MALAT1: A Promising Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Blockade of the lncRNA-DOT1L-LAMP5 axis enhances autophagy and promotes degradation of MLL fusion proteins

BACKGROUND

Mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) fusion gene caused by chromosomal rearrangement is a dominant oncogenic driver in leukemia. Due to having diverse MLL rearrangements and complex characteristics, MLL leukemia treated by currently available strategies is frequently associated with a poor outcome. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets for hematological malignancies with MLL rearrangements.

METHODS

qRT-PCR, western blot, and spearman correction analysis were used to validate the regulation of LAMP5-AS1 on LAMP5 expression. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to assess the functional relevance of LAMP5-AS1 in MLL leukemia cell survival. We utilized chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) assay, RNA pull-down assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunofluorescence to elucidate the relationship among LAMP5-AS1, DOT1L, and the LAMP5 locus. Autophagy regulation by LAMP5-AS1 was evaluated through LC3B puncta, autolysosome observation via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mRFP-GFP-LC3 puncta in autophagic flux.

RESULTS

The study shows the crucial role of LAMP5-AS1 in promoting MLL leukemia cell survival. LAMP5-AS1 acts as a novel autophagic suppressor, safeguarding MLL fusion proteins from autophagic degradation. Knocking down LAMP5-AS1 significantly induced apoptosis in MLL leukemia cell lines and primary cells and extended the survival of mice in vivo. Mechanistically, LAMP5-AS1 recruits the H3K79 histone methyltransferase DOT1L to LAMP5 locus, directly activating LAMP5 expression. Importantly, blockade of LAMP5-AS1-LAMP5 axis can represses MLL fusion proteins by enhancing their degradation.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings underscore the significance of LAMP5-AS1 in MLL leukemia progression through the regulation of the autophagy pathway. Additionally, this study unveils the novel lncRNA-DOT1L-LAMP5 axis as promising therapeutic targets for degrading MLL fusion proteins.

Identification of AP002498.1 and LINC01871 as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for distant metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests that lncRNA (Long non-coding RNA, lncRNA)-mediated ceRNA (competing endogenous RNA, ceRNA) networks are involved in the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the roles of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network in distant metastasis of CRC are still unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we constructed a specific ceRNA network to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for distant metastasis of CRC. Specifically, RNA-Seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to screen for differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) related to metastasis. After validation and selection by qRT-PCR and univariate and multivariate analysis of the metastasis- and prognosis-related lncRNAs, the regulated microRNAs (miRNAs) and coexpressed mRNAs were used to construct a ceRNA network for distant metastasis of CRC.

RESULTS

Two key distant metastasis-related DElncRNAs, AP002498.1 and LINC01871, were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis in combination with analyses of clinical data and expression levels. Furthermore, lncRNA-associated ceRNA subnetworks were constructed from the predicted miRNAs and 13 coexpressed DEmRNAs (SERPINA1, ITLN1, REG4, L1TD1, IGFALS, MUC5B, CIITA, CXCL9, CXCL10, GBP4, GNLY, IDO1, and NOS2). The AP002498.1- and LINC01871-associated ceRNA subnetworks regulated the expression of the target genes SERPINA1 and MUC5B and GNLY, respectively, through the associated miRNAs.

CONCLUSION

The DElncRNA AP002498.1 and the LINC01871/miR-4644 and miR-185-5p/GNLY axes were identified as being closely associated with distant metastasis and could represent independent prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Role of LncMALAT1-miR-141-3p/200a-3p-NRXN1 Axis in the Impairment of Learning and Memory Capacity in ADHD

As a prevalent neurodevelopmental disease, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impairs the learning and memory capacity, and so far, there has been no available treatment option for long-term efficacy. Alterations in gene regulation and synapse-related proteins influence learning and memory capacity; nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism of synapse-related protein synthesis is still unclear in ADHD. LncRNAs have been found participating in regulating genes in multiple disorders. For instance, lncRNA Metastasis Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (MALAT1) has an essential regulatory function in numerous psychiatric diseases. However, how MALAT1 influences synapse-related protein synthesis in ADHD remains largely unknown. Here, our study found that MALAT1 decreased in the hippocampus tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) compared to the standard controls, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Subsequent experiments revealed that MALAT1 enhanced the expression of neurexin 1 (NRXN1), which promoted the synapse-related genes (SYN1, PSD95, and GAP43) expression. Then, the bioinformatic analyses predicted that miR-141-3p and miR-200a-3p, microRNAs belonging to miR-200 family and sharing same seed sequence, could interact with MALAT1 and NRXN1 mRNA, which were further confirmed by luciferase report assays. Finally, rescue experiments indicated that MALAT1 influenced the expression of NRXN1 by sponging miR-141-3p/200a-3p. All data verified our hypothesis that MALAT1 regulated synapse-related proteins (SYN1, PSD95, and GAP43) through the MALAT1-miR-141-3p/200a-3p-NRXN1 axis in ADHD. Our research underscored a novel role of MALAT1 in the pathogenesis of impaired learning and memory capacity in ADHD and may shed more light on developing diagnostic biomarkers and more effective therapeutic interventions for individuals with ADHD.

Heterogeneous graph framework for predicting the association between lncRNA and disease and case on uterine fibroid

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in various cellular processes, including gene expression, chromatin remodeling, and protein localization. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been linked to several diseases, making it essential to understand their functions in disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. However, traditional experimental methods for studying lncRNA function are time-consuming, expensive, and offer limited insights. In recent years, computational methods have emerged as valuable tools for predicting lncRNA functions and their associations with diseases. However, many existing methods focus on constructing separate networks for lncRNA and disease similarity, resulting in information loss and insufficient processing capacity for isolated nodes. To address this, we developed 'RGLD' by combining Random Walk with restarting (RWR), Graph Neural Network (GNN), and Graph Attention Networks (GAT) to predict lncRNA-disease associations in a heterogeneous network. RGLD achieved an impressive AUC of 0.88, outperforming other methods. It can also predict novel associations between lncRNAs and diseases. RGLD identified HOTAIR, MEG3, and PVT1 as lncRNAs associated with uterine fibroids. Biological experiments directly or indirectly verified the involvement of these three lncRNAs in uterine fibroids, validating the accuracy of RGLD's predictions. Furthermore, we extensively discussed the functions of the target genes regulated by these lncRNAs in uterine fibroids, providing evidence for their role in the development and progression of the disease.

Roles of long non-coding RNAs in digestive tract cancer and their clinical application

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are strongly related to the occurrence and development of digestive tract cancer in human. Firstly, lncRNAs target and regulate the expression of downstream cancer genes to affect the growth, metastasis, apoptosis, metabolism and immune escape of cancer cells. Secondly, lncRNAs are considered to be important regulating factors for lipid metabolism in cancer, which is related to signaling pathways of adipogenesis and involved in the occurrence and development of digestive tract cancer. Finally, lncRNAs have application value in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract cancer. For example, lncRNAMALAT1 has been reported as a target for diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. This article reviews current progress on the regulatory role of lncRNAs in digestive tract cancer, to provide references for the research and clinical application in the prevention and treatment of digestive tract cancer.

Long non-coding RNA-targeting therapeutics: discovery and development update

INTRODUCTION

lncRNAs are major players in regulatory networks orchestrating multiple cellular functions, such as 3D chromosomal interactions, epigenetic modifications, gene expression and others. Due to progress in the development of nucleic acid-based therapeutics, lncRNAs potentially represent easily accessible therapeutic targets.

AREAS COVERED

Currently, significant efforts are directed at studies that can tap the enormous therapeutic potential of lncRNAs. This review describes recent developments in this field, particularly focusing on clinical applications.

EXPERT OPINION

Extensive druggable target range of lncRNA combined with high specificity and accelerated development process of nucleic acid-based therapeutics open new prospects for treatment in areas of extreme unmet medical need, such as genetic diseases, aggressive cancers, protein deficiencies, and subsets of common diseases caused by known mutations. Although currently wide acceptance of lncRNA-targeting nucleic acid-based therapeutics is impeded by the need for parenteral or direct-to-CNS administration, development of less invasive techniques and orally available/BBB-penetrant nucleic acid-based therapeutics is showing early successes. Recently, mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated clinical safety of all aspects of nucleic acid-based therapeutic technology, including multiple chemical modifications of nucleic acids and nanoparticle delivery. These trends position lncRNA-targeting drugs as significant players in the future of drug development, especially in the area of personalized medicine.

The tumor characteristics, treatment strategy, and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis in China and the USA

PURPOSE

This study performed an analysis of clinicopathological characteristics, surgical treatment strategy, and survival for CRC patients with LM between China and the USA.

METHODS

The CRC patients with simultaneous LM were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry and the Chinese National Cancer Center (CNCC) database from 2010 to 2017. We assessed 3-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) according to surgical treatment strategy and time period.

RESULTS

Differences in patient age, gender, primary tumor location, tumor grade, tumor histology, and tumor stage were observed between the USA and China. Compared to the USA, a larger proportion of patients in China underwent both primary site resection (PSR) and hepatic resection (HR) (35.1% vs 15.6%, P < 0.001), and fewer patients underwent only PSR in China (29.1% vs 45.1%, P < 0.001). From 2010 to 2017, the proportion of patient who underwent both PSR and HR has increased from 13.9% to 17.4% in the USA and from 25.4% to 39.4% in China. The 3-year CSS were increasing over time in both the USA and China. The 3-year CSS of patients receiving HR and PSR were significantly higher than those receiving only PSR and patients treated with no surgery in the USA and China. There were no significant differences of 3-year CSS between the USA and China after adjustment (P = 0.237).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the distinctions of tumor characteristics and surgical strategy in patients with LM between the USA and China, increased adoption of HR has contributed to the profound improvements of survival during recent decade.

Establishment and verification of prognostic model and ceRNA network analysis for colorectal cancer liver metastasis

OBJECTS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Approximately two-thirds of patients with CRC will develop colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) at some point in time. In this study, we aimed to construct a prognostic model of CRLM and its competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network.

METHODS

RNA-seq of CRC, CRLM and normal samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus database. Limma was used to obtain differential expression genes (DEGs) between CRLM and CRC from sequencing data and GSE22834, and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analyses were performed, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis and lasso Cox regression models were performed to screen prognostic gene features and construct prognostic models. Functional enrichment, estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumor tissues using expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, and ceRNA network construction were applied to explore potential mechanisms.

RESULTS

An 8-gene prognostic model was constructed by screening 112 DEGs from TCGA and GSE22834. CRC patients in the TCGA and GSE29621 cohorts were stratified into either a high-risk group or a low-risk group. Patients with CRC in the high-risk group had a significantly poorer prognosis compared to in the low-risk group. The risk score was identified as an independent predictor of prognosis. Functional analysis revealed that the risk score was closly correlated with various immune cells and immune-related signaling pathways. And a prognostic gene-associated ceRNA network was constructed that obtained 3 prognosis gene, 14 microRNAs (miRNAs) and 7 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, a prognostic model for CRLM identification was proposed, which could independently identify high-risk patients with low survival, suggesting a relationship between local immune status and prognosis of CRLM. Moreover, the key prognostic genes-related ceRNA network were established for the CRC investigation. Based on the differentially expressed genes between CRLM and CRC, the prognosis model of CRC patients was constructed.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 and Preeclampsia: A New Perspective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious and distinct type of pregnancy-induced hypertension, with an incidence of 2-8% worldwide. PE is defined as pregnancy-related hypertension with proteinuria and peripheral edema after 20 weeks of gestation. Hypoxic placenta triggers the release of inflammatory and humoral substances into maternal circulation, leading to induction of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, endothelial dysfunction, and peripheral vasoconstriction. The objective of the present narrative review was to find the association between PE and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) in pregnant women from a new perspective.

RECENT FINDINGS

HIF-1 is the key transcription factor that regulates cellular responses to hypoxia and low oxygen tension. HIF-1α is involved in the differentiation and growth of the placenta mainly in the first and second trimesters. During normal gestation, HIF-1α responds to the alterations in oxygen tension, cytokine, and angiogenic factors release. HIF-1α is considered a key biomarker of placental function and vascularization during pregnancy. HIF-1α plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PE through activation of anti-angiogenic and inhibition of proangiogenic factors. As well, HIF-1α increases the expression of the p38MAPK and NLRP3 inflammasomes, which promote placental inflammation and dysfunction. HIF-1α acts as a potential link between inflammatory signaling pathways and the development of PE.

Pyroptosis-related lncRNAs: A novel prognosis signature of colorectal cancer

Pyroptosis is a newly discovered programmed cell death mechanism involved in tumorigenesis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the potential role of pyroptosis-related lncRNAs (PRLs) in CRC remains unelucidated. Therefore, we retrieved transcriptomic data of CRC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). With the use of univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models and the random forest algorithm, a new risk model was constructed based on eight PRLs: Z99289.2, FENDRR, CCDC144NL-ASL, TEX41, MNX1-AS1, NKILA, LINC02798, and LINC02381. Then, according to the Kaplan-Meier plots, the relationship of PRLs with the survival of CRC patients was explored and validated with our risk model in external datasets (Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases; GEO17536, n = 177, and GSE161158, n = 250). To improve its clinical utility, a nomogram combining PRLs that could predict the clinical outcome of CRC patients was established. A full-spectrum immune landscape of CRC patients mediated by PRLs could be described. The PRLs were stratified into two molecular subtypes involved in immune modulators, immune infiltration of tumor immune microenvironment, and inflammatory pathways. Afterward, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) and microsatellite instability (MSI) scores were analyzed. Three independent methods were applied to predict PRL-related sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Our comprehensive analysis of PRLs in CRC patients demonstrates a potential role of PRLs in predicting response to treatment and prognosis of CRC patients, which may provide a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying CRC pathogenesis and facilitate the development of effective immunotherapy.

Zuo Jin Wan Reverses the Resistance of Colorectal Cancer to Oxaliplatin by Regulating the MALAT1/miR-200s/JNK Signaling Pathway

Background

Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) is a common chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our previous work showed that Zuo Jin Wan (ZJW), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, could improve sensitivity to L-OHP in the treatment of CRC, but the detailed mechanism is not clear. In previous mechanistic studies, we found that the miR-200s expression in CRC is associated with L-OHP sensitivity through regulation of MDR1/p-gp and the downstream c-JunN-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. Moreover, lncRNA-MALAT1 offers great potential in the regulation of drug resistance by interacting with miR-200s. Therefore, in this work, we explored whether ZJW could reverse L-OHP resistance in CRC by regulating MALAT1, miR-200s, and the downstream signaling pathway.

Methods

Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of ZJW combined with L-OHP on chemotherapy tolerance and cell apoptosis of HCT116/L-OHP cells. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to detect the activation of the JNK signaling pathway and the protein and mRNA expression levels of the drug resistance-related MDR1/ABCB1 gene in HCT116/L-OHP cells treated with ZJW. The binding sites of MALAT1 and miR-200s were predicted by bioinformatics tools and confirmed by qRT-PCR. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-200s and MALAT1 in HCT116/L-OHP cells treated with ZJW. A xenograft model of CRC in nude mice was established to observe the effect of ZJW combined with L-OHP on the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumors. Apoptosis in tumor cells was detected by TUNEL staining. The activation of the JNK signaling pathway and the expression of drug resistance-related proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-200s and the MALAT1 gene in the tumors.

Results

Our study showed that ZJW could significantly decrease the proliferation and promote apoptosis of HCT116/L-OHP cells treated with L-OHP. We further proved that ZJW could reverse the drug resistance of HCT116/L-OHP cells by reducing MALAT1, indirectly upregulating miR-200s, alleviating the activation of the JNK signaling axis, and downregulating the expression of resistance proteins such as MDR1/ABCB1 and ABCG2. ZJW combined with L-OHP inhibited the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumors and induced apoptosis in nude mice. ZJW reduced the expression of MALAT1 and upregulated the expression of miR-200s in transplanted tumors. In addition, ZJW also alleviated the activation of the JNK signaling pathway while reducing the expression of MDR1/ABCB1 and ABCG2.

Conclusions

Our study identified that MALAT1 promotes colorectal cancer resistance to oxaliplatin by reducing the miR-200s expression. ZJW may reverse chemoresistance by inhibiting the expression of MALAT1 and regulating the miR-200s/JNK pathway, providing an experimental basis for the clinical application of ZJW in relieving chemotherapy resistance.

MALAT1 in colorectal cancer: Its implication as a diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker

Metastasis Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (MALAT1), originally described as a prognostic biomarker remarkably linked with metastasis potential in lung cancer, has been identified as contributing to many diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC). This long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has come to the forefront of lncRNA research for its implications in cancer-related processes, such as cell proliferation and migration. In general, lncRNAs are recognized as enhancers, scaffolds, or decoys for a variety of oncogenes and tumor suppressors, although our understanding of lncRNA functions and mechanisms of action is still limited. Nowadays, cancer research is attracted to lncRNAs' ability to improve the early diagnosis of cancer, determine patients' prognosis, or predict therapy outcomes. In this review, we aimed to evaluate recent publications trying to uncover the cellular mechanisms of MALAT1-mediated regulation, and its potential exploitation in the management of CRC. The conclusions of this review provide robust support for the essential role of MALAT1 in CRC development and future personalized therapy.

MALAT1-miRNAs network regulate thymidylate synthase and affect 5FU-based chemotherapy

Background

The active metabolite of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU), used in the treatment of several types of cancer, acts by inhibiting the thymidylate synthase encoded by the TYMS gene, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in DNA replication. The major failure of 5FU-based cancer therapy is the development of drug resistance. High levels of TYMS-encoded protein in cancerous tissues are predictive of poor response to 5FU treatment. Expression of TYMS is regulated by various mechanisms, including involving non-coding RNAs, both miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).

Aim

To delineate the miRNAs and lncRNAs network regulating the level of TYMS-encoded protein.

Main body

Several miRNAs targeting TYMS mRNA have been identified in colon cancers, the levels of which can be regulated to varying degrees by lncRNAs. Due to their regulation by the MALAT1 lncRNA, these miRNAs can be divided into three groups: (1) miR-197-3p, miR-203a-3p, miR-375-3p which are downregulated by MALAT1 as confirmed experimentally and the levels of these miRNAs are actually reduced in colon and gastric cancers; (2) miR-140-3p, miR-330-3p that could potentially interact with MALAT1, but not yet supported by experimental results; (3) miR-192-5p, miR-215-5p whose seed sequences do not recognize complementary response elements within MALAT1. Considering the putative MALAT1-miRNAs interaction network, attention is drawn to the potential positive feedback loop causing increased expression of MALAT1 in colon cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, where YAP1 acts as a transcriptional co-factor which, by binding to the TCF4 transcription factor/ β-catenin complex, may increase the activation of the MALAT1 gene whereas the MALAT1 lncRNA can inhibit miR-375-3p which in turn targets YAP1 mRNA.

Conclusion

The network of non-coding RNAs may reduce the sensitivity of cancer cells to 5FU treatment by upregulating the level of thymidylate synthase.

Curcuminoids as Modulators of EMT in Invasive Cancers: A Review of Molecular Targets With the Contribution of Malignant Mesothelioma Studies

Curcuminoids, which include natural acyclic diarylheptanoids and the synthetic analogs of curcumin, have considerable potential for fighting against all the characteristics of invasive cancers. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process for embryonic morphogenesis, however, the last decade has confirmed it orchestrates many features of cancer invasiveness, such as tumor cell stemness, metabolic rewiring, and drug resistance. A wealth of studies has revealed EMT in cancer is in fact driven by an increasing number of parameters, and thus understanding its complexity has now become a cornerstone for defining future therapeutic strategies dealing with cancer progression and metastasis. A specificity of curcuminoids is their ability to target multiple molecular targets, modulate several signaling pathways, modify tumor microenvironments and enhance the host’s immune response. Although the effects of curcumin on these various parameters have been the subject of many reviews, the role of curcuminoids against EMT in the context of cancer have never been reviewed so far. This review first provides an updated overview of all EMT drivers, including signaling pathways, transcription factors, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and tumor microenvironment components, with a special focus on the most recent findings. Secondly, for each of these drivers the effects of curcumin/curcuminoids on specific molecular targets are analyzed. Finally, we address some common findings observed between data reported in the literature and the results of investigations we conducted on experimental malignant mesothelioma, a model of invasive cancer representing a useful tool for studies on EMT and cancer.

Long non-coding RNA TRIM52-AS1 sponges microRNA-577 to facilitate diffuse large B cell lymphoma progression via increasing TRIM52 expression

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) globally, featuring heterogeneous clinical phenotypes and altered molecular manifestations. The long non-coding ribose nucleic acids (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of DLBCL, requiring the exploration of complex functions and mechanisms. In this study, the expression of lncRNA TRIM52-AS1 in DLBCL tissues from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was initially analyzed and correlated to the data from collected clinical samples. Then, the significance of TRIM52-AS1 on the diagnosis and prognosis of DLBCL patients was predicted with the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. Further, cell counting kit (CCK)-8, EdU staining, and flow cytometry analyses were performed to assess the effect of TRIM52-AS1 on DLBCL cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle. Then, the mechanism of TRIM52-AS1 sponging miR-577 to increase TRIM52 expression was explored using a starBase prediction approach, dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIPA), quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western blot analyses. The experimental results confirmed the overexpression of TRIM52-AS1 in the DLBCL cell lines. Further, the high expression of TRIM52-AS1 predicted the poor Ann Arbor stage and were correlated with the presence of B symptoms, high international prognostic index, and poor disease prognosis. TRIM52-AS1 knockdown inhibited the DLBCL cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis and G0/G1 cycle arrest. Interestingly, the overexpression of TRIM52-AS1 increased the mRNA stability of TRIM52 through binding IGFBP3 protein and upregulated the TRIM52 protein expression by sponging miR-577. Together, the overexpressed TRIM52-AS1 could promote the DLBCL progression through IGFBP3/miR-218-5p/TRIM52 axis, highlighting the clinical significance of TRIM52-AS1 in the DLBCL diagnosis.

MiR-378a-3p Acts as a Tumor Suppressor in Colorectal Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Affects the Expression of MALAT1 and NEAT1 lncRNAs

MiR-378a-3p plays a critical role in carcinogenesis acting as a tumor suppressor, promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and reducing invasion and drug resistance in several human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), where its expression is significantly associated with histological classification and prognosis. In this study, we investigated the biological and cellular processes affected by miR-378a-3p in the context of CRC carcinogenesis. In agreement with the literature, miR-378a-3p is downregulated in our cohort of CRC patients as well as, in 15 patient-derived colorectal cancer stem-like cell (CRC-SC) lines and 8 CRC cell lines, compared to normal mucosae. Restoration of miR-378a-3p restrains tumorigenic properties of CRC and CRC-SC lines, as well as, significantly reduces tumor growth in two CRC-SC xenograft mouse models. We reported that miR-378a-3p modulates the expression of the lncRNAs MALAT1 and NEAT1. Their expression is inversely correlated with that of miR-378a-3p in patient-derived CRC-SC lines. Silencing of miR-378a-3p targets, MALAT1 and NEAT1, significantly impairs tumorigenic properties of CRC-SCs, supporting the critical role of miR-378a-3p in CRC carcinogenesis as a tumor-suppressor factor by establishing a finely tuned crosstalk with lncRNAs MALAT1 and NEAT1.

Long Non-Coding RNA MAFG-AS1 as a Potential Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Linkage with Tumor Features, Markers, Liver Functions, and Survival Profile

Purpose

Long non-coding RNAs musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene family, protein G antisense 1 (lnc-MAFG-AS1) regulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and treatment resistance in multiple ways, while its engagement in HCC clinical management remains obscure. The current study aims to explore the relationship of lnc-MAFG-AS1 with tumor features, liver function indexes, tumor markers, and prognosis in HCC patients.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-two surgical HCC patients who underwent tumor resection were retrospectively analyzed. Their tumor and adjacent tissues were acquired and then proposed to reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect lnc-MAFG-AS1 expression.

Results

Lnc-MAFG-AS1 expression was increased in HCC tumor tissue than in adjacent tissue [median (interquartile range): 2.730 (1.685–4.198) vs. 0.990 (0.703–1.468), p < 0.001], with a high area under the curve [0.889, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.854–0.924] to distinguish them via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Tumor lnc-MAFG-AS1 was linked with multifocal nodules (p < 0.001), increased Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (p = 0.018), and elevated China Liver Cancer (CNLC) stage (p = 0.008), which also correlated with an abnormal alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level (p = 0.004), However, lnc-MAFG-AS1 was not linked with other disease conditions, tumor properties, liver function indexes, or tumor markers (all ps > 0.05). In addition, patients with a high expression of lnc-MAFG-AS1 exhibited worse overall survival than those with a low expression of lnc-MAFG-AS1 [median (95% CI): 34.0 (24.5–43.5) vs. 48.0 (41.5–54.5) months] (p = 0.011), which was further validated by univariate Cox’s analysis [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.827, p = 0.013] and multivariate Cox’s analysis (HR = 1.697, p = 0.040).

Conclusion

Lnc-MAFG-AS1 relates to multifocal nodules, increased BCLC stage, elevated CNLC stage, and abnormal AFP level and predicts pejorative prognosis in HCC patients.

Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 and Colorectal Cancer: A Propensity Score Analysis of Two Prospective Cohorts

Background

Previous researches have shown that the aberrant expression of Metastasis associated in lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in tumour tissues may serve as a biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis. However, these previous studies have small sample sizes and lacked validation from independent external populations. We therefore aimed to clarify the prognostic value of MALAT1 expression status in CRC patients using a large cohort and validate the findings with another large external cohort.

Methods

The prognostic association between MALAT1 expression status and CRC outcomes was evaluated initially in a prospective cohort in China (n=164) and then validated in an external TCGA population (n=596). In the initial cohort, MALAT1 expression levels were quantified by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Propensity score (PS) adjustment method was used to control potential confounding biases. The prognostic significance was reported as PS-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

There was no statistically significant association between MALAT1 expression status and CRC patient overall survival (OS) or disease free survival (DFS) in both initial cohort and external validation cohort populations. When combining these populations together, the results did not change materially. The summarized HR_PS-adjusted were 1.010 (95% CI, 0.752-1.355, P=0.950) and 1.170 (95% CI, 0.910-1.502, P=0.220) for OS and DFS, respectively.

Conclusions

MALAT1 expression status is not associated with prognostic outcomes of CRC patients. However, additional larger population studies are needed to further validate these findings.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes in coronary artery disease

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, landscapes of EMT-related genes have not been fully established in CAD. We identified the differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Pearson’s correlation analysis, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, and support vector machine reverse feature elimination algorithms were used to screen EMT-related lncRNAs. The cis–trans regulatory networks were constructed based on EMT-related lncRNAs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to validate the expression of EMT-related genes in a cohort of six patients with CAD and six healthy controls. We further estimated the infiltration of the immune cells in CAD patients with five algorithms, and the correlation between EMT-related genes and infiltrating immune cells was analyzed. We identified eight EMT-related lncRNAs in CAD. The area under curve value was greater than 0.95. The immune analysis revealed significant CD8 T cells, monocytes, and NK cells in CAD and found that EMT-related lncRNAs were correlated with these immune cell subsets. Moreover, SNAI2, an EMT-TF gene, was found in the trans-regulatory network of EMT-related lncRNAs. Further, we found SNAI2 as a biomarker for the diagnosis of CAD but it also had a close correlation with immune cell subsets in CAD. Eight EMT-related lncRNAs and SNAI2 have important significance in the diagnosis of CAD patients.