MicroRNA-140-3p represses the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma cells via targeting TYMS (thymidylate synthetase)

NOD2 reduces the chemoresistance of melanoma by inhibiting the TYMS/PLK1 signaling axis

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) is an immune sensor crucial for eliciting the innate immune responses. Nevertheless, discrepancies exist regarding the effect of NOD2 on different types of cancer. This study aimed to investigate these function of NOD2 in melanoma and its underlying mechanisms. We have validated the tumor suppressor effect of NOD2 in melanoma. NOD2 inhibited the proliferation of melanoma cells, hindering their migration and invasion while promoting the onset of apoptosis. Our study showed that NOD2 expression is closely related to pyrimidine and folate metabolism. NOD2 inhibits thymidylate synthase (TYMS) expression by promoting K48-type ubiquitination modification of TYMS, thereby decreasing the resistance of melanoma cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine (CAP). TYMS was identified to form a complex with Polo-like Kinase 1 (PLK1) and activate the PLK1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, we revealed that the combination of the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib (BI6727) with 5-FU or CAP had a synergistic effect repressing the proliferation, migration, and autophagy of melanoma cells. Overall, our research highlights the protective role of NOD2 in melanoma and suggests that targeting NOD2 and the TYMS/PLK1 signaling axis is a high-profile therapy that could be a prospect for melanoma treatment.

An insight into thymidylate synthase inhibitor as anticancer agents: an explicative review

Cancer, a widespread challenge to global health, remains a puzzle of intricate molecular dynamics. This review article delves into the mystery of cancer, with a keen focus on understanding the contributory role of thymidylate synthase (TS) in cancer. TS, a vital enzyme in DNA synthesis and repair, emerges as a significant player in the narrative of cancer development. The conversion of deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) to deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) is a major step in producing DNA. Numerous malignancies, including those of the breast, colon, lung, and ovary, have been linked to dysregulation of TS activity. Overexpression or mutations of TS lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumorigenesis molecular interactions and signalling pathways involving TS come under scrutiny, revealing the nuanced connections that propel its involvement in cancer progression. Beyond overexpression and mutations, there emerges a subtle layer of regulation that involves microRNAs (miRNAs). These tiny particles attach to the TS messenger RNA, causing translational repression or its degradation, which in turn affects TS activity. Moving towards the therapeutic realm, thymidylate synthase inhibition acts as a promising anti-cancer strategy. Targeting TS with small-molecule inhibitors could provide a novel approach to treat various cancers. By reducing the number of available nucleotides, TS inhibition would slow down or halt cancer cell division, thus depriving the tumor of the building blocks required for its proliferation and growth. The aim is to assess the viability and effectiveness of targeting TS to halt or slow down cancer progression. There is growing evidence that, in comparison to traditional TS inhibitors, few novel antifolate TS inhibitors are effective against a wider variety of neoplasms, such as lung carcinomas. It has been discovered that TS inhibitors increase cancer tissues' sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation, increasing their vulnerability to these treatments. This article aims to provide a comprehensive insight into TS, examining its cellular details, detailing the heterocyclic moieties and molecular foundations, and providing a promising future outlook.

Exosomal circ_0084043 derived from colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes in vitro endothelial cell angiogenesis by regulating the miR-140-3p/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling axis

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) hold potential as diagnostic markers for colorectal cancer (CRC); however, their functional mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. This work investigates the clinical implications of a unique set comprising six circRNAs derived from serum in CRC. Furthermore, we delve into the role of exosomal circ_0084043, originating from colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), with a specific focus on its contribution to endothelial cell angiogenesis.

Methods

The study analyzed circRNA levels in serum samples obtained from both CRC and control groups using qRT-PCR. Additionally, exosomes originating from colorectal CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were purified and confirmed by electron microscopy and Western blotting techniques. The proangiogenic effects of CAF-derived exosomal circ_0084043 were assessed in endothelial cells through proliferation, migration, and in vitro capillary tube formation assays. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were employed to clarify the role of the circ_0084043/miR-140-3p/HIF-1α axis in endothelial cell angiogenesis, utilizing luciferase reporter assay, Western blotting, and ELISA for mechanism elucidation.

Results

The candidate circRNAs (circ_0060745, circ_001569, circ_007142, circ_0084043, Circ_BANP, and CiRS-7) exhibited notably elevated expression in CRC patient sera compared to the levels observed in healthy individuals. Except for CiRS-7, all circRNAs showed elevated expression in CRC patients with positive lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor stages. Exosomes released by colorectal CAFs augmented endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis by upregulating VEGF expression and secretion. Circ_0084043 was highly detected in endothelial cells treated with CAF-derived exosomes. Silencing circ_0084043 reduced VEGFA expression and diminished CAF exosome-induced endothelial cell processes, indicating its pivotal role in angiogenesis. Circ_0084043 sponges miR-140-3p, regulating HIF-1α, and a reverse relationship was also identified between miR-140-3p and VEGFA in endothelial cells. Inhibiting miR-140-3p mitigated circ_0084043 knockdown effects in CAF exosome-treated endothelial cells. Co-transfection of si-circ_0084043 and a miR-140-3p inhibitor reversed the inhibited migration and angiogenesis caused by circ_0084043 knockdown in CAF exosome-treated endothelial cells. Inhibiting miR-140-3p rescued reduced VEGFA expression due to circ_0084043 knockdown in endothelial cells exposed to CAF-derived exosomes, indicating modulation of the circ_0084043/miR-140-3p/VEGF signaling in CAF-derived exosome-induced angiogenesis.

Conclusions

This study unveiled a distinctive signature of six serum-derived circular RNAs, indicating their potential as promising diagnostic biomarkers for CRC. Importantly, exosomal circ_0084043 originating from colorectal CAFs was identified as playing a crucial role in endothelial cell angiogenesis, exerting its influence through the modulation of the miR-140-3p/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling axis.

MicroRNA‑mediated regulation in lung adenocarcinoma: Signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications (Review)

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) poses a significant global health burden owing to its high incidence rate and unfavorable prognosis, driven by frequent recurrence and drug resistance. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying LUAD is imperative to developing advanced therapeutic strategies. Recent research has highlighted the role of dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) in LUAD progression through diverse signaling pathways, including the Wnt and AKT pathways. Of particular interest is the novel pathological mechanism involving the interaction between competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and miRNAs. This review critically analyzed the impact of aberrant miRNA expression on LUAD development, shedding light on the associated signaling pathways. It also highlighted the emerging significance of ceRNA‑miRNA interactions in LUAD pathogenesis. Elucidating the intricate regulatory networks involving miRNAs and ceRNAs presents a promising avenue for the development of potential therapeutic interventions and diagnostic biomarkers in LUAD. Further research in this area is essential to advance precision medicine approaches and improve patient outcomes.

Construction and validation of an angiogenesis-related lncRNA prognostic model in lung adenocarcinoma

Background: There is increasing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be used as potential prognostic factors for cancer. This study aimed to develop a prognostic model for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) using angiogenesis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as potential prognostic factors.

Methods: Transcriptome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed to identify aberrantly expressed angiogenesis-related lncRNAs in LUAD. A prognostic signature was constructed using differential expression analysis, overlap analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and Cox regression analysis. The model’s validity was assessed using K-M and ROC curves, and independent external validation was performed in the GSE30219 dataset. Prognostic lncRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks were identified. Immune cell infiltration and mutational characteristics were also analyzed. The expression of four human angiogenesis-associated lncRNAs was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) gene arrays.

Results: A total of 26 aberrantly expressed angiogenesis-related lncRNAs in LUAD were identified, and a Cox risk model based on LINC00857, RBPMS-AS1, SYNPR-AS1, and LINC00460 was constructed, which may be an independent prognostic predictor for LUAD. The low-risk group had a significant better prognosis and was associated with a higher abundance of resting immune cells and a lower expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Moreover, 105 ceRNA mechanisms were predicted based on the four prognostic lncRNAs. qRT-PCR results showed that LINC00857, SYNPR-AS1, and LINC00460 were significantly highly expressed in tumor tissues, while RBPMS-AS1 was highly expressed in paracancerous tissues.

Conclusion: The four angiogenesis-related lncRNAs identified in this study could serve as a promising prognostic biomarker for LUAD patients.

MiR-140-3p directly targets Tyro3 to regulate OGD/R-induced neuronal injury through the PI3K/Akt pathway

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly expressed in the central nervous system and play important roles in ischaemic stroke pathogenesis. However, the role of miRNAs in cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of miR-140-3p in regulating oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced neuronal injury in vitro to identify a new biomarker for research on ischaemic stroke.

METHODS

The differential expression of miR-140-3p and Tyro3 in OGD/R-exposed N2a cells was verified by qRT-PCR. N2a cells were transfected with miR-140-3p mimic, miR-140-3p inhibitor, Tyro3 or siTyro3, and qRT-PCR, Western blotting, the Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Hoechst 33342/PI staining and flow cytometry analyses were performed to measure miRNA, mRNA and protein expression; cell viability; and apoptosis.

RESULTS

OGD/R-exposed N2a cells exhibited increased miR-140-3p expression, decreased viability, reduced Bcl-2 protein expression and increased Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression and apoptosis; the miR-140-3p mimic markedly amplified these changes, exacerbating OGD/R-induced injury to N2a cells, while the miR-140-3p inhibitor reversed these changes and alleviated OGD/R-induced injury. OGD/R-exposed N2a cells expressed less Tyro3, and Tyro3 overexpression increased cell viability and Bcl-2 protein expression, reduced Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression, and alleviated OGD/R-induced injury. However, silencing Tyro3 reversed these changes and exacerbated OGD/R-induced injury. MiR-140-3p directly bound the Tyro3 mRNA 3'UTR. Rescue experiments indicated that the miR-140-3p mimic-induced changes in cell viability and protein expression were alleviated by Tyro3 overexpression and that the miR-140-3p inhibitor-induced changes in cell viability and protein expression were alleviated by silencing Tyro3. Tyro3 overexpression increased cell viability and PI3K and p-Akt protein expression, but these effects were weakened by the addition of LY294002.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-140-3p directly targets Tyro3 to regulate cell viability and apoptosis of OGD/R-exposed N2a cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway, suggesting that miR-140-3p is a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for ischaemic stroke.

miR-140-3p enhances the sensitivity of LUAD cells to antitumor agents by targeting the ADAM10/Notch pathway

Background: The Notch pathway, which is related to the drug-resistance of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, is activated by cleavage of Notch proteins mediated by ADAMs, ADAM10 or ADAM17. Methods: In the present study, our results demonstrated that of these two ADAMs, the expression of ADAM10 in clinical samples of the LUAD type of NSCLC was much higher than that of ADAM17, while miR-140-3p - an miRNA that could target ADAM10 - was identified by an online tool: miRDB (miRNA database). The detail function and mechanism of miR-140-3p in regulating the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to antitumor drugs was systematically explored in vitro and in vivo. Results: In A549, a typical NSCLC LUAD cell line, miR-140-3p decreased ADAM10 expression and repressed activation of the Notch pathway by repressing cleavage of Notch proteins. The expression of miR-140-3p was negatively related to ADAM10 in clinical specimens. Nucleocytoplasmic separation/subfraction assays showed that miR-140-3p was able to inhibit the cleavage of Notch protein, and led to the accumulation of Notch intracellular domains (NICD) in the nucleus. Overexpression of miR-140-3p enhanced the sensitivity of A549 cells to antitumor agents by targeting the 3'UTR region of ADAM10 mRNA in both cultured cells and in vivo models. Conclusion: ADAM10 plays a major role in LUAD, and miR-140-3p acts on ADAM10 and inhibits its expression and the cleavage of Notch protein, leading to the inhibition the activity of the Notch pathway, and ultimately upregulating LUAD cell sensitivity to anti- tumor drugs.

Chemerin-Induced Down-Regulation of Placenta-Derived Exosomal miR-140-3p and miR-574-3p Promotes Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Proliferation, Migration, and Tube Formation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) leads to poor pregnancy outcomes and fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of placenta-derived exosomal miRNAs on fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in GDM, as well as to further explore the role of chemerin to this end. Placenta-derived exosomal miR-140-3p and miR-574-3p expression (next-generation sequencing, quantitative real-time PCR), its interactions with cell function (Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell, tube formation assay), chemerin interactions (Western blotting), and placental inflammation (immunofluorescence staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were investigated. Placenta-derived exosomal miR-140-3p and miR-574-3p were downregulated in GDM. Additionally, miR-140-3p and miR-574-3p inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation ability of umbilical vein endothelial cells by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor. Interestingly, miR-140-3p and miR-574-3p expression levels were negatively correlated with chemerin, which induced placental inflammation through the recruitment of macrophage cells and release of IL-18 and IL-1β. These findings indicate that chemerin reduces placenta-derived exosomal miR-140-3p and miR-574-3p levels by inducing placental inflammation, thereby promoting the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of umbilical vein endothelial cells in GDM, providing a novel perspective on the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutic targets for GDM and its offspring complications.

MALAT1-miRNAs network regulate thymidylate synthase and affect 5FU-based chemotherapy

Background

The active metabolite of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU), used in the treatment of several types of cancer, acts by inhibiting the thymidylate synthase encoded by the TYMS gene, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in DNA replication. The major failure of 5FU-based cancer therapy is the development of drug resistance. High levels of TYMS-encoded protein in cancerous tissues are predictive of poor response to 5FU treatment. Expression of TYMS is regulated by various mechanisms, including involving non-coding RNAs, both miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).

Aim

To delineate the miRNAs and lncRNAs network regulating the level of TYMS-encoded protein.

Main body

Several miRNAs targeting TYMS mRNA have been identified in colon cancers, the levels of which can be regulated to varying degrees by lncRNAs. Due to their regulation by the MALAT1 lncRNA, these miRNAs can be divided into three groups: (1) miR-197-3p, miR-203a-3p, miR-375-3p which are downregulated by MALAT1 as confirmed experimentally and the levels of these miRNAs are actually reduced in colon and gastric cancers; (2) miR-140-3p, miR-330-3p that could potentially interact with MALAT1, but not yet supported by experimental results; (3) miR-192-5p, miR-215-5p whose seed sequences do not recognize complementary response elements within MALAT1. Considering the putative MALAT1-miRNAs interaction network, attention is drawn to the potential positive feedback loop causing increased expression of MALAT1 in colon cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, where YAP1 acts as a transcriptional co-factor which, by binding to the TCF4 transcription factor/ β-catenin complex, may increase the activation of the MALAT1 gene whereas the MALAT1 lncRNA can inhibit miR-375-3p which in turn targets YAP1 mRNA.

Conclusion

The network of non-coding RNAs may reduce the sensitivity of cancer cells to 5FU treatment by upregulating the level of thymidylate synthase.

Long non-coding RNA LINC01270 is an onco-promotor in lung adenocarcinoma by upregulating LARP1 via sponging miR-326

Accumulating evidence have proved the key role of long non-coding RNA in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression. Bioinformatics analysis is used to seek the differentially expressed lncRNA LINC01270 from TCGA database. The overexpression of LINC01270 was then verified in LUAD tumor tissues and cell lines by qRT-PCR. LINC01270 knockdown resulted in impaired cell proliferative and invasive ability via CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, colony formation assay, transwell assay, while aberrant upregulation of LINC01270 led to enhanced cell growth and invasion. Moreover, LINC01270 was found inhibiting miR-326 and thereby overexpressing the abundance of LARP1 to promote LUAD development via PI3K/AKT pathway. It was also proved that LINC01270 knockdown could suppress LUAD tumor growth in vivo. All of these findings demonstrate thatLINC01270 is a tumor promotor in LUAD via enhancing LARP1 expressed by sponging miR-326 to facilitate the development of LUAD. LINC01270 play a significant role in LUAD, which could serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis and a novel targeted remedy.