Ectopic expression of CITED2 prior to reprogramming, promotes and homogenises the conversion of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells

Role of CITED2 in stem cells and cancer

Cbp/P300 interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain 2 (CITED2) is a transcription co-factor that interacts with several other transcription factors and co-factors, and serves critical roles in fundamental cell processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, migration and autophagy. The interacting transcription factors or co-factors of CITED2 include LIM homeobox 2, transcription factor AP-2, SMAD2/3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, oestrogen receptor, MYC, Nucleolin and p300/CBP, which regulate downstream gene expression, and serve important roles in the aforementioned fundamental cell processes. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that CITED2 serves an essential role in embryonic and adult tissue stem cells, including hematopoietic stem cells and tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells. Additionally, CITED2 has been reported to function in different types of cancer. Although the functions of CITED2 in different tissues vary depending on the interaction partner, altered CITED2 expression or altered interactions with transcription factors or co-factors result in alterations of fundamental cell processes, and may affect stem cell maintenance or cancer cell survival. The aim of this review is to summarize the molecular mechanisms of CITED2 function and how it serves a role in stem cells and different types of cancer based on the currently available literature.

Competitive Endogenous RNA Network Construction and Comparison of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Smokers and Nonsmokers

Background

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is a subtype of highly malignant lung cancer with poor prognosis, for which smoking is the main risk factor. However, the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms of smoking-related LUSC remain largely unknown.

Methods

We mined existing LUSC-related mRNA, miRNA, and lncRNA transcriptome data and corresponding clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and divided them into smoking and nonsmoking groups, followed by differential expression analysis. Functional enrichment analysis of the unique differentially expressed mRNAs of the two groups was performed using the DAVID database. Subsequently, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network of LUSC in smoking and nonsmoking groups was constructed. Finally, survival analyses were performed to determine the effects of differentially expressed lncRNAs/mRNAs/miRNAs that were involved in the ceRNA network on overall survival and to discover the hub genes.

Results

A total of 1696 lncRNAs, 125 miRNAs, and 3246 mRNAs and 1784 lncRNAs, 96 miRNAs, and 3229 mRNAs with differentially expressed profiles were identified in the smoking and nonsmoking groups, respectively. The ceRNA network and survival analysis revealed four lncRNAs (LINC00466, DLX6-AS1, LINC00261, and AGBL1), one miRNA (hsa-mir-210), and two mRNAs (CITED2 and ENPP4), with the potential as biomarkers for smoking-related LUSC diagnosis and prognosis.

Conclusion

Taken together, our research has identified the differences in the ceRNA regulatory networks between smoking and nonsmoking LUSC, which could lay the foundation for future clinical research.

Induced pluripotent stem cells, a giant leap for mankind therapeutic applications

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) technology has propelled the field of stem cells biology, providing new cells to explore the molecular mechanisms of pluripotency, cancer biology and aging. A major advantage of human iPSC, compared to the pluripotent embryonic stem cells, is that they can be generated from virtually any embryonic or adult somatic cell type without destruction of human blastocysts. In addition, iPSC can be generated from somatic cells harvested from normal individuals or patients, and used as a cellular tool to unravel mechanisms of human development and to model diseases in a manner not possible before. Besides these fundamental aspects of human biology and physiology that are revealed using iPSC or iPSC-derived cells, these cells hold an immense potential for cell-based therapies, and for the discovery of new or personalized pharmacological treatments for many disorders. Here, we review some of the current challenges and concerns about iPSC technology. We introduce the potential held by iPSC for research and development of novel health-related applications. We briefly present the efforts made by the scientific and clinical communities to create the necessary guidelines and regulations to achieve the highest quality standards in the procedures for iPSC generation, characterization and long-term preservation. Finally, we present some of the audacious and pioneer clinical trials in progress with iPSC-derived cells.