Long non-coding RNA SDPR-AS affects the development of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating SDPR through p38 MAPK/ERK signals

Ectoin attenuates cortisone-induced skin issues by suppression GR signaling and the UVB-induced overexpression of 11β-HSD1

BACKGROUND

Accelerated pace of modern work and lifestyles subject individuals to various external and psychological stressors, which, in turn, can trigger additional stress through visible signs of fatigue, hair loss, and obesity. As the primary stress hormone affecting skin health, cortisol connects to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to aggravate skin issues induced by stress. This activation depends on the expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) in skin cells, which locally converts cortisone-produced by the central and peripheral hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-into its active form.

METHODS

Our study delves deeper into stress's adverse effects on the skin, including the disruption of keratinocyte structural proteins, the loss of basement membrane proteins, and the degradation of collagen.

RESULTS

Remarkably, we discovered that Ectoin, an amino acid derivative obtained from halophilic bacteria, is capable of mitigating the inhibitory impacts of cortisone on the expression of cutaneous functional proteins, including involucrin, loricrin, laminin-5, and claudin-1. Moreover, Ectoin reduces the suppressive effect of stress on collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis by impeding GR signal transduction. Additionally, Ectoin counterbalances the UVB-induced overexpression of 11β-HSD1, thereby diminishing the concentration of endogenous glucocorticoids.

CONCLUSION

Our findings illuminate the significant potential of Ectoin as a preventative agent against stress-induced skin maladies.

Personalizing Therapy Outcomes through Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer (LC) is a highly invasive malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as its most prevalent histological subtype. Despite all breakthroughs achieved in drug development, the prognosis of NSCLC remains poor. The mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade (MAPKC) is a complex network of interacting molecules that can drive oncogenesis, cancer progression, and drug resistance when dysregulated. Over the past decades, MAPKC components have been used to design MAPKC inhibitors (MAPKCIs), which have shown varying efficacy in treating NSCLC. Thus, recent studies support the potential clinical use of MAPKCIs, especially in combination with other therapeutic approaches. This article provides an overview of the MAPKC and its inhibitors in the clinical management of NSCLC. It addresses the gaps in the current literature on different combinations of selective inhibitors while suggesting two particular therapy approaches to be researched in NSCLC: parallel and aggregate targeting of the MAPKC. This work also provides suggestions that could serve as a potential guideline to aid future research in MAPKCIs to optimize clinical outcomes in NSCLC.

Comprehensive landscape and future perspective of long noncoding RNAs in non-small cell lung cancer: it takes a village

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a distinct subtype of RNA that lack protein-coding capacity but exert significant influence on various cellular processes. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), dysregulated lncRNAs act as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors, contributing to tumorigenesis and tumor progression. LncRNAs directly modulate gene expression, act as competitive endogenous RNAs by interacting with microRNAs or proteins, and associate with RNA binding proteins. Moreover, lncRNAs can reshape the tumor immune microenvironment and influence cellular metabolism, cancer cell stemness, and angiogenesis by engaging various signaling pathways. Notably, lncRNAs have shown great potential as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in liquid biopsies and therapeutic strategies for NSCLC. This comprehensive review elucidates the significant roles and diverse mechanisms of lncRNAs in NSCLC. Furthermore, we provide insights into the clinical relevance, current research progress, limitations, innovative research approaches, and future perspectives for targeting lncRNAs in NSCLC. By summarizing the existing knowledge and advancements, we aim to enhance the understanding of the pivotal roles played by lncRNAs in NSCLC and stimulate further research in this field. Ultimately, unraveling the complex network of lncRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms in NSCLC could potentially lead to the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.

Chronic Inhalation Exposure to Antimony Trioxide Exacerbates the MAPK Signaling in Alveolar Bronchiolar Carcinomas in B6C3F1/N Mice

Antimony trioxide (AT) is used as a flame retardant in fabrics and plastics. Occupational exposure in miners and smelters is mainly through inhalation and dermal contact. Chronic inhalation exposure to AT particulates in B6C3F1/N mice and Wistar Han rats resulted in increased incidences and tumor multiplicities of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas (ABCs). In this study, we demonstrated Kras (43%) and Egfr (46%) hotspot mutations in mouse lung tumors (n = 80) and only Egfr (50%) mutations in rat lung tumors (n = 26). Interestingly, there were no differences in the incidences of these mutations in ABCs from rats and mice at exposure concentrations that did and did not exceed the pulmonary overload threshold. There was increased expression of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (Erk1/2) protein in ABCs harboring mutations in Kras and/or Egfr, confirming the activation of MAPK signaling. Transcriptomic analysis indicated significant alterations in MAPK signaling such as ephrin receptor signaling and signaling by Rho-family GTPases in AT-exposed ABCs. In addition, there was significant overlap between transcriptomic data from mouse ABCs due to AT exposure and human pulmonary adenocarcinoma data. Collectively, these data suggest chronic AT exposure exacerbates MAPK signaling in ABCs and, thus, may be translationally relevant to human lung cancers.

Human circular RNA hsa_circRNA_101705 (circTXNDC11) regulates renal cancer progression by regulating MAPK/ERK pathway

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play essential roles in the progression of human tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The present study aimed to explore the functions and potential mechanisms of human circular RNA hsa_circRNA_101705 (circTXNDC11) in RCC. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to measure circTXNDC11 expression in RCC tissues and cell lines. RNase R and actinomycin D assays were conducted to analyze the characteristic of circTXNDC11. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and transwell invasion assay were performed to assess cell proliferation and invasion abilities. Western blotting was applied to assess the levels of MEK and ERK proteins in RCC cells. Murine xenograft model assay was conducted to deduce the role of circTXNDC11 in vivo. The current data showed that circTXNDC11 was overexpressed in RCC tissues and cells. The overexpression of circTXNDC11 is linked to advanced TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of renal cancer. Knocking down circTXNDC11 suppressed cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and reduced tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, circTXNDC11 promoted RCC growth and invasion by activating the MAPK/ERK pathway. Thus, the current findings identified circTXNDC11 as a novel regulator of RCC tumorigenesis through the regulation of the MAPK/ERK pathway, offering a potential therapeutic target for RCC treatment.

Serum deprivation-response protein induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma through ASK1-JNK/p38 MAPK pathways

Serum deprivation-response protein (SDPR), a phosphatidylserine-binding protein, which is known to have a promising role in caveolar biogenesis and morphology. However, its function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was still largely unknown. In this study, we discussed the characterization and identification of SDPR, and to present it as a novel apoptosis candidate in the incidence of HCC. We identified 81 HCC cases with lower SDPR expression in the tumor tissues with the help of qRT-PCR assay, and lower SDPR expression was potentially associated with poor prognostication. The phenotypic assays revealed that cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were profoundly connected with SDPR, both in vivo and in vitro. The data obtained from the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) carried out on the liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), and also The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) findings indicated that SDPR was involved in apoptosis and flow cytometry experiments further confirmed this. Furthermore, we identified the interaction between SDPR and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), which facilitated the ASK1 N-terminus-mediated dimerization and increased ASK1-mediated signaling, thereby activating the JNK/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and finally enhanced cell apoptosis. Overall, this work identified SDPR as a tumor suppressor, because it promoted apoptosis by activating ASK1-JNK/p38 MAPK pathways in HCC.

lncRNA LINC00473 promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and inhibition of apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by acting as a sponge of miR-497-5p

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide and exhibits a poor prognosis. The present study aimed to determine the effect of long non-coding (lnc)RNA-LINC00473 on the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by regulating the expression of microRNA (miR)-497-5p. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was conducted to detect the level of LINC00473 and miR-497-5p. An MTT assay, flow cytometry and Transwell tests were performed to evaluate the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of apoptosis- and migration-related proteins. RNA immunoprecipitation and a luciferase reporter assay were performed to verify the regulatory relationship between lncRNA-LINC00473 and miR-497-5p. LINC00473 expression was upregulated in lung cancer tissues and NSCLC cells (A549 and H1299) when compared with adjacent tissues or human bronchial epithelial cell lines and the 5-year survival rate was lower in patients with high LINC00473 expression compared with in patients with low LINC00473 expression. A negative correlation between LINC00473 and miR-497-5p was observed in lung cancer tissues. Proliferation, migration and invasion as well as the related protein levels were increased in A549 and H1299 transfected with pcDNA3.1-LINC00473, while the opposite results were obtained in A549 and H1299 transfected with small interfering (si)-LINC00473. Notably, it was demonstrated that LINC00473 could bind directly with miR-497-5p and inhibit its expression. miR-497-5p inhibitors reversed the effect of si-LINC00473. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that LINC00473 promoted the malignant behaviour of NSCLC cells via regulating the ERK/p38 and MAPK signalling pathways and the expression of miR-497-5p.

Effect of Long Non-Coding RNA Small Nucleolar RNA Host Gene 14 Targeting miR-93-5p on Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Endothelial Cell Injury and Its Mechanism

To explore the influence and mechanism of lncRNA SNHG14 on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced vascular endothelial cell injury, cellular levels of SNHG14 and miRNA-93-5p were detected in oxLDL-induced vascular endothelial cells by RT-qPCR, and the levels of MDA, SOD and GSH-Px were detected by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to detect cellular apoptosis, and western blot analysis was used to determine the abundance of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. SNHG14 small interfering RNA or miRNA-93-5p mimics were transfected into vascular endothelial cells to interfere with SNHG14 expression or overexpress miRNA-93-5p. To study the effects of interfering with SNHG14 expression or overexpression of miRNA-93-5p, the levels of MDA, SOD and GSH-Px, apoptosis and the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax protein were studied in oxLDL-induced endothelial cells with either altered SNHG14 expression or overexpressed miRNA-93-5p. A dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment verified the regulatory connection between SNHG14 and miRNA-93-5p. After oxLDL acted on vascular endothelial cells, the expression levels of SNHG14 were significantly increased, while the expression levels of miRNA-93-5p were significantly reduced, MDA levels were increased, and SOD and GSH-Px activities were reduced. Both the apoptosis rate and Bax protein levels were significantly increased, and Bcl-2 expression was reduced. Interference with SNHG14 expression or overexpression of miRNA-93-5p can reduce the MDA content in oxLDL-induced vascular endothelial cells, increase the activity of SOD and GSH-Px, and reduce the apoptosis rate and Bax protein levels, and promote Bcl-2 expression. SNHG14 targeted to negatively regulate miRNA-93-5p expression, inhibited miRNA-93-5p expression and reversed the interference of SNHG14 expression with oxLDL-induced variation in MDA, SOD and GSH-Px levels, apoptosis rate, and Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels. Interference of SNHG14 expression may reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells induced by oxLDL by negatively regulating the expression of miRNA-93-5p.

Downregulation of microRNA-324-3p inhibits lung cancer by blocking the NCAM1-MAPK axis through ALX4

Lung cancer remains the principal cause of cancer-related death worldwide. As microRNAs (miRNAs) are critically involved in lung cancer, we investigated the potential role of miR-324-3p in lung cancer via the ALX4/NCAM1/MAPK axis. The expression of miR-324-3p and ALX4 was detected in clinical samples, and their interaction confirmed by miRNA-targeted luciferase reporter assay. The mechanisms involved in the miR-324-3p-ALX4 interaction in lung cancer cell biological processes were analyzed through gain- and loss-of function approaches. In addition, cultured lung cancer cells were treated with the p38MAPK pathway activator P79350 in order to explore the role of this pathway in the abovementioned axis. Further, a tumor xenograft model in nude mice was constructed to confirm the in vitro findings. miR-324-3p was highly expressed in lung cancer tissues and cells, and inhibited the expression of ALX4 in A549 cells. After confirming the targeted inhibition of ALX4 by miR-324-3p, we showed that this interaction upregulated the expression of NCAM1 and activated the MAPK pathway. The inhibition of miR-324-3p could suppress lung cancer cell invasion, migration, and autophagy, and retarded the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. Downregulation of ALX4 or NCAM1 overexpression reversed these favorable effects of decreased miR-324-3p. Our study demonstrated the promotive effect of miR-324-3p on the development and progression of lung cancer, thus suggesting a new target for treatment of this devastating disease.

Osteopontin Mediates Cetuximab Resistance via the MAPK Pathway in NSCLC Cells

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. The high expression of osteopontin (OPN) is an important factor that aggravates drug resistance and causes a poor prognosis in this disease. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism of OPN is critical for the treatment and prognosis of NSCLC.

Methods

We used bioinformatics analysis to verify the expression of OPN in normal lung tissues and lung cancer tissues. Then we overexpressed and knocked down OPN in cell lines to detect cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and effects on signaling pathways. Finally, malignant progression and drug resistance induced by OPN were investigated by the wound healing assay, transwell assay, clone formation assay, and Western blot analysis.

Results

We verified that OPN was upregulated in NSCLC tissues, and its overexpression induced NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Furthermore, overexpression of OPN reduced the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to cetuximab by upregulating MAPK pathway-related proteins. These results suggested that OPN promoted malignant progression and mediated drug resistance via the MAPK signaling pathway in NSCLC cells.

Conclusion

This study reveals the important role of OPN in NSCLC cells, making it a potential target for improving chemotherapy efficiency in patients with NSCLC.