LncRNA SNHG5 promotes cervical cancer progression by regulating the miR-132/SOX4 pathway

A comprehensive review on the functional role of miRNA clusters in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) poses a significant health threat in women globally. MicroRNA clusters (MCs), comprising multiple miRNA-encoding genes, are pivotal in gene regulation. Various factors, including circular RNA and DNA methylation, govern MC expression. Dysregulated MC expression correlates strongly with CC development via promoting the acquisition of cancer hallmarks. Certain MCs show promise for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy selection due to their distinct expression patterns in normal, premalignant and tumor tissues. This review explains the regulation and biological functions of MCs and highlights the clinical relevance of abnormal MC expression in CC.

An increase in SNHG5 expression is associated with poor cancer prognosis, according to a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

He long noncoding RNA small nucleolar host RNA 5 (SNHG5) is highly expressed in many cancers, and there is a notable correlation between the elevated expression of SNHG5 and survival outcome in cancer patients. The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation between SNHG5 expression and the clinical outcome of cancer patients.

METHODS

Six relevant electronic databases were exhaustively searched, and, depending on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, appropriate literature was obtained. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score was utilized to evaluate the quality of the research for every article included, and pertinent data from each study were carefully extracted. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to explore the association of SNHG5 expression levels with cancer prognosis, and sensitivity analyses and assessments of publication bias were also conducted to investigate any possibility in the publication of the studies.

RESULTS

Eleven studies encompassing 721 patients were ultimately collected. When combined, the hazard ratios (HRs) revealed a substantial direct correlation between elevated SNHG5 expression and an unfavourable prognosis for cancer patients (HR = 1.90, 95% CI 0.87-4.15); however, the correlation did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, high SNHG5 expression was predictive of advanced TNM stage (OR: 1.988, 95% CI 1.205-3.278) and larger tumour size (OR: 1.571, 95% CI 1.090-2.264); moreover, there were nonsignificant relationships between SNHG5 expression and DM (OR: 0.449, 95% CI 0.077-2.630), lymph node metastasis (OR: 1.443, 95% CI 0.709-2.939), histological grade (OR: 2.098, 95% CI 0.910-4.838), depth of invasion (OR: 1.106, 95% CI 0.376-3.248), age (OR: 0.946, 95% CI 0.718-1.247) and sex (OR: 0.762, 95% CI 0.521-1.115).

CONCLUSION

SNHG5 expression is typically increased in the majority of tumour tissues. Elevated SNHG5 expression may indicate poor prognosis in cancer patients. Therefore, SNHG5 is a promising potential therapeutic target for tumours and a reliable prognostic biomarker.

Long noncoding RNAs regulate intrauterine adhesion and cervical cancer development and progression

Intrauterine adhesion, one of reproductive system diseases in females, is developed due to endometrial injury, such as infection, trauma, uterine congenital abnormalities and uterine curettage. Intrauterine adhesion affects female infertility and causes several complications, including amenorrhoea, hypomenorrhoea, and recurrent abortion. Cervical cancer is one of the common gynecological tumors and the fourth leading cancer-related death in women worldwide. Although the treatments of cervical cancer have been improved, the advanced cervical cancer patients have a low survival rate due to tumor recurrence and metastasis. The molecular mechanisms of intrauterine adhesion and cervical tumorigenesis have not been fully elucidated. In recent years, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been known to participate in intrauterine adhesion and cervical carcinogenesis. Therefore, in this review, we will summarize the role of lncRNAs in regulation of intrauterine adhesion development and progression. Moreover, we will discuss the several lncRNAs in control of cervical oncogenesis and progression. Furthermore, we highlight that targeting lncRNAs could be used for treatment of intrauterine adhesion and cervical cancer.

Long noncoding RNA KCNMA1-AS1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by activating the SMAD9 signaling pathway

The human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) undergo intense osteogenic differentiation, a crucial bone formation mechanism. Evidence from prior studies suggested an association between long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. However, precise roles and molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. In this work, we report for the first time that lncRNA KCNMA1 antisense RNA 1 (KCNMA1-AS1) plays a vital role in regulating hBMSCs' osteogenic differentiation. Here, it was observed that the KCNMA1-AS1 expression levels were significantly upregulated during osteogenic differentiation. In addition, KCNMA1-AS1 overexpression enhanced in vitro osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs and in vivo bone formation, whereas knockdown of KCNMA1-AS1 resulted in the opposite result. Additionally, the interaction between KCNMA1-AS1 and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 9 (SMAD9) was confirmed by an RNA pull-down experiment, mass spectrometry, and RIP assay. This interaction regulated the activation of the SMAD9 signaling pathway. Moreover, rescue assays demonstrated that the inhibitor of the SMAD9 signaling pathway reversed the stimulative effects on osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by KCNMA1-AS1 overexpression. Altogether, our results stipulate that KCNMA1-AS1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs via activating the SMAD9 signaling pathway and can serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target in treating bone defects.

Comparison of Oncogenes, Tumor Suppressors, and MicroRNAs Between Schizophrenia and Glioma: The Balance of Power

The risk of cancer in schizophrenia has been controversial. Confounders of the issue are cigarette smoking in schizophrenia, and antiproliferative effects of antipsychotic medications. The author has previously suggested comparison of a specific cancer like glioma to schizophrenia might help determine a more accurate relationship between cancer and schizophrenia. To accomplish this goal, the author performed three comparisons of data; the first a comparison of conventional tumor suppressors and oncogenes between schizophrenia and cancer including glioma. This comparison determined schizophrenia has both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting characteristics. A second, larger comparison between brain-expressed microRNAs in schizophrenia with their expression in glioma was then performed. This identified a core carcinogenic group of miRNAs in schizophrenia offset by a larger group of tumor-suppressive miRNAs. This proposed "balance of power" between oncogenes and tumor suppressors could cause neuroinflammation. This was assessed by a third comparison between schizophrenia, glioma and inflammation in asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma (ALRCM). This revealed that schizophrenia shares more oncogenic similarity to ALRCM than glioma.

RNA-seq analysis of differentially expressed LncRNAs from leishmaniasis patients compared to uninfected humans

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that seriously endangers human health. Furthermore, among the parasitic diseases, leishmaniasis is the third most common cause of death after malaria and schistosomiasis. However, the potential function of LncRNAs in leishmaniasis remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the differentially expressed LncRNAs in leishmaniasis. The sera of leishmaniasis patients and uninfected persons for controls were obtained and analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. Moreover, the expression of key LncRNAs was detected by qPCR. The results showed that 970 differentially expressed LncRNAs and 1692 differentially expressed mRNAs were screened compared to control groups. Then, 520 target genes were identified by using bioinformation analysis and the ENCORI database. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that the differentially expressed target genes were enriched in autophagy animal, FoxO signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway, and apoptosis, et al. Among those differentially expressed LncRNAs, nine key LncRNAs were selected (MALAT1, NUTM2A-AS1, and LINC00963 had high expression; LINC00622, MAPKAPK5-AS1, LINC02289, XPC-AS1, ZFAS1 and SNHG5 had low expression) by qPCR. This study suggests that different expressions of LncRNAs may involve in the potential function in leishmaniasis and provide a novel insight for diagnosis of this zoonotic disease.

Genetic Polymorphisms in microRNA Genes Targeting PI3K/Akt Signal Pathway Modulate Cervical Cancer Susceptibility in a Chinese Population

Polymorphisms in microRNA (miRNA) genes could influence the expression of miRNAs that regulate the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway and play crucial roles in cancer susceptibility. To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA genes of PI3K/Akt with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer (CC), nine SNPs located in miRNA genes were selected for genotyping, and the association of these SNPs with CIN and CC risk was evaluated. A total of 1,402 participants were enrolled in the current study, including 698 healthy individuals in the control group, 431 patients with CC, and 273 patients with CIN. Nine SNPs in miRNA genes (rs107822 in miR-219a, rs10877887 in let-7i, rs2292832 in miR-149, rs353293 in miR-143, rs3746444 in miR-499, rs3803808 in miR-132, rs4078756 in miR-10b, rs629367 in let-7a, and rs7372209 in miR-26a) were genotyped using MassArray, and the association of these SNPs with CIN and CC were analysed. The results showed that the frequencies of rs107822 in miR-219a and rs2292832 in miR-149 were significantly different between the control and CC groups (p < 0.005). The C allele of rs107822 in miR-219a was associated with an increased risk of CC (OR = 1.29, 95%CI:1.09–1.54) whereas the C allele of rs2292832 in miR-149 was associated with a decreased risk of CC (OR = 0.77, 95%CI:0.64–0.92). The results of inheritance model analysis showed that the best-fit inheritance models for rs107822 and rs2292832 were log-additive. The 2CC + CT genotype of rs107822 could be a risk factor for CC when compared with the TT genotype (OR = 1.28, 95%CI:1.08–1.51). The 2CC + CT genotype of rs2292832 could be a protective factor against CC when compared with the TT genotype (OR = 0.76, 95%CI:0.64–0.92). However, no association of these SNPs with CIN was found in the current study. Our results suggest that rs107822 in the promoter region of miR-219a and rs2292832 in pre-miR-149 region are associated with the risk of CC.

A long noncoding RNA GTF2IRD2P1 suppresses cell proliferation in bladder cancer by inhibiting the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway

Background

There is growing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are key in the development of a variety of human tumors. However, the role of lncRNA GTF2IRD2P1 has not been well studied in cancer. The impact of GTF2IRD2P1 on the biological function and clinical relevance in bladder cancer is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the biological role of GTF2IRD2P1 in bladder evolution and carcinogenesis.

Methods

We used bioinformatics to obtain the lncRNA GTF2IRD2P1 from bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The expression of lncRNA GTF2IRD2P1 was detected by qRT-PCR. The CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the lncRNA GTF2IRD2P1 function on the proliferation of bladder cancer cells. A western blot was used to calculate the protein level of cell cycle proteins and Wnt signaling pathway proteins. The effect of lncRNA GTF2IRD2P1 on tumorigenesis of bladder cancer was confirmed by a xenograft nude mouse model.

Results

GTF2IRD2P1 expression was found to be lower in both human bladder cancer tissues and cell lines (UM-UC-3, RT4, and 5637), and elevated in T24 compared to the corresponding normal controls. GTF2IRD2P1 expression was also enhanced after transfection of UM-UC-3 cells with the overexpression vector. Meanwhile, overexpression of GTF2IRD2P1 inhibited the proliferation of UM-UC-3 and prolonged the cell cycle. The silencing of GTF2IRD2P1 significantly increased the proliferation and shortened the cell cycle of T24 cells and induced Wnt signaling activity to promote the progression of bladder cancer. Similarly, the transplanted tumor nude mouse model demonstrated that silencing GTF2IRD2P1 strengthens the progression of bladder cancer by targeting the Wnt signaling pathway.

The Regulatory Functions and the Mechanisms of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death in gynecology cancer worldwide. High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the major etiological agents for cervical cancer. Still, other factors also contribute to cervical cancer development because these cancers commonly arise decades after initial exposure to HPV. So far, the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of cervical cancer are still quite limited, and a knowledge gap needs to be filled to help develop novel strategies that will ultimately facilitate the development of therapies and improve cervical cancer patient outcomes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly shown to be involved in gene regulation, and the relevant role of lncRNAs in cervical cancer has recently been investigated. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in ascertaining the biological functions of lncRNAs in cervical cancer from the perspective of cervical cancer proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. In addition, we provide the current state of knowledge by discussing the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation and emerging role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Comprehensive and deeper insights into lncRNA-mediated alterations and interactions in cellular events will help develop novel strategies to treat patients with cervical cancer.

LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes in endometrial cancer: a comprehensive overview

INTRODUCTION

Recent research on tumorigenesis and progression has opened up an array of novel molecular mechanisms in the form of interactions between cellular non-coding RNAs (long non-coding RNA[lncRNA]/microRNA [miRNA]) and coding transcripts that regulate health and disease. Endometrial cancer (EC) is a prominent gynecological malignancy with a high incidence rate and poorly known etiology and prognostic factors that hinder the success of disease management. The emerging role of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions and their dysregulation in the pathophysiology of EC has been elucidated in many recent studies.

METHODS

A thorough literature review was conducted to explore information about lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axes in EC.

RESULTS

Several lncRNAs act as molecular sponges that sequester various tumor suppressor miRNAs to inhibit their function, leading to the dysregulation of their target mRNA transcripts that contribute to the EC regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes these networks of molecular mechanisms and their contribution to different aspects of endometrial carcinogenesis, leading to a better conceptualization of the molecular pathways that underlie the disease and helping establish novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic intervention points to aid the curative intent of EC.

Cervical cancer progression is regulated by SOX transcription factors: Revealing signaling networks and therapeutic strategies

Cervical cancer is the fourth common gynecologic cancer and is considered as second leading cause of death among women. Various strategies are applied in treatment of cervical cancer including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. However, cervical cancer cells demonstrate aggressive behavior in advanced phases, requiring novel strategies in their elimination. On the other hand, SOX proteins are transcription factors capable of regulating different molecular pathways and their expression varies during embryogenesis, disease development and carcinogenesis. In the present review, our aim is to reveal role of SOX transcription factors in cervical cancer. SOX transcription factors play like a double-edged sword in cancer. For instance, SOX9 possesses both tumor-suppressor and tumor-promoting role in cervical cancer. Therefore, exact role of each SOX members in cervical cancer has been discussed to direct further experiments for revealing other functions. SOX proteins can regulate proliferation and metastasis of cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, response of cervical cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is tightly regulated by SOX transcription factors. Different downstream targets of SOX proteins such as Wnt signaling, EMT and Hedgehog have been identified. Besides, upstream mediators such as microRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs can regulate SOX expression in cervical cancer. In addition to pre-clinical studies, role of SOX transcription factors as prognostic and diagnostic tools in cervical cancer has been shown.

Small nucleolar RNA host genes promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition lead cancer progression and metastasis

The small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) belong to the long non-coding RNAs and are reported to be able to influence all three levels of cellular information-bearing molecules, that is, DNA, RNA, and proteins, resulting in the generation of complex phenomena. As the host genes of the small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), they are commonly localized in the nucleolus, where they exert multiple regulatory functions orchestrating cellular homeostasis and differentiation as well as metastasis and chemoresistance. Indeed, worldwide literature has reported their involvement in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of different histotypes of cancer, being able to exploit peculiar features, for example, the possibility to act both in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Moreover, SNHGs regulation is a fundamental topic to better understand their role in tumor progression albeit such mechanism is still debated. Here, we reviewed the biological functions of SNHGs in particular in the EMT process and discussed the perspectives for new cancer therapies.