Lnc-TCL6 is a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and grade in liver-cirrhosis patients

Construction of a TP53 mutation-associated ceRNA network as prognostic biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to endanger human health worldwide. Regulatory networks of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) play important roles in HCC. TP53 is the second most often altered gene in HCC and has a significant role in regulating target genes such as miRNAs and lncRNAs.

Methods

Data from patients with TP53 mutation were collected through the cBioPortal database and differential analysis was performed to screen RNAs related to TP53 mutation. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA relationship was predicted by the miRcode, miRDB, and TargetScan databases. The ceRNA networks were screened and visualized by Cytoscape. Core ceRNA networks were generated by differential analysis, coexpression analysis, prognostic analysis and subcellular localization. Finally, methylation, mutation, PPI, GSEA, immunity and drug sensitivity analyses of MEX3A were performed to determine the role of MEX3A in HCC.

Results

We identified 1508 DEmRNAs, 85 DEmiRNAs and 931 DElncRNAs and obtained a ceRNA network including 28 lncRNAs, 4 miRNAs and 31 mRNAs. Twenty hub DERNAs in the TP53-altered-related ceRNA network were screened out by Cytoscape and the core ceRNA network (LINC00491/TCL6-hsa-miR-139-5p-MEX3A) was obtained by multiple analyses. In addition, we discovered that the methylation level of MEX3A was decreased and the mutation frequency was raised in HCC. Furthermore, elevated MEX3A expression was associated with alterations in the HCC immunological microenvironment.

Conclusion

We successfully constructed a reciprocal ceRNA network, which could provide new ideas for exploring HCC mechanisms and therapeutic approaches.

Long non-coding RNA TCL6 induced by SCRT1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer through PDK1/AKT signaling

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ranks the most lethal malignancies around the world, nearly 85 % of lung cancers are NSCLC. Its high prevalence and morbidity pose a considerable burden to human health, identifying promising therapeutic targets for NSCLC is urgently needed. The essential function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in multiple cellular progressions and pathophysiological processes are widely understood, thus we investigated the role of lncRNA T-cell leukemia/lymphoma 6 (TCL6) in NSCLC progression. LncRNA TCL6 level is increased in NSCLC samples and downregulation of lncRNA TCL6 inhibited NSCLC tumorigenesis. Moreover, Scratch Family Transcriptional Repressor 1 (SCRT1) can modulate lncRNA TCL6 expression in NSCLC cells, with lncRNA TCL6 promoting NSCLC development through Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 1 (PDK1)/AKT signaling by interacting with PDK1, thereby providing a novel framework for NSCLC research.

Long noncoding RNAs in hepatitis B virus replication and oncogenesis

Several diverse long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified to be involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and oncogenesis, especially those dysregulated in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most of these dysregulated lncRNAs are modulated by the HBV X protein. The regulatory mechanisms of some lncRNAs in HBV replication and oncogenesis have been characterized. Genetic polymorphisms of several lncRNAs affecting HBV replication or oncogenesis have also been studied. The prognosis of HCC remains poor. It is important to identify novel tumor markers for early diagnosis and find more therapeutic targets for effective treatments of HCC. Some dysregulated lncRNAs in HBV-related HCC may become biomarkers for early diagnosis and/or the therapeutic targets of HCC. This mini-review summarizes these findings briefly, focusing on recent developments.

Identification and Validation of Novel Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Liver Fibrosis/Cirrhosis and Chronic Hepatitis B via Transcriptome Sequencing Technology

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify and validate novel biomarkers for distinguishing among hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver fibrosis/liver cirrhosis (LF/LC) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Patients and Methods

Transcriptomic sequencing was conducted on the liver tissues of 5 patients with HCC, 5 patients with LF/LC, 5 patients with CHB, and 4 healthy controls. The expression levels of selected mRNAs and proteins were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and were verified in validation set (n=200) and testing set (n=400) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

A total of 9 hub mRNAs were identified by short time-series expression miner and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Of note, the results of qRT-PCR and IHC staining demonstrated that SHC adaptor protein 1 (SHC1), SLAM family member 8 (SLAMF8), and interleukin-32 (IL-32) exhibited gradually increasing trends in the four groups. Subsequent ELISA tests on the validation cohort indicated that the plasma levels of SHC1, SLAMF8 and IL-32 also gradually increased. Furthermore, a diagnostic model APFSSI (age, PLT, ferritin, SHC1, SLAMF8 and IL-32) was established to distinguish among CHB, LF/LC and HCC. The performance of APFSSI model for discriminating CHB from healthy subjects (AUC=0.966) was much greater compared to SHC1 (AUC=0.900), SLAMF8 (AUC=0.744) and IL-32 (AUC=0.821). When distinguishing LF/LC from CHB, APFSSI was the most outstanding diagnostic parameter (AUC=0.924), which was superior to SHC1, SLAMF8 and IL-32 (AUC=0.812, 0.684 and 0.741, respectively). Likewise, APFSSI model with the greatest AUC value displayed an excellent performance for differentiating between HCC and LF/LC than other variables (SHC1, SLAMF8 and IL-32) via ROC analysis. Finally, the results in the test set were consistent with those in the validation set.

Conclusion

SHC1, SLAMF8 and IL-32 can differentiate among patients with HCC, LF/LC, CHB and healthy controls. More importantly, the APFSSI model greatly improves the diagnostic accuracy of HBV-associated liver diseases.

Expression and clinical significance of lncRNA TCL6 in serum of patients with preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a common syndrome in pregnancy and a leading cause of mortality of pregnant females and their infants. To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of lncRNA T-cell leukemia/lymphoma 6 (TCL6) in patients with preeclampsia, 120 singleton pregnant females with preeclampsia and another 100 healthy pregnant control subjects were analyzed in the present study. The expression of lncRNA TCL6 in the serum of the included patients was detected. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to evaluate the efficiency of lncRNA TCL6 in terms of preeclampsia diagnosis and grading. Kaplan-Meier analysis was adopted to assess the effect of lncRNA TCL6 expression on the rate of adverse pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine high-risk factors of adverse pregnancy. The results indicated that lncRNA TCL6 was significantly increased in the serum of patients with preeclampsia. Furthermore, TCL6 was elevated in subgroups of patients with early-onset or severe preeclampsia and with Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count syndrome in comparison with other patients with preeclampsia. High expression of TCL6 in pregnant females corresponded to a higher rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Severe preeclampsia, early-onset preeclampsia and high TCL6 expression were identified as independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. For each unit increase in TCL6 expression, a 9.5-fold increase of the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes was determined. Collectively, high expression of lncRNA TCL6 may assist the diagnosis and grading of preeclampsia and may be adopted as an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Long non-coding RNAs in metabolic disorders: pathogenetic relevance and potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could be associated with the incidence and development of metabolic disorders.

AIM

Accordingly, this narrative review described the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in the development of metabolic diseases including insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, and coronary artery diseases (CAD). Furthermore, we investigated the up-to-date findings on the association of deregulated lncRNAs in the metabolic disorders, and potential use of lncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSION

LncRNAs/miRNA/regulatory proteins axis plays a crucial role in progression of metabolic disorders and may be used in development of therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.

Upregulation of long noncoding RNA W42 promotes tumor development by binding with DBN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy found globally. Accumulating studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in HCC. However, the function of lncRNA in HCC remains poorly understood.

AIM

To understand the effect of lncRNA W42 on HCC and dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

We measured the expression of lncRNA W42 in HCC tissues and cells (Huh7 and SMMC-7721) by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of lncRNA W42 expression. HCC cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-lncRNA W42 or shRNA-lncRNA W42. Cell functions were detected by cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, flow cytometry and Transwell assays. The interaction of lncRNA W42 and DBN1 was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull down assays. An HCC xenograft model was used to assess the role of lncRNA W42 on tumor growth in vivo. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate the overall survival and recurrence-free survival after surgery in patients with HCC.

RESULTS

In this study, we identified a novel lncRNA (lncRNA W42), and investigated its biological functions and clinical significance in HCC. LncRNA W42 expression was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells. Overexpression of lncRNA W42 notably promoted the proliferative and invasion of HCC, and inhibited cell apoptosis. LncRNA W42 directly bound to DBN1 and activated the downstream pathway. LncRNA W42 knockdown suppressed HCC xenograft tumor growth in vivo. The clinical investigation revealed that HCC patients with high lncRNA W42 expression exhibited shorter survival times.

CONCLUSION

In vitro and in vivo results suggested that the novel lncRNA W42, which is upregulated in HCC, may serve as a potential candidate prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in HCC patients.

LncRNA NCK1-AS1 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression via regulating miR-512-5p/p21 axis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at probing into the effect of lncRNA NCK1-AS1 on proliferation, migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and its regulatory function on miR-512-5p/p21 molecular axis.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess the expressions of NCK1-AS1 and miR-512-5p in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The alterations of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle were examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, BrdU experiment, Transwell experiment and flow cytometry, respectively. The dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation experiment were performed to validate the binding relationships between miR-512-5p and NCK1-AS1, and miR-512-5p the 3'UTR of p21 mRNA. Western blot was used to determine the effects of NCK1-AS1 and miR-512-5p on p21 protein expression.

RESULTS

NCK1-AS1 expression was up-regulated in NSCLC tissues and cells, and its high expression was correlated with shorter overall survival time and faster progression of patients. Overexpression of NCK1-AS1 promoted NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and accelerated the cell cycle, whereas NCK1-AS1 siRNA inhibited these malignant biological behaviors, and arrested cell cycle. NCK1-AS1 could bind to miR-512-5p, p21 was verified as a target gene of miR-512-5p, and NCK1-AS1 could up-regulate the expression of p21 in NSCLC cells via repressing miR-512-5p expression.

CONCLUSION

NCK1-AS1 promotes NSCLC progression by regulating miR-512-5p/p21 molecular axis.