Enhanced miR-9 promotes laryngocarcinoma cell survival via down-regulating PTEN

MiR-5189-3p Suppresses cell Proliferation, Invasion and Migration Through Targeting EIF5A2 in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A growing body of evidence suggests that miR-5189-3p plays a critical role in multiple diseases. This study aimed to investigate the function of miR-5189-3p in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and explore its underlying mechanisms. qRT-PCR was designed to determine the expression levels of miR-5189-3p and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A2 (EIF5A2), while CCK-8 assay was performed to measure the effects of miR-5189-3p on cell proliferation. Transwell assay was performed to evaluate cell invasion as well as migration, and wound healing assay was applied to demonstrate cell migratory ability. Target gene prediction and luciferase reporter assay were developed to screen the possible target gene of miR-5189-3p, and Western blot was designed to measure EIF5A2 protein expression. MiR-5189-3p was down-regulated in LSCC tissues and cell lines. Up-regulation of miR-5189-3p notably inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in HEP2 and FADU cells. EIF5A2 was the potential downstream gene of miR-5189-3p, and overexpression of miR-5189-3p apparently reduced EIF5A2 expression. Moreover, reintroduction of EIF5A2 rescued the tumor suppressive effects of miR-5189-3p. MiR-5189-3p functions as a tumor inhibitor in LSCC progression via directly regulating EIF5A2 and may be a potential therapeutic target for LSCC.

MiRNA-21-5p Accelerates EMT and Inhibits Apoptosis of Laryngeal Carcinoma via Inhibiting KLF6 Expression

The incidence of laryngeal carcinoma accounts for 1 to 5% of systemic malignancies and ranks second among head and neck malignancies. Screening more effective targets are meaningful for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma. The purpose was to research the action of miR-21-5p in the occurrence of laryngeal carcinoma. Genecards combined with g:profiler was used for cluster analysis to predict gene-related miRNAs. Q-PCR assay was performed for measuring the level of miR-21-5p and Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6). miR-21-5p-mimic, miR-21-5p-inhibitor and sh-KLF6 were transfected using LipofectamineTM 2000. Both CCK-8 and EdU experiments were undertaken to detect cell proliferation ability. Western blot was used to detect apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were undertaken for migration and invasion, respectively. Three online software (ENCORI, miRWalk, and miRDB) were applied to screen the downstream of miR-21-5p. At the same time, a dual-luciferase reporter experiment was processed to verify the binding. Finally, a rescue experiment was applied to reveal the mediating role of miR-21-5p and KLF6. MiR-21-5p expressed highly in laryngeal carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of miR-21-5p reduced the EMT, while enhancing apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cell lines. MiR-21-5p targeted KLF6 with negative relationships. The rescue assay results confirmed that sh-KLF6 rescued the action of miR-21-5p knockdown in developing laryngeal carcinoma cells. MiR-21-5p promotes the occurrence and development of laryngeal cancer by targeting KLF6. This finding may provide new insights into miRNA as a biomarker for diagnosing and treating laryngeal carcinoma in the future.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of microRNAs in Patients with Laryngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review

Laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the head and neck region, with a poor survival rate (5-year overall survival 50-80%) as a consequence of an advanced-stage diagnosis and high recurrence rate. Tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse are the main risk factors of LSCC development. An early diagnosis of LSCC, a prompt detection of recurrence and a more precise monitoring of the efficacy of different treatment modalities are currently needed to reduce the mortality. Therefore, the identification of effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for LSCC is crucial to guide disease management and improve clinical outcomes. In the past years, a dysregulated expression of small non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), has been reported in many human cancers, including LSCC, and many miRNAs have been explored for their diagnostic and prognostic potential and proposed as biomarkers. We searched electronic databases for original papers that were focused on miRNAs and LSCC, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. According to the outcome, 566 articles were initially screened, of which 177 studies were selected and included in the analysis. In this systematic review, we provide an overview of the current literature on the function and the potential diagnostic and prognostic role of tissue and circulating miRNAs in LSCC.

Biomarkers in Otorhinolaryngology

Biomarkers of otorhinolaryngologic diseases with higher insult over a person’s him/herself and overall health services are summarized in brief. In order to define, diagnose, treat and monitor any disease markers are needed. Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) is interested in special disease entities of the region besides otorhinolaryngologic involvements of the systemic diseases and unique forms of pathologies such as cholesteatoma, Meniere’s disease and otosclerosis. Neoplasia is another heading to deal with. In the following chapter, one will find an overview of molecules that have been used as a biomarker as well as the end points of the present research on the issue relevant with ORL. Day by day, new molecules are being named however, the pathways of action are rather the same. Readers will find the headings related to the most common diseases of the field, informing them about where to look for defining new strategies of understanding of each disease.

LINC00941 promoted in vitro progression and glycolysis of laryngocarcinoma by upregulating PKM via activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Background

LINC00941 has been proved to be related to various tumors, but its relationship with laryngocarcinoma remains vague.

Methods

LINC00941 expression in laryngocarcinoma tumor and laryngocarcinoma cells was determined by real time‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Besides, the five‐year survival of laryngocarcinoma patients with different LINC00941 expression was analyzed with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and the clinical characteristics of laryngocarcinoma patients were also recorded. After transfection, cell viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion were detected by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8), colony formation, flow cytometry, cell scratch, and Transwell assays, respectively. Glycolysis was assessed by the colorimetric method. Expressions of proliferation‐associated proteins, migration‐associated proteins, glycolysis‐associated proteins, and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway‐associated proteins were detected by Western blot.

Results

In laryngocarcinoma tumor tissues and cells, LINC00941 was highly expressed. High expression of LINC00941 decreased the 5‐year survival of laryngocarcinoma patients, and it was positively related to lymph node metastasis and clinical stages. LINC00941 overexpression decreased apoptosis but promoted cell viability, proliferation, cell‐cycle progression, migration, and invasion, and glucose consumption and lactate production in laryngocarcinoma cells. Moreover, LINC00941 overexpression elevated expressions of Ki‐67, PCNA, MMP2, N‐Cadherin, HK2, PFKFB4, and PKM, activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway but reduced E‐Cadherin expression, while LINC00941 silencing had the opposite effects. PKM overexpression reversed the effects of LINC00941 silencing on cellular and glycolytic phenotypes.

Conclusion

LINC00941 promoted in vitro progression and glycolysis of laryngocarcinoma cells by upregulating PKM via activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

microRNAs deregulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck (HN) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the eighth most common human cancer worldwide. Besides tobacco and alcohol consumption, genetic and epigenetic alterations play an important role in HNSCC occurrence and progression. microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate cell cycle, proliferation, development, differentiation, and apoptosis by interfering in gene expression. Expression profiling of miRNAs showed that some miRNAs are upregulated or downregulated in tumor cells when compared with the normal cells. The present review focuses on the role of miRNAs deregulations in HNSCC, enrolled in risk, development, outcome, and therapy sensitivity. Moreover, the influence of single nucleotide variants in miRNAs target sites, miRNAs seed sites, and miRNAs-processing genes in HNSCC was also revised. Due to its potential for cancer diagnosis, progression, and as a therapeutic target, miRNAs may bring new perspectives in HNSCC understanding and therapy, especially for those patients with no or insufficient treatment options.

Expression level of NEAT1 differentiates benign and malignant thyroid nodules by regulating NEAT1/miR‑9/PTEN and NEAT1/miR‑124/PDCD6 signalling

The incidence of thyroid nodules has been increasing worldwide; however, there are currently no feasible and robust methods to differentiate malignant thyroid nodules from benign thyroid nodules. The present study aimed to establish a practical method to determine the malignancy of thyroid nodules. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were performed to compare the levels of long non-coding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1), microRNA (miR)-9, miR-124, PTEN and programmed cell death protein 6 (PDCD6) in the peripheral blood and thyroid tissue samples between patients with malignant and benign thyroid nodules. Additionally, a regulatory relationship between NEAT1, miR-124, miR-9, PTEN and PDCD6 was established in the present study. The diagnostic value of NEAT1, miR-124 and miR-9 was determined using a ROC analysis. The expression levels of NEAT1, PTEN and PDCD6 in peripheral blood and thyroid tissue samples collected from the benign group were higher compared with those in the malignant group, whereas the expression levels of miR-124 and miR-9 were lower in the benign group. In the peripheral blood, NEAT1 expression exhibited an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.8546, whereas miR-124 and miR-9 expression had AUC values of 0.7657 and 0.7019, respectively. In the thyroid tissue, NEAT1, miR-124, and miR-9 had AUC values of 0.9304, 0.8221 and 0.7757, respectively. Additionally, miR-9 and miR-124 expression levels in BCPaP and SW579 cells was decreased after transfection with a NEAT1 expression vector compared with those in cells transfected with the control vector, whereas the expression of PTEN and PDCD6 was upregulated. By contrast, transfection with short hairpin RNA targeting NEAT1 notably increased the expression of miR-9 and miR-124 while downregulating the expression of PTEN and PDCD6 compared with that in the control cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that the dysregulation of NEAT1 expression may be used to differentiate benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

miR-124 regulates liver cancer stem cells expansion and sorafenib resistance

Liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to tumorigenesis, progression, recurrence and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying mechanism for liver CSCs expansion remains unclear. Herein, we report that miR-124 is downregulated in liver CSCs and associated with the poor prognosis of HCC. Functional studies revealed that a forced expression of miR-124 inhibits liver CSCs self-renew and tumorigenesis. Conversely, miR-124 knockdown promotes liver CSCs self-renew and tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, miR-124 directly target Caveolin-1 (CAV1) via its mRNA 3'UTR in liver CSCs. Furthermore, miR-124 expression determines the responses of hepatoma cells to sorafenib treatment. The analysis of patient cohort and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) further demonstrated that miR-124 may predict sorafenib benefits in HCC patients. In conclusion, our findings revealed the crucial role of the miR-124 in liver CSCs expansion and sorafenib response, rendering miR-124 an optimal target for the prevention and intervention in HCC.

The Complex Landscape of PTEN mRNA Regulation

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a key tumor suppressor in the development and progression of different tumor types. Emerging data indicate that small reductions in PTEN protein levels can promote cancer. PTEN protein levels are tightly controlled by a plethora of mechanisms beginning with epigenetic and transcriptional regulation and ending with control of protein synthesis and stability. PTEN messenger RNA (mRNA) is also subject to exquisite regulation by microRNAs, coding and long noncoding RNAs, and RNA-binding proteins. Additionally, PTEN mRNA is markedly influenced by alternative splicing and variable polyadenylation. Herein we provide a synoptic description of the current understanding of the complex regulatory landscape of PTEN mRNA regulation including several specific processes that modulate its stability and expression, in the context of PTEN loss-associated cancers.

Insight toward the MicroRNA Profiling of Laryngeal Cancers: Biological Role and Clinical Impact

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a heterogeneous disease arising from various anatomical locations including the larynx, is a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite advances in multimodality treatment, the overall survival rate of the disease is still largely dismal. Early and accurate diagnosis of HNSCC is urgently demanded in order to prevent cancer progression and to improve the quality of the patient's life. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs), a family of small non-coding RNAs, have been widely reported as new robust tools for prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic approaches of human diseases. Abnormally expressed miRNAs are strongly associated with cancer development, resistance to chemo-/radiotherapy, and metastatic potential through targeting a large variety of genes. In this review, we summarize on the recent reports that emphasize the pivotal biological roles of miRNAs in regulating carcinogenesis of HNSCC, particularly laryngeal cancer. In more detail, we report the characterized miRNAs with an evident either oncogenic or tumor suppressive role in the cancers. In addition, we also focus on the correlation between miRNA deregulation and clinical relevance in cancer patients. On the basis of intriguing findings, the study of miRNAs will provide a new great opportunity to access better clinical management of the malignancies.

miR-552 promotes laryngocarcinoma cells proliferation and metastasis by targeting p53 pathway

Numerous researches show that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in tumorigenesis, progression, recurrence and drug resistance of malignant tumors, including laryngocarcinoma. miR-552 works as an oncogene in both colorectal cancer and liver cancer. However, the potential role of miR-552 in laryngocarcinoma is unknown. Herein, we for first found that miR-552 expression was upregulated in laryngocarcinoma tissues compared with their normal controls. Moreover, miR-552 expression was also increasing in the laryngocarcinoma cells. miR-552 interference inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of laryngocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, bioinformatics and luciferase reporter analysis identified p53 as a direct target of miR-552. miR-552 knockdown upregulated the p53 mRNA and protein expression in laryngocarcinoma cells. miR-552 expression was negatively associated with p53 expression in laryngocarcinoma tissues. More importantly, the p53 siRNA or p53 overexpression virus abrogated the discrepancy of growth and metastasis capacity between miR-552 interference laryngocarcinoma cells and control cells.

MiR-9 promotes synovial sarcoma cell migration and invasion by directly targeting CDH1

BACKGROUND

Invasion and metastasis of synovial sarcoma is the leading cause of death in patients. Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) accelerates tumor cell invasion and metastasis. MiR-9 promotes tumor metastasis by inducing EMT. However, the role of miR-9 in synovial sarcoma is still not clear.

METHODS

Overexpression or knockdown of miR-9 in human synovial sarcoma (HSS) cell lines was carried out by miR-9 mimics or miR-9 inhibitors transfection. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected using MTS and colony formation assays, flow cytometry, wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was applied to study the interaction between miR-9 and CDH1. Nude mice xenograft model was established, and immunohistochemistry staining assessed Ki-67 level. The related mRNA and protein expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

The bioinformatics analyses and luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-9 can target CDH1 3'-UTR. Moreover, miR-9 could induce EMT of HSS cells via targeting CDH1. The negative regulation of miR-9 on CDH1 expression was also confirmed in a mouse xenograft model of synovial sarcoma. Furthermore, miR-9 was observed to induce HSS cell proliferation, migration and invasion and inhibit apoptosis. MAPK/ERK and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathways were activated by the miR-9 overexpression in HSS cells, and then further enhancing tumorigenesis of HSS, which was further confirmed in the mouse model.

CONCLUSION

MiR-9 induces EMT by targeting CDH1, and activates MAPK/ERK and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathways, thus promoting HSS tumorigenesis.

Transcriptional Repression and Protein Degradation of the Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel KCa1.1 by Androgen Receptor Inhibition in Human Breast Cancer Cells

The large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel K_Ca1.1 plays an important role in the promotion of breast cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. The androgen receptor (AR) is proposed as a therapeutic target for AR-positive advanced triple-negative breast cancer. We herein investigated the effects of a treatment with antiandrogens on the functional activity, activation kinetics, transcriptional expression, and protein degradation of K_Ca1.1 in human breast cancer MDA-MB-453 cells using real-time PCR, Western blotting, voltage-sensitive dye imaging, and whole-cell patch clamp recording. A treatment with the antiandrogen bicalutamide or enzalutamide for 48 h significantly suppressed (1) depolarization responses induced by paxilline (PAX), a specific K_Ca1.1 blocker and (2) PAX-sensitive outward currents induced by the depolarizing voltage step. The expression levels of K_Ca1.1 transcripts and proteins were significantly decreased in MDA-MB-453 cells, and the protein degradation of K_Ca1.1 mainly contributed to reductions in K_Ca1.1 activity. Among the eight regulatory β and γ subunits, LRRC26 alone was expressed at high levels in MDA-MB-453 cells and primary and metastatic breast cancer tissues, whereas no significant changes were observed in the expression levels of LRRC26 and activation kinetics of PAX-sensitive outward currents in MDA-MB-453 cells by the treatment with antiandrogens. The treatment with antiandrogens up-regulated the expression of the ubiquitin E3 ligases, FBW7, MDM2, and MDM4 in MDA-MB-453 cells, and the protein degradation of K_Ca1.1 was significantly inhibited by the respective siRNA-mediated blockade of FBW7 and MDM2. Based on these results, we concluded that K_Ca1.1 is an androgen-responsive gene in AR-positive breast cancer cells, and its down-regulation through enhancements in its protein degradation by FBW7 and/or MDM2 may contribute, at least in part, to the antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of antiandrogens in breast cancer cells.