LncRNA PCGEM1 induces proliferation and migration in non-small cell lung cancer cells through modulating the miR-590-3p/SOX11 axis

Machine learning-based integration develops an immunogenic cell death-derived lncRNA signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that lncRNAs are involved in the regulation of the immune microenvironment and early tumor development. Immunogenic cell death occurs mainly through the release or increase of tumor-associated antigen and tumor-specific antigen, exposing "danger signals" to stimulate the body's immune response. Given the recent development of immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma, we explored the role of tumor immunogenic cell death-related lncRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma for prognosis and immunotherapy benefit, which has never been uncovered yet. Based on the lung adenocarcinoma cohorts from the TCGA database and GEO database, the study developed the immunogenic cell death index signature by several machine learning algorithms and then validated the signature for prognosis and immunotherapy benefit of lung adenocarcinoma patients, which had a more stable performance compared with published signatures in predicting the prognosis, and demonstrated predictive value for benefiting from immunotherapy in multiple cohorts of multiple cancers, and also guided the utilization of chemotherapy drugs.

lncRNA PCGEM1 Regulates the Progress of Colorectal Cancer through Targeting miR-129-5p/SOX4

Prostate cancer gene expression marker 1 (PCGEM1) has abnormal expression level in a variety of malignant tumor. However, the relationship between PCGEM1 and colorectal cancer is still unclear yet. This study is aimed at identifying the role of PCGEM1 in colorectal cancer. qRT-PCR was used to examine the expressions of the expression of lncRNA PCGEM1 and SOX4 in CRC tissues and cell lines. The biological functions of lncRNA PCGEM1 and SOX4 were examined by CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, RNA interference, and gene overexpression techniques. Bioinformatics analysis was used to find the potential downstream molecule of PCGEM1 and miR-129-5p. The relationship between PCGEM1, miR-129-5p, and SOX4 was assessed by dual luciferase activity assay. We found that PCGEM1 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells and tissues, while miR-129-5p is underexpressed. SOX4 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells and tissues. Functionally, PCGEM1 silencing can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of colorectal cancer cells. Mechanically, PCGEM1 acted as a sponge for miR-129-5p and absorbed its expression, and miR-129-5p was found to target SOX4, constructing the axis of PCGEM1/miR-129-5p/SOX4 in colorectal cancer. In conclusion, PCGEM1 mediates the proliferation, invasion, and migration of colorectal cancer cells by targeting miR-129-5p/SOX4 axis.

Long non-coding RNAs and exosomal lncRNAs: Potential functions in lung cancer progression, drug resistance and tumor microenvironment remodeling

Among the different kinds of tumors threatening human life, lung cancer is one that is commonly observed in both males and females. The aggressive behavior of lung cancer and interactions occurring in tumor microenvironment enhances the malignancy of this tumor. The lung tumor cells have demonstrated capacity in developing chemo- and radio-resistance. LncRNAs are a category of non-coding RNAs that do not encode proteins, but their aberrant expression is responsible for tumor development, especially lung cancer. In the present review, we focus on both lncRNAs and exosomal lncRNAs in lung cancer, and their ability in regulating proliferation and metastasis. Cell cycle progression and molecular mechanisms related to lung cancer metastasis such as EMT and MMPs are regulated by lncRNAs. LncRNAs interact with miRNAs, STAT, Wnt, EZH2, PTEN and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways to affect progression of lung cancer cells. LncRNAs demonstrate both tumor-suppressor and tumor-promoting functions in lung cancer. They can be considered as biomarkers in lung cancer and especially exosomal lncRNAs present in body fluids are potential tools for minimally invasive diagnosis. Furthermore, we discuss regulation of lncRNAs by anti-cancer drugs and genetic tools as well as the role of these factors in therapy response of lung cancer cells.

Application of two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis to identify protein changes between center, margin, and adjacent non-tumor tissues obtained from non-small-cell lung cancer with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma subtype

Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer-related mortality worldwide and the mechanism of its development is poorly understood. Proteomics has become a powerful tool offering vital knowledge related to cancer development. Using a two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) approach, we sought to compare tissue samples from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients taken from the tumor center and tumor margin. Two subtypes of NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were compared. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD032736 and PXD032962 for ADC and SCC, respectively. For ADC proteins, 26 significant canonical pathways were identified, including Rho signaling pathways, a semaphorin neuronal repulsive signaling pathway, and epithelial adherens junction signaling. For SCC proteins, nine significant canonical pathways were identified, including hypoxia-inducible factor-1α signaling, thyroid hormone biosynthesis, and phagosome maturation. Proteins differentiating the tumor center and tumor margin were linked to cancer invasion and progression, including cell migration, adhesion and invasion, cytoskeletal structure, protein folding, anaerobic metabolism, tumor angiogenesis, EMC transition, epithelial adherens junctions, and inflammatory responses. In conclusion, we identified several proteins that are important for the better characterization of tumor development and molecular specificity of both lung cancer subtypes. We also identified proteins that may be important as biomarkers and/or targets for anticancer therapy.

LncRNA PCGEM1 in Human Cancers: Functions, Mechanisms and Promising Clinical Utility

As novel members of the noncoding RNA family, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely reported to function as powerful regulators in gene expression processes, including chromosome remodeling, transcription interference and posttranscriptional modification. With the rapid development of metagenomic sequencing, numerous studies have indicated that the dysregulation of lncRNAs is closely associated with diverse human diseases, especially cancers. Prostate Gene Expression Marker 1 (PCGEM1), a recently identified lncRNA, has been reported to play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of multiple tumors by interacting with pivotal regulators of tumor-related signaling pathways. In this review, we will retrospectively review the recent studies of the expression of lncRNA PCGEM1 in human cancers and comprehensively describe the underlying regulatory mechanism by which PCGEM1 functions in tumors. More importantly, based on the relationship between PCGEM1 and cancers, the potential application of PCGEM1 in clinical diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic treatment will also be highlighted.