The microRNA miR-192/215 family is upregulated in mucinous ovarian carcinomas

Synergy of the microRNA Ratio as a Promising Diagnosis Biomarker for Mucinous Borderline and Malignant Ovarian Tumors

Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are a heterogeneous collection of malignancies, each with their own developmental origin, clinical behavior and molecular profile. With less than 5% of EOC cases, mucinous ovarian carcinoma is a rare form with a poor prognosis and a 5-year survival of 11% for advanced stages (III/IV). At the early stages, these malignant forms are clinically difficult to distinguish from borderline (15%) and benign (80%) forms with a better prognosis due to the large size and heterogeneity of mucinous tumors. Improving their diagnosis is therefore a challenge with regard to the risk of under-treating a malignant form or of unnecessarily undertaking radical surgical excision. The involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tumor progression and their potential as biomarkers of diagnosis are becoming increasingly recognized. In this study, the comparison of miRNA microarray expression profiles between malignant and borderline tumor FFPE samples identified 10 down-regulated and 5 up-regulated malignant miRNAs, which were validated by individual RT-qPCR. To overcome normalization issues and to improve the accuracy of the results, a ratio analysis combining paired up-regulated and down-regulated miRNAs was performed. Although 21/50 miRNA expression ratios were significantly different between malignant and borderline tumor samples, any ratio could perfectly discriminate the two groups. However, a combination of 14 pairs of miRNA ratios (double ratio) showed high discriminatory potential, with 100% of accuracy in distinguishing malignant and borderline ovarian tumors, which suggests that miRNAs may hold significant clinical potential as a diagnostic tool. In summary, these ratio miRNA-based signatures may help to improve the precision of histological diagnosis, likely to provide a preoperative diagnosis in order to adapt surgical procedures.

The Potential of MicroRNAs as Clinical Biomarkers to Aid Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Ovarian cancer is a commonly diagnosed malignancy in women. When diagnosed at an early stage, survival outcomes are favourable for the vast majority, with up to 90% of ovarian cancer patients being free of disease at 5 years follow-up. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the majority of patients remaining asymptomatic until the cancer has metastasised, resulting in poor outcomes for the majority. While the molecular era has facilitated the subclassification of the disease into distinct clinical subtypes, ovarian cancer remains managed and treated as a single disease entity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (19-25 nucleotides), endogenous molecules which are integral to regulating gene expression. Aberrant miRNA expression profiles have been described in several cancers, and have been implicated to be useful biomarkers which may aid cancer diagnostics and treatment. Several preliminary studies have identified candidate tumour suppressor and oncogenic miRNAs which may be involved in the development and progression of ovarian cancer, highlighting their candidacy as oncological biomarkers; understanding the mechanisms by which these miRNAs regulate the key processes involved in oncogenesis can improve our overall understanding of cancer development and identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review highlights the potential role of miRNAs which may be utilised to aid diagnosis, estimate prognosis and enhance therapeutic strategies in the management of primary ovarian cancer.

MiR-192/NKRF axis confers lung cancer cell chemoresistance to cisplatin via the NF-κB pathway

Background

Chemoresistance influences the therapeutic effect of cisplatin and remains a major obstacle to its clinical use. MicroRNAs are associated with drug resistance of various tumors. However, the association between microRNAs and cisplatin in lung cancer remains largely unclear.

Methods

MicroRNA expression profile was identified by microRNA microarray between the lung cancer cisplatin‐sensitive cell line A549 (A549) and cisplatin‐resistant cell line A549/DDP (A549/DDP) and confirmed by quantitative real‐time‐PCR (qRT‐PCR). In vitro loss‐ and gain‐of‐function studies were performed to reveal the biological function of miR‐192 and related mechanism of the microRNA‐192/NKRF axis in lung cancer cell cisplatin resistance.

Results

Increased miR‐192 expression was detected in A549/DDP cells compared to A549. High miR‐192 expression significantly suppressed apoptosis, enhanced proliferation, and conferred resistance to cisplatin in lung cancer cells. NF‐κB repressing factor (NKRF), which is involved in the regulation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway, was identified as a direct target of miR‐192. Overexpression of miR‐192 significantly increased the nuclear protein amount and transcriptional activation of NF‐κB and expression of cIAP1, cIAP2, Bcl‐xl and XIAP, whereas decreased miR‐192 expression did the opposite. Inhibition of the NF‐κB signal pathway by curcumin reversed the effect of upregulation of miR‐192 on proliferation, apoptosis and cisplatin‐resistance in lung cancer cells. These results indicated that miR‐192/ NKRF axis enhances the cisplatin resistance of lung cancer cells through activating the NF‐κB pathway in vitro.

Conclusions

MiR‐192 plays a crucial role in cisplatin‐resistance of lung cancer cells. Thus, MiR‐192 may represent a therapeutic target for overcoming resistance to cisplatin‐based chemotherapy in lung cancer.

Serum exosomal miRNA from endometriosis patients correlates with disease severity

Purpose

Exosomes are vesicles secreted by cells that contain a wide variety of biomolecules, including proteins or nucleic acids. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are commonly found in exosomes, are known to play important roles in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.

Methods

This study investigated the miRNA expression profile of serum exosomes from women with endometriosis in comparison with normal controls as well as the possible role of identified miRNAs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Exosomes with a diameter between 60 and 100 nm were identified by their expression of exosomal marker proteins CD9 and CD63.

Results

Microarray miRNA expression profiling analysis revealed that 26 genes were significantly up-regulated and 19 genes were significantly down-regulated in serum exosomes from endometriosis patients compared with normal controls. These differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly enriched in the regulation of cellular development, metabolism, and involved in the regulation of the MAPK and PI3k-Akt pathways. qRT-PCR analysis verified the differential expression of three miRNAs, miR-26b-5p, miR-215-5p, and miR-6795-3p.

Conclusion

Further analysis indicated that these differentially expressed miRNAs in serum exosomes may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and are related to the severity and certain symptoms of endometriosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00404-021-06227-z.

Current Implications of microRNAs in Genome Stability and Stress Responses of Ovarian Cancer

Genomic alterations and aberrant DNA damage signaling are hallmarks of ovarian cancer (OC), the leading cause of mortality among gynecological cancers worldwide. Owing to the lack of specific symptoms and late-stage diagnosis, survival chances of patients are significantly reduced. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and replication stress response inhibitors present attractive therapeutic strategies for OC. Recent research has focused on ovarian cancer-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) that play significant regulatory roles in various cellular processes. While miRNAs have been shown to participate in regulation of tumorigenesis and drug responses through modulating the DNA damage response (DDR), little is known about their potential influence on sensitivity to chemotherapy. The main objective of this review is to summarize recent findings on the utility of miRNAs as cancer biomarkers, in particular, ovarian cancer, and their regulation of DDR or modified replication stress response proteins. We further discuss the suppressive and promotional effects of various miRNAs on ovarian cancer and their participation in cell cycle disturbance, response to DNA damage, and therapeutic functions in multiple cancer types, with particular focus on ovarian cancer. Improved understanding of the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate drug resistance should facilitate the development of effective combination therapies for ovarian cancer.

Targeting the tumor stroma: integrative analysis reveal GATA2 and TORYAIP1 as novel prognostic targets in breast and ovarian cancer

Tumor stroma interaction is known to take a crucial role in cancer growth and progression. In the present study, it was performed gene expression analysis of stroma samples with ovarian and breast cancer through an integrative analysis framework to identify common critical biomolecules at multiomics levels. Gene expression datasets were statistically analyzed to identify common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by comparing tumor stroma and normal stroma samples. The integrative analyses of DEGs indicated that there were 59 common core genes, which might be feasible to be potential marks for cancer stroma targeted strategies. Reporter molecules (i.e. receptor, transcription factors and miRNAs) were determined through a statistical test employing the hypergeometric probability density function. Afterward, the tumor microenvironment protein-protein interaction and the generic network were reconstructed by using identified reporter molecules and common core DEGs. Through a systems medicine approach, it was determined that hub biomolecules, AR, GATA2, miR-124, TOR1AIP1, ESR1, EGFR, STAT1, miR-192, GATA3, COL1A1, in tumor microenvironment generic network. These molecules were also identified as prognostic signatures in breast and ovarian tumor samples via survival analysis. According to literature searching, GATA2 and TORYAIP1 might represent potential biomarkers and candidate drug targets for the stroma targeted cancer therapy applications.

Could MicroRNAs Be Useful Tools to Improve the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Gynecological Cancers? A Brief Overview

Gynecological cancers pose an important public health issue, with a high incidence among women of all ages. Gynecological cancers such as malignant germ-cell tumors, sex-cord-stromal tumors, uterine sarcomas and carcinosarcomas, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, vulvar carcinoma and melanoma of the female genital tract, are defined as rare with an annual incidence of <6 per 100,000 women. Rare gynecological cancers (RGCs) are associated with poor prognosis, and given the low incidence of each entity, there is the risk of delayed diagnosis due to clinical inexperience and limited therapeutic options. There has been a growing interest in the field of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs of ∼22 nucleotides in length, because of their potential to regulate diverse biological processes. miRNAs usually induce mRNA degradation and translational repression by interacting with the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of target mRNAs, as well as other regions and gene promoters, as well as activating translation or regulating transcription under certain conditions. Recent research has revealed the enormous promise of miRNAs for improving the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of all major gynecological cancers. However, to date, only a few studies have been performed on RGCs. In this review, we summarize the data currently available regarding RGCs.

Promoter Methylation-mediated Silencing of the MiR-192-5p Promotes Endometrial Cancer Progression by Targeting ALX1

Background: Epigenetic regulation by promoter methylation-mediated silencing of cancer-related microRNAs plays vital roles in tumorigenesis. MiR-192-5p promotes tumor progression in various human cancers with conflicting biological effects. However, its expression levels and biological functions in endometrial carcinoma (EC) have not been reported. Methods: The methylation status of miR-192-5p in tissue samples and cell lines, was examined using bisulfite sequencing PCR. miR-192-5p expression was also measured. EC cell lines transfected with specifically designed vectors overexpressing miR-192-5p, its target gene ALX1 or both, were constructed. Tumorigenicity of these cell lines were examined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Dual-luciferase reporter assay were employed to verify the target of miR-192-5p. Results: The promoter region of miR-192-5p gene was highly methylated and its expression significantly repressed in EC samples. Moreover, a higher level of promoter methylation as well as a lower expression of miR-192-5p, was significantly associated with advanced Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage and shorter disease-free survival in patients with curatively resected EC. Functional studies demonstrated that miR-192-5p overexpression inhibited in vitro tumor progression, in vivo tumorigenicity and the expression of several oncoproteins that was highly related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. ALX1 was verified as a direct target of miR-192-5p and demonstrated to mediate the tumor-suppressive function of miR-192-5p. Conclusion: miR-192-5p is a tumor suppressor miRNA that is epigenetically silenced by promoter methylation and may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in EC.

MiR-215-5p Reduces Liver Metastasis in an Experimental Model of Colorectal Cancer through Regulation of ECM-Receptor Interactions and Focal Adhesion

Simple Summary

Decreased expression of miR-215-5-p was found in tumor tissue of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in comparison to healthy colon tissue. Moreover, expression levels of miR-215-5p were further decreased in metastatic lesions compared to primary tumor tissue. Overall, CRC patients with lower expression of miR-215-5p in tumors had significantly shorter overall survival and a higher chance of metastasis. This study aimed to examine the effects of miR-215-5p supplementation on the metastatic potential of CRC. MiR-215-5p was found to decrease invasiveness, migratory capacity, tumorigenicity, and metastasis formation. Finally, transcriptome analysis identified signaling pathways involved in the process, and subsequent RT-qPCR validation indicates CTNNBIP1 to be a direct target of this microRNA. These results bring new insight into miR-215-5p biology, a molecule that could potentially serve as a promising target for CRC patients’ future therapeutic strategies.

Abstract

Background: Growing evidence suggests that miR-215-5p is a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its role in metastasis remains unclear. This study evaluates the effects of miR-215 overexpression on the metastatic potential of CRC. Methods: CRC cell lines were stably transfected with miR-215-5p and used for in vitro and in vivo functional analyses. Next-generation sequencing and RT-qPCR were performed to study changes on the mRNA level. Results: Overexpression of miR-215-5p significantly reduced the clonogenic potential, migration, and invasiveness of CRC cells in vitro and tumor weight and volume, and liver metastasis in vivo. Transcriptome analysis revealed mRNAs regulated by miR-215-5p and RT-qPCR confirmed results for seven selected genes. Significantly elevated levels of CTNNBIP1 were also observed in patients’ primary tumors and liver metastases compared to adjacent tissues, indicating its direct regulation by miR-215-5p. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis identified cellular processes and pathways associated with miR-215-5p deregulation. Conclusions: MiR-215-5p suppresses the metastatic potential of CRC cells through the regulation of divergent molecular pathways, including extracellular-matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion. Although the specific targets of miR-215-5p contributing to the formation of distant metastases must be further elucidated, this miRNA could serve as a promising target for CRC patients’ future therapeutic strategies.

MicroRNA as Biomarker in Ovarian Cancer Management: Advantages and Challenges

Ovarian cancer is the most prevalent gynecological malignancy affecting women throughout the globe. Ovarian cancer has several subtypes, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with a whopping incidence rate of 239,000 per year, making it the sixth most common gynecological malignancy worldwide. Despite advancement of detection and therapeutics, death rate accounts for 152,000 per annum. Several protein-based biomarkers such as CA125 and HE4 are currently being used for diagnosis, but their sensitivity and specificity for early detection of ovarian cancer are under question. MicroRNA (a small noncoding RNA molecule that participates in post-transcription regulation of gene expression) and its functional deregulation in most cancers have been discovered in the previous two decades. Studies support that miRNA deregulation has an epigenetic component as well. Aberrant miRNA expression is often correlated with the form of EOC tumor, histological grade, prognosis, and FIGO stage. In this review, we addressed epigenetic regulation of miRNAs, the latest research on miRs as a biomarker in the detection of EOC, and tailored assays to use miRNAs as a biomarker in ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Rho GTPases in Gynecologic Cancers: In-Depth Analysis toward the Paradigm Change from Reactive to Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medical Approach Benefiting the Patient and Healthcare

Rho guanosine triphospatases (GTPases) resemble a conserved family of GTP-binding proteins regulating actin cytoskeleton dynamics and several signaling pathways central for the cell. Rho GTPases create a so-called Ras-superfamily of GTPases subdivided into subgroups comprising at least 20 members. Rho GTPases play a key regulatory role in gene expression, cell cycle control and proliferation, epithelial cell polarity, cell migration, survival, and apoptosis, among others. They also have tissue-related functions including angiogenesis being involved in inflammatory and wound healing processes. Contextually, any abnormality in the Rho GTPase function may result in severe consequences at molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Rho GTPases also play a key role in tumorigenesis and metastatic disease. Corresponding mechanisms include a number of targets such as kinases and scaffold/adaptor-like proteins initiating GTPases-related signaling cascades. The accumulated evidence demonstrates the oncogenic relevance of Rho GTPases for several solid malignancies including breast, liver, bladder, melanoma, testicular, lung, central nervous system (CNS), head and neck, cervical, and ovarian cancers. Furthermore, Rho GTPases play a crucial role in the development of radio- and chemoresistance e.g. under cisplatin-based cancer treatment. This article provides an in-depth overview on the role of Rho GTPases in gynecological cancers, highlights relevant signaling pathways and pathomechanisms, and sheds light on their involvement in tumor progression, metastatic spread, and radio/chemo resistance. In addition, insights into a spectrum of novel biomarkers and innovative approaches based on the paradigm shift from reactive to predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine are provided.

MiRNA Targeted NP Genome of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccines Provide Cross-Protection against a Lethal Influenza Virus Infection

The miRNA-based strategy has been used to develop live attenuated influenza vaccines. In this study, the nucleoprotein (NP) genome segment of the influenza virus was inserted by different perfect miRNA-192-5p target sites, and the virus was rescued by standard reverse genetics method, so as to verify the virulence and protective efficacy of live attenuated vaccine in cells and mice. The results showed there was no significant attenuation in 192t virus with one perfect miRNA-192-5p target site, and 192t-3 virus with three perfect miRNA target sites. However, 192t-6 virus with 6 perfect miRNA target sites and 192t-9 virus with 9 perfect miRNA target sites were both significantly attenuated after infection, and their virulence were similar to that of temperature-sensitive (TS) influenza A virus (IAV) which is a temperature-sensitive live attenuated influenza vaccine. Mice were immunized with different doses of 192t-6, 192t-9, and TS IAV. Four weeks after immunization, the IgG in serum and IgA in lung homogenate were increased in the 192t-6, 192t-9, and TS IAV groups, and the numbers of IFN-γ secreting splenocytes were also increased in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, 192t-6, and 192t-9 can protect the mice against the challenge of homologous PR8 H1N1 virus and heterosubtypic H3N2 influenza virus. MiRNA targeted viruses 192t-6 and 192t-9 were significantly attenuated and showed the same virulence as TS IAV and played a role in the cross-protection.

Epigenetic Biomarkers in the Management of Ovarian Cancer: Current Prospectives

Ovarian cancer (OC) causes significant morbidity and mortality as neither detection nor screening of OC is currently feasible at an early stage. Difficulty to promptly diagnose OC in its early stage remains challenging due to non-specific symptoms in the early-stage of the disease, their presentation at an advanced stage and poor survival. Therefore, improved detection methods are urgently needed. In this article, we summarize the potential clinical utility of epigenetic signatures like DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA dysregulation, which play important role in ovarian carcinogenesis and discuss its application in development of diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers. Molecular characterization of epigenetic modification (methylation) in circulating cell free tumor DNA in body fluids offers novel, non-invasive approach for identification of potential promising cancer biomarkers, which can be performed at multiple time points and probably better reflects the prevailing molecular profile of cancer. Current status of epigenetic research in diagnosis of early OC and its management are discussed here with main focus on potential diagnostic biomarkers in tissue and body fluids. Rapid and point of care diagnostic applications of DNA methylation in liquid biopsy has been precluded as a result of cumbersome sample preparation with complicated conventional methods of isolation. New technologies which allow rapid identification of methylation signatures directly from blood will facilitate sample-to answer solutions thereby enabling next-generation point of care molecular diagnostics. To date, not a single epigenetic biomarker which could accurately detect ovarian cancer at an early stage in either tissue or body fluid has been reported. Taken together, the methodological drawbacks, heterogeneity associated with ovarian cancer and non-validation of the clinical utility of reported potential biomarkers in larger ovarian cancer populations has impeded the transition of epigenetic biomarkers from lab to clinical settings. Until addressed, clinical implementation as a diagnostic measure is a far way to go.