Sevoflurane Inhibits lncRNA HOTAIR-Modulated Stability of HK2 mRNA in a m6A-Dependent Manner to Dampen Aerobic Glycolysis and Proliferation in Lung Cancer

The interaction between m6A modification and noncoding RNA in tumor microenvironment on cancer progression

Cancer development is thought to be closely related to aberrant epigenetic regulation, aberrant expression of specific non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and tumor microenvironment (TME). The m6A methylation is one of the most abundant RNA modifications found in eukaryotes, and it can determine the fate of RNA at the post-transcriptional level through a variety of mechanisms, which affects important biological processes in the organism. The m6A methylation modification is involved in RNA processing, regulation of RNA nuclear export or localisation, RNA degradation and RNA translation. This process affects the function of mRNAs and ncRNAs, thereby influencing the biological processes of cancer cells. TME accelerates and promotes cancer generation and progression during tumor development. The m6A methylation interacting with ncRNAs is closely linked to TME formation. Mutual regulation and interactions between m6A methylation and ncRNAs in TME create complex networks and mediate the progression of various cancers. In this review, we will focus on the interactions between m6A modifications and ncRNAs in TME, summarising the molecular mechanisms by which m6A interacts with ncRNAs to affect TME and their roles in the development of different cancers. This work will help to deepen our understanding of tumourigenesis and further explore new targets for cancer therapy.

Sevoflurane Confers Protection Against the Malignant Phenotypes of Lung Cancer Cells via the microRNA-153-3p/HIF1α/KDM2B Axis

Sevoflurane is shown to curtail lung cancer (LC) development. Herein, this research sought to investigate the underlying mechanism of sevoflurane in regard to its repressive effects on LC. Expression levels of microRNA (miR)-153-3p, HIF1α, and KDM2B in LC tissues and cells were determined with qRT-PCR. Following sevoflurane pretreatment and/or ectopic expression and knockdown experiments, the malignant phenotypes, and levels of miR-153-3p, HIF1α, and KDM2B in LC A549 cells were detected using Transwell, scratch, EdU, CCK-8, Western blot, and qRT-PCR assays. Relationship between HIF1α and miR-153-3p was verified with a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The interaction between HIF1α and KDM2B was verified with a ChIP assay. LC tissues and cells presented low miR-153-3p expression and high HIF1α and KDM2B expression. Sevoflurane pretreatment, miR-153-3p upregulation, HIF1α downregulation, or KDM2B downregulation impeded the malignant phenotypes of A549 cells. Sevoflurane pretreatment augmented miR-153-3p expression, while miR-153-3p negatively targeted HIF1α. HIF1α bound to the KDM2B promoter to upregulate KDM2B. HIF1α or KDM2B overexpression counteracted the inhibitory effects of sevoflurane pretreatment on A549 cell malignant behaviors. Sevoflurane decreased HIF1α expression through upregulation of miR-153-3p, thereby reducing KDM2B transcription to restrict the malignant phenotypes of LC A549 cells.

Regulatory function of glycolysis-related lncRNAs in tumor progression: Mechanism, facts, and perspectives

Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, and reprogramming of energy metabolism, known as the "Warburg effect", has long been associated with cancer. Cancer cells use the process of glycolysis to quickly manufacture energy from glucose, pyruvic acid, and lactate, which in turn accelerates the growth of cancer and glycolysis becomes a key target for anti-cancer therapies. Recent groundbreaking discoveries regarding long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have opened a new chapter in the mechanism of cancer occurrence. It is widely recognized that lncRNAs regulate energy metabolism through glycolysis in cancer cells. LncRNAs have been demonstrated to engage in several cancer processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance, whereas glycolysis is enhanced or inhibited by the dysregulation of lncRNAs. As a result, cancer survival and development are influenced by different signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the roles of lncRNAs in a variety of cancers and describe the mechanisms underlying their role in glycolysis. Additionally, the predictive potential of glycolysis and lncRNAs in cancer therapy is discussed.

ZC3H13 knockdown enhances the inhibitory effect of sevoflurane on gastric cancer cell malignancy by regulating the N6-methyladenosine modification of the lncRNA DLX6-AS1

Sevoflurane, an inhalation anesthetic, has been shown to suppress cancer development. In this study, we investigated the specific mechanisms involving sevoflurane, zinc-finger CCCH-type containing 13 (ZC3H13), and lncRNA DLX6-AS1 in gastric cancer (GC) progression, focusing on the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses to measure the levels of ZC3H13 and lncRNA DLX6-AS1 in GC tissues and cells. Furthermore, we conducted Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, Transwell, and tumor xenograft assays to evaluate changes in GC cell malignancy following cell transfection and sevoflurane treatment. Additionally, actinomycin D, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation, and qRT-PCR assays were performed to examine the regulatory effects of ZC3H13 on the DLX6-AS1 m6A modification. We detected elevated levels of ZC3H13 in GC samples, while ZC3H13 silencing inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Silencing ZC3H13 also enhanced the inhibitory effects of sevoflurane on GC cell malignancy. Moreover, we found that the increased expression of DLX6-AS1 in GC cells could be suppressed by ZC3H13 through the mediation of the m6A modification of DLX6-AS1, thereby reducing DLX6-AS1 stability. In conclusion, ZC3H13 knockdown enhances the inhibitory effect of sevoflurane on GC cell malignancy by inducing DLX6-AS1 m6A modification. Our findings may help identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of GC.

Overview of the interplay between m6A methylation modification and non-coding RNA and their impact on tumor cells

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common internal modifications in eukaryotic RNA. The presence of m6A on transcripts can affect a series of fundamental cellular processes, including mRNA splicing, nuclear transportation, stability, and translation. The m6A modification is introduced by m6A methyltransferases (writers), removed by demethylases (erasers), and recognized by m6A-binding proteins (readers). Current research has demonstrated that m6A methylation is involved in the regulation of malignant phenotypes in tumors by controlling the expression of cancer-related genes. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a diverse group of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins and are widely present in the human genome. This group includes microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and PIWI interaction RNAs (piRNAs). They function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors through various mechanisms, regulating the initiation and progression of cancer. Previous studies on m6A primarily focused on coding RNAs, but recent discoveries have revealed the significant regulatory role of m6A in ncRNAs. Simultaneously, ncRNAs also exert their influence by modulating the stability, splicing, translation, and other biological processes of m6A-related enzymes. The interplay between m6A and ncRNAs collectively contributes to the occurrence and progression of malignant tumors in humans. This review provides an overview of the interactions between m6A regulatory factors and ncRNAs and their impact on tumors.

A protective role of nintedanib in peritoneal fibrosis through H19-EZH2-KLF2 axis via impeding mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF), a common complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis, accounts for peritoneal ultrafiltration failure to develop into increased mortality. Nintedanib has previously been shown to protect against multi-organ fibrosis, including PF. Unfortunately, the precise molecular mechanism underlying nintedanib in the pathogenesis of PF remains elusive.

METHODS

The mouse model of PF was generated by chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) injection with or without nintedanib administration, either with the simulation for the cell model of PF by constructing high-glucose (HG)-treated human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). HE and Masson staining were applied to assess the histopathological changes of peritoneum and collagen deposition. FISH, RT-qPCR, western blot and immunofluorescence were employed to examine distribution or expression of targeted genes. Cell viability was detected using CCK-8 assay. Cell morphology was observed under a microscope. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were applied to validate the H19-EZH2-KLF2 regulatory axis.

RESULTS

Aberrantly overexpressed H19 was observed in both the mouse and cell model of PF, of which knockdown significantly blocked HG-induced mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) of HPMCs. Moreover, loss of H19 further strengthened nintedanib-mediated suppressive effects against MMT process in a mouse model of PF. Mechanistically, H19 could epigenetically repressed KLF2 via recruiting EZH2. Furthermore, TGF-β/Smad pathway was inactivated by nintedanib through mediating H19/KLF2 axis.

CONCLUSION

In summary, nintedanib disrupts MMT process through regulating H19/EZH2/KLF2 axis and TGF-β/Smad pathway, which laid the experimental foundation for nintedanib in the treatment of PF.

N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation in diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes, and hyperglycemic memory associated with diabetes carries the risk of disease occurrence, even after the termination of blood glucose injury. The existence of hyperglycemic memory supports the concept of an epigenetic mechanism involving n6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Several studies have shown that m6A plays a key role in the pathogenesis of DKD. This review addresses the role and mechanism of m6A RNA modification in the progression of DKD, including the regulatory role of m6A modification in pathological processes, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and non-coding (nc) RNA. This reveals the importance of m6A in the occurrence and development of DKD, suggesting that m6A may play a role in hyperglycemic memory phenomenon. This review also discusses how some gray areas, such as m6A modified multiple enzymes, interact to affect the development of DKD and provides countermeasures. In conclusion, this review enhances our understanding of DKD from the perspective of m6A modifications and provides new targets for future therapeutic strategies. In addition, the insights discussed here support the existence of hyperglycemic memory effects in DKD, which may have far-reaching implications for the development of novel treatments. We hypothesize that m6A RNA modification, as a key factor regulating the development of DKD, provides a new perspective for the in-depth exploration of DKD and provides a novel option for the clinical management of patients with DKD.

m6A-regulated tumor glycolysis: new advances in epigenetics and metabolism

Glycolytic reprogramming is one of the most important features of cancer and plays an integral role in the progression of cancer. In cancer cells, changes in glucose metabolism meet the needs of self-proliferation, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, metastasis, and also affect the immune escape, prognosis evaluation and therapeutic effect of cancer. The n6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of RNA is widespread in eukaryotic cells. Dynamic and reversible m6A modifications are widely involved in the regulation of cancer stem cell renewal and differentiation, tumor therapy resistance, tumor microenvironment, tumor immune escape, and tumor metabolism. Lately, more and more evidences show that m6A modification can affect the glycolysis process of tumors in a variety of ways to regulate the biological behavior of tumors. In this review, we discussed the role of glycolysis in tumor genesis and development, and elaborated in detail the profound impact of m6A modification on different tumor by regulating glycolysis. We believe that m6A modified glycolysis has great significance and potential for tumor treatment.

The critical roles of m6A RNA methylation in lung cancer: from mechanism to prognosis and therapy

Lung cancer, a highly malignant disease, greatly affects patients' quality of life. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common posttranscriptional modifications of various RNAs, including mRNAs and ncRNAs. Emerging studies have demonstrated that m6A participates in normal physiological processes and that its dysregulation is involved in many diseases, especially pulmonary tumorigenesis and progression. Among these, regulators including m6A writers, readers and erasers mediate m6A modification of lung cancer-related molecular RNAs to regulate their expression. Furthermore, the imbalance of this regulatory effect adversely affects signalling pathways related to lung cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and other biological behaviours. Based on the close association between m6A and lung cancer, various prognostic risk models have been established and novel drugs have been developed. Overall, this review comprehensively elaborates the mechanism of m6A regulation in the development of lung cancer, suggesting its potential for clinical application in the therapy and prognostic assessment of lung cancer.

Functions of N6-methyladenosine in cancer metabolism: from mechanism to targeted therapy

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification of eukaryotic mRNA and is involved in almost every stage of RNA metabolism. The m6A modification on RNA has been demonstrated to be a regulator of the occurrence and development of a substantial number of diseases, especially cancers. Increasing evidence has shown that metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer and is crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of malignant tumors. Cancer cells rely on altered metabolic pathways to support their growth, proliferation, invasion and metastasis in an extreme microenvironment. m6A regulates metabolic pathways mainly by either directly acting on metabolic enzymes and transporters or indirectly influencing metabolism-related molecules. This review discusses the functions of the m6A modification on RNAs, its role in cancer cell metabolic pathways, the possible underlying mechanisms of its effects and the implication of this modification in cancer therapy.

The Epigenetic Regulation of RNA N6-Methyladenosine Methylation in Glycolipid Metabolism

The highly conserved and dynamically reversible N6-methyladenine (m6A) modification has emerged as a critical gene expression regulator by affecting RNA splicing, translation efficiency, and stability at the post-transcriptional level, which has been established to be involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including glycolipid metabolism and the development of glycolipid metabolic disease (GLMD). Hence, accumulating studies have focused on the effects and regulatory mechanisms of m6A modification on glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and GLMD. This review summarizes the underlying mechanism of how m6A modification regulates glucose and lipid metabolism-related enzymes, transcription factors, and signaling pathways and the advances of m6A regulatory mechanisms in GLMD in order to deepen the understanding of the association of m6A modification with glycolipid metabolism and GLMD.

Using ncRNAs as Tools in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment-The Way towards Personalized Medicine to Improve Patients' Health

Although the first discovery of a non-coding RNA (ncRNA) dates back to 1958, only in recent years has the complexity of the transcriptome started to be elucidated. However, its components are still under investigation and their identification is one of the challenges that scientists are presently facing. In addition, their function is still far from being fully understood. The non-coding portion of the genome is indeed the largest, both quantitatively and qualitatively. A large fraction of these ncRNAs have a regulatory role either in coding mRNAs or in other ncRNAs, creating an intracellular network of crossed interactions (competing endogenous RNA networks, or ceRNET) that fine-tune the gene expression in both health and disease. The alteration of the equilibrium among such interactions can be enough to cause a transition from health to disease, but the opposite is equally true, leading to the possibility of intervening based on these mechanisms to cure human conditions. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on these mechanisms, illustrating how they can be used for disease treatment, the current challenges and pitfalls, and the roles of environmental and lifestyle-related contributing factors, in addition to the ethical, legal, and social issues arising from their (improper) use.