miR-1258 Regulates Cell Proliferation and Cell Cycle to Inhibit the Progression of Breast Cancer by Targeting E2F1

Identification of a glycolysis-related miRNA Signature for Predicting Breast cancer Survival

Breast cancer (BC) is a common type of cancer and has a poor prognosis. In this study, we collected the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of BC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to explore a novel prognostic strategy for BC patients using bioinformatics tools. We found that six glycolysis-related miRNAs (GRmiRs, including hsa-mir-1247, hsa-mir148b, hsa-mir-133a-2, has-mir-1307, hsa-mir-195 and hsa-mir-1258) were correlated with prognosis of BC samples. The risk score model was established based on 6 prognosis-associated GRmiRs. The outcome of high risk group was significantly poorer. Cox regression analysis showed that risk score was an independent prognostic factor. Differentially expressed genes identified between high and low risk groups were mainly enriched in inflammation and immune-related signaling pathways. The proportion of infiltration of 12 kinds of immune cells in high and low risk groups were significantly different. Risk score was closely associated with many immune indexes. Multiple DEGRGs and miRNAs were associated with drugs. In conclusion, glycolysis-related miRNA signature effectively predicts BC prognosis.

Deciphering the miRNA-mRNA Interaction Landscape between Breast Cancer and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: An Integrated Bioinformatics Approach

Breast cancer (BC) is globally recognized as the second most prevalent form of cancer. It predominantly affects women and can be categorized into distinct types based on the overexpression of specific cancer receptors.The key receptors implicated in this context are the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR), alongside a particularly intricate subclass known as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This subclassification is critical for the stratification of breast cancer and informs therapeutic decision-making processes. Due to a lack of therapeutic targets, such as growth factor receptors, TNBC is the most aggressive type. Hence, identifying targetable regulators such as miRNAs could pave the way for potential therapeutic interventions. To identify common differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) in BC, including TNBC, we leveraged two data sets from the GEO collection and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Significant DE-mRNAs were identified through PPI, MCODE, CytoNCA, and CytoHubba analyses. Following this, miRNAs were predicted using mirDIP. We utilized GSE42568, GSE185645, and TCGA and identified 159 common DE-mRNAs. Using Cytoscape plug-ins, we identified the 10 most significant DE-mRNAs in BC. Using mirDIP, target miRNAs for 10 DE-mRNAs were identified. We conducted an advanced analysis on the TNBC GEO data set (GSE45498) to corroborate the significance of shared DE-mRNAs and DE-miRNAs in TNBC. We identified four downregulated DE-miRNAs, including hsa-miR-802, hsa-miR-1258, hsa-miR-548a-3p, and hsa-miR-2053, significantly associated with TNBC. Our study revealed significant miRNA-mRNA interactions, specifically hsa-miR-802/MELK, hsa-miR-1258/NCAPG, miR-548a-3p/CCNA2, and hsa-miR-2053/NUSAP1, in both BC and TNBC. The observed downregulation of hsa-miR-548a-3p is associated with diminished survival rates in BC patients, emphasizing their potential utility as prognostic indicators. Furthermore, the differential expression of mRNAs, including CCNB2, UBE2C, MELK, and KIF2C, correlates with reduced survival outcomes, signifying their critical role as potential targets for therapeutic intervention in both BC and TNBC. These findings highlight specific regulatory mechanisms that are potentially crucial for understanding and treating these cancer types.

circ-0000512 inhibits PD-L1 ubiquitination through sponging miR-622/CMTM6 axis to promote triple-negative breast cancer and immune escape

BACKGROUND

This study reported the function and mechanism of circ-0000512 in the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

METHODS

circ-0000512 expression in TNBC tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues and cells was examined by qRT-PCR. Moreover, circ-0000512 expression in TNBC cells was modulated by transfection. Thereafter, colony formation assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry were conducted to observe cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. TNBC cells were treated with cycloheximide and the protease inhibitor MG132. Later, ubiquitination assay was performed to detect programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) ubiquitination in TNBC cells. The T cell killing ability was assessed by the T cell-mediated tumor cell killing assay. IFNγ and IL-2 levels were detected by ELISA. The percentage of activated T cells was detected with a flow cytometer. In addition, dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were carried out to evaluate the binding between two genes. In vivo study was conducted on mice. CD8+ T cells in xenograft tumors were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

circ-0000512 was upregulated in patients with TNBC. circ-0000512 knockdown attenuated the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells and enhanced their apoptosis. circ-0000512 overexpression had opposite effects. circ-0000512 knockdown enhanced the PD-L1 protein ubiquitination in TNBC cells by inhibiting CMTM6. Meanwhile, circ-0000512 promoted CMTM6 expression by sponging miR-622. circ-0000512 knockdown increased the ratio of CD8+T cells and the lethality of T cells against TNBC cells. Besides, circ-0000512 knockdown inhibited the growth of TNBC cells in immunodeficient nude mice and normal immune mice and increased the ratio of CD8+T cells in xenograft tumors of normal immune mice.

CONCLUSIONS

circ-0000512 inhibited PD-L1 ubiquitination by sponging the miR-622/CMTM6 axis, thus promoting TNBC progression and immune escape.

Hsa_circ_0000520 Promotes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression through the miR-1258/AKT3 Axis

Background

There are several previous studies suggesting that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, the role of circRNA_0000520 (circ_0000520) in this disease has not yet been studied.

Methods

circ_0000520, microRNA (miR)-1258, and AKT serine/threonine kinase 3 (AKT3) mRNA expression levels were detected by qPCR. CCK-8, EdU, and Transwell assays were utilized to detect NSCLC cells' malignant biological behaviors. The targeted relationship between miR-1258 and AKT3 3'-UTR or circ_0000520 was verified through the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Western blotting was utilized to measure the AKT3 expression after circ_0000520 and miR-1258 were selectively regulated.

Results

circ_0000520 was upregulated in NSCLC. Highly expressed circ_0000520 is linked to the NSCLC patient's advanced TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. circ_0000520 overexpression facilitated NSCLC cell growth, migration, and invasion. miR-1258 was identified as the downstream target of circ_0000520. miR-1258 overexpression weakened the effect of circ_0000520 overexpression on NSCLC cells. miR-1258 targeted and inhibited AKT3. circ_0000520 positively regulated the AKT3 expression in NSCLC cells by sponging miR-1258.

Conclusion

circ_0000520 upregulates AKT3 by competitively binding with miR-1258 to facilitate NSCLC progression.

Cell cycle associated miRNAs as target and therapeutics in lung cancer treatment

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Limited therapeutic options and resistance to existing drugs are the major hindrances to the clinical success of this cancer. In the past decade, several studies showed the role of microRNA (miRNA) driven cell cycle regulation in lung cancer progression. Therefore, these small nucleotide molecules could be utilized as promising tools in lung cancer therapy. In this review, we highlighted the recent advancements in lung cancer therapy using cell cycle linked miRNAs. By highlighting the roles of the specific cell cycle core regulators affiliated miRNAs in lung cancer, we further outlined how these miRNAs can be explored in early diagnosis and treatment strategies to prevent lung cancer. With the provided information from our review, more medical efforts can ensure a potential breakthrough in miRNA-based lung cancer therapy.

Case Report: Analysis of Plasma Extracellular Vesicles in a Triple Negative Spindle-Cell Metaplastic Breast Cancer Patient

Metaplastic breast cancer (MpBC) is a rare tumor representing 1% of all breast malignancies. The prognosis of this histologic subtype is actually poor and there are no current clear-cut therapeutic guidelines. Hence, despite its uniqueness, its aggressive prognostic profile strongly encourages further studies to identify new markers and therapeutic targets. Herein, we report a case of 32-years-old patient affected with of triple negative spindle-shaped MpBC. The research of molecular targets on the primary tumor did not allow performing an effective therapeutic choice. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are under intense study as new potential pathophysiological markers and targets for therapeutic applications, in different tumors for their role in tumor onset, progression and aggressiveness. Here, we examined the involvement of EVs in this case, to look into the MpBC microenvironment willing to identify new potential molecular targets, pathways of aggressiveness, and markers of prognosis and therapeutic efficacy. Firstly, we characterized MpBC patient EV dimensions and surface proteins. Moreover, we analyzed the EV RNA cargo supposed to be delivered to nearby and distant recipient cells. Interestingly, we observed a dysregulation EV-contained miRNAs, which could determine an increased expression of oncogenes in the tumor microenvironment, probably enabling cancer progression. These data suggest that the characterization of miRNA cargo of EVs could be important for the identification of new markers and for the application of future new target therapies.