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Ma D, Liang R, Luo Q, Song G. Pressure loading regulates the stemness of liver cancer stem cells via YAP/BMF signaling axis. J Cell Physiol 2024:e31451. [PMID: 39358905 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered the major cause of the occurrence, progression, chemoresistance/radioresistance, recurrence, and metastasis of cancer. Increased interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) is a key feature of solid tumors. Our previous study showed that the distribution of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) correlated with the mechanical heterogeneity within liver cancer tissues. However, the regulation of liver cancer's mechanical microenvironment on the LCSC stemness is not fully understood. Here, we employed a cellular pressure-loading device to investigate the effects of normal IFP (5 mmHg), as well as increased IFP (40 and 200 mmHg) on the stemness of LCSCs. Compared to the control LCSCs (exposure to 5 mmHg pressure loading), the LCSCs exposed to 40 mmHg pressure loading exhibited significantly upregulated expression of CSC markers (CD44, EpCAM, Nanog), enhanced sphere and colony formation capacities, and tumorigenic potential, whereas continuously increased pressure to 200 mmHg suppressed the LCSC characteristics. Mechanistically, pressure loading regulated Yes-associated protein (YAP) activity and Bcl-2 modifying factor (BMF) expression. YAP transcriptionally regulated BMF expression to affect the stemness of LCSCs. Knockdown of YAP and overexpression of BMF attenuated pressure-mediated stemness and tumorgenicity, while YAP-deficient and BMF-deletion recused pressure-dependent stemness on LCSCs, suggesting the involvement of YAP/BMF signaling axis in this process. Together, our findings provide a potential target for overcoming the stemness of CSCs and elucidate the significance of increased IFP in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Ma
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Rui Liang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Qing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Guanbin Song
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
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Ma D, Luo Q, Song G. Matrix stiffening facilitates stemness of liver cancer stem cells by YAP activation and BMF inhibition. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 163:213936. [PMID: 38959652 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Matrix stiffening is one of the major risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and drives tumor progression. The extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness of HCC displays mechanical heterogeneity, with stiffness increasing from the core to the invasive frontier. The distribution of liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) is related to this mechanical property. However, it is not sufficiently understood how heterogeneous matrix stiffness regulates the stemness of CSCs. In this study, we developed an adjustable gelatin/alginate hydrogel to investigate the effect of various matrix stiffnesses on CSC stemness under three-dimensional culture conditions. Gelatin/alginate hydrogel with the stiffness of soft (5 kPa), medium (16 kPa), and stiff (81 kPa) were prepared by altering the concentration of calcium ions. It was found that a stiffer matrix promoted stemness-associated gene expression, reduced drug sensitivity, enhanced sphere-forming and clonogenic ability, and tumorigenic potential. Mechanistically, matrix stiffening facilitates CSC stemness by increasing Yes-associated protein (YAP) activity and inhibiting Bcl-2 modifying factor (BMF) expression. Knockdown of YAP or overexpression of BMF significantly attenuated matrix stiffening-induced stemness, suggesting the involvement of YAP and BMF in this process. Together, our results unravel the regulatory mechanism of heterogeneous matrix stiffness on CSC stemness and also provide a novel therapeutic strategy for eradicating CSCs and improving the efficiency of HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Ma
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Qing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Guanbin Song
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
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Murshed A, Alnoud MAH, Ahmad S, Khan SU, Alissa M, Alsuwat MA, Ahmed AE, Khan MU. Genetic Alchemy unveiled: MicroRNA-mediated gene therapy as the Artisan craft in the battlefront against hepatocellular carcinoma-a comprehensive chronicle of strategies and innovations. Front Genet 2024; 15:1356972. [PMID: 38915826 PMCID: PMC11194743 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1356972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Investigating therapeutic miRNAs is a rewarding endeavour for pharmaceutical companies. Since its discovery in 1993, our understanding of miRNA biology has advanced significantly. Numerous studies have emphasised the disruption of miRNA expression in various diseases, making them appealing candidates for innovative therapeutic approaches. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant malignancy that poses a severe threat to human health, accounting for approximately 70%-85% of all malignant tumours. Currently, the efficacy of several HCC therapies is limited. Alterations in various biomacromolecules during HCC progression and their underlying mechanisms provide a basis for the investigation of novel and effective therapeutic approaches. MicroRNAs, also known as miRNAs, have been identified in the last 20 years and significantly impact gene expression and protein translation. This atypical expression pattern is strongly associated with the onset and progression of various malignancies. Gene therapy, a novel form of biological therapy, is a prominent research area. Therefore, miRNAs have been used in the investigation of tumour gene therapy. This review examines the mechanisms of action of miRNAs, explores the correlation between miRNAs and HCC, and investigates the use of miRNAs in HCC gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abduh Murshed
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Mohammed A. H. Alnoud
- Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Saleem Ahmad
- Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Safir Ullah Khan
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mohammed Alissa
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Meshari A. Alsuwat
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed
- Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdelaziz for Environmental Research and Natural Resources Sustainability Center, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Munir Ullah Khan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for XPolymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Lei H, Zhou J, Liu F, Han Y, Chai Y, Yuan R. A Fluorescence Light-Up 3D DNA Walker Driven and Accelerated by Endogenous Adenosine-5'-triphosphate for Sensitive and Rapid Label-Free MicroRNA Detection and Imaging in Living Cells. Anal Chem 2024; 96:9097-9103. [PMID: 38768044 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Herein, a fluorescence light-up 3D DNA walker (FLDW) was powered and accelerated by endogenous adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) molecules to construct a biosensor for sensitive and rapid label-free detection and imaging of microRNA-221 (miRNA-221) in malignant tumor cells. Impressively, ATP as the driving force and accelerator for FLDW could significantly accelerate the operation rate of FLDW, reduce the likelihood of errors in signaling, and improve the sensitivity of detection and imaging. When FLDW was initiated by output DNA H1-op transformed by target miRNA-221, G-rich sequences in the S strand, anchored to AuNP, were exposed to form G-quadruplexes (G4s), and thioflavin T (ThT) embedded in the G4s emitted intense fluorescence to realize sensitive and rapid detection of target miRNA-221. Meanwhile, the specific binding of ThT to G4 with a weak background fluorescence response was utilized to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the label-free assay straightforwardly and cost-effectively. The proposed FLDW system could realize sensitive detection of the target miRNA-221 in the range of 1 pM to 10 nM with a detection limit of 0.19 pM by employing catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) to improve the conversion of the target. Furthermore, by harnessing the abundant ATP present in the tumor microenvironment, FLDW achieved rapid and accurate imaging of miRNA-221 in cancer cells. This strategy provides an innovative and high-speed label-free approach for the detection and imaging of biomarkers in cancer cells and is expected to be a powerful tool for bioanalysis, diagnosis, and prognosis of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Nanomaterials & Sensor Technologies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Nanomaterials & Sensor Technologies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Nanomaterials & Sensor Technologies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yichen Han
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Nanomaterials & Sensor Technologies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yaqin Chai
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Nanomaterials & Sensor Technologies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Ruo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Nanomaterials & Sensor Technologies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
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Wu L, Zhang Y, Ren J. Targeting non-coding RNAs and N 6-methyladenosine modification in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116153. [PMID: 38513741 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancers, accounts for a significant portion of cancer-related death globally. However, the molecular mechanisms driving the onset and progression of HCC are still not fully understood. Emerging evidence has indicated that non-protein-coding regions of genomes could give rise to transcripts, termed non-coding RNA (ncRNA), forming novel functional driving force for aberrant cellular activity. Over the past decades, overwhelming evidence has denoted involvement of a complex array of molecular function of ncRNAs at different stages of HCC tumorigenesis and progression. In this context, several pre-clinical studies have highlighted the potentials of ncRNAs as novel therapeutic modalities in the management of human HCC. Moreover, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, the most prevalent form of internal mRNA modifications in mammalian cells, is essential for the governance of biological processes within cells. Dysregulation of m6A in ncRNAs has been implicated in human carcinogenesis, including HCC. In this review, we will discuss dysregulation of several hallmark ncRNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs) in HCC and address the latest advances for their involvement in the onset and progression of HCC. We also focus on dysregulation of m6A modification and various m6A regulators in the etiology of HCC. In the end, we discussed the contemporary preclinical and clinical application of ncRNA-based and m6A-targeted therapies in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wu
- Department of Cardiology and Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yingmei Zhang
- Department of Cardiology and Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Cardiology and Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Tavabie OD, Salehi S, Aluvihare VR. The challenges and potential of microRNA-based therapy for patients with liver failure syndromes and hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:179-191. [PMID: 38487923 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2331598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Morbidity and mortality from liver disease continues to rise worldwide. There are currently limited curative treatments for patients with liver failure syndromes, encompassing acute liver failure and decompensated cirrhosis states, outside of transplantation. Whilst there have been improvements in therapeutic options for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there remain challenges necessitating novel therapeutic agents. microRNA have long been seen as potential therapeutic targets but there has been limited clinical translation. AREAS COVERED We will discuss the limitations of conventional non-transplant management of patients with liver failure syndromes and HCC. We will provide an overview of microRNA and the challenges in developing and delivering microRNA-based therapeutic agents. We will finally provide an overview of microRNA-based therapeutic agents which have progressed to clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION microRNA have great potential to be developed into therapeutic agents due to their association with critical biological processes which govern health and disease. Utilizing microRNA sponges to target multiple microRNA associated with specific biological processes may improve their therapeutic efficacy. However, there needs to be significant improvements in delivery systems to ensure the safe delivery of microRNA to target sites and minimize systemic distribution. This currently significantly impacts the clinical translation of microRNA-based therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siamak Salehi
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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Bozzarelli I, Orsini A, Isidori F, Mastracci L, Malvi D, Lugaresi M, Fittipaldi S, Gozzellino L, Astolfi A, Räsänen J, D’Errico A, Rosati R, Fiocca R, Seri M, Krishnadath KK, Bonora E, Mattioli S. miRNA-221 and miRNA-483-3p Dysregulation in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:591. [PMID: 38339342 PMCID: PMC10854562 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) expression have been reported in different cancers. We assessed the expression of 754 oncology-related miRNAs in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) samples and evaluated their correlations with clinical parameters. We found that miR-221 and 483-3p were consistently upregulated in EAC patients vs. controls (Wilcoxon signed-rank test: miR-221 p < 0.0001; miR-483-3p p < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed worse cancer-related survival among all EAC patients expressing high miR-221 or miR-483-3p levels (log-rank p = 0.0025 and p = 0.0235, respectively). Higher miR-221 or miR-483-3p levels also correlated with advanced tumor stages (Mann-Whitney p = 0.0195 and p = 0.0085, respectively), and overexpression of miR-221 was associated with worse survival in low-risk EAC patients. Moreover, a significantly worse outcome was associated with the combined overexpression of miR-221 and miR-483-3p (log-rank p = 0.0410). To identify target genes affected by miRNA overexpression, we transfected the corresponding mimic RNA (miRVANA) for either miR-221 or miR-483-3p in a well-characterized esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line (OE19) and performed RNA-seq analysis. In the miRNA-overexpressing cells, we discovered a convergent dysregulation of genes linked to apoptosis, ATP synthesis, angiogenesis, and cancer progression, including a long non-coding RNA associated with oncogenesis, i.e., MALAT1. In conclusion, dysregulated miRNA expression, especially overexpression of miR-221 and 483-3p, was found in EAC samples. These alterations were connected with a lower cancer-specific patient survival, suggesting that these miRNAs could be useful for patient stratification and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isotta Bozzarelli
- Gastrointestinal Genetics Lab, CIC bioGUNE—BRTA, 48160 Derio, Spain;
| | - Arianna Orsini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Federica Isidori
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Luca Mastracci
- Pathology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16100 Genoa, Italy; (L.M.); (R.F.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Deborah Malvi
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
- Institute of Oncology and Transplant Pathology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Lugaresi
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Silvia Fittipaldi
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Livia Gozzellino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Jari Räsänen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00100 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Antonia D’Errico
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
- Institute of Oncology and Transplant Pathology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Rosati
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, San Raffaele Hospital, Vita–Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Roberto Fiocca
- Pathology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16100 Genoa, Italy; (L.M.); (R.F.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Seri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Kausilia K. Krishnadath
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, 2180 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Elena Bonora
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Sandro Mattioli
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Maria Cecilia Hospital, 48010 Cotignola, Italy;
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Zhang XL, Zhang HN, Liang H, Yang X, Chai YQ, Yuan R. Gold Nanobipyramid Hotspot Aggregation-Induced Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering for the Ultrasensitive Detection of miRNA. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12768-12775. [PMID: 37587155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Herein, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor was constructed by gold nanobipyramid (Au NBP) hotspot aggregation-induced SERS (HAI-SERS) for the ultrasensitive detection of microRNA-221 (miRNA-221). Impressively, compared with single Au NBP, the multiple Au NBPs assembled by tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) could increase hotspot aggregation to significantly enhance the SERS signal of Raman molecule methylene blue (MB). Meanwhile, in the aid of Exo-III assisted target cycle amplification and TDNs-induced catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) amplification, the biosensor could achieve the sensitive detection of miRNA-221 with a linear range of 1 fM-10 nM, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.59 fM, which could be used for practical application in MHCC-97L and MCF-7 cell lysates. This work provided a method for hotspot aggregation to enhance SERS for the detection of biomarkers and disease diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Huan Liang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Xia Yang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Qin Chai
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Ruo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
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Pinjaroen N, Chailapakul P, Sriphoosanaphan S, Chuaypen N, Tangkijvanich P. Predictive Role of Pretreatment Circulating miR-221 in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2794. [PMID: 37685331 PMCID: PMC10487177 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13172794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrantly expressed circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to have a crucial role in the diagnosis and prognostication of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This research aimed to examine the role of specific miRNAs in predicting the outcomes for individuals with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Stored serum specimens collected prior to the first TACE procedure were employed to determine the expression of serum miR-122, miR-221, and miR-224 using quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The study included 100 HCC patients (84% males, with an average age of 60 years) who were treated with TACE. Throughout the median follow-up spanning 18.5 months (within a range of 3 to 60 months), 42 (42.0%) patients met the criteria of TACE refractoriness. Through multivariate analysis, elevated expressed miR-221 (≥4.0 log10 copies) and advanced HCC staging were identified as independent factors related to TACE refractoriness and short overall survival. However, serum miR-122 and miR-224 levels were not linked to treatment response or overall survival. These findings underscored the potential of incorporating pretreatment levels of serum miR-221 into the established tumor staging to enhance the accurate assessment of TACE responsiveness and prognostic outcome of patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nutcha Pinjaroen
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (P.C.); (N.C.)
| | - Piyawan Chailapakul
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (P.C.); (N.C.)
| | - Supachaya Sriphoosanaphan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Natthaya Chuaypen
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (P.C.); (N.C.)
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (P.C.); (N.C.)
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10
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MicroRNA-122 mimic/microRNA-221 inhibitor combination as a novel therapeutic tool against hepatocellular carcinoma. Noncoding RNA Res 2022; 8:126-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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11
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Non-Coding RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. LIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/livers2030017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite extensive research efforts aiming to evaluate the biological mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, little has been translated towards new diagnostic and treatment options for HCC patients. Historically, the focus has been centered on coding RNAs and their respective proteins. However, significant advances in sequencing and RNA detection technologies have shifted the research focus towards non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), as well as their impact on HCC development and progression. A number of studies reported complex post-transcriptional interactions between various ncRNA and coding RNA molecules. These interactions offer insights into the role of ncRNAs in both the known pathways leading to oncogenesis, such as dysregulation of p53, and lesser-known mechanisms, such as small nucleolar RNA methylation. Studies investigating these mechanisms have identified prevalent ncRNA changes in microRNAs, snoRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs that can both pre- and post-translationally regulate key factors in HCC progression. In this review, we present relevant publications describing ncRNAs to summarize the impact of different ncRNA species on liver cancer development and progression and to evaluate recent attempts at clinical translation.
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12
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MicroRNA-640 Inhibition Enhances the Chemosensitivity of Human Glioblastoma Cells to Temozolomide by Targeting Bcl2 Modifying Factor. Biochem Genet 2022; 61:538-550. [PMID: 35984538 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-022-10264-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant and challenging type of astrocytoma and also notoriously acknowledged as the most common primary brain tumor globally. Currently, chemotherapy is the most master therapy for tumor and is essential in clinical treatment for GBM. Nevertheless, the characterization of chemotherapy resistance seriously hinders clinical chemotherapy treatment. Accordingly, there are imperious demands for the exploitation of novel chemosensitizer to promote the efficacy of chemotherapy. Our current study was conducted to probe into the potential impacts of microRNA (miR)-640 on the chemosensitivity in GBM and the associated underlying mechanism. Initially, TargetScan software was utilized to predict the targeted genes of miR-640, and the target relationship between miR-640 and Bcl-2-modifying factor (BMF) was validated by double luciferase report assay. Additionally, to explore the role of miR-640/BMF in U251 cells, miR-640 inhibitor/BMF-siRNA was used. U251 cells were processed with 100 μM temozolomide (TMZ) and detected with CCK-8 kit. Eventually, RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used for evaluating Bcl-2, Bax mRNA, and protein expression level. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to measure cellular apoptosis. Initially, the results indicated that BMF was the target gene of miR-640. MiR-640 negatively regulated BMF expression in GBM cells. Besides, the findings revealed that miR-640 inhibition significantly inhibited U251 cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and increased the sensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ by targeting BMF. Moreover, BMF overexpression significantly suppressed U251 cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and increased the sensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ. Inhibition of miR-640 expression enhances chemosensitivity of human GBM cells to TMZ by targeting BMF.
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13
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Khare S, Khare T, Ramanathan R, Ibdah JA. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Role of MicroRNAs. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050645. [PMID: 35625573 PMCID: PMC9138333 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC is diagnosed in its advanced stage when limited treatment options are available. Substantial morphologic, genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity has been reported in HCC, which poses a challenge for the development of a targeted therapy. In this review, we discuss the role and involvement of several microRNAs (miRs) in the heterogeneity and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma with a special emphasis on their possible role as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in the risk prediction, early detection, and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharad Khare
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (S.K.); (T.K.); (R.R.)
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Tripti Khare
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (S.K.); (T.K.); (R.R.)
| | - Raghu Ramanathan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (S.K.); (T.K.); (R.R.)
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Jamal A. Ibdah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (S.K.); (T.K.); (R.R.)
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: 1-573-882-7349; Fax: 1-573-884-4595
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14
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Mortoglou M, Buha Djordjevic A, Djordjevic V, Collins H, York L, Mani K, Valle E, Wallace D, Uysal-Onganer P. Role of microRNAs in response to cadmium chloride in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:467-485. [PMID: 34905088 PMCID: PMC8837568 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03196-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal and aggressive malignancies with a 5-year survival rate less than 9%. Early detection is particularly difficult due to the lack of symptoms even in advanced stages. microRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) are small (~ 18-24 nucleotides), endogenous, non-coding RNAs, which are involved in the pathogenesis of several malignancies including PDAC. Alterations of miR expressions can lead to apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The role of environmental pollutants such as cadmium (Cd) in PDAC has been suggested but not fully understood. This study underlines the role of miRs (miR-221, miR-155, miR-126) in response to cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in vitro. Lethal concentration (LC50) values for CdCl2 resulted in a toxicity series of AsPC-1 > HPNE > BxPC-3 > Panc-1 = Panc-10.5. Following the treatment with CdCl2, miR-221 and miR-155 were significantly overexpressed, whereas miR-126 was downregulated. An increase in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the dysregulation of mesenchymal markers such as Wnt-11, E-cadherin, Snail, and Zeb1 was also observed. Hence, this study has provided evidence to suggest that the environmental pollutant Cd can have a significant role in the development of PDAC, suggesting a significant correlation between miRs and Cd exposure during PDAC progression. Further studies are needed to investigate the precise role of miRs in PDAC progression as well as the role of Cd and other environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mortoglou
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, W1W 6UW UK
| | | | | | - Hunter Collins
- College of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 West 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107-1898 USA
| | - Lauren York
- College of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 West 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107-1898 USA
| | - Katherine Mani
- College of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 West 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107-1898 USA
| | - Elizabeth Valle
- College of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 West 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107-1898 USA
| | - David Wallace
- College of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 West 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107-1898 USA
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, W1W 6UW UK
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15
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Marin JJG, Romero MR, Herraez E, Asensio M, Ortiz-Rivero S, Sanchez-Martin A, Fabris L, Briz O. Mechanisms of Pharmacoresistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: New Drugs but Old Problems. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:87-103. [PMID: 34544160 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with poor prognosis when diagnosed at advanced stages in which curative treatments are no longer applicable. A small group of these patients may still benefit from transarterial chemoembolization. The only therapeutic option for most patients with advanced HCC is systemic pharmacological treatments based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immunotherapy. Available drugs only slightly increase survival, as tumor cells possess additive and synergistic mechanisms of pharmacoresistance (MPRs) prior to or enhanced during treatment. Understanding the molecular basis of MPRs is crucial to elucidate the genetic signature underlying HCC resistome. This will permit the selection of biomarkers to predict drug treatment response and identify tumor weaknesses in a personalized and dynamic way. In this article, we have reviewed the role of MPRs in current first-line drugs and the combinations of immunotherapeutic agents with novel TKIs being tested in the treatment of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J G Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Herraez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maitane Asensio
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Ortiz-Rivero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Anabel Sanchez-Martin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Liver Center (YLC), School of Medicine, Yale University New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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16
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Li L, Sheng P, Li T, Fields CJ, Hiers NM, Wang Y, Li J, Guardia CM, Licht JD, Xie M. Widespread microRNA degradation elements in target mRNAs can assist the encoded proteins. Genes Dev 2021; 35:1595-1609. [PMID: 34819352 PMCID: PMC8653786 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348874.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Binding of microRNAs (miRNAs) to mRNAs normally results in post-transcriptional repression of gene expression. However, extensive base-pairing between miRNAs and target RNAs can trigger miRNA degradation, a phenomenon called target RNA-directed miRNA degradation (TDMD). Here, we systematically analyzed Argonaute-CLASH (cross-linking, ligation, and sequencing of miRNA-target RNA hybrids) data and identified numerous candidate TDMD triggers, focusing on their ability to induce nontemplated nucleotide addition at the miRNA 3' end. When exogenously expressed in various cell lines, eight triggers induce degradation of corresponding miRNAs. Both the TDMD base-pairing and surrounding sequences are essential for TDMD. CRISPR knockout of endogenous trigger or ZSWIM8, a ubiquitin ligase essential for TDMD, reduced miRNA degradation. Furthermore, degradation of miR-221 and miR-222 by a trigger in BCL2L11, which encodes a proapoptotic protein, enhances apoptosis. Therefore, we uncovered widespread TDMD triggers in target RNAs and demonstrated an example that could functionally cooperate with the encoded protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Peike Sheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Tianqi Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Christopher J Fields
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Nicholas M Hiers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Yuzhi Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Jianping Li
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Casey M Guardia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Jonathan D Licht
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Mingyi Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
- UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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17
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Dongiovanni P, Meroni M, Longo M, Fargion S, Fracanzani AL. Genetics, Immunity and Nutrition Boost the Switching from NASH to HCC. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1524. [PMID: 34829753 PMCID: PMC8614742 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading contributor to the global burden of chronic liver diseases. The phenotypic umbrella of NAFLD spans from simple and reversible steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may worsen into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Notwithstanding, HCC may develop also in the absence of advanced fibrosis, causing a delayed time in diagnosis as a consequence of the lack of HCC screening in these patients. The precise event cascade that may precipitate NASH into HCC is intricate and it entails diverse triggers, encompassing exaggerated immune response, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress, organelle derangement and DNA aberrancies. All these events may be accelerated by both genetic and environmental factors. On one side, common and rare inherited variations that affect hepatic lipid remodeling, immune microenvironment and cell survival may boost the switching from steatohepatitis to liver cancer, on the other, diet-induced dysbiosis as well as nutritional and behavioral habits may furtherly precipitate tumor onset. Therefore, dietary and lifestyle interventions aimed to restore patients' health contribute to counteract NASH progression towards HCC. Even more, the combination of therapeutic strategies with dietary advice may maximize benefits, with the pursuit to improve liver function and prolong survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Dongiovanni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.L.F.)
| | - Marica Meroni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.L.F.)
| | - Miriam Longo
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.L.F.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Fargion
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.L.F.)
| | - Anna Ludovica Fracanzani
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.L.F.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
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18
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The Role of microRNAs in Pulp Inflammation. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082142. [PMID: 34440911 PMCID: PMC8391605 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dental pulp can be affected by thermal, physical, chemical, and bacterial phenomena that stimulate the inflammatory response. The pulp tissue produces an immunological, cellular, and vascular reaction in an attempt to defend itself and resolve the affected tissue. The expression of different microRNAs during pulp inflammation has been previously documented. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small molecules involved in the transcription of genes that regulate the immune system and the inflammatory response. They are present in cellular and physiological functions, as well as in the pathogenesis of human diseases, becoming potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and safety. Previous studies have evidenced the different roles played by miRNAs in proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and immunological phenomena in the dental pulp, highlighting specific key functions of pulp pathology. This systematized review aims to provide an understanding of the role of the different microRNAs detected in the pulp and their effects on the expression of the different target genes that are involved during pulp inflammation.
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19
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Liu W, Hu K, Zhang F, Lu S, Chen R, Ren Z, Yin X. The prognostic significance of microRNA-221 in hepatocellular carcinoma: An updated meta-analysis. Int J Biol Markers 2021; 36:17246008211032689. [PMID: 34374576 DOI: 10.1177/17246008211032689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, microRNA-221 has been found to be abnormally expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma; however, its clinical value has not been summarised. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the prognostic significance of miR-221 in hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, EMbase, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, VIP and Wanfang databases were searched for eligible articles. The endpoints included overall survival, progression-free survival, recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to explore the relationship between miR-221 expression and clinical survival results of liver cancer patients. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. Begg's test and Egger's test were conducted to evaluate publication bias. RESULTS A total of nine studies including 607 patients were recruited for this meta-analysis. The pooled hazard ratios displayed that high miR-221 expression was remarkably associated with poorer overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.53-2.38, p < 0.01) and unfavourable progression-free survival/recurrence-free survival/metastasis-free survival/disease-free survival (hazard ratio = 2.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.58-2.57, p < 0.01). The results of Begg's test and Egger's test did not exhibit obvious publication bias. CONCLUSIONS High expression of miR-221 can predict poor outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma. miR-221 can be used as a promising prognostic biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Liu
- Liver Cancer Institute, 92323Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China
| | - Keshu Hu
- Liver Cancer Institute, 92323Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Liver Cancer Institute, 92323Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China
| | - Shenxin Lu
- Liver Cancer Institute, 92323Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China
| | - Rongxin Chen
- Liver Cancer Institute, 92323Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China
| | - Zhenggang Ren
- Liver Cancer Institute, 92323Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China
| | - Xin Yin
- Liver Cancer Institute, 92323Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China
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20
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Finotti A, Gasparello J, Casnati A, Corradini R, Gambari R, Sansone F. Delivery of Peptide Nucleic Acids Using an Argininocalix[4]arene as Vector. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2211:123-143. [PMID: 33336275 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0943-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The importance of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) for alteration of gene expression is nowadays firmly established. PNAs are characterized by a pseudo-peptide backbone composed of N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine units and have been found to be excellent candidates for antisense and antigene therapies. Recently, PNAs have been demonstrated to alter the action of microRNAs and thus can be considered very important tools for miRNA therapeutics. In fact, the pharmacological modulation of microRNA activity appears to be a very interesting approach in the development of new types of drugs. Among the limits of PNAs in applied molecular biology, the delivery to target cells and tissues is of key importance. The aim of this chapter is to describe methods for the efficient delivery of unmodified PNAs designed to target microRNAs involved in cancer, using as model system miR-221-3p and human glioma cells as in vitro experimental cellular system. The methods employed to deliver PNAs targeting miR-221-3p here presented are based on a macrocyclic multivalent tetraargininocalix[4]arene used as non-covalent vector for anti-miR-221-3p PNAs. High delivery efficiency, low cytotoxicity, maintenance of the PNA biological activity, and easy preparation makes this vector a candidate for a universal delivery system for this class of nucleic acid analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandro Casnati
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Parma University, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Corradini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Parma University, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy.,Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Sansone
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Parma University, Parma, Italy.
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21
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Liu R, Wang G, Zhang C, Bai D. A prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma based on apoptosis-related genes. World J Surg Oncol 2021; 19:70. [PMID: 33712023 PMCID: PMC7955636 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-021-02175-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dysregulation of the balance between proliferation and apoptosis is the basis for human hepatocarcinogenesis. In many malignant tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is a correlation between apoptotic dysregulation and poor prognosis. However, the prognostic values of apoptosis-related genes (ARGs) in HCC have not been elucidated. Methods To screen for differentially expressed ARGs, the expression levels of 161 ARGs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (https://cancergenome.nih.gov/) were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to evaluate the underlying molecular mechanisms of differentially expressed ARGs in HCC. The prognostic values of ARGs were established using Cox regression, and subsequently, a prognostic risk model for scoring patients was developed. Kaplan–Meier (K-M) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to determine the prognostic value of the model. Results Compared with normal tissues, 43 highly upregulated and 8 downregulated ARGs in HCC tissues were screened. GO analysis results revealed that these 51 genes are indeed related to the apoptosis function. KEGG analysis revealed that these 51 genes were correlated with MAPK, P53, TNF, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways, while Cox regression revealed that 5 ARGs (PPP2R5B, SQSTM1, TOP2A, BMF, and LGALS3) were associated with prognosis and were, therefore, obtained to develop the prognostic model. Based on the median risk scores, patients were categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups. Patients in the low-risk groups exhibited significantly elevated 2-year or 5-year survival probabilities (p < 0.0001). The risk model had a better clinical potency than the other clinical characteristics, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.741). The prognosis of HCC patients was established from a plotted nomogram. Conclusion Based on the differential expression of ARGs, we established a novel risk model for predicting HCC prognosis. This model can also be used to inform the individualized treatment of HCC patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-021-02175-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Guifu Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Dousheng Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Morton SU, Sefton CR, Zhang H, Dai M, Turner DL, Uhler MD, Agrawal PB. microRNA-mRNA Profile of Skeletal Muscle Differentiation and Relevance to Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052692. [PMID: 33799993 PMCID: PMC7962092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance and translation during key developmental processes including muscle differentiation. Assessment of miRNA targets can provide insight into muscle biology and gene expression profiles altered by disease. mRNA and miRNA libraries were generated from C2C12 myoblasts during differentiation, and predicted miRNA targets were identified based on presence of miRNA binding sites and reciprocal expression. Seventeen miRNAs were differentially expressed at all time intervals (comparing days 0, 2, and 5) of differentiation. mRNA targets of differentially expressed miRNAs were enriched for functions related to calcium signaling and sarcomere formation. To evaluate this relationship in a disease state, we evaluated the miRNAs differentially expressed in human congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD) myoblasts and compared with normal control. Seventy-four miRNAs were differentially expressed during healthy human myocyte maturation, of which only 12 were also up- or downregulated in CMD patient cells. The 62 miRNAs that were only differentially expressed in healthy cells were compared with differentiating C2C12 cells. Eighteen of the 62 were conserved in mouse and up- or down-regulated during mouse myoblast differentiation, and their C2C12 targets were enriched for functions related to muscle differentiation and contraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah U. Morton
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: (S.U.M.); (P.B.A.)
| | | | - Huanqing Zhang
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.Z.); (M.D.); (D.L.T.); (M.D.U.)
| | - Manhong Dai
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.Z.); (M.D.); (D.L.T.); (M.D.U.)
| | - David L. Turner
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.Z.); (M.D.); (D.L.T.); (M.D.U.)
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael D. Uhler
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.Z.); (M.D.); (D.L.T.); (M.D.U.)
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Pankaj B. Agrawal
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: (S.U.M.); (P.B.A.)
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Ghafouri-Fard S, Honarmand Tamizkar K, Hussen BM, Taheri M. MicroRNA signature in liver cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2021; 219:153369. [PMID: 33626406 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the 7th utmost frequent neoplasm and the 4th principal source of cancer deaths. This malignancy is linked with several environmental and lifestyle-related factors emphasizing the role of epigenetics in its pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been regarded as potent epigenetic mechanisms partaking in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been related with poor outcome of patients with liver cancer. In the current manuscript, we provide a concise review of the results of recent studies about the role of miRNAs in the progression of liver cancer and their diagnostic and prognostic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Pharmacognosy Department, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Zhang S, Cheng Z, Wang Y, Han T. The Risks of miRNA Therapeutics: In a Drug Target Perspective. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:721-733. [PMID: 33654378 PMCID: PMC7910153 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s288859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RNAi therapeutics have been growing. Patisiran and givosiran, two siRNA-based drugs, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 and 2019, respectively. However, there is rare news on the advance of miRNA drugs (another therapeutic similar to siRNA drug). Here we report the existing obstacles of miRNA therapeutics by analyses for resources available in a drug target perspective, despite being appreciated when it began. Only 10 obtainable miRNA drugs have been in clinical trials with none undergoing phase III, while over 60 siRNA drugs are in complete clinical trial progression including two approvals. We mechanically compared the two types of drug and found that their major distinction lay in the huge discrepancy of the target number of two RNA molecules, which was caused by different complementary ratios. One miRNA generally targets tens and even hundreds of genes. We named it “too many targets for miRNA effect” (TMTME). Further, two adverse events from the discontinuation of two miRNA therapeutics were exactly answered by TMTME. In summary, TMTME is inevitable because of the special complementary approach between miRNA and its target. It means that miRNA therapeutics would trigger a series of unknown and unpreventable consequences, which makes it a considerable alternative for application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhujun Cheng
- Department of Burn, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyu Han
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
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Qian F, Wang J, Wang Y, Gao Q, Yan W, Lin Y, Shen L, Xie Y, Jiang X, Shen B. MiR-378a-3p as a putative biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and prognosis: Computational screening with experimental validation. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e307. [PMID: 33634974 PMCID: PMC7882078 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant disease with high morbidity and mortality, and the molecular mechanism for the genesis and progression is complex and heterogeneous. Biomarker discovery is crucial for the personalized and precision treatment of HCC. The accumulation of reported microRNA biomarkers makes it possible to combine computational identification with experimental validation to accelerate the discovery of novel biomarker. RESULTS In the present work, we applied a rational computer-aided biomarker discovery model to screen for the HCC diagnosis biomarker. Two HCC-associated networks were constructed based on the microRNA and mRNA expression profiles, and the potential microRNA biomarkers were identified based on their unique regulatory and influential power in the network. These putative biomarkers were then experimentally validated. One prominent example among these identified biomarkers is MiR-378a-3p: It was shown to independently regulate several important transcription factors such as PLAGL2 and β-catenin, affecting the β-catenin signaling. Such mechanism may indicate a potential tumor suppressor role of MiR-378a-3p and the impact of its abnormal expression on the cell growth and invasion of HCC. CONCLUSIONS A bioinformatics model with network topological and functional characterization was successfully applied to the identification of HCC biomarkers. The predicted microRNA biomarkers were than validated with experiments using human HCC cell lines, model animal, and clinical specimens. The results confirmed the prediction by our proposed model that miR-378a-3p was a putative biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuliang Qian
- Center for Systems BiologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Jinghan Wang
- Department of the First Biliary Surgery, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNavy Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of the First Biliary Surgery, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNavy Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qian Gao
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Wenying Yan
- Center for Systems BiologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Yuxin Lin
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Li Shen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yufeng Xie
- Center for Systems BiologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Xiaoqing Jiang
- Department of the First Biliary Surgery, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNavy Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Bairong Shen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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Morishita A, Oura K, Tadokoro T, Fujita K, Tani J, Masaki T. MicroRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030514. [PMID: 33572780 PMCID: PMC7866004 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequently occurring cancers, and the prognosis for late-stage HCC remains poor. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of HCC is expected to improve outcomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding, single-stranded RNAs that regulate the expression of various target genes, including those in cancer-associated genomic regions or fragile sites in various human cancers. We summarize the central roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of HCC and discuss their potential utility as valuable biomarkers and new therapeutic agents for HCC. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the seventh most frequent cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Despite substantial advances in therapeutic strategies, the prognosis of late-stage HCC remains dismal because of the high recurrence rate. A better understanding of the etiology of HCC is therefore necessary to improve outcomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, noncoding, single-stranded RNAs that modulate the expression of their target genes at the posttranscriptional and translational levels. Aberrant expression of miRNAs has frequently been detected in cancer-associated genomic regions or fragile sites in various human cancers and has been observed in both HCC cells and tissues. The precise patterns of aberrant miRNA expression differ depending on disease etiology, including various causes of hepatocarcinogenesis, such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms and the association of miRNAs with the pathogenesis of HCC of various etiologies. In the present review, we summarize the key mechanisms of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of HCC and emphasize their potential utility as valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as innovative therapeutic targets, in HCC diagnosis and treatment.
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Chen Z, Xiang B, Qi L, Zhu S, Li L. miR-221-3p promotes hepatocellular carcinogenesis by downregulating O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase. Cancer Biol Ther 2020; 21:915-926. [PMID: 33023393 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2020.1806642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the influence of miR-221-3p and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) interaction in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), thereby revealing a novel molecular mechanism of hepatic carcinogenesis involving miR-221-3p and MGMT. Fluorescence qPCR and immunoblot assays were performed to determine the expression of RNA and protein in HCC tissues and cell lines. We also employed the firefly and Renilla luciferase assay to verify the target relationship between miR-221-3p and MGMT mRNA. Assessments including the MTT assay, wound-healing assay, transwell assay, colony foci formation experiment, and flow cytometric experiment were carried out to determine the viability, migration, invasion, proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 and BEL-7404 cell lines with the modulated expression of miR-221-3p and MGMT. Compared to healthy tissues and cell line HL7702, miR-221-3p was significantly upregulated but MGMT was significantly downregulated in carcinomas and cancerous cell lines. Forced miR-221-3p overexpression was found to enhance the proliferation, migration, invasion, and clonogenicity of cell lines, but it suppressed cell apoptosis. Findings also revealed that forced miR-221-3p overexpression had little effect on cell cycle progression. After MGMT was confirmed to be atarget gene of miR-221-3p, it was found that the forced upregulation of miR-221-3p downregulated MGMT mRNA and protein levels significantly. MiR-221-3p was identified as an HCC promoting factor, and it specifically inhibited the expression of the MGMT. Besides, the upregulation of miR-221-3p had apositive influence on HCC pathogenesis by inhibiting MGMT expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zushun Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital , Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Bangde Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital , Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lunan Qi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital , Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shaoliang Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital , Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lequn Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital , Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Svobodová J, Procházková J, Kabátková M, Krkoška M, Šmerdová L, Líbalová H, Topinka J, Kléma J, Kozubík A, Machala M, Vondráček J. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Disrupts Control of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in a Human Model of Adult Liver Progenitors. Toxicol Sci 2020; 172:368-384. [PMID: 31536130 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation has been shown to alter proliferation, apoptosis, or differentiation of adult rat liver progenitors. Here, we investigated the impact of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-mediated AhR activation on a human model of bipotent liver progenitors, undifferentiated HepaRG cells. We used both intact undifferentiated HepaRG cells, and the cells with silenced Hippo pathway effectors, yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), which play key role(s) in tissue-specific progenitor cell self-renewal and expansion, such as in liver, cardiac, or respiratory progenitors. TCDD induced cell proliferation in confluent undifferentiated HepaRG cells; however, following YAP, and, in particular, double YAP/TAZ knockdown, TCDD promoted induction of apoptosis. These results suggested that, unlike in mature hepatocytes, or hepatocyte-like cells, activation of the AhR may sensitize undifferentiated HepaRG cells to apoptotic stimuli. Induction of apoptosis in cells with silenced YAP/TAZ was associated with upregulation of death ligand TRAIL, and seemed to involve both extrinsic and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Global gene expression analysis further suggested that TCDD significantly altered expression of constituents and/or transcriptional targets of signaling pathways participating in control of expansion or differentiation of liver progenitors, including EGFR, Wnt/β-catenin, or tumor growth factor-β signaling pathways. TCDD significantly upregulated cytosolic proapoptotic protein BMF (Bcl-2 modifying factor) in HepaRG cells, which could be linked with an enhanced sensitivity of TCDD-treated cells to apoptosis. Our results suggest that, in addition to promotion of cell proliferation and alteration of signaling pathways controlling expansion of human adult liver progenitors, AhR ligands may also sensitize human liver progenitor cells to apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Svobodová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 61137, Czech Republic
| | - Jiřina Procházková
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno 62100, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Kabátková
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Krkoška
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 61137, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Šmerdová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Líbalová
- Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Topinka
- Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kléma
- Department of Computer Science, Czech Technical University, Prague 12135, Czech Republic
| | - Alois Kozubík
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Machala
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno 62100, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 61265, Czech Republic
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MicroRNA-221: A Fine Tuner and Potential Biomarker of Chronic Liver Injury. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081767. [PMID: 32717951 PMCID: PMC7464779 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed significant advancements in our understanding of how small noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), regulate disease progression. One such miRNA, miR-221, has been shown to play a key role in the progression of liver fibrosis, a common feature of most liver diseases. Many reports have demonstrated the upregulation of miR-221 in liver fibrosis caused by multiple etiologies such as viral infections and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Inhibition of miR-221 via different strategies has shown promising results in terms of the suppression of fibrogenic gene signatures in vitro, as well as in vivo, in independent mouse models of liver fibrosis. In addition, miR-221 has also been suggested as a noninvasive serum biomarker for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this review, we discuss the biology of miR-221, its significance and use as a biomarker during progression of liver fibrosis, and finally, potential and robust approaches that can be utilized to suppress liver fibrosis via inhibition of miR-221.
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Marin JJ, Macias RI, Monte MJ, Romero MR, Asensio M, Sanchez-Martin A, Cives-Losada C, Temprano AG, Espinosa-Escudero R, Reviejo M, Bohorquez LH, Briz O. Molecular Bases of Drug Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061663. [PMID: 32585893 PMCID: PMC7352164 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor outcome of patients with non-surgically removable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most frequent type of primary liver cancer, is mainly due to the high refractoriness of this aggressive tumor to classical chemotherapy. Novel pharmacological approaches based on the use of inhibitors of tyrosine kinases (TKIs), mainly sorafenib and regorafenib, have provided only a modest prolongation of the overall survival in these HCC patients. The present review is an update of the available information regarding our understanding of the molecular bases of mechanisms of chemoresistance (MOC) with a significant impact on the response of HCC to existing pharmacological tools, which include classical chemotherapeutic agents, TKIs and novel immune-sensitizing strategies. Many of the more than one hundred genes involved in seven MOC have been identified as potential biomarkers to predict the failure of treatment, as well as druggable targets to develop novel strategies aimed at increasing the sensitivity of HCC to pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J.G. Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.J.G.M.); (O.B.); Tel.: +34-663182872 (J.J.G.M.); +34-923294674 (O.B.)
| | - Rocio I.R. Macias
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria J. Monte
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R. Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maitane Asensio
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Anabel Sanchez-Martin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Candela Cives-Losada
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Alvaro G. Temprano
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Ricardo Espinosa-Escudero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Maria Reviejo
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Laura H. Bohorquez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.J.G.M.); (O.B.); Tel.: +34-663182872 (J.J.G.M.); +34-923294674 (O.B.)
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Qin X, Song Y. Bioinformatics Analysis Identifies the Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1) Gene and hsa-miR-26a-5p as Potential Prognostic Biomarkers in Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e921815. [PMID: 32435051 PMCID: PMC7257878 DOI: 10.12659/msm.921815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma arises from the epithelial cells of the bile ducts and is associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to use bioinformatics analysis to identify molecular biomarkers of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and their potential mechanisms. Material/Methods MicroRNA (miRNA) and mRNA microarrays from GSE53870 and GSE32879 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) associated with prognosis were identified using limma software and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Predictive target genes of the DEMs were identified using miRWalk, miRTarBase, miRDB, and TargetScan databases of miRNA-binding sites and targets. Target genes underwent Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Hub genes were analyzed by constructing the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using Cytoscape. DEMs validated the hub genes, followed by construction of the miRNA-gene regulatory network. Results Twenty-five DEMs were identified. Fifteen DEMs were upregulated, and ten were down-regulated. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis identified seven upregulated DEMs and nine down-regulated DEMs that were associated with the overall survival (OS), and 130 target genes were selected. GO analysis showed that target genes were mainly enriched for metabolism and development processes. KEGG analysis showed that target genes were mainly enriched for cancer processes and some signaling pathways. Fourteen hub genes identified from the PPI network were associated with the regulation of cell proliferation. The overlap between hub genes and DEMs identified the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene and hsa-miR-26a-5p. Conclusions Bioinformatics analysis identified ESR1 and hsa-miR-26a-5p as potential prognostic biomarkers for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzheng Qin
- Queen Mary School of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Yuning Song
- Queen Mary School of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China (mainland)
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Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Obesity-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051290. [PMID: 32443737 PMCID: PMC7281233 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a global, intractable issue, altering inflammatory and stress response pathways, and promoting tissue adiposity and tumorigenesis. Visceral fat accumulation is correlated with primary tumor recurrence, poor prognosis and chemotherapeutic resistance. Accumulating evidence highlights a close association between obesity and an increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Obesity drives HCC, and obesity-associated tumorigenesis develops via nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and ultimately to HCC. The better molecular elucidation and proteogenomic characterization of obesity-associated HCC might eventually open up potential therapeutic avenues. The mechanisms relating obesity and HCC are correlated with adipose tissue remodeling, alteration in the gut microbiome, genetic factors, ER stress, oxidative stress and epigenetic changes. During obesity-related hepatocarcinogenesis, adipokine secretion is dysregulated and the nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 1 (Nrf-1), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/Akt, and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathways are activated. This review captures the present trends allied with the molecular mechanisms involved in obesity-associated hepatic tumorigenesis, showcasing next generation molecular therapeutic strategies and their mechanisms for the successful treatment of HCC.
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Non-Coding RNAs: Regulating Disease Progression and Therapy Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051243. [PMID: 32429062 PMCID: PMC7281199 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary liver cancer arising from hepatocytes, is a universal health problem and one of the most common malignant tumors. Surgery followed by chemotherapy as well as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as sorafenib, are primary treatment procedures for HCC, but recurrence of disease because of therapy resistance results in high mortality. It is necessary to identify novel regulators of HCC for developing effective targeted therapies that can significantly interfere with progression of the disease process. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are an abundant group of versatile RNA transcripts that do not translate into proteins, rather serve as potentially functional RNAs. The role of ncRNAs in regulating diverse aspects of the carcinogenesis process are gradually being elucidated. Recent advances in RNA sequencing technology have identified a plethora of ncRNAs regulating all aspects of hepatocarcinogenesis process and serving as potential prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers. The present review provides a comprehensive description of the biological roles of ncRNAs in disease process and therapy resistance, and potential clinical application of these ncRNAs in HCC.
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The Underlying Mechanisms of Noncoding RNAs in the Chemoresistance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:13-27. [PMID: 32505000 PMCID: PMC7270498 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal human malignancies. Chemotherapeutic agents, such as sorafenib and lenvatinib, can improve the outcomes of HCC patients. Nevertheless, chemoresistance has become a major hurdle in the effective treatment of HCC. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including mircoRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), have been demonstrated to participate in the onset and progression of HCC. Moreover, multiple lines of evidence have indicated that ncRNAs also play a pivotal role in HCC drug resistance. ncRNAs can regulate drug efflux and metabolism, glucose metabolism, cellular death pathways, and malignant characteristics in HCC. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for ncRNA-mediated drug resistance in HCC will provide new opportunities for improving the treatment of HCC. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the molecular mechanisms by which ncRNAs regulate HCC chemoresistance, as well as their potential clinical implications in overcoming HCC chemoresistance.
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Li J, Zhang S, Zou Y, Wu L, Pei M, Jiang Y. miR-145 promotes miR-133b expression through c-myc and DNMT3A-mediated methylation in ovarian cancer cells. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:4291-4301. [PMID: 31612498 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer presents as malignant tumors in the female reproductive system with high mortality. MicroRNAs are involved in the progression of ovarian cancer; however, the regulatory relationship among miRs remains unclear. In our study, we verified that both miR-145 and miR-133b messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in ovarian cancer tissues were lower than in normal ovarian tissues, and their mRNA level in serum of patients with ovarian cancer was reduced. We demonstrated miR-145 targeted c-myc, and c-myc interacted physically with DNMT3A in ovarian cancer cells. We confirmed that c-myc recruited DNMT3A to the miR-133b promoter. miR-133b overexpression also inhibited target gene PKM2 expression along with the Warburg effect. Our results indicate that miR-145 inhibited the Warburg effect through miR-133b/PKM2 pathways, which may improve approaches to ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Songlin Zhang
- Department of Structural Heart Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuliang Zou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Meili Pei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Karri K, Waxman DJ. Widespread Dysregulation of Long Noncoding Genes Associated With Fatty Acid Metabolism, Cell Division, and Immune Response Gene Networks in Xenobiotic-exposed Rat Liver. Toxicol Sci 2020; 174:291-310. [PMID: 31926019 PMCID: PMC7098378 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Xenobiotic exposure dysregulates hundreds of protein-coding genes in mammalian liver, impacting many physiological processes and inducing diverse toxicological responses. Little is known about xenobiotic effects on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), many of which have important regulatory functions. Here, we present a computational framework to discover liver-expressed, xenobiotic-responsive lncRNAs (xeno-lncs) with strong functional, gene regulatory potential and elucidate the impact of xenobiotic exposure on their gene regulatory networks. We assembled the long noncoding transcriptome of xenobiotic-exposed rat liver using RNA-seq datasets from male rats treated with 27 individual chemicals, representing 7 mechanisms of action (MOAs). Ortholog analysis was combined with coexpression data and causal inference methods to infer lncRNA function and deduce gene regulatory networks, including causal effects of lncRNAs on protein-coding gene expression and biological pathways. We discovered > 1400 liver-expressed xeno-lncs, many with human and/or mouse orthologs. Xenobiotics representing different MOAs often regulated common xeno-lnc targets: 123 xeno-lncs were dysregulated by ≥ 10 chemicals, and 5 xeno-lncs responded to ≥ 20 of the 27 chemicals investigated; 81 other xeno-lncs served as MOA-selective markers of xenobiotic exposure. Xeno-lnc-protein-coding gene coexpression regulatory network analysis identified xeno-lncs closely associated with exposure-induced perturbations of hepatic fatty acid metabolism, cell division, or immune response pathways, and with apoptosis or cirrhosis. We also identified hub and bottleneck lncRNAs, which are expected to be key regulators of gene expression. This work elucidates extensive networks of xeno-lnc-protein-coding gene interactions and provides a framework for understanding the widespread transcriptome-altering actions of foreign chemicals in a key-responsive mammalian tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Karri
- Department of Biology and Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David J Waxman
- Department of Biology and Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Gramantieri L, Pollutri D, Gagliardi M, Giovannini C, Quarta S, Ferracin M, Casadei-Gardini A, Callegari E, De Carolis S, Marinelli S, Benevento F, Vasuri F, Ravaioli M, Cescon M, Piscaglia F, Negrini M, Bolondi L, Fornari F. MiR-30e-3p Influences Tumor Phenotype through MDM2/ TP53 Axis and Predicts Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:1720-1734. [PMID: 32015093 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-0472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The molecular background of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly heterogeneous, and biomarkers predicting response to treatments are an unmet clinical need. We investigated miR-30e-3p contribution to HCC phenotype and response to sorafenib, as well as the mutual modulation of TP53/MDM2 pathway, in HCC tissues and preclinical models. MiR-30e-3p was downregulated in human and rat HCCs, and its downregulation associated with TP53 mutations. TP53 contributed to miR-30e-3p biogenesis, and MDM2 was identified among its target genes, establishing an miR-30e-3p/TP53/MDM2 feedforward loop and accounting for miR-30e-3p dual role based on TP53 status. EpCAM, PTEN, and p27 were demonstrated as miR-30e-3p additional targets mediating its contribution to stemness and malignant features. In a preliminary cohort of patients with HCC treated with sorafenib, increased miR-30e-3p circulating levels predicted the development of resistance. In conclusion, molecular background dictates miR-30e-3p dual behavior in HCC. Mdm2 targeting plays a predominant tumor suppressor function in wild-type TP53 contexts, whereas other targets such as PTEN, p27, and EpCAM gain relevance and mediate miR-30e-3p oncogenic role in nonfunctional TP53 backgrounds. Increased circulating levels of miR-30e-3p predict the development of sorafenib resistance in a preliminary series of patients with HCC and deserve future investigations. SIGNIFICANCE: The dual role of miR-30e-3p in HCC clarifies how the molecular context dictates the tumor suppressor or oncogenic function played by miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gramantieri
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Daniela Pollutri
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Gagliardi
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Catia Giovannini
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Santina Quarta
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Manuela Ferracin
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Casadei-Gardini
- Division of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Callegari
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrina De Carolis
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Marinelli
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Benevento
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Vasuri
- Pathology Unit, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Ravaioli
- General Surgery and Transplant Unit, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- General Surgery and Transplant Unit, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Piscaglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Negrini
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luigi Bolondi
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Fornari
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Amini S, Abak A, Sakhinia E, Abhari A. MicroRNA-221 and MicroRNA-222 in Common Human Cancers: Expression, Function, and Triggering of Tumor Progression as a Key Modulator. Lab Med 2020; 50:333-347. [PMID: 31049571 DOI: 10.1093/labmed/lmz002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short (~22 nucleotides [nt]), single-stranded RNA oligonucleotides that are regulatory in nature and are often dysregulated in various diseases, including cancer. miRNAs can act as oncomiRs (miRNAs associated with cancer) or tumor suppressor miRNAs and have the potential to be a diagnostic, prognostic, noninvasive biomarker for these diseases. MicroRNA-221 (miR-221) and microRNA-222 (miR-222) are homologous miRNAs, located on the human chromosome Xp11.3, which factored significantly in impairment in the regulation of a wide range of cancers. In this review, we have highlighted the most consistently reported dysregulated miRNAs that trigger human tissues to express cancerous features and surveyed the role of those miRNAs in metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and tumor prognosis. Also, we applied the causes of drug resistance and the role of coordinated actions of these miRNAs to epigenetic changes and selected miRNAs as a potential type of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sima Amini
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Atefe Abak
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Sakhinia
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Tabriz Genetic Analysis Center (TGAC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Alireza Abhari
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratory, Division of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Role of miR-221/222 in Tumor Development and the Underlying Mechanism. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:7252013. [PMID: 31929798 PMCID: PMC6942871 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7252013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA-221/222 (miRNA-221/222, miR-221/222) is a noncoding microRNA which is widely distributed in eukaryotic organisms and deeply involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expressions. According to recent studies, abnormal expressions of miR-221/222 are closely related to the occurrence and development of various kinds of malignant tumors. The role of miR-221/222 in tumor development and their potential molecular mechanism in various cancers, including liver cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial carcinoma, are summarized and reviewed in this paper. Moreover, the potential translational biomarker role of abnormal miR-221/222 level in tumor or blood circulation for tumor diagnosis is also discussed.
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MicroRNAs in Animal Models of HCC. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121906. [PMID: 31805631 PMCID: PMC6966618 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Molecular heterogeneity and absence of biomarkers for patient allocation to the best therapeutic option contribute to poor prognosis of advanced stages. Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is associated with HCC development and progression and influences drug resistance. Therefore, miRNAs have been assayed as putative biomarkers and therapeutic targets. miRNA-based therapeutic approaches demonstrated safety profiles and antitumor efficacy in HCC animal models; nevertheless, caution should be used when transferring preclinical findings to the clinics, due to possible molecular inconsistency between animal models and the heterogeneous pattern of the human disease. In this context, models with defined genetic and molecular backgrounds might help to identify novel therapeutic options for specific HCC subgroups. In this review, we describe rodent models of HCC, emphasizing their representativeness with the human pathology and their usefulness as preclinical tools for assessing miRNA-based therapeutic strategies.
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Oroxin B Induces Apoptosis by Down-Regulating MicroRNA-221 Resulting in the Inactivation of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT Pathway in Liver Cancer. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24234384. [PMID: 31801250 PMCID: PMC6930563 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the anticancer effect of Oroxin B (OB) both in vitro and in vivo, and the molecular mechanism involved in microRNA-221 and the PI3K/Akt/PTEN pathway through modulation of apoptosis in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). DEN-induced rats and HepG2 cells based on the microfluidic chip were employed, while the mRNA and protein expression of microRNA-221, PI3K, p-Akt and PTEN were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Based on Microfluidic Chip and DEN-induced rat model, OB effectively exerts anti-liver cancer effect both in vitro and in vivo, and the expression of miR-221 in OB treated groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (** p < 0.01). The RT-PCR and Western blot results suggested the PI3K mRNA and protein in OB treated groups were both lower than those in control group and indicated the overexpression of PTEN. Therefore, OB effectively exerts anticancer effects by positively regulating the PTEN gene and then inactivating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway through down-regulating the expression of the microRNA-221, thereby inducing apoptosis of liver cancer cells. This study offers a theoretical evidence for further development and clinical guidance of OB as an anti-tumor agent.
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Liu S, Wang Y, Li W, Yu S, Wen Z, Chen Z, Lin F. miR-221-5p acts as an oncogene and predicts worse survival in patients of renal cell cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 119:109406. [PMID: 31514066 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal cell carcinoma(RCC) is one of the most common malignancies in kidney, and usually leads to poor prognosis. Therefore, identifying novel biomarkers for predicting the progression and prognosis of RCC is essential. The purpose of this study is aimed to evaluate the function of miR-221-5p in RCC and the clinical value of miR-221-5p in RCC prognosis after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our study, RT-qPCR, wound scratch assay, cell proliferation assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry assay were performed to explore miR-221-5p expression level and its proliferation, migration and apoptosis in clear cell RCC(ccRCC). Besides, we collected 196 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples of patients who received partial or radical nephrectomy from May 2006 to October 2016 at Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and People's Liberation Army 303 Hospital. The relative levels of miR-221-5p from the FFPE tissue samples was detected by RT-qPCR. The Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression analyses, and ROC curve analysis were performed to approve the effect of the miR-221-5p expression on patient survival. RESULTS In our study, we found that miR-221-5p is significantly upregulated in ccRCC tissues and ccRCC cell lines. Moreover, miR-221-5p promotes cell proliferation, mobility, and inhibits cell apoptosis in 786-O and ACHN cell lines. The Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with high expression of miR-221-5p had a significantly poor prognosis (P = 0.013). The Cox regression analyses showed that patients with high expression of miR-221-5p remained to have a shorter overall survival (P = 0.025). The ROC curve of miR-221-5p expression combined with tumor stage showed an area under the curve of 0.658 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our results indicated that miR-221-5p might not only be an oncogene in ccRCC cells but also might be an independent prognosis factor of ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangwen Liu
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, PR China
| | - Yadong Wang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, PR China
| | - Wengang Li
- Department of Urology, People's Liberation Army 303 Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China
| | - Shaolong Yu
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, PR China
| | - Zhipeng Wen
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, PR China
| | - Zhifeng Chen
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, PR China
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, PR China.
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Clinical impact of circulating oncogenic MiRNA-221 and MiRNA-222 in glioblastoma multiform. J Neurooncol 2019; 144:545-551. [PMID: 31422498 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-019-03256-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Glioblastoma multiform (GBM); most fatal brain cancer, is incurable with molecular diversity hence identification of molecular targets that contribute to GBM tumorgenesis will be suitable for the development of diagnostic and treatment strategies. Micro-RNAs (miR); small RNA molecules, are stable in blood and play a crucial role in molecular processes in GBM. Thus it was aimed to investigate the clinical role of miR-221 and miR-222 among GBM cases as compared to healthy individuals and illustrate their role in patient's survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood samples were withdrawn from 20 GBM cases before and after treatment, a group of 20 healthy individuals were served as control. For all enrolled samples expression of miR-221 and miR-222 were detected using quantitative PCR (QPCR). Sensitivities, specificities of investigated miRs and their relation with GBM clinical characteristics and patient's outcome were analyzed using Kaplan Meir curve. RESULTS Expression of investigated miR- 221 and -222 were significantly increased in GBM cases as compared to healthy individuals (F = 12.9, at P < 0.001, F = 28.78, at P < 0.0001, respectively) and with absolute specificity for both and 90% sensitivity for miR-221 and 85% for miR-222. Among GBM patients (n = 20), mean expression level miR-221 reported significant increase with elder GBM ( > 60 years) at F = 5.7, P = 0.028, while both miR-221 and -222 showed significant difference in performance status (ECGO) at P = 0.036 and 0.007, patients with primary lesion at P = 0.001 and 0.005, surgically treatment strategy at P < 0.001 and 0.004, respectively. Patients were grouped according to their outcomes into response (complete [CR] or partial [PR]), stable disease[SD] and progressive disease [PD], miR-221 and miR-222 showed increase expression with PD and patients with worse PFS and OS were those with high miRs expression. CONCLUSION Detection of circulating miR-221 and miR-222 may be used as circulating molecular marker for diagnosis and prediction of outcome for patients with GBM. Further studies with large cohort of samples are encouraged.
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Fu Y, Li F, Zhang P, Liu M, Qian L, Lv F, Cheng W, Hou R. Myrothecine A modulates the proliferation of HCC cells and the maturation of dendritic cells through downregulating miR-221. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 75:105783. [PMID: 31376622 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.105783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Myrothecine A, characterized from the extracts of myrothecium roridum strain IFB-E012, isolated as endophytic fungi found in the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua. Here we investigated its roles on anti-tumor and immune regulation in vitro. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells in immune responses. Recent studies have indicated that miRNAs are indispensable in regulating the development, differentiation, maturation and function of DC. MiR-221, acted as an oncogene, is an important regulator in cancer development by binding to 3' untranslated regions (3' UTR) of target mRNA. Here, we investigated whether myrothecine A could inhibit cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721 by regulating miR-221. The HCC cells were treated with myrothecine A at different concentration, and the cell growth ability was measured by MTT assay. Then we observed whether myrothecine A could affect the maturation of DC by regulating miR-221. The HCC cell line was co-cultured with immature DC from mice bone marrow, and the levels of CD86 and CD40 was detected by FCM. Our results showed that myrothecine A could rescue miR-221-induced cell proliferation and influence the protein level of p27 by inhibiting the expression of miR-221. In addition, myrothecine A could enhance the expression of CD86 and CD40 by reversing the function of miR-221. Therefore, myrothecine A may be acted as an anti-tumor drug to promote the maturation of DC in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Fu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China.
| | - Fengxia Li
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Institute of Hand Surgery, Ruihua Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Mingyan Liu
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Li Qian
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Fengwei Lv
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Wenting Cheng
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Ruixing Hou
- Institute of Hand Surgery, Ruihua Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China
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Prognostic Role of miR-221 and miR-222 Expression in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11070970. [PMID: 31336701 PMCID: PMC6678869 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A wealth of evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate specific genes, increasing our knowledge on the fine-tuning regulation of protein expression. miR-221 and miR-222 have been frequently identified as deregulated across different cancer types; however, their prognostic significance in cancer remains controversial. In view of these considerations, we performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of published data investigating the effects of miR-221/222 on overall survival (OS) and other secondary outcomes among cancer patients. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to assess the strength of association. Results: Fifty studies, analyzing 6086 patients, were included in the systematic review. Twenty-five studies for miR-221 and 17 studies for miR-222 which assessed OS were included in the meta-analysis. High expression of miR-221 and miR-222 significantly predicted poor OS (HR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.14–1.93, p = 0.003 and HR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.43–2.54, p < 0.001, respectively). Subgroup analysis revealed that the finding on miR-221 was not as robust as the one on miR-222. Furthermore, high miR-222 expression was also associated with worse progression-free survival and disease-free survival pooled with recurrence-free survival. Conclusions: The meta-analysis demonstrated that high expression of miR-222 is associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients, whereas the significance of miR-221 remains unclear. More work is required to fully elucidate the role of miR-221 and miR-222 in cancer prognosis, particularly in view of the limitations of existing results, including the significant heterogeneity and limited number of studies for some cancers.
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Wang X, Liao X, Huang K, Zeng X, Liu Z, Zhou X, Yu T, Yang C, Yu L, Wang Q, Han C, Zhu G, Ye X, Peng T. Clustered microRNAs hsa-miR-221-3p/hsa-miR-222-3p and their targeted genes might be prognostic predictors for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer 2019; 10:2520-2533. [PMID: 31258758 PMCID: PMC6584338 DOI: 10.7150/jca.29207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been explored in malignancies. We investigated the functions of clustered miRNAs hsa-miR-221/222-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Human miRNA tissue atlas website was determined expression levels in liver tissue. Four databases, TarBase, miRTarBase, miRecords and miRPathDB, were found experimentally validated target genes of clustered miRNAs. TargetScanHuman was predicted target genes. The STRING website was depicted protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. The OncoLnc website analyzed prognostic values for hsa-miR-221/222-3p and their target genes. The MCODE plugin calculated modules of PPI networks. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were predicted 1, 3, and 5 years prognostic values. Results: Expression of clustered miRNAs was high in liver tissues. A total of 1577 target genes were identified. Enrichment analysis showed that target genes were enriched mainly in cancer, Wnt signaling and ErbB signaling pathways. Two modules were calculated using PPI networks. Has-miR-221-3p was not associated with prognosis (P = 0.401). Has-miR-222-3p and target genes ESR1, TMED7, CBFB, ETS2, UBE2J1 and UBE2N of the clustered miRNAs were associated with HCC survival (all P < 0.05). Has-miR-222-3p, CBFB, and UBE2N showed good performance of ROC in prognosis prediction at 1, 3, and 5 years (all area under curves > 0.600). Conclusion: Has-miR-222-3p and target genes, especially CBFB, UBE2N, may serve as prognostic predictors for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangkun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Xiwen Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Ketuan Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Xianmin Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Zhengqian Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Tingdong Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Chengkun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Long Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, China
| | - Qiaoqi Wang
- Department of Medical Cosmetology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Chuangye Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Guangzhi Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Xinping Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
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Toh TB, Lim JJ, Chow EKH. Epigenetics of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Transl Med 2019; 8:13. [PMID: 31056726 PMCID: PMC6500786 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-019-0230-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, large scale genomics and genome-wide studies using comprehensive genomic tools have reshaped our understanding of cancer evolution and heterogeneity. Hepatocellular carcinoma, being one of the most deadly cancers in the world has been well established as a disease of the genome that harbours a multitude of genetic and epigenetic aberrations during the process of liver carcinogenesis. As such, in depth understanding of the cancer epigenetics in cancer specimens and biopsy can be useful in clinical settings for molecular subclassification, prognosis, and prediction of therapeutic responses. In this review, we present a concise discussion on recent progress in the field of liver cancer epigenetics and some of the current works that contribute to the progress of liver cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Boon Toh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, MD6 #12-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Jhin Jieh Lim
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, MD6 #12-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Edward Kai-Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, MD6 #12-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore. .,Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Level 5, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
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49
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Han B, Zheng Y, Wang L, Wang H, Du J, Ye F, Sun T, Zhang L. A novel microRNA signature predicts vascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:20859-20868. [PMID: 30997686 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Vascular invasion (VI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important clinical parameter to predict survival. In this study, we collected microRNA (miRNA) expression data from HCC patients using The Cancer Genome Atlas database and identified a novel miRNA signature associated with VI. First, we categorized HCC patients into groups with or without VI (VI+ and VI-). We identified three miRNAs (miRNA-210, miRNA-10b, and miRNA-9-1) that were associated with VI according to a Kaplan-Meier analysis. This three-miRNA signature exhibited good predictive ability for VI in patients with HCC according to a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis at 1, 3, and 5 years. Patients with HCC with a high risk score exhibited a trend toward worse outcomes as determined by multivariable Cox regression and stratified analyses. This three-miRNA signature provides an accurate prediction of VI and can be used as an independent prognostic indicator for predicting VI in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Han
- Department of GICU, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yujia Zheng
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Otology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Haixu Wang
- Department of GICU, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jiaxin Du
- Department of GICU, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Fanglei Ye
- Department of Otology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Tongwen Sun
- Department of GICU, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lianfeng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Hua M, Qin Y, Sheng M, Cui X, Chen W, Zhong J, Yan J, Chen Y. miR‑145 suppresses ovarian cancer progression via modulation of cell growth and invasion by targeting CCND2 and E2F3. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:3575-3583. [PMID: 30864742 PMCID: PMC6471561 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNA/miRs) have been demonstrated to be critical post‑transcriptional modulators of gene expression during tumorigenesis. Numerous miRNAs have been revealed to be downregulated in human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In the present study, it was observed that the expression of miR‑145 was decreased in EOC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR‑145 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of EOC cells. The D‑type cyclin 2, cyclin D2 (CCND2), and E2F transcription factor 3 (E2F3) were confirmed to be targets of miR‑145. In addition, restoration of these 2 genes significantly reversed the tumor suppressive effects of miR‑145. Collectively, the results indicated that miR‑145 serves a critical role in suppressing the biological behavior of EOC cells by targeting CCND2 and E2F3. Therefore, miR‑145 was suggested to be a potential miRNA‑based therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhui Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Yongwei Qin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Meihong Sheng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaopeng Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Weiguan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Jianxin Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Junming Yan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
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