1
|
Abu-Alghayth MH, Khan FR, Belali TM, Abalkhail A, Alshaghdali K, Nassar SA, Almoammar NE, Almasoudi HH, Hessien KBG, Aldossari MS, Binshaya AS. The emerging role of noncoding RNAs in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway in breast cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 255:155180. [PMID: 38330621 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer persists as a major problem for the world's healthcare, thus it is essential to fully understand the complex molecular processes that cause its growth and development. ncRNAs had been discovered to serve critical roles in a variety of cellular functions, including the regulation of signalling pathways. Within different pathways, the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signalling cascade has received a lot of interest because of its role in cancer. A complex interaction between ncRNAs, notably miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, and the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signalling pathway exerts both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive activities by targeting critical components of the pathway directly or indirectly. Through miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation, lncRNA-guided chromatin remodelling, and circRNA sequestration, ncRNAs modulate the activity of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR, influencing cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Furthermore, ncRNAs can serve as promising biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment response, as their dysregulation is commonly observed in breast cancer patients. Harnessing the potential of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets or tools for restoring pathway homeostasis holds promise for innovative treatment strategies in breast cancer. Understanding the intricate regulatory networks orchestrated by ncRNAs in this context may pave the way for novel diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, and a deeper comprehension of breast cancer's molecular landscape, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This abstract underscores the emerging significance of ncRNAs in the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed H Abu-Alghayth
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, P.O. Box 255, 67714, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farhan R Khan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al- Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tareg M Belali
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, P.O. Box 255, 67714, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adil Abalkhail
- Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Alshaghdali
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, P.O Box 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Somia A Nassar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia; Department of Parasitology & Animal Diseases, National Research Centre, 33 Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Nasser Eissa Almoammar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan H Almasoudi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khater Balatone G Hessien
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al- Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abdulkarim S Binshaya
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gomes JA, Sgarioni E, Boquett JA, Kowalski TW, Fraga LR, Terças-Trettel ACP, da Silva JH, Ribeiro BFR, Galera MF, de Oliveira TM, Carvalho de Andrade MDF, Carvalho IF, Schüler-Faccini L, Vianna FSL. Investigation of the impact of AXL, TLR3, and STAT2 in congenital Zika syndrome through genetic polymorphisms and protein-protein interaction network analyses. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:1500-1512. [PMID: 37526179 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2232] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Zika virus (ZIKV) is a human teratogen that causes congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). AXL, TLR3, and STAT2 are proteins involved in the ZIKV's entry into cells (AXL) and host's immune response (TLR3 and STAT2). In this study, we evaluated the role of genetic polymorphisms in these three genes as risk factors to CZS, and highlighted which proteins that interact with them could be important for ZIKV infection and teratogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluate eighty-eight children exposed to ZIKV during the pregnancy, 40 with CZS and 48 without congenital anomalies. The evaluated polymorphisms in AXL (rs1051008), TLR3 (rs3775291), and STAT2 (rs2066811) were genotyped using TaqMan® Genotyping Assays. A protein-protein interaction network was created in STRING database and analyzed in Cytoscape software. RESULTS We did not find any statistical significant association among the polymorphisms and the occurrence of CZS. Through the analyses of the network composed by AXL, TLR3, STAT2 and their interactions targets, we found that EGFR and SRC could be important proteins for the ZIKV infection and its teratogenesis. CONCLUSION In summary, our results demonstrated that the evaluated polymorphisms do not seem to represent risk factors for CZS; however, EGFR and SRC appear to be important proteins that should be investigated in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Gomes
- Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica (LMG), Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Sgarioni
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica (LMG), Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Juliano A Boquett
- Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente (PPGSCA), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thayne W Kowalski
- Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica (LMG), Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Agentes Teratogênicos (SIAT), Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucas R Fraga
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica (LMG), Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Agentes Teratogênicos (SIAT), Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Ciências Médicas (PPGCM), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia P Terças-Trettel
- Departamento de Enfermagem, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Tangará da Serra, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - Juliana H da Silva
- Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Tangará da Serra, Tangará da Serra, Brazil
| | | | - Marcial F Galera
- Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, Brazil
- Hospital Universitário Júlio Müller (HUJM), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (EBSERH), Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - Thalita M de Oliveira
- Hospital Universitário Júlio Müller (HUJM), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (EBSERH), Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - Maria Denise F Carvalho de Andrade
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza, Brazil
- Centro Universitário Christus (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, Brazil
- Faculdade Paulo Picanço, Fortaleza, Brazil
- Hospital Geral Dr. César Cals, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Lavínia Schüler-Faccini
- Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente (PPGSCA), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Agentes Teratogênicos (SIAT), Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fernanda S L Vianna
- Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica (LMG), Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Agentes Teratogênicos (SIAT), Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Ciências Médicas (PPGCM), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bhadresha K, Mirza S, Penny C, Mughal MJ. Targeting AXL in Mesothelioma: from functional characterization to clinical implication. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023:104043. [PMID: 37268175 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104043] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive and lethal cancer with a poor survival rate. Current treatment approaches primarily rely on chemotherapy and radiation, but their effectiveness is limited. Consequently, there is an urgent need for alternative treatment strategies, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying MM, and the identification of potential therapeutic targets. Extensive studies over the past decade have emphasized the role of Axl in driving tumor development and metastasis, while high levels of Axl expression have been associated with immune evasion, drug resistance, and reduced patient survival in various cancer types. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating the efficacy of Axl inhibitors for different cancers. However, the precise role of Axl in MM progression, development, and metastasis, as well as its regulatory mechanisms within MM, remain inadequately understood. This review aims to comprehensively investigate the involvement of Axl in MM. We discuss Axl role in MM progression, development, and metastasis, along with its specific regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, we examined the Axl associated signaling pathways, the relationship between Axl and immune evasion, and the clinical implications of Axl for MM treatment. Furthermore, we discussed the potential utility of liquid biopsy as a non-invasive diagnostic technique for early detection of Axl in MM. Lastly, we evaluated the potential of a microRNA signature that targets Axl. By consolidating existing knowledge and identifying research gaps, this review contributes to a better understanding of Axl's role in MM and sets the stage for future investigations and the development of effective therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal Bhadresha
- Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sheefa Mirza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Common Epithelial Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Clement Penny
- Department of Internal Medicine, Common Epithelial Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Muhammed Jameel Mughal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Science, The George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dong P, Li R, He S, Zhang Q, Shang J, Jiang Y, Liu X, Wang F. The compact integration of a cascaded HCR circuit for highly reliable cancer cell discrimination. Chem Sci 2023; 14:2159-2167. [PMID: 36845932 PMCID: PMC9945511 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05568f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The accurate identification of multiple biomarkers involved in disease plays a vital role in effectively distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells, facilitating reliable cancer diagnosis. Motivated by this knowledge, we have engineered a compact and clamped cascaded DNA circuit for specifically discriminating cancer cells from normal cells via the amplified multi-microRNA imaging strategy. The proposed DNA circuit combines the traditional cascaded DNA circuit with multiply localized responsive character through the elaboration of two super-hairpin reactants, thus concurrently streamlining the circuit components and realizing localization-intensified cascaded signal amplification. In parallel, the multiple microRNA-stimulated sequential activations of the compact circuit, combined with a handy logic operation, significantly elevated the cell-discriminating reliability. Applications of the present DNA circuit in vitro and in cellular imaging experiments were executed with expected results, therefore illustrating that our DNA circuit is useful for precise cell discrimination and further clinical diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Dong
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University430072 WuhanP. R. China
| | - Ruomeng Li
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University430072 WuhanP. R. China
| | - Shizhen He
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University430072 WuhanP. R. China
| | - Qingqing Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University430072 WuhanP. R. China
| | - Jinhua Shang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University430072 WuhanP. R. China
| | - Yuqian Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University430072 WuhanP. R. China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University 430072 Wuhan P. R. China.,Research Institute of Shenzhen, Wuhan University Shenzhen 518057 P. R. China
| | - Fuan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University 430072 Wuhan P. R. China.,Research Institute of Shenzhen, Wuhan University Shenzhen 518057 P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pishkari S, Hadavi R, Koochaki A, Razaviyan J, Paryan M, Hashemi M, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S. Assessment of AXL and mTOR genes expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cell line in relation with over expression of miR-144 and miR-34a. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2021; 42:265-271. [PMID: 33769725 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2020-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of AXL and mTOR genes and their targeting microRNAs (miRNAs) including miR-34a and miR-144 in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) cell line, TT, and determine the effect of these two miRNAs on their target genes to introduce new molecular markers or therapeutics. METHODS The expression of miR-34a, miR-144, and their targets genes including AXL and mTOR was evaluated by quantitative Real-time PCR. Luciferase assay was performed to confirm the interaction between miRNAs and their target mRNAs. The expression level of AXL and mTOR was evaluated before and after miRNAs induction in TT cell line compared with Cos7 as control cells. RESULTS The expression of AXL and mTOR were up-regulated significantly, while miR-34a and miR-144 were down-regulated in TT cell line compared to Cos7. After transduction, the overexpression of miR-34a and 144 caused down-regulation of both genes. Luciferase assay results showed that the mTOR is targeted by miR-34a and miR-144 and the intensity of luciferase decreased in the presence of miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of the present study and since AXL and mTOR genes play a critical role in variety of human cancers, suppression of these genes by their targeting miRNAs, especially miR-34a and miR-144, can be propose as a new strategy for MTC management. However, more studies are needed to approve the hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Pishkari
- Department of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razie Hadavi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ameneh Koochaki
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Razaviyan
- Student Research Committee, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Paryan
- Department of Research and Development, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen Y, Hou C, Zhao LX, Cai QC, Zhang Y, Li DL, Tang Y, Liu HY, Liu YY, Zhang YY, Yang YK, Gao CW, Yao Q, Zhu QS, Cao CH. The Association of microRNA-34a With High Incidence and Metastasis of Lung Cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei Yunnan. Front Oncol 2021; 11:619346. [PMID: 33796457 PMCID: PMC8008071 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.619346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence and associated mortality of lung cancer in tin miners in Gejiu County and farmers in Xuanwei Country, Yunnan Province have been very high in the world. Current published literatures on the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer initiation and progression in Gejiu and Xuanwei County are still controversial. Studies confirmed that microRNA-34a (miR-34a) functioned as a vital tumor suppressor in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the role and precise mechanisms of miR-34a and its regulatory gene network in initiation and progression of lung cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei County, Yunnan Province, have not been elucidated. In the current study, we first found that miR-34a was downregulated in Gejiu lung squamous carcinoma YTMLC-90, Xuanwei lung adenocarcinoma XWLC-05, and other non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines, and miR-34a overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as induced cell apoptosis in YTMLC-90 and XWLC-05 cells. Our findings revealed that miR-34a is critical and cannot be considered as the area-specific non-coding RNA in initiation and progression of lung cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei County. Next we revealed that miR-34a overexpression suppressed lung cancer growth and metastasis partially via increasing PTEN but reducing CDK6 expression that might lead to subsequent inactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that YY1 functioned as a tumor suppressor gene in initiation and progression of lung cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei County. In conclusion, our findings in the study confirmed that miR-34a overexpression could simultaneously suppress tumor growth and metastasis and play a vital role in tumorigenesis and progression of NSCLC via increasing PTEN and YY1 expression, but decreasing CDK6. Most interestingly, our findings also raised doubts about the current ideas about these area-specific diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Cancer Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Chun Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Liu-Xin Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Qiu-Chen Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.,Key Laboratory of the University in Yunnan Province for International Cooperation in Intercellular Communications and Regulations, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Da-Lun Li
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yao Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Hong-Yu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yun-Yi Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yue-Yan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Ya-Kun Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Cheng-Wei Gao
- School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Qian Yao
- Yunnan Cancer Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Qi-Shun Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.,Key Laboratory of the University in Yunnan Province for International Cooperation in Intercellular Communications and Regulations, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Chuan-Hai Cao
- Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wu X, Cheng YSL, Matthen M, Yoon A, Schwartz GK, Bala S, Taylor AM, Momen-Heravi F. Down-regulation of the tumor suppressor miR-34a contributes to head and neck cancer by up-regulating the MET oncogene and modulating tumor immune evasion. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:70. [PMID: 33596979 PMCID: PMC7890893 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01865-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRs) have been shown to play an important role in tumorigenesis, including in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The miR-34 family is thought to play a role in tumor suppression, but the exact mechanism of their action in HNSCC is not well understood. Moreover, the impact of chromosomal changes and mutation status on miR-34a expression remains unknown. METHODS Differential expression of miR-34a, MET, and genomic alterations were assessed in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets as well as in primary HNSCC and adjacent normal tissue. The biological functions of miR-34a in HNSCC were investigated in samples derived from primary human tumors and HNSCC cell lines. The expression of MET was evaluated using immunohistochemistry, and the molecular interaction of miR-34a and MET were demonstrated by RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assay, and rescue experiments. Lastly, locked nucleic acid (LNA) miRs in mouse xenograft models were used to evaluate the clinical relevance of miR-34a in HNSCC tumor growth and modulation of the tumor microenvironment in vivo. RESULTS Chromosome arm 1p loss and P53 mutations are both associated with lower levels of miR-34a. In HNSCC, miR-34a acts as a tumor suppressor and physically interacts with and functionally targets the proto-oncogene MET. Our studies found that miR-34a suppresses HNSCC carcinogenesis, at least in part, by downregulating MET, consequently inhibiting HNSCC proliferation. Consistent with these findings, administration of LNA-miR-34a in an in vivo model of HNSCC leads to diminished HNSCC cell proliferation and tumor burden in vitro and in vivo, represses expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and negates the oncogenic effect of MET in mouse tumors. Consistently, LNA-miR-34a induced a decreased number of immunosuppressive PDL1-expressing tumor-associated macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. In HNSCC patient samples, higher levels of miR-34a are significantly associated with a higher frequency of Th1 cells and CD8 naïve T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that miR-34a directly targets MET and maintains anti-tumor immune activity. We propose miR-34a as a potential new therapeutic approach for HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wu
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Periodontics, Section of Oral, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Guangxi Medical University College of Stomatology, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yi-Shing Lisa Cheng
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mathew Matthen
- Department of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angela Yoon
- Division of Pathology, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gary K Schwartz
- Department of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shashi Bala
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Alison M Taylor
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Fatemeh Momen-Heravi
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Division of Periodontics, Section of Oral, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
AXL Receptor in Breast Cancer: Molecular Involvement and Therapeutic Limitations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228419. [PMID: 33182542 PMCID: PMC7696061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer was one of the first malignancies to benefit from targeted therapy, i.e., treatments directed against specific markers. Inhibitors against HER2 are a significant example and they improved the life expectancy of a large cohort of patients. Research on new biomarkers, therefore, is always current and important. AXL, a member of the TYRO-3, AXL and MER (TAM) subfamily, is, today, considered a predictive and prognostic biomarker in many tumor contexts, primarily breast cancer. Its oncogenic implications make it an ideal target for the development of new pharmacological agents; moreover, its recent role as immune-modulator makes AXL particularly attractive to researchers involved in the study of interactions between cancer and the tumor microenvironment (TME). All these peculiarities characterize AXL as compared to other members of the TAM family. In this review, we will illustrate the biological role played by AXL in breast tumor cells, highlighting its molecular and biological features, its involvement in tumor progression and its implication as a target in ongoing clinical trials.
Collapse
|
9
|
Piña-Sánchez P, Valdez-Salazar HA, Ruiz-Tachiquín ME. Circulating microRNAs and their role in the immune response in triple-negative breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:224. [PMID: 32968446 PMCID: PMC7499949 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide, and despite advances in treatments, its incidence and mortality are increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new, non-invasive tests that provide more accurate diagnosis and prognosis in a timely manner. A promising approach is measuring the presence of biomarkers to detect tumors at various stages and determine their specific characteristics, thus allowing for more personalized treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) serve a role in gene expression, primarily by interacting with messenger RNAs, and may be potential biomarkers for detecting cancer. They are detectable in tissues and blood, including plasma and/or serum, are stable and often tumor specific. Also, different miRNAs are associated with specific BC molecular subtypes. Triple-negative BC (TNBC) is a type of BC in which the primary targets for hormonal therapy are absent. It is an aggressive phenotype, which frequently metastasizes and is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. The present review focuses on circulating miRNAs in patients with TNBC, with an emphasis on their interaction with the immune response checkpoint genes PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA4. Modulation and response of the immune system are of interest in cancer treatment due to the success of immunotherapy in the treatment of various neoplasms. Based on the findings of this literature review and the in silico analysis performed as part of this review, it is concluded that circulating hsa-miR-195 and hsa-miR-155 in TNBC interact with checkpoint genes involved in the immune response. Further analysis of the expression of these circulating miRNAs and their association with prognosis in patients with TNBC treated with immunotherapy should be assessed to evaluate their possible use as non-invasive predictive biomarkers. In addition, functional studies to analyze biologically relevant targets in the development and prognosis of TNBC, which could be therapeutic targets, are also recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Piña-Sánchez
- Oncological Diseases Medical Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, XXI Century National Medical Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Hilda-Alicia Valdez-Salazar
- Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Medical Research Unit, Pediatrics Hospital 'Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freund', XXI Century National Medical Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Martha-Eugenia Ruiz-Tachiquín
- Oncological Diseases Medical Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, XXI Century National Medical Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhan H, Tu S, Zhang F, Shao A, Lin J. MicroRNAs and Long Non-coding RNAs in c-Met-Regulated Cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:145. [PMID: 32219093 PMCID: PMC7078111 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are components of many signaling pathways associated with tumor aggressiveness and cancer metastasis. Some lncRNAs are classified as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) that bind to specific miRNAs to prevent interaction with target mRNAs. Studies have shown that the hepatocyte growth factor/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (HGF/c-Met) pathway is involved in physiological and pathological processes such as cell growth, angiogenesis, and embryogenesis. Overexpression of c-Met can lead to sustained activation of downstream signals, resulting in carcinogenesis, metastasis, and resistance to targeted therapies. In this review, we evaluated the effects of anti-oncogenic and oncogenic non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) on c-Met, and the interactions among lncRNAs, miRNAs, and c-Met in cancer using clinical and tissue chromatin immunoprecipition (ChIP) analysis data. We summarized current knowledge of the mechanisms and effects of the lncRNAs/miR-34a/c-Met axis in various tumor types, and evaluated the potential therapeutic value of lncRNAs and/or miRNAs targeted to c-Met on drug-resistance. Furthermore, we discussed the functions of lncRNAs and miRNAs in c-Met-related carcinogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhan
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Tu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anwen Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Lin
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
AXL as a Target in Breast Cancer Therapy. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:5291952. [PMID: 32148495 PMCID: PMC7042526 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5291952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that has been implicated in diverse tumor-promoting processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, survival, and apoptosis. AXL therefore plays a role in cancer progression, and AXL has been implicated in a wide variety of malignancies from solid tumors to hematopoietic cancers where it is often associated with poor prognosis. In cancer, AXL has been shown to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis formation, drug resistance, and a role for AXL in modulation of the tumor microenvironment and immune response has been identified. In light of these activities multiple AXL inhibitors have been developed, and several of these have entered clinical trials in the U.S. In breast cancer, high levels of AXL expression have been observed. The role of AXL in cancer with a focus on therapeutic implications for breast cancer is discussed.
Collapse
|
12
|
Bartoszewski R, Sikorski AF. Editorial focus: understanding off-target effects as the key to successful RNAi therapy. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2019; 24:69. [PMID: 31867046 PMCID: PMC6902517 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-019-0196-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
With the first RNA interference (RNAi) drug (ONPATTRO (patisiran)) on the market, we witness the RNAi therapy field reaching a critical turning point, when further improvements in drug candidate design and delivery pipelines should enable fast delivery of novel life changing treatments to patients. Nevertheless, ignoring parallel development of RNAi dedicated in vitro pharmacological profiling aiming to identify undesirable off-target activity may slow down or halt progress in the RNAi field. Since academic research is currently fueling the RNAi development pipeline with new therapeutic options, the objective of this article is to briefly summarize the basics of RNAi therapy, as well as to discuss how to translate basic research into better understanding of related drug candidate safety profiles early in the process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Bartoszewski
- Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksander F. Sikorski
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wang J, Zuo J, Wang MD, Xie WF, Bai XB, Ma XD. Retraction: Receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is correlated with poor prognosis and induces temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma. CNS Neurosci Ther 2019; 26:777. [PMID: 31578804 PMCID: PMC7298975 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Retraction: Receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is correlated with poor prognosis and induces temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma, CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics 2019, (https://doi.org/10.1111/cns.13227). The above article published online on 02 October 2019 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief Jun Chen, and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to unreliable data and consequently its misleading results and conclusions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Center of Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Zuo
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mao-De Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Center of Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wan-Fu Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xu-Dong Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|