Synthetic Tet-inducible small hairpin RNAs targeting hTERT or Bcl-2 inhibit malignant phenotypes of bladder cancer T24 and 5637 cells

Identification of five long noncoding RNAs signature and risk score for prognosis of bladder urothelial carcinoma

Nowadays, an increasing number of studies illustrated that bladder urothelial cancer (BLCA) may act as the most common subtype of urological malignancies with a high rate of recurrence and metastasis. In this study, we attempted to establish a prognostic model and identify the possible pathway crosstalk. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNA expression and corresponding clinical information of patients with BLCA were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The differentially expressed genes analysis, univariate Cox analysis, the least absolute shrinkage, and selection operator Cox (LASSO Cox) regression model were then applied to identify five crucial lncRNAs (AC092725.1, AC104071.1, AL023584.1, AL132642.1, and AL137804.1). The multivariate cox analysis was utilized to calculate the regression coefficients (β_i ). The risk-score model was subsequently constructed as follows: (0.13541AC092725.1) + (0.20968AC104071.1) + (0.1525AL023584.1) - (0.14768AL132642.1) + (0.14387AL137804.1). Nomogram and assessment of overall survival (OS) prediction were verificated by the receiver operating characteristic curve in the testing group. As to 3-, 5-year OS prediction, the area under curve (AUC) for the nomogram of training data set was 0.83 and 0.86. Besides, the AUC (0.883 and 0.879) presented excellent predictive power in the testing group. In addition, the calibration plots validated the predictive performance of the nomogram. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) coupled with functional enrichment analysis contributed to explore the potential pathways, including PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, and Jak-STAT signaling pathways. Construction of the risk-score model and data analysis were both derived from multiple packages on the basis of the R platform chiefly.

Long non-coding RNA FLJ22763 is involved in the progression and prognosis of gastric cancer

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in carcinogenesis. It is necessary to uncover the detailed pattern of comprehensive lncRNA expression in the genome during the development of gastric cancer (GC). We implemented lncRNA microarray analysis in 5 paired GC tissues to detect the lncRNA expression profile. Moreover, we set out to explore the biological function, clinical application and molecular basis of the aberrant lncRNA in GC. In addition, we used the high-throughput microarray to identify the target gene of the aberrant lncRNA. We found that FLJ22763, a novel lncRNA, had significantly lower expression in GC tissues. Decreased expression of FLJ22763 was positively correlated with a lower-level histological grade and the depth of invasion. The ectopic expression of lncRNA FLJ22763 significantly suppressed the biological malignant behavior of GC cells and inhibited xenograft tumor growth (both P < 0.001). Notably, FLJ22763 displayed a considerable predictive effect in the prognosis of GC (log-rank, P = 0.003). Furthermore, we found that FLJ22763 was negatively associated with ACLY, regulating the mRNA and protein levels of ACLY. Our findings suggested that FLJ22763 may act as a suppressor gene to regulate the expression of ACLY, and its down-expression may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with GC.

Emerging immunotherapeutic strategies targeting telomerases in genitourinary tumors

Telomerase activity and telomere length are essential for the pathogenesis of several human diseases, including genitourinary tumors. Telomerase constitutes a complex system that includes human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), human telomerase RNA component (hTR) and telomerase associated protein 1 (TEP1), which are overexpressed in tumor cells compared to normal cells and are involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), bladder (BC) and prostate cancer (PCa). In addition, telomerase degraded peptide fragments expressed on the surface of tumor cells lead to their recognition by immune cells. On this scenario, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown effective anti-tumor activity of hTERT-tailored strategies in genitourinary tumors, including active immunotherapy with hTERT-peptide vaccines and passive immunotherapy with hTERT-transduced T cell infusion. This review emphasizes the role of telomerase in the carcinogenesis and progression of genitourinary tumors, thus underlying the potential of emerging telomerase-tailored immunotherapies in these patients.

LncRNAs in DNA damage response and repair in cancer cells

In order to maintain integrity of the genome, eukaryotic cells develop a complex DNA damage/repair response network, which can induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, or DNA repair. Chemo- and radiation therapies, which act primarily through the induction of DNA damage, are the most commonly used therapies for cancer. Impairment in the DNA damage response and repair system that protect cells from persistent DNA damage can affect the therapeutic efficacy of cancer. To date, accumulating evidence has suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of the DNA damage/repair network. LncRNAs have been demonstrated to be master regulators of the genome at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and play a key role in many physiological and pathological processes of cells. In this review, we will discuss the function of lncRNAs in regulating the cellular response to DNA damage.

Increased expression of ZEB1-AS1 correlates with higher histopathological grade and promotes tumorigenesis in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is one of the most common urinary cancers worldwide. Emerging studies indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in cancer biology. In this study, we found that a novel lncRNA Zinc finger E-box-binding homeebox1 (ZEB1) antisense RNA (ZEB1-AS1) was overexpressed in bladder cancer tissues compared to paired noncancerous tissues. Moreover, the expression of ZEB1-AS1 was positive correlated with higher histological grade and TNM stage in bladder cancer. Furthermore, Loss-of-function experiments showed that down-regulation of ZEB1-AS1 not only can suppress cell growth but also can inhibit migration and induce apoptosis in bladder cancer cell lines 5637 and SW780. In conclusion, these findings indicated that ZEB1-AS1 plays regulatory roles in bladder cancer and it may become a novel molecular biomarker of prognosis and therapy in bladder cancer.

Photoactivatable RNAi for cancer gene therapy triggered by near-infrared-irradiated single-walled carbon nanotubes

The efficacy of RNA interference (RNAi)-based cancer gene therapy is limited by its unexpected side effects, thus necessitating a strategy to precisely trigger conditional gene knockdown. In this study, we engineered a novel photoactivatable RNAi system, named as polyetherimide-modified single-wall carbon nanotube (PEI-SWNT)/pHSP-shT, that enables optogenetic control of targeted gene suppression in tumor cells. PEI-SWNT/pHSP-shT comprises a stimulus-responsive nanocarrier (PEI-SWNT), and an Hsp70B′-promoter-driven RNAi vector (pHSP-shT). In response to near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, heating of PEI-SWNT in breast MCF-7 cells triggered gene knockdown targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase through RNAi, with the gene-knockdown activity capable of being switched off by extinguishing the NIR. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the photoactivatable RNAi system exhibited higher antitumor activity by combining gene therapy and photothermal therapy, both in vitro and in vivo. Optogenetic control of RNAi based on an NIR-activated nanocarrier will potentially facilitate improved understanding of molecular-targeted gene therapy in human malignant tumors.

Recent development on synthetic biological devices treating bladder cancer

Synthetic biology is an emerging field focusing on engineering genetic devices and biomolecular systems for a variety of applications from basic biology to biotechnology and medicine. Thanks to the tremendous advances in genomics and the chemical synthesis of DNA in the past decade, scientists are now able to engineer genetic devices and circuits for cancer research and intervention, which offer promising therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. In this article, we provide a systemic review on recent development achieved by the synthetic biologists, oncologists and clinicians of one National "973" Plan. We expand the synthetic biology toolkits involving DNA, RNA and protein bio-parts to explore various issues in cancer research, such as elucidation of mechanisms and pathways, creation of new diagnostic tools and invention of novel therapeutic approaches. We claimed that the Chinese synthetic biologists are promoting the basic research productions of tumor synthetic biology into the clinic.

Up-regulation of long non-coding RNA PANDAR is associated with poor prognosis and promotes tumorigenesis in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as biomarkers and important regulators of tumor development and progression. PANDAR (promoter of CDKN1A antisense DNA damage activated RNA) is a novel long non-coding RNA that acts as a potential biomarker and involves in development of multiple cancers. However, the clinical significance and molecular mechanism of PANDAR in bladder cancer is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to figure out the role of PANDAR in bladder cancer.

METHODS

The relative expression level of lncRNA PANDAR was determined by Real-Time qPCR in a total of 55 patients with urothelial bladder cancer and in different bladder cancer cell lines. We inhibited PANDAR expression by transfecting PANDAR specific siRNA and enhanced PANDAR expression by transfecting a PANDAR expression vector (pcDNA3.1-PANDAR). Cell proliferation was determined by using both CCK-8 assay and Edu assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by using ELISA assay, Hoechst 33342 staining and Flow cytometry. Cell migration was determined by using transwell assay. All experimental data from three independent experiments were analyzed by χ2 test or Student's t-test and results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation.

RESULTS

We found that PANDAR was significantly up-regulated in bladder cancer tissues compared with paired-adjacent nontumorous tissues in a cohort of 55 bladder cancer patients. Moreover, increased PANDAR expression was positively correlated with higher histological grade (P < 0.05) and advanced TNM stage (P < 0.05). Further experiments demonstrated that inhibited cell proliferation/migration and induced apoptosis by silencing PANDAR were also observed in bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, over expression of PANDAR in bladder cancer cells promoted the proliferation/migration and suppressed apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that PANDAR plays oncogenic roles in bladder cancer and PANDAR may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target of bladder cancer.

Increased expression of SUMO1P3 predicts poor prognosis and promotes tumor growth and metastasis in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles in diverse biological processes. The pseudogene-expressed lncRNA is one major type of lncRNA family. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) 1 pseudogene 3, (SUMO1P3) is a novel indentified lncRNA that was previously reported to be up-regulated in gastric cancer. However, we know nothing about the biological function and underlying mechanism of SUMO1P3 in tumor. Furthermore, the relationship between SUMO1P3 and bladder cancer is completely unknown. We hypothesized that SUMO1P3 also have roles in bladder cancer.In this study, we found that SUMO1P3 was significantly up-regulated in bladder cancer tissues compared with paired-adjacent nontumorous tissues in a cohort of 55 bladder cancer patients. Moreover, up-regulated SUMO1P3 expression was positively correlated with greater histological grade (P<0.05) and advanced TNM stage (P<0.05). Furthermore, we found cell proliferation / migration inhibition and apoptosis induction were also observed in SUMO1P3 siRNA-transfected bladder cancer cells. Our data suggest that SUMO1P3 plays oncogenic roles in bladder cancer and can be used as a potential prognostic and therapeutic target.