1
|
Zhao CX, Yan ZX, Wen JJ, Fu D, Xu PP, Wang L, Cheng S, Hu JD, Zhao WL. CircEAF2 counteracts Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma progression via miR-BART19-3p/APC/β-catenin axis. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:153. [PMID: 34852843 PMCID: PMC8638185 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01458-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) represents an important pathogenic factor of lymphoma and is significantly associated with poor clinical outcome of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an essential role in lymphoma progression. However, the underlying mechanism of circRNA on DLBCL progression related to EBV remains largely unknown. Methods CircRNA was screened by high-throughput sequencing in tumor samples of 12 patients with DLBCL according to EBV infection status. Expression of circEAF2, as well as the relationship with clinical characteristics and prognosis, were further analyzed in tumor samples of 100 DLBCL patients using quantitative real-time PCR. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to investigate the biological functions of circEAF2 both in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism of circRNA on DLBCL progression were further determined by RNA sequencing, RNA pull down assay, dual-luciferase reporter assay, rescue experiments and western blotting. Results We identified a novel circRNA circEAF2, which was downregulated in EBV + DLBCL and negatively correlated with EBV infection and DLBCL progression. In EBV-positive B lymphoma cells, circEAF2 overexpression induced lymphoma cell apoptosis and sensitized lymphoma cells to epirubicin. As mechanism of action, circEAF2 specifically targeted EBV-encoded miR-BART19-3p, upregulated APC, and suppressed downstream β-catenin expression, resulting in inactivation of Wnt signaling pathway and inhibition of EBV + DLBCL cell proliferation. In EBV-positive B-lymphoma murine models, xenografted tumors with circEAF2 overexpression presented decreased Ki-67 positivity, increased cell apoptosis and retarded tumor growth. Conclusions CircEAF2 counteracted EBV + DLBCL progression via miR-BART19-3p/APC/β-catenin axis, referring circEAF2 as a potential prognostic biomarker. Therapeutic targeting EBV-encoded miRNA may be a promising strategy in treating EBV-associated lymphoid malignancies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-021-01458-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Xing Zhao
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Zi-Xun Yan
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jing-Jing Wen
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Di Fu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Peng-Peng Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Li Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Pôle de Recherches Sino-Français en Science du Vivant et Génomique, Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Cheng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jian-da Hu
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
| | - Wei-Li Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,Pôle de Recherches Sino-Français en Science du Vivant et Génomique, Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|