MiR-152 suppresses the proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cells by inhibiting FGF2

Long non-coding RNA MIMT1 promotes retinoblastoma proliferation via sponging miR-153-5p to upregulate FGF2

With the rapid development of biotechnology, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have shown promising potential for cancer treatment and may become novel therapeutic targets. This study aimed to explore the roles of lncRNAs in retinoblastoma (RB). It involves analysing differentially expressed lncRNAs in RB and normal tissues from the GSE111168 and GSE125903 datasets, further validating them in RB cells. Our findings determined that lncRNA MIMT1 was upregulated in RB cell lines and tissues. In WERI-Rb1 and Y79 cells, silencing MIMT1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, whereas MIMT1 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation. Furthermore, in vivo xenograft experiments demonstrated that MIMT1 knockdown suppressed tumour volume and weight. Subsequent mechanistic investigations showed that MIMT1 upregulates fibroblast expression of FGF2 by binding to miR-153-5p, ultimately promoting RB cell proliferation. This suggest that MIMT1 functions as an oncogene in RB and potentially serves as a molecular marker for diagnostic and prognostic assessments. Thus, the MIMT1/miR-153-5p/FGF2 pathway is a promising therapeutic target for RB treatment.

Aligned electrospun fibers of different diameters for improving cell migration capacity

Electrospun fibers have gained significant attention as scaffolds in skin tissue engineering due to their biomimetic properties, which resemble the fibrous extracellular matrix. The morphological characteristics of electrospun fibers play a crucial role in determining cell behavior. However, the effects of electrospun fibers' arrangement and diameters on human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) remain elusive. Here, we revealed the impact of electrospun fiber diameters (700 nm, 2000 nm, and 3000 nm) on HSFs' proliferation, migration, and functional expression. The results demonstrated that all fibers exhibited good cytocompatibility. HSFs cultured on nanofibers (700 nm diameter) displayed a more dispersed and elongated morphology. Conversely, fibers with a diameter of 3000 nm exhibited a reduced specific surface area and lower adsorption of adhesion proteins, resulting in enhanced cell migration speed and effective migration rate. Meanwhile, the expression levels of migration-related genes and proteins were upregulated at 48 h for the 3000 nm fibers. This study demonstrated the unique role of fiber diameters in controlling the physiological functions of cells, especially decision-making and navigating migration in complex microenvironments of aligned electrospun fibers, and highlights the utility of these bioactive substitutes in skin tissue engineering applications.

MicroRNA-152-3p and MicroRNA-196a-5p Are Downregulated When Müller Cells Are Promoted by Components of the Internal Limiting Membrane: Implications for Macular Hole Healing

Müller cells play a critical role in the closure of macular holes, and their proliferation and migration are facilitated by the internal limiting membrane (ILM). Despite the importance of this process, the underlying molecular mechanism remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of ILM components on the microRNA (miRNA) profile of Müller cells. Rat Müller cells (rMC-1) were cultured with a culture insert and varying concentrations of ILM component coatings, namely, collagen IV, laminin, and fibronectin, and cell migration was assessed by measuring cell-free areas in successive photographs following insert removal. MiRNAs were then extracted from these cells and analyzed. Mimics and inhibitors of miRNA candidates were transfected into Müller cells, and a cell migration assay and additional cell viability assays were performed. The results revealed that the ILM components promoted Müller cell migration (p < 0.01). Among the miRNA candidates, miR-194-3p was upregulated, whereas miR-125b-1-3p, miR-132-3p, miR-146b-5p, miR-152-3p, miR-196a-5p, miR-542-5p, miR-871-3p, miR-1839-5p, and miR-3573-3p were significantly downregulated (p < 0.05; fold change > 1.5). Moreover, miR-152-3p and miR-196a-5p reduced cell migration (p < 0.05) and proliferation (p < 0.001), and their suppressive effects were reversed by their respective inhibitors. In conclusion, miRNAs were regulated in ILM component-activated Müller cells, with miR-152-3p and miR-196a-5p regulating Müller cell migration and proliferation. These results serve as a basis for understanding the molecular healing process of macular holes and identifying potential new target genes in future research.

MicroRNA: trends in clinical trials of cancer diagnosis and therapy strategies

As a type of short noncoding RNAs, microRNA (miRNA) undoubtedly plays a crucial role in cancer development. Since the discovery of the identity and clinical functions of miRNAs, over the past few decades, the roles of miRNAs in cancer have been actively investigated. Numerous pieces of evidence indicate that miRNAs are pivotal factors in most types of cancer. Recent cancer research focused on miRNAs has identified and characterized a large cohort of miRNAs commonly dysregulated in cancer or exclusively dysregulated in specific types of cancer. These studies have suggested the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognostication of cancer. Moreover, many of these miRNAs have oncogenic or tumor-suppressive functions. MiRNAs have been the focus of research given their potential clinical applications as therapeutic targets. Currently, various oncology clinical trials using miRNAs in screening, diagnosis, and drug testing are underway. Although clinical trials studying miRNAs in various diseases have been reviewed before, there have been fewer clinical trials related to miRNAs in cancer. Furthermore, updated results of recent preclinical studies and clinical trials of miRNA biomarkers and drugs in cancer are needed. Therefore, this review aims to provide up-to-date information on miRNAs as biomarkers and cancer drugs in clinical trials.

Immunoregulatory framework and the role of miRNA in the pathogenesis of NSCLC - A systematic review

With a 5-year survival rate of only 15%, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common kind of lung carcinoma and the cause of millions of deaths annually, has drawn attention. Numerous variables, such as disrupted signaling caused by somatic mutations in the EGFR-mediated RAS/RAF/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT signaling cascade, supports tumour survival in one way or another. Here, the tumour microenvironment significantly contributes to the development of cancer by thwarting the immune response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression that can function as oncogenes or oncosuppressors. They have a major influence on the occurrence and prognosis of NSCLC. Though, a myriad number of therapies are available and many are being clinically tested, still the drug resistance, its adverse effect and toxicity leading towards fatality cannot be ruled out. In this review, we tried to ascertain the missing links in between perturbed EGFR signaling, miRNAs favouring tumorigenesis and the autophagy mechanism. While connecting all the aforementioned points multiple associations were set, which can be targeted in order to combat NSCLC. Here, we tried illuminating designing synthetically engineered circuits with the toggle switches that might lay a prototype for better therapeutic paradigm.

Circulating microRNAs as molecular biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: The potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as molecular tumor biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis in lung cancer is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To analyze expression of miRNAs in A549 lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells and in primary, non-malignant bronchial epithelial (BE) cells from healthy donors. To analyze the most prominently deregulated miRNAs in plasma samples of LUAD patients and healthy donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of 752 miRNAs in LUAD and BE cells was assessed by RT-qPCR with mean-centering restricted normalization. The relative plasma levels of 18 miRNAs in LUAD patients and healthy donors were analyzed using RT-qPCR and normalized to miR-191-5p and miR-16-3p. Putative interactions between miRNAs and their target genes were investigated in silico. RESULTS: Out of 752 miRNAs, 37 miRNAs were significantly deregulated in A549 cells compared to BE cells. MiR-15b-3p, miR-148a-3p, miR-193b-3p, and miR-195-5p were significantly deregulated in plasma samples of LUAD patients compared to donors. The target genes of those four miRNAs are involved in essential mechanisms in cancer development and progression. CONCLUSIONS: There are substantial differences between cancer and control miRNA expression in vitro and in plasma samples of LUAD patients compared to healthy donors. Four deregulated miRNAs are promising as a diagnostic biomarker for adenocarcinoma of the lung.

CRISPR/Cas9: A revolutionary genome editing tool for human cancers treatment

Cancer is a genetic disease stemming from genetic and epigenetic mutations and is the second most common cause of death across the globe. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is an emerging gene-editing tool, acting as a defense system in bacteria and archaea. CRISPR/Cas9 technology holds immense potential in cancer diagnosis and treatment and has been utilized to develop cancer disease models such as medulloblastoma and glioblastoma mice models. In diagnostics, CRISPR can be used to quickly and efficiently detect genes involved in various cancer development, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated cancer immunotherapy is a well-known treatment option after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. It has marked a turning point in cancer treatment. However, despite its advantages and tremendous potential, there are many challenges such as off-target effects, editing efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9, efficient delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 components into the target cells and tissues, and low efficiency of HDR, which are some of the main issues and need further research and development for completely clinical application of this novel gene editing tool. Here, we present a CRISPR/Cas9 mediated cancer treatment method, its role and applications in various cancer treatments, its challenges, and possible solution to counter these challenges.

DNMT3B regulates proliferation of A549 cells through the microRNA-152-3p/NCAM1 pathway

The purpose of the present study was to examine the epigenetic mechanism by which microRNA (miR)-152-3p regulates proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells via neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1). Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP), the gold standard for methylation detection, uses bisulfite-treated DNA to determine its pattern of methylation. Treatment of DNA with bisulfite converts cytosine residues to uracil, but leaves 5-methylcytosine residues unaffected. It was conducted and demonstrated a relatively high level of methylation in the miR-152-3p promoter region. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was combined with PCR to detect the binding of DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) protein to miR-152-3p, which tends to occur in the core region of the miR-152-3p gene in A549 cells. Luciferase assay identified NCAM1 as the target gene of miR-152-3p. MTT, colony formation and Transwell assays indicated that miR-152-3p could decrease cell proliferation and invasion and in addition to reducing the expression level of NCAM1. Overexpression of NCAM1 could attenuate the effect of miR-152-3p. DNMT3B knockdown decreased the proliferative ability of A549 cells and increased the expression of miR-152-3p, while decreased that of NCAM1. After treatment with miR-152-3p inhibitor, these effects were attenuated and the NCAM1 expression level was upregulated. The results indicated that miR-152-3p may suppress the proliferation of A549 cells by downregulating NCAM1. In addition, DNMT3B negatively regulated the expression of miR-152-3p via modulation of the methylation level in the miR-152-3p core region, thus mediating the proliferation of lung tumor cells.

Lnc-H19 enhances anaerobic glycolysis of keloid fibroblasts by targeting the miR-214-5p/FGF2 axis

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has been demonstrated as vital regulator in tumors. However, whether lnc-H19 mediated the development of keloid fibroblasts (KD) was unknown, this study was aimed to clarify the role and molecular mechanisms of lnc-H19 in KD. We have investigated the expression levels of lnc-H19, miR-214-5p and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in KD skin samples and normal skin tissues as well as matched cells by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. The glycolysis ability of keloid fibroblasts was assessed by measuring glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP level. The western blot assay was used to assay the expression levels of FGF2 and hexokinase 2 (HK2). Migration and invasion were analyzed by transwell in keloid fibroblasts. The bioinformatics database and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to search and identify the target of miR-214-5p and lnc-H19. Lnc-H19 was overexpressed in KD tissues and keloid fibroblasts than normal skin tissues and normal fibroblasts, respectively. Small interfering RNA of lnc-H19 treatment markedly inhibited glycolysis, migration and invasion of keloid fibroblasts exposed to hypoxia, which was reserved by silencing of miR-214-5p or upregulation of FGF2. Mechanistically, lnc-H19 regulated KD development by regulation of miR-214-5p/FGF2 axis. In summary, lnc-H19 may exert regulatory functions in KD by targeting miR-214-5p/FGF2 axis, further regulated glycolysis, migration and invasion in keloid fibroblasts exposed to hypoxia, which might be a potential marker of KD diagnosis or progression.

miRNAs as novel immunoregulators in cancer

The immune system is a well-known vital regulator of tumor growth, and one of the main hallmarks of cancer is evading the immune system. Immune system deregulation can lead to immune surveillance evasion, sustained cancer growth, proliferation, and metastasis. Tumor-mediated disruption of the immune system is accomplished by different mechanisms that involve extensive crosstalk with the immediate microenvironment, which includes endothelial cells, immune cells, and stromal cells, to create a favorable tumor niche that facilitates the development of cancer. The essential role of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in the mechanism of cancer cell immune evasion has been highlighted in recent studies. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate a wide range of post-transcriptional gene expression in a cell. Recent studies have focused on the function that miRNAs play in controlling the expression of target proteins linked to immune modulation. Studies show that miRNAs modulate the immune response in cancers by regulating the expression of different immune-modulatory molecules associated with immune effector cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells, as well as those present in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. This review explores the relationship between miRNAs, their altered patterns of expression in tumors, immune modulation, and the functional control of a wide range of immune cells, thereby offering detailed insights on the crosstalk of tumor-immune cells and their use as prognostic markers or therapeutic agents.

Extracellular Vesicles in Oncology: from Immune Suppression to Immunotherapy

Exosomes are involved in cell-to-cell communication and play a crucial role in cellular physiology. The role of exosomes in cancer has been widely explored. Tumor cells have evolved and adapted to evade the immune response. The study of the immune system's modulations in favor of rogue tumor cells led to the development of a novel immunotherapeutic strategy targeting the immune checkpoint proteins (ICPs). In clinical settings, the response to ICP therapy has been inconsistent and is difficult to predict. Quantitating the targeted ICPs through immunohistochemistry is one approach, but is not pragmatic in a clinical setting and is often not sensitive. Examining the molecules present in bodily fluids to determine ICP treatment response, "liquid biopsy" is a convenient alternative. The term "liquid biopsy" refers to circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), non-coding (nc) RNA, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating free DNA (cfDNA), etc. EVs includes exosomes, microvesicles, and oncosomes. Herein, we focus on exosomes isolated from bodily fluids and their use in liquid biopsy. Due to their unique ability to transfer bioactive molecules and perturb the physiology of recipient cells, exosomes have garnered attention for their immune modulation role and as a resource to identify molecules associated with liquid biopsy-based diagnostic methods. In this review, we examine the putative role of exosomes and their cargo in influencing the immune system. We discuss the immune and tumor cells present in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and the exosomes derived from these cells to understand how they participate in creating the immune-suppressive TME. Additionally, use of exosomes in liquid biopsy-based methods to measure the treatment response elicited by immunotherapy is discussed. Finally, we describe how exosomes have been used to develop immune therapies, especially cell-free vaccines, for cancer treatment.

Long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 knockdown suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by regulating microRNA-424-5p/FGF2 in vitro

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma (OS) cells and to explore the potential underlying mechanisms. The expression levels of SNHG1, microRNA (miR)-424-5p and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in OS tissues and cells were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion were analysed by MTT, wound healing and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. The targeting relationships between SNHG1 and miR-424-5p, as well as between miR-424-5p and FGF2, were confirmed using RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation and/or dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of SNHG1 and FGF2 were upregulated, whereas the expression of miR-424-5p was downregulated in OS tissues and cells. The silencing of SNHG1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells. Additionally, FGF2 was shown to be a target of miR-424-5p, which in turn, was a target of SNHG1. miR-424-5p silencing and FGF2 overexpression both reversed the suppressive effects of SNHG1 knockdown on the proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells. Thus, the silencing of SNHG1 may inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells by regulating the miR-424-5p/FGF2 axis.

miR-152/TNS1 axis inhibits non-small cell lung cancer progression through Akt/mTOR/RhoA pathway

AIM

The purpose of the present study was to explore the function and mechanism of tensin 1 (TNS1) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression.

METHODS

The expression of TNS1 in NSCLC cells and tissues was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Besides, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was recruited to explore the association between TNS1 and NSCLC. Cell growth was analyzed by MTT and flow cytometry assay, while cell metastasis was determined by wound healing and transwell assays. The targeting relationship between TNS1 and miR-152 was assessed by luciferase activity assays. And Western blot was employed to determine the expression of related proteins of Akt/mTOR/RhoA pathway.

RESULTS

TNS1 level was boosted in NSCLC cells and tissues, related to the prognosis of NSCLC patients. Furthermore, it was proved that TNS1 promoted the growth and metastasis of NSCLC cells via Akt/mTOR/RhoA pathway. And miR-152 targeted TNS1 to affect the progression of NSCLC.

CONCLUSION

miR-152/TNS1 axis inhibits the progression of NSCLC by Akt/mTOR/RhoA pathway.

The Central Roles of Noncoding RNA in Estrogen-Dependent Female Reproductive System Tumors

The pathogenesis of ovarian and endometrial cancers is closely associated with estrogen-related pathways. These estrogen-dependent tumors seriously threaten the health and quality of life in women. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are defined as RNAs that do not encode proteins, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), both of which have been reported in estrogen-dependent female reproductive system tumors. This review systematically summarizes the role of ncRNAs in estrogen-dependent tumors and common patterns of regulatory mechanisms to explore their future research directions in tumor diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. This may provide new ideas for the potential application of ncRNAs in estrogen-dependent female reproductive system tumors.

Current Understanding of the Pathogenesis of Dengue Virus Infection

The pathogenesis of dengue virus infection is attributed to complex interplay between virus, host genes and host immune response. Host factors such as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), memory cross-reactive T cells, anti-DENV NS1 antibodies, autoimmunity as well as genetic factors are major determinants of disease susceptibility. NS1 protein and anti-DENV NS1 antibodies were believed to be responsible for pathogenesis of severe dengue. The cytokine response of cross-reactive CD4+ T cells might be altered by the sequential infection with different DENV serotypes, leading to further elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines contributing a detrimental immune response. Fcγ receptor-mediated antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) results in release of cytokines from immune cells leading to vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and increased vascular permeability. Genomic variation of dengue virus and subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) suppressing host immune response are viral determinants of disease severity. Dengue infection can lead to the generation of autoantibodies against DENV NS1antigen, DENV prM, and E proteins, which can cross-react with several self-antigens such as plasminogen, integrin, and platelet cells. Apart from viral factors, several host genetic factors and gene polymorphisms also have a role to play in pathogenesis of DENV infection. This review article highlights the various factors responsible for the pathogenesis of dengue and also highlights the recent advances in the field related to biomarkers which can be used in future for predicting severe disease outcome.

The microRNA-152/human leukocyte antigen-G axis affects proliferation and immune escape of non-small cell lung cancer cells

Objective

To investigate the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA-G) on proliferation, invasion, and immune escape in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

The relationship between HLA-G and overall survival (OS) of NSCLC patients was analyzed using the KMPlot database. The expression of micro (mi)R-152 or HLA-G was modulated by transfecting synthetic oligonucleotides, and the impact of the miR-152/HLA-G axis on proliferation, invasion, colony formation in soft agar, and tolerance to natural killer (NK) cell cytolysis was measured.

Results

Bioinformatics analysis showed that high HLA-G expression was correlated with poor OS in NSCLC patients. The tolerance of NSCLC cells to NK cytotoxicity was negatively correlated with HLA-G and positively correlated with miR-152 expression. Over-expressing miR-152 inhibited HLA-G expression in A549 cells and attenuated cell proliferation, migration, colony formation ability, and tolerance to NK cells. However, blocking HLA-G expression by small interfering RNA did not affect migration or colony formation, but only proliferation and tolerance to NK cells in vitro and in vivo. Blocking Ig-like transcript 2 on the surface of NK cells increased their killing effect in the presence of high HLA-G expression.

Conclusions

miR-152/HLA-G axis plays an oncogenic role in NSCLC by affecting cell proliferation and immune escape.

MicroRNA-202 inhibits cell migration and invasion through targeting FGF2 and inactivating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endometrial carcinoma

Recently, many mircroRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the development and progression of cancer have been reported to regulate cell growth and metastasis, including microRNA-202 (miR-202). The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effect of miR-202 on endometrial carcinoma (EC) cell migration and invasion. First, qRT-PCR showed that miR-202 was down-regulated in EC tissues, which was associated with poor prognosis in EC patients. Functionally, transwell assay indicated that miR-202 inhibited cell migration and invasion in EC cells. In addition, miR-202 also blocked epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through suppressing N-cadherin and Vimentin expressions and promoting E-cadherin expression. Moreover, the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a direct target gene for miR-202 in EC cells. Furthermore, up-regulation of FGF2 attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-202 on cell migration and invasion in EC. Besides that, miR-202 inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by suppressing β-catenin expression in EC. In conclusion, miR-202 inhibited cell migration and invasion by targeting FGF2 and inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in EC.

MiR-646 suppresses proliferation and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer by repressing FGF2 and CCND2

MicroRNA‐646 (miR‐646) has been implicated in several other cancers; however, its functional mechanism in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. In this study, we observed the downregulation of miR‐646 expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Low‐level expression of miR‐646 was associated with metastasis and stage of NSCLCs. Functional assays showed that overexpression of miR‐646 could suppress NSCLC cell proliferation, clonogenicity, invasion, and inhibit epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas decreased miR‐646 expression showed the opposite effects. Importantly, miR‐646 overexpression attenuated in vivo tumor growth and metastasis in nude mice models. Mechanically, miR‐646 directly targeted and suppressed fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and cyclin D2 (CCND2) expression. Reintroduction of FGF2 and CCND2 attenuated miR‐646‐mediated suppression of proliferation and invasion in NSCLC. Collectively, these results demonstrate that miR‐646 acts as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC by targeting FGF2 and CCND2, and may serve as a therapeutic target for patients with NSCLC.

PVT1 Promotes the Proliferation and Migration of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer via Regulating miR-148/RAB34 Signal Axis

Objective

It has been verified that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in the development of human cancers. Increasing evidence indicates that lncRNA human plasmacytoma variant translocation1 (PVT1) was dysregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which is the leading cause of cancer-related death. However, the precise mechanism underlying the effect of PVT1 remains elusive. Our research focused on the correlation of PVT1 to miR-148 and RAB34 in NSCLC.

Methods

The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot assay were used to detect gene and protein expression in NSCLC tissues and cells. CCK8, colony formation, transwell and wound healing assays were performed to evaluate the cell function of NSCLC cells. Dual-luciferase activity assay and RNA pull down assays were performed to verify the interaction between miR-148 and its targets. A xenograft test was conducted to detect the impact of RAB34 on tumor development in vitro.

Results

In NSCLC tissues and cells, PVT1 and RAB34 were up-regulated, and miR-148 was down-regulated. Overexpression of PVT1 was capable of promoting NSCLC cell proliferation and migration which could be reversed by miR-148 restoration or RAB34 knock down. Also, our data firstly determined that the down-regulation of RAB34 had inhibitor effects while the up-regulation of RAB34 had promotive effects on tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

Those findings indicated that the signal pathway PVT1/miR-148/RAB34 play critical roles in the progression of NSCLC could be proposed in NSCLC as a possible diagnosis or therapeutic targets.

MicroRNA-4651 targets bromodomain-containing protein 4 to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer cell progression

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) promotes cancer progression. Here, we show that miR-4651 selectively targets and negatively regulates BRD4 in A549 and primary human NSCLC cells. RNA pull-down experiments confirmed that miR-4651 directly binds to BRD4 mRNA. Further, ectopic overexpression of miR-4651 in A549 cells and primary NSCLC cells decreased BRD4 3'-UTR luciferase reporter activity and its expression, whereas miR-4651 inhibition elevated both. Functional studies demonstrated that NSCLC cell growth, proliferation, and migration were suppressed with ectopic miR-4651 overexpression but enhanced with miR-4651 inhibition. BRD4 re-expression using a 3'-UTR mutant BRD4 reversed A549 cell inhibition induced by miR-4651 overexpression. Further, miR-4651 overexpression or inhibition failed to alter the functions of BRD4-KO A549 cells. In vivo, miR-4651-overexpressing A549 xenografts grew slowly than control A549 xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Finally, miR-4651 was downregulated in human NSCLC tissues, correlating with BRD4 elevation. Together, miR-4651 targets BRD4 to inhibit NSCLC cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

MicroRNA-152 Inhibits Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion in Breast Cancer

The aim of the present study was to investigate the roles of microRNA-152 (miR-152) in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. The expression level of miR-152 was detected in human breast cancer tissue and a panel of human breast cancer cell lines using qRT-PCR. Results found that miR-152 expression was significantly downregulated in breast cancer tissue samples compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues as well as in breast cancer cell lines. Overexpression of miR-152 significantly suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Luciferase reporter assay results found that ROCK1 is a direct and functional target gene of miR-152 in breast cancer. In addition, downexpression of ROCK1 could inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These findings indicate that miR-152 inhibited breast cancer growth and metastasis through negative regulation of ROCK1 expression. These data suggest that miR-152/ROCK1 pathway may be a useful therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

Applications of genome editing technology in the targeted therapy of human diseases: mechanisms, advances and prospects

Based on engineered or bacterial nucleases, the development of genome editing technologies has opened up the possibility of directly targeting and modifying genomic sequences in almost all eukaryotic cells. Genome editing has extended our ability to elucidate the contribution of genetics to disease by promoting the creation of more accurate cellular and animal models of pathological processes and has begun to show extraordinary potential in a variety of fields, ranging from basic research to applied biotechnology and biomedical research. Recent progress in developing programmable nucleases, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas-associated nucleases, has greatly expedited the progress of gene editing from concept to clinical practice. Here, we review recent advances of the three major genome editing technologies (ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9) and discuss the applications of their derivative reagents as gene editing tools in various human diseases and potential future therapies, focusing on eukaryotic cells and animal models. Finally, we provide an overview of the clinical trials applying genome editing platforms for disease treatment and some of the challenges in the implementation of this technology.

MicroRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer: Gene regulation, impact on cancer cellular processes, and therapeutic potential

Lung cancer remains the most lethal cancer among men and women in the United States and worldwide. The majority of lung cancer cases are classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Developing new therapeutics on the basis of better understanding of NSCLC biology is critical to improve the treatment of NSCLC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a superfamily of genome-derived, small noncoding RNAs that govern posttranscriptional gene expression in cells. Functional miRNAs are commonly dysregulated in NSCLC, caused by genomic deletion, methylation, or altered processing, which may lead to the changes of many cancer-related pathways and processes, such as growth and death signaling, metabolism, angiogenesis, cell cycle, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, as well as sensitivity to current therapies. With the understanding of miRNA biology in NSCLC, there are growing interests in developing new therapeutic strategies, namely restoration of tumor suppressive miRNAs and inhibition of tumor promotive miRNAs, to combat against NSCLC. In this article, we provide an overview on the molecular features of NSCLC and current treatment options with a focus on pharmacotherapy and personalized medicine. By illustrating the roles of miRNAs in the control of NSCLC tumorigenesis and progression, we highlight the latest efforts in assessing miRNA-based therapies in animal models and discuss some critical challenges in developing RNA therapeutics.

MicroRNA-152 suppresses cisplatin resistance in A549 cells

The present study aimed to investigate the association between microRNA-152 and cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer. A549 and cisplatin-resistant A549 cells (A549/cis) were maintained in vitro. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to analyze differences in microRNA-152 levels between A549 and A549/cis cells, and changes in Bcl-2 and NF-κB expression levels were analyzed via RT-qPCR and western blot analyses. MicroRNA-152 was overexpressed in A549/cis cells via transfection of a microRNA-152 mimic. Upon treating transfected or untransfected A549/cis cells with 2 µg/l cisplatin for 24 h, a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, morphological analysis and flow cytometry analysis were performed to evaluate the effect of microRNA-152 on the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, changes in Bcl-2 and NF-κB expression levels in microRNA-152-overexpressing A549/cis cells were also analyzed. MicroRNA-152 was significantly downregulated and Bcl-2 and NF-κB were significantly upregulated in A549/cis cells (P<0.05). MicroRNA-152 upregulation enhanced the inhibitory effect of cisplatin on A549/cis cells. These results suggest that microRNA-152 downregulates Bcl-2 and NF-κB. MicroRNA-152 downregulation may induce cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer cells, whereas microRNA-152 upregulation may improve cisplatin sensitivity among A549/cis cells via downregulation of Bcl-2 and NF-κB.

Establishment and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from central nervous system lupus erythematosus

Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is an uncommon feature in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), making diagnosis rather difficult and challenging due to the poor specificity of neuropathic symptoms and neurological symptoms. In this work, we used human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from CNS‐SLE patient, with the aim to dissect the molecular insights underlying the disease by gene expression analysis and modulation of implicated pathways. CNS‐SLE‐derived hiPSCs allowed us to provide evidence of Erk and Akt pathways involvement and to identify a novel cohort of potential biomarkers, namely CHCHD2, IDO1, S100A10, EPHA4 and LEFTY1, never reported so far. We further extended the study analysing a panel of oxidative stress‐related miRNAs and demonstrated, under normal or stress conditions, a strong dysregulation of several miRNAs in CNS‐SLE‐derived compared to control hiPSCs. In conclusion, we provide evidence that iPSCs reprogrammed from CNS‐SLE patient are a powerful useful tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and to eventually develop innovative therapeutic approaches.

Hsa_circ_0023404 enhances cervical cancer metastasis and chemoresistance through VEGFA and autophagy signaling by sponging miR-5047

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer has been shown to be one of the leading cancer-related death causes all over the world. Several studies demonstrates that hsa_circ_0023404 plays a crucial role in progression of cervical cancer; however, the detailed mechanism of hsa_circ_0023404 regulating cervical cancer metastasis and chemoresistance remains unclear.

METHODS

We used RT-qPCR and westernblot approach to detect expression levels of various genes in cervical tumors and cancer cells. To examine invasion and lymphatic vessel formation of Human Dermal Lymphatic Endothelial Cells (HDLEC), transwell invasion assay and lymphatic vessel assay were utilized in the presence of conditioned medium of HeLa and SiHa cells. To examine direct interaction between hsa_circ_0023404 and miR-5047, bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay were used. Besides, MTT and flow cytometry analysis were conducted to assess cell viability and apoptosis rate of HeLa cell.

RESULTS

hsa_circ_0023404 knockdown attenuates invasion of cervical cancer cells and lymphatic vessel formation of HDLEC cells. hsa_circ_0023404 directly interacted with miR-5047. Moreover, miR-5047 inhibitor-transfected HeLa and SiHa cells enhanced invasion and lymphatic vessel formation of HDLEC cells. More interestingly, we confirmed that hsa_circ_0023404 knockdown and miR-5047 mimic downregulated the expression levels of VEGFA. The functional rescue experiments indicated VEGFA acted as key factor for hsa_circ_0023404- and miR-5047-regulated invasion and lymphatic vessel formaion. Ultimately, hsa_circ_0023404 and VEGFA were upregulated and showed positive correlation in cervical tumors, while miR-5047 was downregulated and showed negative correlation with hsa_circ_0023404 and VEGFA. On the other hand, autophagy-associated genes (Beclin1 and p62) were dysregulated in hsa_circ_0023404 depleted and overexpressed HeLa cells. hsa_circ_0023404 knockdown inhibited cell viability of cells, which was obviously abolished by autophagy inhibitor 3-MA in the presence of various concentrations of Cisplatin. Consistently, apoptosis rate was remarkably elevated in hsa_circ_0023404 depleted cells and diminished in hsa_circ_0023404 overexpressed cells under treatment of 2 μg/ml Cisplatin.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, we reveal a novel role of hsa_circ_0023404 for cervical cancer metastasis and chemoresistance by regulating miR-5047. Our findings help understand mechanism underlying cervical cancer and development of therapeutical approaches for treating cervical cancer.

CRISPR/Cas9 - An evolving biological tool kit for cancer biology and oncology

The development of genetic engineering in the 1970s marked a new frontier in genome-editing technology. Gene-editing technologies have provided a plethora of benefits to the life sciences. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated protein 9 (CRISPR/ Cas9) system is a versatile technology that provides the ability to add or remove DNA in the genome in a sequence-specific manner. Serious efforts are underway to improve the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 targeting and thus reduce off-target effects. Currently, various applications of CRISPR/Cas9 are used in cancer biology and oncology to perform robust site-specific gene editing, thereby becoming more useful for biological and clinical applications. Many variants and applications of CRISPR/Cas9 are being rapidly developed. Experimental approaches that are based on CRISPR technology have created a very promising tool that is inexpensive and simple for developing effective cancer therapeutics. This review discusses diverse applications of CRISPR-based gene-editing tools in oncology and potential future cancer therapies.

Reprogramming of CaCo2 colorectal cancer cells after using the complex of poly-(N-vinylpyrrolidone) with small non-coding RNAs

Small non-coding RNAs control normal development and differentiation in the embryo. These regulatory molecules play a key role in the development of human diseases and are used often today for researching new treatments for different pathologies. In this study, CaCo2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells were initially epigenetically reprogrammed and transformed into CD4+ cells with nano-sized complexes of amphiphilic poly-(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) with miRNA-152 and piRNA-30074. The transformation of cells was confirmed by morphological and genetic changes in the dynamic of reprogramming. CD4+ lymphocytes marker was detected using immunofluorescence. Amphiphilic poly-(N-vinylpyrrolidone)/small non-coding RNAs complexes were investigated for transfection efficiency and duration of transfection of CaCo2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells using fluorescence.

MicroRNA-497-5p inhibits proliferation and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating FGF2

Increasing number of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play an important role in the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In particular, microRNA-497-5p (miR-497-5p) has been proposed as a tumor suppressor miRNA in human cancers. However, the role of miR-497-5p and its potential molecular mechanism associated with NSCLC are less studied. Therefore, the role of miR-497-5p in the pathogenesis of NSCLC was investigated. In the present study, the expression of miR-497-5p was significantly downregulated in NSCLC. Moreover, overexpression of miR-497-5p inhibited the proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cells by suppressing FGF2. In addition, FGF2 was a downstream target of miR-497-5p in NSCLC. FGF2 was upregulated in NSCLC promoting cell proliferation and invasion. Overexpression of FGF2 impaired the inhibitory effect of miR-497-5p in NSCLC. Taken together, these results demonstrate that miR-497-5p is a tumor suppressor miRNA and demonstrate its potential for future use in the treatment of human NSCLC.

Identification of Immune Modulatory miRNAs by miRNA Enrichment via RNA Affinity Purification

Immune escape by cancer cells can be triggered by aberrant expression of immunological key players, which can be achieved by distinct molecular mechanisms including immune modulatory miRNAs. One suitable method to identify miRNAs that specifically target immune relevant molecules is the miRNA enrichment via RNA affinity purification method named miTRAP (miRNA trapping by RNA in vitro affinity purification). Here, we present a detailed protocol for construct preparation, RNA immobilization via MS2BP-MBP to beads, miRNA enrichment, and elution followed by analysis of the obtained miRNA candidates via qRT-PCR.

Circulating Plasma miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Obtained by High-Throughput Real-Time PCR Profiling

BACKGROUND

Because of limited stability and sensitivity, circulating miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers have not so far been used for early diagnosis and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in clinic. Therefore, it is imperative to find more reliable biomarker(s).

METHODS

We performed one of most sensitive qRT-PCR assays, S-Poly(T) Plus, to select differently expressed miRNAs from genome-wide miRNA profiling. miRNA candidates were validated through a three-phase selection and two validation processes with 437 NSCLC cases and 415 controls.

RESULTS

A unique set of 7 and 9 miRNAs differed significantly in adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) samples compared with those in controls, of which, there were 5 universal biomarkers for NSCLC (ADC or SCC). Ten of 11 miRNAs could discriminate early stage (stage I) of NSCLC from healthy individuals. Risk score was obtained from the validation set-1 and was tested using the ROC curves with a high area under ROC curve of 0.89 in ADC and 0.96 in SCC. Ultimately, potential biomarkers and the risk score were verified by the validation set-2 with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 91.6% in ADC, and a sensitivity of 98.5% and a specificity of 51.5% in SCC, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, 7 miRNAs and 9 miRNAs may provide noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in ADC and SCC, respectively.

IMPACT

On the basis of our sensitive and accurate method, we hope that these candidate miRNAs may have strong impact on the early lung cancer diagnosis.

Restoration of miR-152 expression suppresses cell proliferation, survival, and migration through inhibition of AKT-ERK pathway in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

MiR-152 has been reported as a tumor suppressor microRNA that is downregulated in a number of cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). A recent study suggested that miR-152 could be one of the key regulators of CRC. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of miR-152 in CRC and its mechanisms.

METHODS

The pCMV-GPF-miR-152 vector was transfected into SW-480 and HCT-116 CRC cells via JetPEI transfection reagent. The stable miR-152-expressed cells were selected for the further experiment. To evaluate the effect of miR-152 on cell proliferation, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed. Also, the effect of miR-152 on the survival of CRC cells was analyzed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The inhibitory effect of miR-152 on migration was assessed by wound healing scratch assay. Then, the proteins expression levels of protein kinase B (AKT), phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) were measured by the western blot analysis method.

RESULTS

The result of MTT assay represented miR-152 could inhibit cell proliferation. The TUNEL assay showed miR-152 could induce apoptosis in CRC cells. The wound healing scratch assay showed that miR-152 replacement repressed cell migration in CRC cell lines compared to control groups. The result of protein expression by western blot analysis demonstrated that miR-152 could reduce AKT-p-AKT, and ERK-p-ERK ratio compared to control cells.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that miR-152 has new anticancer and antimetastatic effect in CRC tissue. The current study showed that miR-152 could be a novel therapeutic small molecule to suppress CRC cell proliferation, survival, and migration by suppressing AKT-ERK signaling pathways.

Clinical significance of blood-based miRNAs as biomarkers of non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all cases of lung cancer. However, the predicted 5-year survival rate of patients with NSCLC is only 15.9%. microRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, noncoding RNA molecules that are easily detectable in blood in a non-invasive manner, with features of stability, reproducibility and consistency in blood. Therefore, miRNAs derived from blood are able to have a significant impact on NSCLC diagnosis, metastasis and targeted therapies. Compared with the clinical protein markers carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin fragment 21-1 and cancer antigen-125, blood-based miRNAs also display a higher diagnostic efficacy in NSCLC. Exosomal miRNAs are identified to be easily measured and have the potential to be used as diagnostic biomarkers in NSCLC, therefore providing an alternative method of biopsy profiling. The miRNA profile in exosomes is similar to the profile in primary tumor, meaning that this feature may be a powerful tool for NSCLC clinical diagnosis and targeted therapies. The focus of the present review was the clinical significance of blood-based exosomal miRNAs in diagnosis, prognosis, metastasis and targeted therapies of NSCLC.

MicroRNA signatures in vitreous humour and plasma of patients with exudative AMD

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide affecting individuals over the age of 50. The neovascular form (NV AMD) is characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and responsible for the majority of central vision impairment. Using non-biased microRNA arrays and individual TaqMan qPCRs, we profiled miRNAs in the vitreous humour and plasma of patients with NV AMD. We identified a disease-associated increase in miR-146a and a decrease in miR-106b and miR-152 in the vitreous humour which was reproducible in plasma. Moreover, miR-146a/miR-106b ratios discriminated patients with NV AMD with an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC AUC) of 0,977 in vitreous humour and 0,915 in plasma suggesting potential for a blood-based diagnostic. Furthermore, using the AMD Gene Consortium (AGC) we mapped a NV AMD-associated SNP (rs1063320) in a binding site for miR-152-3p in the HLA-G gene. The relationship between our detected miRNAs and NV AMD related genes was also investigated using gene sets derived from the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). To our knowledge, our study is the first to correlate vitreal and plasma miRNA signatures with NV AMD, highlighting potential future worth as biomarkers and providing insight on NV AMD pathogenesis.

Long Noncoding RNA PVT1 Acts as a "Sponge" to Inhibit microRNA-152 in Gastric Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

PVT1 was up-regulated in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and might be as a novel biomarker for predicting GC. However, the exact mechanism of PVT1 exerting functions in GC was still poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs may act as endogenous microRNA (miRNA) sponges to bind to miRNAs and regulate their function.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the function of PVT1 on miR-152 expression in GC cells.

METHODS

The levels of PVT1 and miR-152 were determined in GC tissues by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of miR-152 was detected in GC cells transfected with PVT1 plasmid or siPVT1. Luciferase assay was performed to verify the regulation of miR-152 to CD151 or FGF2 expression and PVT1 to miR-152 expression. The effects of PVT1 on the expression of CD151 and FGF2 were evaluated by Western blot.

RESULTS

PVT1 was up-regulated in GC tissues than that in the matched normal tissues, and mRNA level of miR-152 was decreased. MiR-152 was negatively associated with PVT1 expression in GC tissues. Based on the in silico analysis, we found that PVT1 have three binding sequences for miR-152. Moreover, PVT1 might inhibit the expression of miR-152 and increased the expression of CD151 and FGF2 through regulating miR-152. PVT1 was positively associated with CD151 and FGF2 expression in GC tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

PVT1 might act as a "sponge" to inhibit miR-152 in gastric cancer cells. PVT1 is a promising molecular target to improve the diagnosis and therapy of GC.

Immune Modulatory microRNAs Involved in Tumor Attack and Tumor Immune Escape

Current therapies against cancer utilize the patient's immune system for tumor eradication. However, tumor cells can evade immune surveillance of CD8+ T and/or natural killer (NK) cells by various strategies. These include the aberrant expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens, co-inhibitory or costimulatory molecules, and components of the interferon (IFN) signal transduction pathway. In addition, alterations of the tumor microenvironment could interfere with efficient antitumor immune responses by downregulating or inhibiting the frequency and/or functional activity of immune effector cells and professional antigen-presenting cells. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as major players in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, thereby controlling many physiological and also pathophysiological processes including neoplastic transformation. Indeed, the cellular miRNA expression pattern is frequently altered in many tumors of distinct origin, demonstrating the tumor suppressive or oncogenic potential of miRNAs. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that miRNAs could also influence antitumor immune responses by affecting the expression of immune modulatory molecules in tumor and immune cells. Apart from their important role in tumor immune escape and altered tumor-host interaction, immune modulatory miRNAs often exert neoplastic properties, thus representing promising targets for future combined immunotherapy approaches. This review focuses on the characterization of miRNAs involved in the regulation of immune surveillance or immune escape of tumors and their potential use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers or as therapeutic targets.

Long non-coding RNA CCAT1 promotes metastasis and poor prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer

In this study, we reported that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CCAT1 was upregulated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues, and was associated with FIGO stage, histological grade, lymph node metastasis and poor survival of EOC patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CCAT1 was an independent prognostic indicator. While CCAT1 downregulation inhibited EOC cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion, CCAT1 upregulation promoted EOC cell EMT, migration and invasion. We further identified and confirmed that miR-152 and miR-130b were the targets of CCAT1, and CCAT1 functioned by targeting miR-152 and miR-130b. Subsequently, ADAM17 and WNT1, and STAT3 and ZEB1 were confirmed to be the targets of miR-152 and miR-130b, respectively, and could be regulated by CCAT1 in EOC cells. Knockdown of anyone of these four proteins inhibited EOC cell EMT, migration and invasion. Taken together, our study first revealed a critical role of CCAT1-miR-152/miR-130b-ADAM17/WNT1/STAT3/ZEB1 regulatory network in EOC cell metastasis. These findings provide great insights into EOC initiation and progression, and novel potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis for EOC.

Tumor angiogenesis revisited: Regulators and clinical implications

Since Judah Folkman hypothesized in 1971 that angiogenesis is required for solid tumor growth, numerous studies have been conducted to unravel the angiogenesis process, analyze its role in primary tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenic diseases, and to develop inhibitors of proangiogenic factors. These studies have led in 2004 to the approval of the first antiangiogenic agent (bevacizumab, a humanized antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor) for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. This approval launched great expectations for the use of antiangiogenic therapy for malignant diseases. However, these expectations have not been met and, as knowledge of blood vessel formation accumulates, many of the original paradigms no longer hold. Therefore, the regulators and clinical implications of angiogenesis need to be revisited. In this review, we discuss recently identified angiogenesis mediators and pathways, new concepts that have emerged over the past 10 years, tumor resistance and toxicity associated with the use of currently available antiangiogenic treatment and potentially new targets and/or approaches for malignant and nonmalignant neovascular diseases.

Upregulation of miR-223 in the rat liver inhibits proliferation of hepatocytes under simulated microgravity

Long-term spaceflight affects numerous organ systems in the body, including metabolic dysfunction. Recently, ample evidence has demonstrated that the liver is a vulnerable organ during spaceflight. However, the changes in hepatocyte proliferation and cell cycle control under microgravity remain largely unexplored. In the present study, we first confirmed that the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, biochemical markers of liver function, were altered in rats under tail suspension (TS) conditions to simulate microgravity, as shown in previous reports. Next, we demonstrated that the cell proliferation activity, determined by Ki67, PCNA and PH3, was significantly decreased at the different TS time points (TS for 14, 28 and 42 days) compared with that in the control group. Consistently, the positive cell cycle regulators Ccna2, Ccnd1, Cdk1, Cdk2 and cyclin D3 were also significantly decreased in the TS groups as shown by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting analysis. Subsequent analysis revealed that the aberrant hepatocyte proliferation inhibition under simulated microgravity was associated with the upregulation of miR-223 in the liver. We further found that miR-223 inhibited the proliferation of Hepa1-6 cells and identified CDK2 and CUL1 as its direct targets. In addition, the decreased expression of CDK2 and CUL1 was negatively correlated with the level of p27 in vitro and in vivo, which may have been responsible for retarding hepatocyte proliferation. Collectively, these data indicate that upregulation of miR-223 was associated with the inhibition of liver cell growth and reveal the role of miR-223 in rat hepatocyte proliferation disorders and the pathophysiological process under simulated microgravity.

MicroRNA‑152 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion by directly targeting MAFB in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRs) has been reported to be involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) carcinogenesis and development. The expression and functions of miR‑152 have previously been studied in several types of cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the effects of miR‑152 on NPC. The present study aimed to explore the expression, functions and molecular mechanisms of miR‑152 in NPC. The expression levels of miR‑152 were detected in NPC tissues and cell lines using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were measured by MTT, cell migration and invasion assays, respectively. Dual‑luciferase reporter assay was used to determine whether V‑maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (MAFB) was a direct target gene of miR‑152. qPCR and western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of MAFB. In addition, functional assays were performed to explore the effects of endogenous MAFB on NPC. The results of the present study demonstrated that miR‑152 was significantly downregulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, ectopic expression of miR‑152 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cells. Dual‑luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that MAFB was a direct target gene of miR‑152, and qPCR and western blotting indicated that miR‑152 negatively regulated MAFB expression at the mRNA and protein level. Knockdown of MAFB expression markedly suppressed NPC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. These findings suggested that miR‑152 may target MAFB to regulate NPC initiation and progression; therefore, it may be investigated as a target for the treatment of NPC.

Cell-free microRNAs in blood and other body fluids, as cancer biomarkers

The discovery of cell-free microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum, plasma and other body fluids has yielded an invaluable potential source of non-invasive biomarkers for cancer and other non-malignant diseases. miRNAs in the blood and other body fluids are highly stable in biological samples and are resistant to environmental conditions, such as freezing, thawing or enzymatic degradation, which makes them convenient as potential biomarkers. In addition, they are more easily sampled than tissue miRNAs. Altered levels of cell-free miRNAs have been found in every type of cancer analysed, and increasing evidence indicates that they may participate in carcinogenesis by acting as cell-to-cell signalling molecules. This review summarizes the biological characteristics and mechanisms of release of cell-free miRNAs that make them promising candidates as non-invasive biomarkers of cancer.

miR-16 targets fibroblast growth factor 2 to inhibit NPC cell proliferation and invasion via PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways

Dysregulation of miRNAs has been shown to contribute to the carcinogenesis and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Our previous microarray data showed that miR-16 expression is significantly decreased in archived NPC tissues. Here, we confirmed that miR-16 was reduced in NPC cell lines and freshly-frozen samples. Ectopic expression of miR-16 suppressed NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and inhibited tumor growth and metastatic colonization in the lung in vivo. Furthermore, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) was identified as a direct target of miR-16, and both phosphoinositide-3- kinase/AKT (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were repressed after miR-16 overexpression. In addition, the restoration of FGF2 reversed the suppressive effects of miR-16. Together, these results indicated that miR-16 suppresses NPC carcinogenesis and progression by targeting FGF2, thereby representing a potential target for miRNA-based therapy for NPC in the future.

miR-152 as a tumor suppressor microRNA: Target recognition and regulation in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are endogenous translation repressors of protein-coding genes that act by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of their target genes, and may contribute to tumorigenesis by functioning as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. miR-152, a member of the miR-148/152 family, is aberrantly expressed in various diseases, including various types of cancer. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that miR-152 may act as a tumor suppressor gene by regulating its target genes, which are associated with cell proliferation, migration and invasion in human cancer. In the present review, the gene structure and functions of miR-152 are discussed, and in particular, its regulatory mechanism, experimentally validated targets and tumor suppressor role in cancer, are highlighted.

Regulation of expression of microRNAs by DNA methylation in lung cancer

Differential expression of miRNAs has been linked with lung carcinogenesis. Recent studies have indicated that DNA hypermethylation can lead to silencing of tumor suppressor miRNA-encoding genes. Restoration of tumor suppressor miRNAs using inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases has been shown to suppress cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis implying that modulation of methylation of specific miRNAs can be used as novel therapeutic targets in lung cancer. In this review, we highlight tremendous progress which has been made in the identification of methylation-mediated silencing of miRNAs and their contribution in lung carcinogenesis along with the clinical utility of methylated miRNAs.

The role of microRNA in metastatic processes of non-small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs are small non-coding one-stranded RNA molecules that play an important role in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes. Bioinformatic predictions indicate that each miRNA can regulate hundreds of target genes. MicroRNA expression can be associated with various cellular processes leading to the metastasis of malignant tumours including non-small cell lung carcinoma. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of microRNAs in NSCLC metastasis to the brain and lymph nodes.

METHODS

A search of the NCBI/PubMed database for publications on expression levels and the mechanisms of microRNA action in NSCLC metastasis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Dysregulation of microRNAs in NSCLC can be associated with brain and lymph node metastasis. There are differences in microRNA expression profiling between NSCLC with and without metastases but it is currently not possible to reliably predict the site of metastasis in NSCLC. Based on data from RNAmicroarrays, bioinformatics analysis is able to predict the target genes of highlighted microRNAs, providing us with complex information about cancer cell features such as enhanced proliferation, migration and invasion. Such microRNAs may then be knocked-down using siRNAs or substituted with miRNA mimics. RNA microarray profiling may thus be a useful tool to select up- or down-regulated microRNAs. A number of authors suggest that microRNAs could serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the treatment of NSCLC metastasis.

miR-105/Runx2 axis mediates FGF2-induced ADAMTS expression in osteoarthritis cartilage

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) plays an important role in the development of osteoarthritis (OA) through the regulation of cartilage degradation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying FGF2-induced OA is poorly characterized. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) maintain cartilage homeostasis. To examine whether FGF2 regulates OA through the modulation of miRNA, we screened potential miRNA molecules that could be regulated through FGF2 using microarray analysis. The results showed that microRNA-105 (miR-105) was significantly downregulated in chondrocytes stimulated with FGF2. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), a key transcription factor involved in OA, has been identified as a novel potential target of miR-105. FGF2 suppressed miR-105 expression through the recruitment of the subunit of the nuclear factor kappa B transcription complex p65 to the miR-105 promoter. The knockdown of Runx2 mimicked the effect of miR-105 and abolished the ability of miR-105 to regulate the expression of a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin 4 (ADAMTS4), ADAMTS5, ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12, both of which are responsible for the degradation of collagen 2A1 (COL2A1) and aggrecan (ACAN). miR-105 is also required for FGF2/p65-induced Runx2 activation and ADAMTS expression. Moreover, miR-105 expression was downregulated in OA patients and inversely correlated with the expression of Runx2, ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12, which were upregulated in OA patients. These data highlight that the FGF2/p65/miR-105/Runx2/ADAMTS axis might play an important role in OA pathogenesis and that miR-105 might be a potential diagnostic target and useful strategy for OA treatment.

KEY MESSAGE

Runx2 was identified as a novel direct target of miR-105. FGF2 inhibits miR-105 transcription through recruitment of p65 to miR-105 promoter. p65/miR-105 is essential for FGF2-mediated Runx2 and ADAMTS upregulation. miR-105 is downregulated in OA and inversely correlated with Runx2 expression.