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Duurland CL, Gunst TD, Boer HCD, Bosch MTJVD, Telford BJ, Vos RM, Xie X, Zang M, Wang F, Shao Y, An X, Wang J, Cai J, Bourré L, Pinxteren LAHV, Schaapveld RQJ, Janicot M, Yahyanejad S. INT-1B3, an LNP formulated miR-193a-3p mimic, promotes anti-tumor immunity by enhancing T cell mediated immune responses via modulation of the tumor microenvironment and induction of immunogenic cell death. Oncotarget 2024; 15:470-485. [PMID: 39007281 PMCID: PMC11247534 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate expression of multiple genes. MiR-193a-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in many cancer types, but its effect on inducing specific anti-tumor immune responses is unclear. Therefore, we examined the effect of our lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulated, chemically modified, synthetic miR-193a-3p mimic (INT-1B3) on anti-tumor immunity. INT-1B3 inhibited distant tumor metastasis and significantly prolonged survival. INT-1B3-treated animals were fully protected against challenge with autologous tumor cells even in absence of treatment indicating long-term immunization. Protection against autologous tumor cell challenge was hampered upon T cell depletion and adoptive T cell transfer abrogated tumor growth. Transfection of tumor cells with our miR-193a-3p mimic (1B3) resulted in tumor cell death and apoptosis accompanied by increased expression of DAMPs. Co-culture of 1B3-transfected tumor cells and immature DC led to DC maturation and these mature DC were able to stimulate production of type 1 cytokines by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CD4-CD8- T cells also produced type 1 cytokines, even in response to 1B3-transfected tumor cells directly. Live cell imaging demonstrated PBMC-mediated cytotoxicity against 1B3-transfected tumor cells. These data demonstrate for the first time that miR-193a-3p induces long-term immunity against tumor development via modulation of the tumor microenvironment and induction of immunogenic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Rogier M Vos
- InteRNA Technologies BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Xiaolei Xie
- Crown Bioscience Inc., San Diego, CA 92127, USA
| | - Mingfa Zang
- Crown Bioscience Inc., San Diego, CA 92127, USA
| | - Fang Wang
- Crown Bioscience Inc., San Diego, CA 92127, USA
| | | | - Xiaoyu An
- Crown Bioscience Inc., San Diego, CA 92127, USA
| | | | - Jie Cai
- Crown Bioscience Inc., San Diego, CA 92127, USA
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2
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Khameneh SC, Razi S, Lashanizadegan R, Akbari S, Sayaf M, Haghani K, Bakhtiyari S. MicroRNA-mediated metabolic regulation of immune cells in cancer: an updated review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1424909. [PMID: 39007129 PMCID: PMC11239499 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1424909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of immunometabolism, which examines how immune cells regulate their metabolism to maintain optimal performance, has become an important area of focus in cancer immunology. Recent advancements in this field have highlighted the intricate connection between metabolism and immune cell function, emphasizing the need for further research. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have gained attention for their ability to post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression and impact various biological processes, including immune function and cancer progression. While the role of miRNAs in immunometabolism is still being explored, recent studies have demonstrated their significant influence on the metabolic activity of immune cells, such as macrophages, T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells, particularly in cancer contexts. Disrupted immune cell metabolism is a hallmark of cancer progression, and miRNAs have been linked to this process. Understanding the precise impact of miRNAs on immune cell metabolism in cancer is essential for the development of immunotherapeutic approaches. Targeting miRNAs may hold potential for creating groundbreaking cancer immunotherapies to reshape the tumor environment and improve treatment outcomes. In summary, the recognition of miRNAs as key regulators of immune cell metabolism across various cancers offers promising potential for refining cancer immunotherapies. Further investigation into how miRNAs affect immune cell metabolism could identify novel therapeutic targets and lead to the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Razi
- Vira Ideators of Modern Science, Tehran, Iran
- Vira Pioneers of Modern Science (VIPOMS), Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Masoud Sayaf
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Karimeh Haghani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Salar Bakhtiyari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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3
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Sadida HQ, Abdulla A, Marzooqi SA, Hashem S, Macha MA, Akil ASAS, Bhat AA. Epigenetic modifications: Key players in cancer heterogeneity and drug resistance. Transl Oncol 2024; 39:101821. [PMID: 37931371 PMCID: PMC10654239 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer heterogeneity and drug resistance remain pivotal obstacles in effective cancer treatment and management. One major contributor to these challenges is epigenetic modifications - gene regulation that does not involve changes to the DNA sequence itself but significantly impacts gene expression. As we elucidate these phenomena, we underscore the pivotal role of epigenetic modifications in regulating gene expression, contributing to cellular diversity, and driving adaptive changes that can instigate therapeutic resistance. This review dissects essential epigenetic modifications - DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling - illustrating their significant yet complex contributions to cancer biology. While these changes offer potential avenues for therapeutic intervention due to their reversible nature, the interplay of epigenetic and genetic changes in cancer cells presents unique challenges that must be addressed to harness their full potential. By critically analyzing the current research landscape, we identify knowledge gaps and propose future research directions, exploring the potential of epigenetic therapies and discussing the obstacles in translating these concepts into effective treatments. This comprehensive review aims to stimulate further research and aid in developing innovative, patient-centered cancer therapies. Understanding the role of epigenetic modifications in cancer heterogeneity and drug resistance is critical for scientific advancement and paves the way towards improving patient outcomes in the fight against this formidable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Q Sadida
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer, Department of Population Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar
| | - Alanoud Abdulla
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer, Department of Population Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar
| | - Sara Al Marzooqi
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer, Department of Population Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Population Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer, Department of Population Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar.
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer, Department of Population Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar.
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4
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Alturki NA. Review of the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Context of Cancer Treatment. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4301. [PMID: 37445336 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint proteins are an integral part of the immune system and are used by the tumor cells to evade immune response, which helps them grow uncontrollably. By blocking these proteins, immune checkpoint inhibitors can restore the capability of the immune system to attack cancer cells and stop their growth. These findings are backed by adequate clinical trial data and presently, several FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitors exist in the market for treating various types of cancers, including melanoma, hepatocellular, endometrial, lung, kidney and others. Their mode of action is inhibition by targeting the checkpoint proteins CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1, etc. They can be used alone as well as in amalgamation with other cancer treatments, like surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Since these drugs target only specific immune system proteins, their side effects are reduced in comparison with the traditional chemotherapy drugs, but may still cause a few affects like fatigue, skin rashes, and fever. In rare cases, these inhibitors are known to have caused more serious side effects, such as cardiotoxicity, and inflammation in the intestines or lungs. Herein, we provide an overview of these inhibitors and their role as biomarkers, immune-related adverse outcomes and clinical studies in the treatment of various cancers, as well as present some future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah A Alturki
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia
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Mishra A, Kumar R, Mishra SN, Vijayaraghavalu S, Tiwari NK, Shukla GC, Gurusamy N, Kumar M. Differential Expression of Non-Coding RNAs in Stem Cell Development and Therapeutics of Bone Disorders. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081159. [PMID: 37190068 PMCID: PMC10137108 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells' self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation are regulated by a complex network consisting of signaling factors, chromatin regulators, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Diverse role of ncRNAs in stem cell development and maintenance of bone homeostasis have been discovered recently. The ncRNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs, micro RNAs, circular RNAs, small interfering RNA, Piwi-interacting RNAs, etc., are not translated into proteins but act as essential epigenetic regulators in stem cells' self-renewal and differentiation. Different signaling pathways are monitored efficiently by the differential expression of ncRNAs, which function as regulatory elements in determining the fate of stem cells. In addition, several species of ncRNAs could serve as potential molecular biomarkers in early diagnosis of bone diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and bone cancers, ultimately leading to the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review aims to explore the specific roles of ncRNAs and their effective molecular mechanisms in the growth and development of stem cells, and in the regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast activities. Furthermore, we focus on and explore the association of altered ncRNA expression with stem cells and bone turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anurag Mishra
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, India
| | - Rishabh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, India
| | - Satya Narayan Mishra
- Maa Gayatri College of Pharmacy, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Prayagraj 211009, India
| | | | - Neeraj Kumar Tiwari
- Department of IT-Satellite Centre, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow 226025, India
| | - Girish C Shukla
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Narasimman Gurusamy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA
| | - Munish Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, India
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Zhou H, Jia W, Lu L, Han R. MicroRNAs with Multiple Targets of Immune Checkpoints, as a Potential Sensitizer for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Breast Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:824. [PMID: 36765782 PMCID: PMC9913694 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer type and the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in women worldwide. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made significant progress in the treatment of breast cancer, yet there are still a considerable number of patients who are unable to gain lasting and ideal clinical benefits by immunotherapy alone, which leads to the development of a combination regimen as a novel research hotspot. Furthermore, one miRNA can target several checkpoint molecules, mimicking the therapeutic effect of a combined immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), which means that the miRNA therapy has been considered to increase the efficiency of ICIs. In this review, we summarized potential miRNA therapeutics candidates which can affect multiple targets of immune checkpoints in breast cancer with more therapeutic potential, and the obstacles to applying miRNA therapeutically through the analyses of the resources available from a drug target perspective. We also included the content of "too many targets for miRNA effect" (TMTME), combined with applying TargetScan database, to discuss adverse events. This review aims to ignite enthusiasm to explore the application of miRNAs with multiple targets of immune checkpoint molecules, in combination with ICIs for treating breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Zhou
- Department of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Oncology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Wentao Jia
- Department of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
- School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Data Science, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Rui Han
- Department of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
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He F, Furones AR, Landegren N, Fuxe J, Sarhan D. Sex dimorphism in the tumor microenvironment - From bench to bedside and back. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:166-179. [PMID: 35278635 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer represents a significant cause of death and suffering in both the developed and developing countries. Key underlying issues in the mortality of cancer are delayed diagnosis and resistance to treatments. However, improvements in biomarkers represent one important step that can be taken for alleviating the suffering caused by malignancy. Precision-based medicine is promising for revolutionizing diagnostic and treatment strategies for cancer patients worldwide. Contemporary methods, including various omics and systems biology approaches, as well as advanced digital imaging and artificial intelligence, allow more accurate assessment of tumor characteristics at the patient level. As a result, treatment strategies can be specifically tailored and adapted for individual and/or groups of patients that carry certain tumor characteristics. This includes immunotherapy, which is based on characterization of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and, more specifically, the presence and activity of immune cell subsets. Unfortunately, while it is increasingly clear that gender strongly affects immune regulation and response, there is a knowledge gap concerning differences in sex-specific immune responses and how these contribute to the immunosuppressive TME and the response to immunotherapy. In fact, sex dimorphism is poorly understood in cancer progression and is typically ignored in current clinical practice. In this review, we aim to survey the available literature and highlight the existing knowledge gap in order to encourage further studies that would contribute to understanding both gender-biased immunosuppression in the TME and the driver of tumor progression towards invasive and metastatic disease. The review highlights the need to include sex optimized/genderized medicine as a new concept in future medicine cancer diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Urology, First affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Andrea Rodgers Furones
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; Tumor Immunology Department, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Nils Landegren
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 23, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| | - Jonas Fuxe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dhifaf Sarhan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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8
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Evolving understandings for the roles of non-coding RNAs in autoimmunity and autoimmune disease. J Autoimmun 2022:102948. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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9
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Bai J, Shi Z, Wang S, Pan H, Zhang T. MiR-21 and let-7 cooperation in the regulation of lung cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:950043. [PMID: 36249072 PMCID: PMC9557158 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.950043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lung cancer occurs and develops as a result of a complicated process involving numerous genes; therefore, single-gene regulation has a limited therapeutic effect. We discovered that miR-21 expression was high in lung cancer tissues and cells, whereas let-7 expression was low, and it is unclear whether their combined regulation would be superior to therapy involving single regulation. The goal of our research was to investigate this situation and the regulatory mechanism that exists between these genes. Methods To regulate the levels of miR-21 and let-7 in these two types of lung cancer cells, we transfected miRNA mimics or inhibitors into A549 and H460 cells. Lung cancer cells were tested for proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The results were verified using a Western blot and a qRT-PCR assay. Bioinformatics was used to investigate their potential regulatory pathways, and luciferase assays were used to confirm the binding sites. Results The expression of miR-21 was increased and that of let-7 was decreased in lung cancer tissues and cells compared with paracancerous tissues and normal lung cells (p < 0.01). Tumor cells were inhibited by downregulation of miR-21 and upregulation of let-7, and cooperative regulation showed a better effect. Upregulation of miR-21 and downregulation of let-7 promoted tumor cells, and this tumor-promoting effect was amplified by cooperative regulation. MiR-21 regulated lung cancer cells directly via the Wnt/-catenin pathway, and let-7 exerted its effects via the PLAG1/GDH1 pathway. MiR-21 and let-7 cooperated to regulate lung cancer cells via the K-ras pathway. Conclusions The effect of cooperative regulation of miR-21 and let-7 on lung cancer is greater than that of a single miRNA. MiR-21 and let-7 are important differentially expressed genes in lung cancer that are regulated by the K-ras pathway. As a result, for multigene lung cancer, the cooperative regulation of two miRNAs will provide a new target and direction for lung cancer treatment in the future.
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Plasma-Based microRNA Expression Analysis in Advanced Stage NSCLC Patients Treated with Nivolumab. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194739. [PMID: 36230658 PMCID: PMC9564103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Nivolumab (anti-PD-1 inhibitor) is the first monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of NSCLC, with research results showing that patients who had received previous lines of therapy had a better response to this treatment and better overall survival. Tissue-level analyses fail to capture the dynamic tumor-host relationship, in contrast to circulating biomarkers, which can reflect the systemic response of the tumor, allowing for repeated sampling and monitoring. In the context of liquid biopsy, microRNAs are studied as biomarkers of immunotherapy efficacy based on their role in regulating antitumor immunity. The present study suggests that miR-200c and miR-34a plasma expression levels have a prognostic role in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving Nivolumab. It further supports that the expression profile of circulating immunomodulatory microRNAs provides information on the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC receiving Nivolumab and could represent promising circulating biomarkers that may provide information about patients’ responses to immunotherapy. Abstract Since circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the modulation of the immune response, they are tested as liquid biopsy-based biomarkers in patients with NSCLC treated with immunotherapy. We analyzed the expression levels and examined the clinical significance of immunoregulatory miRNAs involved in immune checkpoint regulation (miR-34a, miR-200b, miR-200c), T-cell activity (miR-155), and the function of myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) (miR-223) or regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) (miR-146a), in patients with advanced NSCLC (N = 69) treated with anti-PD-1 (Nivolumab) immunotherapy as 2nd or 3rd line of treatment therapy. Plasma levels of circulating miRNAs were analyzed by RT-qPCR before the initiation of immunotherapy. Expression of miR-34a, miR-146a, mir-200c, and miR-223 was found to be associated with response to immunotherapy. High miR-200c expression emerged as an independent prognostic factor for inferior overall survival in all patients with NSCLC (OS, HR: 2.243, 95% CI: 1.208–4.163; p = 0.010) and in patients with non-Squamous (non-SqCC) subtype (N = 38) (HR: 2.809, 95% CI: 1.116–7.074; p = 0.028). Low miR-34a expression independently predicted for shorter OS (HR: 3.189, 95% CI: 1.193–8.527; p = 0.021) in the non-SqCC subgroup. Our findings suggest that alterations in circulating miR-200c and miR-34a expression levels are associated with the response and outcome in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with anti-PD1 immunotherapy.
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García-Andrade F, Vigueras-Villaseñor RM, Chávez-Saldaña MD, Rojas-Castañeda JC, Bahena-Ocampo IU, Aréchaga-Ocampo E, Díaz-Chávez J, Landero-Huerta DA. The Role of microRNAs in the Gonocyte Theory as Target of Malignancy: Looking for Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810526. [PMID: 36142439 PMCID: PMC9505168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Some pediatric patients with cryptorchidism preserve cells with gonocyte characteristics beyond their differentiation period, which could support the theory of the gonocyte as a target for malignancy in the development of testicular neoplasia. One of the key molecules in gonocyte malignancy is represented by microRNAs (miRNAs). The goal of this review is to give an overview of miRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs that participate in the regulation of gene expression. We also aim to review the crucial role of several miRNAs that have been further described in the regulation of gonocyte differentiation to spermatogonia, which, when transformed, could give rise to germ cell neoplasia in situ, a precursor lesion to testicular germ cell tumors. Finally, the potential use of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in testicular neoplasia is addressed, due to their specificity and sensitivity compared to conventional markers, as well as their applications in therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola García-Andrade
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico
- Posgrado en Biología Experimental, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México 09310, Mexico
| | - Rosa María Vigueras-Villaseñor
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.M.V.-V.); (D.A.L.-H.); Tel.: +52-(55)-1084-0900 (ext. 1453) (R.M.V.-V. & D.A.L.-H.); Fax: +52-(55)-1084-5533 (R.M.V.-V. & D.A.L.-H.)
| | | | | | - Iván Uriel Bahena-Ocampo
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México 09310, Mexico
| | - Elena Aréchaga-Ocampo
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Cuajimalpa, Ciudad de México 05348, Mexico
| | - José Díaz-Chávez
- Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Daniel Adrian Landero-Huerta
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.M.V.-V.); (D.A.L.-H.); Tel.: +52-(55)-1084-0900 (ext. 1453) (R.M.V.-V. & D.A.L.-H.); Fax: +52-(55)-1084-5533 (R.M.V.-V. & D.A.L.-H.)
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Circulating miR-200 Family and CTCs in Metastatic Breast Cancer before, during, and after a New Line of Systemic Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179535. [PMID: 36076930 PMCID: PMC9455626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular circulating microRNA (miR)-200 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and, thus, plays an essential role in the metastatic cascade and has shown itself to be a promising prognostic and predictive biomarker in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Expression levels of the plasma miR-200 family were analyzed in relationship to systemic treatment, circulating tumor cells (CTC) count, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Expression of miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141, and miR-429, and CTC status (CTC-positive ≥ 5 CTC/7.5 mL) was assessed in 47 patients at baseline (BL), after the first completed cycle of a new line of systemic therapy (1C), and upon the progression of disease (PD). MiR-200a, miR-200b, and miR-141 expression was reduced at 1C compared to BL. Upon PD, all miR-200s were upregulated compared to 1C. At all timepoints, the levels of miR-200s were elevated in CTC-positive versus CTC-negative patients. Further, heightened miR-200s expression and positive CTC status were associated with poorer OS at BL and 1C. In MBC patients, circulating miR-200 family members decreased after one cycle of a new line of systemic therapy, were elevated during PD, and were indicative of CTC status. Notably, increased levels of miR-200s and elevated CTC count correlated with poorer OS and PFS. As such, both are promising biomarkers for optimizing the clinical management of MBC.
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Targeting non-coding RNAs to overcome cancer therapy resistance. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:121. [PMID: 35418578 PMCID: PMC9008121 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00975-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It is now well known that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), rather than protein-coding transcripts, are the preponderant RNA transcripts. NcRNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are widely appreciated as pervasive regulators of multiple cancer hallmarks such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, and genomic instability. Despite recent discoveries in cancer therapy, resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy continue to be a major setback. Recent studies have shown that ncRNAs also play a major role in resistance to different cancer therapies by rewiring essential signaling pathways. In this review, we present the intricate mechanisms through which dysregulated ncRNAs control resistance to the four major types of cancer therapies. We will focus on the current clinical implications of ncRNAs as biomarkers to predict treatment response (intrinsic resistance) and to detect resistance to therapy after the start of treatment (acquired resistance). Furthermore, we will present the potential of targeting ncRNA to overcome cancer treatment resistance, and we will discuss the challenges of ncRNA-targeted therapy—especially the development of delivery systems.
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14
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Barth DA, Stanzer S, Spiegelberg JA, Bauernhofer T, Absenger G, Szkandera J, Gerger A, Smolle MA, Hutterer GC, Ahyai SA, Madl T, Posch F, Riedl JM, Klec C, Jost PJ, Kargl J, Stradner MH, Pichler M. Patterns of Peripheral Blood B-Cell Subtypes Are Associated With Treatment Response in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Prospective Longitudinal Pan-Cancer Study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:840207. [PMID: 35432362 PMCID: PMC9010871 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.840207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized systemic anti-tumor treatments across different types of cancer. Nevertheless, predictive biomarkers regarding treatment response are not routinely established yet. Apart from T-lymphocytes, the humoral immunity of B-lymphocytes is studied to a substantially lesser extent in the respective setting. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate peripheral blood B-cell subtypes as potential predictors of ICI treatment response. Methods Thirty-nine cancer patients receiving ICI therapy were included into this prospective single-center cohort study. All had a first blood draw at the date before treatment initiation and a second at the time of first response evaluation (after 8-12 weeks). Seven different B-cell subtypes were quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Disease control- (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR) were co-primary study endpoints. Results Overall, DCR was 48.7% and ORR was 25.6%, respectively. At baseline, there was no significant association of any B-cell subtype with neither DCR nor ORR. At the first response evaluation, an increase in the frequency of CD21- B-cells was a statistically significant negative predictor of response, both regarding DCR (OR=0.05, 95%CI=0.00-0.67, p=0.024) and ORR (OR=0.09, 95%CI=0.01-0.96, p=0.046). An increase of the frequency of switched memory B-cells was significantly associated with reduced odds for DCR (OR=0.06, 95%CI=0.01-0.70, p=0.025). Patients with an increased frequency of naïve B-cells were more likely to benefit from ICI therapy as indicated by an improved DCR (OR=12.31, 95%CI=1.13-134.22, p=0.039). Conclusion In this study, certain B-cell subpopulations were associated with ICI treatment response in various human cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik A. Barth
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefanie Stanzer
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jasmin A. Spiegelberg
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Bauernhofer
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gudrun Absenger
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Joanna Szkandera
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Gerger
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Maria A. Smolle
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Sascha A. Ahyai
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tobias Madl
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Florian Posch
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jakob M. Riedl
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christiane Klec
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Philipp J. Jost
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin H. Stradner
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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15
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Circulating miR-200 family as predictive markers during systemic therapy of metastatic breast cancer. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2022; 306:875-885. [PMID: 35237856 PMCID: PMC9411224 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06442-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Circulating miRNAs can provide valid prognostic and predictive information for breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent management. They may comprise quintessential biomarkers that can be obtained minimally invasively from liquid biopsy in metastatic breast cancer patients. Therefore, they would be clinically crucial for monitoring therapy response, with the goal of detecting early relapse. This study investigated miRNA expression in patients with early and/or late relapse, and the predictive value for assessing overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Methods Forty-seven patients with metastatic breast cancer from the University Women’s Hospital Heidelberg were enrolled in this study. Expression of miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141, and miR-429 was analyzed by RT-qPCR before a new line of systemic therapy and after the first cycle of a respective therapy. Tumor response was assessed every 3 months using the RECIST criteria. Statistical analysis focused on the relation of miR-200s expression and early vs. late cancer relapse in relation to systemic treatment. The association of miRNAs with PFS and OS was investigated. Results Before starting a new line of systemic therapy, miR-429 (p = 0.024) expression was significantly higher in patients with early relapse (PFS ≤ 4 months) than in patients with late relapse (PFS > 4 months). After one cycle of systemic therapy, miR-200a (p = 0.039), miR-200b (p = 0.003), miR-141 (p = 0.017), and miR-429 (p = 0.010) expression was higher in early than in late progressive cancer. In addition, 4 out of 5 miR-200 family members (miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-141, and miR-429) predicted PFS (p = 0.048, p = 0.008, p = 0.026, and p = 0.016, respectively). Patients with heightened miRNA levels showed a significant reduction in OS and PFS. Conclusion Circulating miR-200s were differentially expressed among patients with late and/or early relapse. 4 of 5 members of the miR-200 family predicted significantly early relapse after systemic treatment. Our results encourage the use of circulating miR-200s as valuable prognostic biomarkers during metastatic breast cancer therapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00404-022-06442-2.
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16
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Han Z, Estephan RJ, Wu X, Su C, Yuan YC, Qin H, Kil SH, Morales C, Schmolze D, Sanchez JF, Tian L, Yu J, Kortylewski M, Rosen ST, Querfeld C. MicroRNA Regulation of T-Cell Exhaustion in Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:603-612.e7. [PMID: 34774537 PMCID: PMC8860868 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.08.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is characterized by a background of chronic inflammation, where malignant CTCL cells escape immune surveillance. To study how microRNAs (miRs) regulate T-cell exhaustion, we performed miR sequencing analysis, qRT-PCR, and in situ hybridization on 45 primary CTCL samples, three healthy skin samples, and CTCL cell lines, identifying miR-155-5p, miR-130b-3p, and miR-21-3p. Moreover, miR-155-5p, miR-130b-3p, and miR-21-3p positively correlated with immune checkpoint gene expression in lesional skin samples and were enriched in the IL-6/Jak/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway by gene set enrichment analysis. Further gene sequencing analysis showed decreased mRNA expression of the major negative regulators of Jak/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling: SOCS, PIAS, and PTPN. Transfection of MyLa and HuT78 cells with anti-miR-155-5p, anti‒miR-21-3p, and anti‒miR-130b revealed a considerable increase in SOCS proteins along with a significant decrease in the levels of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and immune checkpoint surface protein expression as well as decreased cell proliferation. Downregulation of miR-155, miR-130, and miR-21 in CTCL cell lines decreased CTCL cell growth and facilitated CD8+ T-cell-mediated cytotoxic activity, with concordant production of IFN-γ and CD107a expression. Our results describe the mechanisms of miR-induced T-cell exhaustion, which provide a foundation for developing synthetic anti-miRs to therapeutically target the tumor microenvironment in CTCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Han
- Division of Dermatology, Duarte, CA, USA,Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Renee J. Estephan
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Department of Integrative Genomics, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Chingyu Su
- Division of Dermatology, Duarte, CA, USA,Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yate-Ching Yuan
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Division of Translational Bioinformatics, Center for Informatics, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Hanjun Qin
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Department of Integrative Genomics, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Sung Hee Kil
- Division of Dermatology, Duarte, CA, USA,Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Corey Morales
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Department of Hematology/ Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - James F. Sanchez
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Department of Hematology/ Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Lei Tian
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Department of Hematology/ Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Department of Hematology/ Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Marcin Kortylewski
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Department of Immuno-Oncology, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Steven T. Rosen
- Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA,Department of Hematology/ Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Christiane Querfeld
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA; Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA; Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA; Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA.
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17
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Lin YZ, Liu SH, Wu WR, Shen YC, Wang YL, Liao CC, Lin PL, Chang H, Liu LC, Cheng WC, Wang SC. miR-4759 suppresses breast cancer through immune checkpoint blockade. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:241-251. [PMID: 35024096 PMCID: PMC8718579 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/ programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) is the key immune checkpoint governing evasion of advanced cancer from immune surveillance. Immuno-oncology (IO) therapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 with traditional antibodies is a promising approach to multiple cancer types but to which the response rate remains moderate in breast cancer, calling for the need of exploring alternative IO targeting approaches. A miRNA-gene network was integrated by a bioinformatics approach and corroborated with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to screen miRNAs regulating immune checkpoint genes and associated with patient survival. Here we show the identification of a novel microRNA miR-4759 which repressed RNA expression of the PD-L1 gene. miR-4759 targeted the PD-L1 gene through two binding motifs in the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of PD-L1. Reconstitution of miR-4759 inhibited PD-L1 expression and sensitized breast cancer cells to killing by immune cells. Treatment with miR-4759 suppressed tumor growth of orthotopic xenografts and promoted tumor infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes in immunocompetent mice. In contrast, miR-4759 had no effect to tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. In patients with breast cancer, expression of miR-4759 was preferentially downregulated in tumors compared to normal tissues and was associated with poor overall survival. Together, our results demonstrated miR-4759 as a novel non-coding RNA which promotes anti-tumor immunity of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Zhe Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hsuan Liu
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Rong Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Shen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Liang Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ching Liao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Le Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Han Chang
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Chih Liu
- Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chung Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.,Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.,Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery Ph.D. Program, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Chun Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan.,Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.,Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery Ph.D. Program, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.,Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
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18
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White AA, Lin A, Bickendorf X, Cavve BS, Moore JK, Siafarikas A, Strickland DH, Leffler J. Potential immunological effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people - an unexplored area of research. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2022; 13:20420188221139612. [PMID: 36533187 PMCID: PMC9747891 DOI: 10.1177/20420188221139612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are well-described sex-based differences in how the immune system operates. In particular, cisgender (cis) females have a more easily activated immune system; associated with an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases and adverse events following vaccinations. Conversely, cis males have a higher threshold for immune activation, and are more prone to certain infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Oestrogen and testosterone have immune-modulatory properties, and it is likely that these contribute to the sexual dimorphism of the immune system. There are also important immune-related genes located on the X chromosome, such as toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8; and the mosaic bi-allelic expression of such genes may contribute to the state of immune hyperactivation in cis females. The scientific literature strongly suggests that sex-based differences in the functioning of the immune system are related to both X-linked genes and immune modulation by sex hormones. However, it is currently not clear how this impacts transgender (trans) people receiving gender-affirming hormonal therapy. Moreover, it is estimated that in Australia, at least 2.3% of adolescents identify as trans and/or gender diverse, and referrals to specialist gender-affirming care are increasing each year. Despite the improving social awareness of trans people, they remain chronically underrepresented in the scientific literature. In addition, a small number of case studies describe new onset autoimmune disorders in adult trans females following oestrogen use. However, there is currently minimal long-term research with an immunological focus on trans people. Therefore, to ensure the positive health outcomes of trans people, it is crucial that the role of sex hormones in immune modulation is investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice A. White
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Lin
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Xander Bickendorf
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
- Gender Diversity Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Blake S. Cavve
- Gender Diversity Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Julia K. Moore
- Gender Diversity Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Aris Siafarikas
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Gender Diversity Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Paediatrics, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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19
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Dashti F, Mirazimi SMA, Rabiei N, Fathazam R, Rabiei N, Piroozmand H, Vosough M, Rahimian N, Hamblin MR, Mirzaei H. The role of non-coding RNAs in chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:892-926. [PMID: 34760336 PMCID: PMC8551789 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including colorectal, gastric, hepatic, esophageal, and pancreatic tumors, are responsible for large numbers of deaths around the world. Chemotherapy is the most common approach used to treat advanced GI cancer. However, chemoresistance has emerged as a critical challenge that prevents successful tumor elimination, leading to metastasis and recurrence. Chemoresistance mechanisms are complex, and many factors and pathways are involved. Among these factors, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are critical regulators of GI tumor development and subsequently can induce resistance to chemotherapy. This occurs because ncRNAs can target multiple signaling pathways, affect downstream genes, and modulate proliferation, apoptosis, tumor cell migration, and autophagy. ncRNAs can also induce cancer stem cell features and affect the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, ncRNAs could possibly act as new targets in chemotherapy combinations to treat GI cancer and to predict treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Dashti
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Ali Mirazimi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Nikta Rabiei
- School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Fathazam
- School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Negin Rabiei
- School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Haleh Piroozmand
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Rahimian
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Michael R. Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
- Radiation Biology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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20
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Taheri M, Barth DA, Kargl J, Rezaei O, Ghafouri-Fard S, Pichler M. Emerging Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Regulation of T-Lymphocyte Function. Front Immunol 2021; 12:756042. [PMID: 34804042 PMCID: PMC8599985 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.756042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
T-lymphocytes (T cells) play a major role in adaptive immunity and current immune checkpoint inhibitor-based cancer treatments. The regulation of their function is complex, and in addition to cytokines, receptors and transcription factors, several non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to affect differentiation and function of T cells. Among these non-coding RNAs, certain small microRNAs (miRNAs) including miR-15a/16-1, miR-125b-5p, miR-99a-5p, miR-128-3p, let-7 family, miR-210, miR-182-5p, miR-181, miR-155 and miR-10a have been well recognized. Meanwhile, IFNG-AS1, lnc-ITSN1-2, lncRNA-CD160, NEAT1, MEG3, GAS5, NKILA, lnc-EGFR and PVT1 are among long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that efficiently influence the function of T cells. Recent studies have underscored the effects of a number of circular RNAs, namely circ_0001806, hsa_circ_0045272, hsa_circ_0012919, hsa_circ_0005519 and circHIPK3 in the modulation of T-cell apoptosis, differentiation and secretion of cytokines. This review summarizes the latest news and regulatory roles of these ncRNAs on the function of T cells, with widespread implications on the pathophysiology of autoimmune disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Taheri
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dominik A Barth
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Omidvar Rezaei
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Martin Pichler
- Research Unit of Non-Coding RNAs and Genome Editing in Cancer, Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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21
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Garcia-Lacarte M, Grijalba SC, Melchor J, Arnaiz-Leché A, Roa S. The PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint in Normal Germinal Centers and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4683. [PMID: 34572910 PMCID: PMC8471895 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides a recognized role of PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint in anti-tumour immune evasion, there is accumulating evidence that PD-1/PD-L1 interactions between B and T cells also play an important role in normal germinal center (GC) reactions. Even when smaller in number, T follicular helper cells (TFH) and regulatory T (TFR) or B (Breg) cells are involved in positive selection of GC B cells and may result critical in the lymphoma microenvironment. Here, we discuss a role of PD-1/PD-L1 during tumour evolution in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a paradigm of GC-derived lymphomagenesis. We depict a progression model, in two phases, where malignant B cells take advantage of positive selection signals derived from correct antigen-presentation and PD-1/PD-L1 inter-cellular crosstalks to survive and initiate tumour expansion. Later, a constant pressure for the accumulation of genetic/epigenetic alterations facilitates that DLBCL cells exhibit higher PD-L1 levels and capacity to secrete IL-10, resembling Breg-like features. As a result, a complex immunosuppressive microenvironment is established where DLBCL cells sustain proliferation and survival by impairing regulatory control of TFR cells and limiting IL-21-mediated anti-tumour functions of TFH cells and maximize the use of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling to escape from CD8+ cytotoxic activity. Integration of these molecular and cellular addictions into a framework may contribute to the better understanding of the lymphoma microenvironment and contribute to the rationale for novel PD-1/PD-L1-based combinational immunotherapies in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Garcia-Lacarte
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Cima University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sara C. Grijalba
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
| | - Javier Melchor
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Cima University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Adrián Arnaiz-Leché
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
| | - Sergio Roa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Cima University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Cancer—Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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22
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Garrido-Cano I, Pattanayak B, Adam-Artigues A, Lameirinhas A, Torres-Ruiz S, Tormo E, Cervera R, Eroles P. MicroRNAs as a clue to overcome breast cancer treatment resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 41:77-105. [PMID: 34524579 PMCID: PMC8924146 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09992-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women worldwide. Despite the improvement in diagnosis and treatments, the rates of cancer relapse and resistance to therapies remain higher than desirable. Alterations in microRNAs have been linked to changes in critical processes related to cancer development and progression. Their involvement in resistance or sensitivity to breast cancer treatments has been documented by different in vivo and in vitro experiments. The most significant microRNAs implicated in modulating resistance to breast cancer therapies are summarized in this review. Resistance to therapy has been linked to cellular processes such as cell cycle, apoptosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, stemness phenotype, or receptor signaling pathways, and the role of microRNAs in their regulation has already been described. The modulation of specific microRNAs may modify treatment response and improve survival rates and cancer patients' quality of life. As a result, a greater understanding of microRNAs, their targets, and the signaling pathways through which they act is needed. This information could be useful to design new therapeutic strategies, to reduce resistance to the available treatments, and to open the door to possible new clinical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ana Lameirinhas
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Eduardo Tormo
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010, Valencia, Spain.,Center for Biomedical Network Research On Cancer, CIBERONC-ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pilar Eroles
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010, Valencia, Spain. .,Center for Biomedical Network Research On Cancer, CIBERONC-ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain. .,Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
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23
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Smolle MA, Herbsthofer L, Granegger B, Goda M, Brcic I, Bergovec M, Scheipl S, Prietl B, Pichler M, Gerger A, Rossmann C, Riedl J, Tomberger M, López-García P, El-Heliebi A, Leithner A, Liegl-Atzwanger B, Szkandera J. T-regulatory cells predict clinical outcome in soft tissue sarcoma patients: a clinico-pathological study. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:717-724. [PMID: 34127811 PMCID: PMC8405702 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01456-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are generally considered non-immunogenic, although specific subtypes respond to immunotherapy. Antitumour response within the tumour microenvironment relies on a balance between inhibitory and activating signals for tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). This study analysed TILs and immune checkpoint molecules in STS, and assessed their prognostic impact regarding local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM), and overall survival (OS). METHODS One-hundred and ninety-two surgically treated STS patients (median age: 63.5 years; 103 males [53.6%]) were retrospectively included. Tissue microarrays were constructed, immunohistochemistry for PD-1, PD-L1, FOXP3, CD3, CD4, and CD8 performed, and staining assessed with multispectral imaging. TIL phenotype abundance and immune checkpoint markers were correlated with clinical and outcome parameters (LR, DM, and OS). RESULTS Significant differences between histology and all immune checkpoint markers except for FOXP3+ and CD3-PD-L1+ cell subpopulations were found. Higher levels of PD-L1, PD-1, and any TIL phenotype were found in myxofibrosarcoma as compared to leiomyosarcoma (all p < 0.05). The presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was associated with increased LR risk (p = 0.006), irrespective of margins. Other TILs or immune checkpoint markers had no significant impact on outcome parameters. CONCLUSIONS TIL and immune checkpoint marker levels are most abundant in myxofibrosarcoma. High Treg levels are independently associated with increased LR risk, irrespective of margins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Smolle
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Laurin Herbsthofer
- grid.499898.dCenter for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Barbara Granegger
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Mark Goda
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Iva Brcic
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Marko Bergovec
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Susanne Scheipl
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Barbara Prietl
- grid.499898.dCenter for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria ,grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Pichler
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Gerger
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christopher Rossmann
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jakob Riedl
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martina Tomberger
- grid.499898.dCenter for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Pablo López-García
- grid.499898.dCenter for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Amin El-Heliebi
- grid.499898.dCenter for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria ,grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Leithner
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Bernadette Liegl-Atzwanger
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Joanna Szkandera
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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24
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Winkle M, El-Daly SM, Fabbri M, Calin GA. Noncoding RNA therapeutics - challenges and potential solutions. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:629-651. [PMID: 34145432 PMCID: PMC8212082 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00219-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 734] [Impact Index Per Article: 244.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic targeting of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), represents an attractive approach for the treatment of cancers, as well as many other diseases. Over the past decade, substantial effort has been made towards the clinical application of RNA-based therapeutics, employing mostly antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, with several gaining FDA approval. However, trial results have so far been ambivalent, with some studies reporting potent effects whereas others demonstrated limited efficacy or toxicity. Alternative entities such as antimiRNAs are undergoing clinical testing, and lncRNA-based therapeutics are gaining interest. In this Perspective, we discuss key challenges facing ncRNA therapeutics - including issues associated with specificity, delivery and tolerability - and focus on promising emerging approaches that aim to boost their success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Winkle
- Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas State University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sherien M El-Daly
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Medical Research Division - Cancer Biology and Genetics Laboratory, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences - National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Muller Fabbri
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - George A Calin
- Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas State University, Houston, TX, USA.
- The RNA Interference and Non-codingRNA Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas State University, Houston, TX, USA.
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25
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Xing Y, Wang Z, Lu Z, Xia J, Xie Z, Jiao M, Liu R, Chu Y. MicroRNAs: immune modulators in cancer immunotherapy. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2021; 1:ltab006. [PMID: 35919742 PMCID: PMC9327120 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltab006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Summary
MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of endogenous small non-coding RNA of 18–25 nucleotides and plays regulatory roles in both physiological and pathological processes. Emerging evidence support that miRNAs function as immune modulators in tumors. MiRNAs as tumor suppressors or oncogenes are also found to be able to modulate anti-tumor immunity or link the crosstalk between tumor cells and immune cells surrounding. Based on the specific regulating function, miRNAs can be used as predictive, prognostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in immunotherapy. Here, we review new findings about the role of miRNAs in modulating immune responses, as well as discuss mechanisms underlying their dysregulation, and their clinical potentials as indicators of tumor prognosis or to sensitize cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Xing
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhou Lu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jie Xia
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhangjuan Xie
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Mengxia Jiao
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Ronghua Liu
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yiwei Chu
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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26
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Lone SN, Bhat AA, Wani NA, Karedath T, Hashem S, Nisar S, Singh M, Bagga P, Das BC, Bedognetti D, Reddy R, Frenneaux MP, El-Rifai W, Siddiqi MA, Haris M, Macha MA. miRNAs as novel immunoregulators in cancer. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 124:3-14. [PMID: 33926791 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is a well-known vital regulator of tumor growth, and one of the main hallmarks of cancer is evading the immune system. Immune system deregulation can lead to immune surveillance evasion, sustained cancer growth, proliferation, and metastasis. Tumor-mediated disruption of the immune system is accomplished by different mechanisms that involve extensive crosstalk with the immediate microenvironment, which includes endothelial cells, immune cells, and stromal cells, to create a favorable tumor niche that facilitates the development of cancer. The essential role of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in the mechanism of cancer cell immune evasion has been highlighted in recent studies. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate a wide range of post-transcriptional gene expression in a cell. Recent studies have focused on the function that miRNAs play in controlling the expression of target proteins linked to immune modulation. Studies show that miRNAs modulate the immune response in cancers by regulating the expression of different immune-modulatory molecules associated with immune effector cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells, as well as those present in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. This review explores the relationship between miRNAs, their altered patterns of expression in tumors, immune modulation, and the functional control of a wide range of immune cells, thereby offering detailed insights on the crosstalk of tumor-immune cells and their use as prognostic markers or therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saife N Lone
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nissar A Wani
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | | | - Sheema Hashem
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Nisar
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mayank Singh
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (BRAIRCH), AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bhudev Chandra Das
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunogenomics, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mushtaq A Siddiqi
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, India
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, India.
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27
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Simna SP, Han Z. Prospects Of Non-Coding Elements In Genomic Dna Based Gene Therapy. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 22:89-103. [PMID: 33874871 DOI: 10.2174/1566523221666210419090357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy has made significant development since the commencement of the first clinical trials a few decades ago and has remained a dynamic area of research regardless of obstacles such as immune response and insertional mutagenesis. Progression in various technologies like next-generation sequencing (NGS) and nanotechnology has established the importance of non-coding segments of a genome, thereby taking gene therapy to the next level. In this review, we have summarized the importance of non-coding elements, highlighting the advantages of using full-length genomic DNA loci (gDNA) compared to complementary DNA (cDNA) or minigene, currently used in gene therapy. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the advances and the future of potential use of gDNA loci in gene therapy, expanding the therapeutic repertoire in molecular medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Simna
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599. United States
| | - Zongchao Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599. United States
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28
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Javadrashid D, Baghbanzadeh A, Hemmat N, Hajiasgharzadeh K, Nourbakhsh NS, Lotfi Z, Baradaran B. Envisioning the immune system to determine its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Culprit or victim? Immunol Lett 2021; 232:48-59. [PMID: 33647329 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2021.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a poor 5-year survival rate that makes it one of the most fatal human malignancies. Unfortunately, despite the serious improvement in the survival of most cancers, there has been a minor advance in pancreatic cancer (PC). Major advances in PC treatment have been assessed over the bygone twenty-year time span, yet some complications make the survival of the patients shorter. Getting to know the PC tumor microenvironment (TME) and the immunosuppression that happens during the pathogenesis of this malignancy could be a great help to understand the nature of the immune system and find better treatment modalities based on it. Although many immune cells are present in PC, immunosuppression of the TME leads to severe immune dysfunction in the patients, therefore immune effectors fail to do their functions. Lately, immunotherapy has been presented as one of the promising treatment strategies for different malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and kidney cancer. In PC, there has been shown promising results centered around the TME, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and other approaches especially when used as combinational therapy. Here we dig a little deeper into the role of the immune system and possible therapeutic options in the treatment of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darya Javadrashid
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nima Hemmat
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | | | - Ziba Lotfi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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29
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Mohapatra S, Pioppini C, Ozpolat B, Calin GA. Non-coding RNAs regulation of macrophage polarization in cancer. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:24. [PMID: 33522932 PMCID: PMC7849140 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01313-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Noncoding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts that did not code proteins but regulate their functions were extensively studied for the last two decades and the plethora of discoveries have instigated scientists to investigate their dynamic roles in several diseases especially in cancer. However, there is much more to learn about the role of ncRNAs as drivers of malignant cell evolution in relation to macrophage polarization in the tumor microenvironment. At the initial stage of tumor development, macrophages have an important role in directing Go/No-go decisions to the promotion of tumor growth, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis. Tumor-associated macrophages behave differently as they are predominantly induced to be polarized into M2, a pro-tumorigenic type when recruited with the tumor tissue and thereby favoring the tumorigenesis. Polarization of macrophages into M1 or M2 subtypes plays a vital role in regulating tumor progression, metastasis, and clinical outcome, highlighting the importance of studying the factors driving this process. A substantial number of studies have demonstrated that ncRNAs are involved in the macrophage polarization based on their ability to drive M1 or M2 polarization and in this review we have described their functions and categorized them into oncogenes, tumor suppressors, Juggling tumor suppressors, and Juggling oncogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Mohapatra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carlotta Pioppini
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bulent Ozpolat
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - George A Calin
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Center for RNA Interference and Non-coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Life Science Plaza, Suite: LSP9.3012, 2130 W, Holcombe Blvd, Ste. 910, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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30
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Li N, Li Z, Li X, Chen B, Sun H, Zhao K. Identification of an immune-related long noncoding RNA signature that predicts prognosis in breast cancer patients. Biomark Med 2021; 15:167-180. [PMID: 33496624 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2020-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify an immune-related long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) signature that predicts the prognosis of breast cancer. Materials & methods: The expression profiles of breast cancer were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cox regression analysis was used to identify an immune-related lncRNA signature. Results: The five immune-related lncRNAs could be used to construct a breast cancer survival prognosis model. The receiver operating characteristic curve evaluation found that the accuracy of the model for predicting the 1-, 3- and 5-year prognosis of breast cancer was 0.688, 0.708 and 0.686. Conclusion: This signature may have an important clinical significance for improving predictive results and guiding the treatment of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Breast surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161000, PR China
| | - Zubin Li
- Breast surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161000, PR China
| | - Xin Li
- Breast surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161000, PR China
| | - Bingjie Chen
- Nursing department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161000, PR China
| | - Huibo Sun
- Breast surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161000, PR China
| | - Kun Zhao
- Department of pathology, The Qiqihar Medical College
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31
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Zhao T, Du J, Zeng H. Interplay between endoplasmic reticulum stress and non-coding RNAs in cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:163. [PMID: 33267910 PMCID: PMC7709275 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-01002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
To survive, cancer cells are subjected to various internal and external adverse factors, including genetic mutations, hypoxia, nutritional deficiencies, and drug toxicity. All of these factors result in the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, which leads to a condition termed endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR downstream components strictly control transcription and translation reprogramming to ensure selective gene expression, including that of non-coding RNA (ncRNAs), to adapt to adverse environments. NcRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play important roles in regulating target gene expression and protein translation, and their aberrant expression is related to tumor development. Dysregulation of ncRNAs is involved in the regulation of various cellular characteristics of cancer cells, including growth, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, drug sensitivity, and tumor stem cell properties. Notably, ncRNAs and ER stress can regulate each other and collaborate to determine the fate of tumor cells. Therefore, investigating the interaction between ER stress and ncRNAs is crucial for developing effective cancer treatment and prevention strategies. In this review, we summarize the ER stress-triggered UPR signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis followed by the mutual regulation of ER stress and ncRNAs in cancer, which provide further insights into the understanding of tumorigenesis and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
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32
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Li J, Tan T, Zhao L, Liu M, You Y, Zeng Y, Chen D, Xie T, Zhang L, Fu C, Zeng Z. Recent Advancements in Liposome-Targeting Strategies for the Treatment of Gliomas: A Systematic Review. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:5500-5528. [PMID: 35021787 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c00705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Malignant tumors represent some of the most intractable diseases that endanger human health. A glioma is a tumor of the central nervous system that is characterized by severe invasiveness, blurred boundaries between the tumor and surrounding normal tissue, difficult surgical removal, and high recurrence. Moreover, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and multidrug resistance (MDR) are important factors that contribute to the lack of efficacy of chemotherapy in treating gliomas. A liposome is a biofilm-like drug delivery system with a unique phospholipid bilayer that exhibits high affinities with human tissues/organs (e.g., BBB). After more than five decades of development, classical and engineered liposomes consist of four distinct generations, each with different characteristics: (i) traditional liposomes, (ii) stealth liposomes, (iii) targeting liposomes, and (iv) biomimetic liposomes, which offer a promising approach to promote drugs across the BBB and to reverse MDR. Here, we review the history, preparatory methods, and physicochemical properties of liposomes. Furthermore, we discuss the mechanisms by which liposomes have assisted in the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas, including drug transport across the BBB, inhibition of efflux transporters, reversal of MDR, and induction of immune responses. Finally, we highlight ongoing and future clinical trials and applications toward further developing and testing the efficacies of liposomes in treating gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tiantian Tan
- Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liping Zhao
- Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu You
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiying Zeng
- Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dajing Chen
- Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tian Xie
- Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- School of Medicine, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, Sichuan, China
| | - Chaomei Fu
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhaowu Zeng
- Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
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P53-regulated miR-320a targets PDL1 and is downregulated in malignant mesothelioma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:748. [PMID: 32929059 PMCID: PMC7490273 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02940-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer, related to asbestos exposure, which has a dismal prognosis. MPM diagnosis is late and often challenging, suggesting the need to identify more reliable molecular biomarkers. Here, we set out to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in epithelioid, biphasic, and sarcomatoid MPMs versus normal mesothelium and explored specific miRNA contribution to mesothelial tumorigenesis. We screened an LNA™-based miRNA-microrray with 14 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) MPMs and 6 normal controls. Through real-time qRT-PCR we extended the analysis of a miRNA subset and further investigated miR-320a role through state-of-the-art techniques. We identified 16 upregulated and 32 downregulated miRNAs in MPMs versus normal tissue, including the previously identified potential biomarkers miR-21, miR-126, miR-143, miR-145. We showed in an extended series that miR-145, miR-10b, and miR-320a levels can discriminate tumor versus controls with high specificity and sensitivity. We focused on miR-320a because other family members were found downregulated in MPMs. However, stable miR-320a ectopic expression induced higher proliferation and migration ability, whereas miR-320a silencing reduced these processes, not supporting a classic tumor-suppressor role in MPM cell lines. Among putative targets, we found that miR-320a binds the 3'-UTR of the immune inhibitory receptor ligand PDL1 and, consistently, miR-320a modulation affects PDL1 levels in MPM cells. Finally, we showed that p53 over-expression induces the upregulation of miR-320a, along with miR-200a and miR-34a, both known to target PDL1, and reduces PDL1 levels in MPM cells. Our data suggest that PDL1 expression might be due to a defective p53-regulated miRNA response, which could contribute to MPM immune evasion or tumorigenesis through tumor-intrinsic roles.
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34
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Zhang XY, Mao L. Circular RNA Circ_0000442 acts as a sponge of MiR-148b-3p to suppress breast cancer via PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Gene 2020; 766:145113. [PMID: 32891771 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newly validated type of endogenous non-coding RNAs and accumulating evidence suggests that aberrant circRNAs are involved in disease pathogenesis. However, the function of circRNAs in breast cancer remains largely unknown. This study is aimed to characterize the potential role and mechanism of hsa_circ_0000442 (circ_0000442) in breast cancer. The human breast epithelial cell line (MCF-10A), breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, T47D, BT474, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, SUM-1315) and the Balb/C Nude mice were used for exploration, and the qRT-PCR, western blot, dual-luciferase reporter assay, glo assay, colony formation assay, and tumor xenograft were carried out for investigation. In this study, the results showed a lower expression of circ_0000442 in breast cancer tumor tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues. Subsequently, circ_0000442 was found to acted as the sponge of miR-148b-3p in breast cancer cells, thus exerting the tumor-suppressive effects. In the subsequent mechanism study, results showed that miR-148b-3p directly targeted PTEN, a well-known tumor suppressor which negatively regulats PI3K/Akt pathway, thus promoting tumor growth in breast cancer. Overall, this study for the first time identified the tumor-suppressive role of circ_0000442 in breast cancer and found PTEN as a novel direct target of miR-148b-3p. The regulatory role of circ_0000442/miR-148b-3p/PTEN/PI3K/Akt axis was preliminarily confirmed in breast cancer cells and mouse models. These findings suggest an important progress in our standing of breast cancer and lay the foundation for the further function, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis research of circular RNAs in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ling Mao
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, the Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, the Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, No. 62, Huaihai Road (S.), Huai'an 223002, China.
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35
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LINC00266-1/miR-548c-3p/SMAD2 feedback loop stimulates the development of osteosarcoma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:576. [PMID: 32709857 PMCID: PMC7381647 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02764-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common primary bone malignancies and accounts for 3.4% of pediatric tumors. Its 5-year survival is as low as about 20%. Differentially expressed lncRNAs in OS profiling were searched in the downloaded profile of GSE12865. As a result, LINC00266-1 was detected to be upregulated in both GSE12865 and OS tissues we collected. SMAD2 was the downstream target binding to promoter sites of LINC00266-1, displaying a positive regulatory interaction. Knockdown of LINC00266-1 suppressed the proliferative and metastatic abilities, and promoted the apoptosis in OS cells. Besides, knockdown of LINC00266-1 significantly alleviated the growth of OS in vivo. MiR-548c-3p was the sponge miRNA of LINC00266-1, which was able to reverse the regulatory effects of LINC00266-1 on OS cell phenotypes. Moreover, miR-548c-3p bound to the 3'-UTR of SMAD2 and thus downregulated SMAD2. Overexpression of SMAD2 partially reversed the regulatory effects of LINC00266-1 on OS cell phenotypes. Finally, we have identified that LINC00266-1/miR-548c-3p/SMAD2 feedback loop was responsible for stimulating the development of OS.
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36
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Epigenetic Mechanisms of Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071061. [PMID: 32708698 PMCID: PMC7407667 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated to be highly efficient in treating solid tumors; however, many patients have limited benefits in terms of response and survival. This rapidly led to the investigation of combination therapies to enhance response rates. Moreover, predictive biomarkers were assessed to better select patients. Although PD-L1 expression remains the only validated marker in clinics, molecular profiling has brought valuable information, showing that the tumor mutation load and microsatellite instability (MSI) status were associated to higher response rates in nearly all cancer types. Moreover, in lung cancer, EGFR and MET mutations, oncogene fusions or STK11 inactivating mutations were associated with low response rates. Cancer progression towards invasive phenotypes that impede immune surveillance relies on complex regulatory networks and cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Epigenetic modifications, such as the alteration of histone patterns, chromatin structure, DNA methylation status at specific promoters and changes in microRNA levels, may alter the cell phenotype and reshape the tumor microenvironment, allowing cells to grow and escape from immune surveillance. The objective of this review is to make an update on the identified epigenetic changes that target immune surveillance and, ultimately, ICI responses, such as histone marks, DNA methylation and miR signatures. Translational studies or clinical trials, when available, and potential epigenetic biomarkers will be discussed as perspectives in the context of combination treatment strategies to enhance ICI responses in patients with solid tumors.
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37
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Saleh R, Toor SM, Sasidharan Nair V, Elkord E. Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Inhibitory Immune Checkpoints in Cancer Development and Progression. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1469. [PMID: 32760400 PMCID: PMC7371937 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A balance between co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory signals in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical to suppress tumor development and progression, primarily via maintaining effective immunosurveillance. Aberrant expression of immune checkpoints (ICs), including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) and T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), can create an immune-subversive environment, which helps tumor cells to evade immune destruction. Recent studies showed that epigenetic modifications play critical roles in regulating the expression of ICs and their ligands in the TME. Reports showed that the promoter regions of genes encoding ICs/IC ligands can undergo inherent epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications (acetylation and methylation). These epigenetic aberrations can significantly contribute to the transcriptomic upregulation of ICs and their ligands. Epigenetic therapeutics, including DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, can be used to revert these epigenetic anomalies acquired during the progression of disease. These discoveries have established a promising therapeutic modality utilizing the combination of epigenetic and immunotherapeutic agents to restore the physiological epigenetic profile and to re-establish potent host immunosurveillance mechanisms. In this review, we highlight the roles of epigenetic modifications on the upregulation of ICs, focusing on tumor development, and progression. We discuss therapeutic approaches of epigenetic modifiers, including clinical trials in various cancer settings and their impact on current and future anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Saleh
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Salman M Toor
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
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38
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Grillone K, Riillo C, Scionti F, Rocca R, Tradigo G, Guzzi PH, Alcaro S, Di Martino MT, Tagliaferri P, Tassone P. Non-coding RNAs in cancer: platforms and strategies for investigating the genomic "dark matter". J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:117. [PMID: 32563270 PMCID: PMC7305591 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01622-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the onset and progression of malignancies is a promising frontier of cancer genetics. It is clear that ncRNAs are candidates for therapeutic intervention, since they may act as biomarkers or key regulators of cancer gene network. Recently, profiling and sequencing of ncRNAs disclosed deep deregulation in human cancers mostly due to aberrant mechanisms of ncRNAs biogenesis, such as amplification, deletion, abnormal epigenetic or transcriptional regulation. Although dysregulated ncRNAs may promote hallmarks of cancer as oncogenes or antagonize them as tumor suppressors, the mechanisms behind these events remain to be clarified. The development of new bioinformatic tools as well as novel molecular technologies is a challenging opportunity to disclose the role of the "dark matter" of the genome. In this review, we focus on currently available platforms, computational analyses and experimental strategies to investigate ncRNAs in cancer. We highlight the differences among experimental approaches aimed to dissect miRNAs and lncRNAs, which are the most studied ncRNAs. These two classes indeed need different investigation taking into account their intrinsic characteristics, such as length, structures and also the interacting molecules. Finally, we discuss the relevance of ncRNAs in clinical practice by considering promises and challenges behind the bench to bedside translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Grillone
- Laboratory of Translational Medical Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Caterina Riillo
- Laboratory of Translational Medical Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Scionti
- Laboratory of Translational Medical Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Roberta Rocca
- Laboratory of Translational Medical Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Net4science srl, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tradigo
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pietro Hiram Guzzi
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Net4science srl, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, Magna Græcia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Di Martino
- Laboratory of Translational Medical Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Laboratory of Translational Medical Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Laboratory of Translational Medical Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Liu L, Wang Q, Qiu Z, Kang Y, Liu J, Ning S, Yin Y, Pang D, Xu S. Noncoding RNAs: the shot callers in tumor immune escape. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:102. [PMID: 32561709 PMCID: PMC7305134 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0194-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, designed to exploit the functions of the host immune system against tumors, has shown considerable potential against several malignancies. However, the utility of immunotherapy is heavily limited due to the low response rate and various side effects in the clinical setting. Immune escape of tumor cells may be a critical reason for such low response rates. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified as key regulatory factors in tumors and the immune system. Consequently, ncRNAs show promise as targets to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in tumors. However, the relationship between ncRNAs and tumor immune escape (TIE) has not yet been comprehensively summarized. In this review, we provide a detailed account of the current knowledge on ncRNAs associated with TIE and their potential roles in tumor growth and survival mechanisms. This review bridges the gap between ncRNAs and TIE and broadens our understanding of their relationship, providing new insights and strategies to improve immunotherapy response rates by specifically targeting the ncRNAs involved in TIE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zhilin Qiu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yujuan Kang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jiena Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Shipeng Ning
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yanling Yin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Da Pang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China. .,Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Shouping Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China.
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40
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Mao D, Hu C, Zhang J, Feng C, Zhang Z, Wang J, Man Z, Zhu Z, Wang Y, Zhao H, Zhu X, Ouyang J, Dong X, Zhao X. Long Noncoding RNA GM16343 Promotes IL-36β to Regulate Tumor Microenvironment by CD8 +T cells. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2020; 18:1533033819883633. [PMID: 31684829 PMCID: PMC6831968 DOI: 10.1177/1533033819883633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effect of long noncoding RNA GM16343 on interleukin 36β promotion of
CD8+T cells in tumor microenvironment regulation. Methods: The differentially expressed long noncoding RNA in interleukin 36β-stimulated mouse
CD8+T cells was screened by gene chip technology, and the significant
differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs were verified by real-time polymerase chain
reaction. The lentiviral vector that overexpresses or knockdown GM16343 was constructed,
transfected into CD8+T cells, and stimulated with interleukin 36β, and the
amount of interferon γ secreted was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A
mouse subcutaneous xenograft model that stably express interleukin 36β was established,
and the tumor size and mouse survival time were observed by stimulation with
CD8+T cells overexpression or knockdown of GM16343. Results: A total of 12 long noncoding RNAs with significant differences were screened by gene
chip analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the difference in GM16343
was larger, and the difference between the groups was observed to be the most
significant. Compared to control group, CD8+T cells overexpressing GM16343
increased the secretion of interferon γ, and the tumor diameter of the mice after
stimulation showed significant reduction, and the survival time showed significant
prolongation. Compared to control group, the CD8+T cells after GM16343 were
knocked down. The interferon γ secretion was decreased, and no significant change in
tumor diameter and survival time was observed. Conclusion: Interleukin 36β may enhance antitumor immune response of CD8+T cells by
regulating GM16343.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deli Mao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chenrui Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jianglei Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chao Feng
- Soochow University Institutes for Translational Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhongsong Man
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhongwei Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yunliang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hua Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xinguo Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Ouyang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Dong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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41
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Emamgolizadeh Gurt Tapeh B, Mosayyebi B, Samei M, Beyrampour Basmenj H, Mohammadi A, Alivand MR, Hassanpour P, Solali S. microRNAs involved in T-cell development, selection, activation, and hemostasis. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:8461-8471. [PMID: 32324267 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) characterized by small, noncoding RNAs have a fundamental role in the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Additionally, miRNAs have recently been identified as potential regulators of various genes involved in the pathogenesis of the autoimmune and inflammatory disease. So far, the interaction between miRNAs and T lymphocytes in the immune response as a new and significant topic has not been emphasized substantially. The role of miRNAs in different biological processes including apoptosis, immune checkpoints and the activation of immune cells is still unclear. Aberrant miRNA expression profile affects various aspects of T-cell function. Accordingly, in this literature review, we summarized the role of significant miRNAs in T-cell development processes. Consequently, we demonstrated precise mechanisms that candidate miRNAs interfere in Immune response mediated by different types of T cells. We believe that a good understanding of the interaction between miRNAs and immune response contributes to the new therapeutic strategies in relation to disease with an immunological origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Emamgolizadeh Gurt Tapeh
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Bashir Mosayyebi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Samei
- Department of Immunology, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Ali Mohammadi
- Department of cancer and inflammation, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mohammad R Alivand
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parviz Hassanpour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Solali
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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42
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Regulations on Messenger RNA: Wires and Nodes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1248:251-263. [PMID: 32185714 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-3266-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Somatic cells of an organism virtually share the same DNA but it is the timely expression of specific genes that determine their phenotype and cellular identity. A series of complex molecular machinery allows for the regulated process of RNA transcription, splicing, and translation. In addition, microRNAs and specialized RNA binding proteins can trigger the degradation of mRNAs. Long non-coding RNAs can also regulate mRNA fate in multiple ways. In this chapter, we reviewed the RNA processing mechanisms directly regulating immune checkpoint genes. We also cover RNA-based therapeutic strategies aiming at restoring immunity by targeting immune checkpoint genes.
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43
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Rubin JB, Lagas JS, Broestl L, Sponagel J, Rockwell N, Rhee G, Rosen SF, Chen S, Klein RS, Imoukhuede P, Luo J. Sex differences in cancer mechanisms. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:17. [PMID: 32295632 PMCID: PMC7161126 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00291-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We now know that cancer is many different diseases, with great variation even within a single histological subtype. With the current emphasis on developing personalized approaches to cancer treatment, it is astonishing that we have not yet systematically incorporated the biology of sex differences into our paradigms for laboratory and clinical cancer research. While some sex differences in cancer arise through the actions of circulating sex hormones, other sex differences are independent of estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone levels. Instead, these differences are the result of sexual differentiation, a process that involves genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, in addition to acute sex hormone actions. Sexual differentiation begins with fertilization and continues beyond menopause. It affects virtually every body system, resulting in marked sex differences in such areas as growth, lifespan, metabolism, and immunity, all of which can impact on cancer progression, treatment response, and survival. These organismal level differences have correlates at the cellular level, and thus, males and females can fundamentally differ in their protections and vulnerabilities to cancer, from cellular transformation through all stages of progression, spread, and response to treatment. Our goal in this review is to cover some of the robust sex differences that exist in core cancer pathways and to make the case for inclusion of sex as a biological variable in all laboratory and clinical cancer research. We finish with a discussion of lab- and clinic-based experimental design that should be used when testing whether sex matters and the appropriate statistical models to apply in data analysis for rigorous evaluations of potential sex effects. It is our goal to facilitate the evaluation of sex differences in cancer in order to improve outcomes for all patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Rubin
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Joseph S Lagas
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Lauren Broestl
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jasmin Sponagel
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Nathan Rockwell
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Gina Rhee
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sarah F Rosen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Si Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Robyn S Klein
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Princess Imoukhuede
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jingqin Luo
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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44
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Dragomir MP, Kopetz S, Ajani JA, Calin GA. Non-coding RNAs in GI cancers: from cancer hallmarks to clinical utility. Gut 2020; 69:748-763. [PMID: 32034004 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
One of the most unexpected discoveries in molecular oncology, in the last decades, was the identification of a new layer of protein coding gene regulation by transcripts that do not codify for proteins, the non-coding RNAs. These represent a heterogeneous category of transcripts that interact with many types of genetic elements, including regulatory DNAs, coding and other non-coding transcripts and directly to proteins. The final outcome, in the malignant context, is the regulation of any of the cancer hallmarks. Non-coding RNAs represent the most abundant type of hormones that contribute significantly to cell-to cell communication, revealing a complex interplay between tumour cells, tumour microenvironment cells and immune cells. Consequently, profiling their abundance in bodily fluids became a mainstream of biomarker identification. Therapeutic targeting of non-coding RNAs represents a new option for clinicians that is currently under development. This review will present the biology and translational value of three of the most studied categories on non-coding RNAs, the microRNAs, the long non-coding RNAs and the circular RNAs. We will also focus on some aspirational concepts that can help in the development of clinical applications related to non-coding RNAs, including using pyknons to discover new non-coding RNAs, targeting human-specific transcripts which are expressed specifically in the tumour cell and using non-coding RNAs to increase the efficiency of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihnea Paul Dragomir
- Experimental Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jaffer A Ajani
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - George Adrian Calin
- Experimental Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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45
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Feng B, Shen Y, Pastor Hostench X, Bieg M, Plath M, Ishaque N, Eils R, Freier K, Weichert W, Zaoui K, Hess J. Integrative Analysis of Multi-omics Data Identified EGFR and PTGS2 as Key Nodes in a Gene Regulatory Network Related to Immune Phenotypes in Head and Neck Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3616-3628. [PMID: 32161122 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malignant progression exhibits a tightly orchestrated balance between immune effector response and tolerance. However, underlying molecular principles that drive the establishment and maintenance of the tumor immune phenotype remain to be elucidated. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We trained a novel molecular classifier based on immune cell subsets related to programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and interferon γ (IFNγ) expression, which revealed distinct subgroups with higher (cluster A) or lower (subcluster B3) cytotoxic immune phenotypes. Integrative analysis of multi-omics data was conducted to identify differences in genetic and epigenetic landscapes as well as their impact on differentially expressed genes (DEG) among immune phenotypes. A prognostic gene signature for immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) was established by a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression model. RESULTS Mutational landscape analyses unraveled a higher frequency of CASP8 somatic mutations in subcluster A1, while subcluster B3 exhibited a characteristic pattern of copy-number alterations affecting chemokine signaling and immune effector response. The integrative multi-omics approach identified EGFR and PTGS2 as key nodes in a gene regulatory network related to the immune phenotype, and several DEGs related to the immune phenotypes were affected by EGFR inhibition in tumor cell lines. Finally, we established a prognostic gene signature by a LASSO-Cox regression model based on DEGs between nonprogressive disease and progressive disease subgroups for ICI. CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight a complex interplay between genetic and epigenetic events in the establishment of the tumor immune phenotype and provide compelling experimental evidence that a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck at higher risk for ICI treatment failure might benefit from a combination with EGFR inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohai Feng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xavier Pastor Hostench
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology (DKFZ-HIPO), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Bieg
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology (DKFZ-HIPO), Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Digital Health, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Plath
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Naveed Ishaque
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology (DKFZ-HIPO), Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Digital Health, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland Eils
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology (DKFZ-HIPO), Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Digital Health, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Health Data Science Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kolja Freier
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University Munich (TUM), and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Karim Zaoui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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46
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Zhang L, Xu X, Su X. Noncoding RNAs in cancer immunity: functions, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical application. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:48. [PMID: 32122338 PMCID: PMC7050126 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well acknowledged that immune system is deeply involved in cancer initiation and progression, and can exert both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic effects, depending on specific microenvironment. With the better understanding of cancer-associated immune cells, especially T cells, immunotherapy was developed and applied in multiple cancers and exhibits remarkable efficacy. However, currently only a subset of patients have responses to immunotherapy, suggesting that a boarder view of cancer immunity is required. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), mainly including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), are identified as critical regulators in both cancer cells and immune cells, thus show great potential to serve as new therapeutic targets to improve the response of immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the functions and regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs in cancer immunity, and highlight the potential of ncRNAs as novel targets for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhang
- Clinical Medical Research Center of the Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, 1 Tong Dao Street, Huimin District, Hohhot, 010050, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Xiaonan Xu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, FL, 33612-9497, USA
| | - Xiulan Su
- Clinical Medical Research Center of the Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, 1 Tong Dao Street, Huimin District, Hohhot, 010050, Inner Mongolia, China.
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47
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Wang LQ, Kumar S, Calin GA, Li Z, Chim CS. Frequent methylation of the tumour suppressor miR-1258 targeting PDL1: implication in multiple myeloma-specific cytotoxicity and prognostification. Br J Haematol 2020; 190:249-261. [PMID: 32079038 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
miR-1258 is localised to the first intron of ZNF385B at chromosome 2q31.3. miR-1258 promoter methylation was studied in 147 samples including 10 normal buffy coat, eight normal bone marrow plasma cells, 16 human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs), 20 MGUS, 63 diagnostic myeloma, and 30 relapsed myeloma samples by methylation-specific PCR. In myeloma lines, miR-1258 methylation, verified by pyrosequencing, was detected in 62·5% HMCLs but not normal controls, and expression of miR-1258 correlated with that of ZNF385B. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine resulted in promoter demethylation and ZNF385B/miR-1258 re-expression. Luciferase assay confirmed programmed cell death ligand-1 (PDL1) as a direct target of miR-1258. Over-expression of miR-1258 in completely methylated myeloma cells led to reduced cellular proliferation and enhanced apoptosis, hence a tumour suppressor role, in addition to repression of PDL1. In primary samples, miR-1258 methylation, with lower expression of miR-1258, was detected in 49·2% diagnostic myeloma, imparting an inferior PFS (P = 0·034) in addition to 50·0% relapsed myeloma but not MGUS. Therefore, miR-1258 is a tumour suppressor miRNA co-regulated with its host gene, and frequently hypermethylated in active myeloma instead of MGUS, hence acquired during myeloma progression. Methylation-mediated miR-1258 silencing led to overexpression of PDL1 and inferior PFS, implicating miR-1258 in the modulation of myeloma-specific cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Q Wang
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Shaji Kumar
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - George A Calin
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhenhai Li
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chor S Chim
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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48
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Wang J, Zhao X, Wang Y, Ren F, Sun D, Yan Y, Kong X, Bu J, Liu M, Xu S. circRNA-002178 act as a ceRNA to promote PDL1/PD1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:32. [PMID: 31949130 PMCID: PMC6965119 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2230-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified play a vital role in various different types of cancer via sponging miRNAs (microRNAs). However, their role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains largely unclear. In this study, we systematically characterized the circRNA expression profiles in the LUAD cancer tissues and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Three circRNAs were found to be significantly upregulated. Among them, has-circRNA-002178 was further confirmed to be upregulated in the LUAD tissues, and LUAD cancer cells. Subsequently, we also found has-circRNA-002178 could enhance PDL1 expression via sponging miR-34 in cancer cells to induce T-cell exhaustion. More importantly, circRNA-002178 could be detected in exosomes of plasma from LUAD patients and could serve as biomarkers for LUAD early diagnosis. Finally, we found circRNA-002178 could be delivered into CD8+ T cells to induce PD1 expression via exosomes. Taken together, our study revealed that circRNA-002178 could act as a ceRNA to promote PDL1/PD1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- JunFeng Wang
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - XuHai Zhao
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - YanBo Wang
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - FengHai Ren
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - DaWei Sun
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - YuBo Yan
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - XiangLong Kong
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - JianLong Bu
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - MengFeng Liu
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - ShiDong Xu
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
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49
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Yang D, Liu K, Fan L, Liang W, Xu T, Jiang W, Lu H, Jiang J, Wang C, Li G, Zhang X. LncRNA RP11-361F15.2 promotes osteosarcoma tumorigenesis by inhibiting M2-Like polarization of tumor-associated macrophages of CPEB4. Cancer Lett 2020; 473:33-49. [PMID: 31904478 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulates the initiation and progression of osteosarcoma (OS), specifically lncRNA RP11-361F15.2 has been shown to play prominent roles in tumorigenesis. Previously, M2-Like polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has been identified to play a key role in cancer migration/invasion. Hence, it is essential to understand the role of RP11-361F15.2 in tumorigenesis and its association with M2-Like polarization of TAMs. The results indicate that RP11-361F15.2 is significantly increased in OS tissues, and its expression is positively correlated with cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 (CPEB4) expression and negatively associated with miR-30c-5p expression. Further, overexpression of RP11-361F15.2 increased OS cell migration/invasion and M2-Like polarization of TAMs in vitro, as well as promoted xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, luciferase reporter assays indicated that RP11-361F15.2 upregulated CPEB4 expression by competitively binding to miR-30c-5p. Further, we have identified that RP11-361F15.2 promotes CPEB4-mediated tumorigenesis and M2-Like polarization of TAMs through miR-30c-5p in OS. We also identified that RP11-361F15.2 acts as competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) against miR-30c-5p thereby binding and activating CPEB4. This RP11-361F15.2/miR-30c-5p/CPEB4 loop could be used as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Kaiyuan Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Lin Fan
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Wenqing Liang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Shaoxing, PR China.
| | - Tianyang Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Wenwei Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Hengli Lu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Junjie Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Chi Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Guodong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- The Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
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50
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Somasundaram A, Rothenberger NJ, Stabile LP. The Impact of Estrogen in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1277:33-52. [PMID: 33119863 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-50224-9_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumor immune escape is now a hallmark of cancer development, and therapies targeting these pathways have emerged as standard of care. Specifically, immune checkpoint signal blockade offers durable responses and increased overall survival. However, the majority of cancer patients still do not respond to checkpoint blockade immune therapy leading to an unmet need in tumor immunology research. Sex-based differences have been noted in the use of cancer immunotherapy suggesting that sex hormones such as estrogen may play an important role in tumor immune regulation. Estrogen signaling already has a known role in autoimmunity, and the estrogen receptor can be expressed across multiple immune cell populations and effect their regulation. While it has been well established that tumor cells such as ovarian carcinoma, breast carcinoma, and even lung carcinoma can be regulated by estrogen, research into the role of estrogen in the regulation of tumor-associated immune cells is still emerging. In this chapter, we discuss the role of estrogen in the tumor immune microenvironment and the possible immunotherapeutic implications of targeting estrogen in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Somasundaram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Natalie J Rothenberger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA, USA
| | - Laura P Stabile
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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