Knockdown of long non-coding RNA CCAT2 suppresses growth and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by inhibiting the -catenin/WISP1 signaling pathway

The carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell cancer is positively regulated by USP13 through WISP1 deubiquitination

The objective was to determine whether USP13 stabilizes WISP1 protein and contributes to tumorigenicity and metastasis in ESCC through the Wnt/CTNNB1 signaling pathway. ESCC cell lines (KYSE150 and TE10) were treated with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132, followed by siRNA screening of deubiquitinases (DUBs) to identify regulators of WISP1. Mass spectrometry, immunoprecipitation, and in vitro functional assays were conducted to explore the interaction between USP13 and WISP1 and to assess the effects of USP13 downregulation on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and apoptosis. Additionally, in vivo experiments using mouse models were performed to evaluate the impact of USP13 knockdown on tumor growth and metastasis. USP13 was identified as a key regulator of WISP1, stabilizing its protein levels through deubiquitination. Downregulation of USP13 resulted in reduced WISP1 protein stability, decreased cell proliferation, migration, and EMT, and increased apoptosis in vitro. In vivo, USP13 knockdown significantly inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis. WISP1 overexpression in USP13-knockdown cells partially rescued these phenotypes, confirming the functional role of the USP13/WISP1 axis. Furthermore, knockdown of USP13 or WISP1 impaired the activation of the Wnt/CTNNB1 signaling pathway and reduced immune checkpoint marker expression, indicating a mechanism by which USP13 promotes immune evasion in ESCC. USP13 stabilizes WISP1 through deubiquitination, enhancing ESCC progression by activating the Wnt/CTNNB1 pathway and promoting immune evasion, making USP13 a potential therapeutic target in ESCC.

Knockdown of WISP1/DKK1 restrains phenotypic plasticity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness

OBJECTIVE

Wnt-induced signaling protein 1 (WISP1) and Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) are highly expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but no direct connection was identified between them. Phenotypic plasticity is a hallmark of ESCC. This research intended to identify the association between WISP1 and DKK1 and their roles in the phenotypic plasticity of ESCC.

METHODS

Genes differentially expressed in esophageal carcinoma were analyzed in the GEO database, followed by analyses of GO and KEGG enrichment to screen the hub gene. WISP1 expression and DKK1 secretion was assessed in ESCC tissues and cells. The tumor xenograft and in vivo metastasis models were established by injecting ESCC cells into nude mice. Functional deficiency and rescue experiments were conducted, followed by assays for cell proliferation, migration/invasion, stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and apoptosis, as well as tumor volume, weight, proliferation, stemness, and lung metastasis. The binding relationship and co-expression of WISP1 and DKK1 were determined.

RESULTS

WISP1 and DKK1 were upregulated in ESCC cells and tissues, and WISP1 was enriched in the cell stemness and Wnt pathways. WISP1 knockdown subdued proliferation, migration/invasion, EMT activity, and stemness but enhanced apoptosis in ESCC cells. WISP1 knockdown restrained ESCC growth, proliferation, stemness, and metastasis in vivo. WISP1 bound to DKK1 in ESCC. DKK1 overexpression abolished the repressive impacts of WISP1 knockdown on the malignant behaviors of ESCC cells in vitro and of ESCC tumor in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Knockdown of WISP1/DKK1 restrains the phenotypic plasticity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness.

An overview of CCN4 (WISP1) role in human diseases

CCN4 (cellular communication network factor 4), a highly conserved, secreted cysteine-rich matricellular protein is emerging as a key player in the development and progression of numerous disease pathologies, including cancer, fibrosis, metabolic and inflammatory disorders. Over the past two decades, extensive research on CCN4 and its family members uncovered their diverse cellular mechanisms and biological functions, including but not limited to cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, wound healing, repair, and apoptosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that aberrant CCN4 expression and/or associated downstream signaling is key to a vast array of pathophysiological etiology, suggesting that CCN4 could be utilized not only as a non-invasive diagnostic or prognostic marker, but also as a promising therapeutic target. The cognate receptor of CCN4 remains elusive till date, which limits understanding of the mechanistic insights on CCN4 driven disease pathologies. However, as therapeutic agents directed against CCN4 begin to make their way into the clinic, that may start to change. Also, the pathophysiological significance of CCN4 remains underexplored, hence further research is needed to shed more light on its disease and/or tissue specific functions to better understand its clinical translational benefit. This review highlights the compelling evidence of overlapping and/or diverse functional and mechanisms regulated by CCN4, in addition to addressing the challenges, study limitations and knowledge gaps on CCN4 biology and its therapeutic potential.

Matricellular proteins: Potential biomarkers in head and neck cancer

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of diverse multidomain macromolecules, including collagen, proteoglycans, and fibronectin, that significantly contribute to the mechanical properties of tissues. Matricellular proteins (MCPs), as a family of non-structural proteins, play a crucial role in regulating various ECM functions. They exert their biological effects by interacting with matrix proteins, cell surface receptors, cytokines, and proteases. These interactions govern essential cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, migration as well as multiple signal transduction pathways. Consequently, MCPs are pivotal in maintaining tissue homeostasis while orchestrating intricate molecular mechanisms within the ECM framework. The expression level of MCPs in adult steady-state tissues is significantly low; however, under pathological conditions such as inflammation and cancer, there is a substantial increase in their expression. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on elucidating the role and significance of MCPs in the development and progression of head and neck cancer (HNC). During HNC progression, there is a remarkable upregulation in MCP expression. Through their distinctive structure and function, they actively promote tumor growth, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and lymphatic metastasis of HNC cells. Moreover, by binding to integrins and modulating various signaling pathways, they effectively execute their biological functions. Furthermore, MCPs also hold potential as prognostic indicators. Although the star proteins of various MCPs have been extensively investigated, there remains a plethora of MCP family members that necessitate further scrutiny. This article comprehensively examines the functionalities of each MCP and highlights the research advancements in the context of HNC, with an aim to identify novel biomarkers for HNC and propose promising avenues for future investigations.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Shadows: Uncovering their Function in Non-Coding Region of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a complex disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in non-coding regions of the genome have emerged as crucial contributors to esophageal cancer susceptibility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of SNPs in non-coding regions and their association with esophageal cancer. The accumulation of SNPs in the genome has been implicated in esophageal cancer risk. Various studies have identified specific locations in the genome where SNPs are more likely to occur, suggesting a location-specific response. Chromatin conformational studies have shed light on the localization of SNPs and their impact on gene transcription, posttranscriptional modifications, gene expression regulation, and histone modification. Furthermore, miRNA-related SNPs have been found to play a significant role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). These SNPs can affect miRNA binding sites, thereby altering target gene regulation and contributing to ESCC development. Additionally, the risk of ESCC has been linked to base excision repair, suggesting that SNPs in this pathway may influence disease susceptibility. Somatic DNA segment alterations and modified expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) have also been associated with ESCC. These alterations can lead to disrupted gene expression and cellular processes, ultimately contributing to cancer development and progression. Moreover, SNPs have been found to be associated with the long non-coding RNA HOTAIR, which plays a crucial role in ESCC pathogenesis. This review concludes with a discussion of the current and future perspectives in the field of SNPs in non-coding regions and their relevance to esophageal cancer. Understanding the functional implications of these SNPs may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of personalized approaches for esophageal cancer prevention and treatment.

The effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the Wnt signaling pathway in bovine intestinal epithelial cells is mediated by the DKK2 (dickkopf2) Wnt antagonist

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in most colorectal cancers. High-dose 1,25(OH)2D3 has anticancer effect by regulating Wnt signal pathway. However, it is not clear whether high-dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 have an effect on normal cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of high-dose 1,25(OH)2D3 on the Wnt signaling pathway in bovine intestinal epithelial cells. The potential mechanism of action was investigated after knockdown and overexpression of the Wnt pathway inhibitor, DKK2, in intestinal epithelial cells by observing the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on proliferation, apoptosis, pluripotency and the expression of genes related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In the present study, we introduced the method of isolation and culture of primary bovine intestinal epithelial cells. After cells were treated with 50ng/mL 1,25(OH)2D3 or DMSO for 48h, total RNA was extracted, and six differentially expressed genes, including SERPINF1, SFRP2, SFRP4, FZD2, WISP1 and DKK2 were identified by transcriptome sequencing, which were related to Wnt signaling pathway. To further explore the mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, we constructed knockdown and overexpression plasmids of DKK2. After transfecting these plasmids into bovine intestinal epithelial cells, we measured the expression of DKK2 mRNA and protein through GFP expression, qRT-PCR and western blot analyses to verify the transfection efficiency. In addition, the CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell proliferation rate after transfection. Subsequently, the transfected cells were treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 48h, and the proliferation- (Ki67 and PCNA), apoptosis- (Bcl-2, p53, casp3 and casp8), pluripotency- (Bmi-1, Lrig1, KRT19 and TUFT1) and Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway- related genes (LGR5, DKK2, VDR, β- Catenin, SFRP2, WISP1 and FZD2) were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot analyses. Our results showed that the expression trend of some genes in bovine intestinal epithelial cells under high-dose 1,25(OH)2D3 was consistent with the sequencing results, including SFRP2 (P<0.001), SFRP4 (P<0.05), FZD2 (P<0.01), WISP1 (P<0.001) and DKK2 (P<0.001). In addition, knockdown of DKK2 inhibited cell proliferation (P<0.01), but DKK2 overexpression promoted cell proliferation (P<0.01). Compared to the control group, 1,25(OH)2D3 promoted the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins in bovine intestinal epithelium, thus maintaining intestinal homeostasis in normal intestinal epithelium. In addition, knockdown and overexpression of DKK2 indicated that 1,25(OH)2D3 weakened the inhibitory effect of DKK2 on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Together, these results suggest that high-dose 1,25(OH)2D3 has no killing effect on normal intestinal epithelial cells and regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through DKK2.

Long noncoding RNA LINC01088 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by targeting the NPM1-HDM2-p53 axis

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is characterized by extensive metastasis and poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in ESCC. However, the specific roles of lncRNAs in ESCC tumorigenesis and metastasis remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate LINC01088 in ESCC. Differentially expressed LINC01088 levels are screened from the GEO database. We find that LINC01088 is expressed at low level in collected clinical samples and is correlated with vascular tumor emboli and poor overall survival time of patients after surgery. LINC01088 inhibits not only ESCC cell migration and invasion in vitro, but also tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC01088 directly interacts with nucleophosmin (NPM1) and increases the expression of NPM1 in the nucleoplasm compared to that in the nucleolar region. LINC01088 decreases mutant p53 (mut-p53) expression and rescues the transcriptional activity of p53 by targeting the NPM1-HDM2-p53 axis. LINC01088 may also interfere with the DNA repair function of NPM1 by affecting its translocation. Our results highlight the potential of LINC01088 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target of ESCC.

The Emerging Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Esophageal Cancer: Functions in Tumorigenesis and Clinical Implications

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignancies of digestive tracts with poor five-year survival rate. Hence, it is very significant to further investigate the occurrence and development mechanism of esophageal cancer, find more effective biomarkers and promote early diagnosis and effective treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are generally defined as non-protein-coding RNAs with more than 200 nucleotides in length. Existing researches have shown that lncRNAs could act as sponges, guides, scaffolds, and signal molecules to influence the oncogene or tumor suppressor expressions at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and protein levels in crucial cellular processes. Currently, the dysregulated lncRNAs are reported to involve in the pathogenesis and progression of EC. Importantly, targeting EC-related lncRNAs through genome editing, RNA interference and molecule drugs may be one of the most potential therapeutic methods for the future EC treatment. In this review, we summarized the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs, including oncogenic lncRNAs and tumor suppressor lncRNAs in EC. In addition, we generalized the excellent potential lncRNA candidates for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy in EC. Finally, we discussed the current challenges and opportunities of lncRNAs for EC.

Long Non-Coding RNA in Esophageal Cancer: A Review of Research Progress

In recent years, there has been significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer. However, owing to the lack of early diagnosis strategies and treatment targets, the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer remains unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers and treatment targets for esophageal cancer. With the development of genomics, long-chain non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), which were once considered transcriptional “noise,” are being identified and characterized rapidly in large numbers. Recent research shows that LncRNAs are closely related to a series of steps in tumor development and play an important regulatory role in DNA replication, transcription, and post-transcriptional regulation. The abnormal expression of LncRNAs leads to tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and treatment resistance. This review focuses on the latest progress in research on the abnormal expression and functional mechanisms of LncRNAs in esophageal cancer. Further, it discusses the potential applications of these findings towards achieving an early diagnosis, improving treatment efficacy, and evaluating the prognosis of esophageal cancer.

The Roles of the Colon Cancer Associated Transcript 2 (CCAT2) Long Non-Coding RNA in Cancer: A Comprehensive Characterization of the Tumorigenic and Molecular Functions

Colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) is an intensively studied lncRNA with important regulatory roles in cancer. As such, cumulative studies indicate that CCAT2 displays a high functional versatility due to its direct interaction with multiple RNA binding proteins, transcription factors, and other species of non-coding RNA, especially microRNA. The definitory mechanisms of CCAT2 are its role as a regulator of the TCF7L2 transcription factor, enhancer of MYC expression, and activator of the WNT/β-catenin pathway, as well as a role in promoting and maintaining chromosome instability through the BOP1–AURKB pathway. Additionally, we highlight how the encompassing rs6983267 SNP has been shown to confer CCAT2 with allele-specific functional and structural particularities, such as the allelic-specific reprogramming of glutamine metabolism. Additionally, we emphasize CCAT2’s role as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for multiple tumor suppressor miRNAs, such as miR-4496, miR-493, miR-424, miR-216b, miR-23b, miR-34a, miR-145, miR-200b, and miR-143 and the pro-tumorigenic role of the altered regulatory axis. Additionally, due to its upregulation in tumor tissues, wide distribution across cancer types, and presence in serum samples, we outline CCAT2’s potential as a biomarker and disease indicator and its implications for the development of resistance against current cancer therapy regiments and metastasis.