LncRNA PTENP1 inhibits cervical cancer progression by suppressing miR-106b

Bioinformatics analysis illustrates the functions of miR-377-5p in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is a frequent disease in women whose development is related with miRNA disorder. MiR-377-5p plays a negative role in the development of some tumors, while few studies have revealed its role in CC. In this study, the functions of miR-377-5p in CC were investigated by bioinformatics. Briefly, the expression and survival curve of miR-377-5p in CC was analyzed with the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and the abundance of miR-377-5p in clinical samples and CC cell lines were measured by qRT-PCR. Moreover, the MicroRNA Data Integration Portal (miRDIP) database was used to predict targets of miR-377-5p, and the Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery (David) was used for enrichment analysis of the functions of the miR-377-5p. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database was used to screen the hub targets of miR-377-5p. Moreover, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database was used to analyze the abundance of the genes in CC. Results showed that decreased miR-377-5p was found in the CC tissues and cell lines, and low miR-377-5p was connected with poor prognosis of patients. Besides, the targets of miR-377-5p were enriched in the PI3K/AKT, MAPK and RAS signaling pathways. Moreover, CDC42, FLT1, TPM3 and CAV1 were screened as hub nodes in the targets of miR-377-5p, and increased CDC42, FLT1, TPM3 and CAV1 also indicated the poor survival rates of the patients in the long term. In conclusion, this study suggests that miR-377-5p downregulation is a biomarker event for CC progression.

The role and mechanism of NAT10-mediated ac4C modification in tumor development and progression

RNA modification has emerged as a crucial area of research in epigenetics, significantly influencing tumor biology by regulating RNA metabolism. N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10)-mediated N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification, the sole known acetylation in eukaryotic RNA, influences cancer pathogenesis and progression. NAT10 is the only writer of ac4C and catalyzes acetyl transfer on targeted RNA, and ac4C helps to improve the stability and translational efficiency of ac4C-modified RNA. NAT10 is highly expressed and associated with poor prognosis in pan-cancers. Based on its molecular mechanism and biological functions, ac4C is a central factor in tumorigenesis, tumor progression, drug resistance, and tumor immune escape. Despite the increasing focus on ac4C, the specific regulatory mechanisms of ac4C in cancer remain elusive. The present review thoroughly analyzes the current knowledge on NAT10-mediated ac4C modification in cancer, highlighting its broad regulatory influence on targeted gene expression and tumor biology. This review also summarizes the limitations and perspectives of current research on NAT10 and ac4C in cancer, to identify new therapeutic targets and advance cancer treatment strategies.

Retracted article: Knockdown of long non-coding RNA AGAP2-AS1 suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of glioma by targeting microRNA-497-5p

Yi Sun, Yulong Shen and Xing Li. Knockdown of long non-coding RNA AGAP2-AS1 suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of glioma by targeting microRNA-497-5p. Bioengineered. 2021 Oct. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1995573.Since publication, significant concerns have been raised about the compliance with ethical policies for human research and the integrity of the data reported in the article.When approached for an explanation, the authors provided some original data but were not able to provide all the necessary supporting information. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the scholarly record's integrity, we are retracting the article. All authors listed in this publication have been informed.We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as 'Retracted.'

RBPMS-AS1 sponges miR-19a-3p to restrain cervical cancer cells via enhancing PLCL1-mediated pyroptosis

Cervical cancer (CC) poses a threat to human health. Enhancing pyroptosis can prevent the proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells. This study aims to reveal the candidates that modulate pyroptosis in CC. Accordingly, the common microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) that were sponged by RBPMS antisense RNA 1 (RBPMS-AS1) and could target Phospholipase C-Like 1 (PLCL1) were intersected. The expression of PBPMS-AS1/miR-19a-3p (candidate miRNA)/PLCL1 was predicted in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC), by which the expression location of RBPMS-AS1 and the binding between RBPMS-AS1/PLCL1 and miR-19a-3p were analyzed. The targeting relationship between RBPMS-AS1/PLCL1 and miR-19a-3p was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. After the transfection, cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and Western blot were implemented for cell viability and proliferation analysis as well as gene and protein expression quantification analysis. Based on the results, RBPMS-AS1 and PLCL1 were lowly expressed, yet miR-19a-3p was highly expressed in CESC. RBPMS-AS1 overexpression diminished the proliferation and expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin, and miR-19a-3p, yet enhanced those of E-cadherin, PLCL1, and pyroptosis-relevant proteins (inteleukin-1β, caspase-1, and gasdermin D N-terminal). However, the above RBPMS-AS1 overexpression-induced effects were counteracted in the presence of miR-19a-3p. There also existed a targeting relationship and negative interplay between PLCL1 and miR-19a-3p. In short, RBPMS-AS1 sponges miR-19a-3p and represses the growth and EMT of CC cells via enhancing PLCL1-mediated pyroptosis.

GRASLND regulates melanoma cell progression by targeting the miR-218-5p/STAM2 axis

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important regulatory roles in biological processes and are dysregulated in numerous tumors. The lncRNA GRASLND functions as an oncogene in many cancers, but its role in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) requires further investigation.

METHODS

SiRNA transfection, wound - healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate the effect of GRASLND on cellular function.

RESULTS

The present study demonstrated that GRASLND expression is increased in SKCM tissues and cell lines. The high expression of GRASLND was correlated with poor prognosis and immunotherapy outcomes. Knockdown of GRASLND significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion. In addition, we found that miR-218-5p directly binds to its binding site on GRASLND, and GRASLND and miR-218-5p demonstrate mutual inhibition. Furthermore, the miR-218-5p inhibitor partially eliminated the knockdown of GRASLND and inhibited its expression. We also demonstrated that GRASLND acts as a miR-218-5p sponge that positively regulates STAM2 expression in SKCM cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, these data suggest that GRASLND functions by regulating miR-218-5p/STAM2 expression, suggesting an important role for the lncRNA‒miRNA-mRNA functional network and a new potential therapeutic target for SKCM.

Ethanolic extract from Sophora moorcroftiana inhibit cell proliferation and alter the mechanical properties of human cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies. Previous studies have shown that the ethanol extract of Sophora moorcroftiana seeds (EESMS) possesses an antiproliferative effect on several tumors in vitro. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the impact of EESMS on human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell proliferation.

METHODS

The proliferation and apoptotic effects of HeLa cells treated with EESMS were evaluated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining, flow cytometry, and western blotting. Single-cell level atomic force microscopy (AFM) was conducted to detect the mechanical properties of HeLa cells, and proteomics and bioinformatics methods were used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of EESMS.

RESULTS

EESMS treatment inhibited HeLa cell proliferation by blocking the G0/G1 phase, increasing the expression of Caspase-3 and affecting its mechanical properties, and the EESMS indicated no significant inhibitory effect on mouse fibroblasts L929 cell line. In total, 218 differentially expressed proteins were identified using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and eight differentially expressed proteins were successfully identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The differentially expressed proteins were involved in various cellular and biological processes.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a perspective on how cells change through biomechanics and a further theoretical foundation for the future application of Sophora moorcroftiana as a novel low-toxicity chemotherapy medication for treating human cervical cancer.

Promotive actions of lncRNA EBLN3P involved in cervical cancer progression via interacting with miR-29c-3p and TAF15 to modify RCC2

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a common cancer that seriously affects women's health globally. The key roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the onset and development of cervical cancer have attracted much attention. Our study aims to uncover the roles of lncRNA EBLN3P and miR-29c-3p and the mechanisms by which EBLN3P and miR-29c-3p regulate malignancy in cervical cancer.

METHODS

Tumor and adjacent normal tissues were collected from cervical cancer patients, and the expression of EBLN3P and miR-29c-3p were analyzed via RT-qPCR. The capacities of proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed using CCK-8, wound healing and transwell assays. The interaction among EBLN3P, miR-29c-3p and TAF15 was determined by luciferase, RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays, respectively. A subcutaneous tumor xenograft mouse model was established to evaluate the functional role of EBLN3P in vivo.

RESULTS

The interaction and reciprocal negative regulation between EBLN3P and miR-29c-3p were uncovered in cervical cancer cells. Likewise, EBLN3P and miR-29c-3p expression patterns in tumor tissues presented a negative association. EBLN3P knockdown weakened cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but these effects were abrogated by miR-29c-3p depletion. Mechanistically, ALKBH5 might impaired EBLN3P stability to reduce its expression. EBLN3P functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-29c-3p to relieve its suppression of RCC2. Besides, EBLN3P enhanced RCC2 mRNA stability via interacting with TAF15. Furthermore, silencing of EBLN3P repressed the tumor growth in mice.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, lncRNA EBLN3P positively regulates RCC2 expression via competitively binding to miR-29c-3p and interacting with TAF15, thereby boosting proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cells.

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.

lncRNA799/TBL1XR1/ZEB1 Axis Forms a Feedback Loop to Promote the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Cervical Cancer Cells

Cervical cancer is a common malignancy among women worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently involved in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potentials of lncRNA799 in cervical cancer. mRNA and protein expression were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. Cellular functions were assessed using CCK-8, wound healing and transwell analysis. The binding potential of zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) on the promoter of lncRNA799 was predicted utilizing the JASPAR database, and was then verified by luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Furthermore, the gene interactions were assessed using RNA immunoprecipitation and co-immunoprecipitation assays. The results demonstrated that lncRNA799 was upregulated in cervical cancer cells. However, lncRNA799 deficiency suppressed the proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, lncRNA799 could interact with eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A3 to maintain the mRNA stability of transducin (β)-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 (TBL1XR1) and promote the interaction between ZEB1 and TBL1XR1. Additionally, the results showed that ZEB1 could transcriptionally activate lncRNA799. Taken together, the present study suggested that the lncRNA799/TBL1XR1/ZEB1 axis could form a positive feedback loop in cervical cancer and could be, therefore, considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.

Interplay between LncRNA/miRNA and TGF-β Signaling in the Tumorigenesis of Gynecological Cancer

Gynecologic cancers are among the most common malignancies with aggressive features and poor prognosis. Tumorigenesis in gynecologic cancers is a complicated process that is influenced by multiple factors, including genetic mutations that activate various oncogenic signaling pathways, including the TGF-β pathway. Aberrant activation of TGF-β signaling is correlated with tumor recurrence and metastasis. It has been shown that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have crucial effects on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis. Upregulation of various ncRNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) and microRNAs (miRNAs), has been reported in several tumors, like cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, but their cellular mechanisms remain to be investigated. Thus, recognizing the role of ncRNAs in regulating the TGF-β pathway may provide novel strategies for better treatment of cancer patients. The present study summarizes recent findings on the role of ncRNAs in regulating the TGF-β signaling involved in tumor progression and metastasis in gynecologic cancers.

ceRNA networks in gynecological cancers progression and resistance

Gynecological cancers are the second most common types of cancer in women. Clinical diagnosis of these cancers is often delayed or misdiagnosed due to lack of insight into their tumorigenesis mechanism and specific diagnostic biomarkers. Many studies have demonstrated that competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) modulate the progression and resistance of gynecological cancer through microRNA (miRNA)-mediated mechanisms, which affect gene expression in multiple cancer-related pathways. Here we review studies on the involvement of the ceRNA hypothesis in the progression and resistance of gynaecological cancers to validate some ceRNAs as therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers.

LncRNA ABHD11-AS1 activates EGFR signaling to promote cervical cancer progression by preventing FUS-mediated degradation of ABHD11 mRNA

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological cancers with high metastasis, poor prognosis and conventional chemotherapy. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ABHD11 antisense RNA 1 (ABHD11-AS1) plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Especially for cervical cancer, the functions and mechanisms of ABHD11-AS1 are still undetermined. In this study, we explored the role and underlying mechanism of ABHD11-AS1 in cervical cancer. We found that ABHD11-AS1 is highly expressed in cervical cancer tissue. The roles of ABHD11-AS1 and EGFR have investigated the loss of function analysis and cell movability in SiHa and Hela cells. Knockdown of ABHD11-AS1 and EGFR significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis of SiHa and Hela cells by up-regulating p21 and Bax and down-regulating cyclin D1, Bcl2, MMP9, and Vimentin. ABHD11-AS1 knockdown could decrease the expression of EGFR. In addition, ABHD11-AS1 could regulate the EGFR signaling pathway, including p-EGFR, p-AKT, and p-ERK. Spearman's correlation analysis and cell experiments demonstrated that ABHD11 was highly expressed in tumor tissue and partially offset the effect of shABHD11-AS1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SiHa and Hela cells. Then, RNA pulldown was used to ascertain the mechanisms of ABHD11-AS1 and FUS. ABHD11-AS1 inhibited ABHD11 mRNA degradation by bounding to FUS. A subcutaneous xenograft of SiHa cells was established to investigate the effect of ABHD11-AS1 in tumor tissue. Knockdown of ABDH11-AS1 inhibited tumor growth and decreased the tumor volume. ABHD11-AS1 knockdown inhibited the expression of Ki67 and Vimentin and up-regulated the expression of Tunel. Our data indicated that ABHD11-AS1 promoted cervical cancer progression by activating EGFR signaling, preventing FUS-mediated degradation of ABHD11 mRNA. Our findings provide novel insights into the potential role of lncRNA in cervical cancer therapy.

A novel necroptosis-related long non-coding RNA signature predicts prognosis and immune response in cervical cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Necroptosis has been linked to the development of tumors. Long non-coding RNAs (IncRNAs) have been identified as having a major role in numerous biological and pathological procedures. Despite this, the precise role that necroptosis-related lncRNAs (NRLs) have in cervical cancer (CC) and their potential for predicting its prognosis is still to a large extent unclear.

METHODS

Gene expression RNA-sequencing data, mutational data, and clinical profiles for 309 CC patients were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The NRLs were then identified with Pearson correlation analysis followed by splitting of the patients into training and validation sets in a 3:2 ratio. Cox and LASSO regression models were performed to construct a cervical cancer prognostic signature based on NRLs. This 5-NRLs signature was then verified by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and nomogram for prognostic prediction. Further, a correlation study between the risk score (RS) and immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint molecules, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and the sensitivity of chemotherapy drug was conducted. To validate the 5-NRLs, a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was finally performed.

RESULTS

The 5-NRLs signature was designed to accurately predict the prognosis of CC. It consists of AC092153.1, AC007686.3, LINC01281, AC009097.2, and RUSC1-AS1 and was found to be highly predictive using ROC and Kaplan-Meier curves. Furthermore, when analyzed through stratified survival analysis, it was confirmed to be an independent risk factor for prognosis. The nomogram and calibration curves further validated its clinical utility. Moreover, distinct differences between two risk groups were observed when examining immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint molecules, somatic gene alterations and half-inhibitory concentration of anticancer drug.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-NRLs signature is a novel and valuable tool for evaluating the prognosis of CC patients, providing clinicians with an informed decision-making framework to formulate tailored treatment plans for their patients.

PTEN, PTENP1, microRNAs, and ceRNA Networks: Precision Targeting in Cancer Therapeutics

The phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a well characterised tumour suppressor, playing a critical role in the maintenance of fundamental cellular processes including cell proliferation, migration, metabolism, and survival. Subtle decreases in cellular levels of PTEN result in the development and progression of cancer, hence there is tight regulation of the expression, activity, and cellular half-life of PTEN at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. PTENP1, the processed pseudogene of PTEN, is an important transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulator of PTEN. PTENP1 expression produces sense and antisense transcripts modulating PTEN expression, in conjunction with miRNAs. Due to the high sequence similarity between PTEN and the PTENP1 sense transcript, the transcripts possess common miRNA binding sites with the potential for PTENP1 to compete for the binding, or 'sponging', of miRNAs that would otherwise target the PTEN transcript. PTENP1 therefore acts as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), competing with PTEN for the binding of specific miRNAs to alter the abundance of PTEN. Transcription from the antisense strand produces two functionally independent isoforms (PTENP1-AS-α and PTENP1-AS-β), which can regulate PTEN transcription. In this review, we provide an overview of the post-transcriptional regulation of PTEN through interaction with its pseudogene, the cellular miRNA milieu and operation of the ceRNA network. Furthermore, its importance in maintaining cellular integrity and how disruption of this PTEN-miRNA-PTENP1 axis may lead to cancer but also provide novel therapeutic opportunities, is discussed. Precision targeting of PTENP1-miRNA mediated regulation of PTEN may present as a viable alternative therapy.

LncRNA AC012360.1 facilitates growth and metastasis by regulating the miR-139-5p/LPCAT1 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, whether lncRNA AC012360.1 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. In HCC tissues, differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified by bioinformatics. AC012360.1 level was validated and its role in HCC progression was investigated. Among the top 10 upregulated lncRNAs, AC012360.1 exhibited the greatest increase in HCC tissues. Additionally, AC012360.1 was upregulated in HCC tissues/cells. Moreover, AC012360.1 knockdown refrained cell proliferation/metastasis and tumor growth. Conversely, AC012360.1 overexpression showed an oncogenic role. AC012360.1 and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) contained miR-139-5p binding sites. Furthermore, miR-139-5p silencing partially mitigated the role of AC012360.1 knockdown, while LPCAT1 knockdown partially abolished the tumor-promoting effect of AC012360.1 overexpression. In conclusion, AC012360.1 exhibited its oncogenic function in HCC through sponging miR-139-5p and upregulating LPCAT1 expression.

The "LINC" between Δ40p53-miRNA Axis in the Regulation of Cellular Homeostasis

Previous research has shown that Δ40p53, the translational isoform of p53, can inhibit cell growth independently of p53 by regulating microRNAs. Here, we explored the role of Δ40p53 in regulating the long noncoding RNA-micro-RNA-cellular process axis, specifically focusing on LINC00176. Interestingly, LINC00176 levels were predominantly affected by the overexpression/stress-mediated induction and knockdown of Δ40p53 rather than p53 levels. Additional assays revealed that Δ40p53 transactivates LINC00176 transcriptionally and could also regulate its stability. RNA immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that LINC00176 sequesters several putative microRNA targets, which could further titrate several mRNA targets involved in different cellular processes. To understand the downstream effects of this regulation, we ectopically overexpressed and knocked down LINC00176 in HCT116 p53-/- (harboring only Δ40p53) cells, which affected their proliferation, cell viability, and expression of epithelial markers. Our results provide essential insights into the pivotal role of Δ40p53 in regulating the novel LINC00176 RNA-microRNA-mRNA axis independent of FL-p53 and in maintaining cellular homeostasis.

LncRNAs and regulated cell death in tumor cells

Regulated Cell Death (RCD) is a mode of cell death that occurs through drug or genetic intervention. The regulation of RCDs is one of the significant reasons for the long survival time of tumor cells and poor prognosis of patients. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which are involved in the regulation of tumor biological processes, including RCDs occurring on tumor cells, are closely related to tumor progression. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of eight different RCDs which contain apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, NETosis, entosis, ferroptosis, autosis and cuproptosis. Meanwhile, their respective roles in the tumor are aggregated. In addition, we outline the literature that is related to the regulatory relationships between lncRNAs and RCDs in tumor cells, which is expected to provide new ideas for tumor diagnosis and treatment.

The miR-183 Cluster: Biogenesis, Functions, and Cell Communication via Exosomes in Cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death. MicroRNAs have been found to be closely associated with cancer. The miR-183 cluster, comprising miR-183, miR-96, and miR-182, is transcribed as a polycistronic miRNA cluster. Importantly, in most cases, these clusters promote cancer development through different pathways. Exosomes, as extracellular vesicles, play an important role in cellular communication and the regulation of the tissue microenvironment. Interestingly, the miR-183 cluster can be detected in exosomes and plays a functional regulatory role in tumor development. Here, the biogenesis and functions of the miR-183 cluster in highly prevalent cancers and their relationship with other non-coding RNAs are summarized. In addition, the miR-183 cluster in exosomes has also been discussed. Finally, we discuss the miR-183 cluster as a promising target for cancer therapy. This review is expected to provide a new direction for cancer treatment.

LncRNA NR_003508 Suppresses Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Induced Programmed Necrosis via Sponging miR-346-3p to Regulate RIPK1

Emerging evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are involved in Mtb-induced programmed necrosis. Among these LncRNAs, LncRNA NR_003508 is associated with LPS-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, whether LncRNA NR_003508 contributes to Mtb-induced programmed necrosis remains undocumented. Firstly, the expression of LncRNA NR_003508 was determined using RT-qPCR and FISH. The protein expression of RIPK1, p-RIPK1, RIPK3, p-RIPK3, MLKL, and p-MLKL was measured by Western blot in RAW264.7 and mouse lung tissues. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assays and bioinformatics were used to predict specific miRNA (miR-346-3p) and mRNA (RIPK1) regulated by LncRNA NR_003508. In addition, RT-qPCR was used to detect the RIPK1 expression in TB patients and healthy peripheral blood. The flow cytometry assay was performed to detect cell necrosis rates. Here we show that BCG infection-induced cell necrosis and increased LncRNA NR_003508 expression. si-NR_003508 inhibited BCG/H37Rv-induced programmed necrosis in vitro or in vivo. Functionally, LncRNA NR_003508 has been verified as a ceRNA for absorbing miR-346-3p, which targets RIPK1. Moreover, RIPK1 expression was elevated in the peripheral blood of TB patients compared with healthy people. Knockdown of LncRNA NR_003508 or miR-346-3p overexpression suppresses cell necrosis rate and ROS accumulation in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, LncRNA NR_003508 functions as a positive regulator of Mtb-induced programmed necrosis via sponging miR-346-3p to regulate RIPK1. Our findings may provide a promising therapeutic target for tuberculosis.

Long Non-coding RNA LINC01224 Promotes the Malignant Behaviors of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells via Regulating the miR-193a-5p/NUP210 Axis

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a prevalent malignant tumor in women and is characterized by high incidence and mortality. Current evidence has suggested that multiple long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play regulatory roles in TNBC, while the specific mechanism of LINC01224 in TNBC remains unclear. In this study, LINC01224 was highly expressed in TNBC cells. Moreover, LINC01224 downregulation inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. Additionally, LINC01224 stabilized NUP210 mRNA through interaction with miR-193a-5p, thereby aggravating the malignant phenotypes of TNBC. Overall, LINC01224 functions as a tumor promoter for TNBC.

Novel Prognostic Biomarkers for Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Endocervical Adenocarcinoma (CESC) Patients via Analysis of Competing Endogenous RNA (ceRNA) Network

Background

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) is a common malignant gynecological cancer. The ceRNA networks play important roles in many tumors, while RILPL2-related ceRNA network has been seldom studied in CESC.

Methods

All CESC data was obtained from TCGA database. Differentially expressed RNAs and predicted target RNAs were cross analyzed to construct ceRNA network. RNA and clinicopathological characteristics' influence on overall survival (OS) were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Lasso regression was used to construct the prediction model. Coexpression analysis was performed to explore the association of gene expression with CESC. This was followed by an experimental validation based on these results.

Results

Between high and low RILPL2 expression CESC patients, totally 1227 DEmRNAs, 39 DEmiRNAs, and 1544 DElncRNAs were identified. After multiple cross analyses, 1 miRNA hsa-miR-1293, 20 mRNAs, and 43 lncRNAs were maintained to construct ceRNA network. CADM3-AS1, LINC00092, and ZNF667-AS1 in ceRNA network were significantly associated with the OS of CESC patients, and patients with low expression of these lncRNAs had worse prognosis. Significant lower expressions of these lncRNAs were also observed in CESC cell line compared with normal cell line.

Conclusion

Low expressions of CADM3-AS1, LINC00092, and ZNF667-AS1 in ceRNA network were probably promising poor prognostic biomarkers for CESC patients. The genes show a prospective research area for CESC-targeted treatment in the future.

Data resources and computational methods for lncRNA-disease association prediction

Increasing interest has been attracted in deciphering the potential disease pathogenesis through lncRNA-disease association (LDA) prediction, regarding to the diverse functional roles of lncRNAs in genome regulation. Whilst, computational models and algorithms benefit systematic biology research, even facilitate the classical biological experimental procedures. In this review, we introduce representative diseases associated with lncRNAs, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. Current publicly available resources related to lncRNAs and diseases have also been included. Furthermore, all of the 64 computational methods for LDA prediction have been divided into 5 groups, including machine learning-based methods, network propagation-based methods, matrix factorization- and completion-based methods, deep learning-based methods, and graph neural network-based methods. The common evaluation methods and metrics in LDA prediction have also been discussed. Finally, the challenges and future trends in LDA prediction have been discussed. Recent advances in LDA prediction approaches have been summarized in the GitHub repository at https://github.com/sheng-n/lncRNA-disease-methods.

LncRNA-mRNA expression profile and functional network of vascular dysfunction in septic rats

BACKGROUND

We used microarrays to analyse the changes in long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs in aorta tissue in model rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis and determined the lncRNA-mRNA and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA functional networks.

METHODS

Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide, and the lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the aorta were evaluated using microarrays. The functions of the differentially expressed mRNAs were analysed using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses. We then constructed coding/non-coding co-expression and competing endogenous RNA networks to study the mechanisms related to sepsis in rats.

RESULTS

We identified 503 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 2479 differentially expressed mRNAs in the model rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis. Mitochondrial fission process 1 (MTFP1) was the most significantly down-regulated mRNA. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the significantly down-regulated mRNAs in the sepsis models were in pathways related to mitochondrial structure, function, and energy metabolism. Coding/non-coding co-expression and competing endogenous RNA analyses were conducted using 12 validated lncRNAs in combination with all mRNAs. The coding/non-coding co-expression analysis showed that the 12 validated lncRNAs were mainly regulatory factors for abnormal energy metabolism, including mitochondrial structure damage and aberrant mitochondrial dynamics. The competing endogenous RNA analysis revealed that the potential functions of these 12 lncRNAs might be related to the inflammatory response.

CONCLUSION

We determined the differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in the aorta of septic rats using microarrays. Further studies on these lncRNAs will help elucidate the mechanism of sepsis at the genetic level and may identify potential therapeutic targets.

BMSC-derived exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 suppresses the malignant phenotypes of bladder cancer by upregulating SCARA5 expression

LncRNAs can be transported to tumor cells where they exert regulatory effects by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC)-derived exosomes. Here, we aimed to investigate the functional mechanism of BMSC-derived exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 in the progression of bladder cancer (BC). Methods of BMSC were identified by detecting surface markers through flow cytometry. Exosomes from BMSC were identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and western blot analysis of exosome markers. Cellular internalization of BMSC-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exo) into BC cells was detected by confocal microscopy. CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays were adopted to estimate cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion abilities, respectively. Interplay between miR-17 and lncRNA PTENP1 or SCARA5 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull down, and/or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Tumor xenograft assay was conducted in nude mice to study the role of exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 in BC progression in vivo. We showed exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 can be delivered into and suppress the malignant phenotypes of BC cells. LncRNA PTENP1 was identified as a sponge of miR-17, and SCARA5 was identified as a target gene of miR-17. The exosomes derived from PTENP1-overexpressing BMSC (BMSC^OE-PTENP1-Exo) abolished the promotive effects of miR-17 overexpression or SCARA5 knockdown on the malignant phenotypes of BC cells. Moreover, exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 was demonstrated to inhibit BC tumor growth in nude mice by miR-17/SCARA5 axis. In conclusion, BMSC-derived exosomal PTENP1 suppressed the BC progression by upregulating the expression of SCARA5 via sponging miR-17, offering a potential novel therapeutic target for BC therapy.

DARS-AS1 modulates cell proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells by regulating miR-330-3p/NAT10 axis

The long noncoding RNA DARS-AS1 was aberrantly expressed and participated in several human cancer progressions, whereas whether DARS-AS1 is involved in human gastric cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of DARS-AS1 on gastric cancer progression and explore the potential regulatory network of DARS-AS1/miR-330-3p/NAT10. The expression levels of DARS-AS1, miR-330-3p, and NAT10 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay were used to determine the cell viability, migration, and invasion capacities, respectively. The target association between miR-330-3p and DARS-AS1 or NAT10 was confirmed using a luciferase reporter assay. In result, DARS-AS1 levels were elevated in tumor tissues and associated with shorter overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. Knockdown of DARS-AS1 could hamper cell viability, migration, and invasion in gastric cancer cells. DARS-AS1 acts as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate the NAT10 expression by sponging miR-330-3p in gastric cancer cells. In conclusion, DARS-AS1 was elevated in gastric cancer, and DARS-AS1/miR-330-3p/NAT10 signaling offered some new horizons for predicting prognosis and a novel therapeutic method for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Construction of ceRNA network and key gene screening in cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to construct an endogenous competition network for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions using differential gene screening.

METHODS

GSE149763 was used to screen differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs to predict correlated microRNAs (miRNAs). The correlated miRNAs and GSE105409 were used to screen differentially expressed miRNAs for differential co-expression analysis, and the co-expressed differentially expressed miRNAs were used to predict correlated mRNAs. Differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs were visualized, and differential gene screening, enrichment, and pathway analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The ceRNA network of cervical squamous intraepithelial was successfully established and a potential differentially expressed network was identified. The key genes were VEGFA and FOS, and the key pathway was the MAPK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

The differential expression and potential effects of the lncRNA BACH1-IT1/miR-140-5p/VEGFA axis, key genes, VEGFA and FOS, and MAPK signaling in CIN were clarified, and the occurrence and potential effects of CIN were further clarified. The underlying molecular mechanism provides a certain degree of reference for subsequent treatments and experimental research.

Comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs model in tumor immune microenvironment and prognostic value of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading gynecological malignancy in females worldwide. Cuproptosis, a form of cell death induced by copper, elicits a novel therapeutic strategy in anticancer therapy. Nonetheless, the effects of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs in CC remain unclear. Therefore, we aim to investigate cuproptosis-related lncRNAs, develop a risk model for prognostic prediction, and elucidate the immunological profile of CC. Transcription profiles and clinical follow-up data of CC were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Afterward, the risk model was built by distinguishing prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNAs using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. The correctness of the risk model was validated, and a nomogram was established followed by tumor immune microenvironment analysis. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scores were used to assess immunotherapy response, and anticancer pharmaceutical half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) prediction was performed for potential chemotherapy medicines. Finally, through coexpression analysis, 199 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs were collected. A unique risk model was generated using 6 selected prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNAs. The risk score performed a reliable independent prediction of CC survival with higher diagnostic effectiveness compared to generic clinical characteristics. Immunological cell infiltration investigation indicated that the risk model was substantially linked with CC patients’ immunology, and the low-risk patients had lower TIDE scores and increased checkpoint expression, suggesting a stronger immunotherapy response. Besides, the high-risk group exhibited distinct sensitivity to anticancer medications. The immune-related progression was connected to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between risk groups. Generally, the risk model comprised 6 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs that may help predict CC patients’ overall survival, indicate immunocyte infiltration, and identify individualized treatment.

Prognostic value of lncRNA HOXA-AS3 in cervical cancer by targeting miR-29a-3p and its regulatory effect on tumor progression

BACKGROUND

With the promotion of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, cervical cancer has become a current research hotspot, and lncRNA has been confirmed to be used in the research of different diseases. This article systematically expounds the regulation and potential mechanisms of HOXA cluster antisense RNA 3 (HOXA-AS3) in cervical cancer, and discusses its possibility as a prognostic biomarker for cervical cancer.

METHODS

Relative expression levels of HOXA-AS3 and miR-29a-3p in tissues and cells were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The survival of cervical cancer patients was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and the cumulative survival function table was drawn. The proliferation, migration, and invasion levels of HOXA-AS3 in cells were detected according to cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell method. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the mechanism of action between HOXA-AS3 and miR-29a-3p.

RESULTS

HOXA-AS3 was elevated and miR-29a-3p was decreased in tissues and cells of cervical cancer patients. Knockdown of HOXA-AS3 could inhibit the progression of cervical cancer and was more conducive to patient survival. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed that HOXA-AS3 negatively regulates cervical cancer development by sponging miR-29a-3p.

CONCLUSION

In this research, knockdown of HOXA-AS3 could alleviate the process of cervical cancer by sponging miR-29a-3p, suggesting that HOXA-AS3 may be a potential prognostic target of cervical cancer, which could provide a theoretical basis for future clinical research of cervical cancer.

A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17)-Modified Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) Enhance Drug-Resistant Cervical Cancer Development

ADAM-17 is a type I transmembrane protein, and its abnormal expression affects the body development and tumor growth. BMSCs act as a target gene carrier in tumor tissues. This study mainly aims to explore the role of ADAM-17 and BMSCs in drug-resistant cervical cancer (CC). BMSCs were transfected with ADAM-17 or empty vectors and then co-cultured with cisplatin-resistant CC cells followed by analysis of cell morphology. The in vivo effect of ADAM-17-modified BMSC was evaluated using animal model of CC. The protein expression of ADAM-17, EGFR, PI3K, and Akt was detected using Western blot and RT-qPCR. Transfection of ADAM-17 significantly facilitated tumor growth at different time points (4 d, 7 d, 10 d, 14 d), accompanied with the upregulation of ADAM-17, EGFR, PI3K, and Akt expression (p < 0.05) without differences between empty vector group and blank group (p > 0.05). Mechanistically, ADAM-17 directly targets EGFR in CC. In conclusion, ADAM-17-modified BMSC enhances the growth of drug-resistant CC cell and tumor growth through EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which may contribute to a novel therapy for treating CC.

Emerging role of exosomes in cancer progression and tumor microenvironment remodeling

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and the factors responsible for its progression need to be elucidated. Exosomes are structures with an average size of 100 nm that can transport proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. This review focuses on the role of exosomes in cancer progression and therapy. We discuss how exosomes are able to modulate components of the tumor microenvironment and influence proliferation and migration rates of cancer cells. We also highlight that, depending on their cargo, exosomes can suppress or promote tumor cell progression and can enhance or reduce cancer cell response to radio- and chemo-therapies. In addition, we describe how exosomes can trigger chronic inflammation and lead to immune evasion and tumor progression by focusing on their ability to transfer non-coding RNAs between cells and modulate other molecular signaling pathways such as PTEN and PI3K/Akt in cancer. Subsequently, we discuss the use of exosomes as carriers of anti-tumor agents and genetic tools to control cancer progression. We then discuss the role of tumor-derived exosomes in carcinogenesis. Finally, we devote a section to the study of exosomes as diagnostic and prognostic tools in clinical courses that is important for the treatment of cancer patients. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of exosomes in cancer therapy, focusing on their therapeutic value in cancer progression and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate cervical cancer by delivering miR-331-3p to reduce LIMS2 methylation in tumor cells

This study is to investigate if extracellular vesicles (EVs) from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) deliver miR-331-3p to regulate LIMS2 methylation in cervical cancer cells. Cervical cancer cells were incubated with EVs from BMSCs with altered expression of miR-331-3p, DNMT3A or/and LIMS2 and then subjected to EdU, Transwell, flow cytometry and Western blotting analyses. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the binding between miR-331-3p and DNMT3A. A xenograft model was established to evaluate the effect of BMSC-derived EV-miR-331-3p on cervical tumor growth. miR-331-3p was lowly and DNMT3A was highly expressed in cervical cancer. BMSC-derived EVs delivered miR-331-3p to control the behaviors of cervical cancer cells. miR-331-3p inhibited the expression of DNMT3A by binding DNMT3A mRNA. DNMT3A promoted LIMS2 methylation and reduced the expression of LIMS2. Overexpression of DNMT3A or silencing of LIMS2 in BMSCs counteracted the tumor suppressive effects of miR-331-3p. BMSC-derived EV-miR-331-3p also inhibited the growth of cervical tumors in vivo. BMSC-derived EVs alleviate cervical cancer partially by delivering miR-331-3p to reduce DNMT3A-dependent LIMS2 methylation in tumor cells.

A review on the role of PTENP1 in human disorders with an especial focus on tumor suppressor role of this lncRNA

PTENP1 is a long non-coding RNA which has been regarded as a pseudogene of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene. However, it has been shown to be a biologically active transcript that can function as a competing endogenous RNA and enhance expression of PTEN protein. This lncRNA has two transcripts, namely PTENP1-202 and PTENP1-202 with sizes of 3996 and 1215 bps, respectively. PTENP1 acts as a sponge for some PETN-targeting miRNAs, such as miR-17, miR-20a, miR-19b, miR-106b, miR-200c, miR-193a-3p, miR-499-5p and miR-214. Besides, it can affect miR-20a/PDCD4, miR-27a-3p/EGR1, miR-17‐5p/SOCS6 and miR-19b/TSC1 axes. This long non-coding RNA participates in the pathoetiology of several types of cancers as well as non-malignant conditions such as alcohol-induced osteopenia, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction and spinal cord injury. In the current review, we elucidate the role of PTENP1 in human disorders, particularly malignant conditions based on evidence acquired from cell line assays, animal studies and investigations on human samples.

Crosstalk between lncRNAs in the apoptotic pathway and therapeutic targets in cancer

The assertion that a significant portion of the mammalian genome has not been translated and that non-coding RNA accounts for over half of polyadenylate RNA have received much attention. In recent years, increasing evidence proposes non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as new regulators of various cellular processes, including cancer progression and nerve damage. Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death critical for homeostasis and tissue development. Cancer cells often have inhibited apoptotic pathways. It has recently been demonstrated that up/down-regulation of various lncRNAs in certain types of tumors shapes cancer cells' response to apoptotic stimuli. This review discusses the most recent studies on lncRNAs and apoptosis in healthy and cancer cells. In addition, the role of lncRNAs as novel targets for cancer therapy is reviewed here. Finally, since it has been shown that lncRNA expression is associated with specific types of cancer, the potential for using lncRNAs as biomarkers is also discussed.

LINC00839 Promotes the Progression of Gastric Cancer by Sponging miR-1236-3p

In this paper, LINC00839 expression in gastric cancer (GC) was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. The function of LINC00839 in GC was detected by loss of function assays. Luciferase assays was performed to confirm the interaction between LINC00839 and miR-1236-3p. Then we investigated the regulatory effect of LINC00839 on miR-1236-3p. The results confirmed that the expression level of LINC00839 in GC was significantly up-regulated. LINC00839 could promote GC cell proliferation, mobility, and invasion. The detection of luciferase reporter gene confirmed that LINC000839 could bind to the binding site of miR-1236-3p. Our findings suggest that LINC00839 promotes GC progression through sponging miR-1236-3p.

Long non-coding RNAs PGM5-AS1 upregulates Decorin (DCN) to inhibit cervical cancer progression by sponging miR-4284

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely studied and play crucial roles in cervical cancer (CC) progression. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of lncRNA PGM5-AS1 action in CC cells. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction or western blotting, PGM5-AS1 and decorin (DCN) were downregulated in CC tissues and cells, whereas miR-4284 was upregulated. Luciferase assay, RNA pull-down assay, and western blotting showed that PGM5-AS1 could sponge miR-4284 to upregulate DCN expression in CC cells. Additionally, cell functional experiments showed that PGM5-AS1 overexpression led to decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion of CC cells. However, the inhibitory effect of PGM5-AS1 overexpression on CC cells was partly relieved by DCN knockdown because of the targeting interaction between PGM5-AS1, miR-4284, and DCN. In summary, this study identified that PGM5-AS1 negatively regulates CC cell malignancy by targeting miR-4284/DCN.

Knockdown of lncRNA ACTA2-AS1 reverses cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells via inhibition of miR-378a-3p-regulated Wnt5a

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance is a principal cause leading to poor prognosis in females suffering from ovarian cancer (OC). Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been shown to have an involvement in regulating cellular processes; chemoresistance being one of them the precise object of this work was to probe into the role of lncRNA ACTA2-AS1 in OC cells that have developed DDP resistance. We developed DDP-resistant OC cell lines (A2780/DDP and SKOV3/DDP). The influence of the ACTA2-AS1/miR-378a-3p/Wnt5a axis on DDP chemoresistance of DDP-resistant OC cells was ascertained using real-time PCR, Elisa, and CCK-8, and dual-luciferase reporter assay. In DDP-resistant cells and tissues, ACTA2-AS1 was increased, while a substantial downregulation in miR-378a-3p was noticed. In cells manifesting DDP-resistance, knocking down ACTA2-AS1 boosted the expression of miR-378a-3p. Further research into the mechanism of ACTA2-AS1 revealed that it acted as a 'sponge' by getting involved in a competition against miR-378a-3p binding to modify its target Wnt5a. The suppression of DDP-resistance in OC cells caused by ACTA2-AS1 downregulation was reversed by silencing miR-378a-3p. Furthermore, via inhibition of Wnt5a, miR-378a-3p alleviated DDP resistance in OC cells. These findings show that for miR-378a-3p, ACTA2-AS1 works like a sponge thus preventing it from binding to Wnt5a and boosting OC cell DDP resistance. Our research will aid the expansion of plausible therapeutic options for treating OC.

LncRNA GATA2-AS1 suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via the mir-940/PTPN12 axis

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exhibit a regulatory role in the progression of ESCC. Our research was performed to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of lncRNA GATA2-AS1 in ESCC.

METHODS

The expression of GATA2-AS1 was identified by qRT-PCR. Cell function assays explored the potential effect of GATA2-AS1 on ESCC progression. The subcellular hierarchical localization method was executed to identify the subcellular localization of GATA2-AS1 in ESCC cells. A prediction website was utilized to discover the relationships among GATA2-AS1, miR-940 and PTPN12. Dual luciferase reporter gene, pull-down assays and RIP assays were executed to verify the binding activity among GATA2-AS1, miR-940 and PTPN12. Xenograft tumor experiments were performed to evaluate ESCC cell growth in vivo.

RESULTS

The expression of GATA2-AS1 and PTPN12 was reduced, while miR-940 expression was enhanced in ESCC tissues and cell lines. In vivo experiments showed that GATA2-AS1 inhibited the progression of ESCC cells toward malignancy. Bioinformatics analysis, dual luciferase and RIP assays revealed that GATA2-AS1 upregulated PTPN12 expression by competitively targeting miR-940. miR-940 reversed the inhibitory effect of GATA2-AS1 on the biological behavior of ESCC cells.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that GATA2-AS1, expressed at low levels in ESCC, plays a crucial role in the progression of ESCC by targeting the miR-940/PTPN12 axis and could be a potential drug target to treat ESCC patients.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1/chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 autocrine loop contributes to cellular proliferation, migration and apoptosis in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumor in gynecology with high mortality rate, so novel approaches for cervical cancer treatment are urgently needed. In this study, we analyzed the gene expression data and clinicopathological data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx) downloaded from University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Xena database. Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) was screened out as a key prognostic gene for cervical cancer. Revealed by the results of ELISA and Western blot, the expression of CXCL1 and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2) in cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and C33A) was significantly higher than that in the primary cervical epithelial cells. Cellular immunofluorescence was used in this study to observe CXCR2 localization. Through CCK8, clone formation assay, wound healing assay and Annexin V/PI staining, it was found that down-regulation of CXCL1 expression or treatment with CXCR2 antagonist (SB 225002) could reduce the cell viability, affect the proliferation, weaken the migration ability, and promote the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells; however, the effect of CXCR2 antagonist was improved after over-expressed CXCL1. CXCL1/CXCR2 chemokine system regulates the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells in the form of an autocrine loop, thus affecting the development of cervical cancer. This study provides a theoretical basis for researching the molecular mechanism of cervical cancer deterioration and development, and brings forward a new idea for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

DeepMNE: Deep Multi-network Embedding for lncRNA-Disease Association prediction

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) participates in various biological processes, hence its mutations and disorders play an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple human diseases. Identifying disease-related lncRNAs is crucial for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. Although a large number of computational approaches have been developed, effectively integrating multi-omics data and accurately predicting potential lncRNA-disease associations remains a challenge, especially regarding new lncRNAs and new diseases. In this work, we propose a new method with deep multi-network embedding, called DeepMNE, to discover potential lncRNA disease associations, especially for novel diseases and lncRNAs. DeepMNE extracts multi-omics data to describe diseases and lncRNAs, and proposes a network fusion method based on deep learning to integrate multi-source information. Moreover, DeepMNE complements the sparse association network and uses kernel neighborhood similarity to construct disease similarity and lncRNA similarity networks. Furthermore, A graph embedding method is adopted to predict potential associations. Experimental results demonstrate that compared to other state-of-the-art methods, DeepMNE has a higher predictive performance on new associations, new lncRNAs and new diseases. Besides, DeepMNE also elicits a considerable predictive performance on perturbed datasets. Additionally, the results of two different types of case studies indicate that DeepMNE can be used as an effective tool for disease-related lncRNA prediction. The code of DeepMNE is freely available at https://github.com/Mayingjun20179/ DeepMNE.

LINC00704 contributes to the proliferation and accelerates the cell cycle of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via regulating ETS1/CDK6 axis

This study is aimed at exploring the biological functions and related mechanism of long noncoding RNA 704 (LINC00704) in the proliferation and cell cycle progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. The expression of LINC00704 in NPC tissues and cells was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). After LINC00704 was overexpressed or knocked down in NPC cell lines, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry assay, and Transwell assay were adopted to detect the proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion of NPC cells. The interaction between LINC00704 and ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ETS1) was verified by bioinformatics analysis, RNA pull-down assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by qPCR analysis were used to verify the binding status between ETS1 and the promoter region of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6). The regulatory effects of LINC00704 and ETS1 on CDK6 expression were detected by Western blot. LINC00704 expression was elevated in NPC tissues and cells, which was significantly correlated with the advanced TNM stage and poor differentiation. LINC00704 overexpression promoted the multiplication, migration, and invasion of NPC cells and blocked the cell cycle progression while knocking down LINC00704 worked oppositely. LINC00704 could bind to ETS1, thus promoting CDK6 transcription. Knocking down LINC00704 inhibited the CDK6 expression in NPC cells. LINC00704 promotes CDK6 transcription by recruiting ETS1 to the promoter region of CDK6, thus promoting the malignant progression of NPC.

Close interactions between lncRNAs, lipid metabolism and ferroptosis in cancer

Abnormal lipid metabolism including synthesis, uptake, modification, degradation and transport has been considered a hallmark of malignant tumors and contributes to the supply of substances and energy for rapid cell growth. Meanwhile, abnormal lipid metabolism is also associated with lipid peroxidation, which plays an important role in a newly discovered type of regulated cell death termed ferroptosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to be associated with the occurrence and progression of cancer. Growing evidence indicates that lncRNAs are key regulators of abnormal lipid metabolism and ferroptosis in cancer. In this review, we mainly summarized the mechanism by which lncRNAs regulate aberrant lipid metabolism in cancer, illustrated that lipid metabolism can also influence the expression of lncRNAs, and discussed the mechanism by which lncRNAs affect ferroptosis. A comprehensive understanding of the interactions between lncRNAs, lipid metabolism and ferroptosis could help us to develop novel strategies for precise cancer treatment in the future.

LncRNA NEAT1 accelerates the proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis and suppresses the apoptosis via miR-423-5p/GLIPR2 axis in diabetic nephropathy

ABSTRACT

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes. The aim of our study was to investigate the potential mechanism in DN progression. SV40 MES13 cells were exposed to high concentration of glucose (HG: 30 mmol/L) for 48 h to establish DN cell model in vitro. Bioinformatic software StarBase was adopted to establish long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) axis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and RNA-pull down assay were performed to verify intermolecular interaction. LncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) was overexpressed in the serum of DN patients. HG time-dependently up-regulated NEAT1 level, and HG promotes cell proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis and suppressed cell apoptosis in SV40 MES13 cells partly via up-regulating NEAT1. NEAT1 functioned as a molecular sponge of miR-423-5p, and NEAT1 silencing-mediated effects were partly overturned by miR-423-5p interference in HG-induced SV40 MES13 cells. Glioma pathogenesis related-2 (GLIPR2) was a target of miR-423-5p. GLIPR2 overexpression in normal concentration of glucose (NG)-induced SV40 MES13 cells partly simulated HG-induced effects. GLIPR2 overexpression partly reversed NEAT1 interference-induced effects in HG-induced SV40 MES13 cells. LncRNA NEAT1 contributed to HG-induced DN progression via miR-423-5p/GLIPR2 axis in vitro. NEAT1/miR-423-5p/GLIPR2 axis might be potential target for DN treatment.

Long non-coding RNA DUXAP8 elevates RCN2 expression and facilitates cell malignant behaviors and angiogenesis in cervical cancer via sponging miR-1297

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer (CC) endangers women's health in the world range. Accumulating studies have revealed the crucial regulatory role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in multiple malignancies, including CC. Our study aimed to explore the role of lncRNA double homeobox A pseudogene 8 (DUXAP8) in cervical carcinogenesis.

METHODS

Gene expressions in CC were assessed by RT-qPCR. Function experiments and tube formation assays were performed to evaluate the role of DUXAP8 in CC cells. Subcellular fractionation and FISH assays were conducted to determine the subcellular location of DUXAP8. Luciferase reporter, RNA pull down and RIP assays were conducted to investigate the mechanism of DUXAP8.

RESULTS

DUXAP8 was notably upregulated in CC cells. Downregulation of DUXAP8 repressed cell malignant behaviors and angiogenesis in CC. Mechanically, DUXAP8 boosted the expression of reticulocalbin-2 (RCN2) through relieving the binding of miR-1297 to RCN2 3'-UTR. Moreover, miR-1297 inhibition and RCN2 overexpression could counteract the inhibitory effects of DUXAP8 knockdown on the malignant phenotypes of CC cells. Besides, enhanced RCN2 expression restored the tumor growth in vivo that was inhibited by DUXAP8 repression.

CONCLUSIONS

DUXAP8 promotes malignant behaviors in CC cells via regulating miR-1297/RCN2 axis.

MiR-106b-5p Promotes Malignant Behaviors of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells by Targeting TIMP2

The objective of this study was to investigate modulatory mechanism of miR-106b-5p and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) on cervical squamous cell carcinoma cells. Differentially expressed genes in CSCC were analyzed via bioinformatics analysis. The targeting impact of miR-106b-5p on TIMP2 was validated through dual-luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. MiR-106b-5p level and TIMP2 mRNA level were assessed via qRT-PCR. TIMP2 protein level was measured via western blot. Malignant behaviors of CSCC cells were evaluated by functional experiments. The EMT and apoptosis-related proteins were determined via western blot. MiR-106b-5p was noticeably elevated in CSCC cells. Its downstream target was TIMP2. MiR-106b-5p and TIMP2 levels were inversely correlated. MiR-106b-5p overexpression fostered malignant phenotypes of CSCC cells, and vice versus. TIMP2 overexpression weakened the promotive impact of forced expression of miR-106b-5p on CSCC cell growth. EMT was facilitated by forced expression of miR-106b-5p. MiR-106b-5p regulates the progression of CSCC cells via targeting TIMP2, which may provide novel value for development of therapeutic targets for CSCC.

circ-ACACA promotes proliferation, invasion, migration and glycolysis of cervical cancer cells by targeting the miR-582-5p/ERO1A signaling axis

Circular RNAs (circ) have been reported to serve crucial roles in the regulation of cancer occurrence and development. The present study aimed to investigate the role of circ-acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACACA) in the progression of cervical cancer (CC). The expression levels of circ-ACACA in several CC cell lines were first determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. circ-ACACA expression was subsequently knocked down to evaluate its effects on the viability, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of CC cells using MTT, colony formation, TUNEL, transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. ¹³C-labeling of intracellular metabolites and analysis of glucose consumption and lactate production were performed to determine the levels of glycolysis. In addition, the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase 1α (ERO1α; ERO1A) and glycolysis-related proteins were analyzed using western blotting. The binding interactions among circ-ACACA, microRNA (miR)-582-5p and ERO1A were validated using dual-luciferase reporter assays. Subsequently, rescue experiments were performed to determine the potential underlying mechanism by which circ-ACACA affected CC cell functions. The results revealed that circ-ACACA expression was significantly upregulated in CC cells and silencing of circ-ACACA significantly reduced the proliferation, invasion and migration, and promoted the apoptosis of CC cells. Knockdown of circ-ACACA markedly inhibited glycolysis in CC cells. However, the effects of silencing of circ-ACACA on CC cells were reversed following transfection with the miR-582-5p inhibitor or pcDNA3.1-ERO1A overexpression plasmid. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to investigate the role of circ-ACACA in CC progression. The results suggested that circ-ACACA may promote CC tumorigenesis and glycolysis by targeting the miR-582-5p/ERO1A signaling axis. Therefore, circ-ACACA may be a promising biomarker for CC diagnosis and treatment.

Knockdown of lncRNA PVT1 inhibits the proliferation and accelerates the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells via the miR‑761/MAPK1 axis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with high morbidity rates. Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the development of CRC. However, the potential roles of lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) in CRC remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential roles of PVT1 in CRC. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were conducted to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels. The cellular behaviors were detected using 5‑Ethynyl‑2'‑deoxyuridine, Cell Counting Kit‑8 and flow cytometry assays. The interaction between PVT1 and microRNA (miR)‑761 or MAPK1 was confirmed using a dual‑luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, the Pearson's method was applied for correlation analysis. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of PVT1 and MAPK1 were upregulated, while miR‑761 was downregulated in CRC tissues. The expression of PVT1 was positively correlated with MAPK1 and negatively correlated with miR‑761. In addition, PVT1 sponged miR‑761 to upregulate MAPK1 expression. It was found that the knockdown of PVT1 expression inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of CRC cells, which was more potent in cells transfected with miR‑761. The regulatory role of small interfering RNA‑PVT1 on the expression of apoptosis‑related genes was reduced by MAPK1. Collectively, the present results suggested that knockdown of PVT1 may inhibit the progression of CRC by regulating the miR‑761/MAPK1 axis, which may provide a promising biomarker for the treatment of CRC.

The Biological Significance of Long noncoding RNAs Dysregulation and their Mechanism of Regulating Signaling Pathways in Cervical Cancer

Despite the remarkable decrease in cervical cancer incidence due to the availability of the HPV vaccine and implementation of screening programs for early detection in developed countries, this cancer remains a major health problem globally, especially in developing countries where most of the cases and mortality occur. Therefore, more understanding of molecular mechanisms of cervical cancer development might lead to the discovery of more effective diagnosis and treatment options. Research on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) demonstrates the important roles of these molecules in many physiological processes and diseases, especially cancer. In the present review, we discussed the significance of lncRNAs altered expression in cervical cancer, highlighting their roles in regulating highly conserved signaling pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathways and their association with the progression of cervical cancer in order to bring more insight and understanding of this disease and their potential implications in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Long noncoding RNA ZBED3-AS1 restrains breast cancer progression by targeting the microRNA-513a-5p/KLF6 axis

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly occurring malignancy in women. This study aimed to investigate the functions of the long noncoding RNA ZBED3‐AS1 (ZBED3‐AS1) in BC and its molecular mechanisms. qRT‐PCR was conducted to access the expression of ZBED3‐AS1, microRNA‐513a‐5p (miR‐513a‐5p), and Kruppel like factor 6 (KLF6) in BC. Additionally, BC cell viability and proliferative capacity were measured by MTT and 5‐Ethynyl‐20‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. A transwell assay was used for evaluating BC cell migration and invasion. The interactions among ZBED3‐AS1, miR‐513a‐5p, and KLF6 in BC were confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, feedback approaches were performed to determine whether ZBED3‐AS1 influences BC cell behaviors by regulating the miR‐513a‐5p/KLF6 axis. The murine xenograft model was established to assess the effect of ZBED3‐AS1 on tumor growth. The expression of ZBED3‐AS1 and KLF6 was reduced, while miR‐513a‐5p expression was elevated in BC. ZBED3‐AS1 elevation attenuated the malignant behaviors of BC cells, including viability, proliferative capacity, migration, and invasion. Mechanical experiments revealed that ZBED3‐AS1 targeted miR‐513a‐5p, and miR‐513a‐5p targeted KLF6 in BC. Feedback approaches validated that miR‐513a‐5p overexpression or KLF6 depletion reversed the inhibitory effects of ZBED3‐AS1 upregulation on viability, proliferative capacity, migration, and invasion of BC cells. Furthermore, ZBED3‐AS1 elevation attenuated the tumor growth in the murine xenograft model. ZBED3‐AS1 hindered the malignant development of BC cells by regulating the miR‐513a‐5p/KLF6 axis, providing a novel therapeutic target in BC.

Inhibition of HMGB1/RAGE axis suppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vicious transformation of cervical epithelial cells

The chronic inflammation operates as one of the critical causes of cervical cancer. Activation of HMGB1/RAGE axis could induce the inflammation and lead to multiple types of cancer. However, whether the HMGB1/RAGE axis could affect the development of cervical cancer by regulating the inflammation is unclear. Here, we stimulated normal cervical epithelial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Next, the expression of RAGE in these cells was suppressed by the RAGE inhibitor. CCK-8 and wound healing assays were performed to detect the proliferation and invasion. To determine how inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) expressed in supernatant of these cells, ELISA was conducted. Western blotting was used for the detection of the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3 and caspase4). It was found that stimulation of LPS enhanced the proliferation and invasion of normal cervical epithelial cells. The expression of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in these cells was promoted as well. Application of RAGE inhibitor abolished the efficacy of LPS on these cells. Furthermore, LPS promoted the expression of NLRP3 and caspase4 in these cells while RAGE inhibitor exerted suppressive effects on the expression of these proteins. In summary, LPS-induced inflammation of normal cervical epithelial cells resulted in the malignant transformation of these cells by activating HMGB1/RAGE axis.