protein DDX3X, which regulates various stages of RNA expression and processing.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, we identified that LINC02323 and its indirect target L1CAM can act as novel biomarkers for determining the prognosis of patients with LUSC and thus deserves further study.