Long non-coding RNA in cervical cancer: From biology to therapeutic opportunity

Identification of key genes associated with cervical cancer based on bioinformatics analysis

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer has extremely high morbidity and mortality, and its pathogenesis is still in the exploratory stage. This study aimed to screen and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to cervical cancer through bioinformatics analysis.

METHODS

GSE63514 and GSE67522 were selected from the GEO database to screen DEGs. Then GO and KEGG analysis were performed on DEGs. PPI network of DEGs was constructed through STRING website, and the hub genes were found through 12 algorithms of Cytoscape software. Meanwhile, GSE30656 was selected from the GEO database to screen DEMs. Target genes of DEMs were screened through TagetScan, miRTarBase and miRDB. Next, the hub genes screened from DEGs were merged with the target genes screened from DEMs. Finally, ROC curve and nomogram analysis were performed to assess the predictive capabilities of the hub genes. The expression of these hub genes were verified through TCGA, GEPIA, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Six hub genes, TOP2A, AURKA, CCNA2, IVL, KRT1, and IGFBP5, were mined through the protein-protein interaction network. The expression of these hub genes were verified through TCGA, GEPIA, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry, and it was found that TOP2A, AURKA as well as CCNA2 were overexpressed and IGFBP5 was low expression in cervical cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that TOP2A, AURKA, CCNA2 and IGFBP5 screened through bioinformatics analysis were significantly differentially expressed in cervical cancer samples compared with normal samples, which might be biomarkers of cervical cancer.

LncRNA HOXC-AS3 accelerates malignant proliferation of cervical cancer cells via stabilizing KDM5B

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer (CC) is a common malignancy amongst women globally. Ubiquitination plays a dual role in the occurrence and development of cancers. This study analyzed the mechanism of long noncoding RNA HOXC cluster antisense RNA 3 (lncRNA HOXC-AS3) in malignant proliferation of CC cells via mediating ubiquitination of lysine demethylase 5B (KDM5B/JARID1B).

METHODS

The expression patterns of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 and KDM5B were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blot analysis. After transfection with lncRNA HOXC-AS3 siRNA and pcDNA3.1-KDM5B, proliferation of CC cells was assessed by the cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine staining assays. The xenograft tumor model was established to confirm the impact of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 on CC cell proliferation in vivo by measuring tumor size and weight and the immunohistochemistry assay. The subcellular location of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 and the binding of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 to KDM5B were analyzed. After treatment of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 siRNA or MG132, the protein and ubiquitination levels of KDM5B were determined. Thereafter, the interaction and the subcellular co-location of tripartite motif-containing 37 (TRIM37) and KDM5B were analyzed by the co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays.

RESULTS

LncRNA HOXC-AS3 and KDM5B were upregulated in CC tissues and cells. Depletion of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 repressed CC cell proliferation and in vivo tumor growth. Mechanically, lncRNA HOXC-AS3 located in the nucleus directly bound to KDM5B, inhibited TRIM37-mediated ubiquitination of KDM5B, and upregulated the protein levels of KDM5B. KDM5B overexpression attenuated the inhibitory role of silencing lncRNA HOXC-AS3 in CC cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Nucleus-located lncRNA HOXC-AS3 facilitated malignant proliferation of CC cells via stabilization of KDM5B protein levels.

A comprehensive review of lncRNA CRNDE in cancer progression and pathology, with a specific glance at the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process

It has been suggested that the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), such as colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE), may contribute to the formation of human cancer. It is yet unknown, though, what therapeutic significance CRNDE expression has for different forms of cancer. CRNDE has recently been proposed as a possible diagnostic biomarker and prognostic pred for excellent specificity and sensitivity in cancer tissues and plasma. To provide the groundwork for potential future therapeutic uses of CRNDE, we briefly overview its biological action and related cancer-related pathways. Next, we mainly address the impact of CRNDE on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition, or EMT, is an essential biological mechanism involved in the spread of cancer.

Effects of BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 on the expression profile of super-enhancer related lncRNAs and mRNAs in cervical cancer HeLa cells

Objective

To investigate the effects of bromine domain protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor JQ1 on the expression profile of super-enhancer-related lncRNAs (SE-lncRNAs) and mRNAs in cervical cancer (CC) HeLa-cells.

Methods

The CCK8 method was implemented to detect the inhibitory effect of JQ1 on HeLa cells and explore the best inhibitory concentration. Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed to detect the changes of lncRNAs and mRNAs expression profiles in cells of the JQ1 treatment group and control group, respectively. The differentially expressed SE-lncRNAs were obtained by matching, while the co-expressed mRNAs were obtained by Pearson correlation analysis.

Results

The inhibitory effect of JQ1 on HeLa cell proliferation increased significantly with increasing concentration and treatment time (P < 0.05). Under the experimental conditions of three concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 μmol/L of JQ1 on HeLa cells at 24, 48, 72 and 120 h, 1 μmol/L of JQ1 at 72 and 120 h had the same cell viability and the strongest cell proliferation inhibition. In order to understand the inhibitory mechanism of JQ1 on HeLa cells, this study analyzed the expression profile differences from the perspective of SE-lncRNAs and mRNAs. A total of 162 SE-lncRNAs were identified, of which 8 SE-lncRNAs were down-regulated and seven SE-lncRNAs were up-regulated. A total of 418 differentially expressed mRNAs related to SE-lncRNAs were identified, of which 395 mRNAs had positive correlation with 12 SE-lncRNAs and 408 mRNAs had negative correlation with 15 SE-lncRNAs.

Conclusion

JQ1 can significantly inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells and affect the expression profile of SE-lncRNAs and mRNAs.

The role of long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in cervical cancer: modulating miRNA function

Cervical cancer (CC) is a primary global health concern, ranking as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Despite advancements in prognosis, long-term outcomes remained poor. Beyond HPV, cofactors like dietary deficiencies, immunosuppression, hormonal contraceptives, co-infections, and genetic variations are involved in CC progression. The pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer, has brought to light the critical regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). The aberrant expression of these miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of CC. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the recent literature regarding the involvement of lncRNAs and circRNAs in modulating miRNA functions in cervical neoplasia and metastasis. Studies have shown that lncRNAs and circRNAs hold great potential as therapeutic agents and innovative biomarkers in CC. However, more clinical research is needed to advance our understanding of the therapeutic benefits of circRNAs and lncRNAs in CC.

lncRNA799/TBL1XR1/ZEB1 Axis Forms a Feedback Loop to Promote the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Cervical Cancer Cells

Cervical cancer is a common malignancy among women worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently involved in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potentials of lncRNA799 in cervical cancer. mRNA and protein expression were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. Cellular functions were assessed using CCK-8, wound healing and transwell analysis. The binding potential of zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) on the promoter of lncRNA799 was predicted utilizing the JASPAR database, and was then verified by luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Furthermore, the gene interactions were assessed using RNA immunoprecipitation and co-immunoprecipitation assays. The results demonstrated that lncRNA799 was upregulated in cervical cancer cells. However, lncRNA799 deficiency suppressed the proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, lncRNA799 could interact with eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A3 to maintain the mRNA stability of transducin (β)-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 (TBL1XR1) and promote the interaction between ZEB1 and TBL1XR1. Additionally, the results showed that ZEB1 could transcriptionally activate lncRNA799. Taken together, the present study suggested that the lncRNA799/TBL1XR1/ZEB1 axis could form a positive feedback loop in cervical cancer and could be, therefore, considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.

Defining new biomarkers for overcoming therapeutical resistance in cervical cancer using lncRNA

Despite improvements in cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for cervical cancer patients remains dismal due to the development of drug resistance, metastasis, and invasion resulting leading to treatment failure. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA transcripts have been reported in mediating carcinogenesis as well as drug, and radio-resistance in tumor cells. These lncRNAs regulate various cancer hallmarks and contribute to the development of therapeutic resistance. They regulates multiple signalling pathways, recruits polycomb group, function as miRNA sponge and scaffolds. Additionally, lncRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in cervical cancer. This comprehensive review outlines the biogenesis of lncRNA and its role in cancer development. It delves into the mechanisms through which various lncRNAs mediate chemoresistance and radioresistance in cervical cancer. By shedding into the light of mechanism, this review will also aids researchers in understanding lncRNAs as biomarkers and latest advancements in clinically targeting them with the help of Artificial Intelligence for overcoming chemoresistance and radioresistance, thereby improving cervical cancer treatment.

Transcription factor Dp-1 knockdown downregulates thymidine kinase 1 expression to protect against proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cervical cancer

Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) level is an independent survival prognostic factor for both premalignant and malignant cervical pathologies. Herein, this study sought to probe the impacts of TK1 on cervical cancer (CC) progression and its underlying mechanism. Transcription factor Dp-1 (TFDP1) and TK1 expression was assessed using qRT-PCR in CC cell lines. After ectopic expression and knockdown experiments, cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays were adopted to measure cell proliferation, western blot to examine the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins, and Transwell assays to assess cell invasion and migration. The binding of TFDP1 to TK1 was predicted by bioinformatic sites and verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Tumor xenograft experiments in nude mice were performed to validate the influence of TFDP1/TK1 on CC progression in vivo. CC cells had high TK1 and TFDP1 expression. TFDP1 or TK1 knockdown restrained CC cell EMT, invasion, migration, and proliferation. TFDP1 facilitated TK1 expression in CC via transcription. Overexpression of TK1 counteracted the suppressive impacts of TFDP1 knockdown on CC cell malignant behaviors. Moreover, TFDP1 knockdown depressed CC growth in vivo by downregulating TK1. TFDP1 knockdown restricted proliferation and EMT in CC by downregulating TK1 expression.

Targeting Non-Coding RNAs for the Development of Novel Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapeutic Approaches

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a global health challenge, representing the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Although therapeutic advances have been made in the few last years, the prognosis remains poor. Thus, there is a dire need to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In this regard, two approaches can be considered: (1) the identification of tumor-targeted delivery systems and (2) the targeting of molecule(s) whose aberrant expression is confined to tumor cells. In this work, we focused on the second approach. Among the different kinds of possible target molecules, we discuss the potential therapeutic value of targeting non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which include micro interfering RNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). These molecules represent the most significant RNA transcripts in cells and can regulate many HCC features, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. In the first part of the review, the main characteristics of HCC and ncRNAs are described. The involvement of ncRNAs in HCC is then presented over five sections: (a) miRNAs, (b) lncRNAs, (c) circRNAs, (d) ncRNAs and drug resistance and (e) ncRNAs and liver fibrosis. Overall, this work provides the reader with the most recent state-of-the-art approaches in this field, highlighting key trends and opportunities for more advanced and efficacious HCC treatments.

Novel Prognostic Biomarkers for Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Endocervical Adenocarcinoma (CESC) Patients via Analysis of Competing Endogenous RNA (ceRNA) Network

Background

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) is a common malignant gynecological cancer. The ceRNA networks play important roles in many tumors, while RILPL2-related ceRNA network has been seldom studied in CESC.

Methods

All CESC data was obtained from TCGA database. Differentially expressed RNAs and predicted target RNAs were cross analyzed to construct ceRNA network. RNA and clinicopathological characteristics' influence on overall survival (OS) were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Lasso regression was used to construct the prediction model. Coexpression analysis was performed to explore the association of gene expression with CESC. This was followed by an experimental validation based on these results.

Results

Between high and low RILPL2 expression CESC patients, totally 1227 DEmRNAs, 39 DEmiRNAs, and 1544 DElncRNAs were identified. After multiple cross analyses, 1 miRNA hsa-miR-1293, 20 mRNAs, and 43 lncRNAs were maintained to construct ceRNA network. CADM3-AS1, LINC00092, and ZNF667-AS1 in ceRNA network were significantly associated with the OS of CESC patients, and patients with low expression of these lncRNAs had worse prognosis. Significant lower expressions of these lncRNAs were also observed in CESC cell line compared with normal cell line.

Conclusion

Low expressions of CADM3-AS1, LINC00092, and ZNF667-AS1 in ceRNA network were probably promising poor prognostic biomarkers for CESC patients. The genes show a prospective research area for CESC-targeted treatment in the future.

Role of noncoding RNAs with emphasis on long noncoding RNAs as cervical cancer biomarkers

Cervical cancer is a significant public health problem in developing countries, as most cases present at an advanced stage. This review aimed to analyze the role of noncoding RNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cervical cancers. Published studies on specific microRNA signatures in body fluids and cervical cancer tissues are highly heterogeneous, and there are no validated assays. The precision of the various immune-associated long noncoding (lncRNA) signatures should be assessed in clinical samples. Even though lncRNAs are tissue and cancer-specific, safe and appropriate methods for delivery to tumor tissues, toxicities and side effects are to be explored. Few studies have evaluated deregulated lncRNA expression levels with clinicopathological factors in a limited number of clinical samples. Prospective studies assessing the diagnostic and prognostic roles of circulating lncRNAs and P-Element-induced wimpy testis interacting PIWI RNAs (Piwil RNAs) in cervical cancer cases are essential. For the clinical application of lnc-RNA-based biomarkers, comprehensive research is needed as the impact of noncoding transcripts on molecular pathways is complex. The standardization and validation of deregulated ncRNAs in noninvasive samples of cervical cancer cases are needed.

LncRNA CARMN inhibits cervical cancer cell growth via the miR-92a-3p/BTG2/Wnt/β-catenin axis

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) cardiac mesoderm enhancer-associated noncoding RNA (CARMN) is a newly discovered tumor-suppressor lncRNA in cancers. However, its role in cervical cancer (CC) remains elusive. This study was conducted to analyze the molecular mechanism of CARMN in CC cell growth and provide a novel theoretical basis for CC treatment. RT-qPCR and clinical analysis revealed that CARMN and B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) were downregulated, whereas miR-92a-3p was upregulated in CC tissues and cells and their expressions were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays revealed that CARMN overexpression reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased apoptosis rate in CC cells. Mechanically, CARMN repressed miR-92a-3p to promote BTG2 transcription. Functional rescue assays revealed that miR-92a-3p overexpression or BTG2 downregulation reversed the inhibitory role of CARMN overexpression in CC cell growth. Western blot analysis elicited that Wnt3a and β-catenin were elevated in CC cells and CARMN blocked the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via the miR-92a-3p/BTG2 axis. Overall, our findings demonstrated that CARMN repressed miR-92a-3p to upregulate BTG2 transcription and then blocked the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby suppressing CC cell growth.

LncRNA BBOX1-AS1 Contributes to the Progression of Esophageal Carcinoma by Targeting the miR-361-3p/COL5A1 Axis

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to participate in the progression of several cancers, including esophageal carcinoma (EC), a common malignancy of the digestive system. Although the role of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network is crucial for the growth and progression of EC, the regulation of lncRNA BBOX1-AS1 (BBOX1 antisense RNA1) remains unclear. We performed reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting to evaluate miR-361-3p, collagen type V alpha 1 chain (COL5A1), and BBOX1-AS1 expression levels in EC cells and tissues. The colony formation assay (CFA) and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) were employed to identify EC cell proliferation, while western blotting was used to examine EC cell apoptosis and Bax and Bcl-2 expression levels. The effect of BBOX1-AS1 on EC proliferation was determined using an in vivo carcinogenesis assay. Correlation between COL5A1, BBOX1-AS1, and miR-361-3p was examined using the luciferase reporter system and RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIP). Herein, we observed that BBOX1-AS1 expression levels were upregulated in EC cells and tissues. BBOX1-AS1 knockdown inhibited EC cell proliferation and conferred a pro-apoptotic effect. These results indicated a positive interaction between BBOX1-AS1 and miR-361-3p in EC and a negative association with miR-361-3p. COL5A1 was recognized as a downstream miR-361-3p target and was inversely related to miR-361-3p in EC. Therefore, BBOX1-AS1 expression suppressed cell apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation via the downregulation of miR-361-3p and upregulation of COL5A1 expression. Overall, BBOX1-AS1 facilitates EC progression via the miR-361-3p or COL5A1 axis, indicating that BBOX1-AS1 might be a potential therapeutic target for EC therapy.

Alterations in the expression levels of long intergenic non-coding RNA APOC1P1-3 in cervical cancer tissue samples

lncRNAs play a crucial role in the carcinogenesis process. Thus, they have been recognized as the potential therapeutic and diagnostic biomarkers of cancers. This study assessed the alteration in the expression of APOC1P1-3 lncRNA in cancerous tissues compared to their adjacent non-tumorous tissues sampled from cervical cancer patients. one hundred fifteen pairs of cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous biopsy of cervical cancer specimens were collected. RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis were carried out. The qRT-PCR was used to assess the changes in the expression of APOC1P1-3 lncRNA. Moreover, the biomarker function of the lncRNA and the correlations between APOC1P1-3 and clinicopathological parameters were measured. The APOC1P1-3 expression was significantly increased in cervical cancer specimens as compared to adjacent non-tumorous specimens (p < 0.0001). A significant association was also observed between APOC1P1-3 expression and lymph node involvement (p = 0.031). Additionally, APOC1P1-3 expression demonstrated a significant association with the depth of tumor invasion (p = 0.035), and squamous type of cervical cancer (p = 0.019). The overexpression of APOC1P1-3 was significantly observed in patients younger than 50 years old as compared to another age group (p = 0.033). The results of ROC curve exhibited that APOC1P1-3 with area under the curve (AUC), specificity, and sensitivity of 0.96, 93.91%, and 78.26%, respectively can be considered as a potential biomarker. Regarding overexpression of APOC1P1-3 in human cervical cancer samples, this lncRNA may be considered as an oncogenic factor in cervical cancer patients. Besides, APOC1P1-3 may be a possible biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer patients.

The Plasma DIA-Based Quantitative Proteomics Reveals the Pathogenic Pathways and New Biomarkers in Cervical Cancer and High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion

OBJECTIVE

The process of normal cervix changing into high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and invasive cervical cancer is long and the mechanisms are still not completely clear. This study aimed to reveal the protein profiles related to HSIL and cervical cancer and find the diagnostic and prognostic molecular changes.

METHODS

Data-independent acquisition (DIA) analysis was performed to identify 20 healthy female volunteers, 20 HSIL and 20 cervical patients in a cohort to screen differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) for the HSIL and cervical cancer. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used for functional annotation of DEPs; the protein-protein interaction (PPI) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed for detection of key molecular modules and hub proteins. They were validated using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

A total of 243 DEPs were identified in the study groups. GO and KEGG analysis showed that DEPs were mainly enriched in the complement and coagulation pathway, cholesterol metabolism pathway, the IL-17 signaling pathway as well as the viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor pathway. Subsequently, the WGCNA analysis showed that the green module was highly correlated with the cervical cancer stage. Additionally, six interesting core DEPs were verified by ELISA, APOF and ORM1, showing nearly the same expression pattern with DIA. The area under the curve (AUC) of 0.978 was obtained by using ORM1 combined with APOF to predict CK and HSIL+CC, and in the diagnosis of HSIL and CC, the AUC can reach to 0.982. The high expression of ORM1 is related to lymph node metastasis and the clinical stage of cervical cancer patients as well as the poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

DIA-ELSIA combined analysis screened and validated two previously unexplored but potentially useful biomarkers for early diagnosis of HSIL and cervical cancer, as well as possible new pathogenic pathways and therapeutic targets.

Comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs model in tumor immune microenvironment and prognostic value of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading gynecological malignancy in females worldwide. Cuproptosis, a form of cell death induced by copper, elicits a novel therapeutic strategy in anticancer therapy. Nonetheless, the effects of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs in CC remain unclear. Therefore, we aim to investigate cuproptosis-related lncRNAs, develop a risk model for prognostic prediction, and elucidate the immunological profile of CC. Transcription profiles and clinical follow-up data of CC were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Afterward, the risk model was built by distinguishing prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNAs using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. The correctness of the risk model was validated, and a nomogram was established followed by tumor immune microenvironment analysis. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scores were used to assess immunotherapy response, and anticancer pharmaceutical half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) prediction was performed for potential chemotherapy medicines. Finally, through coexpression analysis, 199 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs were collected. A unique risk model was generated using 6 selected prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNAs. The risk score performed a reliable independent prediction of CC survival with higher diagnostic effectiveness compared to generic clinical characteristics. Immunological cell infiltration investigation indicated that the risk model was substantially linked with CC patients’ immunology, and the low-risk patients had lower TIDE scores and increased checkpoint expression, suggesting a stronger immunotherapy response. Besides, the high-risk group exhibited distinct sensitivity to anticancer medications. The immune-related progression was connected to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between risk groups. Generally, the risk model comprised 6 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs that may help predict CC patients’ overall survival, indicate immunocyte infiltration, and identify individualized treatment.

HPV-Related Cervical Cancer and Extracellular Vesicles

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in females worldwide. Infection with a human papillomavirus is crucial to the etiopathogenesis of cervical cancer. The natural trajectory of HPV infection comprises HPV acquisition, HPV persistence versus clearance, and progression to precancer and invasive cancer. The majority of HPV infections are cleared and controlled by the immune system within 2 years, but some infections may become quiescent or undetectable. The persistence of high-risk HPV infection for a longer period of time enhances the risk of malignant transformation of infected cells; however, the mechanisms responsible for the persistence of infection are not yet well-understood. It is estimated that 10-15% of infections do persist, and the local microenvironment is now recognized as an important cofactor promoting infection maintenance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane vesicles derived from both normal cells and cancer cells. EVs contain various proteins, such as cytoskeletal proteins, adhesion molecules, heat shock proteins, major histocompatibility complex, and membrane fusion proteins. EVs derived from HPV-infected cells also contain viral proteins and nucleic acids. These biologically active molecules are transferred via EVs to target cells, constituting a kind of cell-to-cell communication. The viral components incorporated into EVs are transmitted independently of the production of infectious virions. This mode of transfer makes EVs a perfect vector for viruses and their components. EVs participate in both physiological and pathological conditions; they have also been identified as one of the mediators involved in cancer metastasis. This review discusses the potential role of EVs in remodeling the cervical cancer microenvironment which may be crucial to tumor development and the acquisition of metastatic potential. EVs are promising as potential biomarkers in cervical cancer.

Prognostic value of lncRNA HOXA-AS3 in cervical cancer by targeting miR-29a-3p and its regulatory effect on tumor progression

BACKGROUND

With the promotion of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, cervical cancer has become a current research hotspot, and lncRNA has been confirmed to be used in the research of different diseases. This article systematically expounds the regulation and potential mechanisms of HOXA cluster antisense RNA 3 (HOXA-AS3) in cervical cancer, and discusses its possibility as a prognostic biomarker for cervical cancer.

METHODS

Relative expression levels of HOXA-AS3 and miR-29a-3p in tissues and cells were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The survival of cervical cancer patients was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and the cumulative survival function table was drawn. The proliferation, migration, and invasion levels of HOXA-AS3 in cells were detected according to cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell method. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the mechanism of action between HOXA-AS3 and miR-29a-3p.

RESULTS

HOXA-AS3 was elevated and miR-29a-3p was decreased in tissues and cells of cervical cancer patients. Knockdown of HOXA-AS3 could inhibit the progression of cervical cancer and was more conducive to patient survival. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed that HOXA-AS3 negatively regulates cervical cancer development by sponging miR-29a-3p.

CONCLUSION

In this research, knockdown of HOXA-AS3 could alleviate the process of cervical cancer by sponging miR-29a-3p, suggesting that HOXA-AS3 may be a potential prognostic target of cervical cancer, which could provide a theoretical basis for future clinical research of cervical cancer.

Exploration of biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cervical cancer: a review

As the fourth most diagnosed cancer, cervical cancer (CC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality affecting females globally, particularly when diagnosed at advanced stage. Discoveries of CC biomarkers pave the road to precision medicine for better patient outcomes. High throughput omics technologies, characterized by big data production further accelerate the process. To date, various CC biomarkers have been discovered through the advancement in technologies. Despite, very few have successfully translated into clinical practice due to the paucity of validation through large scale clinical studies. While vast amounts of data are generated by the omics technologies, challenges arise in identifying the clinically relevant data for translational research as analyses of single-level omics approaches rarely provide causal relations. Integrative multi-omics approaches across different levels of cellular function enable better comprehension of the fundamental biology of CC by highlighting the interrelationships of the involved biomolecules and their function, aiding in identification of novel integrated biomarker profile for precision medicine. Establishment of a worldwide Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) system helps accelerating the pace of biomarker translation. To fill the research gap, we review the recent research progress on CC biomarker development from the application of high throughput omics technologies with sections covering genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.

Signature of seven cuproptosis-related lncRNAs as a novel biomarker to predict prognosis and therapeutic response in cervical cancer

Background: Given the high incidence and high mortality of cervical cancer (CC) among women in developing countries, identifying reliable biomarkers for the prediction of prognosis and therapeutic response is crucial. We constructed a prognostic signature of cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a reference for individualized clinical treatment.

Methods: A total of seven cuproptosis-related lncRNAs closely related to the prognosis of patients with CC were identified and used to construct a prognostic signature via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis in the training set. The predictive performance of the signature was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier (K-M) analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. Functional enrichment analysis and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis were conducted to explore the potential mechanisms of the prognostic signature, and a lncRNA–microRNA–mRNA network was created to investigate the underlying regulatory relationships between lncRNAs and cuproptosis in CC. The associations between the prognostic signature and response to immunotherapy and targeted therapy were also assessed. Finally, the prognostic value of the signature was validated using the CC tissues with clinical information in my own center.

Results: A prognostic signature was developed based on seven cuproptosis-related lncRNAs, including five protective factors (AL441992.1, LINC01305, AL354833.2, CNNM3-DT, and SCAT2) and two risk factors (AL354733.3 and AC009902.2). The ROC curves confirmed the superior predictive performance of the signature compared with conventional clinicopathological characteristics in CC. The ion transport-related molecular function and various immune-related biological processes differed significantly between the two risk groups according to functional enrichment analysis. Furthermore, we discovered that individuals in the high-risk group were more likely to respond to immunotherapy and targeted therapies including trametinib and cetuximab than those in the low-risk group. Finally, CC tissues with clinical data from my own center further verify the robustness of the seven-lncRNA risk signature.

Conclusion: We generated a cuproptosis-related lncRNA risk signature that could be used to predict prognosis of CC patients. Moreover, the signature could be used to predict response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy and thus could assist clinicians in making personalized treatment plans for CC patients.

Competing Endogenous RNA (ceRNA) Networks and Splicing Switches in Cervical Cancer: HPV Oncogenesis, Clinical Significance and Therapeutic Opportunities

Cervical cancer (CC) is the primary cause of female cancer fatalities in low-middle-income countries (LMICs). Persistent infections from the human papillomavirus (HPV) can result in cervical cancer. However, numerous different factors influence the development and progression of cervical cancer. Transcriptomic knowledge of the mechanisms with which HPV causes cervical cancer pathogenesis is growing. Nonetheless, there is an existing gap hindering the development of therapeutic approaches and the improvement of patient outcomes. Alternative splicing allows for the production of numerous RNA transcripts and protein isoforms from a single gene, increasing the transcriptome and protein diversity in eukaryotes. Cancer cells exhibit astounding transcriptome modifications by expressing cancer-specific splicing isoforms. High-risk HPV uses cellular alternative splicing events to produce viral and host splice variants and proteins that drive cancer progression or contribute to distinct cancer hallmarks. Understanding how viruses utilize alternative splicing to drive pathogenesis and tumorigenesis is essential. Although research into the role of miRNAs in tumorigenesis is advancing, the function of other non-coding RNAs, including lncRNA and circRNA, has been understudied. Through their interaction with mRNA, non-coding RNAs form a network of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), which regulate gene expression and promote cervical cancer development and advancement. The dysregulated expression of non-coding RNAs is an understudied and tangled process that promotes cervical cancer development. This review will present the role of aberrant alternative splicing and immunosuppression events in HPV-mediated cervical tumorigenesis, and ceRNA network regulation in cervical cancer pathogenesis will also be discussed. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of splicing disruptor drugs in cervical cancer will be deliberated.

The IncRNA SCIRT Promotes the Proliferative, Migratory, and Invasive Properties of Cervical Cancer Cells by Upregulating MMP-2/-9

Objective. The morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer (CC) rank the fourth-most common among cancers in females, seriously threatening women’s health and affecting their quality of life. However, the molecular mechanism of CC development remains poorly understood. This study investigates the role of lncRNA SCIRT in the development of CC. Methods. The expression profile of long noncoding RNA stem cell inhibitory RNA transcript (lncRNA SCIRT) in CC (n = 34), tumor-adjacent tissue, and CC cell culture was determined through fluorescence quantitative PCR. The knockdown /overexpressed lncRNA SCIRT vectors were constructed and transfected into cells, and the effects of knockdown or overexpression of lncRNA SCIRT on the proliferative, invasive, and migratory properties of CC cells were determined through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony forming, and Transwell experiments. Western blot was employed to determine the knockdown/overexpression efficiency of SCIRT and its role on the expression of proteins (e-cadherin, n-cadherin, vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-2) in CC cells. Finally, SCIRT knockdown on the proliferative ability for CC cells was determined through tumorigenic experiment in nude mice. Results. LncRNA SCIRT was highly expressed in CC tissues and cells, and significantly linked with clinical/pathology-based characteristics of patients, including Federation Internationale of Gynecologie and Obstetrigue (FIGO) stage, tumor dimensions, and lymph-node metastasis. SCIRT knockdown markedly reduced CC proliferative, colony forming, and invasive properties, while overexpressing SCIRT promoted the proliferative and invasive properties of CC. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that SCIRT knockdown upregulated e-cadherin and downregulated n-cadherin, vimentin, MMP-9, and MMP-2. Meanwhile, overexpressing SCIRT of lncRNA SCIRT had the opposite effect. Tumorigenic experiment showed that SCIRT knockdown could markedly reduce CC proliferative property the nude mouse. Conclusion. LncRNA SCIRT was highly expressed in CC clinical cases. Knockdown/overexpressing SCIRT affected CC proliferative/invasive properties. Hence, lncRNA SCIRT is a promising drug-target and a new biological diagnostic molecule for CC patients.

Prognosis Analysis and Validation of Fatty Acid Metabolism-Related lncRNAs and Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is the third most common carcinoma and the fourth leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in women. The deregulation of fatty acid metabolism plays a crucial role in the progression of various tumors. This study is aimed at exploring the prognostic values of fatty acid metabolism- (FAM-) related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in CC. FAM-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and lncRNAs were screened in CC specimens based on TCGA datasets. Univariate analysis was carried out on differentially expressed lncRNAs to screen the survival-related lncRNAs. Multivariate assays were performed on the resulting lncRNAs to create a novel risk model. Survival assays were applied to examine the prognostic abilities of our model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the accuracy of the new model. The association between risk model and immune responses was analyzed. In this study, we screened 9 differently expressed lncRNAs associated with the clinical outcome of CC patients. A nine-lncRNA signature comprising SCAT1, AC119427.1, AC009097.2, MIR100HG, AC010996.1, AL583856.2, MIAT, AP003774.2, and AC004540.2 was established to predict overall survival of CC. Survival assays revealed that patients' high risk score showed a shorter overall survival than those with low risk score. Multivariate assays demonstrated that the nine-gene signature was an independent prognostic factor in CC. In addition, we observed that APC_co_stimulation, CCR, and parainflammation were distinctly different between low-risk and high-risk groups. Our group observed a distinct difference in the expressions of CD44, TNFRSF8, CD276, LAG3, TNFRSF14, TMIGD2, VTCN1, TNFRSF25, CD80, NRP1, TNFRSF18, CD70, TNFSF9, and LGALS9 between the two groups of patients. Overall, our findings indicated that the 9 FAM-related lncRNA signature might be a promising prognostic factor for CC and can promote the management of FAM-related therapy in clinical practice.

Emerging role of lncRNA ELDR in development and cancer

Whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis revealed more than 90% of the human genome transcribes noncoding RNAs including lncRNAs. From the beginning of the 21st century, lncRNAs have gained widespread attention as a new layer of regulation in biological processes. lncRNAs are > 200 nucleotides in size, transcribed by RNA polymerase II, and share many similarities with mRNAs. lncRNA interacts with DNA, RNA, protein, and miRNAs, thereby regulating many biological processes. In this review, we have focused mainly on LINC01156 [also known as the EGFR long non-coding downstream RNA (ELDR) or Fabl] and its biological importance. ELDR is a newly identified lncRNA and first reported in a mouse model, but it has a human homolog. The human ELDR gene is closely localized downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene at chromosome 7 on the opposite strand. ELDR is highly expressed in neuronal stem cells and associated with neuronal differentiation and mouse brain development. ELDR is upregulated in head and neck cancer, suggesting its role as an oncogene and its importance in prognosis and therapy. Publicly available RNA-seq data further support its oncogenic potential in different cancers. Here, we summarize all the aspects of ELDR in development and cancer, highlighting its future perspectives in the context of mechanism.

Advances in exosome biomarkers for cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) ranks as the fourth most frequently diagnosed malignancy in females worldwide. Exosomes are a subclass of extracellular vesicles released by nearly all types of cells that act as cargo transport vehicles, carrying proteins, and genetic material (such as miRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and mRNAs) derived from their parent cells may affect receiving cells and thus have emerged as key players in several biological processes, including inflammatory pathways. In this review, we concentrated on the findings of exosome investigations in CC, particularly their components. They direct the actions of CC cells by inducing surface molecules associated with various biological pathways. We summarized the current knowledge of exosomal RNAs and proteins from CC cells and discussed the feasibility of exosomes as potential biomarkers for CC. We suggest that cancer-derived exosomes promote metastasis in CC by supporting EMT, controlling the proliferation, invasion, or migration of cancer cells, as well as influencing immune escape and aiding angiogenesis. Overall, cancer-derived exosomes are critical in the progression of CC, and further studies are necessary to advance our understanding of the clinical value of exosomes in CC.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) with a Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) Overexpression Increase Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration Through Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)/Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K)/Protein Kinase b (AKT) Signaling

ADAM-17 is a membrane-bound protease and highly expressed in multiple tumors. BMSCs carrying target genes are delivered to damaged sites. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying BMSCs with ADAM-17 in cervical cancer (CC). BMSCs were transfected with ADAM-17 mimics and co-cultured with CC cells followed by analysis of cell proliferation and migration by MTT assay and scratch assay, ADAM-17 and target genes (LAMB3, Robol) level by Western blot and RT-qPCR. As the effectiveness of ADAM-17 transfection was confirmed by its increased level, the presence of empty vector rarely affected ADAM-17 expression and biological activities of CC cells compared to control group (p > 0.05). BMSCs with ADAM-17 overexpression increased CC cell proliferation and enhanced scratch healing rate (p < 0.05), accompanied with upregulated LAMB3 and Robol. The difference in LAMB3 and Robol expression between empty vector group and control group did not reach a significance. In conclsuion, this study elucidates that BMSCs with ADAM-17 overexpression promotes CC cell progression through up-regulation of LAMB3 and Robol and activation EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling, providing a novel BMSC-based targeted therapy.

Methyltransferase-like 3 induces the development of cervical cancer by enhancing insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding proteins 3-mediated apoptotic chromatin condensation inducer 1 mRNA stability

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a critical role in the tumorigenesis of cervical cancer (CC). Here, we aimed to investigate the potential role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in CC. Gene expression was determined via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cellular functions were detected using colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and Transwell assays. The interactions among METTL3, insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), and apoptotic chromatin condensation inducer 1 (ACIN1) were confirmed using the MeRIP and RIP assays. An in vivo assay was performed to verify the role of METTL3 in CC development. METTL3 is overexpressed in CC, and therefore, its knockdown inhibits the proliferation and migration of CC cells. Silencing METTL3 inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, a positive association was observed between METTL3 and ACIN1. METTL3 interacts with IGF2BP3 to promote the mRNA stability of ACIN1, the overexpression of which induces the aggressiveness of CC cells. METTL3 promotes ACIN1 mRNA stability to accelerate CC progression, implying that METTL3 is a promising biomarker in CC.

Interaction of cervical microbiome with epigenome of epithelial cells: Significance of inflammation to primary healthcare

One pillar of the predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine framework strategies is the female health. The evaluation of women's lifestyle and dietary habits in context with genetic and modifiable risk factors may reflect the prevention of cervical cancer before the occurrence of clinical symptoms and prediction of cervical lesion behavior. The main aim of this review is to analyze publications in the field of precision medicine that allow the use of research knowledge of cervical microbiome, epigenetic modifications, and inflammation in potential application in clinical practice. Personalized approach in evaluating patient's risk of future development of cervical abnormality should consider the biomarkers of the local microenvironment characterized by the microbial composition, epigenetic pattern of cervical epithelium, and presence of chronic inflammation. Novel sequencing techniques enable a more detailed characterization of actual state in cervical epithelium. Better understanding of all changes in multiomics level enables a better assessment of disease prognosis and selects the eligible targeted therapy in personalized medicine. Restoring of healthy vaginal microflora and reversing the outbreak of cervical abnormality can be also achieved by dietary habits as well as uptake of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, microbial transplantation, and others.

ABHD11-AS1: An Emerging Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) with Clinical Significance in Human Malignancies

The aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been linked to the development and progression of different cancers. One such lncRNA is ABHD11 antisense RNA 1 (ABHD11-AS1), which has recently gained attention for its significant role in human malignancies. ABHD11-AS1 is highly expressed in gastric, lung, breast, colorectal, thyroid, pancreas, ovary, endometrium, cervix, and bladder cancers. Several reports highlighted the clinical significance of ABHD11-AS1 in prognosis, diagnosis, prediction of cancer progression stage, and treatment response. Significantly, the levels of ABHD11-AS1 in gastric juice had been exhibited as a clinical biomarker for the assessment of gastric cancer, while its serum levels have prognostic potential in thyroid cancers. The ABHD11-AS1 has been reported to exert oncogenic effects by sponging different microRNAs (miRNAs), altering signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, epigenetic mechanisms, and N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA modification. In contrast, the mouse homolog of AHD11-AS1 (Abhd11os) overexpression had exhibited neuroprotective effects against mutant huntingtin-induced toxicity. Considering the emerging research reports, the authors attempted in this first review on ABHD11-AS1 to summarize and highlight its oncogenic potential and clinical significance in different human cancers. Lastly, we underlined the necessity for future mechanistic studies to unravel the role of ABHD11-AS1 in tumor development, prognosis, progression, and targeted therapeutic approaches.

Down-regulation of lncRNA LUADT1 suppresses cervical cancer cell growth by sequestering microRNA-1207-5p

Emerging evidence has proved the essential roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cervical carcinoma (CC). LncRNA lung adenocarcinoma-associated transcript 1 (LUADT1) is overexpressed and plays an oncogenic role in various cancers; however, the function and clinical values of LUADT1 in CC remain unclear. In this study we found that LUADT1 is highly expressed in CC tissues and cells. Up-regulated LUADT1 is significantly correlated with the more aggressive status and poorer survival of CC patients. studies show that LUADT1 depletion suppresses CC proliferation, and leads to cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the xenograft mouse assay demonstrates that LUADT1 knockdown remarkably suppresses tumor growth. Mechanistically, LUADT1 binds to miR-1207-5p and inhibits miR-1207-5p expression in CC cells. Septin 9 (SEPT9) is identified as a miR-1207-5p target which is negatively regulated by LUADT1. Overexpression of SEPT9 abrogates the suppressed proliferation of CC cells induced by LUADT1 knockdown. These results demonstrate that LUADT1 sponges miR-1207-5p and consequently modulates SEPT9 expression in CC. Our study suggests the possible application of LUADT1 as a prognostic and therapeutic target to inhibit CC.

The relation between NEAT1 expression level and survival rate in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background/purpose

Numerous studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance. Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) is an lncRNA. It affects tumor cell progression and drug resistance in various tumors. However, the relation of NEAT1 and survival rate in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) requires further study.

Materials and methods

One normal gingival epithelium cell line, SG, three oral cancer cell lines (HSC3, OEC-M1, and SAS), 34 paired non-cancerous matched tissues (NCMT), and OSCC tissues were used in this study. Tri-reagent was used for total RNA extraction. NEAT1 expression was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

Results

NEAT1 expression in oral cancer cell lines was lower than that in normal cells and was significantly downregulated in OSCC. NEAT1 upregulation reduced the survival rate of patients with OSCC. NEAT1 upregulation also reduced the survival rate of OSCC patients treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Conclusion

These results indicate that NEAT1 expression is a valuable biomarker for the prediction and prognosis of oral cancer.

Identification and validation of the high expression of pseudogene TCAM1P in cervical cancer via integrated bioinformatics analysis

Background

HPV as the main cause of cervical cancer has long been revealed, but the detailed mechanism has not yet been elucidated. The role of testis/cancer antigen in cervical cancer has been revealed. However, there are no reports about the statement of testis/cancer-specific non-coding RNA. In this study, we first proposed TCAM1P as a testis/cancer-specific pseudogene, and used a series of experimental data to verify its relationship with HPV, and analyzed its diagnosis value of high-grade cervical lesions and the mechanism of their high expression in cervical cancer. This provides a new direction for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

Methods

The specific expression of pseudogenes in each tissue was calculated by “TAU” formula. ROC curve was used to judge the diagnosed value of TCAM1P for high-grade lesions. The proliferation ability of cells was measured by CCK8. The expression of TCAM1P, HPV E6/E7 were detected by qRT-PCR. The binding for RBPs on TCAM1P was predicted by starbase v2.0 database, then RIP assay was used to verify. Besides, Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed with “clusterprofiler” R package.

Results

TCAM1P was specifically high-expressed in normal testicular tissue and cervical cancer. Interesting, with the severity of cervical lesions increased, the expression of TCAM1P increased, and TCAM1P could effectively diagnose high-grade cervical lesions. Besides, the expression of TCAM1P was HPV dependent, with highest expression in HPV-positive cervical cancer tissues. Furthermore, RIP assay showed that EIF4A3 regulated the expression of TCAM1P through binding with it. CCK8 assay showed that TCAM1P promoted the proliferation and the Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG Pathway enrichment analysis same suggested that TCAM1P is involved in multiple ways in cell proliferation including Cell cycle, DNA replication and etc.

Conclusions

In this study, we firstly proposed that TCAM1P is cancer/testis pseudogene and is regulated by HPV E6/E7 and EIF4A3. TCAM1P promotes the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and acts as promoter in cervical cancer. Otherwise, TCAM1P promote proliferation through regulating cell cycle and DNA replication, but more evidence needs to be provided to reveal the mechanism by which TCAM1P plays a role in cervical cancer.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02440-7.

Non-coding RNAs-EZH2 regulatory mechanisms in cervical cancer: The current state of knowledge

Cervical cancer (CC) is among the leading causes of death in women worldwide. Both genetic and epigenetic regulators are required for the tumorigenesis and progression of CC. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNAs that don't code for proteins yet constitute a large part of the human transcriptome, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNA), and other forms of non-coding RNAs. Deregulation of lncRNA, miRNA, and circRNA is implicated in the oncogenesis and development of cervical malignancies, acting as oncogenic drivers or tumor suppressors. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the enzymatic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), which functions to methylate histone H3 lysine 27 to silence gene transcription. Converging lines of evidence have revealed the oncogenic role played by EZH2 in cancers. EZH2 is upregulated in CC tissues with a robust correlation to the advanced stage, metastasis, and poor survival rate in patients. The elucidation of the roles of EZH2 in cancer has driven the development of therapeutic EZH2 inhibitors, which are approaching phase I or phase I/II clinical trials. Here we review the ncRNA-EZH2 regulatory pathways in CC that unify EZH2 and ncRNAs as an integrated system in the development of CC. Given the emerging findings for the role of the ncRNA-EZH2 regulatory axis in CC, it will be of great interest to develop novel therapeutic strategies based on their relationship.

Challenges for the Development of Extracellular Vesicle-Based Nucleic Acid Medicines

Nucleic acid drugs, such as siRNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, and miRNAs, exert their therapeutic effects by causing genetic changes in cells. However, there are various limitations in their delivery to target organs and cells, making their application to cancer treatment difficult. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer particles that are released from most cells, are stable in the blood, and have low immunogenicity. Methods using EVs to deliver nucleic acid drugs to target organs are rapidly being developed that take advantage of these properties. There are two main methods for loading nucleic acid drugs into EVs. One is to genetically engineer the parent cell and load the target gene into the EV, and the other is to isolate EVs and then load them with the nucleic acid drug. Target organ delivery methods include passive targeting using the enhanced permeation and retention effect of EVs and active targeting in which EVs are modified with antibodies, peptides, or aptamers to enhance their accumulation in tumors. In this review, we summarize the advantages of EVs as a drug delivery system for nucleic acid drugs, the methods of loading nucleic acid drugs into EVs, and the targeting of EVs to target organs.

Long non-coding RNA KCNQ1OT1 facilitates the progression of cervical cancer and tumor growth through modulating miR-296-5p/HYOU1 axis

Literature reports that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 is markedly up-regulated in cervical cancer (CC) tissues and cell lines, and KCNQ1OT1 can promote the proliferation and metastasis of CC cells. This current work was designed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the participation of KCNQ1OT1 in CC progression. Herein, RT-qPCR was utilized for determining the levels of KCNQ1OT1, miR-296-5p and HYOU1 in clinical tumor tissue specimens and CC cell lines. Then, starBase predicted the complementary binding sites of KCNQ1OT1 and miR-296-5p or miR-296-5p and HYOU1. Dual-luciferase reporter assay/RIP assay validated the interplays among KCNQ1OT1/miR-296-5p/HYOU1. In addition, CCK-8, wound healing and transwell assays were employed to assess the proliferative, migrative and invasive properties of CC cells. Moreover, nude mice xenograft model was established by subcutaneously injection with SiHa cells in order to validate the precise functions of KCNQ1OT1/miR-296-5p/HYOU1 axis in CC in vivo. Besides, Immunohistochemical staining examined Ki-67 expression in xenograft tumors and western blotting analysis detected expressions of MMP2/9 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in CC cells and xenograft tumors. Elevated KCNQ1OT1 and HYOU1 as well as reduced miR-296-5p were observed in clinical tumor tissue specimens and CC cell lines. Results revealed that upregulation of miR-296-5p counteracted the enhancing effects of overexpressed KCNQ1OT1 on the proliferative, migrative and invasive abilities of CC cells. Additionally, HYOU1 overexpression abolished the suppressing effects of silenced KCNQ1OT1 on the malignant behaviors of CC cells and tumor growth. To conclude, KCNQ1OT1 could aggravate the malignant behaviors of CC and facilitate tumor growth through modulating miR-296-5p/HYOU1 axis.

Activation of FGD5-AS1 Promotes Progression of Cervical Cancer through Regulating BST2 to Inhibit Macrophage M1 Polarization

Accumulating evidence has elucidated the biological function of lncRNAs in various tumors. FGD5 antisense RNA 1 (FGD5-AS1) is identified as a significant tumor regulator in malignancies. Up to now, the detailed function of FGD5-AS1 in cervical cancer and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain uninvestigated. Bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2) can play critical roles in immune response, and the roles of BST2 in cervical cancer was explored currently. The level of FGD5-AS1 and BST2 was detected by qRT-PCR in cervical cancer cells. FGD5-AS1 and BST2 expression was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer cells. Then, the decrease of FGD5-AS1 greatly repressed cervical cancer cell growth in vitro. In addition, FGD5-AS1 silencing repressed BST2 expression and suppressed M2 macrophage polarization. Mechanistically, we confirmed that FGD5-AS1 sponged miR-129-5p to reduce its inhibition on BST2. Furthermore, lack of BST2 depressed cervical cancer cell growth, while inducing apoptosis. Loss of BST2 induced M1 macrophage polarization while blocking M2 macrophage polarization. For another, we demonstrated that FGD5-AS1-triggered M2 macrophage polarization was remarkably reversed by miR-129-5p via suppressing BST2. In conclusion, FGD5-AS1 induced M2 macrophage polarization via sponging miR-129-5p and modulating BST2, thus contributing to cervical cancer development. Our findings revealed FGD5-AS1/miR-129-5p/BST2 as a new potential target for cervical cancer.

Bioinformatic identification of genomic instability-associated lncRNAs signatures for improving the clinical outcome of cervical cancer by a prognostic model

The research is executed to analyze the connection between genomic instability-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the prognosis of cervical cancer patients. We set a prognostic model up and explored different risk groups' features. The clinical datasets and gene expression profiles of 307 patients have been downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We established a prognostic model that combined somatic mutation profiles and lncRNA expression profiles in a tumor genome and identified 35 genomic instability-associated lncRNAs in cervical cancer as a case study. We then stratified patients into low-risk and high-risk groups and were further checked in multiple independent patient cohorts. Patients were separated into two sets: the testing set and the training set. The prognostic model was built using three genomic instability-associated lncRNAs (AC107464.2, MIR100HG, and AP001527.2). Patients in the training set were divided into the high-risk group with shorter overall survival and the low-risk group with longer overall survival (p < 0.001); in the meantime, similar comparable results were found in the testing set (p = 0.046), whole set (p < 0.001). There are also significant differences in patients with histological grades, FIGO stages, and different ages (p < 0.05). The prognostic model focused on genomic instability-associated lncRNAs could predict the prognosis of cervical cancer patients, paving the way for further research into the function and resource of lncRNAs, as well as a key approach to customizing individual care decision-making.

Role of Virus-Induced Host Cell Epigenetic Changes in Cancer

The tumor viruses human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) account for approximately 15% of all human cancers. Although the oncoproteins of these tumor viruses display no sequence similarity to one another, they use the same mechanisms to convey cancer hallmarks on the infected cell. Perturbed gene expression is one of the underlying mechanisms to induce cancer hallmarks. Epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin remodeling, microRNA, long noncoding RNA, and circular RNA affect gene expression without introducing changes in the DNA sequence. Increasing evidence demonstrates that oncoviruses cause epigenetic modifications, which play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. In this review, recent advances in the role of host cell epigenetic changes in virus-induced cancers are summarized.

The Emerging Role of Thymopoietin-Antisense RNA 1 as Long Noncoding RNA in the Pathogenesis of Human Cancers

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in the occurrence and development of multiple human cancers. An accumulating body of researches have investigated thymopoietin antisense RNA 1 (TMPO-AS1) as a newly discovered lncRNA, which functions as an oncogenic lncRNA that is upregulated in various human malignancies and associated with poor prognosis. Many studies have detected abnormally high expression levels of TMPO-AS1 in multiple cancers, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC), hepatocellular carcinoma, CRC, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, Wilms tumor, cervical cancer, retinoblastoma, bladder cancer, osteosarcoma, and prostate cancer. TMPO-AS1 has been subsequently demonstrated to play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and progression. The aberrantly expressed TMPO-AS1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that inhibits miRNA expression, thus activating the expression of downstream oncogenes. This study comprehensively summarizes the aberrant expressions of TMPO-AS1 as reported in the current literature and explains the relevant biological regulation mechanisms in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Corresponding studies have indicated that TMPO-AS1 has a potential value as a promising biomarker or a target for cancer therapy.

Long Intergenic Non-Coding RNA LINC00885 Promotes Tumorigenesis of Cervical Cancer by Upregulating MACC1 Expression Through Serving as a Competitive Endogenous RNA for microRNA-432-5p

Purpose

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 885 (LINC00885) has been well studied in breast cancer; however, its contribution in cervical cancer remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the detailed functions of LINC00885 in cervical cancer and elucidate the underlying molecular regulation mechanism.

Methods

The expression status of LINC00885 in cervical cancer was determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and by searching The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The detailed functions of LINC00885 in cervical cancer cells were confirmed using Cell Counting Kit 8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, Transwell cell migration and invasion assays, and tumor xenograft assay. Mechanistic experiments included bioinformatics prediction, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assay, and rescue experiments.

Results

LINC00885 was clearly overexpressed in cervical cancer, which was linked with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Functionally, LINC00885 deficiency suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but stimulated cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, loss of LINC00885 restricted the growth of cervical cancer cells in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC00885 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA for microRNA-432-5p (miR-432-5p) in cervical cancer. Furthermore, metastasis-associated colon cancer 1 (MACC1) was confirmed as the direct target of miR-432-5p, and LINC00885 could enhance MACC1 expression by sequestering miR-432-5p. Rescue experiments revealed that silencing of miR-432-5p or upregulation of MACC1 expression could effectively counteract the restrained aggressive properties of cervical cancer cells induced by LINC00885 deficiency.

Conclusion

LINC00885 upregulated MACC1 expression in cervical cancer cells by sponging miR-432-5p, thereby promoting cancer progression. The LINC00885/miR-432-5p/MACC1 pathway may help in the identification of potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cervical cancer.

Long non‑coding RNA LINC01006 exhibits oncogenic properties in cervical cancer by functioning as a molecular sponge for microRNA‑28‑5p and increasing PAK2 expression

As previously reported, long intergenic non‑protein‑coding RNA 1006 (LINC01006) plays crucial roles in prostate, pancreatic and gastric cancers. However, whether it plays important roles in cervical cancer remains unclear. The present study thus aimed to determine the precise role of LINC01006 in cervical cancer and elucidate its regulatory mechanisms. The expression of LINC01006 in cervical cancer was examined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation assay, flow cytometric analysis, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and tumor xenograft model experiments were performed to elucidate the roles of LINC01006 in cervical cancer. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation and rescue experiments were performed for mechanistic analyses. The expression of LINC01006 was found to be upregulated in cervical cancer and to be associated with a poor prognosis. The absence of LINC01006 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells, whereas it promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. The downregulation of LINC01006 impeded tumor growth in vivo. LINC01006 was verified as an endogenous 'sponge' that competed for microRNA‑28‑5p (miR‑28‑5p), which resulted in the upregulation of the miR‑28‑5p target P21‑activated kinase 2 (PAK2). Rescue experiments revealed that the suppression of miR‑28‑5p expression or the overexpression of PAK2 abrogated the effects of LINC01006 downregulation on malignant cellular functions in cervical cancer. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that LINC01006 exhibits tumor‑promoting functions in cervical cancer via the regulation of the miR‑28‑5p/PAK2 axis. These findings may provide the basis for the identification of LINC01006‑targeted clinical therapy.

Integrated Profiles Analysis Identified a Coding-Non-Coding Signature for Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis and Prognosis in Cervical Cancer

Accumulating evidence has shown that lymph node metastasis (LNM) is not only an important prognostic factor but also an indicator of the need for postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, identifying risk factors or molecular markers related to LNM is critical for predicting the prognosis and guiding individualized treatment of patients with cervical cancer. In this study, we used the machine learning-based feature selection approach to identify eight optimal biomarkers from the list of 250 differentially expressed protein-coding genes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the TCGA cohort. Then a coding-non-coding signature (named CNC8SIG) was developed using the elastic-net logistic regression approach based on the expression levels of eight optimal biomarkers, which is useful in discriminating patients with LNM from those without LNM in the discovery cohort. The predictive performance of the CNC8SIG was further validated in two independent patient cohorts. Moreover, the CNC8SIG was significantly associated with patient's survival in different patient cohorts. In silico functional analysis suggested that the CNC8SIG-associated mRNAs are enriched in known cancer-related biological pathways such as the Wnt signaling pathway, the Ras signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

Secondary Structural Model of MALAT1 Becomes Unstructured in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Undergoes Structural Rearrangement in Cervical Cancer

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) influence cellular function through binding events that often depend on the lncRNA secondary structure. One such lncRNA, metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), is upregulated in many cancer types and has a myriad of protein- and miRNA-binding sites. Recently, a secondary structural model of MALAT1 in noncancerous cells was proposed to form 194 hairpins and 13 pseudoknots. That study postulated that, in cancer cells, the MALAT1 structure likely varies, thereby influencing cancer progression. This work analyzes how that structural model is expected to change in K562 cells, which originated from a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and in HeLa cells, which originated from a patient with cervical cancer. Dimethyl sulfate-sequencing (DMS-Seq) data from K562 cells and psoralen analysis of RNA interactions and structure (PARIS) data from HeLa cells were compared to the working structural model of MALAT1 in noncancerous cells to identify sites that likely undergo structural alterations. MALAT1 in K562 cells is predicted to become more unstructured, with almost 60% of examined hairpins in noncancerous cells losing at least half of their base pairings. Conversely, MALAT1 in HeLa cells is predicted to largely maintain its structure, undergoing 18 novel structural rearrangements. Moreover, 50 validated miRNA-binding sites are affected by putative secondary structural changes in both cancer types, such as miR-217 in K562 cells and miR-20a in HeLa cells. Structural changes unique to K562 cells and HeLa cells provide new mechanistic leads into how the structure of MALAT1 may mediate cancer in a cell-type specific manner.

Gynecologic cancers and non-coding RNAs: Epigenetic regulators with emerging roles

Gynecologic cancers involve the female genital organs, such as the vulva, vagina, cervix, endometrium, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The occurrence and frequency of gynecologic cancer depends on personal lifestyle, history of exposure to viruses or carcinogens, genetics, body shape, and geographical habitat. For a long time, research into the molecular biology of cancer was broadly restricted to protein-coding genes. Recently it has been realized that non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), including long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs), microRNAs, circular RNAs and piRNAs (PIWI-interacting RNAs), can all play a role in the regulation of cellular function within gynecological cancer. It is now known that ncRNAs are able to play dual roles, i.e. can exert both oncogenic or tumor suppressive functions in gynecological cancer. Moreover, several clinical trials are underway looking at the biomarker and therapeutic roles of ncRNAs. These efforts may provide a new horizon for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancer. Herein, we summarize some of the ncRNAs that have been shown to be important in gynecological cancers.

Epigenetic modification mechanisms involved in keloid: current status and prospect

Keloid, a common dermal fibroproliferative disorder, is benign skin tumors characterized by the aggressive fibroblasts proliferation and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. However, common therapeutic approaches of keloid have limited effectiveness, emphasizing the momentousness of developing innovative mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Epigenetics, representing the potential link of complex interactions between genetics and external risk factors, is currently under intense scrutiny. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that multiple diverse and reversible epigenetic modifications, represented by DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), play a critical role in gene regulation and downstream fibroblastic function in keloid. Importantly, abnormal epigenetic modification manipulates multiple behaviors of keloid-derived fibroblasts, which served as the main cellular components in keloid skin tissue, including proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation. Here, we have reviewed and summarized the present available clinical and experimental studies to deeply investigate the expression profiles and clarify the mechanisms of epigenetic modification in the progression of keloid, mainly including DNA methylation, histone modification, and ncRNAs (miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA). Besides, we also provide the challenges and future perspectives associated with epigenetics modification in keloid. Deciphering the complicated epigenetic modification in keloid is hopeful to bring novel insights into the pathogenesis etiology and diagnostic/therapeutic targets in keloid, laying a foundation for optimal keloid ending.

Identification of Core Genes Involved in the Progression of Cervical Cancer Using an Integrative mRNA Analysis

In spite of being a preventable disease, cervical cancer (CC) remains at high incidence, and it has a significant mortality rate. Although hijacking of the host cellular pathway is fundamental for developing a better understanding of the human papillomavirus (HPV) pathogenesis, a major obstacle is identifying the central molecular targets involved in HPV-driven CC. The aim of this study is to investigate transcriptomic patterns of HPV-infected and normal tissues to identify novel prognostic markers. Analyses of functional enrichment and interaction networks reveal that altered genes are mainly involved in cell cycle, DNA damage, and regulated cell-to-cell signaling. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data has suggested that patients with unfavorable prognostics are more likely to have DNA repair defects attributed, in most cases, to the presence of HPV. However, further studies are needed to fully unravel the molecular mechanisms of such genes involved in CC.