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Tian Y, Zhang M, Liu LX, Wang ZC, Liu B, Huang Y, Wang X, Ling YZ, Wang F, Feng X, Tu Y. Exploring non-coding RNA mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: implications for therapy and prognosis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1400744. [PMID: 38799446 PMCID: PMC11116607 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1400744] [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: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant contributor to cancer-related deaths in the world. The development and progression of HCC are closely correlated with the abnormal regulation of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Important biological pathways in cancer biology, such as cell proliferation, death, and metastasis, are impacted by these ncRNAs, which modulate gene expression. The abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs in HCC raises the possibility that they could be applied as new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment targets. Furthermore, by controlling the expression of cancer-related genes, miRNAs can function as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. On the other hand, lncRNAs play a role in the advancement of cancer by interacting with other molecules within the cell, which, in turn, affects processes such as chromatin remodeling, transcription, and post-transcriptional processes. The importance of ncRNA-driven regulatory systems in HCC is being highlighted by current research, which sheds light on tumor behavior and therapy response. This research highlights the great potential of ncRNAs to improve patient outcomes in this difficult disease landscape by augmenting the present methods of HCC care through the use of precision medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tian
- Research Center, The Huizhou Central People’s Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
- School of Public Health, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL, United States
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Li-xia Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Imaging of Inflammation Related Tumors, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Zi-chao Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Imaging of Inflammation Related Tumors, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Central Laboratory, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Youcai Huang
- Research Center, The Huizhou Central People’s Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Research Center, The Huizhou Central People’s Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun-zhi Ling
- Research Center, The Huizhou Central People’s Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Furong Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Huizhou Central People’s Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Feng
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Gaozhou People’s Hospital, Gaozhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanyang Tu
- Research Center, The Huizhou Central People’s Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
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Lai M, Liu M, Li D, Zhang R, Wang L, Li X, Chen S, Wu S, Xiao S, Wei L, Wang X, Nan A, Zeng X. circELMOD3 increases and stabilizes TRIM13 by sponging miR-6864-5p and direct binding to inhibit HCC progression. iScience 2023; 26:107818. [PMID: 37752955 PMCID: PMC10518715 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Many circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified to be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. We aim to explore the diagnostic potential, functions, and mechanism of circELMOD3 in HCC. Differentially expressed circRNAs in HCC and its paired adjacent tissues were identified by RNA sequencing. circELMOD3 was downregulated in HCC tissues and was related to clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients. Additionally, plasma circELMOD3 was shown to be a highly sensitive and non-invasive biomarker to distinguish HCC from healthy controls. Functional assays showed that circELMOD3 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RNA antisense purification (RAP) and luciferase reporter assays verified that circELMOD3 functioned as a sponge for miR-6864-5p leading to increased expression of its target gene TRIM13. Interestingly, RNA stability test demonstrated that circELMOD3 overexpression led to enhanced stability of its directly bound TRIM13 mRNA, which in turn co-activated the p53 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingshuang Lai
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Meiliang Liu
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Deyuan Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Ruirui Zhang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Lijun Wang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Sixian Chen
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Siqian Wu
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Suyang Xiao
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Liling Wei
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaogang Wang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Aruo Nan
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zeng
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Zeng Y, Hu S, Luo Y, He K. Exosome Cargos as Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2365. [PMID: 37765333 PMCID: PMC10537613 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092365] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Due to the insidiousness of HCC onset and the lack of specific early-stage markers, the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC are still unsatisfactory, leading to a poor prognosis. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle containing various components, which play an essential part in the development, progression, and metastasis of HCC. A large number of studies have demonstrated that exosomes could serve as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC. These diagnostic components mainly include proteins, microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs. The exosome biomarkers showed high sensitivity and high specificity in distinguishing HCC from health controls and other liver diseases, such as chronic HBV and liver cirrhosis. The expression of these biomarkers also exhibits correlations with various clinical factors such as tumor size, TMN stage, overall survival, and recurrence rate. In this review, we summarize the function of exosomes in the development of HCC and highlight their application as HCC biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulai Zeng
- Department of Liver Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; (Y.Z.); (S.H.)
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Shuyu Hu
- Department of Liver Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; (Y.Z.); (S.H.)
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Liver Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; (Y.Z.); (S.H.)
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Kang He
- Department of Liver Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; (Y.Z.); (S.H.)
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
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Ji J, Tang J, Ren P, Cai W, Shen M, Wang Q, Yang X, Chen W. Downregulation of circLIFR exerts cancer-promoting effects on hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro. Front Genet 2022; 13:986322. [PMID: 36176304 PMCID: PMC9513674 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.986322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most fatal malignant tumors worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a special type of RNA that lacks the 5′ and 3’ ends. The functional roles of circRNAs in HCC remain largely unknown. Using high-throughput sequencing, we found several differentially expressed circRNAs in HCC tissues compared with nearby normal tissues. Among them, circRNA derived from the LIFR gene, named circLIFR, was significantly downregulated in HCC. Intriguingly, circLIFR overexpression in SK-Hep-1 cells promoted cell growth and invasion. RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry detection revealed circLIFR interacting with TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1). Anti-TBK1 RIP confirmed the interaction between circLIFR and TBK1. TBK1 is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates several signaling pathways, including the NF-κB pathway. TBK1 inhibitors inhibit NF-κB activation. Overexpression of circLIFR overcame the in-hibitory function of TBK1, resulting in the upregulation of several genes, including MMP13, MMP3, VEGF, and MAPK. This study shows that the downregulation of circLIFR in HCC has a can-cer-promoting effect by interacting with TBK1 to promote the activation of downstream NF-κB pathway genes related to cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This novel finding reveals the diversity of circRNA functions in HCC and provides novel insights into the role of circRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhang Ji
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jialyu Tang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Intervention, Wen Zhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ping Ren
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wenpin Cai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wen Zhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wenzhou, China
| | - Meina Shen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qiunan Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyun Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Chen,
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Lin YH, Zhang BY, Chen ZC. circRERE regulates the expression of GBX2 through miR-1299 and ZC3H13/N6-methyladenosine (m6A) to promote growth and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. J Biosci 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-022-00298-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Li Y, Li R, Cheng D, Fu X, Fu L, Peng S. The potential of CircRNA1002 as a biomarker in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13640. [PMID: 35782101 PMCID: PMC9248787 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, there is a lack of effective diagnostic measures. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can be used as biomarkers for monitoring the occurrence and development of HCC. However, a convenient and reliable serum circRNA biomarker is not currently available. Materials & Methods CircRNA expression profiles were explored using high-throughput sequencing technology, and targeted circRNAs and mRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). The biological functions of circRNAs were investigated using Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Downstream miRNAs and mRNAs of dysregulated circRNAs were predicted using TargetScan, miRanda, and miRDB; then circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were constructed based on sequencing data and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Results A total of 50,327 circRNAs were identified, with 1,187 circRNAs significantly differentially expressed between hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC and HBV asymptomatic carriers. Among these circRNAs, four (circRNA1002, circRNA7941, circRNA 39338, and circRNA44142) were validated by RT-qPCR as being statistically different either in HCC tissue or serum samples. circRNA1002 was significantly down-regulated in both HCC serum and tissue, indicating its reliability. Bioinformatics analysis showed that circRNA1002-associated genes were enriched in GO terms relating to hormone pathway and cell-cell interaction processes, which are involved in the progression of HCC. Conclusion Our circRNA analysis of HCC patients and HBV asymptomatic carriers showed that circRNA1002 may be a reliable serum biomarker for HCC. These results could provide an improved assay for the early detection of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China
| | - Ronghua Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China
| | - Da Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China
| | - Lei Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China
| | - Shifang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China
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Zhao Y, Yao J. The Biological Functions and Clinical Values of Exosomal Circular RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:885214. [PMID: 35530313 PMCID: PMC9069097 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.885214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exacts a heavy disease burden and is currently the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC usually lacks obvious symptoms in the early stage, and most HCC patients are diagnosed at advanced stages with poor prognosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded RNAs that form covalently closed loops and are stable in exosomes. Exosomes are known as important messengers of the cross-talk between tumor and immune cells. Accumulating studies have demonstrated the promoter or suppressor roles of exosomal circRNAs in the carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis of HCC. In this review, we summarized the current studies on the biological functions and diagnostic and prognostic values of exosomal circRNAs in HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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Liu D, Liu W, Chen X, Yin J, Ma L, Liu M, Zhou X, Xian L, Li P, Tan X, Zhao J, Liao Y, Cao G. circKCNN2 suppresses the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma at least partially via regulating miR-520c-3p/methyl-DNA-binding domain protein 2 axis. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e662. [PMID: 35051313 PMCID: PMC8775140 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrence is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) death. We aimed to identify circular RNA (circRNA) with predictive and therapeutic value for recurrent HCC. METHODS Tissue samples from recurrent and non-recurrent HCC patients were subjected to circRNA sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. circKCNN2 was identified through multi-omics analyses. The effects of circKCNN2 on HCC were evaluated in cells, animals, database of The Cancer Genome Atlas, and a cohort with 130 HCC patients. circRNA precipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, RNA pull-down, luciferase assay, and cell experiments were applied to evaluate the interaction of circKCNN2 with miRNAs and proteins. The association between circKCNN2 and the therapeutic effect of lenvatinib was investigated in HCC cell lines and HCC tissue-derived organoids. RESULTS The expression of circKCNN2 was downregulated in HCC tissues and predicted a favorable overall survival and recurrence-free survival. The expression of circKCNN2 was positively correlated with the parental gene, potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily N member (KCNN2). Nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha (NFYA) was proven to inhibit the promoter activity of KCNN2, downregulate the expression of KCNN2 and circKCNN2, and predict an unfavorable recurrence-free survival. Ectopic expression of circKCNN2 inhibited HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and tumor formation in a mouse model. miR-520c-3p sponged by circKCNN2 could reverse the inhibitory effect of circKCNN2 on HCC cells and down-regulate the expression of methyl-DNA-binding domain protein 2 (MBD2). The intratumoral expression of MBD2 predicted a favorable recurrence-free survival. circKCNN2 down-regulated the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), which can be reversed by miR-520c-3p and knockdown of MBD2. Lenvatinib inhibited the expression of FGFR4 and upregulated the expression of circKCNN2 and MBD2. Ectopic expression of circKCNN2 in HCC cells enhanced the therapeutic effect of lenvatinib. However, the high inherent level of circKCNN2 in HCC cells was associated with lenvatinib resistance. CONCLUSIONS circKCNN2, transcriptionally repressed by NFYA, suppresses HCC recurrence via the miR-520c-3p/MBD2 axis. Inherent level of circKCNN2 in HCC cells predisposes anti-tumor effect of lenvatinib possibly because both circKCNN2 and lenvatinib repress the expression of FGFR4. circKCNN2 may be a promising predictive biomarker and therapeutic agent for HCC recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious DiseasesMinistry of EducationChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Institute for Viral HepatitisChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Department of Infectious Diseasesthe Second Affiliated HospitalChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jianhua Yin
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Longteng Ma
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Mei Liu
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Linfeng Xian
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Peng Li
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaojie Tan
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Hepatic SurgeryEastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious DiseasesMinistry of EducationChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Institute for Viral HepatitisChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Department of Infectious Diseasesthe Second Affiliated HospitalChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Guangwen Cao
- Department of EpidemiologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
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Zhang S, Lu Y, Jiang HY, Cheng ZM, Wei ZJ, Wei YH, Liu T, Xia BJ, Zhao XY, Huang Y, Zou X, Liu R, Zhou S. CircC16orf62 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression through the miR-138-5p/PTK2/AKT axis. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:597. [PMID: 34108451 PMCID: PMC8190090 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03866-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNAs) functions vital in the pathogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the expressions and functions of certain circRNAs on metastasis and proliferation of that cancer is still unclear. Bioinformation analysis and qRT-PCR indicated that CircC16orf62 was prominent upregulated in HCC of which the expression level was positively associated to cancer’s malignant progression. Gain or loss-of-function studies indicated that the reduction of CircC16orf62 expression promotes the proliferation, invasion, and glycolysis of HCC in vitro and in vivo. The bioinformatic analysis found that miR-138-5p and PTK2 were the downstream target of CircC16or62. Then, the FISH(Fluorescence immunoin situ hybridization) and cell nucleoplasmic separation determined that CircC16orf62 located in the cell cytoplasm. Plasmid vectors or siRNAs were used to change the expression of CircC16orf62, miR-138-5p, and PTK2 in PC cell lines. CircC16orf62 functioned as a molecular sponge for miR-138-5p, and a competitive endogenous RNA for PTK2, promoting AKT/mTOR pathway activation. Our observations lead us to conclude that CircC16orf62 functions as an oncogene in HCC progression, behaving as a competitive endogenous RNA for miR-138-5p binding, thus activating the AKT/mTOR pathway. In conclusion, CircC16orf62 is an oncogene through the miR-138-5p/PTK2/Akt axis in HCC cells, indicating CircC16orf62 can be a therapeutic target with potentiality for liver cancer and a predictive marker for people with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, P.R. China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, P.R. China.,Department of Cancer Research Laboratory, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Yu Jiang
- Department of Cancer Research Laboratory, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Mei Cheng
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Jing Wei
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Hao Wei
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, P.R. China
| | - Ting Liu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, P.R. China
| | - Bai-Juan Xia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, P.R. China
| | - Xu-Ya Zhao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, P.R. China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, P.R. China
| | - Xun Zou
- Department of Radiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, P.R. China
| | - Rong Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550000, P.R. China
| | - Shi Zhou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, P.R. China.
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Wang M, Wu M, Xie T, Chen J. Circular RNAs Sparkle in the Diagnosis and Theranostics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2021; 11:628655. [PMID: 33679871 PMCID: PMC7930616 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.628655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Exonic circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel subgroup of non-coding RNAs, which are generated by a back-splicing mechanism of the exons or introns. Unlike the linear RNA, circRNA forms a covalently closed loop, and it normally appears more abundant than the linear products of its host gene. Due to the relatively high specificity and stability of circular RNAs in tissues and body fluid, circular RNAs have attracted widely scientific interest for its potential application in cancer diagnosis and as a guide for preclinical therapy, especially for hard-to-treat cancers with high heterogeneity, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, we summarize the updated knowledge of circular RNAs, including the mechanism of the generation of endogenous circular RNAs and their regulatory, diagnostic, and therapeutic roles in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglan Wang
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Minjie Wu
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tian Xie
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianxiang Chen
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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11
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Cai Y, Tian Y, Wang J, Wei W, Tang Q, Lu L, Luo Z, Li W, Lu Y, Pu J, Yang Z. Identification of Driver Genes Regulating the T-Cell-Infiltrating Levels in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2020; 11:560546. [PMID: 33381145 PMCID: PMC7767976 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.560546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The driver genes regulating T-cell infiltration are important for understanding immune-escape mechanisms and developing more effective immunotherapy. However, researches in this field have rarely been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we identified cancer driver genes triggered by copy number alterations such as CDKN2B, MYC, TSC1, TP53, and GSK3B. The T-cell infiltration levels were significantly decreased in both HCC and recurrent HCC tissues compared with the adjacent normal liver tissues. Remarkably, we identified that copy number losses of MAX and TP53 were candidate driver genes that significantly suppress T-cell infiltration in HCC. Accordingly, their downstream oncogenic pathway, cell cycle, was significantly activated in the low T-cell infiltration HCC. Moreover, the chemokine-related target genes by TP53, which played key roles in T-cell recruitment, were also downregulated in HCC with TP53/MAX deletions, suggesting that copy number losses in MAX and TP53 might result in T-cell depletion in HCC via downregulating chemokines. Clinically, the T-cell infiltration levels and chemokines activity could accurately predict the response of sorafenib, and the prognostic outcomes in HCC. In conclusion, the systematic analysis not only facilitates identification of driver genes and signaling pathways involved in T-cell infiltration and immune escape, but also gains more insights into the functional roles of T cells in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cai
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Urology Surgery, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianchu Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Wang Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Qianli Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Libai Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Zongjiang Luo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Wenchuan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Jian Pu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Zhengxia Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huai'an Second People's Hospital, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China
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12
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Cui L, Xue H, Wen Z, Lu Z, Liu Y, Zhang Y. Prognostic roles of metabolic reprogramming-associated genes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:22199-22219. [PMID: 33188160 PMCID: PMC7695384 DOI: 10.18632/aging.104122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming for adaptation to the tumor microenvironment is recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Although many altered metabolic genes have been reported to be associated with tumor pathological processes, systematic analysis of metabolic genes implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis remains rare. The aim of this study was to identify key metabolic genes related to hepatocellular carcinoma, and to explore their clinical significance. We downloaded mRNA expression profiles and clinical hepatocellular carcinoma data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database to explore the prognostic roles of metabolic genes. Five prognosis-associated metabolic genes, including POLA1, UCK2, ACYP1, ENTPD2, and TXNRD1, were screened via univariate Cox regression analysis and a LASSO Cox regression model, which divided patients into high- and low-risk groups. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis revealed that significantly-enriched gene ontology terms and pathways involving high-risk patients were focused on regulation of nucleic and fatty acid metabolism. Taken together, our study identified five metabolic genes related to survival, which can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. These genes may play essential roles in metabolic microenvironment regulation, and represent potentially important candidate targets in metabolic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Huan Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhitong Wen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhihong Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yunfeng Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
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13
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Sun JY, Zhang XY, Cao YZ, Zhou X, Gu J, Mu XX. Diagnostic and prognostic value of circular RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:5438-5445. [PMID: 32281724 PMCID: PMC7214155 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15258] [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] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignant tumour, which has posed a heavy health and financial burden worldwide. Due to limited symptoms at the early stage and the limitation in current biomarkers, HCC patients are usually diagnosed at the advanced stage with a pessimistic overall survival rate. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a subclass of single‐stranded RNAs characterized by a covalently closed loop structure without 3’‐ or 5’‐end. With advances in high‐throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics, accumulating studies have demonstrated the promotor or suppressor roles of circRNAs in the carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis of HCC. Moreover, circRNAs are characteristic of higher abundance, stability and conservation compared with linear RNAs. Therefore, circRNAs have emerged as one of the most promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for HCC with reliable accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. In this review, we briefly introduce the characteristics of circRNAs and summarize the roles of circRNAs in the biological procedures of HCC. Furthermore, we provide an overview on the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of circRNAs as biomarkers for patients with HCC. Finally, we discuss future perspectives of circRNAs in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yu Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Sparkfire Scientific Research Group, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Huai'an Second People's Hospital, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Yi-Zhi Cao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Sparkfire Scientific Research Group, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Gu
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Xin Mu
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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