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Elmasri RA, Rashwan AA, Gaber SH, Rostom MM, Karousi P, Yasser MB, Kontos CK, Youness RA. Puzzling out the role of MIAT LncRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma. Noncoding RNA Res 2024; 9:547-559. [PMID: 38515792 PMCID: PMC10955557 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A non-negligible part of our DNA has been proven to be transcribed into non-protein coding RNA and its intricate involvement in several physiological processes has been highly evidenced. The significant biological role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been variously reported. In the current review, the authors highlight the multifaceted role of myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT), a well-known lncRNA, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Since its discovery, MIAT has been described as a regulator of carcinogenesis in several malignant tumors and its overexpression predicts poor prognosis in most of them. At the molecular level, MIAT is closely linked to the initiation of metastasis, invasion, cellular migration, and proliferation, as evidenced by several in-vitro and in-vivo models. Thus, MIAT is considered a possible theranostic agent and therapeutic target in several malignancies. In this review, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying molecular mechanisms of MIAT in terms of its downstream target genes, interaction with other classes of ncRNAs, and potential clinical implications as a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawan Amr Elmasri
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa A. Rashwan
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo (AUC), 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sarah Hany Gaber
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Monica Mosaad Rostom
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), 11835, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Paraskevi Karousi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701, Athens, Greece
| | - Montaser Bellah Yasser
- Bioinformatics Group, Center for Informatics Sciences (CIS), School of Information Technology and Computer Science (ITCS), Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Christos K. Kontos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701, Athens, Greece
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University (GIU), New Administrative Capital, 11835, Cairo, Egypt
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2
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Wang X, Wang X. The regulation of hypoxia-related lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:144. [PMID: 38713276 PMCID: PMC11076439 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01002-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a public health disease with its high prevalence and morbidity. Short of early diagnosis biomarkers and effective therapy, the treatment of HCC patients hasn't achieved ideal effect. Hypoxia is a hallmark of HCC, which is mainly induced by imbalance of tumor cell proliferation and insufficient supply of oxygen. Recently, amounting evidence suggested lncRNAs, especially hypoxia-related lncRNAs play a pivotal role in regulating HCC. Hypoxia-related lncRNAs are involved in altering glucose metabolism, maintaining of cancer stem cell-like properties (CSCs), cell apotosis, proliferation and immune escape, which all contribute to the poor prognosis of HCC patients. The novel identified hypoxia-related lncRNAs could be the potential target or biomarkers of HCC, which are beneficial to the clinical treatment. Herein, we summarized currently reported hypoxia-related lncRNAs and their related mechanisms, providing potential application and future perspective of hypoxia-related lncRNAs as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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3
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Hsia T, Chen Y. RNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticles in cancer immunotherapy: From pre-clinical studies to clinical trials. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 197:114234. [PMID: 38401743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based delivery systems such as RNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticles (RNA LNPs) have dramatically advanced in function and capacity over the last few decades. RNA LNPs boast of a diverse array of external and core configurations that enhance targeted delivery and prolong circulatory retention, advancing therapeutic outcomes. Particularly within the realm of cancer immunotherapies, RNA LNPs are increasingly gaining prominence. Pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo studies have laid a robust foundation for new and ongoing clinical trials that are actively enrolling patients for RNA LNP cancer immunotherapy. This review explores RNA LNPs, starting from their core composition to their external membrane formulation, set against a backdrop of recent clinical breakthroughs. We further elucidate the LNP delivery avenues, broach the prevailing challenges, and contemplate the future perspectives of RNA LNP-mediated immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffaney Hsia
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yunching Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
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4
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Zabeti Touchaei A, Vahidi S. MicroRNAs as regulators of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy: targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 pathways. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:102. [PMID: 38462628 PMCID: PMC10926683 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03293-6] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the power of the immune system to eliminate tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) block negative regulatory signals that prevent T cells from attacking cancer cells. Two key ICIs target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, which includes programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1). Another ICI targets cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). While ICIs have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in various malignancies, only a subset of patients respond favorably. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, play a crucial role in modulating immune checkpoints, including PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. This review summarizes the latest advancements in immunotherapy, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoints and the regulatory role of miRNAs in modulating these pathways. Consequently, understanding the complex interplay between miRNAs and immune checkpoints is essential for developing more effective and personalized immunotherapy strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sogand Vahidi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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5
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Liu S, Li W, Liang L, Zhou Y, Li Y. The regulatory relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and noncoding RNA. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:4. [PMID: 38172648 PMCID: PMC10763091 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00521-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), as a key node in numerous carcinogenic signaling pathways, is activated in various tumor tissues and plays important roles in tumor formation, metastasis, and drug resistance. STAT3 is considered a potential subtarget for tumor therapy. Noncoding RNA (ncRNA) is a special type of RNA transcript. Transforming from "junk" transcripts into key molecules involved in cell apoptosis, growth, and functional regulation, ncRNA has been proven to be closely related to various epithelial-mesenchymal transition and drug resistance processes in tumor cells over the past few decades. Research on the relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and ncRNAs has attracted increased attention. To date, existing reviews have mainly focused on the regulation by ncRNAs on the transcription factor STAT3; there has been no review of the regulation by STAT3 on ncRNAs. However, understanding the regulation of ncRNAs by STAT3 and its mechanism is important to comprehensively understand the mutual regulatory relationship between STAT3 and ncRNAs. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the regulation by transcription factor STAT3 on long noncoding RNA, microRNA, and circular RNA and its possible mechanisms. In addition, we provide an update on research progress on the regulation of STAT3 by ncRNAs. This will provide a new perspective to comprehensively understand the regulatory relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and ncRNAs, as well as targeting STAT3 or ncRNAs to treat diseases such as tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Wentao Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Lin Liang
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Yanhong Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
| | - Yanling Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
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Bhat AA, Afzal O, Agrawal N, Thapa R, Almalki WH, Kazmi I, Alzarea SI, Altamimi ASA, Kukreti N, Chakraborty A, Singh SK, Dua K, Gupta G. A comprehensive review on the emerging role of long non-coding RNAs in the regulation of NF-κB signaling in inflammatory lung diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126951. [PMID: 37734525 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Public health globally faces significant risks from conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and various inflammatory lung disorders. The NF-κB signaling system partially controls lung inflammation, immunological responses, and remodeling. Non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial in regulating gene expression. They are increasingly recognized for their involvement in NF-κB signaling and the development of inflammatory lung diseases. Disruption of lncRNA-NF-κB interactions is a potential cause and resolution factor for inflammatory respiratory conditions. This study explores the therapeutic potential of targeting lncRNAs and NF-κB signaling to alleviate inflammation and restore lung function. Understanding the intricate relationship between lncRNAs and NF-κB signaling could offer novel insights into disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets. Regulation of lncRNAs and NF-κB signaling holds promise as an effective approach for managing inflammatory lung disorders. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the interaction between lncRNAs and the NF-κB signaling pathway in the context of inflammatory lung diseases. It investigates the functional roles of lncRNAs in modulating NF-κB activity and the resulting inflammatory responses in lung cells, focusing on molecular mechanisms involving upstream regulators, inhibitory proteins, and downstream effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asif Ahmad Bhat
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura 302017, Mahal Road, Jaipur, India
| | - Obaid Afzal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Neetu Agrawal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, UP, India
| | - Riya Thapa
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura 302017, Mahal Road, Jaipur, India
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sami I Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Neelima Kukreti
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Amlan Chakraborty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India; Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, Australia; Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Center for Global Health research (CGHR), Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
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Ren H, Zheng J, Zhu Y, Wang L, Liu J, Xu H, Dong J, Zhang S. Comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNAs in prognosis, immune microenvironment infiltration and chemotherapy response of hepatocellular carcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36611. [PMID: 38115286 PMCID: PMC10727658 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between cuproptosis-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RNA-seq data, including lncRNAs and related clinical information of HCC patients, were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. A signature composed 3 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs was constructed by LASSO analysis, and HCC patients were classified into high- and low-risk groups. Patients in the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis compared with the low-risk group. Univariate Cox and multivariate Cox regression analyses confirmed that the signature model was an independent risk factor compared to other clinical biomarkers. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis indicated that metabolism-related pathways were enriched in low-risk group, including drug metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism. Further research demonstrated that there were markedly differences in drug response between the high- and low-risk group. Immune related analysis showed that the most type of immune cells and immunological function in the high-risk group were different with the risk-group. Finally, TP53 mutation rate and the tumor mutational burden in the high-risk group were higher compared with the low-risk group. In conclusion, we constructed a prognostic signature based on the expression of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs to predict HCC patients' prognosis, drug response and immune microenvironment, and further research will be conducted to uncover the mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianglin Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Leiyun Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianmin Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongfeng Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junli Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaohui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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8
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Hao L, Li S, Deng J, Li N, Yu F, Jiang Z, Zhang J, Shi X, Hu X. The current status and future of PD-L1 in liver cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1323581. [PMID: 38155974 PMCID: PMC10754529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1323581] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of immunotherapy in tumor, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has played an important role in the treatment of advanced unresectable liver cancer. However, the efficacy of ICIs varies greatly among different patients, which has aroused people's attention to the regulatory mechanism of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in the immune escape of liver cancer. PD-L1 is regulated by multiple levels and signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including gene variation, epigenetic inheritance, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional regulation, and post-translational modification. More studies have also found that the high expression of PD-L1 may be the main factor affecting the immunotherapy of liver cancer. However, what is the difference of PD-L1 expressed by different types of cells in the microenvironment of HCC, and which type of cells expressed PD-L1 determines the effect of tumor immunotherapy remains unclear. Therefore, clarifying the regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 in liver cancer can provide more basis for liver cancer immunotherapy and combined immune treatment strategy. In addition to its well-known role in immune regulation, PD-L1 also plays a role in regulating cancer cell proliferation and promoting drug resistance of tumor cells, which will be reviewed in this paper. In addition, we also summarized the natural products and drugs that regulated the expression of PD-L1 in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Hao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shenghao Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jiali Deng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Na Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fei Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhi Jiang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junli Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Center of Experimental Management, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Afra F, Mahboobipour AA, Salehi Farid A, Ala M. Recent progress in the immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: Non-coding RNA-based immunotherapy may improve the outcome. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115104. [PMID: 37393866 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most lethal cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly improved the prognosis of HCC; however, the therapeutic response remains unsatisfactory in a substantial proportion of patients or needs to be further improved in responders. Herein, other methods of immunotherapy, including vaccine-based immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy, cytokine delivery, kynurenine pathway inhibition, and gene delivery, have been adopted in clinical trials. Although the results were not encouraging enough to expedite their marketing. A major proportion of human genome is transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Preclinical studies have extensively investigated the roles of ncRNAs in different aspects of HCC biology. HCC cells reprogram the expression pattern of numerous ncRNAs to decrease the immunogenicity of HCC, exhaust the cytotoxic and anti-cancer function of CD8 + T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and M1 macrophages, and promote the immunosuppressive function of T Reg cells, M2 macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Mechanistically, cancer cells recruit ncRNAs to interact with immune cells, thereby regulating the expression of immune checkpoints, functional receptors of immune cells, cytotoxic enzymes, and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, prediction models based on the tissue expression or even serum levels of ncRNAs could predict response to immunotherapy in HCC. Moreover, ncRNAs markedly potentiated the efficacy of ICIs in murine models of HCC. This review article first discusses recent advances in the immunotherapy of HCC, then dissects the involvement and potential application of ncRNAs in the immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Afra
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Mahboobipour
- Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Salehi Farid
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Moein Ala
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Chen W, Ruan M, Zou M, Liu F, Liu H. Clinical Significance of Non-Coding RNA Regulation of Programmed Cell Death in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4187. [PMID: 37627215 PMCID: PMC10452865 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a widely prevalent and malignantly progressive tumor. Most patients are typically diagnosed with HCC at an advanced stage, posing significant challenges in the execution of curative surgical interventions. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent a distinct category of RNA molecules not directly involved in protein synthesis. However, they possess the remarkable ability to regulate gene expression, thereby exerting significant regulatory control over cellular processes. Notably, ncRNAs have been implicated in the modulation of programmed cell death (PCD), a crucial mechanism that various therapeutic agents target in the fight against HCC. This review summarizes the clinical significance of ncRNA regulation of PCD in HCC, including patient diagnosis, prognosis, drug resistance, and side effects. The aim of this study is to provide new insights and directions for the diagnosis and drug treatment strategies of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fuchen Liu
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China; (W.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Hui Liu
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China; (W.C.); (M.R.)
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11
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Li G, Li H, Chen Z. Identification of ribosomal protein family as immune-cell-related biomarkers of NAFLD by bioinformatics and experimental analyses. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1161269. [PMID: 37274336 PMCID: PMC10235545 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1161269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immune cells play an integral role in the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study was to identify immune-cell-related biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. Methods and findings First, we introduced human liver transcriptome data from the GEO database (GSE48452 and GSE126848) and performed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to screen out the modules related to immune cell infiltration and to identify immune-cell-related differentially expressed genes (ICR-DEGs) associated with NAFLD progression. Further, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of ICR-DEGs was established to obtain hub genes and subsequently, the expression trend analysis was conducted to identify immune-cell-related biomarkers of NAFLD. Finally, the mRNA expression of biomarkers was validated in a NAFLD mouse model induced by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding. In total, we identified 66 ICR-DEGs and 13 hub genes associated with NAFLD. Among them, 9 hub genes (CD247, CD74, FCGR2B, IL2RB, INPP5D, MRPL16, RPL35, RPS3A, RPS8) were correlated with the infiltrating immune cells by the Pearson correlation analysis. Subsequently, 4 immune-cell-related biomarkers (RPL35, RPS3A, RPS8, and MRPL16) with the same expression trends in GSE48452 and GSE126848 datasets were identified. These biomarkers were enriched in immune-related pathways and had a good ability to distinguish between NASH and healthy samples. Moreover, we constructed a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network of biomarkers and predicted twenty potential therapeutic drugs targeting RPS3A such as taxifolin and sitagliptin. Finally, experimental validation indicated that the hepatic mRNA expression of Rpl35, Rps3A, and Rps8 was significantly decreased in NAFLD mice. Conclusions This study identified four ribosomal protein genes (RPL35, RPS3A, RPS8, and MRPL16) as immune-cell-related biomarkers of NAFLD, which may actively participate in the immune processes during NAFLD progression and could serve as potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerui Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hang Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ze Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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12
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Pathania AS. Crosstalk between Noncoding RNAs and the Epigenetics Machinery in Pediatric Tumors and Their Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2833. [PMID: 37345170 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, every year, an estimated 400,000+ new cancer cases affect children under the age of 20 worldwide. Unlike adult cancers, pediatric cancers develop very early in life due to alterations in signaling pathways that regulate embryonic development, and environmental factors do not contribute much to cancer development. The highly organized complex microenvironment controlled by synchronized gene expression patterns plays an essential role in the embryonic stages of development. Dysregulated development can lead to tumor initiation and growth. The low mutational burden in pediatric tumors suggests the predominant role of epigenetic changes in driving the cancer phenotype. However, one more upstream layer of regulation driven by ncRNAs regulates gene expression and signaling pathways involved in the development. Deregulation of ncRNAs can alter the epigenetic machinery of a cell, affecting the transcription and translation profiles of gene regulatory networks required for cellular proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development. Therefore, it is essential to understand the role of ncRNAs in pediatric tumor development to accelerate translational research to discover new treatments for childhood cancers. This review focuses on the role of ncRNA in regulating the epigenetics of pediatric tumors and their tumor microenvironment, the impact of their deregulation on driving pediatric tumor progress, and their potential as effective therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup S Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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The Interaction of Programmed Cell Death Protein and Its Ligands with Non-Coding RNAs in Neoplasms: Emerging Anticancer Immunotherapeutics. Processes (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11020538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that cancer cells can elude immune cells by creating a sanctuary within the tumor’s microenvironment. Large amounts of immune-suppressing signaling proteins can be expressed by cancer cells. One of the most important mechanisms in this system is immune suppression caused by tumors and the modulation of the immune checkpoint. The immune checkpoint is modulated by both the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligands, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), including the more well-known microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), all play roles in the regulation of biological processes and extensive diseases such as cancer. Thus, the focus of this study is on the interactions between the programmed death protein and its ligands with miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs during tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Furthermore, some FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of various cancers were based on their interactions with PD-1, PD-Ls, and ncRNAs. This promising strategy is still in the production stages, with additional results and clinical trials being processed.
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14
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Huang XF, Fu LS, Cai QQ, Fan F. Prognostic and immunological role of sulfatide-related lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1091132. [PMID: 36816914 PMCID: PMC9929346 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1091132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the occurrence and development of HCC through multiple pathways. Our previous study reported the specific molecular mechanism for sulfatide regulation of integrin αV expression and cell adhesion in HCC cells through lncRNA AY927503. Next, it is necessary to identify more sulfatide-related lncRNAs, explore their clinical signifcance, and determine new targeted treatment strategies. Methods Microarrays were used to screen a complete set of lncRNAs with different expression profiles in sulfatide-treated cells. Sulfatide-related lncRNAs expression data and corresponding HCC patient survival information were obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and the prognosis prediction model was constructed based on Cox regression analysis. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation with next generation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) was used to detemine the effect of sulfatide on lncRNAs m6A modification. Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Gene set nnrichment analysis (GSEA) were utilized to enrich the immune and functional pathways of sulfatide-related lncRNAs. Results A total of 85 differentially expressed lncRNAs (|Fold Change (FC)|>2, P<0.05) were screened in sulfatide-treated HCC cells. As a result, 24 sulfatide-related lncRNAs were highly expressed in HCC tissues, six of which were associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Based on thses data, a sulfatide-related lncRNAs prognosis assessment model for HCC was constructed. According to this risk score analysis, the overall survival (OS) curve showed that the OS of high-risk patients was significantly lower than that of low-risk patients (P<0.05). Notably, the expression difference in sulfatide-related lncRNA NRSN2-AS1 may be related to sulfatide-induced RNA m6A methylation. In addition, the expression level of NRSN2-AS1 was significantly positively correlated with immune cell infiltration in HCC and participated in the peroxisome and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways. Conclusions In conclusion, sulfatide-related lncRNAs might be promising prognostic and therapeutic targets for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Feng Huang
- Department of Biliary Tract Surgery, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Sheng Fu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Key Lab of Glycoconjugate Research, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Qian Cai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Fei Fan, ; Qian Qian Cai,
| | - Fei Fan
- Department of The Second Ward of Special Treatment, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Fei Fan, ; Qian Qian Cai,
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Saadi W, Fatmi A, Pallardó FV, García-Giménez JL, Mena-Molla S. Long Non-Coding RNAs as Epigenetic Regulators of Immune Checkpoints in Cancer Immunity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010184. [PMID: 36612180 PMCID: PMC9819025 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, cancer treatment has undergone significant changes, predominantly in the shift towards immunotherapeutic strategies using immune checkpoint inhibitors. Despite the clinical efficacy of many of these inhibitors, the overall response rate remains modest, and immunotherapies for many cancers have proved ineffective, highlighting the importance of knowing the tumor microenvironment and heterogeneity of each malignancy in patients. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted increasing attention for their ability to control various biological processes by targeting different molecular pathways. Some lncRNAs have a regulatory role in immune checkpoints, suggesting they might be utilized as a target for immune checkpoint treatment. The focus of this review is to describe relevant lncRNAs and their targets and functions to understand key regulatory mechanisms that may contribute in regulating immune checkpoints. We also provide the state of the art on super-enhancers lncRNAs (selncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which have recently been reported as modulators of immune checkpoint molecules within the framework of human cancer. Other feasible mechanisms of interaction between lncRNAs and immune checkpoints are also reported, along with the use of miRNAs and circRNAs, in generating new tumor immune microenvironments, which can further help avoid tumor evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiam Saadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature, Life and Earth Sciences, University of Djillali Bounaama, Khemis Miliana 44225, Algeria
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (S.M.-M.)
| | - Ahlam Fatmi
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Federico V. Pallardó
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - José Luis García-Giménez
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador Mena-Molla
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (S.M.-M.)
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