Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma progression: Biological functions and new therapeutic targets

Long noncoding RNA ZFAS1 exerts a suppressive impact on ferroptosis by modulating the miR-150/AIFM2 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

ZNFX1 Antisense RNA 1 (ZFAS1) act as an oncogenic long noncoding RNA in multiple types of cancer. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death characterized by excessive iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. However, to date, the functional role and mechanism of ZFAS1 in ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. The present study revealed that ZFAS1 was upregulated in HCC and upregulation of ZFAS1 indicated poor clinical outcome of HCC patients. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments demonstrated that knockdown of ZFAS1 inhibited HCC cell proliferation and induced ferroptosis, while overexpression of ZFAS1 exerted opposite effects. ZFAS1 enhanced cell proliferation via suppression of ferroptotic death. Mechanistically, ZFAS1 interacted with miR-150 and decreased its expression. AIFM2, the critical ferroptosis protector, was a direct target of ZFAS1/miR-150. ZFAS1 accelerated HCC proliferation and inhibited ferroptosis by the regulation of the miR-150/AIFM2 axis. These discoveries intimate an essential part of ZFAS1/miR-150/AIFM2 in governing HCC ferroptosis, which may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC patients.

Comprehensive analysis of POLH-AS1 as a prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent primary malignant tumor, is notorious for its high mortality rate. Despite advancements in HCC treatment, patient outcomes remain suboptimal. This study endeavors to assess the potential prognostic significance of POLH-AS1 in HCC.

METHODS

In this research, we gathered RNA-Seq information from individuals with HCC in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We analyzed the levels of POLH-AS1 expression in both HCC cells and tissues using statistical tests. Additionally, we examined various prognostic factors in HCC using advanced methodologies. Furthermore, we employed Spearman's rank correlation analysis to examine the association between POLH-AS1 expression and the tumor's immune microenvironment. Finally, the functional roles of POLH-AS1 in HCC were validated in two HCC cell lines (HEP3B and HEPG2).

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed elevated POLH-AS1 expression across various cancers, including HCC, with heightened expression correlating with HCC progression. Notably, POLH-AS1 expression emerged as a potential biomarker for HCC patient survival and prognosis. Mechanistically, we identified the involvement of POLH-AS1 in tumorigenesis pathways such as herpes simplex virus 1 infection, interactions with neuroactive receptors, and the cAMP signaling pathway. Lastly, inhibition of POLH-AS1 was discovered to hinder the proliferation, invasion and migration of HEP3B and HEPG2 HCC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

POLH-AS1 emerges as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC, offering potential avenues for enhanced patient management and treatment strategies.

Molecular Mechanisms in Tumorigenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and in Target Treatments-An Overview

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with hepatocellular differentiation. It is ranked sixth among the most common cancers worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most important etiological factors discussed here are viral infection (HBV, HCV), exposure to aflatoxin B1, metabolic syndrome, and obesity (as an independent factor). Directly or indirectly, they induce chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and epigenetic changes in specific genes involved in intracellular signaling pathways, responsible for synthesis of growth factors, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, the metastasis process (including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the expression of adhesion molecules), and angiogenesis. All these disrupted molecular mechanisms contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, equally important is the interaction between tumor cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment: inflammatory cells and macrophages-predominantly with a pro-tumoral role-hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, cancer stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular biology of hepatocellular carcinoma and the intricate mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, and we highlighted how certain signaling pathways can be pharmacologically influenced at various levels with specific molecules. Additionally, we mentioned several examples of recent clinical trials and briefly described the current treatment protocol according to the NCCN guidelines.

Comprehensive review for non-coding RNAs: From mechanisms to therapeutic applications

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are an assorted collection of transcripts that are not translated into proteins. Since their discovery, ncRNAs have gained prominence as crucial regulators of various biological functions across diverse cell types and tissues, and their abnormal functioning has been implicated in disease. Notably, extensive research has focused on the relationship between microRNAs (miRNAs) and human cancers, although other types of ncRNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are also emerging as significant contributors to human disease. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of our current knowledge regarding the roles of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in cancer and other major human diseases, particularly cancer, cardiovascular, neurological, and infectious diseases. Moreover, we discuss the potential utilization of ncRNAs as disease biomarkers and as targets for therapeutic interventions.

Exploring non-coding RNA mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: implications for therapy and prognosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant contributor to cancer-related deaths in the world. The development and progression of HCC are closely correlated with the abnormal regulation of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Important biological pathways in cancer biology, such as cell proliferation, death, and metastasis, are impacted by these ncRNAs, which modulate gene expression. The abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs in HCC raises the possibility that they could be applied as new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment targets. Furthermore, by controlling the expression of cancer-related genes, miRNAs can function as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. On the other hand, lncRNAs play a role in the advancement of cancer by interacting with other molecules within the cell, which, in turn, affects processes such as chromatin remodeling, transcription, and post-transcriptional processes. The importance of ncRNA-driven regulatory systems in HCC is being highlighted by current research, which sheds light on tumor behavior and therapy response. This research highlights the great potential of ncRNAs to improve patient outcomes in this difficult disease landscape by augmenting the present methods of HCC care through the use of precision medicine approaches.

A novel PANoptosis-related long non-coding RNA index to predict prognosis, immune microenvironment and personalised treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

PANoptosis is involved in the interaction of apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis, playing a role in programmed cell death. Moreover, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate the PCD. This work aims to explore the role of PANoptosis-associated lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Co-expression analysis identified PANoptosis-associated lncRNAs in HCC. Cox and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithms were utilised to filter lncRNAs and establish a PANoptosis-related lncRNA index (PANRI). Additionally, Cox, Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilised to systematically evaluate the PANRI. Furthermore, Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE), single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and immune checkpoints were performed to analyse the potential of the PANRI in differentiating different tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) populations. The consensus clustering algorithm was used to distinguish individuals with HCC having different TIME subtypes. Finally, HCC cell lines HepG2 were utilised for further validation in in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

The PANRI differentiates patients according to risk. Notably, ESTIMATE and ssGSEA algorithms revealed a high immune infiltration status in high-risk patients. Additionally, consensus clustering divided the patients into three clusters to identify different subtypes of TIME. Moreover, in vitro results showed that siRNA-mediated silencing of AL049840.4 inhibited the viability and migration of HepG2 cells and promoted apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first PANoptosis-related, lncRNA-based risk index in HCC to assess patient prognosis, TIME and response to immunotherapy. This study offers novel perspectives on the role of PANoptosis-associated lncRNAs in HCC.

LncRNA CALML3-AS1 modulated by m6A modification induces BTNL9 methylation to drive non-small-cell lung cancer progression

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common and lethal malignancy. The carcinogenic roles of lncRNA CALML3 antisense RNA 1 (CALML3-AS1) have been documented. However, the function and potential mechanisms of CALML3-AS1 in the progression of NSCLC need to be further explored. The molecule expression was assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The subcellular localization of CALML3-AS1 was observed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells were evaluated by CCK-8, colony formation, EdU, wound healing and transwell assays. In vivo xenograft tumor and liver metastatic models were established. The molecular mechanisms were investigated by RIP, RNA pull-down and ChIP assays. The methylation level was detected by MSP. Herein, we found that CALML3-AS1 was upregulated, while butyrophilin-like 9 (BTNL9) was downregulated in NSCLC. Functionally, CALML3-AS1 depletion repressed NSCLC cell malignant phenotypes, in vivo tumor growth, and liver metastasis. Mechanistically, AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) enhanced CALML3-AS1 stability via N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylation, whereas m6A reader YTH domain-containing 2 (YTHDC2) destabilized CALML3-AS1. Moreover, CALML3-AS1 inhibited BTNL9 transcription and expression through the recruitment of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Rescue experiments demonstrated that BTNL9 downregulation counteracted sh-CALML3-AS1-mediated antitumor effects on NSCLC. Taken together, CALML3-AS1 modulated by ALKBH5 and YTHDC2 in an m6A modification dependent manner drives NSCLC progression via epigenetically repressing BTNL9.