Long non-coding RNA PROX1-AS1 knockdown upregulates microRNA-519d-3p to promote chemosensitivity of retinoblastoma cells via targeting SOX2

LncRNA PROX1 antisense RNA 1 promotes PD-L1-mediated proliferation, metastasis, and immune escape in colorectal cancer by interacting with miR-520d

It was recently found that lncRNA PROX1 antisense RNA 1 (PROX1-AS1) manifested oncogenicity in a variety of malignancies. This work intended to investigate the molecular mechanisms of PROX1-AS1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and immune evasion. In this study, both PROX1-AS1 and PD-L1 expressions were lifted in CRC tissues and cells. PROX1-AS1 interference restrained CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, as well as CD8 + T-lymphocyte apoptosis, but increased the cytotoxicity and percentage of CD8 + T lymphocytes. The inhibitory effects of PROX1-AS1 inhibition on CRC progression and immune escape were positively related to PD-L1 suppression. PROX1-AS1 absorbed miR-520d to upregulate PD-L1 expression. PROX1-AS1 facilitated CRC progression and immune escape by targeting miR-520d. Furthermore, PROX1-AS1 deletion impaired CRC tumor growth in vivo . To sum up, this study affirmed that PROX1-AS1 could absorb miR-520d to upregulate PD-L1 in CRC, thereby promoting tumor progression and immune escape.

miRNAs as potential game-changers in retinoblastoma: Future clinical and medicinal uses

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare tumor in children, but it is the most common primitive intraocular malignancy in childhood age, especially those below three years old. The RB gene (RB1) undergoes mutations in individuals with RB. Although mortality rates remain high in developing countries, the survival rate for this type of cancer is greater than 95-98% in industrialized countries. However, it is lethal if left untreated, so early diagnosis is essential. As a non-coding RNA, miRNA significantly impacts RB development and treatment resistance because it can control various cellular functions. In this review, we illustrate the recent advances in the role of miRNAs in RB. That includes the clinical importance of miRNAs in RB diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Moreover, the regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in RB and therapeutic interventions are discussed.

The impact of non-coding RNAs in the pathobiology of eye disorders

Eye disorders are common disorders with significant effects on personal, economic, and social aspects of life. These disorders have a genetic background and are associated with dysregulation of non-coding RNAs. Three classes of these transcripts, namely long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have established roles in the regulation of gene expression and pathoetiology of ocular disorders. H19, MEG3, BANCR, UCA1, HOTAIR, ANRIL, XIST and MIAT are among important lncRNAs in ocular disorders. CircRNAs from ZBTB44, HIPK3, circ-PSEN1, COL1A2, ZNF532 and FAM158A loci have also been found to affect pathoetiology of ocular disorders. Both lncRNAs and circRNAs can serve as molecular sponges for miRNAs. In this review, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar databases to find the research articles summarizing the impact of non-coding RNAs in ocular disorders. The results of these studies would help in identification of suitable targets for treatment of ocular disorders.

Long non-coding RNAs involved in retinoblastoma

INTRODUCTION

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common childhood tumor that can occur in the retina and develop in a sporadic or heritable form. Although various traditional treatment options have been used for patients with RB, identifying novel strategies for childhood cancers is necessary.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Recently, molecular-based targeted therapies have opened a greater therapeutic window for RB. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) presented a potential role as a biomarker for the detection of RB in various stages.

CONCLUSION

LncRNAs by targeting several miRNA/transcription factors play critical roles in the stimulation or suppression of RB. In this review, we summarized recent progress on the functions of tumor suppressors or oncogenes lncRNAs in RB.

Role of non-coding RNAs and exosomal non-coding RNAs in retinoblastoma progression

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare aggressive intraocular malignancy of childhood that has the potential to affect vision, and can even be fatal in some children. While the tumor can be controlled efficiently at early stages, metastatic tumors lead to high mortality. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are implicated in a number of physiological cellular process, including differentiation, proliferation, migration, and invasion, The deregulation of ncRNAs is correlated with several diseases, particularly cancer. ncRNAs are categorized into two main groups based on their length, i.e. short and long ncRNAs. Moreover, ncRNA deregulation has been demonstrated to play a role in the pathogenesis and development of RB. Several ncRNAs, such as miR-491-3p, miR-613,and SUSD2 have been found to act as tumor suppressor genes in RB, but other ncRNAs, such as circ-E2F3, NEAT1, and TUG1 act as tumor promoter genes. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs can provide new opportunities for RB therapy. In the present review, we discuss the functional roles of the most important ncRNAs in RB, their interaction with the genes responsible for RB initiation and progression, and possible future clinical applications as diagnostic and prognostic tools or as therapeutic targets.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of long non-coding RNA PROX1‑AS1 and miR-647 expression in gastric cancer

Introduction. Gastric cancer remains one of the most common cancers and has a high mortality rate worldwide. Epigenetic alternations of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs and long ncRNAs can contribute to its pathogenesis and progression, and could be potent diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.Aim. Estimation of PROX1‑AS1 and miR-647 expression in gastric cancer and investigation of its clinical significance. Materials and methods. Tumor and adjacent normal tissues (n = 62), and sectional normal tissue samples (n = 5) were included in the study. The expression of the ncRNAs was quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay.Results. We have reviled the significant difference in the PROX1‑AS1 expression in tumor (p = 0.002) and non-tumor tissues (p <0.001) obtained from gastric cancer patients in comparison with sectional gastric tissues without pathology. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed a negative correlation between PROX1‑AS1 and miR-647 in gastric cancer both in tumor (р <0,001) and adjacent normal tissues (р <0.001). Besides, expression of PROX1‑AS1 and miR-647 was associated with the size and extent of the primary tumor.Conclusion. The obtained results allow to suggest a potential prognostic value of PROX1‑AS1 and miR-647 in gastric cancer.

Nucleic acid therapy in pediatric cancer

The overall survival, progress free survival, and life quality of cancer patients have improved due to the advance in minimally invasive surgery, precision radiotherapy, and various combined chemotherapy in the last decade. Furthermore, the discovery of new types of therapeutics, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and immune cell therapies have facilitated both patients and doctors to fight with cancers. Moreover, in the context of the development in biocompatible and cell type targeting nano-carriers as well as nucleic acid-based drugs for initiating and enhancing the anti-tumor response have come to the age. The treatment paradigms utilization of nucleic acids, including short interfering RNA (siRNA), antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), and messenger RNA (mRNA), can target specific protein expression to achieve the therapeutic effects. Over ten nucleic acid therapeutics have been approved by the FDA and EMA in rare diseases and genetic diseases as well as dozens of registered clinical trails for varies cancers. Though generally less dangerous of pediatric cancers than adult cancers was observed during the past decades, yet pediatric cancers accounted for a significant proportion of child deaths which hurt those family very deeply. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention for improving the treatment of pediatric cancer and discovering new nucleic acid therapeutics which may help to improve the therapeutic effect and prognoses in turns to ameliorate the survival period and quality of life for children patient. In this review, we focus on the nucleic acid therapy in pediatric cancers.

Downregulation of miR-211-5p Promotes Carboplatin Resistance in Human Retinoblastoma Y79 Cells by Affecting the GDNF-LIF Interaction

Purpose

To investigate the role of the miR-211-5p-GDNF signaling pathway in carboplatin resistance of retinoblastoma Y79 cells and what factors it may be affected by.

Methods

A carboplatin-resistant retinoblastoma cell line (Y79R) was established in vitro. RNA-seq and microRNA-seq were constructed between Y79 and Y79R cells. RNA interference, RT-PCR, Western blot (WB), and flow cytometry were used to verify the expression of genes and proteins between the two cell lines. The TargetScan database was used to predict the microRNAs that regulate the target genes. STING sites and Co-Immunoprecipitation (COIP) were used to study protein–protein interactions.

Results

GDNF was speculated to be the top changed gene in the drug resistance in Y79R cell lines. Moreover, the speculation was verified by subsequent RT-PCR and WB results. When the expression of GDNF was knocked down, the IC50 of the Y79R cell line significantly reduced. GDNF was found to be the target gene of miR-211-5p. Downregulation of miR-211-5p promotes carboplatin resistance in human retinoblastoma Y79 cells. MiR-211-5p can regulate the expression of GDNF. Our further research also found that GDNF can bind to LIF which is also a secreted protein.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that downregulation of miR-211-5p promotes carboplatin resistance in human retinoblastoma Y79 cells, and this process can be affected by GDNF–LIF interaction. These results can provide evidence for the reversal of drug resistance of RB.