Up-regulation of miRNA-148a inhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration while promoting apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by down-regulating RRS1

Unlocking Novel Therapeutic Avenues in Glioblastoma: Harnessing 4-amino Cyanine and miRNA Synergy for Next-Gen Treatment Convergence

Glioblastoma (GBM) poses a formidable challenge in oncology due to its aggressive nature and dismal prognosis, with average survival rates around 15 months despite conventional treatments. This review proposes a novel therapeutic strategy for GBM by integrating microRNA (miRNA) therapy with 4-amino cyanine molecules possessing near-infrared (NIR) properties. miRNA holds promise in regulating gene expression, particularly in GBM, making it an attractive therapeutic target. 4-amino cyanine molecules, especially those with NIR properties, have shown efficacy in targeted tumor cell degradation. The combined approach addresses gene expression regulation and precise tumor cell degradation, offering a breakthrough in GBM treatment. Additionally, the review explores noncoding RNAs classification and characteristics, highlighting their role in GBM pathogenesis. Advanced technologies such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), locked nucleic acids (LNAs), and peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) show potential in targeting noncoding RNAs therapeutically, paving the way for precision medicine in GBM. This synergistic combination presents an innovative approach with the potential to advance cancer therapy in the challenging landscape of GBM.

Study on serum miR-182 as a marker for diagnosis and prognosis of cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer (CC) is a common female malignancy, with a global incidence rate second only to breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To propose a new idea for early treatment and auxiliary diagnosis of CC by exploring the diagnostic and prognostic implications of serum miR-182 in CC.

METHODS

We enrolled 70 CC patients, 35 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients and 35 healthy controls (HCs), who visited The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College Hospital between January 2015 and April 2016. miR-182 expression was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR and compared among the three groups. The correlation of serum miR-182 expression with patients' clinical features was evaluated. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to evaluate the early diagnostic value and prognostic value of serum miR-182. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine serum miR-182 expression and its important role in predicting CC patients' prognosis.

RESULTS

Serum miR-182 expression was determined to be 0.345 ± 0.094, 0.369 ± 0.076, and 0.586 ± 0.157 in CC patients, CIN patients, and HCs, respectively (P< 0.001). Serum miR-182 expression had an obvious association with lymph node metastasis and pathological differentiation (P< 0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of serum miR-182 was 0.709 (95% CI: 0.622-0.795), the critical value was 0.456, the sensitivity was 81.4%, and the specificity was 52.9%. CC patients were grouped as either the low- (miR-182 < 0.3) or high-level group (miR-182 ⩾ 0.03) based on serum miR-182 levels, and a Cox regression model of OS was established. Serum miR-182 expression was identified as a factor independently influencing CC patients' OS (P= 0.028); the death risk of the high-level group was 3.246 times that of the low-level group.

CONCLUSION

Serum miR-182 expression is not only a biomarker for early diagnosis of CC, but also one of the independent factors influencing the survival and prognosis of CC patients.

miR-25 Regulates Gastric Cancer Cell Growth and Apoptosis by Targeting EGR2

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies harmful to human health. The search for effective drugs or gene therapy has aroused the attention of scientists. So far, microRNAs, as small non-coding RNAs, have the potential to be therapeutic targets for cancer. Herein, we found a highly expressed miR-25 in gastric cancer cell. However, the function of miR-25 for gastric cancer cell growth and apoptosis was unknown. Functionally, we used RT-qPCR, western blot, CCK-8, and flow cytometry to detect gastric cancer cell growth and apoptosis. The results indicated that miR-25 promoted gastric cancer cell growth and inhibited their apoptosis. Mechanistically, we found that a gene EGR2 was a potential target gene of miR-25. Further dual-luciferase results supported this prediction. Moreover, knockdown of EGR2 promoted gastric cancer cell growth and inhibited their apoptosis by flow cytometry detection. Altogether, these findings revealed miR-25 as a regulator of gastric cancer cell growth and apoptosis through targeting EGR2.

MicroRNA-218 aggravates H2O2-induced damage in PC12 cells via spred2-mediated autophagy

The current study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of miR-218 in H₂O₂-induced neuronal injury. The impacts of miR-218 knockdown on cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy-associated proteins were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry and western blotting in H₂O₂-injured PC12 cells, respectively. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting was executed to explore the expression level of miR-218 and sprouty-related EVH1 domainprotein2 (spred2) in H₂O₂-stimulated cells. Besides, the regulatory association between miR-218 and spred2 was explored through bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assay. Following knockdown of miR-218 and spred2, the functions of miR-218 and spred2 in H₂O₂-injured cells were further studied. High expression level of miR-218 was observed in H₂O₂-disposed PC12 cells, while spred2 expression level was downregulated. Knockdown of miR-218 expression alleviated H₂O₂-induced PC12 cell injury by increasing cell proliferation, and decreasing apoptosis and autophagy. Furthermore, spred2 was identified as a direct target of miR-218 and was negatively regulated by miR-218. Moreover, suppression of spred2 abrogated the protective effects of miR-218 inhibition on H₂O₂-injured PC12 cells. Depletion of miR-218 protected PC12 cells against H₂O₂-induced cell injury via the upregulation of spred2, which provided a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury.

Interplay between DNA Methyltransferase 1 and microRNAs During Tumorigenesis

Cancer is a genetic disease resulting from genomic changes; however, epigenetic alterations act synergistically with these changes during tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Epigenetic variations are gaining more attention as an important regulator in tumor progression, metastasis and therapy resistance. Aberrant DNA methylation at CpG islands is a central event in epigeneticmediated gene silencing of various tumor suppressor genes. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) predominately methylates at CpG islands on hemimethylated DNA substrates in proliferation of cells. DNMT1 has been shown to be overexpressed in various cancer types and exhibits tumor-promoting potential. The major drawbacks to DNMT1-targeted cancer therapy are the adverse effects arising from nucleoside and non-nucleoside based DNMT1 inhibitors. This paper focuses on the regulation of DNMT1 by various microRNAs (miRNAs), which may be assigned as future DNMT1 modulators, and highlights how DNMT1 regulates various miRNAs involved in tumor suppression. Importantly, the role of reciprocal inhibition between DNMT1 and certain miRNAs in tumorigenic potential is approached in this review. Hence, this review seeks to project an efficient and strategic approach using certain miRNAs in conjunction with conventional DNMT1 inhibitors as a novel cancer therapy. It has also been pinpointed to select miRNA candidates associated with DNMT1 regulation that may not only serve as potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, but may also predict the existence of aberrant methylation activity in cancer cells.

Role of miRNAs in cervical cancer: A comprehensive novel approach from pathogenesis to therapy

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) infection is a major causative agent and strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer. Understanding the mechanisms of HPV-induced cervical cancer is extremely useful in therapeutic strategies for primary prevention (HPV vaccines) and secondary prevention (screening and diagnosis of precancerous lesions). However, due to the lack of proper implementation of screening programs in developing countries, cervical cancer is usually diagnosed at advanced stages that result in poor treatment responses. Nearly half of the patients will experience disease recurrence within two years post treatment. Therefore, it is vital to identify new tools for early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment prediction. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, implicated in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. Growing evidence has shown that abnormal miRNA expression is associated with cervical cancer progression, metastasis, and influences treatment outcomes. In this review, we provide comprehensive information about miRNA and their potential utility in cervical cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management to improve patient outcomes.

Systematic analysis of the function and prognostic value of RNA binding proteins in Colon Adenocarcinoma

Background: Abnormal expression of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) is closely related to tumorigenesis, progression, and prognosis. This study performed systematic bioinformatic analysis of RBPs abnormally expressed in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to screen prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets.

Methods: First, the gene expression data from COAD samples were used to screen out differentially expressed RBPs for functional enrichment analysis and to visualize interaction relationships. Second, RBPs that were significantly related to prognosis were screened through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis to construct a prognostic model. The prediction performance of the prognostic model was evaluated by survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. It addition, it was verified in the test cohort. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) online database was used to verify the expression levels of RBPs in the prognostic model.

Results: The study identified 181 differentially expressed RBPs and analyzed their interaction and functional enrichment, which were mainly related to non-coding RNA processing, ribosome biogenesis, RNA metabolic processes, RNA phosphodiester bond hydrolysis, and alternative mRNA splicing. Five RBPs related to prognosis were used to construct a prognostic model, and its predictive ability was verified by the test cohort. ROC curve analysis showed that the prognostic model had good sensitivity and specificity. Independent prognostic analysis showed that risk scores could be used as independent prognostic factors for COAD.

Conclusion: This study constructed a reliable prognostic model by analyzing COAD differentially expressed RBPs, facilitating the screening of COAD prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Advances in the Relationship Between Regulator of Ribosome Synthesis 1 (RRS1) and Diseases

A regulator of ribosome synthesis 1 (RRS1) was discovered in yeast and is mainly localized in the nucleolus and endoplasmic reticulum. It regulates ribosomal protein, RNA biosynthesis, and protein secretion and is closely involved in cellular senescence, cell cycle regulation, transcription, translation, oncogenic transformation etc., Mutations in the RRS1 gene are associated with the occurrence and development of Huntington’s disease and cancer, and overexpression of RRS1 promotes tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, the structure, function, and mechanisms of RRS1 in various diseases are discussed.

Baicalein Represses Cervical Cancer Cell Growth, Cell Cycle Progression and Promotes Apoptosis via Blocking AKT/mTOR Pathway by the Regulation of circHIAT1/miR-19a-3p Axis

Background

Baicalein has a significant anti-cancerous function in the treatment of cervical cancer (CC). Its functional mechanism regarding circular RNA (circRNA) hippocampus abundant transcript 1 (circHIAT1) and microRNA-19a-3p (miR-19a-3p) was explored in this research.

Methods

CC cell viability and colony formation were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analyzed via flow cytometry. Protein markers of cell cycle, apoptosis and protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) pathway were detected by Western blot. CircHIAT1 and miR-19a-3p levels were assayed through the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The interaction between circHIAT1 and miR-19a-3p was validated by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. In vivo experiment was performed by xenograft model.

Results

CC cell growth and cell cycle progression were repressed while apoptosis was enhanced by baicalein. MiR-19a-3p was downregulated in baicalein-treated CC cells and miR-19a-3p overexpression lightened the baicalein-induced CC progression inhibition. Moreover, circHIAT1 was found to be a sponge of miR-19a-3p in CC cells. Baicalein-induced cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis promotion were neutralized by knockdown of circHIAT1 via targeting miR-19a-3p. Baicalein acted on the circHIAT1/miR-19a-3p to inactivate AKT/mTOR pathway. Baicalein also reduced CC tumor growth in vivo via regulating the levels of circHIAT1 and miR-19a-3p.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrated that the inhibitory function of baicalein in CC progression was dependent on the repression of AKT/mTOR pathway by upregulating circHIAT1 to sponge miR-19a-3p, showing a specific mechanism for baicalein in CC.

lncRNA HOTAIRM1 regulates cell proliferation and the metastasis of thyroid cancer by targeting Wnt10b

Long non-coding RNAs play a role in a variety of malignancies, such as thyroid cancer (TC). However, the effects and function of lincRNA HOTAIRM1 (LINC HOTAIRM1) in TC remains obscure. In the present study, the expression of HOTAIRM1 was evaluated in TC tissues and cells by RT-qPCR and the association between the lncRNA and disease progression was assessed. In vitro, the biological function of HOTAIRM1 was assessed in TC. Moreover, changes in the expression of Wnt10b were measured by western blot analysis. In addition, MTT assay, bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assays were performed to determine the target binding effect between LINC HOTAIRM1 and miR-148a, as well as that between Wnt10b and miR-148a. The changes in the metastatic ability of TPC-1 and BCPAP cells were evaluated by Transwell assay. The pronounced upregulated expression of HOTAIRM1 was evident in TC cells and tissues, and was associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. When HOTAIRM1 was knocked down, this inhibited the proliferative and invasive abilities of TPC-1 and BCPAP cells in vitro. The knockdown of this lncRNA also increased the expression of microRNA-148a (miR-148a) and decreased Wnt10b expression in these cells, whereas transfection with miR-148a inhibitor was sufficient to overcome this Wnt10b downregulation. In line with these results, the overexpression of miR-148a markedly suppressed Wnt10b expression, whereas miR-148a inhibition resulted in the opposite effects. The overexpression of Wnt10b was also sufficient to overcome the effects of miR-148a mimics on TPC-1 and BCPAP cells. Taken together, these results suggest that miR-148a and Wnt10b are downstream effectors of the HOTAIRM1 signaling pathway in TC. This HOTAIRM1/miR-148a/Wnt10 axis may thus be amenable to therapeutic targeting in order to improve disease outcomes in patients with TC.

LncRNA SNHG12 regulates the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer through the miR-148a/CDK1 pathway

Background

Radiation resistance is a major obstacle to the prognosis of cervical cancer (CC) patients. Many studies have confirmed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of radiosensitivity of cancers. However, whether small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) regulates the radiosensitivity of CC remains unknown.

Methods

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression levels of SNHG12 and microRNA-148a (miR-148a). The radiosensitivity of cells was evaluated by clonogenic assay. Flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay were performed to assess the apoptosis ability and cell cycle distribution of cells. Besides, dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were used to verify the interaction between miR-148a and SNHG12 or cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). Also, the protein levels of CDK1, CCND1 and γ-H2AX were detected by western blot analysis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments were conducted to verify the effect of SNHG12 on CC tumor growth. Ki-67 and TUNEL staining were employed to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis rates in vivo. The hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were employed to evaluate the tumor cell morphology.

Results

SNHG12 was upregulated in CC tissues and cells, and its knockdown improved the radiosensitivity by promoting the radiation-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of CC cells. Also, miR-148a could be sponged by SNHG12 and could target CDK1. MiR-148a inhibitor or CDK1 overexpression could invert the promotion effect of silenced-SNHG12 on CC radiosensitivity. Meanwhile, SNHG12 interference reduced the tumor growth of CC, increased miR-148a expression, and inhibited CDK1 level in vivo.

Conclusion

LncRNA SNHG12 promoted CDK1 expression to regulate the sensitivity of CC cells to radiation through sponging miR-148a, indicating that SNHG12 could be used as a potential biomarker to treat the radiotherapy resistance of CC patients.

Inhibition of lncRNA DCST1-AS1 suppresses proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells by increasing miR-874-3p expression

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer seriously threatens both the health and life of women. We aimed to investigate whether RNA interference of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DCST1-AS1 could promote miR-874-3p expression to affect the proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells.

METHODS

DCST1-AS1 expression levels in cervical cancer cells and transfection effects were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Proliferation, invasion and migration of cells were separately shown by cell-counting kit-8, wound healing and transwell assays, and relative protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays verified the interaction of DCST1-AS1 and miR-874-3p.

RESULTS

DCST1-AS1 expression was increased in cervical cancer tissues and cells. The DCST1-AS1 expression in Hela and SiHa cells was the highest, and so the cells were selected for the next experiment. Inhibition of DCST1-AS1 suppressed the proliferation, invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells and decreased the expression of KI67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. miR-874-3p expression was increased when cells were transfected with miR-874-3p mimic or shRNA-DCST1-AS1-1, and DCST1-AS1 expression was down-regulated when cells were transfected with miR-874-3p mimic. DCST1-AS1 can directly target miR-874-3p. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-874-3p could effectively alleviate the effect of inhibition of DCST1-AS1 with respect to the proliferation, invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of DCST1-AS1 suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells by increasing miR-874-3p expression, which could be alleviated by the inhibition of miR-874-3p.

Down-regulated lncRNA SBF2-AS1 inhibits tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer by sponging microRNA-143 and repressing RRS1

Background

Recently, the roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in human diseases have been unveiled, this research was conducted to explore the impacts of lncRNA SET-binding factor 2-antisense RNA1 (SBF2-AS1), miR-143 and resistance to ralstonia solanacearum 1 (RRS1) on breast cancer (BC) development.

Methods

The expression of SBF2-AS1, miR-143 and RRS1 in BC tissues, as well as in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines were assessed. Subsequently, the cells were transfected with miR-143 mimics or/and silenced or overexpressed SBF2-AS1 plasmids, and their negative controls. Then the proliferation, colony formation ability, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, invasion and migration of the cells were assessed through gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Furthermore, the tumor growth, ki-67 expression and apoptosis in vivo were observed by subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice. Binding relation between SBF2-AS1 and miR-143, and that between miR-143 and RRS1 were confirmed.

Results

SBF2-AS1 and RRS1 were amplified, while miR-143 was reduced in BC tissues and cells. Reduced SBF2-AS1 and elevated miR-143 could repress the proliferation, invasion and migration via restraining RRS1 expression. Moreover, knockdown of SBF2-AS1 up-regulated miR-143 to promote the apoptosis of BC cells by downregulating RRS1, resulting in a prohibitive effect on the tumorigenesis and progression of BC. Results of in vivo experiments indicated that the inhibited SBF2-AS1 and overexpressed miR-143 could restrict BC cell proliferation and promote apoptosis, and decelerate tumor growth in xenografts.

Conclusion

We have discovered in this study that down-regulated SBF2-AS1 could inhibit tumorigenesis and progression of BC by up-regulation miR-143 and repressing RRS1, which provides basic therapeutic considerations for a novel target against BC.