Sinomenine inhibits breast cancer cell invasion and migration by suppressing NF-κB activation mediated by IL-4/miR-324-5p/CUEDC2 axis

Michael Acceptors as Anti-Cancer Compounds: Coincidence or Causality?

Michael acceptors represent a class of compounds with potential anti-cancer properties. They act by binding to nucleophilic sites in biological molecules, thereby disrupting cancer cell function and inducing cell death. This mode of action, as well as their ability to be modified and targeted, makes them a promising avenue for advancing cancer therapy. We are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying Michael acceptors and their interactions with cancer cells, in particular their ability to interfere with cellular processes and induce apoptosis. The anti-cancer properties of Michael acceptors are not accidental but are due to their chemical structure and reactivity. The electrophilic nature of these compounds allows them to selectively target nucleophilic residues on disease-associated proteins, resulting in significant therapeutic benefits and minimal toxicity in various diseases. This opens up new perspectives for the development of more effective and precise cancer drugs. Nevertheless, further studies are essential to fully understand the impact of our discoveries and translate them into clinical practice.

Bioactivities and Mechanisms of Action of Sinomenine and Its Derivatives: A Comprehensive Review

Sinomenine, an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the roots and stems of Sinomenium acutum, has been extensively studied for its derivatives as bioactive agents. This review concentrates on the research advancements in the biological activities and action mechanisms of sinomenine-related compounds until November 2023. The findings indicate a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects, including antitumor, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and immunosuppressive properties. These compounds are notably effective against breast, lung, liver, and prostate cancers, exhibiting IC50 values of approximately 121.4 nM against PC-3 and DU-145 cells, primarily through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Additionally, they manifest anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects predominantly via the NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2 signaling pathways. Utilized in treating rheumatic arthritis, these alkaloids also play a significant role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, as well as organ protection through the NF-κB, Nrf2, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. This review concludes with perspectives and insights on this topic, highlighting the potential of sinomenine-related compounds in clinical applications and the development of medications derived from natural products.

miRNA-126a plays important role in myoblast and endothelial cell interaction

Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are stem cells and the main players in skeletal muscle reconstruction. Since satellite cells are located near or in direct contact with blood vessels their niche is formed, inter alia, by endothelial cells. The cross-talk between satellite cells and endothelial cells determines quiescence or proliferation of these cells. However, little is known about the role of miRNA in these interactions. In the present study we identified miRNA that were up-regulated in SC-derived myoblasts treated with stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and/or down-regulated in cells in which the expression of CXCR4 or CXCR7, that is, SDF-1 receptors, was silenced. SDF-1 is one of the important regulators of cell migration, mobilization, skeletal muscle regeneration, and angiogenesis. We hypothesized that selected miRNAs affect SC-derived myoblast fate and interactions with endothelial cells. We showed that miR-126a-3p inhibited both, myoblast migration and fusion. Moreover, the levels of Cxcl12, encoding SDF-1 and Ackr3, encoding CXCR7, were reduced by miR-126a-3p mimic. Interestingly, the miR-126a-3p mimic significantly decreased the level of numerous factors involved in myogenesis and the miR-126a-5p mimic increased the level of Vefga. Importantly, the treatment of endothelial cells with medium conditioned by miR-126-5p mimic transfected SC-derived myoblasts promoted tubulogenesis.

Chemistry and biology of ent-morphinan alkaloids

Morphinan alkaloids have attracted constant attention since the isolation of morphine by Sertürner in 1805. However, a group of 45 compounds possessing a complete ent-morphinan backbone can also be found in the literature. These compounds are related to the morphinandienone subgroup and display a substitution pattern which is different from the morphinans. In particular, these alkaloids could be substituted at position C-2 and C-8 either by a hydroxy function or a methoxy moiety. Four groups of ent-morphinan alkaloids can be proposed, the salutaridine, pallidine, cephasugine and erromangine series. Interestingly, the botanical distribution of the ent-morphinans is more widespread than for the morphinans and includes the Annonaceae, Berberidaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fumariaceae, Hernandiaceae, Lauraceae, Menispermaceae, Monimiaceae, Papaveraceae, and Ranunculaceae families. To date, their exact mode of production remains elusive and their interplay with the biosynthetic pathway of other classes of benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, in particular aporphines, should be confirmed. Exploration of the biological and therapeutic potential of these compounds is limited to some areas, namely central nervous system (CNS), inflammation, cancer, malaria and viruses. Further studies should be conducted to identify the cellular/molecular targets in view of promoting these compounds as new scaffolds in medicinal chemistry.

Anticancer plant-derivatives: deciphering their oncopreventive and therapeutic potential in molecular terms

Background

Over the years, phytomedicines have been widely used as natural modalities for the treatment and prevention of various diseases by different ethnic groups across the globe. Although, 25% of drugs in the USA contain at least one plant-derived therapeutic compound, currently there is a paucity of plant-derived active medicinal ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry. Scientific evidence-based translation of plant-derived ethnomedicines for their clinical application is an urgent need. The anticancer and associated properties (antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibition) of various plant extracts and phytochemicals have been elucidated earlier. Several of the plant derivatives are already in use under prophylactic/therapeutic settings against cancer and many are being investigated under different phases of clinical trials.

Main body

The purpose of this study is to systematically comprehend the progress made in the area of prophylactic and therapeutic potential of the anticancerous plant derivatives. Besides, we aim to understand their anticancer potential in terms of specific sub-phenomena, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic and inhibition of EMT, with an insight of the molecules/pathways associated with them. The study also provides details of classes of anticancer compounds, their plant source(s) and the molecular pathway(s) targeted by them. In addition to the antioxidative and antiproliferative potentials of anticancer plant derivatives, this study emphasizes on their EMT-inhibition potential and other ‘anticancer related’ properties. The EMT is highlighted as a phenomenon of choice for targeting cancer due to its role in the induction of metastasis and drug resistance. Different phytochemicals in pre-clinical or clinical trials, with promising chemopreventive/anticancer activities have been enlisted and the plant compounds showing synergistic anticancer activity in combination with the existing drugs have been discussed. The review also unravels the need of carrying out pan-signalome studies for identifying the cardinal pathways modulated by phytomedicine(s), as in many cases, the molecular pathway(s) has/have been randomly studied.

Conclusion

This review systematically compiles the studies regarding the impact of various plant derivatives in different cancers and oncogenic processes, as tested in diverse experimental model systems. Availability of more comprehensive information on anticancer phyto-constituents, their relative abundance in crude drugs, pathways/molecules targeted by phytomedicines, their long-term toxicity data and information regarding their safe use under the combinatorial settings, would open greater avenues of their utilization in future against this dreaded disease.

Graphical Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and biomarkers: A new paradigm in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a sporadic, hereditary, or familial based disease in its origin, caused due to diverse set of mutations in large intestinal epithelial cells. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and deadly disease that accounts for the 4^th worldwide highly variable malignancy. For the early detection of CRC, the most common predictive biomarker found endogenously are KRAS and ctDNA/cfDNA along with SEPT9 methylated DNA. Early detection and screening for CRC are necessary and multiple methods can be employed to screen and perform early diagnosis of CRC. Colonoscopy, an invasive method is most prevalent for diagnosing CRC or confirming the positive result as compared to other screening methods whereas several non-invasive techniques such as molecular analysis of breath, urine, blood, and stool can also be performed for early detection. Interestingly, widely used medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation have reported chemopreventive impact on gastrointestinal malignancies, especially CRC in several epidemiological and preclinical types of research. NSAID acts by inhibiting two cyclooxygenase enzymes, thereby preventing the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) and causing NSAID-induced apoptosis and growth inhibition in CRC cells. This review paper majorly focuses on the diversity of natural and synthetic biomarkers and various techniques for the early detection of CRC. An approach toward current advancement in CRC detection techniques and the role of NSAIDs in CRC chemoprevention has been explored systematically. Several prominent governing mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects of NSAIDs and their synergistic effect with statins for an effective chemopreventive measure have also been discussed in this review paper.

Sinomenine regulates immune cell subsets: Potential neuro-immune intervene for precise treatment of chronic pain

Chronic pain is a disease of long-lasting pain with unpleasant feelings mediated by central and (or) peripheral sensitization, its duration usually lasts more than 3 months or longer than the expected recovery time. The patients with chronic pain are manifested with enhanced sensitivity to noxious and non-noxious stimuli. Due to an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms, patients are commonly insensitive to the treatment of first line analgesic medicine in clinic. Thus, the exploration of non-opioid-dependent analgesia are needed. Recent studies have shown that "sinomenine," the main active ingredient in the natural plant "sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehd. Et Wils," has a powerful inhibitory effect on chronic pain, but its underlying mechanism still needs to be further elucidated. A growing number of studies have shown that various immune cells such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, astrocytes and microglia, accompanied with the relative inflammatory factors and neuropeptides, are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic pain. Notably, the interaction of the immune system and sensory neurons is essential for the development of central and (or) peripheral sensitization, as well as the progression and maintenance of chronic pain. Based on the effects of sinomenine on immune cells and their subsets, this review mainly focused on describing the potential analgesic effects of sinomenine, with rationality of regulating the neuroimmune interaction.

CUEDC2 Drives β-Catenin Nuclear Translocation and Promotes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis

Hyperactivation of Wnt signaling is crucial in tumor formation. Fully elucidating the molecular details of how the cancer-specific Wnt signaling pathway is activated or contributes to tumorigenesis will help in determining future treatment strategies. Here, we aimed to explore the contribution of CUEDC2, a novel CUE-domain-containing protein, to the activation of Wnt signaling and the tumorigenesis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to determine the underlying mechanisms. TNBC patient samples and disease-free survival (DFS) data were used to determine the association between CUEDC2 and TNBC progression. The effects of CUEDC2 on TNBC were examined in TNBC cells in vitro and in subcutaneous xenograft tumors in vivo. Gene knockdown, immunoprecipitation plus liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation, localized surface plasmon resonance, and nuclear translocation analysis were used to uncover the mechanisms of CUEDC2 in regulating Wnt signaling and TNBC development. CUEDC2 is sufficient to maintain the hyperactivation of Wnt signaling required for TNBC tumorigenesis. The contribution of CUEDC2 plays a major role in determining the outcome of oncogenic Wnt signaling both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the CUE domain in CUEDC2 directly bound to the ARM (7–9) domain in β-catenin, promoted β-catenin nuclear translocation and enhanced the expression of β-catenin targeted genes. More importantly, an 11-amino-acid competitive peptide targeting the CUE domain in CUEDC2 blocked the interactions of CUEDC2 and β-catenin and abrogated the malignant phenotype of TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo. We observed that TNBC patients who exhibited higher levels of CUEDC2 showed marked hyperactivation of the Wnt signaling pathway and poor clinical outcomes, highlighting the clinical relevance of our findings. CUEDC2 promotes TNBC tumor growth by enhancing Wnt signaling through directly binding to β-catenin and accelerating its nuclear translocation. Targeting the interactions of CUEDC2 and β-catenin may be a valuable strategy for combating TNBC.

NF-κB as a regulator of cancer metastasis and therapy response: A focus on epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Metastasis of tumor cells is a complex challenge and significantly diminishes the overall survival and prognosis of cancer patients. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-known mechanism responsible for the invasiveness of tumor cells. A number of molecular pathways can regulate the EMT mechanism in cancer cells and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) is one of them. The nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 can induce the transcription of several genes involved in EMT induction. The present review describes NF-κB and EMT interaction in cancer cells and their association in cancer progression. Due to the oncogenic role NF-κB signaling, its activation enhances metastasis of tumor cells via EMT induction. This has been confirmed in various cancers including brain, breast, lung and gastric cancers, among others. The ZEB1/2, transforming growth factor-β, and Slug as inducers of EMT undergo upregulation by NF-κB to promote metastasis of tumor cells. After EMT induction driven by NF-κB, a significant decrease occurs in E-cadherin levels, while N-cadherin and vimentin levels undergo an increase. The noncoding RNAs can potentially also function as upstream mediators and modulate NF-κB/EMT axis in cancers. Moreover, NF-κB/EMT axis is involved in mediating drug resistance in tumor cells. Thus, suppressing NF-κB/EMT axis can also promote the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents.

Sinomenine Inhibits Vasculogenic Mimicry and Migration of Breast Cancer Side Population Cells via Regulating miR-340-5p/SIAH2 Axis

Hypoxia and its induced vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation, which both closely related with stem-like side population (SP) cells, are the main culprits leading to tumor invasion and metastasis. Sinomenine exhibits excellent anticancer activity in breast cancer, but whether and how it affects hypoxia-triggered VM formation in breast cancer SP cells remains unclear. In this study, breast cancer SP cells were sorted from MDA-MB-231 cells and cultured with sinomenine under hypoxic conditions. Sinomenine obviously repressed the migration and VM formation of breast cancer SP cells. Through downregulating SIAH2 and HIF-1α, sinomenine can inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition process of breast cancer SP cells. SIAH2 was identified as a target of miR-340-5p and was downregulated by it, and sinomenine can upregulate miR-340-5p. Hypoxia-induced downregulation of miR-340-5p and activation of SIAH2/HIF-1α pathway can be both counteracted by the sinomenine. Moreover, miR-340-5p inhibition and SIAH2 overexpression can partly counteract the anticancer effects of sinomenine. Taken together, sinomenine inhibits hypoxia-caused VM formation and metastasis of breast cancer SP cells by regulating the miR-340-5p/SIAH2 axis.

Rheumatoid arthritis drug sinomenine induces apoptosis of cervical tumor cells by targeting thioredoxin reductase in vitro and in vivo

Overexpression of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) has been linked to tumorigenesis and phenotypic maintenance of malignant tumors. Thus, targeting TrxR with natural molecules is a promising strategy for developing anticancer drugs. Sinomenine is a naturally occurring alkaloid isolated from Sinomenium acutum. The drug, Zhengqing Fengtongning made from sinomenine, has been universally applied in rheumatoid arthritis treatment in China as well as other Asian countries for decades. Recently, increasing evidence indicates that sinomenine appears to be a promising therapeutic agent against various cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of sinomenine remains unclear. In this study, we identified sinomenine as a kind of new inhibitor for TrxR. Pharmacological inhibition of TrxR by sinomenine results in the decrease of thiols content, increases the levels of reactive oxygen species, and finally facilitates oxidative stress-mediated cancer cell apoptosis. It is vital that knockdown in TrxR1 by shRNA can increase cell sensitivity to sinomenine. Treatment with sinomenine in vivo leads to a decrease in TrxR activity and tumor growth, and an increase in apoptosis. Our findings provide a novel action mechanism related to sinomenine and presents an insight on how to develop sinomenine as a chemotherapeutic agent for cancer therapy.

Circ_0008365 Suppresses Apoptosis, Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Degradation of IL-1β-treated Chondrocytes in Osteoarthritis by Regulating miR-324-5p/BMPR2/NF-κB Signaling Axis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate the biological function and regulatory mechanism of circ_0008365 in OA.

METHODS

OA cell model in vitro was established in chondrocytes by treatment with Interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of circ_0008365, microRNA-324-5p (miR-324-5p) and bone morphogenetic protein type 2 receptor (BMPR2) were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry and caspase3 activity assays. The protein expression was determined via a western blot assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down assays were used to analyze the correlation between targets.

RESULTS

IL-1β level and miR-324-5p expression were increased, while circ_0008365 was downregulated in OA patients. IL-1β treatment-induced cell apoptosis, inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in chondrocytes. Besides, circ_0008365 overexpression partly relieved IL-1β-induced cell damage in chondrocytes. Circ_0008365 could interact with miR-324-5p, and BMPR2 was a downstream target of miR-324-5p. Overexpression of miR-324-5p or BMPR2 knockdown partly overturned the inhibiting effect of circ_0008365 on cell damage in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. In addition, circ_0008365 inactivated NF-κB pathway via regulating miR-324-5p/BMPR2 axis.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0008365 reduced IL-1β-induced cell damage in chondrocytes via inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway and regulating miR-324-5p/BMPR2 axis.Abbreviations OA: osteoarthritis; BMPR2: bone morphogenetic protein type 2 receptor.

Circular RNAs profiles of osteoarthritic synovium

Purposes: To identify the Circular RNAs (circRNAs) expression profile in the synovium of patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) and explore their potential regulatory mechanism. Methods: Transcriptome high-throughput sequencing was used to...

Sinomenine ester derivative inhibits glioblastoma by inducing mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and autophagy by PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK/mTOR pathway

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in the central nervous system is the most lethal advanced glioma and currently there is no effective treatment for it. Studies of sinomenine, an alkaloid from the Chinese medicinal plant, Sinomenium acutum, showed that it had inhibitory effects on several kinds of cancer. Here, we synthesized a sinomenine derivative, sino-wcj-33 (SW33), tested it for antitumor activity on GBM and explored the underlying mechanism. SW33 significantly inhibited proliferation and colony formation of GBM and reduced migration and invasion of U87 and U251 cells. It also arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Differential gene enrichment analysis and pathway validation showed that SW33 exerted anti-GBM effects by regulating PI3K/AKT and AMPK signaling pathways and significantly suppressed tumorigenicity with no obvious adverse effects on the body. SW33 also induced autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK/mTOR pathways. Thus, SW33 appears to be a promising drug for treating GBM effectively and safely.

Repurposing drugs as novel triple negative breast cancer therapeutics

BACKGROUND

Among all the types of breast cancer (BC), triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive form having high metastasis and recurrence rate with limited treatment options. Conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have lots of toxic side effects and also no FDA approved therapies are available till now. Repurposing of old clinically approved drugs towards various targets of TNBC is the new approach with lesser side effects and also leads to successful inexpensive drug development with less time consuming. Medicinal plants containg various phytoconstituents (flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, essential oils, tanins, glycosides, lactones) plays very crucial role in combating various types of diseases and used in drug development process because of having lesser side effects.

OBJECTIVE

The present review focuses in summarization of various categories of repurposed drugs against multitarget of TNBC and also summarizes the phytochemical categories that targets TNBC singly or in combination with synthetic old drugs.

METHODS

Literature information was collected from various databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Medline to understand and clarify the role and mechanism of repurposed synthetic drugs and phytoconstituents aginst TNBC by using keywords like "breast cancer", "repurposed drugs", "TNBC" and "phytoconstituents".

RESULTS

Various repurposed drugs and phytochemicals targeting different signaling pathways that exerts their cytotoxic activities on TNBC cells ultimately leads to apoptosis of cells and also lowers the recurrence rate and stops the metastasis process.

CONCLUSION

Inhibitory effects seen in different levels, which provides information and evidences to researchers towards drug developments process and thus further more investigations and researches need to be taken to get the better therapeutic treatment options against TNBC.

Dihydromyricetin suppresses cell metastasis in human osteosarcoma through SP-1- and NF-κB-modulated urokinase plasminogen activator inhibition

BACKGROUND

Metastasis caused a decline in the 5-years survival rate of osteosarcoma. Therefore, developing new targeted therapeutics for osteosarcoma treatment is imperative. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) has several physiological functions: it counteracts inflammation, oxidation, and antitumor properties. However, the effects of DHM on osteosarcoma and its underlying mechanisms are still not well understood.

PURPOSE

In this study, we investigated the antimetastatic properties of DHM in human osteosarcoma U-2 OS and HOS cells.

METHODS

The effects of DHM (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 μM) on cell viability, migration, and invasion were examined. Western blotting, RT-PCR, and quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) were determined urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression. The expression of transcriptional factor SP-1 and NF-κB was determined by using immunofluorescence assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, and site-directed mutagenesis luciferase reporter.

RESULTS

We observed that DHM suppresses cell migration and invasion in osteosarcoma cell lines. In addition, DHM inhibits metastasis by downregulating urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression. Moreover, real-time polymerase chain reaction and promoter activity assays revealed that DHM decreased uPA expression at transcription levels. Furthermore, the inhibition of uPA expression was associated with the suppression of SP-1 and NF-κB, which bind to the uPA promoter. Regardless of blocking or inducing the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, we verified that the DHM-related suppression of uPA and cell metastasis occurred through the p-ERK pathway.

CONCLUSION

We are the first study to propose that DHM suppresses osteosarcoma metastasis through the ERK pathway and through the suppression of SP-1 and NF-κB to inhibit downstream uPA expression. DHM is a potential therapeutic agent for antimetastatic therapy against osteosarcoma.

MicroRNA-324-5p-CUEDC2 Axis Mediates Gain-of-Function Mutant p53-Driven Cancer Stemness

Regulation of cancer stemness has recently emerged as a new gain-of-function (GOF) property of mutant p53. In this study, we identify miR-324-5p as a critical epigenetic regulator of cancer stemness and demonstrate its role in mediating GOF-mutant p53-driven stemness phenotypes. We report that miR-324-5p is upregulated in human cancer cell lines and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) tumors carrying TP53 GOF mutations. Mechanistically, we show that GOF mutant p53 upregulates miR-324-5p expression via c-Myc, an oncogenic transcription factor in cancer cells. Our experimental results suggest that miR-324-5p-induced CSC phenotypes stem from the downregulation of CUEDC2, a downstream target gene of miR-324-5p. Accordingly, CUEDC2 complementation diminishes elevated CSC marker expression in miR-324-5p-overexpressing cancer cells. We further demonstrate that mutant p53 cancer cells maintain a low level of CUEDC2 that is rescued upon miR-324-5p inhibition. Importantly, we identify CUEDC2 downregulation as a novel characteristic feature of TP53-mutated human cancers. We show that activation of NF-κB due to downregulation of CUEDC2 by miR-324-5p imparts stemness in GOF mutant p53 cancer cells. Finally, we provide evidence that TP53 mutations coupled with high miR-324-5p expression predict poor prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Thus, our study delineates an altered miR-324-5p-CUEDC2-NF-κB pathway as a novel regulator of GOF mutant p53-driven cancer stemness. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings implicate miRNA-324-5p as a novel epigenetic modifier of human cancer stemness.

Two Worlds Colliding: The Interplay Between Natural Compounds and Non-Coding Transcripts in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is a devastating disease and has recently become the leading cause of death in western countries, representing an immense public health burden. When it comes to cancer treatment, chemotherapy is one of the main pillars, especially for advanced stage tumors. Over the years, natural compounds have emerged as one of the most valuable resources for new chemotherapies. It is estimated that more than half of the currently used chemotherapeutic agents are derived from natural compounds. Usually, natural compounds are discovered empirically and an important limitation of introducing new anti-cancer natural products is lack of knowledge with regard to their mechanism of action. Recent data has proven that several natural compounds may function via modulating the expression and function of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). NcRNAs are a heterogenous class of RNA molecules which are usually not translated into proteins but have an important role in gene expression regulation and are involved in multiple tumorigenic processes, including response/resistance to pharmacotherapy. In this review, we will discuss how natural compounds function via ncRNAs while summarizing the available data regarding their effects on over 15 types of cancer. Moreover, we will critically analyze the current advances and limitations in understanding the way natural compounds exert these health-promoting effects by acting on ncRNAs. Finally, we will propose several hypotheses that may open new avenues and perspectives regarding the interaction between natural compounds and ncRNAs, which could lead to improved natural compound-based therapeutic strategies in cancer.

In vitro and in vivo anti-metastatic effect of the alkaliod matrine from Sophora flavecens on hepatocellular carcinoma and its mechanisms

BACKGROUNDS

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancer with high metastasis and recurrence rates. Hypoxia-induced miRNAs and HIF-1α are demonstrated to play essential roles in tumor metastasis. Matrine (C15H24N2O), an alkaloid extracted from Sophora flavescens Aiton, has been used as adjuvant therapy for liver cancer in China. The anti-metastasis effects of matrine on HCC and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the effects of matrine on metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo, and explored whether miR-199a-5p and HIF-1α are involved in the action of matrine.

METHODS

MTT method, colony formation, wound healing and matrigel transwell assays were performed to evaluate the effects of matrine on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Nude mice xenograft model and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay were employed to investigate the anti-metastatic action of matrine in vivo. Quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and dual luciferase reporter assay were conducted to determine the underlying mechanisms of matrine.

RESULTS

Matrine exerted stronger anti-proliferative action on Bel7402 and SMMC-7721 cells under hypoxia than that in normoxia. Both matrine and miR-199a-5p exhibited significant inhibitory effects on migration, invasion and EMT in Bel7402 and SMMC-7721 cells under hypoxia. Further study showed that miR-199a-5p was downregulated in HCC cell lines, and this microRNA was identified to directly target HIF-1α, resulting in decreased HIF-1α expression. Matrine induced miR-199a-5p expression, decreased HIF-1α expression and inhibited metastasis of Bel7402 and SMMC-7721 cells, while miR-199a-5p knockdown reversed the inhibitory effects of matrine on cell migration, invasion, EMT and HIF-1α expression. In vivo, matrine showed significant anti-metastatic activity in the nude mouse xenograft model. H&E and IHC analysis indicated that lung and liver metastasis nodules were reduced, and the protein expression of HIF-1α and Vimentin were significantly decreased by i.p injection of matrine.

CONCLUSIONS

Matrine exhibits significant anti-metastatic effect on HCC, which is attributed to enhanced miR-199a-5p expression and subsequently impaired HIF-1α signaling and EMT. These findings suggest that miR-199a-5p is a potential therapeutic target of HCC, and matrine may represent a promising anti-metastatic medication for HCC therapy.

Sinomenine alleviates dorsal root ganglia inflammation to inhibit neuropathic pain via the p38 MAPK/CREB signalling pathway

The objective of study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of sinomenine on neuropathic pain on dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The DRG cell line and spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model were used in this study. The effect of sinomenine on the cell viability was examined by MTT assay. The expression of p38 MAPK, NF-κB, c-fos, SP and TNF-α was detected by using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assay. We also assessed the level of p-CaMKII, COX-2, p-CREB, IL-17A, TLR4 and IL-1β via western blotting and RT-qPCR. Compared to the controls, sinomenine showed a protective effect on TNF-α-induced apoptosis on DRG cells in a dose-dependent manner, with an increase of cell viability and a decrease of reactive oxygen species level as well as LDH release. Parallelly, sinomenine treatment significantly reduced the expression of various factors related to stress and inflammation, including p38 MAPK, NF-κB, c-fos, p-CAMKII, COX-2, p-CREB, TLR4 and IL-17A in DRG cells in vitro. Furthermore, we found that administration of sinomenine significantly reduced mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency and inhibited the inflammation and activation of p38 signaling in SNL rats. It is noting that combined therapy of sinomenine and pulsed radiofrequency exhibited higher efficacy of dorsal root ganglia inflammation than single treatment as well as the combination of oxycodone and pulsed radiofrequency. Sinomenine inhibited the apoptosis of DRG cell by regulating p38 MAPK/CREB signalling pathway, which provides evidence to alleviate neuropathic pain in clinic.

Profiling plasma-extracellular vesicle proteins and microRNAs in diabetes onset in middle-aged male participants in the ELSA-Brasil study

We measured plasma-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) proteins and their microRNA (miRNA) cargos in normoglycemic (NG), glucose intolerant (GI), and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) in middle-aged male participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brazil). Mass spectrometry revealed decreased IGHG-1 and increased ITIH2 protein levels in the GI group compared with that in the NG group and higher serotransferrin in EVs in the DM group than in those in the NG and GI groups. The GI group also showed increased serum ferritin levels, as evaluated by biochemical analysis, compared with those in both groups. Seventeen miRNAs were differentially expressed (DEMiRs) in the plasma EVs of the three groups. DM patients showed upregulation of miR-141-3p and downregulation of miR-324-5p and -376c-3p compared with the NG and GI groups. The DM and GI groups showed increased miR-26b-5p expression compared with that in the NG group. The DM group showed decreased miR-374b-5p levels compared with those in the GI group and higher concentrations than those in the NG group. Thus, three EV proteins and five DEMiR cargos have potential prognostic importance for diabetic complications mainly associated with the immune function and iron status of GI and DM patients.

MicroRNAs Involved in Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Oncogene and Tumor Suppressors with Possible Targets

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) as a rare and highly aggressive type of breast cancer displays phenotypic characteristics. To date, the IBC-associated molecular mechanisms are entirely unknown. In addition, there is an urgent need to identify the new biomarkers involved in the diagnosis and therapeutic purposes of IBC. MicroRNAs, a category of short noncoding RNAs, are capable of controlling the post-transcriptional expression of genes and thus can act as diagnostic predictive tools. In this review, we addressed the status of oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNA-mediated IBC in current studies. Furthermore, based on their targets, their involvement in cancer progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and apoptosis were determined.

CUEDC2 ablation enhances the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in ameliorating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion insult

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has been reported to be a promising therapeutic option for cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) insult. However, the poor survival rate of engrafted MSCs under unfavorable cerebral I/R-induced microenvironment inhibits their efficiency during clinical application. CUE domain-containing 2(CUECD2) exhibits its protective role on cardiomyocytes by mediating the antioxidant capacity. Our study explored the functional role of CUEDC2 in cerebral I/R challenge and determined whether CUECD2-modified MSCs could improve the efficacy of treatment of the insulted neurons. We also evaluated the possible mechanisms involved in cerebral I/R condition. Cerebral I/R stimulation suppressed CUEDC2 levels in brain tissues and neurons. siRNA-CUEDC2 in neurons significantly inhibited cerebral I/R-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress levels in vitro. Moreover, siRNA-CUEDC2 in the MSCs group remarkably enhanced the therapeutic efficacies in cerebral I/R-induced neuron injury and brain tissue impairment when compared to the non-genetic MSCs treatment group. At the molecular level, siRNA-CUEDC2 in MSCs markedly enhanced its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in co-cultured neurons by upregulating glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) expression levels while suppressing NF-kB activation. These findings provide a novel strategy for the utilization of MSCs to promote cerebral ischemic stroke outcomes.

LncRNA ANRIL Regulates Ovarian Cancer Progression and Tumor Stem Cell-Like Characteristics via miR-324-5p/Ran Axis

Objective

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ANRIL is emerging as a crucial role in ovarian cancer progression and prognosis. However, the precise molecular mechanism of ANRIL on ovarian cancer is not known. Thus, we aim to study the underlying mechanism of ANRIL on the action.

Methods

The MTT assay assessed cell viability. Cell migration and invasion were determined using the wound healing assay, Transwell migration, and invasion assay. The relationships of ANRIL, miR-324-5p, and RAN were evaluated using luciferase activity assay and RNA pull-down assay. Cancer stem cell was identified by flow cytometry. Sphere formation assay was conducted to determine the stem-like properties. Xenograft tumor was established to assess tumor growth in vivo. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect gene expression.

Results

ANRIL was elevated while miR-324-5p was decreased in ovarian cancer tissues and cells. Besides, downregulated ANRIL enhanced miR-324-5p expression, and the luciferase reporting experiment and RNA pull-down assay showed the binding interaction between ANRIL and miR-324-5p. miR-324-5p directly targeted Ran and negatively modulated the expression of Ran. Besides, Ran was promoted by overexpressed ANRIL, which was reversed by overexpression of miR-324-5p. Furthermore, decreased ANRIL and increased miR-324-5p suppressed tumor growth, migration capacity, drug resistance, and alleviated stem-like characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Ran mediated the regulation of ANRIL on cell viability, stem-like properties, and drug resistance of ovarian cancer cells.

Conclusion

The ANRIL/miR-324-5p/Ran axis regulated ovarian cancer development, making the axis meaningful targets for ovarian cancer therapy.

The signaling pathways and targets of traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicine in triple-negative breast cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poorer prognosis than other subtypes due to its strong invasion and higher risk of distant metastasis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and natural medicine have the unique advantages of multitargets and small side-effects and may be used as long-term complementary and alternative therapies.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present article summarizes the classical signaling pathways and potential targets by the action of TCM and natural medicine (including extracts, active constituents and formulas) on TNBC and provides evidence for its clinical efficacy.

METHODS

The literature information was acquired from the scientific databases PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI from January 2010 to June 2020, and it was designed to elucidate the internal mechanism and role of TCM and natural medicine in the treatment of TNBC. The search key words included "Triple negative breast cancer" or "triple negative breast carcinoma", "TNBC" and "traditional Chinese medicine" or "Chinese herbal medicine", "medicinal plant", "natural plant", and "herb".

RESULTS

We described the antitumor activity of TCM and natural medicine in TNBC based on different signaling pathways. Plant medicine and herbal formulas regulated the related gene and protein expression via pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin, which inhibit the growth, proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis of TNBC cells.

CONCLUSION

The inhibitory effect of TCM and natural medicine on tumors was reflected in multiple levels and multiple pathways, providing reasonable evidence for new drug development. To make TCM and natural medicine widely and flexibly used in clinical practice, the efficacy, safety and mechanism of action need more in-depth experimental research.

Sinomenine inhibits hypoxia induced breast cancer side population cells metastasis by PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Sinomenine is an alkaloid derived from Chinese medicinal plant Sinomenium acutum. Our previous studies suggested that sinomenine can inhibit the metastasis of breast cancer. However, whether sinomenine can inhibit the metastasis characteristics of breast cancer side population (SP) cells is still unknown. In present study, we isolated the side population (SP) cells from MDA-MB-231 cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). MDA-MB-231 SP cells were treated with different concentrations of sinomenine at the absence or presence of hypoxia, and cell viability were measured by CCK-8 assay. The transwell invasive assay were conducted to assess of the effect of sinomenine on the invasion of hypoxic MDA-MB-231 SP cells. The protein expression was detected by Western blot assay. Sinomenine inhibited the cell viability and invasion of hypoxic MDA-MB-231 SP cells. Western blot assay results showed that the upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by hypoxia was inversed by sinomenine. Additionally, it was found that sinomenine suppressed the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway under hypoxia in MDA-MB-231 SP cells. Moreover, the inhibiton of sinomenine on metastasis of hypoxic MDA-MB-231SP cells and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway could be rescued by PI3K activator IGF-1. Our study suggested that sinomenine inhibits invasion of breast cancer SP cells under hypoxia through PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

[miR-324-5p inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation of rat glomerular mesangial cells by regulating the Syk/Ras/c-fos pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of miR-324-5p on the proliferation of rat glomerular mesangial (HBZY-1) cells and the role of Syk/Ras/c-fos signaling pathway in mediating this effect.

METHODS

HBZY-1 cells cultured in vitro were transiently transfected with miR-324-5p mimics or miR-324-5p-mimics-NC followed by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activity of HBZY-1 cells, and RT-qPCR was used to detect the expressions of miR-324-5p and the mRNA expressions of Syk, Ras, MEK1/2, ERK1/2 and c-fos mRNA. The protein expressions of p-Syk, Ras, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and c-Fos were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTS

MTT assay showed that exposure to LPS significantly enhanced the proliferative activity of HBZY-1 cells. Compared with the cells treated with LPS and LPS + mimics NC, the cells transfected with miR-324-5p mimics prior to LPS exposure exhibited significantly lowered proliferative activity. Transfection with miR-324-5p mimics significantly lowered the mRNA expressions of Syk, Ras, MEK1/2, ERK1/2 and c-fos and the protein expressions of p-Syk, Ras, MEK1/2, ERK1/2 and c-Fos (P < 0.05), and reduced numbers of cells positive for p-Syk, Ras, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and c-Fos proteins following LPS exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-324-5p can inhibit the proliferation of rat chronic glomerulonephritis cells induced by LPS by inhibiting Syk/Ras/c-fos signaling pathway and may potentially serve as a diagnostic indicator and a therapeutic target for chronic glomerulonephritis.

Participation of MicroRNAs in the Treatment of Cancer with Phytochemicals

Cancer is a global health concern and one of the main causes of disease-related death. Even with considerable progress in investigations on cancer therapy, effective anti-cancer agents and regimens have thus far been insufficient. There has been compelling evidence that natural phytochemicals and their derivatives have potent anti-cancer activities. Plant-based anti-cancer agents, such as etoposide, irinotecan, paclitaxel, and vincristine, are currently being applied in medical treatments for patients with cancer. Further, the efficacy of plenty of phytochemicals has been evaluated to discover a promising candidate for cancer therapy. For developing more effective cancer therapy, it is required to apprehend the molecular mechanism deployed by natural compounds. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been realized to play a pivotal role in regulating cellular signaling pathways, affecting the efficacy of therapeutic agents in cancer. This review presents a feature of phytochemicals with anti-cancer activity, focusing mainly on the relationship between phytochemicals and miRNAs, with insights into the role of miRNAs as the mediators and the regulators of anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals.

Comparison of ADAM19 and CUEDC2 expression in EHCC and their clinicopathological significance

Background: To evaluate the expression and clinicopathological significance of a disintegrin and metalloproteinases 19 (ADAM19) CUE domain containing protein 2 (CUEDC2) in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC). Materials & methods: Immunostaining of ADAM19 and CUEDC2 was performed by EnVision immunohistochemistry in benign and malignant biliary tract tissues. Result: The expression of ADAM19 and CUEDC2 were significantly higher in EHCC (p < 0.05). ADAM19 expression was positive correlated with CUEDC2 expression in EHCC (p < 0.05). The overall survival time of those with positive expression of ADAM19 and CUEDC2 was lower (p < 0.001). Both positive expression of ADAM19 and CUEDC2 were independent prognostic factors in EHCC. Conclusion: ADAM19 and CUEDC2 have a positive correlation to the pathogenesis and dismal prognosis in EHCC.

Sinomenine sensitizes human gastric cancer cells to cisplatin through negative regulation of PI3K/AKT/Wnt signaling pathway

Sinomenine (SIN) has been reported its antitumor effects on various types of human cancers, but there is no available information regarding the antitumor effects of SIN and cisplatin on gastric cancer. Here, we examined the antitumor effects of SIN combined with cisplatin on gastric cancer cells as well as the underlying biological mechanisms. CCK-8 assay and Calcusyn 2.0 software analysis, Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry, transwell assay showed that SIN and cisplatin synergistically inhibited growth, induced apoptosis, and suppressed invasion than did either drug alone in gastric cancer cells. Interestingly, no change in the AKT level was found, whereas SIN and cisplatin led to a dramatic decrease in p-AKT level compared with either alone treatment. SIN and cisplatin further decreased the Bcl-2, procaspase-3, and β-catenin, but increased Bax, cleaved dcaspase 3, MMP9, and MMP2 in combined group than in either alone group. Immunofluorescence staining showed again a significant decrease in nucleus β-catenin was found in combined group. These data suggested that SIN sensitizes human gastric cancer cells to cisplatin through negative regulation of PI3K/AKT/Wnt signaling pathway. In conclusion, SIN and cisplatin exerted synergistic antitumor effects in gastric cancer cells and might constitute a promising therapeutic approach for gastric cancer.

Sinomenine Inhibited Interleukin-1β-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinases Levels via SOCS3 Up-Regulation in SW1353 Cells

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are required for collagen degradation which play a key pathological role in arthritis progression. Herein, the effect of sinomenine (SN) on Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β)-induced MMPs production and its underlying mechanism were explored in SW1353 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that 200 and 400 µM SN significantly inhibited SW1353 cell proliferation, thus the lower dose of SN (25-100 µM) were used in the subsequent experiments. Notably, the increased mRNA and protein levels of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 3 were dose-dependently induced by SN. SN significantly suppressed mRNA and protein levels of MMPs in IL-1β-induced SW1353 cells. Through Western blot analysis, SN showed inhibitory effect on IL-1β-induced TAK1 and p65 phosphorylation. Moreover, SN blocked the interaction of TRAF6 and TAK1 resulting in inactivation of IL-1β pathway. Mechanistically, the inhibitory effect of SN on MMPs levels alongside TRAF6 and TAK1 interactions was abrogated by silencing SOCS3. Moreover, SN did not inhibit TAK1 kinase activity. In TAK1 silencing cells, the levels of MMPs and p65 phosphorylation of SN-treatedcells were lower than dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-treated cells, indicating that blocking interaction was not a unique way for SN to inhibit MMPs levels. Finally, SN significantly inhibited IL-6-induced Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in SW1353 cells. The levels of JAK2 phosphorylation and MMPs did not show a significant difference between IL-6 + SOCS3-small interfering RNA (siRNA) + SN group and IL-6 + SOCS3-siRNA + DMSO group. These findings demonstrated that SOCS3 expression was increased by SN blocked IL-1β-induced interaction between TRAF6 and TAK1 as well as IL-6 pathway activation, thereby culminating in the inhibition of MMPs levels.

miR-324-5p Contributes to Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer by Targeting KLF3

Pancreatic cancer cells are characterized by high cell proliferation and low cell apoptosis, but the factors involved in these processes remain to be further studied. In this study, we report that miR-324-5p regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells through regulating the expression of Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3). In both pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines, the levels of miR-324-5p are significantly increased. Inhibition of miR-324-5p represses cell proliferation but promotes cell apoptosis, whereas overexpression of miR-324-5p exerts the opposite effect. Furthermore, we identified KLF3, a factor regulating pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, as a new direct downstream target of miR-324-5p. Our results suggest that miR-324-5p plays an important role in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis via downregulating the expression of KLF3.

Anti-Breast Cancer Effect of 2-Dodecyl-6-Methoxycyclohexa-2,5-Diene-1,4-Dione in vivo and in vitro Through MAPK Signaling Pathway

Background

2-Dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) has been reported to inhibit a variety of cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of DMDD on 4T1 breast cancer cells and the effects of DMDD on 4T1 breast cancer in mice and its molecular mechanisms.

Methods

4T1 breast cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of DMDD, and their proliferation, apoptosis, cell-cycle distribution, migration, and invasion were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT, Acridine orange and ethidium bromide dual staining analysis (AO/EB) dual staining, flow cytometry, scratch test, and the Transwell assay. Relative quantitative real-time qPCR analysis and Western blot were applied to examine the expression levels of related genes and proteins. In animal experiments, we established a xenograft model to assess the anti-breast cancer effects of DMDD by evaluating the inhibition rate. The apoptotic activity of DMDD was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The mRNA expression levels of MAPK pathway components were detected by relative quantitative real-time qPCR. In addition, the protein expression levels of MAPK pathway components were assessed through immunohistochemical assays and Western blotting.

Results

Experiments showed that DMDD could inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion of 4T1 cells and induce cellular apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest. Moreover, DMDD down-regulated the mRNA expressions of raf1, mek1, mek2, erk1, erk2, bcl2, and up-regulated the mRNA expression of bax. DMDD reduced the protein expressions of p-raf1, p-mek, p-erk, p-p38, Bcl2, MMP2, MMP9 and increased the protein expressions of Bax and p-JNK. The results showed that DMDD can effectively reduce the tumor volume and weight of breast cancer in vivo, up-regulate the expression of IL-2, down-regulate the expression of IL-4 and IL-10, induce the apoptosis of breast cancer cells in mice, and regulate the expression of genes and proteins of the MAPK pathway.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that DMDD can inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion and induces apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest of 4T1 breast cancer cells. Also, our findings indicate that DMDD induces the apoptosis of breast cancer cells and inhibits the growth in mice. Its mechanism may be related to the MAPK pathway.

Sinomenine Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Human Lung Cancer Cell through Downregulating Expression of miR-21 and MMPs

Sinomenine is an alkaloid derived from Sinomenium acutum. Recent studies have found that sinomenine can inhibit various cancers by inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of tumors and inducing apoptosis. This study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of sinomenine on inhibiting the migration and invasion of human lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. The results demonstrate that viabilities of A549 and H1299 cells were inhibited by sinomenine in a dose-dependent manner. When treated with sub-toxic doses of sinomenine, cell migration and invasion are markedly suppressed. Sinomenine decreases the mRNA level of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and the extracellular inducer of matrix metalloproteinase (EMMPRIN/CD147), but elevates the expression of reversion-inducing cysteine-rich proteins with kazal motifs (RECK) and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2. In addition, sinomenine significantly increases the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin but concomitantly decreases the expression of the mesenchymal marker vimentin, suggesting that it suppresses epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, sinomenine downregulates oncogenic microRNA-21 (miR-21), which has been known to target RECK. The downregulation of miR-21 decreases cell invasion, while the upregulation of miR-21 increases cell invasion. Furthermore, the downregulation of miR-21 stimulates the expression of RECK, TIMP-1/-2, and E-cadherin, but reduces the expression of MMP-2/-9, EMMPRIN/CD147, and vimentin. Taken together, the results reveal that the inhibition of A549 cell invasion by sinomenine may, at least in part, be through the downregulating expression of MMPs and miR-21. These findings demonstrate an attractive therapeutic potential for sinomenine in lung cancer anti-metastatic therapy.

Sinomenine Inhibits Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer via Downregulation of Hexokinases II-Mediated Aerobic Glycolysis

Background

Addiction to aerobic glycolysis is a common metabolic phenotype in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The natural product Sinomenine (Sin) exhibits significant anti-tumor effects in various human cancers. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Methods

The inhibitory effect of Sin on NSCLC cells was determined by MTS and soft agar assays. The glycolysis efficacy of NSCLC cells was examined by glucose uptake and lactate production. The activation of Akt signaling and the protein level of hexokinases II (HK2) were examined by immunoblot (IB), qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemical staining (IHC). The in vivo anti-tumor effect of Sin was validated by the xenograft mouse model.

Results

We showed that HK2 is highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Depletion of HK2 suppressed cell viability, anchorage-independent colony formation, and xenograft tumor growth. Sinomenine exhibited a profound inhibitory effect on NSCLC cells by reducing HK2-mediated glycolysis both in vitro and in vivo. Ectopic overexpression of HK2 compromised these anti-tumor efficacies in sinomenine-treated NSCLC cells. Moreover, we revealed that sinomenine decreased Akt activity, which caused the down-regulation of HK2-mediated glycolysis. Knockdown of Akt reduced HK2 protein level and impaired glycolysis. In contrast, overexpression of constitutively activated Akt1 reversed this phenotype.

Conclusion

This study suggests that targeting HK2-mediated aerobic glycolysis is required for sinomenine-mediated anti-tumor activity.

Wnt-regulating microRNAs role in gastric cancer malignancy

Gastric cancer (GC) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. This cancer claims fifth place among other cancers. There are a number of factors associated with GC development such as alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. It seems that genetic factors play significant role in GC malignancy and progression. MicroRNAs (miRs) are short non-coding RNA molecules with negative impact on the expression of target genes. A variety of studies have elucidated the potential role of miRs in GC growth. Investigation of molecular pathways has revealed that miRs function as upstream modulators of Wnt signaling pathway. This signaling pathway involves in important biological processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation, and its dysregulation is associated with GC invasion. At the present review, we demonstrate that how miRs regulate Wnt signaling pathway in GC malignancy.

MiR-324-5p/PTPRD/CEBPD axis promotes papillary thyroid carcinoma progression via microenvironment alteration

MiR-324-5p is overexpressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lymph node metastasis and promotes malignant phenotypes of KTC-1 cell line. However, the detailed regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Tumor microenvironment plays a key role in tumor progression. CCAAT enhancer-binding protein delta (CEBPD) is important in immune and inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the interaction between miR-324-5p/PTPRD/CEBPD axis and tumor microenvironment in PTC progression. K1 and KTC-1 were transfected by lenti-CEBPD or CEBPD-sh vectors. Supernatant from different groups was harvested and added into culture media of human macrophages and HUVEC. Cell viability, colony formation, invasive and migrated cell number, and gap closure rate were elevated in lenti-CEBPD group. Compared with the control, supernatant from lenti-CEBPD group contained more abundant levels of VEGF and IL-4/IL-13, which, respectively, induced higher HUVEC invasion/migration rates and more obvious M2 marker (CD206) and genes (PPAR-γ and MRC-1) expression in macrophages. By means of luciferase reporter assay and gene manipulation, we identified that CEBPD was negatively regulated in PTC by protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor delta (PTPRD) which was the target of miR-324-5p. CEBPD-shRNA was also proved to reverse the effect of PTPRD-sh1 or miR-324-5p mimic on IL-4/IL-13 expression and HUVEC invasion. These results suggested that miR-324-5p/PTPRD/CEBPD axis was involved in the progression of PTC by inducing HUVEC invasion/migration and macrophage M2 polarization via VEGF and IL4/IL13, respectively.

Sinomenine restrains breast cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion via modulation of miR-29/PDCD-4 axis

Sinomenine (Sino) is diffusely applied in heal rheumatoid arthritis and neuralgia. Howbeit, the activities of Sino in breast cancer cells remain confused. The research attempted to probe the anti-tumor function of Sino in breast cancer cells and divulge the feasible molecular mechanism. Sion at the 1-16 μM concentrations was exploited for the exposure of MDA-MB-231 or MCF7 cells, and cell growth, migration, invasion, cell cycle-relevant and apoptosis-correlative factors were estimated. Micro RNA (miR)-29 expression was evaluated via enforcing qRT-PCR, and the actions of miR-29 in MDA-MB-231 cells growth, migration and invasion were appraised after the overexpressed or suppressed vectors transfection. The functions of PDCD-4 in JNK and MEK/ERK pathways were estimated by employing western blot. We found that, Sino exposure impeded cell proliferation, provoked cell apoptosis and barricaded cell migration and invasion in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells. Enhancement of miR-29 was observed in Sino-managed cells, and miR-29 overexpression further potentiated the activities of Sino in MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, Sino remarkably enhanced PCDC-4 expression via adjusting miR-29 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Beyond that, overexpressed PCDC-4 obstructed JNK and MEK/ERK pathways in MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, the explorations unveiled that Sino restrained MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and provoked apoptosis through modulation of miR-29/PDCD-4 axis. Highlight Sino inhibits MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells proliferation and provokes apoptosis; Sino restrains MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells migration and invasion; Sino ascends miR-29 expression in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells; Sino adjusts cell growth, migration and invasion via modulating miR-29; Sino up-regulates PDCD-4 expression through mediating miR-29; PDCD-4 obstructs JNK and MEK/ERK pathways in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Chronic ghrelin administration suppresses IKK/NF-κB/BACE1 mediated Aβ production in primary neurons and improves cognitive function via upregulation of PP1 in STZ-diabetic rats

Diabetic rats display cognition impairments accompanied by activation of NF-κB signalling and increased Aβ expression. Ghrelin has been suggested to improve cognition in diabetic rats. In this study, we investigated the role of ghrelin on cognition and NF-κB mediated Aβ production in diabetic rats. A diabetic rat model was established with streptozotocin (STZ) injection, and diabetic rats were intracerebroventricularly administered with ghrelin or (D-lys3)-GHRP-6 (DG). Our results showed that diabetic rats had cognition impairment in the Morris water maze test, accompanied by the higher expression of Aβ in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis showed that diabetic rats exhibited significantly decreased levels of GHSR-1a and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) in the hippocampus and increased activation of the IKK/NF-κB/BACE1 pathway. Chronic ghrelin administration upregulated hippocampal PP1 expression, suppressed IKK/NF-κB/BACE1 mediated Aβ production, and improved cognition in STZ-induced diabetic rats. These effects were reversed by DG. Then, primary rat hippocampal neurons were isolated and treated with high glucose, followed by Ghrelin and DG, PP1 or IKK. Similar to the in vivo results, high glucose suppressed the expression levels of GHSR-1a and PP1, activated the IKK/NF-κB/BACE1 pathway, increased Aβ production. Ghrelin suppressed IKK/NF-κB/BACE1 induced Aβ production. This improvement was reversed by DG and a PP1 antagonist and was enhanced by the IKK antagonist. Our findings indicated that chronic ghrelin administration can suppress IKK/NF-κB/BACE1 mediated Aβ production in primary neurons with high glucose treatment and improve the cognition via PP1 upregulation in diabetic rats.

LncRNA PCAT-1 upregulates RAP1A through modulating miR-324-5p and promotes survival in lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the fastest increase in morbidity and mortality and the greatest threat to human health and life. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is emerging as an important regulator in many cancers. Recently, it was found that lncRNA prostate cancer associated transcript 1 (PCAT-1) was up-regulated in lung cancer, playing oncogenic roles. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism of PCAT-1 remains unknown.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The expression levels of PCAT-1 and miR-324-5p were analyzed by real-time PCR, and RAP1A expression was determined by western blotting. RNA pull-down, luciferase and western blotting assays were used to examine the target relationship between PCAT-1 and miR-324-5p or that between miR-324-5p and RAP1A. The functional effects of PCAT-1 and miR-324-5p were examined using cell viability and cell apoptosis assays.

RESULTS

PCAT-1 overexpression remarkably promoted cell proliferation and suppressed cell apoptosis. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that PCAT-1 can interact with miR-324-5p and repress its expression, thereby increasing the expression of its target RAP1A. Additionally, rescue experiments revealed that PCAT-1 served as an oncogene partly through sponging miR-324-5p and upregulating RAP1A in lung cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that on account of the dual function of pro-proliferation and anti-apoptosis, PCAT-1/miR-324-5p/RAP1A may be novel candidates for application in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of lung cancer.

CeRNA Expression Profiling Identifies KIT-Related circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Networks in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common human sarcomas and are typically located in the stomach or small intestine. Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) reportedly play vital roles in tumour oncogenesis and progression, the molecular basis of the aggressive tumour biology of these circRNAs in GISTs remains unclear. In this study, we applied SBC ceRNA microarrays to screen for tumour-specific circRNA profiles in GISTs and identified that a total of 5,770 circRNAs and 1,815 mRNAs were differentially expressed in GISTs. Three significantly differential circRNAs (circ_0069765, circ_0084097, and circ_0079471) and their host genes (KIT, PLAT, and ETV1) were also verified in 68 pairs of GISTs and adjacent normal gastrointestinal tissues by qRT-PCR. A GIST-specific circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis demonstrated that the specific KIT-related regulatory networks involved the three circRNAs, the circRNA host genes and three miRNAs (miR-142-5p, miR-144-3p and miR-485-3p), which may be key regulators of GISTs that could serve as molecular biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for this malignant disease.

Sinomenine exerts antitumour effect in gastric cancer cells via enhancement of miR-204 expression

Gastric carcinoma (GC) is a pernicious neoplasm with high morbidity and mortality. Sinomenine (SIN) has long been exploited to heal rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, SIN has been discovered to exert the antitumour functions in diverse cancers. However, the impacts of SIN on GC remain indistinct. We attempted to expose the antitumour effect of SIN on GC. MKN45 and SGC-7901 cells were administered with SIN for 24 hours, cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and the associated proteins in the above processes were examined via exploiting CCK-8, BrdU, flow cytometry, Transwell and Western blot. MiR-204 expression in GC tumour tissues, different GC cell lines and SIN-stimulated GC cells was investigated by executing RT-qPCR. The above cell biological processes were reassessed after transfection with miR-204 inhibitor. The latent mechanisms were probed by examining AMPK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. We found that SIN memorably repressed cell proliferation, evoked apoptosis and affected CyclinD1, Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 expression in MKN45 and SGC-7901 cells. Cell migration, invasion and expression of MMP-9 and Vimentin were all restrained by SIN stimulation. The increase of miR-204 was discovered in GC tissues and SIN-treated MKN45 and SGC-7901 cells. But suppression of miR-204 was observed in AGS, MKN28, MKN45 and SGC-7901 cells. Suppression of miR-204 overturned the inhibitory functions of SIN in MKN45 and SGC-7901 cells. Besides, SIN prohibited AMPK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways via enhancement of miR-204. In conclusion, these findings suggested that SIN exerted the antitumour activity in GC cells by hindering AMPK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways via enhancement of miR-204.

Lipopolysaccharides-mediated injury to chondrogenic ATDC5 cells can be relieved by Sinomenine via downregulating microRNA-192

Sinomenine (SIN) is an isoquinoline derived from Caulis Sinomenii that has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis for several decades in China. This study aims to reveal the effects of SIN on mouse chondrogenic ATDC5 cells growth and inflammation. SIN was used to treat ATDC5 cells injured by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The following parameters were determined for evaluating the treatment effects of SIN: cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species generation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines release. Besides, the expression of LPS-sensitive miRNA (miR-192) and the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling were studied to explain SIN's function. SIN with concentration of 30 μM significantly attenuated LPS-induced cell damage via increasing cell viability, inhibiting apoptosis and reactive oxygen species generation, and declining IL-6 and TNF-α release. miR-192 was downregulated by SIN treatment. Restoration of miR-192 expression by miRNA transfection could significantly impede SIN's protective action. Besides, the inhibitory effects of SIN on the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling were attenuated by miR-192 overexpression. Furthermore, GDF11 was found to be a target gene of miR-192. LPS-mediated injury to chondrogenic ATDC5 cells can be relieved by SIN via downregulating miR-192 and subsequently repressing the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling.

The role of inflammation and its related microRNAs in breast cancer: A narrative review

Breast cancer is recognized as the most common type of cancer among women with a high rate of mortality all over the world. Over the past years, growing attention has been regarded to realize more about the mechanisms underlying the disease process. It is revealed that the progression of breast cancer may be strongly linked to chronic inflammation owing to the role of inflammatory factors in genetic instability and subsequent cancer predisposition. Although the association between breast cancer and inflammatory pathways has been well-defined now, only recent evidence pointed towards the inflammation-related microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets involved in the crosstalk of multiple pathways during breast cancer development. Moreover, the practical interactions between these miRNAs and inflammatory factors are also a little characterized. In this review, we intended to describe the effects of predominant inflammatory pathways such as cytokines, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and nuclear factor kappa B in association with tumor promoting and tumor suppressing miRNAs on breast cancer progression. Providing new studies in the field of combining biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring breast cancer are very important. Notably, understanding the underlying mechanisms of miRNAs as a possible link between inflammation and tumorigenesis may offer a novel insight for combating this epidemic.

Antiangiogenic Effect of Alkaloids

Alkaloids are among the natural phytochemicals contained in functional foods and nutraceuticals and have been suggested for the prevention and/or management of oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated diseases. In this review, we aimed to describe the effects of alkaloids in angiogenesis, the process playing a crucial role in tumor growth and invasion, whereby new vessels form. Antiangiogenic compounds including herbal ingredients, nonherbal alkaloids, and microRNAs can be used for the control and treatment of cancers. Several lines of evidence indicate that alkaloid-rich plants have several interesting features that effectively inhibit angiogenesis. In this review, we present valuable data on commonly used alkaloid substances as potential angiogenic inhibitors. Different herbal and nonherbal ingredients, introduced as antiangiogenesis agents, and their role in angiogenesis-dependent diseases are reviewed. Studies indicate that angiogenesis suppression is exerted through several mechanisms; however, further investigations are required to elucidate their precise molecular and cellular mechanisms, as well as potential side effects.

CUEDC2 Contributes to Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy Resistance in Ovarian Serious Carcinoma by Regulating p38 MAPK Signaling

Chemoresistance remains an obstacle to the successful treatment of ovarian carcinoma. CUE domain-containing 2 (CUEDC2) plays critical roles in tumor genesis and overexpresses in many solid cancers, including ovarian serous carcinoma. In previous study, we found that overexpression of CUEDC2 might be a promising biomarker to evaluate the progression and to predict likely relapse of serous ovarian carcinoma. In present study, we found that higher expression of CUEDC2 was associated with higher resistance to cisplatin. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival time (DFS) of patients with cisplatin resistant was shorter than that of those with cisplatin sensitive, respectively, and the cisplatin sensitivity was independent predictor of a shorter OS time and DFS time. Knockdown of CUEDC2 by small interfering RNA enhanced the cisplatin sensitivity of serous ovarian carcinoma cells in SKOV3 cell lines. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were obviously increased after CUEDC2 knockdown, while p38 MAPK signaling contributes to cell growth and cell apoptosis. Our data suggest that CUEDC2 takes part in cisplatin-based chemotherapy resistance by regulating p38 MAPK signaling. And CUEDC2 is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target of cisplatin resistance in ovarian serous carcinoma.

RETRACTED: Sinomenine inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and promotes apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by regulation of miR-23a

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Given the comments of Dr Elisabeth Bik regarding this article “In almost all papers, Western blot panels within the same figure, and across figures and papers, appear to share the same background, while the bands are regularly spaced, all have similar rounded edges without the usual smudges and specks, and with some bands showing a recognizable “jumping sardine” shape”, the journal requested the authors to provide the raw data. However, the authors were not able to fulfil this request and therefore the Editor-in-Chief decided to retract the article.