The regulatory relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and noncoding RNA

Integrated insights into gene expression dynamics and transcription factor roles in diabetic and diabetic-infectious wound healing using rat model

BACKGROUND

Diabetic or diabetic infectious wounds pose a global challenge, marked by delayed healing and high amputation/mortality rates. This study of participating transcriptomes and their regulators unveils critical alterations.

METHODS

Transcriptome data from GEO analyzed DEGs in diabetic foot ulcers vs. controls using RNA-Seq, limma, STRINGdb, Cytoscape, and clusterProfiler for PPI networks and functional enrichment. TRRUST database was used to predict transcriptional factors (TFs). Adverse molecular pathology in different models of wounds (non-diabetic, acute diabetic, diabetic infectious wounds) was validated by RT-PCR, Western blotting, oxidative stress markers, cytokines, and histological analysis.

RESULTS

RNA-Seq dataset 'GSE199939' was analyzed after normalization to identify DEGs (total 47 DEG, 31 upregulated, 16 downregulated) in diabetic wound healing using limma. PPI networks revealed seven hub genes which were further processed for functional enrichment and highlighted oxidative stress, ECM remodeling, AGE-RAGE, and IL-17 signaling in diabetic wound pathology. Additionally, 17 key TFs were identified as hub gene regulators. The healing rate was significantly impaired in diabetic wounds, with delayed contraction, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, reduced anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidants, angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization. Further, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis validated the expression of target genes including the overexpression of HSPA1B, FOS, and down-expression of SOD2, COL1A1, and CCL2, whereas TFs including upregulation of RELA, NFKB1, STAT3, and downregulation of SP1 and JUN in diabetic and diabetic infectious wounds.

CONCLUSION

Molecular analyses reveal disrupted oxidative stress, ECM remodeling, and inflammatory signaling in diabetic and diabetic infectious, emphasizing impaired healing dynamics and identifying therapeutic targets.

CPEB3 can regulate seizure susceptibility by inhibiting the transcriptional activity of STAT3 on NMDARs expression

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of epilepsy is complex, and current antiepileptic drugs do not effectively control the seizures. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 3 (CPEB3) regulates neuronal excitability, but its mechanism of action in epilepsy is not clear. In this paper, we investigated the effect of CPEB3 on seizures and elucidated its underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODS

Bioinformatics-based search for genes closely associated with epilepsy. Changes in expression and cellular localization of CPEB3 in epilepsy were verified by western blotting (WB) and Immunofluorescence staining. Subsequently, The adeno-associated virus was employed to overexpress or knockdown in mice. Behavioral experiments verified the effect of CPEB3 on epileptic phenotype, and the molecular mechanism of CPEB3 affecting epileptic phenotype was explored by WB, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP).

RESULTS

The results were that CPEB3 was downregulated epilepsy in model mice and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and co-expressed with neurons. Behavioral experiments have shown that CPEB3 negatively regulates epilepsy phenotype in mice. In addition, exogenous CPEB3 can also bind to the mRNA of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and inhibit its translation, resulting in lower levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3, reduced nuclear translocation of STAT3, and decreased STAT3-mediated transcriptional activity of GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B, suppressing the expression of NMDAR subunits, which attenuate the seizure degree and susceptibility of epileptic mice.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that CPEB3 may influence excitability and susceptibility in epileptic mice by regulating STAT3 translation and transcriptional activities to promote NMDARs expression. This mechanism could offer insights into novel therapeutic targets for epilepsy.

CircFAM64A(3) promoted bladder cancer proliferation and inhibited CD8 + T cell via sponging to miR-149-5p and activated IL-6/JAK/STAT pathway

BACKGROUND

The significance of circular RNA in tumour biology is increasingly recognized. This study aims to explore the value of circFAM64A(3) in the proliferation and immune evasion of bladder cancer.

METHODS

Bioinformatics were used to identify the differentially expressed circular RNAs in bladder cancer. Proliferation assay, co-culture assay and flow cytometry assay confirmed the oncogenic and immune-evading characteristics of circFAM64A(3) in bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo. Further, mRNA sequencing, RNA pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to confirm the downstream targets and pathways regulated by circFAM64A(3). CUT&TAG assay confirmed HIF-1α promoted the expression of circFAM64A(3) under hypoxic.

RESULTS

CircFAM64A(3) was significantly high expression in bladder cancer tissues and related with poor prognosis of bladder cancer patients. CircFAM64A(3) promoted bladder cancer cells proliferation and immune evasion in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circFAM64A(3) acted as a sponge to miR-149-5p and reduced the binding of miR-149-5p to IL-6 3'-UTR. Then, IL-6 activated the JAK/STAT pathway and caused an increase of PD-L1. Under hypoxic environment, HIF-1α bound to the promoter of FAM64A and promoted circFAM64A(3) transcription.

CONCLUSION

HIF-1α/circFAM64A(3)/miR-149-5p/IL-6 axis was an important regulatory pathway in bladder cancer proliferation and immune evasion. CircFAM64A(3) may serve as a novel and potentially valuable biological target.

Exosomal circular RNAs in tumor microenvironment: An emphasis on signaling pathways and clinical opportunities

Exosomes can regulate the malignant progression of tumors by carrying a variety of genetic information and transmitting it to target cells. Recent studies indicate that exosomal circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate multiple biological processes in carcinogenesis, such as tumor growth, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, drug resistance, autophagy, metabolism, angiogenesis, and immune escape. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), exosomal circRNAs can be transferred among tumor cells, endothelial cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, and microbiota, affecting tumor initiation and progression. Due to the high stability and widespread presence of exosomal circRNAs, they hold promise as biomarkers for tumor diagnosis and prognosis prediction in blood and urine. In addition, designing nanoparticles targeting exosomal circRNAs and utilizing exosomal circRNAs derived from immune cells or stem cells provide new strategies for cancer therapy. In this review, we examined the crucial role of exosomal circRNAs in regulating tumor-related signaling pathways and summarized the transmission of exosomal circRNAs between various types of cells and their impact on the TME. Finally, our review highlights the potential of exosomal circRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic prediction biomarkers, as well as suggesting new strategies for clinical therapy.

The LINC00319 binding to STAT3 promotes the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT process in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNA LINC00319 has been implicated in the progression of various cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). While our previous work has revealed some aspects of LINC00319's role in OSCC, including its upregulation and involvement in a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism, the full extent of its functions and regulatory mechanisms in OSCC progression remain to be fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the function of LINC00319 in OSCC and its potential interaction with the STAT3 signaling pathway, thus uncovering novel regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis was performed using TCGA data to evaluate LINC00319 expression in OSCC tissues and its correlation with STAT3 signaling. The direct binding between LINC00319 and STAT3 was examined by RNA pull-down, FISH, and RIP assays. Functional experiments, including CCK-8, transwell migration and invasion assays, and western blot analysis of EMT markers and STAT3 pathway activation, were conducted to assess the effects of LINC00319 on OSCC cell behaviors and its interaction with the STAT3 signaling pathway. In vivo xenograft models were established to validate the role of LINC00319 in tumor growth and STAT3 activation.

RESULTS

LINC00319 expression was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues compared to normal tissues, and high LINC00319 expression correlated with STAT3 signaling activation. Mechanistically, LINC00319 directly bound to STAT3 protein and promoted its phosphorylation at Tyr705. LINC00319 overexpression enhanced, while its knockdown suppressed, the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of OSCC cells. These oncogenic effects were mediated through STAT3 activation and could be reversed by the STAT3 inhibitor stattic. In vivo experiments further confirmed that LINC00319 silencing inhibited tumor growth and STAT3 phosphorylation.

CONCLUSION

This study uncovers that LINC00319 promotes OSCC tumorigenesis by directly binding to and activating STAT3 signaling. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of STAT3 by long non-coding RNAs and highlight the potential of LINC00319 as a biomarker and therapeutic target in OSCC.

miR-190 restores the innate immune homeostasis of Drosophila by directly inhibiting Tab2 in Imd pathway

The Drosophila Imd pathways are well-known mechanisms involved in innate immunity responsible for Gram-negative (G-) bacterial infection. The intensity and durability of immunity need to be finely regulated to keep sufficient immune activation meanwhile avoid excessive immune response. In this study, we firstly demonstrated that miR-190 can downregulate the expression levels of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the Imd immune pathway after Escherichia coli infection using the miR-190 overexpression flies and the miR-190KO/+ flies. Secondly, miR-190 overexpression significantly reduces while miR-190 KO increases Drosophila survival rates upon lethal Enterobacter cloacae infection. Thirdly, we further demonstrated that miR-190 negatively regulates innate immune responses by directly targeting both RA/RB and RC isoforms of Tab2. In addition, the dynamic expression pattern of AMPs (Dpt, AttA, CecA1), miR-190 and Tab2 in the wild-type flies reveals that miR-190 play an important role in Drosophila immune homeostasis restoration at the late stage of E. coli infection. Collectively, our study reveals that miR-190 can downregulate the expression of AMPs by targeting Tab2 and promote immune homeostasis restoration in Drosophila Imd pathway. Our study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanism of animal innate immune homeostasis.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor: mechanisms and advances in therapy

The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, known as GLP-1R, is a vital component of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family and is found primarily on the surfaces of various cell types within the human body. This receptor specifically interacts with GLP-1, a key hormone that plays an integral role in regulating blood glucose levels, lipid metabolism, and several other crucial biological functions. In recent years, GLP-1 medications have become a focal point in the medical community due to their innovative treatment mechanisms, significant therapeutic efficacy, and broad development prospects. This article thoroughly traces the developmental milestones of GLP-1 drugs, from their initial discovery to their clinical application, detailing the evolution of diverse GLP-1 medications along with their distinct pharmacological properties. Additionally, this paper explores the potential applications of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in fields such as neuroprotection, anti-infection measures, the reduction of various types of inflammation, and the enhancement of cardiovascular function. It provides an in-depth assessment of the effectiveness of GLP-1RAs across multiple body systems-including the nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and digestive systems. This includes integrating the latest clinical trial data and delving into potential signaling pathways and pharmacological mechanisms. The primary goal of this article is to emphasize the extensive benefits of using GLP-1RAs in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), neurodegenerative diseases, musculoskeletal inflammation, and various forms of cancer. The ongoing development of new indications for GLP-1 drugs offers promising prospects for further expanding therapeutic interventions, showcasing their significant potential in the medical field.

The role of ncRNAs and exosomes in the development and progression of endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecologic cancers. In recent years, research has focused on the genetic characteristics of the tumors to detail their prognosis and tailor therapy. In the case of EC, genetic mutations have been shown to underlie their formation. It is very important to know the mechanisms of EC formation related to mutations induced by estrogen, among other things. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), composed of nucleotide transcripts with very low protein-coding capacity, are proving to be important. Their expression patterns in many malignancies can inhibit tumor formation and progression. They also regulate protein coding at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), several varieties of which are associated with normal endometrium as well as its tumor, also play a particularly important role in gene expression. MiRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) affect many pathways in EC tissues and play important roles in cancer development, invasion, and metastasis, as well as resistance to anticancer drugs through mechanisms such as suppression of apoptosis and progression of cancer stem cells. It is also worth noting that miRNAs are highly precise, sensitive, and robust, making them potential markers for diagnosing gynecologic cancers and their progression. Unfortunately, as the incidence of EC increases, treatment becomes challenging and is limited to invasive tools. The prospect of using microRNAs as potential candidates for diagnostic and therapeutic use in EC seems promising. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are released from many types of cells, including cancer cells. They contain proteins, DNA, and various types of RNA, such as miRNAs. The noncoding RNA components of exosomes vary widely, depending on the physiology of the tumor tissue and the cells from which they originate. Exosomes contain both DNA and RNA and have communication functions between cells. Exosomal miRNAs mediate communication between EC cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and play a key role in tumor cell proliferation and tumor microenvironment formation. Oncogenes carried by tumor exosomes induce malignant transformation of target cells. During the synthesis of exosomes, various factors, such as genetic and proteomic data are upregulated. Thus, they are considered an interesting therapeutic target for the diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer by analyzing biomarkers contained in exosomes. Expression of miRNAs, particularly miR-15a-5p, was elevated in exosomes derived from the plasma of EC patients. This may suggest the important utility of this biomarker in the diagnosis of EC. In recent years, researchers have become interested in the topic of prognostic markers for EC, as there are still too few identified markers to support the limited treatment of endometrial cancer. Further research into the effects of ncRNAs and exosomes on EC may allow for cancer treatment breakthroughs.

CircRNA_101491 regulated the radiation sensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas via sponging miR-125a-5p

BACKGROUND

At present, it has been found that many patients have acquired resistance to radiotherapy, which greatly reduces the effect of radiotherapy and further affects the prognosis. CircRNAs is involved in the regulation of radiosensitivity of many kinds of tumor cells. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to explore the regulatory effect of CircRNA_101491 on radiosensitivity of ESCC and its related mechanism.

METHODS

We established ESCC radiation-resistant cell line (KYSE150R cell) by gradient dose method, and tested the difference of KYSE150 between KYSE150R cell and parent cell in vitro. Then, after knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491, a series of in vitro experiments were conducted to verify the effects of CircRNA_101491 on the phenotype and radiosensitivity of KYSE150R cells, and further analyzed the related regulatory mechanism. In addition, we also used the model of transplanted tumor in nude mice to investigate the effect of CircRNA_101491 on the radiosensitivity of ESCC in vivo.

RESULTS

According to a series of in vitro experiments, we confirmed that KYSE150R cells lost the epithelial phenotype and obtained interstitial cell-like phenotype, and found that CircRNA_101491 was highly expressed in KYSE150R cells. In addition, we found that knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491 will lift the inhibition of miR-125a-5p, and then reverse the process of EMT, accelerate the process of apoptosis, thus play a role in radiosensitization. The in vivo experiment of transplanted tumor in nude mice also showed that knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491 could enhance the radiosensitivity of ESCC.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we confirmed that interfering with the expression of CircRNA_101491 can relieve the inhibition of miR-125a-5p, thus reverse the process of interstitial phenotype, accelerate the process of apoptosis, and enhance the radiosensitivity of ESCC.

Michael Acceptors as Anti-Cancer Compounds: Coincidence or Causality?

Michael acceptors represent a class of compounds with potential anti-cancer properties. They act by binding to nucleophilic sites in biological molecules, thereby disrupting cancer cell function and inducing cell death. This mode of action, as well as their ability to be modified and targeted, makes them a promising avenue for advancing cancer therapy. We are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying Michael acceptors and their interactions with cancer cells, in particular their ability to interfere with cellular processes and induce apoptosis. The anti-cancer properties of Michael acceptors are not accidental but are due to their chemical structure and reactivity. The electrophilic nature of these compounds allows them to selectively target nucleophilic residues on disease-associated proteins, resulting in significant therapeutic benefits and minimal toxicity in various diseases. This opens up new perspectives for the development of more effective and precise cancer drugs. Nevertheless, further studies are essential to fully understand the impact of our discoveries and translate them into clinical practice.

Role of STAT3 in cancer cell epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (Review)

Since its discovery, the role of the transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), in both normal physiology and the pathology of numerous diseases, including cancer, has been extensively studied. STAT3 is aberrantly activated in different types of cancer, fulfilling a critical role in cancer progression. The biological process, epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT), is indispensable for embryonic morphogenesis. During the development of cancer, EMT is hijacked to confer motility, tumor cell stemness, drug resistance and adaptation to changes in the microenvironment. The aim of the present review was to outline recent advances in knowledge of the role of STAT3 in EMT, which may contribute to the understanding of the function of STAT3 in EMT in various types of cancer. Delineating the underlying mechanisms associated with the STAT3‑EMT signaling axis may generate novel diagnostic and therapeutic options for cancer treatment.