Epigenetic regulation of miR-518a-5p-CCR6 feedback loop promotes both proliferation and invasion in diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Suppressing circIDE/miR-19b-3p/RBMS1 axis exhibits promoting-tumour activity through upregulating GPX4 to diminish ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Ferroptosis is a newly characterized form of iron-dependent non-apoptotic cell death, which is closely associated with cancer progression. However, the functions and mechanisms in regulation of escaping from ferroptosis during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remain unknown. In this study, we reported that the RNA binding motif single stranded interacting protein 1 (RBMS1) participated in HCC development，and functioned as a regulator of ferroptosis. Clinically, the downregulation of RBMS1 occurred in HCC tissues, and low RBMS1 expression was associated with worse HCC patients survival. Mechanistically, RBMS1 overexpression inhibited HCC cell growth by attenuating the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)and further facilitated ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, a novel circIDE (hsa_circ_0000251) was identified to elevate RBMS1 expression via sponging miR-19b-3p in HCC cells. Collectively, our findings established circIDE/miR-19b-3p/RBMS1 axis as a regulator of ferroptosis, which could be a promising therapeutic target and prognostic factor.

Nanoparticles Mediated circROBO1 Silencing to Inhibit Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Modulating miR-130a-5p/CCNT2 Axis

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are becoming vital biomarkers and therapeutic targets for malignant tumors due to their high stability and specificity in tissues. However, biological functions of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still not well studied.

Methods

Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate expression of circROBO1 (hsa_circ_0066568) in HCC tissues and cell lines. CCK-8, colony formation, EdU staining, flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis, and xenograft model assays were performed to detect the circROBO1 function in vitro and in vivo. RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and Luciferase reporter assays were used to investigate the relationship among circROBO1, miR-130a-5p, and CCNT2. More importantly, we developed nanoparticles made from poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains as the delivery system of si-circROBO1 and then applied them to HCC in vitro and in mice.

Results

circROBO1 was obviously upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines, and elevated circROBO1 was closely correlated with worse prognosis for HCC patients. Functionally, knocking down circROBO1 significantly suppressed HCC cells growth in vitro and in mice. Mechanistically, circROBO1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA to downregulate miR-130a-5p, leading to CCNT2 expression upregulation. Furthermore, miR-130a-5p mimic or CCNT2 knockdown reversed the role of circROBO1 overexpression on HCC cells, which demonstrated that circROBO1 promoted HCC development via miR-130a-5p/CCNT2 axis. In addition, we developed nanoparticles loaded with si-circROBO1, named as PLGA-PEG (si-circROBO1) NPs, which significantly prevented the proliferation of HCC cells, and did not exhibit apparent toxicity to major organs in vivo.

Conclusion

Our findings firstly demonstrate that circROBO1 overexpression promotes HCC progression by regulating miR-130a-5p/CCNT2 axis, which may serve as an effective nanotherapeutic target for HCC treatment.

Meta-Analysis of MS-Based Proteomics Studies Indicates Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 and Nucleobindin1 as Potential Prognostic and Drug Resistance Biomarkers in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

The prognosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is inaccurately predicted using clinical features and immunohistochemistry (IHC) algorithms. Nomination of a panel of molecules as the target for therapy and predicting prognosis in DLBCL is challenging because of the divergences in the results of molecular studies. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics in the clinic represents an analytical tool with the potential to improve DLBCL diagnosis and prognosis. Previous proteomics studies using MS-based proteomics identified a wide range of proteins. To achieve a consensus, we reviewed MS-based proteomics studies and extracted the most consistently significantly dysregulated proteins. These proteins were then further explored by analyzing data from other omics fields. Among all significantly regulated proteins, interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) was identified as a potential target by proteomics, genomics, and IHC. Moreover, annexinA5 (ANXA5) and nucleobindin1 (NUCB1) were two of the most up-regulated proteins identified in MS studies. Functional enrichment analysis identified the light zone reactions of the germinal center (LZ-GC) together with cytoskeleton locomotion functions as enriched based on consistent, significantly dysregulated proteins. In this study, we suggest IRF4 and NUCB1 proteins as potential biomarkers that deserve further investigation in the field of DLBCL sub-classification and prognosis.

Nuclear Factor-Kappa B-induced miRNA-518a-5p represses trophoblast cell migration and invasion by the Nuclear Factor-Kappa B pathway

Preeclampsia is associated with the insufficient invasion of trophoblasts. NF-κB is a transcription factor in almost all mammalian cells and has been validated to be upregulated in the maternal circulation and placenta of women with preeclampsia. MiR-518a-5p is also overexpressed in pre-eclamptic placenta. The present study was designed to explore whether NF-κB can transcriptionally activate miR-518a-5p and investigate the influences of miR-518a-5p on the viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of HTR8/SVneo trophoblast. In situ hybridization and real time polymerase chain reaction were used to reveal miR-518a-5p expression in placenta tissues and HTR8/SVneo cells, respectively. Cell migration and invasion were detected using Transwell inserts. Our findings indicated that NF-κB p52, p50, and p65 can bind to miR-518a-5p gene promoter. MiR-518a-5p further influences the levels of p50 and p65 but not p52. HTR8/SVneo cell viability and apoptosis were not influenced by miR-518a-5p. However, miR-518a-5p represses the migratory/invasive capacities of HTR8/SVneo cell and decreased gelatinolytic activity of MMP2 and MMP9, which was reversed by an NF-κB inhibitor. To sum up, miR-518a-5p is induced by NF-κB and represses trophoblast cell migration and invasion by the NF-κB pathway.

Role of microRNAs in B-Cell Compartment: Development, Proliferation and Hematological Diseases

B-cell development is a very orchestrated pathway that involves several molecules, such as transcription factors, cytokines, microRNAs, and also different cells. All these components maintain the ideal microenvironment and control B-cell differentiation. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that bind to target mRNA to control gene expression. These molecules could circulate in the body in a free form, protein-bounded, or encapsulated into extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes. The comprehension of the role of microRNAs in the B-cell development was possible based on microRNA profile of each B-cell stage and functional studies. Herein, we report the knowledge about microRNAs in the B-cell the differentiation, proliferation, and also in hematological malignancies.

Distinct Chemokine Receptor Expression Profiles in De Novo DLBCL, Transformed Follicular Lymphoma, Richter's Trans-Formed DLBCL and Germinal Center B-Cells

Chemokine receptors and their ligands have been identified as playing an important role in the development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, and Richter syndrome (RS). Our aim was to investigate the different expression profiles in de novo DLBCL, transformed follicular lymphoma (tFL), and RS. Here, we profiled the mRNA expression levels of 18 chemokine receptors (CCR1-CCR9, CXCR1-CXCR7, CX3CR1 and XCR1) using RQ-PCR, as well as immunohistochemistry of seven chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR4-CCR8 and CXCR2) in RS, de novo DLBCL, and tFL biopsy-derived tissues. Tonsil-derived germinal center B-cells (GC-B) served as non-neoplastic controls. The chemokine receptor expression profiles of de novo DLBCL and tFL substantially differed from those of GC-B, with at least 5-fold higher expression of 15 out of the 18 investigated chemokine receptors (CCR1-CCR9, CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR6, CXCR7, CX3CR1 and XCR1) in these lymphoma subtypes. Interestingly, the de novo DLBCL and tFL exhibited at least 22-fold higher expression of CCR1, CCR5, CCR8, and CXCR6 compared with RS, whereas no significant difference in chemokine receptor expression profile was detected when comparing de novo DLBCL with tFL. Furthermore, in de novo DLBCL and tFLs, a high expression of CCR7 was associated with a poor overall survival in our study cohort, as well as in an independent patient cohort. Our data indicate that the chemokine receptor expression profile of RS differs substantially from that of de novo DLBCL and tFL. Thus, these multiple dysregulated chemokine receptors could represent novel clinical markers as diagnostic and prognostic tools. Moreover, this study highlights the relevance of chemokine signaling crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment of aggressive lymphomas.

Weighted gene co-expression network indicates that the DYNLL2 is an important regulator of chicken breast muscle development and is regulated by miR-148a-3p

BACKGROUND

The characteristics of muscle fibers determine the growth and meat quality of poultry. In this study, we performed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on the muscle fiber characteristics and transcriptome profile of the breast muscle tissue of Gushi chicken at 6, 14, 22, and 30 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 27 coexpressed biological functional modules were identified, of which the midnight blue module had the strongest correlation with muscle fiber and diameter. In addition, 7 hub genes were found from the midnight blue module, including LC8 dynein light chain 2 (DYNLL2). Combined with miRNA transcriptome data, miR-148a-3p was found to be a potential target miRNA of DYNLL2. Experiments on chicken primary myoblasts (CPMs) demonstrated that miR-148a-3p promotes the expression of myosin heavy chain (MYHC) protein by targeting DYNLL2, proving that it can promote differentiation of myoblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study proved that the hub gene DYNLL2 and its target miR-148-3p are important regulators in chicken myogenesis. These results provide novel insights for understanding the molecular regulation mechanisms related to the development of chicken breast muscle.

The emerging role non-coding RNAs in B cell-related disorders

Long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs have recently attained much attention regarding their role in the development of B cell lineage as well as participation in the lymphomagenesis. These transcripts have a highly cell type specific signature which endows them the potential to be used as biomarkers for clinical situations. Aberrant expression of several non-coding RNAs has been linked with B cell malignancies and immune related disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous, asthma and graft-versus-host disease. Moreover, these transcripts can alter response of immune system to infectious conditions. miR-7, miR-16-1, miR-15a, miR-150, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-212 and miR-132 are among microRNAs whose role in the development of B cell-associated disorders has been investigated. Similarly, SNHG14, MALAT1, CRNDE, AL133346.1, NEAT1, SMAD5-AS1, OR3A4 and some other long non-coding RNAs participate in this process. In the current review, we describe the role of non-coding RNAs in B cell malignancies.

miR-1250-5p is a novel tumor suppressive intronic miRNA hypermethylated in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: novel targets with impact on ERK signaling and cell migration

Background

miR-1250 is localised to the second intron of AATK at chromosome 17q25. As a CpG island is present at the putative promoter region of its host gene, AATK, we postulated that the intronic miR-1250-5p is a tumor suppressor miRNA co-regulated with its host gene, AATK, by promoter DNA methylation in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

Methods

AATK/miR-1250 methylation was studied in healthy controls, including ten normal peripheral blood buffy coats and eleven normal tonsils, ten lymphoma cell lines, and 120 primary lymphoma samples by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The expression of miR-1250-5p and AATK was investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Tumor suppressor properties of miR-1250-5p were demonstrated by over-expression of precursor miR-1250-5p in lymphoma cells. The target of miR-1250-5p was verified by luciferase reporter assay.

Results

AATK/miR-1250 methylation was absent in healthy peripheral blood and tonsils, but detected in five (50%) NHL cell lines. AATK/miR-1250 methylation correlated with repression of miR-1250-5p and AATK in NHL cell lines. In completely methylated SU-DHL-6 and SUP-T1 cells, treatment with 5-AzadC led to promoter demethylation and re-expression of both miR-1250-5p and AATK. In primary lymphoma samples, AATK/miR-1250 was frequently methylated in B-cell lymphoma (n = 41, 44.09%) and T-cell lymphoma (n = 9, 33.33%) with a comparable frequency (P = 0.318). In SU-DHL-6 and SU-DHL-1 cells, restoration of miR-1250-5p resulted in decreased cellular proliferation by MTS assay, increased cell death by trypan blue staining and enhanced apoptosis by annexin V-PI assay. Moreover, MAPK1 and WDR1 were verified as direct targets of miR-1250-5p by luciferase assay. In 39 primary NHLs, miR-1250-5p expression was shown to be inversely correlated with each of MAPK1 (P = 0.05) and WDR1 (P = 0.031) by qRT-PCR. Finally, in SU-DHL-1 cells, overexpression of miR-1250-5p led to repression of MAPK1 and WDR1 at both transcript and protein levels, with downregulation of phospho-ERK2 by Western-blotting and inhibition of SDF-1-dependent cell migration by transwell assay.

Conclusions

miR-1250-5p is a novel tumor suppressive intronic miRNA co-regulated and silenced by promoter DNA methylation of its host gene AATK in NHL. MAPK1 and WDR1 are novel miR-1250-5p direct targets rendering inhibition of MAPK/ERK signaling and SDF-1-dependent cell migration, hence implicated in survival and dissemination of lymphoma.

Competing Endogenous RNA Networks in Glioma

Gliomas are the most common and malignant primary brain tumors. Various hallmarks of glioma, including sustained proliferation, migration, invasion, heterogeneity, radio- and chemo-resistance, contribute to the dismal prognosis of patients with high-grade glioma. Dysregulation of cancer driver genes is a leading cause for these glioma hallmarks. In recent years, a new mechanism of post-transcriptional gene regulation was proposed, i.e., "competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)." Long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs, and transcribed pseudogenes act as ceRNAs to regulate the expression of related genes by sponging the shared microRNAs. Moreover, coding RNA can also exert a regulatory role, independent of its protein coding function, through the ceRNA mechanism. In the latest glioma research, various studies have reported that dysregulation of certain ceRNA regulatory networks (ceRNETs) accounts for the abnormal expression of cancer driver genes and the establishment of glioma hallmarks. These achievements open up new avenues to better understand the hidden aspects of gliomas and provide new biomarkers and potential efficient targets for glioma treatment. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge about the concept and logic of ceRNET and highlight the emerging roles of some recently found ceRNETs in glioma progression.