A new insight on reciprocal relationship between microRNA expression and epigenetic modifications in human lung cancer

New insights into targeted therapy of glioblastoma using smart nanoparticles

In recent times, the intersection of nanotechnology and biomedical research has given rise to nanobiomedicine, a captivating realm that holds immense promise for revolutionizing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the field of cancer. This innovative fusion of biology, medicine, and nanotechnology aims to create diagnostic and therapeutic agents with enhanced safety and efficacy, particularly in the realm of theranostics for various malignancies. Diverse inorganic, organic, and hybrid organic-inorganic nanoparticles, each possessing unique properties, have been introduced into this domain. This review seeks to highlight the latest strides in targeted glioblastoma therapy by focusing on the application of inorganic smart nanoparticles. Beyond exploring the general role of nanotechnology in medical applications, this review delves into groundbreaking strategies for glioblastoma treatment, showcasing the potential of smart nanoparticles through in vitro studies, in vivo investigations, and ongoing clinical trials.

MicroRNA-29a May Influence Myopia Development by Regulating Collagen I

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to characterize the regulatory role of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) in myopia, providing support for potential biomarkers and new therapeutic targets of myopia in humans.

METHODS

The miR-29a expression level was detected in the aqueous humor and peripheral blood plasma of 21 high myopic patients and eight cataract control patients using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. iTRAQ analysis of proteomes was conducted to show the regulatory effect of miR-29a on human scleral fibroblasts (SFs) cultured in vitro. We also assessed proliferation, migration, and collagen I synthesis in SF cells, mediated by miR-29a.

RESULTS

MiR-29a expression was significantly higher in the aqueous humor of highly myopic patients than in the cataract control patients (fold change: 4.861, p = 0.001). miR-29a inhibited the synthesis of type I collagen in human SF cells and enhanced cell migration, but had no significant effect on cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

MiR-29a was highly expressed in aqueous humor of myopia patients and inhibited the synthesis of type I collagen in human SF cells in vivo, thereby it may play an important role in myopia development.

[A Review of Epigenetic Modifications Regulate MicroRNA Expression in Lung Cancer]

肺癌是全世界癌症引起死亡中较常见的一种。近年来，参与肺癌发病的分子机制被逐步揭开，但是其发生发展的确切机制并未完全阐明。其中微小RNAs（microRNAs, miRNAs）是一种短小并且广泛存在于植物、病毒及人类等各种生物中的内源性单链的非编码RNA。miRNAs在正常肺组织中发挥着多种功能，它参与细胞生长、代谢、增殖和分化等众多生物学过程。而miRNAs的异常表达与肺肿瘤的发生、发展、侵袭、转移相关。因此，miRNAs可被视为一种新的生物标志物。与编码蛋白质的基因类似，miRNA的表达和功能受多种因素以及表观遗传网络（包括DNA甲基化和组蛋白修饰机制）的调控。此外，miRNAs本身也能调控那些表观遗传修饰的关键酶来影响表观修饰。miRNA与表观基因学之间的相互联系将有助于我们研发以miRNA为导向的肺癌诊断、治疗和预后的方案。

Expression of miR-127, miR-154, and miR-183 in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Tumors

Background:

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) accounts for 5%–10% of all thyroid cancers, but causes 13% of all thyroid cancer related deaths. MicroRNAs (miRs) have key functions in the development and progression of MTC. Altered expression of some miRs has been reported in many human cancers, including Thyroid cancer. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the expression of miR-154, miR-183 and miR-127 in MTC tumor tissues.

Methods:

In this case-control study, 15 MTC Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples and 15 adjacent normal thyroid FFPE tissues, as a control group, were collected from Taleghani, and Loghman Hakim Hospitals, Tehran, Iran since 2005 till 2015. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression of miR-127, miR-154 and miR-183 was measured by quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results:

Our data showed a significant increase in the expression of miR-127 in MTC samples in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). Although miR-154 and miR-183 expression levels had increase expression in MTC tumors, this change was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

The miR-127 could be considered as a prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic marker for the management of MTC, and it is proposed for further investigation to fully establish the role of this miRNA in MTC.

Swimming training attenuates pancreatic apoptosis through miR-34a/Sirtu in1/P53 Axis in high-fat diet and Streptozotocin-induced Type-2 diabetic rats

Objective

The present study sought to evaluate the miR-34a/Sirtuin1/p53 pro-apoptotic pathway, and reveal its modulation in diabetic rats undergoing swimming exercise.

Methods

Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. They were inducted to develop diabetes by injection of streptozotocin. After 12 weeks of swimming, the pancreatic tissue of these rats were removed to be evaluated for the expression level of Sitruin1/P53/miR-34a through qPCR.

Results

Findings indicated a marked rise in the expression of miR-34 and P53 (P < 0.01) as well as a significant decrease in expression of Sitruin1 (P < 0.01) in the diabetic group. In contrast, swimming resulted in a significant decrease in miR-34a expression (P < 0.01), and a prominent rise in the level of Sitruin1 in the swimming-trained-diabetic group (P < 0.01). Additionally, high, moderate and low apoptosis rate were observed in the pancreatic tissue of the diabetic, swimming-trained diabetic, and control groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested a correlation between pancreatic tissue apoptosis rate and miR-34a/Sitruin1/p53 signaling, that was subject to modulation by training.

Graphical abstract

Let-7d and miR-185 Impede Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Downregulating Rab25 in Breast Cancer

Objective:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) expression has deregulated in several cancer types including breast cancer (BC). The present study aims at investigating the role, mechanism, clinical value of let-7d and miR-185 in BC, and the possible correlation these miRNAs with Rab25.

Materials and Methods:

Tumor samples as well adjacent normal tissues (ANT) were acquired from fresh surgical specimens from 110 patients and the expression levels of let-7d, miR-185, Rab25, and snail were evaluated using real-time PCR. The immunohistochemical (IHC) process and western blot were done to detect the level of Rab25 and Snail protein expression in BC samples.

Results:

By comparing miRNAs expression profiles in clinical tissues of 110 patients using real-time PCR, let-7d, and miR-185 expression were dramatically downregulated in BC tissues (P < 0.05). Tumor size, stage, and lymph node metastasis were significantly related to miRNAs expression. Based on qRT-PCR and bioinformatics database analyses, we also recognized Rab25 as a possible target of miR-185 and let-7d. Rab25 expression was enhanced in BC cells and associated inversely with the expression level of mentioned miRNAs. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot studies verified that Rab25 upregulation increased the levels of the snail, that key transcription factor of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Conclusion:

These findings demonstrated that let-7d and miR-185 inhibited EMT by targeting Rab25 expression in BC. Therefore, targeting the let-7d and miR-185/Rab25 interaction may offer new therapeutic opportunities for treating BC patients.

Regulatory Mechanisms of Epigenetic miRNA Relationships in Human Cancer and Potential as Therapeutic Targets

Simple Summary

By the virtue of targeting multiple genes, a microRNA (miRNA) can infer variable consequences on tumorigenesis by appearing as both a tumour suppressor and oncogene. miRNAs can regulate gene expression by modulating genome-wide epigenetic status of genes that are involved in various cancers. These miRNAs perform direct inhibition of key mediators of the epigenetic machinery, such as DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) genes. Along with miRNAs gene expression, similar to other protein-coding genes, miRNAs are also controlled by epigenetic mechanisms. Overall, this reciprocal interaction between the miRNAs and the epigenetic architecture is significantly implicated in the aberrant expression of miRNAs detected in various human cancers. Comprehensive knowledge of the miRNA-epigenetic dynamics in cancer is essential for the discovery of novel anticancer therapeutics.

Abstract

Initiation and progression of cancer are under both genetic and epigenetic regulation. Epigenetic modifications including alterations in DNA methylation, RNA and histone modifications can lead to microRNA (miRNA) gene dysregulation and malignant cellular transformation and are hereditary and reversible. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs which regulate the expression of specific target genes through degradation or inhibition of translation of the target mRNA. miRNAs can target epigenetic modifier enzymes involved in epigenetic modulation, establishing a trilateral regulatory “epi–miR–epi” feedback circuit. The intricate association between miRNAs and the epigenetic architecture is an important feature through which to monitor gene expression profiles in cancer. This review summarises the involvement of epigenetically regulated miRNAs and miRNA-mediated epigenetic modulations in various cancers. In addition, the application of bioinformatics tools to study these networks and the use of therapeutic miRNAs for the treatment of cancer are also reviewed. A comprehensive interpretation of these mechanisms and the interwoven bond between miRNAs and epigenetics is crucial for understanding how the human epigenome is maintained, how aberrant miRNA expression can contribute to tumorigenesis and how knowledge of these factors can be translated into diagnostic and therapeutic tool development.

Circulating MiR-10b, MiR-1 and MiR-30a Expression Profiles in Lung Cancer: Possible Correlation with Clinico-pathologic Characteristics and Lung Cancer Detection

Circulating microRNAs have been recognized as promising biomarkers for the detection of lung cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate miR-10b, miR-1 and, miR-30a in the plasma samples of lung cancer patients to confirm any possible relevance in the early detection of lung cancer. Plasma samples from 47 non-small-cell lung cancer patients and 41 cancer-free subjects were evaluated for selected microRNAs using the real-time PCR method. To evaluate the tobacco smoking effects on microRNAs expression, the studied groups were categorized into two subgroups: never-smokers and smokers. MiR-1/miR-30a expression levels were significantly reduced in lung cancer, while the miR-10b level was significantly elevated. We found that smoking had significant effects on the levels of circulating microRNAs in the smokers of the cancer-free group (a significant up-regulation of miR-10b and significant down-regulation of miR-1/miR-30a), and lung cancer patients (a significant elevation of miR-10b). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that miR-10b with an area under the curve of 0.861, and miR-1/miR-30a with values of0.905 and 0.889 for the same parameter, could distinguish non-small-cell lung cancer patients from cancer-free subjects. Our findings demonstrated significant differences in the expression of microRNAs in lung cancer and the considerable effects of smoking on microRNAs levels. Area under curve analysis showed that miR-10b with 78% sensitivity/78% specificity, miR-1 with 95% sensitivity/80% specificity and miR-30a with 87% sensitivity/83% specificity,might be good (miR-10b/miR-30a) and excellent (miR-1) markers for lung cancer detection.

A new insight on serum microRNA expression as novel biomarkers in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the widespread lethal diseases affecting a large number of women worldwide. As such, employing and identifying significant markers for detecting BC in different stages can assist in better diagnosis and management of the disease. Several diverse markers have been introduced for diagnosis, but their limitations, including low specificity and sensitivity, reduce their application. microRNAs (miRNAs), as short noncoding RNAs, have been shown to significantly influence gene expression in different disease pathologies, especially BC. Clearly, among different samples used for detecting miRNA expressions, circulating miRNAs present as promising and useful biomarkers. Among different body fluid samples, serum serves as one of the most reliable samples, thanks to its high stability under various severe conditions and some unique features. Extensive research has suggested that BC-related miRNAs can remain stable in the serum. The objective of this review is to describe different samples used for detecting miRNAs in BC subjects with emphasis on serum miRNAs. So, this study highlights serum miRNAs with the potential of acting as biomarkers for different stages of BC. We reviewed the possible correlation between potential miRNAs and the risk of early breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, response to chemotherapy, and relapse.

Role of miRNAs in Melanoma Metastasis

Tumour metastasis is a multistep process. Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer and metastasis accounts for the majority of patient deaths. microRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that affect the expression of their target genes. When aberrantly expressed they contribute to the development of melanoma. While miRNAs can act locally in the cell where they are synthesized, they can also influence the phenotype of neighboring melanoma cells or execute their function in the direct tumour microenvironment by modulating ECM (extracellular matrix) and the activity of fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells. miRNAs are involved in all stages of melanoma metastasis, including intravasation into the lumina of vessels, survival during circulation in cardiovascular or lymphatic systems, extravasation, and formation of the pre-metastatic niche in distant organs. miRNAs contribute to metabolic alterations that provide a selective advantage during melanoma progression. They play an important role in the development of drug resistance, including resistance to targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Distinct profiles of miRNA expression are detected at each step of melanoma development. Since miRNAs can be detected in liquid biopsies, they are considered biomarkers of early disease stages or response to treatment. This review summarizes recent findings regarding the role of miRNAs in melanoma metastasis.

Diabetic nephropathy: The regulatory interplay between epigenetics and microRNAs

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is still one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease despite the emergence of different therapies to counter the metabolic, hemodynamic and fibrotic pathways, implicating a prominent role of genetic and epigenetic factors in its progression. Epigenetics is the study of changes in the expression of genes which may be inheritable and does not involve a change in the genome sequence. Thrust areas of epigenetic research are DNA methylation and histone modifications. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) control the expression of genes via post-transcriptional mechanisms. However, the regulation by epigenetic mechanisms and miRNAs are not completely distinct. A number of emerging reports have revealed the interplay between epigenetic machinery and miRNA expression, particularly in cancer. Further research has proved that a feedback loop exists between miRNA expression and epigenetic regulation in disorders including DN. Studies showed that different miRNAs (miR-200, miR-29 etc.) were found to be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms viz. DNA methylation and histone modifications. Conversely, miRNAs (miR-301, miR-449 etc.) themselves modulated levels of DNA methyltranferases (DNMTs) and Histone deacetylases (HDACs), enzymes vital to epigenetic modifications. With already few FDA approved epigenetic -modulating drugs (Vorinostat, Decitabine) in the market and miRNA therapeutic drugs under clinical trial it becomes imperative to analyze the possible interaction between the two classes of drugs in the modulation of a disease process. The purpose of this review is to articulate the interplay between miRNA expression and epigenetic modifications with a particular focus on its impact on the development and progression of DN.

Epigenetics and Epi-miRNAs: Potential markers/therapeutics in leukemia

Epigenetic variations can play remarkable roles in different normal and abnormal situations. Such variations have been shown to have a direct role in the pathogenesis of various diseases either through inhibition of tumor suppressor genes or increasing the expression of oncogenes. Enzymes involving in epigenetic machinery are the main actors in tuning the epigenetic-based controls on gene expressions. Aberrant expression of these enzymes can trigger a big chaos in the cellular gene expression networks and finally lead to cancer progression. This situation has been shown in different types of leukemia, where high or low levels of an epigenetic enzyme are partly or highly responsible for involvement or progression of a disease. DNA hypermethylation, different histone modifications, and aberrant miRNA expressions are three main epigenetic variations, which have been shown to play a role in leukemia progression. Epigenetic based treatments now are considered as novel and effective therapies in order to decrease the abnormal epigenetic modifications in patient cells. Different epigenetic-based approaches have been developed and tested to inhibit or reverse the unusual expression of epigenetic agents in leukemia. The reciprocal behavior of miRNAs in the regulation of epigenetic modifiers, while being regulated by them, unlocks a new opportunity in order to design some epigenetic-based miRNAs able to silence or sensitize these effectors in leukemia.

The association of polymorphisms in miRNAs with nonsmall cell lung cancer in a Han Chinese population

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to play important roles in cancer progression. Recently, studies have revealed that polymorphisms in miRNAs might be associated with cancer susceptibility.

Materials and methods

In the current study, we investigated the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs (rs11134527 in pri-miR-218-2, rs74693964 in pri-miR-145, rs6062251 in pri-miR-133a-2, and rs4705343 in pri-miR-143) with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Han population from Yunnan Province, Southwest China using a binary logistic regression analysis. A total of 452 patients with NSCLC and 452 healthy individuals were recruited for polymorphism genotyping using the TaqMan assay.

Results

Our results showed that the allelic frequencies of rs11134527 and rs4705343 were significantly different between the NSCLC and control groups (P=0.025 and 0.029). Additionally, the genotypic frequencies of rs11134527 were significantly different between the NSCLC and control groups (P=0.045). The mode of inheritance analysis showed that genotypes A/G+G/G of rs11134527 were associated with a lower risk of NSCLC under the dominant model (OR=0.69; 95% CI: 0.51–0.94). In addition, genotypes 2C/C+C/T of rs4705343 were associated with an increased risk of NSCLC under the log-additive model (OR=1.25; 95% CI: 1.01–1.53). However, there was no significant difference in the other SNPs between the NSCLC and control groups (P>0.05). Moreover, the association analysis of these SNPs between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) showed that allele A of rs11134527 was associated with SCC (OR=0.65; 95% CI: 0.48–0.88).

Conclusion

Our results indicated that the A allele of rs11134527 might be a risk factor (OR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.03–1.50) and that the T allele of rs4705343 might be a protective factor (OR=0.80; 95% CI: 0.66–0.98) for NSCLC in a Han Chinese population.

miR-203 inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, and migration of non-small-cell lung cancer by downregulating RGS17

Involvement of the RGS17 oncogene in the promotion of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been reported, but the regulation mechanism in NSCLC remains unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate gene expression, and their dysregulation has been implicated in tumorigenesis. To understand the role of miRNAs in Regulator of G Protein Signaling 17 (RGS17)‐induced NSCLC, we showed that miR‐203 was downregulated during tumorigenesis, and inhibited the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells. We then determined whether miR‐203 regulated NSCLC by targeting RGS17. To characterize the regulatory effect of miR‐203 on RGS17, we used lung cancer cell lines, A549 and Calu‐1, and the constructed miR‐203 and RGS17 overexpression vectors. The CCK8 kit was used to determine cell proliferation, and the Transwell® assay was used to measure cell invasion and migration. RT‐PCR, western blots, and immunofluorescence were used to analyze expression of miR‐203 and RGS17, and the luciferase reporter assay was used to examine the interaction between miR‐203 and RGS17. Nude mice were used to characterize in vivo tumor growth regulation. Expression of miR‐203 inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration of lung cancer cell lines A549 and Calu‐1 by targeting RGS17. The regulatory effect of miR‐203 was inhibited after overexpression of RGS17. The luciferase reporter assay showed that miR‐203 downregulated RGS17 by direct integration into the 3′‐UTR of RGS17 mRNA. In vivo studies showed that expression of miR‐203 significantly inhibited growth of tumors. Taken together, the results suggested that expression of miR‐203 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis by targeting RGS17.