Roles of microRNA in liver cancer

Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Delivery of Ferulic Acid and Diosgenin Anticancer Natural Agents

It was investigated whether loading multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with two natural anticancer agents: ferulic acid (FUA) and diosgenin (DGN), may enhance the anticancer effect of these drugs. The CNTs were functionalized with carboxylic acid (CNTCOOH) or amine (CNTNH2), loaded with the above pro-drugs, as well as both combined and coated with chitosan or chitosan-stearic acid. Following physicochemical characterization, the drug-loading properties and kinetics of the drug's release were investigated. Their effects on normal human skin fibroblasts and MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells, HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cells were evaluated in vitro. Their actions at the molecular level were evaluated by assessing the expression of lncRNAs (HULC, HOTAIR, CCAT-2, H19, and HOTTIP), microRNAs (mir-21, mir-92, mir-145, and mir-181a), and proteins (TGF-β and E-cadherin) in HepG2 cells. The release of both pro-drugs depended on the glutathione concentration, coating, and functionalization. Release occurred in two stages: a no-burst/zero-order release followed by a sustained release best fitted to Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics. The combined nanoformulation cancer inhibition effect on HepG2 cancer cells was more pronounced than for A549 and MCF7 cells. The combined nanoformulations had an additive impact followed by a synergistic effect, with antagonism demonstrated at high concentrations. The nanoformulation coated with chitosan and stearic acid was particularly successful in targeting HepG2 cells and inducing apoptosis. The CNT functionalized with carboxylic acid (CNTCOOH), loaded with both FUA and DGN, and coated with chitosan-stearic acid inhibited the expression of lncRNAs and modulated both microRNAs and proteins. Thus, nanoformulations composed of functionalized CNTs dual-loaded with FUA and DGN and coated with chitosan-stearic acid are a promising drug delivery system that enhances the activity of natural pro-drugs.

Circulating Plasma miR-122 and miR-583 Levels Are Involved in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Pathogenesis and Serve As Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers

Background: MicroRNAs regulate many biological processes and are involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases including chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Moreover, besides investigation of their roles in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a noninvasive, sensitive, and specific biomarker is essential in the diagnosis of liver diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the role of miR-122, miR-583, and miR-24 in the pathogenesis of CHB both in active chronic hepatitis (ACH) patients and in inactive carriers (IC). Materials and Methods: Plasma samples and all relevant clinical features were collected from 43 patients with CHB (28 ACH and 15 IC) and 43 healthy controls. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the plasma levels of miR-122, miR-583, and miR-24. Results: Results show miR-122 (p = 0.0001) and miR-583 (p = 0.006) but not miR-24 (p = 0.65) were upregulated in patients with CHB versus the control group. Interestingly, there was a significant increase in the plasma expression of miR-583 in IC versus ACH. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined plasma levels of miR-122 (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.89, p < 0.0001, sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 62.5%) and miR-583 (AUC = 0.71, p = 0.0007, sensitivity: 90%, specificity: 47.62%) as sensitive biomarkers to discriminate CHB patients from controls. Conclusion: Our data showed an increase in the plasma levels of miR-583 in IC versus ACH patients. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR-122 and miR-583 may serve as potential biomarkers for CHB diagnosis and activity.

The function of miR-145 in colorectal cancer progression; an updated review on related signaling pathways

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a broad class of small, highly conserved non-coding RNAs that largely influence gene expression after transcription through binding to various target mRNAs. miRNAs are frequently dysregulated in a wide array of human cancers, possessing great value as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. miR-145, as promising tumor suppressor miRNA, also exhibits deregulated expression levels in human malignancies and participates in various processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and differentiation. In particular, miR-145 has been shown to be downregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC), which in turn leads to cell growth, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance. Furthermore, miR-145 is involved in the regulation of multiple tumor specific signaling pathways, such as KRAS and P53 signaling by targeting various genes through colorectal tumorigenesis. Therefore, considering its diagnostic and therapeutic potential, it was aimed to present the recent finding focusing on miR-145 functions to better understand its involvement in CRC incidence and progression through interplay with various signaling pathways. This study is based on articles indexed in PubMed and Google scholar until 2021.

MicroRNA as a Potential Therapeutic Molecule in Cancer

Small noncoding RNAs, as post-translational regulators of many target genes, are not only markers of neoplastic disease initiation and progression, but also markers of response to anticancer therapy. Hundreds of miRNAs have been identified as biomarkers of drug resistance, and many have demonstrated the potential to sensitize cancer cells to therapy. Their properties of modulating the response of cells to therapy have made them a promising target for overcoming drug resistance. Several methods have been developed for the delivery of miRNAs to cancer cells, including introducing synthetic miRNA mimics, DNA plasmids containing miRNAs, and small molecules that epigenetically alter endogenous miRNA expression. The results of studies in animal models and preclinical studies for solid cancers and hematological malignancies have confirmed the effectiveness of treatment protocols using microRNA. Nevertheless, the use of miRNAs in anticancer therapy is not without limitations, including the development of a stable nanoconstruct, delivery method choices, and biodistribution. The aim of this review was to summarize the role of miRNAs in cancer treatment and to present new therapeutic concepts for these molecules. Supporting anticancer therapy with microRNA molecules has been verified in numerous clinical trials, which shows great potential in the treatment of cancer.

Role of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) as anti-Mir-155 in cancer cells

Micro-RNAs (MiRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate cellular gene expression. MiR-155 overexpression has been implicated in many types of cancer. Besides, miR-155 appears to help tumor invasion and migration and works as a moderator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are a large group of natural heterogeneous polymers of sugars with a biologically antitumor effect. Herein, we test a hypothesis that EPS might promote its anti-tumorigenic effect via regulating miR-155 expression and its target pathways. Expression of miR-155 and a panel of targeted genes were investigated by real-time PCR. In our study, we have succeeded in the extraction, purification of exopolysaccharide with great cytotoxicity to different cancer cell lines, HepG II, Caco-2, and MCF-7. We reported that EPSs have a suppression effect on the oncogenic miR-155. In conclusion, this work clarifies a new possible mechanism for the anti-tumorigenic effect of EPSs in cancer cells and provides insights into the biological pathways through which EPSs act. Moreover, it paves the way for new prospective cancer therapeutics as anti-miRNA.

Cancer stem cells targets and combined therapies to prevent cancer recurrence

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) control the dynamics of tumorigenesis by self-renewal ability and differentiation potential. These properties contribute towards tumor malignancy, metastasis, cellular heterogeneity, and immune escape, which are regulated by multiple signaling pathways. The CSCs are chemoresistant and cause cancer recurrence, generally recognized as a small side-population that eventually leads to tumor relapse. Despite many treatment options available, none can be considered entirely efficient due to a lack of specificity and dose limitation. This review primarily highlights the processes involved in CSCs development and maintenance. Secondly, the current effective therapies based on stem cells, cell-free therapies that involve exosomes and miRNAs, and photodynamic therapy have been discussed. Also, the inhibitors that specifically target various signaling pathways, which can be used in combination to control CSCs kinetics have been highlighted. Conclusively, this comprehensive review is a detailed study of recently developed novel treatment strategies that will facilitate in coming up with better-targeted approaches against CSCs.

Lauric Acid Modulates Cancer-Associated microRNA Expression and Inhibits the Growth of the Cancer Cell

BACKGROUND

microRNAs are known to regulate various protein-coding gene expression posttranscriptionally. Fatty acids are cell membrane constituents and are also known to influence the biological activities of the cells like signal transduction, growth and differentiation of the cells, apoptosis induction, and other physiological functions. In our experiments, we used lauric acid to analyse its effects on human cancerous cell lines.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to speculate the miRNA expression profile in lauric acid treated and untreated cancerous cell lines and further study the metabolic pathways of the targeted tumour suppressor and oncogenes.

METHODS

The KB cells and HepG2 cells were treated with lauric acid and miRNA was isolated and the expression of tumour suppressor and oncogenic miRNA was measured by quantitative PCR. The untreated cells were used as control. The metabolic pathways of the target tumour suppressor and oncogenes were examined by GeneMANIA software.

RESULTS

Interestingly, the lauric acid treatment suppresses the expression of oncogenic miRNA and significantly upregulated the expression of some tumour suppressor miRNAs. GeneMANIA metabolic pathway revealed that the upregulated tumour suppressor miRNAs regulate several cancer-associated pathways such as DNA damage, signal transduction p53 class mediator, stem cell differentiation, cell growth, cell cycle phase transition, apoptotic signalling pathway, cellular response to stress and radiation, etc. whereas oncogenic miRNAs regulate the cancer-associated pathway like cell cycle phase transition, apoptotic signalling pathway, cell growth, response to oxidative stress, immune response activating cell surface protein signalling pathway, cyclin-dependent protein kinase activity, epidermal growth factor receptor signalling pathways, etc. Conclusion: In our study, we found that lauric acid works as an anticancer agent by altering the expression of miRNAs.

Dysregulated MicroRNA Fingerprints and Methylation Patterns in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Cancer Stem Cells, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the top causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Although HCC has been researched extensively, there is still a need for novel and effective therapeutic interventions. There is substantial evidence that initiation of carcinogenesis in liver cirrhosis, a leading cause of HCC, is mediated by cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs were also shown to be responsible for relapse and chemoresistance in several cancers, including HCC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute important epigenetic markers that regulate carcinogenesis by acting post-transcriptionally on mRNAs, contributing to the progression of HCC. We have previously shown that co-culture of cancer cells with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could induce the reprogramming of MSCs into CSC-like cells. In this review, we evaluate the available data concerning the epigenetic regulation of miRNAs through methylation and the possible role of this regulation in stem cell and somatic reprogramming in HCC.

Vibrational Spectroscopy Fingerprinting in Medicine: from Molecular to Clinical Practice

In the last two decades, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies turn out to be valuable tools, capable of providing fingerprint-type information on the composition and structural conformation of specific molecular species. Vibrational spectroscopy's multiple features, namely highly sensitive to changes at the molecular level, noninvasive, nondestructive, reagent-free, and waste-free analysis, illustrate the potential in biomedical field. In light of this, the current work features recent data and major trends in spectroscopic analyses going from in vivo measurements up to ex vivo extracted and processed materials. The ability to offer insights into the structural variations underpinning pathogenesis of diseases could provide a platform for disease diagnosis and therapy effectiveness evaluation as a future standard clinical tool.

2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone induced apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest through PI3K/AKT pathway in BEL-7402/5-FU cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common and the third most lethal cancer worldwide. In recent years, natural flavonoids have drawn great attention as repository for the exploitation of novel antineoplastic agents. 2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC), a functional chalcone isolated from the buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus, has been reported to exert potent cytotoxicity against multi-drug resistant BEL-7402/5-FU cells. In this study, the precise mechanisms of DMC-mediated growth inhibition in BEL-7402/5-FU cells were further investigated. DMC was found to trigger apoptosis predominantly via the mitochondria-dependent pathway and the enhancement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Meanwhile, DMC induced G1 cell cycle arrest through downregulation of cyclin D1 and CDK4. Furthermore, DMC increased p53 level and inhibited NF-κB nuclear-localization via suppression of PI3K/AKT signaling axis, which might be the underlying mechanism of DMC-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in BEL-7402/5-FU cells. Collectively, the study elucidated the mechanisms by which DMC may inhibit the growth of BEL-7402/5-FU cells and suggested the possibility that DMC might be a promising candidate therapeutic agent for hepatoma treatment in the future.

Multifunctional drug carrier based on PEI derivatives loaded with small interfering RNA for therapy of liver cancer

Gene therapy strategies for liver cancer have broad application prospects but still lack a stable and efficient delivery vehicle. To overcome this obstacle, we designed a multifunctional gene delivery vector, sTPssOLP, which was based on oleylamine (OA)-modified disulfide-containing polyethylenimine (PEI) and incorporated into lipids to prepare a lipid nanoparticle. sTPssOLP consisted of the core of PEI derivative and cationic lipids bound to siRNA. The modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) and transferrin (Tf) were partially embedded in the phospholipid bilayer through the lipid and the other as the outer shell. The aim was to use the redox responsiveness of disulfide to trigger siRNA release in cytoplasm to enhance transfection efficiency. Pegylated lipids and Tf focus on increasing cycle life in the body and increasing accumulation at the tumor site of the carrier. In addition, two vectors were prepared as controls, one based on a PEI derivative containing no disulfide bond (POLP) and the other on the surface of the carrier not linked to Tf (PssOLP). PEI derivatives effectively avoid the toxicity problems caused by the use of PEI alone (25 kDa). Meanwhile, it was confirmed by gel retardation experiments that in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT), the disulfide bond can indeed be reduced and the siRNA entrapped in the vector can be released. Both HepG2 and SMMC had significant uptake of sTPssOLP. The results of intracellular and lysosomal co-localization indicated that sTPssOLP achieved lysosomal escape. RT-PCR and Western blot results also confirmed that sTPssOLP had the best gene silencing activity. In vivo, the tumor inhibition rate of sTPssOLP in nude mice carrying HepG2 xenografts was 56%, which was significantly greater than that of the saline control group. In vivo imaging results showed that fluorescently labeled siRNA loaded in sTPssOLP was able to deliver more to the tumor site. At the same time, it was observed that sTPssOLP did not show significant damage to normal tissues. Therefore, this multifunctional gene delivery vector warrants further investigation.