miR-196b-5p-mediated downregulation of TSPAN12 and GATA6 promotes tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer

miR-29a-SIRT1-Wnt/β-Catenin Axis Regulates Tumor Progression and Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) participates in the initiation and evolution of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the specific mechanism of SIRT1 in HCC remains unclear. The mRNA expression of miR-29a in HCC were identified by qRT-PCR. miR-29a mimic and inhibitor were employed. The alteration of biological behavior was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), clone formation, transwell and wound-healing assay. SIRT1 was verified to be a target gene which directly regulated by miR-29a. Luciferase reporter assay and co-IP were employed to evaluate the direct binding of miR-29a and SIRT1. Animal model was used to evaluate its function on tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. The relationship between miR-29a/SIRT1 and prognosis of HCC patients was analyzed. SIRT1 overexpression accompanied by low expression of miR-29a were detected in HCC which was negatively correlated, and associated with overall survival, vascular invasion and TNM stage. Up-regulation of miR-29a suppressed cell growth and motility. Deprivation of miR-29a expression led to opposite effect. The direct binding of miR-29a to SIRT1 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and co-IP. miR-29a repressed SIRT1, DKK2 and β-catenin, but their expression was obviously elevated by miR-29a inhibitor. Animal model suggested miR-29a could reduce the expression of SIRT1, thereby inhibiting HCC growth and metastasis by inactivating Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Low expression of miR-29a and high expression of SIRT1 predicted shorter survival time in HCC patients. miR-29a had the function of tumor suppressor which directly inhibited oncogenic SIRT1. The loss of miR-29a led to up-regulation of SIRT1, aggravate malignant transformation and poor prognosis of HCC.

PLAU, transcriptionally negatively regulated by GATA6, promotes lung squamous carcinoma cell proliferation and migration

BACKGROUND

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is associated with high mortality and has limited therapeutic treatment options. Plasminogen activator urokinase (PLAU) plays important roles in tumor cell malignancy. However, the oncogenic role of PLAU in the progression of LUSC remains unknown. GATA-binding factor 6 (GATA6), a key regulator of lung development, inhibits LUSC cell proliferation and migration, but the underlying regulatory mechanism remains to be further explored. Moreover, the regulatory effect of GATA6 on PLAU expression has not been reported. The aim of this study was to identify the role of PLAU and the transcriptional inhibition mechanism of GATA6 on PLAU expression in LUSC.

METHODS

To identify the potential target genes regulated by GATA6, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) obtained from GEO datasets analysis and RNA-seq experiment were subjected to Venn analysis and correlation heatmap analysis. The transcriptional regulatory effects of GATA6 on PLAU expression were detected by real-time PCR, immunoblotting, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. The oncogenic effects of PLAU on LUSC cell proliferation and migration were evaluated by EdU incorporation, Matrigel 3D culture and Transwell assays. PLAU expression was detected in tissue microarray of LUSC via immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. To determine prognostic factors for prognosis of LUSC patients, the clinicopathological characteristics and PLAU expression were subjected to univariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

PLAU overexpression promoted LUSC cell proliferation and migration. PLAU is overexpressed in LUSC tissues compared with normal tissues. Consistently, high PLAU expression, which acts as an independent risk factor, is associated with poor prognosis of LUSC patients. Furthermore, the expression of PLAU is transcriptionally regulated by GATA6.

CONCLUSION

In this work, it was revealed that PLAU is a novel oncogene for LUSC and a new molecular regulatory mechanism of GATA6 in LUSC was unveiled. Targeting the GATA6/PLAU pathway might help in the development of novel therapeutic treatment strategies for LUSC.

ZEB1-AS1 mediates bone metastasis through targeting miR-320b/BMPR1A axis in lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the role and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 in lung cancer.

METHODS

The expression of ZEB1-AS1 and miR-320b was determined by qRT-PCR. Cell viability, proliferation migration, and invasion were assessed using the CCK-8, colony-forming, and Transwell assay. EMT markers were quantified using western blot. The growth of subcutaneous tumor growth and metastatic bone tumors was evaluated in mouse model of lung cancer. Additionally, metastatic bone tumors were examined using H&E staining.

RESULTS

ZEB1-AS1 expression was upregulated, while miR-320b levels were downregulated in lung cancer. Knockdown of ZEB1-AS1 resulted in a significant suppression of cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in A549 cells. Furthermore, we confirmed the targeting relationship between ZEB1-AS1 and miR-320b, as well as between miR-320b and BMPR1A. Our findings suggested that ZEB1-AS1 regulated cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as EMT, in lung cancer cells by targeting the miR-320b/BMPR1A axis. Moreover, our in vivo experiments confirmed that ZEB1-AS1 mediated bone metastasis through targeting miR-320b/BMPR1A axis in mice with lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

ZEB1-AS1 mediated bone metastasis through targeting miR-320b/BMPR1A axis in lung cancer.

Tspan protein family: focusing on the occurrence, progression, and treatment of cancer

The Tetraspanins (Tspan) protein family, also known as the tetraspanin family, contains 33 family members that interact with other protein molecules such as integrins, adhesion molecules, and T cell receptors by forming dimers or heterodimers. The Tspan protein family regulates cell proliferation, cell cycle, invasion, migration, apoptosis, autophagy, tissue differentiation, and immune response. More and more studies have shown that Tspan proteins are involved in tumorigenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thrombosis, tumor stem cell, and exosome signaling. Some drugs and microRNAs can inhibit Tspan proteins, thus providing new strategies for tumor therapy. An in-depth understanding of the functions and regulatory mechanisms of the Tspan protein family, which can promote or inhibit tumor development, will provide new strategies for targeted interventions in the future.

Expression of lncRNA LINC00943 in lung squamous cell carcinoma and its relationship with tumor progression

BACKGROUND

Molecular biology has been applied to the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of various diseases, and long noncoding RNA LINC00943 (lncRNA LINC00943; LINC00943) plays an important role in a variety of cancers. Therefore, this study explored the prognostic role of LINC00943 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and understood its impact on the development of LUSC.

METHODS

There are 89 LUSC patients were involved in current assay. By detecting the expression of LINC00943 and miR-196b-5p in tissues and cells, LINC00943 and its correlation with the characteristics of clinical data were analyzed. The biological function of LINC00943 was studied by Transwell migration and invasion assays. In addition, Pearson correlation coefficient and luciferase activity experiments were chosen to characterize the relationship between LINC00943 and miR-196b-5p and explore the mechanism of LINC00943.

RESULTS

Compared with normal controls, LINC00943 expression in LUSC tissues and cells was significantly reduced, miR-196b-5p was markedly increased, there was a negative correlation between LINC00943 and miR-196b-5p. According to the in vitro cell experiments, migration and invasion of LUSC cells were suppressed by overexpression of LINC00943. Besides, LINC00943 was demonstrated to have prognostic power and targeting miR-196b-5p was involved in the progression of LUSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of LINC00943 was molecular sponge for miR-196b-5p that controlled the deterioration of LUSC, which had great potential as a prognostic biomarker for LUSC.

Circ_0001786 facilitates gefitinib resistance and malignant progression in non-small cell lung cancer via miR-34b-5p/SRSF1

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a widespread cancer and gefitinib is a primary therapy for NSCLC patients. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms for the progression of acquired drug resistance have not been clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of circular RNA (circ_0001786) in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC.

METHODS

Firstly, the expression of circ_0001786, miR-34b-5p and SRSF1 were assayed using qRT-PCR. Subsequently, CCK-8 test was utilized to measure the semi-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cellular gefitinib. Apoptosis was identified by flow cytometry. At last, dual luciferase assay was applied to prove the binding association between miR-34b-5p, circ_0001786 or SRSF1.

RESULTS

Our research disclosed that circ_0001786 was heightened in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells and tissues. Knockdown of circ_0001786 restrained IC50 values of gefitinib, attenuated the clonogenic ability and facilitated apoptosis in HCC827-GR and PC9-GR. In addition, circ_0001786 was a molecular sponge for miR-34b-5p. Silencing miR-34b-5p rescued the inhibitory impact of circ_0001786 knockdown on IC50 and cell cloning ability. Moreover, miR-34b-5p directly targeted SRSF1. Importantly, circ_0001786 enhanced gefitinib tolerance and malignant development in NSCLC through miR-34b-5p/SRSF1 pathway.

CONCLUSION

This research revealed a novel mechanism by which circ_0001786 enhanced NSCLC resistance to gefitinib by sponging miR-34b-5p and upregulating SRSF1. circ_0001786 was a potential target for improving the treatment of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC patients.

Predictive value of immediate early response 5 like (IER5L) in the prognosis and immune checkpoint blockade therapy of non-small cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a malignancy with high mortality. Immediate early response 5 like (IER5L) has been found to associate with worse prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. However, its role in the prognosis prediction of NSCLC has remained largely unknown.

METHODS

The IER5L expression in NSCLC and normal tissues was analyzed in two public cohorts: TCGA-LUAD-LUSC and GSE159857. Additionally, functional enrichment, survival analysis, CIBERSORT and tumor mutation burden (TMB) were investigated between low- and high-IER5L level groups. The in vitro IER5L mRNA and protein levels were determined using RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

The data from TCGA-LUAD-LUSC and GSE159857 cohorts showed a high IER5L mRNA expression in NSCLC tissue samples compared to normal controls. The increased expression of IER5L in NSCLC cells were also validated by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Additionally, NSCLC patients with high-IER5L level had significantly worse prognosis and IER5L could be used as an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC patients. Meanwhile, patients in the high-IER5L group had higher TMB level. IER5L expression was negatively correlated with the proportion of Monocytes and T cells CD4 memory resting, and was positively related to the proportion of Tregs and M0 macrophages in tumor tissues. Besides, transcription factors TFAP4 and ZNF692 may bind to the promoter region of IER5L, and then modulate IER5L gene transcription, thereby affecting IER5L gene expression. Furthermore, GSEA results showed that IER5L gene was closely related to MAPK, PI3K-Akt, NF-kappaB signaling pathways in NSCLC.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, high IER5L expression may be a promising unfavorable prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC patients.

GATA6 inhibits the biological function of non-small cell lung cancer by modulating glucose metabolism

PURPOSE

This study aims to explore the role of GATA6 in lung cancer, with a focus on its impact on metabolic processes.

METHODS

We assessed GATA6 expression in lung cancer tissues and its association with patient prognosis. In vitro cell function experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of altered GATA6 levels on lung cancer cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistic insights were gained by examining GATA6's influence on glucose metabolism-related genes, particularly its effect on c-Myc mRNA expression.

RESULTS

Our study revealed significant down-regulation of GATA6 in lung cancer tissues, and this down-regulation was strongly correlated with unfavorable patient prognosis. Elevating GATA6 levels effectively inhibited the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells in our cell function experiments. Mechanistically, we found that GATA6 suppressed the expression of c-Myc mRNA, impacting genes related to glucose metabolism. As a result, glucose uptake and metabolism in lung cancer cells were disrupted, ultimately impeding their malignant behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides crucial insights into the metabolic regulation of GATA6 in lung cancer cells. These findings have the potential to offer a solid theoretical foundation for the development of novel clinical treatments for lung cancer.

Hypoxia-induced miR-5100 promotes exosome-mediated activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The invasion-metastasis cascade in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is predominantly caused by the interaction between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment, including hypoxia as well as stromal cells. However, the mechanism of hypoxia-activated tumor-stroma crosstalk in HNSCC metastasis remains to be deciphered. Here, we demonstrated that HIF1α was upregulated in HNSCC specimens compared with adjacent normal tissues, whose overexpression was associated with lymph node metastasis and predicted unfavorable prognosis. HIF1α expression correlated positively with the levels of miR-5100 as well as α-SMA, the marker of CAFs. Hypoxia/HIF1α regulated transcriptionally miR-5100 to promote the degradation of its target gene QKI, which acts as a tumor suppressor in HNSCC. Hypoxic HNSCC-derived exosomal miR-5100 promoted the activation of CAFs by orchestrating QKI/AKT/STAT3 axis, which further facilitated HNSCC metastasis. Additionally, miR-5100 derived from plasma exosomes indicated HNSCC malignant progression. In conclusion, our findings illuminate a novel HIF1α/miR-5100/QKI pathway in HNSCC metastasis, and suggest that miR-5100 might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HNSCC.

miR-196b-5p regulates inflammatory process and migration via targeting Nras in trabecular meshwork cells

Glaucoma, an insidious ophthalmic pathology, is typified by an aberrant surge in intraocular pressure (IOP) which culminates in the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and optical neuropathy. The mitigation of IOP stands as the principal therapeutic strategy to forestall vision loss. The trabecular meshwork's (TM) integrity and functionality are pivotal in modulating aqueous humor egress. Despite their potential significance in glaucomatous pathophysiology, the implications of microRNAs (miRNAs) on TM functionality remain largely enigmatic. Transcriptomic sequencing was employed to delineate the miRNA expression paradigm within the limbal region of rodent glaucoma models, aiming to elucidate miRNA-mediated mechanisms within the glaucomatous milieu. Analytical scrutiny of the sequencing data disclosed 174 miRNAs with altered expression profiles, partitioned into 86 miRNAs with augmented expression and 88 with diminished expression. Notably, miRNAs such as hsa-miR-196b-5p were identified as having substantial expression discrepancies with concomitant statistical robustness, suggesting a potential contributory role in glaucomatous progression. Subsequent in vitro assays affirmed that miR-196b-5p augments the inflammatory cascade within immortalized human TM (iHTM) and glaucoma-induced human TM (GTM3) cells, concurrently attenuating cellular proliferation, motility, and cytoskeletal architecture. Additionally, miR-196b-5p implicates itself in the regulation of IOP and inflammatory processes in rodent models. At a mechanistic level, miR-196b-5p modulates its effects via the targeted repression of Nras (neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog). Collectively, these transcriptomic investigations furnish a comprehensive vista into the regulatory roles of miRNAs within the glaucomatous framework, and the identification of differentially expressed miRNAs alongside their targets could potentially illuminate novel molecular pathways implicated in glaucoma, thereby aiding in the development of innovative therapeutic avenues.

Luteolin Inhibits Lung Cancer Cell Migration by Negatively Regulating TWIST1 and MMP2 Through Upregulation of miR-106a-5p

BACKGROUND

Luteolin, a common dietary flavonoid found in plants, has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. However, its exact mechanisms of action in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are still not fully understood, particularly its role in regulating broader genomic networks and specific gene targets. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in NSCLC treated with luteolin, using A549 cells as a model system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

miRNA profiling was conducted on luteolin-treated A549 cells using Exiqon microarrays, with validation of selected miRNAs by qRT-PCR. Bioinformatic analysis identified the regulatory roles of miRNAs in biological processes and pathways following luteolin treatment. Computational algorithms were employed to identify potential target genes. A549 cells were transfected with miR-106a-5p mimic and inhibitor or their corresponding controls. The expression levels of 2 genes, twist basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (TWIST1) and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), and cell migration were assessed.

RESULTS

miRNA profiling identified 341 miRNAs, with 18 exhibiting significantly altered expression (P < 0.05). Subsequent qRT-PCR analysis confirmed altered expression of 6 selected miRNAs. KEGG and GO analyses revealed significant alterations in pathways and biological processes crucial for tumor biology. TWIST1 and MMP2, which both contain conserved miR-106a-5p binding sites, exhibited an inverse correlation with the expression levels of miR-106a-5p. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed TWIST1 and MMP2 as direct targets of miR-106a-5p. Luteolin treatment led to a reduction in A549 cell migration, and this reduction was further amplified by the overexpression of miR-106a-5p.

CONCLUSION

Luteolin inhibits A549 cell migration by modulating the miRNA landscape, shedding light on its mechanisms and laying the foundation for miRNA-based therapeutic approaches for NSCLC.

Prognostic value and gene regulatory network of CMSS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cms1 ribosomal small subunit homolog (CMSS1) is an RNA-binding protein that may play an important role in tumorigenesis and development.

OBJECTIVE

RNA-seq data from the GEPIA database and the UALCAN database were used to analyze the expression of CMSS1 in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and its relationship with the clinicopathological features of the patients.

METHODS

LinkedOmics was used to identify genes associated with CMSS1 expression and to identify miRNAs and transcription factors significantly associated with CMSS1 by GSEA.

RESULTS

The expression level of CMSS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. In addition, the expression level of CMSS1 in advanced tumors was significantly higher than that in early tumors. The expression level of CMSS1 was higher in TP53-mutated tumors than in non-TP53-mutated tumors. CMSS1 expression levels were strongly correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with LIHC, and high CMSS1 expression predicted poorer OS (P< 0.01) and DFS (P< 0.01). Meanwhile, our results suggested that CMSS1 is associated with the composition of the immune microenvironment of LIHC.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that CMSS1 is a potential molecular marker for the diagnosis and prognostic of LIHC.

MicroRNA-10a-5p-mediated downregulation of GATA6 inhibits tumor progression in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the common cause of cancer-related death in women and is considered the most deadly gynecological cancer. It has been established that GATA-binding protein 6 (GATA6) is abnormally expressed in several types of malignant tumors and acts as an oncogenic protein or a tumor suppressor. However, the underlying mechanism of GATA6 in ovarian cancer progression has not been elucidated. Data in the present study revealed that GATA6 expression was negatively correlated to microRNA-10a-5p (miR-10a-5p) in ovarian cancer tissue and cells and that GATA6 is directly targeted by miR-10a-5p. Notably, upregulated miR-10a-5p dramatically inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation, tumorigenic ability, migration, and invasion by targeting GATA6. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that miR-10a-5p-mediated downregulation of GATA6 suppressed Akt pathway activation. Overall, our findings suggest that miR-10a-5p could be a novel therapeutic target for ovarian cancer, and targeting the miR-10a-5p/GATA6/Akt axis could improve outcomes in this patient population.

FOXP3-regulated lncRNA NONHSAT136151 promotes colorectal cancer progression by disrupting QKI interaction with target mRNAs

The role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC), has repeatedly been demonstrated. However, very few lncRNAs have been well annotated functionally. Our study identified a novel lncRNA upregulated in CRC, NONHSAT136151, which was correlated with clinical progression. In functional assays, NONHSAT136151 significantly enhanced CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, NONHSAT136151 interacted with RNA-binding protein (RBP) QKI (Quaking) to interfere with QKI binding to target mRNAs and regulate their expression. As well, FOXP3 may be causally related to the dysregulation of NONHSAT136151 in CRC cells through its transcriptional activity. In conclusion, our findings identified a novel lncRNA regulated by FOXP3 participates in CRC progression through interacting with QKI, indicating a novel lncRNA-RBP interaction mechanism is involved in CRC pathogenesis.

Mechanism of non-small cell lung cancer cell-derived exosome miR-196b-5p promoting pyroptosis of tumor T cells and tumor cell proliferation by downregulating ING5

In the world, lung cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers and has become the leading cause of death of cancers in China, among which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for a relatively high proportion, but there is a lack of effective treatment at present. An animal model of NSCLC was established, and BEAS-2b, H1299, Lewis, and T cells were used for subsequent experimental verification. The level of miR-196b-5p was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Growth inhibitor 5 (ING5), CD9, CD63, HSP70, Caspase-1, NLRP3, and GSDMD-NT were detected by western blot. The level of ING5 was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, the location of miR-196b-5p was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), cell viability was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 kit, and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. In addition, the binding site was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments. Tumor volume was measured. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis. Flow cytometry was used to measure the levels of CD8 T, CD4 T, and Treg cells in tumors. miR-196-5p was highly expressed in exosomes secreted by tumor cells. miR-196-5p negatively targeted ING5 to promote the growth of tumor cells. Cancer-derived exosomes promote pyroptosis of T cells to further aggravate the development of cancer. Exosome-derived miR-196b-5p promoted pyroptosis of T cells. Exosome-derived miR-196b-5p inhibited the level of ING5 to promote tumor growth and accelerate the process of NSCLC.

Involvement of circRNA Regulators MBNL1 and QKI in the Progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of circRNA regulators MBNL1 and QKI in the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

MBNL1 and QKI are pivotal regulators of pre-mRNA alternative splicing, crucial for controlling circRNA production - an emerging biomarker and functional regulator of tumor progression. Despite their recognized roles, their involvement in ESCC progression remains unexplored.

METHODS

The expression levels of MBNL1 and QKI were examined in 28 tissue pairs from ESCC and adjacent normal tissues using data from the GEO database. Additionally, a total of 151 ESCC tissue samples, from stage T1 to T4, consisting of 13, 43, 87, and 8 cases per stage, respectively, were utilized for immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. RNA sequencing was utilized to examine the expression profiles of circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs across 3 normal tissues, 3 ESCC tissues, and 3 pairs of KYSE150 cells in both wildtype (WT) and those with MBNL1 or QKI knockouts. Transwell, colony formation, and subcutaneous tumorigenesis assays assessed the impact of MBNL1 or QKI knockout on ESCC cell migration, invasion, and proliferation.

RESULTS

ESCC onset significantly altered MBNL1 and QKI expression levels, influencing diverse RNA species. Elevated MBNL1 or QKI expression correlated with patient age or tumor invasion depth, respectively. MBNL1 or QKI knockout markedly enhanced cancer cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and tumor growth. Moreover, the absence of either MBNL1 or QKI modulated the expression profiles of multiple circRNAs, causing extensive downstream alterations in the expression of numerous lncRNAs and mRNAs. While the functions of circRNA and lncRNA among the top 20 differentially expressed genes remain unclear, mRNAs like SLCO4C1, TMPRSS15, and MAGEB2 have reported associations with tumor progression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the tumor-suppressive roles of MBNL1 and QKI in ESCC, proposing them as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ESCC diagnosis and treatment.

Silk Fibroin-Modified Liposome/Gene Editing System Knocks out the PLK1 Gene to Suppress the Growth of Lung Cancer Cells

Polo-like protein kinase 1 (PLK1) plays a key role in lung cancer cell mitosis. The knockout of PLK1 gene by the CRISPR-Cas9 system can effectively inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, but there is no suitable vector for in vivo delivery. In this study, CRISPR-Cas9 gene knockout plasmids encoding sgRNA, Cas9 and green fluorescent protein were constructed. Then, the plasmids were packaged with liposome (Lip) and cholesterol-modified Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin (CASF) to obtain the CASF/Lip/pDNA ternary complex. The CASF/Lip/pDNA complex was transfected into lung cancer cells A549 to investigate the transfection efficiency, the PLK1 gene knockout effect and the inhibitory effect on lung cancer cells. The results showed that the transfection efficiency of the CASF/Lip/pDNA complex was significantly higher than that of the Lip/pDNA binary complex, and the expression of PLK1 in cells transfected with CASF/Lip/pDNA complexes was significantly lower than that in cells transfected with Lip/pDNA complexes. The CASF/Lip/pDNA complex significantly increased the apoptosis rate and decreased the proliferation activity of lung cancer cells compared with Lip/pDNA complexes. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was evaluated by coculture with the human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS2B. The results showed that CASF/Lip/pDNA complexes exhibited lower cytotoxicity than Lip/pDNA complexes. The fibroin-modified liposome/PLK1 gene knockout system not only effectively inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells but also showed no obvious toxicity to normal cells, showing potential for clinical application in lung cancer therapy.

Circ_0078607 increases platinum drug sensitivity via miR-196b-5p/GAS7 axis in ovarian cancer

Platinum-based chemotherapy is one of the predominant strategies for treating ovarian cancer (OC), however, platinum resistance greatly influences the therapeutic effect. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to participate in the pathogenesis of platinum resistance. Our aim was to explore the involvement of circ_0078607 in OC cell cisplatin (DDP) resistance and its potential mechanisms. Circ_0078607, miR-196b-5p, and growth arrest-specific 7 (GAS7) levels were assessed by qPCR. Circ_0078607 stability was assessed by ribonuclease R digestion and actinomycin D treatment. Cell viability of various conic of DDP treatment was measured by CCK-8. The cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 and colony formation assay. Western blotting was performed for determining GAS7, ABCB1, CyclinD1 and Bcl-2 protein levels. The direct binding between miR-196b-5p and circ_0078607 or GAS7 was validated by dual-luciferase reporter and RIP assay. DDP resistance in vivo was evaluated in nude mice. Immunohistochemistry staining for detecting Ki67 expression in xenograft tumours. Circ_0078607 and GAS7 was down-regulated, but miR-196b-5p was up-regulated in OC samples and DDP-resistant cells. Overexpression of circ_0078607 inhibited DDP resistance, cell growth and induced apoptosis in DDP-resistant OC cells. Mechanistically, circ_0078607 sequestered miR-196b-5p to up-regulate GAS7. MiR-196b-5p mimics reversed circ_0078607 or GAS7 overexpression-mediated enhanced sensitivity. Finally, circ_0078607 improved the sensitivity of DDP in vivo. Circ_0078607 attenuates DDP resistance via miR-196b-5p/GAS7 axis, which highlights the therapeutic potential of circ_0078607 to counter DDP resistance in OC.

Study on Potential Differentially Expressed Genes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by Bioinformatics and Next-Generation Sequencing Data Analysis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with reduced quality of life and earlier mortality, but its pathogenesis and key genes are still unclear. In this investigation, bioinformatics was used to deeply analyze the pathogenesis of IPF and related key genes, so as to investigate the potential molecular pathogenesis of IPF and provide guidance for clinical treatment. Next-generation sequencing dataset GSE213001 was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between IPF and normal control group. The DEGs between IPF and normal control group were screened with the DESeq2 package of R language. The Gene Ontology (GO) and REACTOME pathway enrichment analyses of the DEGs were performed. Using the g:Profiler, the function and pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed. Then, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via the Integrated Interactions Database (IID) database. Cytoscape with Network Analyzer was used to identify the hub genes. miRNet and NetworkAnalyst databaseswereused to construct the targeted microRNAs (miRNAs), transcription factors (TFs), and small drug molecules. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to validate the hub genes. A total of 958 DEGs were screened out in this study, including 479 up regulated genes and 479 down regulated genes. Most of the DEGs were significantly enriched in response to stimulus, GPCR ligand binding, microtubule-based process, and defective GALNT3 causes HFTC. In combination with the results of the PPI network, miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network, hub genes including LRRK2, BMI1, EBP, MNDA, KBTBD7, KRT15, OTX1, TEKT4, SPAG8, and EFHC2 were selected. Cyclothiazide and rotigotinethe are predicted small drug molecules for IPF treatment. Our findings will contribute to identification of potential biomarkers and novel strategies for the treatment of IPF, and provide a novel strategy for clinical therapy.

Hsa_circ_0022383 promote non-small cell lung cancer tumorigenesis through regulating the miR-495-3p/KPNA2 axis

Hsa_circ_0022383 (circ_0022383) is a newly discovered circRNA. Its functions and relevant molecular mechanisms in tumorigenesis have not been reported. Here we aimed to explore how circ_0022383 regulates the tumorigenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We found thatcirc_0022383 expression was dramatically elevated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Upregulation of circ_0022383 was associated with poor prognosis in NSCLC patients. Silencing of circ_0022383 repressed cell proliferation and migration in vitro and inhibited oncogenesis and tumor metastasis in vivo. Moreover, our results discovered that circ_0022383 was mainly located in the cytoplasm of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, circ_0022383 sponged miR-495-3p to modulate KPNA2 expression, thereby regulating NSCLC tumorigenesis and progression. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that circ_0022383 facilitates NSCLC tumorigenesis by regulating the miR-495-3p/KPNA2 axis, providing new insights into NSCLC development.

Construction of an anoikis-associated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network reveals the prognostic role of β-elemene in non-small cell lung cancer

β-Elemene is the main active ingredient in Curcumae Rhizoma that exerts antitumour effects. Anoikis affects tumour development through various biological pathways in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the regulation between β-elemene and anoikis remains to be explored. First, we explored the molecular expression patterns of anoikis-associated genes (AAGs) using consensus clustering and characterized the impact of AAGs on patient prognosis, clinical characteristics, and genomic instability. In addition, we revealed that AAG regulatory genes have rich interactions with β-elemene targets, and established a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network to explain the effect of β-elemene on anoikis. Finally, to reveal the prognostic effect of their correlation, the prognostic scoring model and clinical nomogram of β-elemene and anoikis were successfully established by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest algorithms. This prognostic scoring model containing noncoding RNA (ncRNA) can indicate the immunotherapy and mutational landscape, providing a novel theoretical basis and direction for the study of the antitumour mechanism of β-elemene in NSCLC patients.

Prospects of microRNAs as therapeutic biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung Cancer, the second most common cancer worldwide, remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, contemporarily. More than 85% of identified lung cancer cases are comprised of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Despite the best advancements in the realm of NSCLC therapy, the five-year survival period of NSCLC patients remains unchanged. Underlying complex molecular heterogeneity, delay in early detection resulting in progression of the disease to its advanced stage and acquired resistance of NSCLC cells during therapy have posed additional challenges for circumventing the discrepancies in treatment strategy. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs, identified as molecules playing an indispensable role in tumorigenesis & progression and metastasis of several cancers, including NSCLC, either by possessing tumor suppressor or by oncogenic functions. As observed across several studies, miRNA dysregulation has been recognised as a causative mechanism behind NSCLC tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the role of miRNAs in NSCLC tumor progression caused by their dysregulation, thereby stating their potential therapeutic application in NSCLC as therapeutic biomarkers. We have also highlighted the recent findings of some of the most widely studied tumor suppressor (miR-486, miR-7 miR-34), and oncogene miRNAs (miR-21, miR-224, miR-135b) that can be further explored for its therapeutic potentialities in the management of NSCLC.

The DC-T cell axis is an effective target for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

The dendritic cell (DC)-T cell axis is a bridge that connects innate and adaptive immunities. The initial immune response against tumors is mainly induced by mature antigen-presenting DCs. Enhancing the crosstalk between DCs and T cells may be an effective approach to improve the immune response to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this article, a review was made of the interaction between DCs and T cells in the treatment of NSCLC and how this interaction affects the treatment outcome.

MiR-196b-5p activates NF-κB signaling in non-small cell lung cancer by directly targeting NFKBIA

BACKGROUND

Our recent study found that QKI-5 regulated miRNA, miR-196b-5p, promotes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression by directly targeting GATA6, TSPAN12 and FAS. However, the biological functions of miR-196b-5p in NSCLC progression and metastasis still remain elusive.

METHODS

Cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, cell cycle assays were used to investigate cellular phenotypic changes. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analyses were used to measure expressions of relative gene and protein. Interaction between QKI-5 and miR-196b-5p was determined by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Luciferase reporter assay was used to determine direct binding between miR-196b-5p and NFKBIA 3'-UTR. ELISA assay was used to measure secreted IL6 proteins. Mice xenograft model was used to assess the functions of NFKBIA on in vivo tumor growth.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that the miR-196b-5p facilitates lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, and cell cycle by directly targeting NFKBIA, a negative regulator of NFκB signaling. Knocking down NFKBIA increases IL6 mediated phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to promote lung cancer cell growth by activating NFκB signaling. The expression of NFKBIA was significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissue samples, and was negatively correlated with the expression miR-196b-5p. In addition, we found that downregulated QKI-5 expression was associated with the elevated miR-224 expression in NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that the miR-224/QKI-5/miR-196b-5p/NFKBIA signaling pathway might play important functions in the progression of NSCLC, and suggested that targeting this pathway might be an effective therapeutic strategy in treating NSCLC.

Allosterically inhibited PFKL via prostaglandin E2 withholds glucose metabolism and ovarian cancer invasiveness

Metastasis is the leading cause of high ovarian-cancer-related mortality worldwide. Three major processes constitute the whole metastatic cascade: invasion, intravasation, and extravasation. Tumor cells often reprogram their metabolism to gain advantages in proliferation and survival. However, whether and how those metabolic alterations contribute to the invasiveness of tumor cells has yet to be fully understood. Here we performed a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening to identify genes participating in tumor cell dissemination and revealed that PTGES3 acts as an invasion suppressor in ovarian cancer. Mechanistically, PTGES3 binds to phosphofructokinase, liver type (PFKL) and generates a local source of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to allosterically inhibit the enzymatic activity of PFKL. Repressed PFKL leads to downgraded glycolysis and the subsequent TCA cycle for glucose metabolism. However, ovarian cancer suppresses the expression of PTGES3 and disrupts the PTGES3-PGE2-PFKL inhibitory axis, leading to hyperactivation of glucose oxidation, eventually facilitating ovarian cancer cell motility and invasiveness.

Circulating exosomal miRNAs as a promising diagnostic biomarker in cancer

Cancer belongs to multifactorial diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and proliferation of abnormal cells. Breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer are the most frequently diagnosed malignancies with a high mortality rate. These carcinomas typically contain multiple genetically distinct subpopulations of tumor cells leading to tumor heterogeneity, which promotes the aggressiveness of the disease. Early diagnosis is necessary to increase patient progression-free survival. Particularly, miRNAs present in exosomes derived from tumors represent potential biomarkers suitable for early cancer diagnosis. Identification of miRNAs by liquid biopsy enables a personalized approach with the subsequent better clinical management of patients. This review article highlights the potential of circulating exosomal miRNAs in early breast, non-small cell lung, and colorectal cancer diagnosis.

MiRNA-423 rs6505162 and miRNA-6811 rs2292879 SNP associated with lung cancer in Hainan, China

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to exert significant influence on various physiological processes and diseases, including cancers. The primary objective of this present study was to examine the impact of eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA on the susceptibility to lung cancer (LC) within the Chinese Southern population.

METHODS

The genotypes of these eight polymorphisms were determined in 132 LC patients and 214 cancer-free controls.

RESULTS

In overall analyses, GG genotype of miRNA-6811 rs2292879 polymorphism was significantly correlated with increased risk of LC (GG vs. AA, adjusted OR = 5.10, 95% CI = 1.02-25.43, P=0.047), yet the genotype frequencies of rs2292879 SNP in controls did not met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (P=0.001) in present study. Stratified analyses by smoking revealed that miRNA-423 rs6505162 variants significantly decreased the LC risk in heterozygous (CA vs. CC, adjusted OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03-0.81, P=0.028) and recessive (AA vs. CA + CC, adjusted OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03-0.90, P=0.038) genetic models in smoking population. However, miRNA-196A2 rs11614913, miRNA-196A2 rs12304647, miRNA-146A rs2910164, miRNA-16-1 rs1022960, miRNA-608 rs4919510, and miRNA-27a rs895819 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with LC.

CONCLUSION

The findings of our study indicate a potential decrease in LC risk among smokers with the miRNA-423 rs6505162 variants, while an increase in risk is associated with miRNA-6811 rs2292879 polymorphisms in the population of Southern Chinese. However, further well-designed research is necessary to fully understand the precise impact of these two SNPs on the development of LC.

miR-196b-5p Regulates Osteoblast and Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Homeostasis by Targeting SEMA3A

miR-196b-5p plays a role in various malignancies. We have recently reported its function in regulating adipogenesis. However, it remains to be clarified whether and how miR-196b-5p affects bone cells and bone homeostasis. In this study, in vitro functional experiments showed an inhibitory effect of miR-196b-5p on osteoblast differentiation. Mechanistic explorations revealed that miR-196b-5p directly targeted semaphorin 3a (Sema3a) and inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling. SEMA3A attenuated the impaired osteogenesis induced by miR-196b-5p. Osteoblast-specific miR-196b transgenic mice showed significant reduction of bone mass. Trabecular osteoblasts were reduced and bone formation was suppressed, whereas osteoclasts, marrow adipocytes, and serum levels of bone resorption markers were increased in the transgenic mice. The osteoblastic progenitor cells from the transgenic mice had decreased SEMA3A levels and exhibited retarded osteogenic differentiation, whereas those marrow osteoclastic progenitors exhibited enhanced osteoclastogenic differentiation. miR-196b-5p and SEMA3A oppositely regulated the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and osteoprotegerin. The calvarial osteoblastic cells expressing the transgene promoted osteoclastogenesis, whereas the osteoblasts overexpressing Sema3a inhibited it. Finally, in vivo transfection of miR-196b-5p inhibitor to the marrow reduced ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice. Our study has identified that miR-196b-5p plays a key role in osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and regulates bone homeostasis. Inhibition of miR-196b-5p may be beneficial for amelioration of osteoporosis. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

LINC00638 promotes the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating the miR-541-3p/IRS1/PI3K/Akt axis

Background

Preceding works reveal the function of long non-coding RNAs (abbreviated to lncRNAs) during non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) evolvement. We explored the profile and biological functions of the lncRNA LINC00638 in NSCLC.

Methods

Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR examined LINC00638 level in NSCLC and corresponding non-tumor tissues, human normal lung epithelial cells BEAS-2B, and NSCLC cells (NCI-H460, HCC-827, A549, H1299, H1975, H460). The gain- and loss-of-function assay of LINC00638 ascertained its function in modulating the proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of NSCLC cells (HCC-827 and H460). Bioinformatics analysis investigated the underlying mechanisms. Dual luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) checked the interactions between LINC00638 and microRNA (miR)-541-3p, miR-541-3p and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1).

Results

LINC00638 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues by contrast to the profiles found in the corresponding non-tumor normal tissues, as well as in NSCLC cells vis-à-vis BEAS-2B cells. LINC00638 upregulation pertained to the poorer survival rates of NSCLC patients. Overexpressing LINC00638 augmented NSCLC cells' proliferation, growth, migration, and invasion but inhibited their apoptosis, while down-regulating LINC00638 led to the opposite. miR-541-3p might be an underlying target of LINC00638, which targeted IRS1, inhibited NSCLC progression, and reversed the carcinogenic effects of LINC00638. Mechanistically, LINC00638/miR-541-3p regulated the IRS1/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Repressing IRS1/2 using its inhibitor NT157 repressed LINC00638-mediated oncogenic effects.

Conclusion

LINC00638 may function as an oncogene in NSCLC by modulating the miR-541-3p/IRS1/PI3K/Akt axis.

CircRNA B cell linker regulates cisplatin sensitivity in nonsmall cell lung cancer via microRNA-25-3p/BarH‑like homeobox 2 axis

Cisplatin (DDP) was a commonly used drug in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the current resistance of patients to DDP seriously affected its therapeutic effect. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to regulate drug resistance in cells. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of circRNA B cell linker (circ_BLNK) in DDP resistance of NSCLC. The abundances of circ_BLNK, microRNA-25-3p (miR-25-3p) and BarH‑like homeobox 2 (BARX2) were examined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay, EdU assay and flow cytometry. Transwell assay was applied to assess cell migration and invasion. Protein levels were quantified by western blot analysis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was enforced to confirm the links among circ_BLNK, miR-25-3p and BARX2. The mice models were enforced to evaluate tumorigenicity. Herein, circ_BLNK and BARX2 were lower-expressed, whereas miR-25-3p was higher-expressed in A549/DDP and H1299/DDP cells than their homologous parental NSCLC cells. Circ_BLNK increases improved DDP sensitivity of NSCLC cells by promoting cell apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, we confirmed that circ_BLNK regulated BARX2 by inhibiting miR-25-3p. Accordingly, overexpression of circ_BLNK improved DDP sensitivity of NSCLC cells via miR-25-3p/BARX2 axis. Besides, circ_BLNK reduced cell resistance to DDP, thereby inhibiting tumor development in mice. Circ_BLNK promoted the DDP sensitivity of NSCLC via regulating miR-25-3p/BARX2 axis.

miR-125b-5p, miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p and Target E2F2 Gene in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

It is known that E2F2 (E2F transcription factor 2) plays an important role as controller in the cell cycle. This study aimed to analyse the expression of the E2F2 gene and E2F2 protein and demonstrate E2F2 target microRNAs (miRNAs) candidates (miR-125b-5p, miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p) in oral squamous cell carcinoma tumour and margin samples. The study group consisted 50 patients. The E2F2 gene and miRNAs expression levels were assessed by qPCR, while the E2F2 protein was assessed by ELISA. When analysing the effect of miRNAs expression on E2F2 gene expression and E2F2 protein level, we observed no statistically significant correlations. miR-125b-5p was downregulated, while miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p were upregulated in tumour samples compared to margin. We observed a difference between the miR-125b-5p expression level in smokers and non-smokers in margin samples. Furthermore, HPV-positive individuals had a significantly higher miR-125b-5p and miR-214-5p expression level compared to HPV-negative patients in tumour samples. The study result showed that the E2F2 gene is not the target for analysed miRNAs in OSCC. Moreover, miR-155-3p and miR-125b-5p could play roles in the pathogenesis of OSCC. A differential expression of the analysed miRNAs was observed in response to tobacco smoke and HPV status.

Circulating miRNA as a Biomarker in Oral Cancer Liquid Biopsy

Oral cancer is currently challenging the healthcare system, with a high incidence among the population and a poor survival rate. One of the main focuses related to this malignancy is the urge to implement a viable approach for improving its early diagnosis. By introducing the use of liquid biopsy and the identification of potential biomarkers, aiming for a noninvasive approach, new advancements offer promising perspectives in the diagnosis of oral cancer. The present review discusses the potential of circulating miRNAs as oral cancer biomarkers identified in body fluids such as serum, plasma, and saliva samples of oral cancer patients. Existing results reveal an important implication of different miRNA expressions involved in the initiation, development, progression, and metastasis rate of oral malignancy. Liquid biomarkers can play a crucial role in the development of the concept of personalized medicine, providing a wide range of clinical applications and future targeted therapies.

The versatile roles of testrapanins in cancer from intracellular signaling to cell-cell communication: cell membrane proteins without ligands

The tetraspanins (TSPANs) are a family of four-transmembrane proteins with 33 members in mammals. They are variably expressed on the cell surface, various intracellular organelles and vesicles in nearly all cell types. Different from the majority of cell membrane proteins, TSPANs do not have natural ligands. TSPANs typically organize laterally with other membrane proteins to form tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs) to influence cell adhesion, migration, invasion, survival and induce downstream signaling. Emerging evidence shows that TSPANs can regulate not only cancer cell growth, metastasis, stemness, drug resistance, but also biogenesis of extracellular vesicles (exosomes and migrasomes), and immunomicroenvironment. This review summarizes recent studies that have shown the versatile function of TSPANs in cancer development and progression, or the molecular mechanism of TSPANs. These findings support the potential of TSPANs as novel therapeutic targets against cancer.

Genomic instability-related twelve-microRNA signatures for predicting the prognosis of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth among all malignant tumors globally, especially in East Asia, and has attracted extensive attention and research. MicroRNA (miRNA) modulation during genomic instability (GI) may be associated with the development and metastasis of malignant tumors. We aimed to identify GI-related miRNA signatures for the prediction of GC prognosis. We constructed a GI-related miRNA signature (GIMiSig) scheme based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) training set (n = 389), which was later verified based on the TCGA test set (n = 194). GI-related miRNAs were identified by analyzing somatic mutation profiles and miRNA expression. A GI-related miRNA-gene co-expression network was also constructed. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were analyzed to reveal possible biological pathways associated with GI-related miRNAs. The correlation of the GIMiSig with clinical factors of the TCGA dataset was analyzed. MiRNA mimics and inhibitors were used to evaluate the biological functions of miR-100-5p and miR-145-3p in GC cell lines AGS and MKN-45. This study identified a GI-related 12-miRNA signature for the prediction of GC prognosis. GIMiSig scores, similar to tumor stages, showed significant correlations with overall survival (OS, p < 0.05). GIMiSig showed high accuracy in predicting GC prognosis. MiR-100-5p and miR-145-3p promoted cell growth, invasion, and migration but inhibited apoptosis in GC cells. We report a reliable GI-related 12-miRNA signature for predicting GC prognosis. Furthermore, miR-100-5p and miR-145-3p may promote GC cell growth, invasion, and migration.

Long noncoding RNA FGD5-AS1 alleviates childhood IgA nephropathy by targeting PTEN-mediated JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway via miR-196b-5p

This paper studied lncRNA FGD5 antisense RNA 1 (FGD5-AS1)-associated mechanisms in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). FGD5-AS1, miR-196b-5p, and PTEN in the serum of children with IgAN were assessed. MES-13 cells were stimulated by p-IgA1 to construct an in vitro model of IgAN. After plasmid intervention, cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and inflammatory response were correspondingly evaluated. An IgAN mouse model was established to define FGD5-AS1/miR-196b-5p/PTEN axis-mediated alternations of 24-h proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, glomerular IgA deposition, renal fibrosis, and glycogen content in renal tissue. The changes in JNK/c-Jun pathway activation in the cell model were also tested. Our results discovered that FGD5-AS1 and PTEN were down-regulated and miR-196b-5p was up-regulated in children with IgAN. Overexpression of FGD5-AS1 or silencing of miR-196b-5p impeded the proliferation and inflammatory response and induced apoptosis of p-IgA1-stimulated MES-13 cells, and improved pathological conditions in IgAN mice. Inhibition of PTEN rescued the therapeutic effects of overexpression of FGD5-AS1 or inhibition of miR-196b-5p on IgAN. FGD5-AS1/miR-196b-5p/PTEN axis inhibited the activation of the JNK/c-Jun pathway. Taken together, FGD5-AS1 attenuates IgAN by targeting PTEN-mediated JNK/c-Jun signaling via miR-196b-5p. Therefore, FGD5-AS1 may be a new therapeutic target for IgAN.

miR-31/QKI-5 axis facilitates cell cycle progression of non-small-cell lung cancer cells by interacting and regulating p21 and CDK4/6 expressions

BACKGROUND

RNA-binding protein Quaking-5 (QKI-5), a major isoform of QKIs, inhibits tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of QKI-5 in the cell cycle of NSCLC are still largely unknown.

METHODS

MTT, flow cytometry, and colony formation assays were used to investigate cellular phenotypic changes. Mice xenograft model was used to evaluate the antitumor activities of QKI-5. Co-immunoprecipitation, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RIP sequencing were used to investigate protein-protein interaction and protein-mRNA interaction.

RESULTS

The QKI-5 expression was downregulated in NSCLC tissues compared with that in paired normal adjacent lung tissues. Overexpression of QKI-5 inhibited NSCLC cell proliferative and colony forming ability. In addition, QKI-5 induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase through upregulating p21^Waf1/Cip1 (p21) expression and downregulating cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and CDK6 expressions. Further analyses showed that QKI-5 interacts with p21 protein and CDK4, CDK6 mRNAs, suggesting a critical function of QKI-5 in cell cycle regulation. In agreement with in vitro study, the mouse xenograft models validated tumor suppressive functions of QKI-5 in vivo through altering cell cycle G1-phase-associated proteins. Moreover, we demonstrated that QKI-5 is a direct target of miR-31. The QKI-5 expression was anticorrelated with the miR-31 expression in NSCLC patient samples.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the miR-31/QKI-5/p21-CDK4-CDK6 axis might have critical functions in the progression of NSCLC, and targeting this axis could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.

Bioinformatics identification of miR-514b-5p promotes NSCLC progression and induces PI3K/AKT and p38 pathways by targeting small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein beta

Lung cancer is the most aggressive cancer with the highest mortality and incidence rates worldwide. MicroRNAs have been identified as potential targets for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. However, the modulatory role of miR-514b-5p in NSCLC progression is little known. In the present study, miRNA expression datasets for NSCLC were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Ontology Omnibus databases. Gene expression was assessed using a quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining was used to determine protein expression. Gain and loss of function experiments were performed to investigate the impact of miR-514b-5p and small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein beta (SGTB) on cell proliferation and apoptosis. RNA immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase assays were performed to analyse the target gene of miR-514b-5p. The biological roles of miR-514b-5p were lastly evaluated using nude mouse tumorigenicity assays in vivo. We found that miR-514b-5p was dramatically increased in NSCLC tissues and higher miR-514b-5p expression was associated with poorer overall survival in NSCLC patients. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-514b-5p promoted NSCLC cell growth and suppressed apoptosis by inducing the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and p38 signalling pathways. Mechanistically, dual-luciferase and the RNA immunoprecipitation results highlighted that SGTB was a target gene of miR-514b-5p. Moreover, overexpression of SGTB reduced cell division and promoted apoptosis in vitro through blocking the PI3K/AKT and p38 signalling pathways. Our findings indicated that miR-514b-5p contributes to carcinoma progression in NSCLC via the PI3K/AKT and p38 signalling pathways by targeting SGTB and this could be a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for the treatment of NSCLC.

Different Liquid Biopsies for the Management of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Mutational Oncology Era

In the last ten years, liquid biopsy has been slowly joining the traditional invasive techniques for the diagnosis and monitoring of tumors. Liquid biopsies allow easy repeated sampling of blood, reflect the tumor scenario, and make personalized therapy real for the patient. Liquid biopsies isolate and utilize different substrates present in patients' body fluids such as circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, tumor extracellular vesicles, etc. One of the most-used solid cancers in the development of the non-invasive liquid biopsy approach that has benefited from scientific advances is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Using liquid biopsy, it is possible to have more details on NSCLC staging, progression, heterogeneity, gene mutations and clonal evolution, etc., basing the treatment on precision medicine as well as on the screening of markers for therapeutic resistance. With this review, the authors propose a complete and current overview of all different liquid biopsies available to date, to understand how much has been carried out and how much remains to be completed for a better characterization of NSCLC.

EpiMix: an integrative tool for epigenomic subtyping using DNA methylation

DNA methylation (DNAme) is a major epigenetic factor influencing gene expression with alterations leading to cancer, immunological, and cardiovascular diseases. Recent technological advances enable genome-wide quantification of DNAme in large human cohorts. So far, existing methods have not been evaluated to identify differential DNAme present in large and heterogeneous patient cohorts. We developed an end-to-end analytical framework named "EpiMix" for population-level analysis of DNAme and gene expression. Compared to existing methods, EpiMix showed higher sensitivity in detecting abnormal DNAme that was present in only small patient subsets. We extended the model-based analyses of EpiMix to cis-regulatory elements within protein-coding genes, distal enhancers, and genes encoding microRNAs and lncRNAs. Using cell-type specific data from two separate studies, we discovered novel epigenetic mechanisms underlying childhood food allergy and survival-associated, methylation-driven non-coding RNAs in non-small cell lung cancer.

METTL14 Regulates PLAGL2/β-Catenin Signaling Axis to Promote the Development of Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an abundant eukaryotic mRNA modification involved in regulating the formation and metastasis of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We collected clinical NSCLC tissue and paracarcinoma tissue. Then methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14), pleomorphic adenoma gene like-2 (PLAGL2), and β-catenin expressions were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. PLAGL2, and β-catenin (nuclear) expressions were increased in NSCLC tissues. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and death were examined. PLAGL2 could activate β-catenin signaling to affect cell proliferation and migration abilities. RNA immunoprecipitation assay was operated to identify m6A modification levels of PLAGL2 after knockdown and overexpression of METTL14. PLAGL2 was regulated by METTL14-mediated m6A modification. Knockdown of METTL14 repressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted cell death. Interestingly, these effects were reversed when PLAGL2 was overexpressed. Finally, tumor formation in nude mice was performed to verify the role of the METTL14/PLAGL2/β-catenin signaling axis. Tumor formation in nude mice demonstrated METTL14/PLAGL2/β-catenin axis promoted NSCLC development in vivo. In brief, METTL14 promoted NSCLC development by increasing m6A methylation of PLAGL2 to activate β-catenin signaling. Our research provided essential clues for in-depth comprehension of the mechanism of NSCLC occurrence and development and also provided the basis for NSCLC treatment.

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.

Identification of Potential microRNA Panels for Male Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Identification Using Microarray Datasets and Bioinformatics Methods

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still one of the types of cancer with the highest death rates. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in NSCLC development. This study evaluates miRNA expression patterns and specific mechanisms in male patients with NSCLC. Methods: We report an integrated microarray analysis of miRNAs for eight matched samples of males with NSCLC compared to the study of public datasets of males with NSCLC from TCGA, followed by qRT-PCR validation. Results: For the TCGA dataset, we identified 385 overexpressed and 75 underexpressed miRNAs. Our cohort identified 54 overexpressed and 77 underexpressed miRNAs, considering a fold-change (FC) of ±1.5 and p < 0.05 as the cutoff value. The common miRNA signature consisted of eight overexpressed and nine underexpressed miRNAs. Validation was performed using qRT-PCR on the tissue samples for miR-183-3p and miR-34c-5p and on plasma samples for miR-34c-5p. We also created mRNA-miRNA regulatory networks to identify critical molecules, revealing NSCLC signaling pathways related to underexpressed and overexpressed transcripts. The genes targeted by these transcripts were correlated with overall survival. Conclusions: miRNAs and some of their target genes could play essential roles in investigating the mechanisms involved in NSCLC evolution and provide opportunities to identify potential therapeutic targets.

Combination therapy with budesonide and N-acetylcysteine ameliorates LPS-induced ALI by attenuating neutrophil recruitment through the miR-196b-5p/Socs3 molecular axis

Background

Neutrophil infiltration accelerates the inflammatory response and is highly correlated to the development of acute lung injury (ALI). Budesonide (BUD) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) both inhibit the inflammatory response to alleviate ALI, so we further investigated whether their combination is better for ALI.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the effect and mechanism of Combined BUD and NAC therapy on LPS-induced ALI. Rat ALI model and neutrophil abnormal activation model were established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). BUD and NAC were treated alone or in combination, or cells were transfected with miR-196b-5p mimic or si-Socs3 to evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of BUD and NAC alone or in combination. Histopathological observation of lungs was performed by Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) staining. The quantity of neutrophils and inflammatory factors level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined by Richter-Gimza complex stain and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbnent Assay (ELISA), respectively. ReverseTranscription-PolymeraseChainReaction (RT–qPCR) was utilized to assess miR-196b-5p and inflammatory factor mRNA levels. The expression level of Socs3 was detected by immunohistochemistry or Western Blot.

Results

BUD and NAC combined treatment had a better effect on neutrophil recruitment and inflammatory response in LPS-induced ALI than did BUD and NAC alone. Transfection of the miR-196b-5p mimic reversed the effect of combined BUD and NAC. In conclusion, the combination of BUD and NAC is a better treatment for ALI.

Conclusions

Combination therapy with BUD and NAC ameliorates LPS-induced ALI by attenuating neutrophil recruitment through the miR-196b-5p/Socs3 molecular axis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-02185-7.

miRNAs in anti-cancer drug resistance of non-small cell lung cancer: Recent advances and future potential

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Clinical success is suboptimal owing to late diagnosis, limited treatment options, high recurrence rates, and the development of drug resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a range of small endogenous non-coding RNAs that are 22 nucleotides in length, have emerged as one of the most important players in cancer initiation and progression in recent decades. Current evidence has revealed the pivotal roles of miRNAs in regulating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis in NSCLC. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are strongly associated with resistance to anti-cancer drugs, ranging from traditional chemotherapeutic and immunotherapy drugs to anti-vascular drugs, and even during radiotherapy. In this review, we briefly introduce the mechanism of miRNA dysregulation and resistance to anti-tumor therapy in NSCLC, and summarize the role of miRNAs in the malignant process of NSCLC. We then discuss studies of resistance-related miRNAs in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and anti-vascular therapy in NSCLC. Finally, we will explore the application prospects of miRNA, an emerging small molecule, for future anti-tumor therapy. This review is the first to summarize the latest research progress on miRNAs in anti-cancer drug resistance based on drug classification, and to discuss their potential clinical applications.

Signature based on RNA-binding protein-related genes for predicting prognosis and guiding therapy in non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Studies have reported that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are dysregulated in multiple cancers and are correlated with the progression and prognosis of disease. However, the functions of RBPs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. The present study aimed to explore the function of RBPs in NSCLC and their prognostic and therapeutic value.

Methods: The mRNA expression profiles, DNA methylation data, gene mutation data, copy number variation data, and corresponding clinical information on NSCLC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus, and the University of California Santa Cruz Xena databases. The differentially expressed RBPs were identified between tumor and control tissues, and the expression and prognostic value of these RBPs were systemically investigated by bioinformatics analysis. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to validate the dysregulated genes in the prognostic signature.

Results: A prognostic RBP-related signature was successfully constructed based on eight RBPs represented as a risk score using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The high-risk group had a worse overall survival (OS) probability than the low-risk group (p &lt; 0.001) with 1-, 3-, and 5-year area under the receiver operator characteristic curve values of 0.671, 0.638, and 0.637, respectively. The risk score was associated with the stage of disease (p &lt; 0.05) and was an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC when adjusted for age and UICC stage (p &lt; 0.001, hazard ratio (HR): 1.888). The constructed nomogram showed a good predictive value. The P53, focal adhesion, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways were the primary pathways in the high-risk group (adjusted p value &lt;0.05). The high-risk group was correlated with increased immune infiltration (p &lt; 0.05), upregulated relative expression levels of programmed cell death 1 (PD1) (p = 0.015), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) (p = 0.042), higher gene mutation frequency, higher tumor mutational burden (p = 0.034), and better chemotherapy response (p &lt; 0.001). The signature was successfully validated using the GSE26939, GSE31210, GSE30219, and GSE157009 datasets. Dysregulation of these genes in patients with NSCLC was confirmed using the qPCR in an independent cohort (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion: An RBP-related signature was successfully constructed to predict prognosis in NSCLC, functioning as a reference for individualized therapy, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

miR‑491‑3p functions as a tumor suppressor in non‑small cell lung cancer by targeting fibroblast growth factor 5

The present study aimed to identify the function of miR-491-3p in regulating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 43 patients with NSCLC. A549 and H1299 cells were transfected with microRNA (miR)-491-3p mimic, mimic negative control (NC), miR-491-3p inhibitor, inhibitor NC, pcDNA3.1-FGF5 vector and control vector. Cell counting kit-8 assay and Edu experiments were performed to assess cell viability and proliferation. Matrigel experiment, wound healing assay and flow cytometric analysis were performed to explore cell invasion, migration and apoptosis, respectively. A dual-luciferase reporter experiment was performed to identify the relationship between miR-491-3p and fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5). In vivo study was conducted by using nude mice. The miR-491-3p and FGF5 protein expression levels were investigated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. In NSCLC tumor tissues, miR-491-3p was downregulated and FGF5 was upregulated (P<0.01). Low miR-491-3p expression and high FGF5 mRNA expression was associated with poor outcomes in patients, including advanced TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). upregulation of miR-491-3p suppressed viability, proliferation, invasion and migration of NSCLC cells; however, it promoted apoptosis (P<0.01). FGF5 was a target gene for miR-491-3p. miR-491-3p directly inhibited FGF5 expression. upregulation of FGF5 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-491-3p on malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells (P<0.01). miR-491-3p overexpression suppressed the in vivo growth of NSCLC. Thus, it was identified that miR-491-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC by directly targeting FGF5.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Serum Krüppel-Like Factor 7 (KLF7) in NSCLC Patients

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a serious threat to the life and health of patients with high incidence rate and mortality. The present research was to assess the relationship between the serum Krüppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) level and the recurrence and metastasis of NSCLC patients. 150 patients with NSCLC treated by thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer in our hospital from January 2016 to February 2017 were selected. As the control group, 148 healthy people who went to the hospital for physical examination in the same period were screened. The expression levels of serum KLF7 in the observation group and the control group were compared and analyzed. According to the level of KLF7 expression, the patients in the observation group were divided into KLF7 high expression group (≥258.6 ng/L, n =75) and KLF7 low expression group (<258.6 ng/L, n =75). The 3-year recurrence and metastasis rate of patients in each group was compared and analyzed. It was found the concentration of serum KLF7 in peripheral blood of NSCLC (2.25 ± 0.65) ng/ml was significantly higher than that in healthy population (1.42 ± 0.38) ng/ml (P < 0.05). The expression level of serum KLF7 was not related to gender, age, smoking history, and tumor diameter of NSCLC patients (P > 0.05), but related to the degree of differentiation and TNM stage of NSCLC patients (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the degree of differentiation, TNM stage, and KLF7 were significantly correlated with 3-year recurrence and metastasis of NSCLC patients (P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that low degree of differentiation, TNM stage IIIa, and KLF7 were independent risk factors for recurrence and metastasis in NSCLC patients in 3 years (P < 0.05). Taken together, the expression level of serum KLF7 in patients with NSCLC is significantly increased, which is an independent risk factor for recurrence and metastasis in 3 years, and is worthy of clinical application.

A Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Overall Survival Prediction and Immune Infiltration in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Ferroptosis is associated with cancer initiation and progression. However, the molecular mechanism and prognostic value of ferroptosis-related genes in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) are poorly understood.

Methods: The mRNA expression profiles, methylation data, and clinical information of patients with LUSC were downloaded from TCGA and GEO database. Ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, and their prognostic value was systemically investigated by bioinformatic analyses.

Results: A ferroptosis-related gene signature (ALOX5, TFRC, PHKG2, FADS2, NOX1) was constructed using multivariate Cox regression analysis and represented as a risk score. Overall survival (OS) probability was significantly lower in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group (P<0.001), and receiver operating characteristic curve showed a good predictive capacity (AUC = 0.739). The risk score was an independent prognostic factor for LUSC. A nomogram was constructed to predict the OS probabilities at 1, 3, and 5 years. High-risk score was associated with increased immune infiltration, lower methylation levels, higher immune checkpoint genes expression levels, and better chemotherapy response. Cell adhesion molecules, focal adhesion, and extracellular matrix receptor interaction were the main pathways in the high-risk group. The signature was validated using the TCGA test cohort, entire TCGA cohort, GSE30219, GSE157010, GSE73403, and GSE4573 datasets. The gene disorders in patients with LUSC were validated using real-time PCR and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis.

Conclusions: A ferroptosis-related gene signature was constructed to predict OS probability in LUSC. This could facilitate novel therapeutic methods and guide individualized therapy.

Flavokawain B Weakens Gastric Cancer Progression via the TGF-β1/SMAD4 Pathway and Attenuates M2 Macrophage Polarization

This study was designed to observe the treatment effects of flavokawain B (FKB) on gastric cancer both in SGC-7901 cells and nude mice. When SGC-7901 cells were exposed to 10 μg/mL FKB, cellular proliferative and apoptotic capacities and cell cycle were detected utilizing CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays. The results showed that FKB treatment induced cell apoptosis and G2/M arrest and suppressed cell proliferation for SGC-7901 cells. Western blot results showed that FKB upregulated proapoptotic proteins as well as downregulated antiapoptotic and cell cycle-related proteins in SGC-7901 cells. SMAD4, TGF-β1, and TSPAN12 proteins were tested in FKB-induced SGC-7901 cells. Following exposure to FKB, SMAD4, TGF-β1, and TSPAN12 expression was augmented in SGC-7901 cells. si-SMAD4 transfection weakened cell apoptosis and accelerated cell proliferation. Furthermore, FKB reversed the change in apoptotic and cell cycle-related proteins induced by si-SMAD4. A nude mouse tumorigenesis model was constructed, which was treated by FKB. In the nude mouse tumorigenesis model, FKB activated the TSPAN12 expression and TGF-β1/SMAD4 pathway. Also, FKB treatment prolonged the survival time of nude mice and lowered tumor weight. iNOS and CD86 expression was significantly enhanced, and Arg-1 and CD206 expression was significantly decreased in THP-1 cells cultured in conditioned media from FKB-treated SGC-7901 cells. Additionally, FKB-treated SGC-7901 cells weakened macrophage migration. Collectively, this evidence suggested that FKB accelerated apoptosis and suppressed the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and attenuated M2 macrophage polarization, thereby exerting an anticancer effect on gastric cancer.