BMSC-EV-derived lncRNA NORAD Facilitates Migration, Invasion, and Angiogenesis in Osteosarcoma Cells by Regulating CREBBP via Delivery of miR-877-3p

Psilostachyin C reduces malignant properties of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by blocking CREBBP-mediated transcription of GATAD2B

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Many herbal medicines and their bioactive compounds have shown anti-tumor properties. This study was conducted to examine the effect of psilostachyin C (PSC), a sesquiterpenoid lactone isolated from Artemisia vulgaris L., in the malignant properties of HCC cells. CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, and Transwell assays revealed that 25 μM PSC treatment significantly suppressed proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion of two HCC cell lines (Hep 3B and Huh7) while promoting cell apoptosis. Bioinformatics prediction suggests CREB binding protein (CREBBP) as a promising target of PSC. CREBBP activated transcription of GATA zinc finger domain containing 2B (GATAD2B) by binding to its promoter. CREBBP and GATAD2B were highly expressed in clinical HCC tissues and the acquired HCC cell lines, but their expression was reduced by PSC. Either upregulation of CREBBP or GATAD2B restored the malignant properties of HCC cells blocked by PSC. Collectively, this evidence demonstrates that PSC pocessess anti-tumor functions in HCC cells by blocking CREBBP-mediated transcription of GATAD2B.

Functional Relevance of Extracellular Vesicle-Derived Long Non-Coding and Circular RNAs in Cancer Angiogenesis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are defined as subcellular structures limited by a bilayer lipid membrane that function as important intercellular communication by transporting active biomolecules, such as proteins, amino acids, metabolites, and nucleic acids, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). These cargos can effectively be delivered to target cells and induce a highly variable response. LncRNAs are functional RNAs composed of at least 200 nucleotides that do not code for proteins. Nowadays, lncRNAs and circRNAs are known to play crucial roles in many biological processes, including a plethora of diseases including cancer. Growing evidence shows an active presence of lnc- and circRNAs in EVs, generating downstream responses that ultimately affect cancer progression by many mechanisms, including angiogenesis. Moreover, many studies have revealed that some tumor cells promote angiogenesis by secreting EVs, which endothelial cells can take up to induce new vessel formation. In this review, we aim to summarize the bioactive roles of EVs with lnc- and circRNAs as cargo and their effect on cancer angiogenesis. Also, we discuss future clinical strategies for cancer treatment based on current knowledge of circ- and lncRNA-EVs.

Local transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells improves encephalo-myo-synangiosis-mediated collateral neovascularization in chronic brain ischemia

BACKGROUND

To explore whether local transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in temporal muscle can promote collateral angiogenesis and to analyze its main mechanisms of promoting angiogenesis.

METHODS

Bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) treated mice were administrated with encephalo-myo-synangiosis (EMS), and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were transplanted into the temporal muscle near the cerebral cortex. On the 30th day after EMS, the Morris water maze, immunofluorescence, laser speckle imaging, and light sheet microscopy were performed to evaluate angiogenesis; In addition, rats with bilateral common carotid artery occlusion were also followed by EMS surgery, and BMSCs from GFP reporter rats were transplanted into the temporal muscle to observe the survival time of BMSCs. Then, the concentrated BMSC-derived conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) was used to stimulate HUVECs and BMECs for ki-67 immunocytochemistry, CCK-8, transwell and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays. Finally, the cortical tissue near the temporal muscle was extracted after EMS, and proteome profiler (angiogenesis array) as well as RT-qPCR of mRNA or miRNA was performed.

RESULTS

The results of the Morris water maze 30 days after BMSC transplantation in BCAS mice during the EMS operation, showed that the cognitive impairment in the BCAS + EMS + BMSC group was alleviated (P < 0.05). The results of immunofluorescence, laser speckle imaging, and light sheet microscopy showed that the number of blood vessels, blood flow and astrocytes increased in the BCAS + EMS + BMSC group (P < 0.05). The BMSCs of GFP reporter rats were applied to EMS and showed that the transplanted BMSCs could survive for up to 14 days. Then, the results of ki-67 immunocytochemistry, CCK-8 and transwell assays showed that the concentrated BMSC-CM could promote the proliferation and migration of HUVECs and BMECs (P < 0.05). Finally, the results of proteome profiler (angiogenesis array) in the cerebral cortex showed that the several pro-angiogenesis factors (such as MMP-3, MMP-9, IGFBP-2 or IGFBP-3) were notably highly expressed in MSC transplantation group compared to others.

CONCLUSIONS

Local MSCs transplantation together with EMS surgery can promote angiogenesis and cognitive behavior in chronic brain ischemia mice. Our study illustrated that MSC local transplantation can be the potential therapeutical option for improving EMS treatment efficiency which might be translated into clinical application.

SCARA5 in bone marrow stromal cell-derived exosomes inhibits colorectal cancer progression by inactivating the PI3K/Akt pathway

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) play an essential role in tumor development by secreting exosomes. Scavenger receptor class A member 5 (SCARA5) is a newly identified tumor suppressor. This study aimed to investigate the effects of BMSCs-derived exosomes (BMSCs-Exos) on CRC development and to explore their regulatory mechanisms. BMSCs-Exos showed an oval-shaped, bilayer membrane structure. BMSCs-Exos inhibited growth and motility of CRC cells, while BMSCs-Exos with SCARA5 knockdown significantly promoted cell proliferation and movement. Exosomal SCARA5 also effectively suppressed colorectal tumor growth in mouse xenografts. Further analysis revealed that exosomal SCARA5 inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase B and phosphoinositide 3-kinase in both CRC cells and tumors. In conclusion, SCARA5 in BMSCs-Exos inhibited CRC progression by inactivating PI3K/Akt, thus suggesting the potential clinical application of SCARA5-containing BMSCs-Exos for CRC treatment.

Extracellular vesicles derived from hypoxic HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast inhibit endothelial cell functions through the miR-150-3p /CHPF pathway

INTRODUCTION

Endothelial dysfunction is one of the basic pathological changes in pre-eclampsia. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can transport miRNAs expressed by placental trophoblast cells into endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to explore the differential effects of EVs induced by hypoxic trophoblasts (1%HTR-8-EV) and those derived from normoxic trophoblasts (20%HTR-8-EV) on the regulation of endothelial cell functions.

METHODS

Normoxia and hypoxia were preconditioned to induce trophoblast cells-derived EVs. The effect of EVs, miRNA, target gene, and their interactions on endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis were determined. Quantitative analysis of miR-150-3p and CHPF were verified by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The binding relationship among EVs pathway was demonstrated by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

Compared with 20%HTR-8-EV, 1%HTR-8-EV had a suppressive effect on proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of endothelial cells. The results of miRNA sequencing showed the vital role of miR-150-3p in trophoblast-to-endothelium communication. 1%HTR-8-EV carrying miR-150-3p could move into endothelial cells and target chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) gene. MiR-150-3p inhibited endothelial cell functions by regulating CHPF. In patient-derived placental vascular tissues, there was a similar negative correlating between miR-150-3p and CHPF.

DISCUSSION

Our findings indicate that extracellular vesicles miR-150-3p derived from hypoxic trophoblasts inhibits endothelial cells proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis by modulating CHPF, illuminating a novel mechanism of hypoxic trophoblasts regulation of endothelial cells and their potential role in PE pathogenesis.

Prognostic Profiling of the EMT-Associated and Immunity-Related LncRNAs in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (Lung SCC) is associated with metastatic disease, resulting in poor clinical prognosis and a low survival rate. The aberrant epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) are critical attributors to tumor metastasis and invasiveness in Lung SCC. The present study divided lncRNAs into two subtypes, C1 and C2 (Cluster 1 and Cluster 2), according to the correlation of EMT activity within the public TCGA and GEO databases. Subsequently, the differential clinical characteristics, mutations, molecular pathways and immune cell deconvolution between C1 and C2 were evaluated. Lastly, we further identified three key lncRNAs (DNM3OS, MAGI2-AS3 and LINC01094) that were associated with EMT and, at the same time, prognostic for the clinical outcomes of Lung SCC patients. Our study may provide a new paradigm of metastasis-associated biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of Lung SCC.