miR-942-5p Inhibits Proliferation, Metastasis, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Colorectal Cancer by Targeting CCBE1

Dynamic changes in extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs elicited by ultrasound in inflammatory bowel disease patients

Blood-based biomarkers that reliably indicate disease activity in the intestinal tract are an important unmet need in the management of patients with IBD. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membranous microparticles, which reflect the cellular and functional state of their site of site of origin. As ultrasound waves may lead to molecular shifts of EV contents, we hypothesized that application of ultrasound waves on inflamed intestinal tissue in IBD may amplify the inflammation-specific molecular shifts in EVs like altered EV-miRNA expression, which in turn can be detected in the peripheral blood. 26 patients with IBD were included in the prospective clinical study. Serum samples were collected before and 30 min after diagnostic transabdominal ultrasound. Differential miRNA expression was analyzed by sequencing. Candidate inducible EV-miRNAs were functionally assessed in vitro by transfection of miRNA mimics and qPCR of predicted target genes. Serum EV-miRNA concentration at baseline correlated with disease severity, as determined by clinical activity scores and sonographic findings. Three miRNAs (miR-942-5p, mir-5588, mir-3195) were significantly induced by sonography. Among the significantly regulated EV-miRNAs, miR-942-5p was strongly induced in higher grade intestinal inflammation and correlated with clinical activity in Crohn's disease. Prediction of target regulation and transfection of miRNA mimics inferred a role of this EV-miRNA in regulating barrier function in inflammation. Induction of mir-5588 and mir-3195 did not correlate with inflammation grade. This proof-of-concept trial highlights the principle of induced molecular shifts in EVs from inflamed tissue through transabdominal ultrasound. These inducible EVs and their molecular cargo like miRNA could become novel biomarkers for intestinal inflammation in IBD.

Circ_0090231 knockdown protects vascular smooth muscle cells from ox-LDL-induced proliferation, migration and invasion via miR-942-5p/PPM1B axis during atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a dominant pathological basis of cardiovascular disease. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been proposed to have crucial functions in regulating pathological progressions of AS. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential function of circ_0090231 in AS progression. Oxidized low densitylipoprotein (ox-LDL)-challenged vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were used for in vitro functional analysis. Levels of genes and proteins were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed using cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, and transwell assays. The interaction between miR-942-5p and circ_0090231 or PPM1B (Protein Phosphatase, Mg²⁺/Mn²⁺ Dependent 1B) was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter and pull-down assays. Circ_0090231 is a stable circRNA, and was increased in the serum of AS patients and ox-LDL-challenged VSMCs. Functionally, silencing of circ_0090231 could reverse ox-LDL-induced proliferation, migration and invasion in VSMCs. Mechanistically, circ_0090231 directly targeted miR-942-5p, and PPM1B was a target of miR-942-5p. Besides, circ_0090231 sequestered miR-942-5p to release PPM1B expression, suggesting the circ_0090231/miR-942-5p/PPM1B axis. Further rescue experiments showed that miR-942-5p inhibition or ectopic overexpression of PPM1B dramatically attenuated the suppressing influences of circ_0090231 knockdown on VSMC proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities under ox-LDL treatment. Silencing of circ_0090231 could reverse ox-LDL-induced proliferation, migration and invasion in VSMCs via miR-942-5p/PPM1B axis, providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanism of AS process.

Circ_0102543 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression through the miR-942-5p/SGTB axis

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most serious cancers. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been reported to regulate the progression of HCC. Herein, the role of circ_0102543 in HCC tumorigenesis was investigated.

Materials

The expression levels of circ_0102543, microRNA-942-5p (miR-942-5p), and small glutamine rich tetratricopeptide repeat co-chaperone beta (SGTB) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, thymidine analog 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry were conducted to explore the function of circ_0102543 in HCC cells and the regulatory mechanism among circ_0102543, miR-942-5p and SGTB in HCC cells. Western blot examined the related protein levels.

Results

The expression of circ_0102543 and SGTB was decreased in HCC tissues, while the expression of miR-942-5p was increased. Circ_0102543 acted as a sponge for miR-942-5p, and SGTB was the target of miR-942-5p. Circ_0102543 up-regulation hindered tumor growth in vivo. In vitro experiments showed that overexpression of circ_0102543 significantly repressed the malignant behaviors of HCC cells, while co-transfection of miR-942-5p partially attenuated these effects mediated by circ_0102543. In addition, SGTB knockdown increased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells inhibited by miR-942-5p inhibitor. Mechanically, circ_0102543 regulated SGTB expression in HCC cells by sponging miR-942-5p.

Conclusion

Overexpression of circ_0102543 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells by regulating the miR-942-5p/SGTB axis, suggesting that circ_0102543/miR-942-5p/SGTB axis may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.

LncRNA DNAJC3-AS1 promotes the biological functions of papillary thyroid carcinoma via regulating the microRNA-27a-3p/CCBE1 axis

Long noncoding RNA DNAJC3-AS1 (lncRNA DNAJC3-AS1) has been probed in many studies, while the regulatory mechanism of DNAJC3-AS1 on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) via regulating microRNA (miR)-27a-3p remains inadequate. This research aims to depict the role of DNAJC3-AS1, miR-27a-3p, collagen, and calcium-binding EGF domain-containing protein 1 (CCBE1) on PTC development. DNAJC3-AS1, miR-27a-3p, and CCBE1 expression levels in PTC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were tested. The relation of DNAJC3-AS1, miR-27a-3p, and CCBE1 was analyzed. DNAJC3-AS1 and miR-27a-3p and CCBE1-related oligonucleotides were transfected into IHH-4 cells to investigate their role in PTC development. Cell tumorigenicity was detected by in vivo assay. DNAJC3-AS1 and CCBE1 expressed highly and miR-27a-3p expressed lowly in PTC. Downregulation of DNAJC3-AS1, upregulating miR-27a-3p or downregulating CCBE1 impaired the malignant behaviors of IHH-4 cells. Depletion of miR-27a-3p reversed the DNAJC3-AS1 suppression-induced phenotypic inhibition of IHH-4 cells. DNAJC3-AS1 bound to miR-27a-3p and CCBE1 as a target of miR-27a-3p. Our study highlights that DNAJC3-AS1 inhibits miR-27a-3p to promote CCBE1 expression, thereby facilitating PTC development. This study affords distinguished therapeutic strategies and novel research directions for PTC treatment.

Circ_HECW2 regulates ox-LDL-induced dysfunction of cardiovascular endothelial cells by miR-942-5p/TLR4 axis

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common coronary artery disease. The functional mechanism of circular RNA (circRNA) HECT, C2 and WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (circ_HECW2, hsa_circ_0057583) in ox-LDL-treated human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs) is still unclear.

METHODS

Expression levels of circ_HECW2, microRNA (miR)-942-5p, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Tube formation assay was performed to analyze the angiogenesis of cells. Luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were performed to analyze the target relationship among circ_HECW2, miR-942-5p and TLR4.

RESULTS

Circ_HECW2 and TLR4 expression levels were up-regulated and miR-942-5p expression was decreased in the serum of CAD patients and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced hCMECs. Knockdown of circ_HECW2 enhanced cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis in ox-LDL-treated hCMECs. MiR-942-5p was the target of circ_HECW2 and directly targeted TLR4. Moreover, the effect of circ_HECW2 knockdown could be weakened by anti-miR-942-5p, and TLR4 could restore the function of miR-942-5p on cell damage of ox-LDL-induced hCMECs.

CONCLUSION

Circ_HECW2 could regulate ox-LDL-induced cardiovascular endothelial cell dysfunction through targeting miR-942-5p/TLR4 axis.

CCBE1 in Cardiac Development and Disease

The collagen- and calcium-binding EGF-like domains 1 (CCBE1) is a secreted protein extensively described as indispensable for lymphangiogenesis during development enhancing VEGF-C signaling. In human patients, mutations in CCBE1 have been found to cause Hennekam syndrome, an inherited disease characterized by malformation of the lymphatic system that presents a wide variety of symptoms such as primary lymphedema, lymphangiectasia, and heart defects. Importantly, over the last decade, an essential role for CCBE1 during heart development is being uncovered. In mice, Ccbe1 expression was initially detected in distinct cardiac progenitors such as first and second heart field, and the proepicardium. More recently, Ccbe1 expression was identified in the epicardium and sinus venosus (SV) myocardium at E11.5–E13.5, the stage when SV endocardium–derived (VEGF-C dependent) coronary vessels start to form. Concordantly, CCBE1 is required for the correct formation of the coronary vessels and the coronary artery stem in the mouse. Additionally, Ccbe1 was found to be enriched in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) and revealed as a new essential gene for the differentiation of ESC-derived early cardiac precursor cell lineages. Here, we bring an up-to-date review on the role of CCBE1 in cardiac development, function, and human disease implications. Finally, we envisage the potential of this molecule’s functions from a regenerative medicine perspective, particularly novel therapeutic strategies for heart disease.

SOX2-OT induced by PAI-1 promotes triple-negative breast cancer cells metastasis by sponging miR-942-5p and activating PI3K/Akt signaling

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has an aggressive biological behavior and poor outcome. Our published study showed that PAI-1 could induce the migration and metastasis of TNBC cells. However, the underlying mechanism by which PAI-1 regulates TNBC metastasis has not been addressed. Here, we demonstrated that PAI-1 is high expressed in TNBC and promotes TNBC cells tumorigenesis. Using microarray analysis of lncRNA expression profiles, we identified a lncRNA SOX2-OT, which is induced by PAI-1 and could function as an oncogenic lncRNA in TNBC. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated that SOX2-OT acts as a molecular sponge for miR-942-5p to regulate the expression of PIK3CA, ultimately leading to activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and promoting TNBC metastasis. Taken together, our findings suggest that SOX2-OT regulates PAI-1-induced TNBC cell metastasis through miR-942-5p/PIK3CA signaling and illustrate the great potential of developing new SOX2-OT-targeting therapy for TNBC patients.

Identification of the dominant angiogenic CXCL class chemokines associated with non-small cell lung cancer via bioinformatics tools

Chemokines play a critical role in lung cancer progression and metastasis. In non-small cell lung cancer, the determination of dominant angiogenic CXCL-type chemokines may increase the efficacy of targeted therapy and modulate the prognosis of lung cancer. Also, chemokine and chemokine receptors shape the immune response in the cross-talk between both cancer cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. In this computational evaluation study based on databases containing mostly RNA-seq analyses, it is aimed to determine the dominant angiogenic CXCL-type chemokines with the highest expression in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and particularly in non-small cell lung cancer cells. CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL7, and CXCL8, which can potentially be co-regulated and associated with poor survival, and phagocyte infiltration including neutrophils and macrophages are predominantly identified in non-small cell lung cancer. Moreover, the receptors of these chemokines, CXCR1 (binding CXCL8) and CXCR2 (binding CXCL1, 5, 7, 8), are positively correlated with the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages. With the discovery of the common regulatory mechanisms of these angiogenic chemokines and validation studies in clinical examples, the chemokine panels specific to non-small cell lung cancer will become clear and have a decisive role in the prognosis of the disease.