MicroRNA-181a-5p Promotes Osteosarcoma Progression via PTEN/AKT Pathway

Detailed role of microRNA-mediated regulation of PI3K/AKT axis in human tumors

The regulation of signal transmission and biological processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, migration, and angiogenesis are greatly influenced by the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Highly conserved endogenous non-protein-coding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) have the ability to regulate gene expression by inhibiting mRNA translation or mRNA degradation. MiRNAs serve key role in PI3K/AKT pathway as upstream or downstream target, and aberrant activation of this pathway contributes to the development of cancers. A growing body of research shows that miRNAs can control the PI3K/AKT pathway to control the biological processes within cells. The expression of genes linked to cancers can be controlled by the miRNA/PI3K/AKT axis, which in turn controls the development of cancer. There is also a strong correlation between the expression of miRNAs linked to the PI3K/AKT pathway and numerous clinical traits. Moreover, PI3K/AKT pathway-associated miRNAs are potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, therapy, and prognostic evaluation. The role and clinical applications of the PI3K/AKT pathway and miRNA/PI3K/AKT axis in the emergence of cancers are reviewed in this article.

Silencing FUT4 Inhibits the Progression of Osteosarcoma through Activation of FOXO1

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that inhibition of Fucosyltransferase4 (FUT4) to activate Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) can lead to apoptosis of cancer cells, however, the mechanism in osteosarcoma is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the biological significance of the connection between FUT4 and FOXO1 in osteosarcoma growth.

METHODS

In vitro tests were conducted using the human osteoblast cell line and the osteosarcoma cell lines. QRT-PCR assay as well as western blot assay were used to ascertain the relative expression levels of FUT4 and FOXO1 in the cells. By using the CCK-8 assay, colony assay, EDU assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay, osteosarcoma cells' ability to proliferate, migrate and invade were examined in relation to si- FUT4. TUNEL test was used to evaluate Si-impact FUT4's on KHOS and U2OS apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Western blot assay was used to identify the expression of proliferative, migrating and apoptosis-related protein markers in osteosarcoma cells KHOS and U2OS and the expression of important proteins in the Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway.

RESULTS

In comparison with osteoblasts, osteosarcoma cells expressed more FUT4. The osteosarcoma cells' capacities to proliferate, invade, and migrate were markedly inhibited by the inhibition of FUT4 expression, which also increased osteosarcoma cell apoptosis. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was blocked by upregulating FOXO1 expression, which was in turn inhibited by inhibiting FUT4 expression.

CONCLUSION

Osteosarcoma cells express more FUT4. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has a significant effect on osteosarcoma cell death, and inhibition of FUT4 expression may target FOXO1 activation to decrease osteosarcoma cells' ability to proliferate, invade, and migrate.

miR-181a targets PTEN to mediate the neuronal injury caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation

Evidence suggests that the microRNA-181 (miR-181) family performs various roles in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury (CIRI). MiR-181a has been identified as a critical determinant of neuronal survival. Moreover, the significance of miR-181a in controlling neuronal death after CIRI has received little attention. The objective of this study was to assess the role of miR-181a in neuronal cell injury after CIRI. To mimic the in-vitro and in-vivo CIRI, we developed an oxygen-glucose deficiency/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model in SH-SY5Y cells and a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model in rats. MiR-181a expression was significantly higher in both in-vivo and in-vitro CIRI models. The overexpression of miR-181a increased cell damage and oxidative stress caused by OGD/R, whereas inhibition of miR-181a reduced both. PTEN has also been found to be a direct miR-181a target. PTEN overexpression reduced cell apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by miR-181a upregulation under an OGD/R condition. Furthermore, we found that the rs322931 A allele was related to increased miR-181a levels in IS peripheral blood and higher susceptibility to IS. The current results offer new insights into the understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of CIRI, as well as possible new treatment candidates.

Functional role of MicroRNA/PI3K/AKT axis in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor that occurs in children and adolescents, and the PI3K/AKT pathway is overactivated in most OS patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved endogenous non-protein-coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression by repressing mRNA translation or degrading mRNA. MiRNAs are enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway, and aberrant PI3K/AKT pathway activation is involved in the development of osteosarcoma. There is increasing evidence that miRNAs can regulate the biological functions of cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. MiRNA/PI3K/AKT axis can regulate the expression of osteosarcoma-related genes and then regulate cancer progression. MiRNA expression associated with PI3K/AKT pathway is also clearly associated with many clinical features. In addition, PI3K/AKT pathway-associated miRNAs are potential biomarkers for osteosarcoma diagnosis, treatment and prognostic assessment. This article reviews recent research advances on the role and clinical application of PI3K/AKT pathway and miRNA/PI3K/AKT axis in the development of osteosarcoma.

A spotlight on the interplay of signaling pathways and the role of miRNAs in osteosarcoma pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common bone cancers that constantly affects children, teenagers, and young adults. Numerous epigenetic elements, such as miRNAs, have been shown to influence OS features like progression, initiation, angiogenesis, and treatment resistance. The expression of numerous genes implicated in OS pathogenesis might be regulated by miRNAs. This effect is ascribed to miRNAs' roles in the invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Important OS-related mechanistic networks like the WNT/b-catenin signaling, PTEN/AKT/mTOR axis, and KRAS mutations are also affected by miRNAs. In addition to pathophysiology, miRNAs may influence how the OS reacts to therapies like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. With a focus on how miRNAs affect OS signaling pathways, this review seeks to show how miRNAs and OS are related.

A prognostic model for cervical cancer based on ferroptosis-related genes

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis is widely involved in the occurrence and development of various cancers, but a specific mechanism involving ferroptosis in cervical cancer is still unclear.

METHODS

Based on the expressions of ferroptosis-related genes, a prognostic model was constructed using lasso regression, and the overall predictive performance of this model was verified. An in-depth analysis of the prognostic model was then conducted.

RESULTS

The prognostic model showed good predictive performance in both the validation and test sets. Mechanism analysis indicated that differences in the tumor microenvironment were the basis of the predictive ability of the model. Notably, CA9 mRNA was significantly overexpressed in cervical carcinoma, tissues but not in normal cervix tissues. A pair of ceRNAs (CA9/ULBP2) could be involved in the carcinogenesis and development of cervical cancer, and the potential target might be hsa-miR-34a. In addition, predicted miRNAs and drugs for these DEGs were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

We constructed a prognostic model with good predictive performance, based on the expression of ferroptosis-related genes. Further research found that the ceRNA pairs of ULBP2/CA9 could regulate cervical cancer through hsa-miR-34a. These results identified the mechanism of ferroptosis in cervical cancer, and might provide novel therapeutics for cervical cancer patients.