miR-30b-5p inhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration of papillary thyroid cancer by targeting GALNT7 via the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway

Evaluating the pro-survival potential of apoptotic bodies derived from 2D- and 3D- cultured adipose stem cells in ischaemic flaps

In the realm of large-area trauma flap transplantation, averting ischaemic necrosis emerges as a pivotal concern. Several key mechanisms, including the promotion of angiogenesis, the inhibition of oxidative stress, the suppression of cell death, and the mitigation of inflammation, are crucial for enhancing skin flap survival. Apoptotic bodies (ABs), arising from cell apoptosis, have recently emerged as significant contributors to these functions. This study engineered three-dimensional (3D)-ABs using tissue-like mouse adipose-derived stem cells (mADSCs) cultured in a 3D environment to compare their superior biological effects against 2D-ABs in bolstering skin flap survival. The findings reveal that 3D-ABs (85.74 ± 4.51) % outperform 2D-ABs (76.48 ± 5.04) % in enhancing the survival rate of ischaemic skin flaps (60.45 ± 8.95) % (all p < 0.05). Mechanistically, they stimulated angiogenesis, mitigated oxidative stress, suppressed apoptosis, and facilitated the transition of macrophages from M1 to M2 polarization (all p < 0.05). A comparative analysis of microRNA (miRNA) profiles in 3D- and 2D-ABs identified several specific miRNAs (miR-423-5p-up, miR30b-5p-down, etc.) with pertinent roles. In summary, ABs derived from mADSCs cultured in a 3D spheroid-like arrangement exhibit heightened biological activity compared to those from 2D-cultured mADSCs and are more effective in promoting ischaemic skin flap survival. These effects are attributed to their influence on specific miRNAs.

The expression of O-linked glycosyltransferase GALNT7 in breast cancer is dependent on estrogen-, progesterone-, and HER2-receptor status, with prognostic implications

GALNT7 is a glycosyltransferase enzyme transferring N-acetylgalactosamine to initiate O-linked glycosylation in the Golgi apparatus. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2; ERBB2) are important biomarkers in the prognosis and molecular subtyping of breast cancer. Here, we showed that ER-positive, PR-positive or HER2-positive breast tumors have higher expression of GALNT7 compared to ER-negative, PR-negative or HER2-negative breast tumors, respectively. We found that CpG-aggregated methylation of GALNT7 gene is decreased, and in parallel, its transcript levels are increased in breast cancer compared to healthy breast tissue. We observed that the difference in the expression of GALNT7 between negative and positive status of the receptors is the highest for HER2, followed by ER and PR, pointing that HER2 might be relatively more influential than ER and PR on the expression of GALNT7 in breast cancer. We reported that basal-like breast tumors have decreased expression of GALNT7 compared to non-basal-like tumors, and that high GALNT7 expression is associated with favorable relapse-free and distant metastasis-free survival in HER2 status-dependent manner in breast cancer patients. Moreover, we showed that GALNT7 expression in breast cancer is cell type- (epithelial vs stromal cells), tumor grade- and ethnicity-dependent. Combined, we propose that GALNT7 might contribute to different clinical outcomes depending on the receptor status in breast cancer, and that a better understanding of GALNT7 and its function in the context of breast cancer is needed.

A novel pyroptosis-associated lncRNA LINC01133 promotes pancreatic adenocarcinoma development via miR-30b-5p/SIRT1 axis

PURPOSE

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remains a highly aggressive gastrointestinal malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Pyroptosis has a key role in tumor development. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in tumorigenesis and pyroptosis regulation. However, the prognostic potential and function of pyroptosis-related lncRNAs (PRLs) in PAAD remain unclear. We aimed to identify PRLs with promising predictive value for PAAD prognosis and investigate the mechanism by which PRLs affect pyroptosis and PAAD development.

METHODS

Key genes that regulate pyroptosis were determined from previous studies, and PRLs were identified from lncRNAs shown to be co-expressed in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cox analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was used to establish a prognostic PRL signature. The clinical significance and functional mechanisms of LINC01133 were explored in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

A seven-lncRNA signature was established and the high-risk subgroup exhibited a shorter survival time. With lower immune infiltration abundance, poor immune function, and higher tumor mutational burden (TMB), the high-risk subgroup reflected a more immunosuppressive status with a greater scope for benefiting from immunotherapy. After LINC01133 knockdown, PAAD cells showed lower viability and higher pyroptosis-related gene expression. LINC01133 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to sequester miR-30b-5p from sponging SIRT1 mRNA to inhibit PAAD pyroptosis.

CONCLUSION

With significant prognostic value, our PRL signature are involved in the biological processes of PAAD cells and associated with the immune environment. LINC01133 suppresses pyroptosis to promote PAAD development and could serve as a potential target for PAAD treatment.

MiR-662 is associated with metastatic relapse in early-stage breast cancer and promotes metastasis by stimulating cancer cell stemness

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) metastasis, which often occurs in bone, contributes substantially to mortality. MicroRNAs play a fundamental role in BC metastasis, although microRNA-regulated mechanisms driving metastasis progression remain poorly understood.

METHODS

MiRome analysis in serum from BC patients was performed by TaqMan™ low-density array. MiR-662 was overexpressed following MIMIC-transfection or lentivirus transduction. Animal models were used to investigate the role of miR-662 in BC (bone) metastasis. The effect of miR-662-overexpressing BC cell conditioned medium on osteoclastogenesis was investigated. ALDEFLUOR assays were performed to study BC stemness. RNA-sequencing transcriptomic analysis of miR-662-overexpressing BC cells was performed to evaluate gene expression changes.

RESULTS

High levels of hsa-miR-662 (miR-662) in serum from BC patients, at baseline (time of surgery), were associated with future recurrence in bone. At an early-stage of the metastatic disease, miR-662 could mask the presence of BC metastases in bone by inhibiting the differentiation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Nonetheless, metastatic miR-662-overexpressing BC cells then progressed as overt osteolytic metastases thanks to increased stem cell-like traits.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-662 is involved in BC metastasis progression, suggesting it may be used as a prognostic marker to identify BC patients at high risk of metastasis.

Exosomes from PYCR1 knockdown bone marrow mesenchymal stem inhibits aerobic glycolysis and the growth of bladder cancer cells via regulation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway

Bladder cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease, and pyrroline‑5‑carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) can promote the proliferation and invasion of BC cells and accelerate BC progression. In the present study, si‑PYCR1 was loaded into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)‑derived exosomes (Exos) in BC. First, PYCR1 levels in BC tissues/cells were assessed, and cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated. Aerobic glycolysis levels (glucose uptake, lactate production, ATP production, and the expression of relevant enzymes) and the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway phosphorylation levels were determined. PYCR1‑EGFR interactions were examined by co‑immunoprecipitation experiments. RT4 cells transfected with oe‑PYCR1 were treated with EGFR inhibitor CL‑387785. Exos were loaded with si‑PYCR1 and identified, followed by an assessment of their effects on aerobic glycolysis and malignant cell behaviors. Nude mouse models of xenograft tumors were established by injecting mice with Exo‑si‑PYCR1 and Exo‑si‑PYCR1. PYCR1 was upregulated in BC cells, with the highest expression observed in T24 cells and the lowest expression in RT4 cells. Following PYCR1 knockdown, the malignant behaviors of T24 cells and aerobic glycolysis were decreased, while PYCR1 overexpression in RT4 cells averted these trends. PYCR1 interacted with EGFR, and CL‑387785 inhibited the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway and attenuated the effects of PYCR1 overexpression on RT4 cells but had no effect on PYCR1 expression. Exo‑si‑PYCR1 showed stronger inhibitory effects on aerobic glycolysis and on the malignant behaviors of T24 cells than si‑PYCR1. Exo‑si‑PYCR1 blocked xenograft tumor growth and had good biocompatibility. Briefly, PYCR1 knocking loaded by BMSC‑derived Exos suppressed aerobic glycolysis and BC growth via the PI3K/AKT pathway by binding to EGFR.

MicroRNA, mRNA, and Proteomics Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Improving Lung Cancer Treatment Outcomes

The majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease. This study identified a set of 73 microRNAs (miRNAs) that classified lung cancer tumors from normal lung tissues with an overall accuracy of 96.3% in the training patient cohort (n = 109) and 91.7% in unsupervised classification and 92.3% in supervised classification in the validation set (n = 375). Based on association with patient survival (n = 1016), 10 miRNAs were identified as potential tumor suppressors (hsa-miR-144, hsa-miR-195, hsa-miR-223, hsa-miR-30a, hsa-miR-30b, hsa-miR-30d, hsa-miR-335, hsa-miR-363, hsa-miR-451, and hsa-miR-99a), and 4 were identified as potential oncogenes (hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-31, hsa-miR-411, and hsa-miR-494) in lung cancer. Experimentally confirmed target genes were identified for the 73 diagnostic miRNAs, from which proliferation genes were selected from CRISPR-Cas9/RNA interference (RNAi) screening assays. Pansensitive and panresistant genes to 21 NCCN-recommended drugs with concordant mRNA and protein expression were identified. DGKE and WDR47 were found with significant associations with responses to both systemic therapies and radiotherapy in lung cancer. Based on our identified miRNA-regulated molecular machinery, an inhibitor of PDK1/Akt BX-912, an anthracycline antibiotic daunorubicin, and a multi-targeted protein kinase inhibitor midostaurin were discovered as potential repositioning drugs for treating lung cancer. These findings have implications for improving lung cancer diagnosis, optimizing treatment selection, and discovering new drug options for better patient outcomes.

Differential microRNA expression for diagnosis and prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer accounts for 85% of thyroid cancer. The diagnosis is based on ultrasound methods and tumor biopsies (FNA). In recent years, research has revealed the importance of miRNAs, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and are involved in many diseases. The present mini review describes upregulated and downregulated miRNAs expression in papillary thyroid cancer patient samples (tissue, serum, plasma) and the genes regulated by these non-coding molecules. In addition, a bibliographic search was performed to identify the expression of miRNAs that are common in tumor tissue and blood. The miRNAs miR-146b, miR-221-3p, miRNA 222, miR-21, miR-296-5p, and miR-145 are common in both tissue and bloodstream of PTC patient samples. Furthermore, these miRNAs regulate genes involved in biological processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. In conclusion, miRNAs could potentially become valuable biomarkers, which could help in the early diagnosis and prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer.

Anti-EGFR/BRAF-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Thyroid Carcinoma

Alterations in significant genes located on chromosome 7 - including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and also v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) as a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)  - combined or not with numerical imbalances of the whole chromosome (aneuploidy-polysomy) are crucial genetic events involved in the development and progression of malignancies. Identification of EGFR/BRAF-dependent specific somatic mutations and other mechanisms of deregulation (i.e., amplification) is critical for applying targeted therapeutic approaches [tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs] or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Thyroid carcinoma is a specific pathological entity characterized by a variety of histological sub-types. Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) represent its main sub-types. In the current review, we explore the role of EGFR/BRAF alterations in thyroid carcinoma in conjunction with the corresponding anti-EGFR/BRAF TKI-based novel therapeutic strategies for patients with specific genetic signatures.

Significance of miRNAs on the thyroid cancer progression and resistance to treatment with special attention to the role of cross-talk between signaling pathways

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent endocrine malignant tumor. It has many types, the Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC)(most common and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). Several risk factors have been associated with TC radiation exposure, autoimmunity, and genetics. Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are the most important genetic determinants of TC. They are small chains of nucleic acids that are able to inhibit the expression of several target genes. They could target several genes involved in TC proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, development, and even resistance to therapy. Besides, they could influence the stemness of TC. Moreover, they could regulate several signaling pathways such as WNT/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, JAK/STAT, TGF- β, EGFR, and P53. Besides signaling pathways, miRNAs are also involved in the resistance of TC to major treatments such as surgery, thyroid hormone-inhibiting therapy, radioactive iodine, and adjuvant radiation. The stability and sensitivity of several miRNAs might be exploited as an approach for the usage of miRNAs as diagnostic and/or prognostic tools in TC.

MiR-30c facilitates natural killer cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer through targeting GALNT7

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play important roles in regulating natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity to cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects and potential mechanism of miR-30c in regulating NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells.

METHODS

Primary NK cells were derived from the peripheral blood of lung cancer and normal participants. Exosomes were isolated and validated via transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The levels of miR-30c, polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7 (GALNT7) and proteins in PI3K/AKT pathway were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or western blot. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels and the cytotoxicity of effector NK cells to target lung cancer cells were measured via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, cell apoptosis or xenograft experiments. The relationship between miR-30c and GALNT7 was analyzed by luciferase activity, RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. And a xenograft mice model was established to verify the effect of miR-30c in regulating NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells in vivo.

RESULTS

NK cell-derived exosomes carrying miR-30c, and miR-30c level was significantly downregulated in primary NK cells of lung cancer patients. MiR-30c overexpression promoted TNF-α and IFN-γ secretion and enhanced the cytotoxicity of interleukin 2 (IL-2)-treated NK cells to lung cancer cells, while knockdown of miR-30c played an opposite effect in regulating the cytotoxicity of NK cells to lung cancer cells. GALNT7 was a target of miR-30c and was negatively regulated by miR-30c. Besides, miR-30c targeted GALNT7 to exert its function in regulating NK cell cytotoxicity. Furthermore, GALNT7 prompted the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway in NK cells. Additionally, miR-30c overexpression enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells and inhibited tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

miR-30c enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells via decreasing GALNT7 and inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting that regulating miR-30c expression maybe a promising approach for enhancing NK cell-based antitumor therapies.

Development of a joint diagnostic model of thyroid papillary carcinoma with artificial neural network and random forest

Objective: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for 80% of thyroid malignancy, and the occurrence of PTC is increasing rapidly. The present study was conducted with the purpose of identifying novel and important gene panels and developing an early diagnostic model for PTC by combining artificial neural network (ANN) and random forest (RF).

Methods and results: Samples were searched from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and gene expression datasets (GSE27155, GSE60542, and GSE33630) were collected and processed. GSE27155 and GSE60542 were merged into the training set, and GSE33630 was defined as the validation set. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the training set were obtained by “limma” of R software. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis as well as immune cell infiltration analysis were conducted based on DEGs. Important genes were identified from the DEGs by random forest. Finally, an artificial neural network was used to develop a diagnostic model. Also, the diagnostic model was validated by the validation set, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value was satisfactory.

Conclusion: A diagnostic model was established by a joint of random forest and artificial neural network based on a novel gene panel. The AUC showed that the diagnostic model had significantly excellent performance.

Emerging roles of GALNT5 on promoting EGFR activation in cholangiocarcinoma: a mechanistic insight

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a lethal cancer in that the incidence is now increasing worldwide. N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 5 (GALNT5), an enzyme that initiates the first step of mucin type-O glycosylation, has been reported to promote aggressiveness of CCA cells via the epithelial to the mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and Akt/Erk activation. In this study, the clinical and biological relevance of GALNT5 and the molecular mechanisms by which GALNT5 modulated EGFR in promoting CCA progression were examined. Using publicly available datasets, upregulation of GALNT5 in patient CCA tissues and its correlation with EGFR expression was noted. High levels of GALNT5 were significantly associated with the short survival of patients, suggesting a prognostic marker of GALNT5 for CCA. GALNT5 modulated EGFR expression as shown in CCA cell lines. Upregulation of GALNT5 significantly increased EGFR mRNA and protein in GALNT5 overexpressing cells, whereas suppression of GALNT5 expression gave the opposite results. The molecular dynamics simulations and MM/PB(GB)SA-based free energy calculations showed that O-glycosylation on the EGFR extracellular domain enhanced the structural stability, compactness, and H-bond formation of the EGF/GalNAc-EGFR complex compared with those of EGF/EGFR. This stabilized the growth factor binding site and fostered stronger interactions between EGF and EGFR. Using the EGF-induced EGFR activation model, GALNT5 was shown to mediate EGFR stability via a decreased rate of EGFR degradation and enhanced EGFR activity by increasing the binding affinity of EGF/EGFR that consequently increasing the activation of EGFR and its downstream effectors Akt and Erk. In summary, GALNT5 was upregulated in CCA tissues and associated with a worse prognosis. The study identified for the first time the impacts of GALNT5 on EGFR activity by increasing: 1) EGFR expression via a transcriptional-dependent mechanism, 2) EGFR stability by reducing EGFR degradation, and 3) EGFR activation through an increased binding affinity of EGF/EGFR which all together fostered the activation of EGFR. These results expanded the understanding of the molecular mechanism of how GALNT5 impacted CCA progression and suggested GALNT5 as a new target for therapeutic intervention against metastatic CCA.

MicroRNAs as the critical regulators of cell migration and invasion in thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most frequent endocrine malignancies that is more common among females. Tumor recurrence is one of the most important clinical manifestations in differentiated TC which is associated with different factors including age, tumor size, and histological features. Various molecular processes such as genetic or epigenetic modifications and non-coding RNAs are also involved in TC progression and metastasis. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important biological process during tumor invasion and migration that affects the initiation and transformation of early-stage tumors into invasive malignancies. A combination of transcription factors, growth factors, signaling pathways, and epigenetic regulations affect the thyroid cell migration and EMT process. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important molecular factors involved in tumor metastasis by regulation of EMT-activating signaling pathways. Various miRNAs are involved in the signaling pathways associated with TC metastasis which can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. Since, the miRNAs are sensitive, specific, and non-invasive, they can be suggested as efficient and optimal biomarkers of tumor invasion and metastasis. In the present review, we have summarized all of the miRNAs which have been significantly involved in thyroid tumor cells migration and invasion. We also categorized all of the reported miRNAs based on their cellular processes to clarify the molecular role of miRNAs during thyroid tumor cell migration and invasion. This review paves the way of introducing a non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic panel of miRNAs in aggressive and metastatic TC patients.

Biomarker Value of miR-221 and miR-222 as Potential Substrates in the Differential Diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Based on Data Synthesis and Bioinformatics Approach

BACKGROUND

MicroRNA (miRNA) has been reported to play a critical regulatory role in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). However, the role of miR-221/222 in PTC remains unclear. Here, we performed this study to explore the diagnostic potentials and mechanisms of miR-221/222 in PTC.

METHODS

First, we systematically analyzed the diagnostic value of miR-221/222 in the diagnosis PTC by pooling the published studies. Afterwards, we performed comprehensive bioinformatics analysis including gene ontology analysis, pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction analysis to explore the potential mechanisms of miR-221/222 involved in PTC.

RESULTS

The overall sensitivity and specificity of miR-221/222 for PTC were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.70-0.80) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76-0.84) respectively with the AUC of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81-0.88). The diagnostic performance varied among different subgroups including geographical locations, sample sources and sample sizes. Meanwhile, we found that a combination of miR-221/222 and other miRNAs when used in a diagnostic panel could improve the diagnostic accuracy than individual miR-221/222. Moreover, through the bioinformatics analysis, we confirmed that miR-221/222 targets were highly related to the molecular pathogenesis of PTC. The results revealed that miR-221/222 may exert important functions in PTC through thyroid hormone signaling pathway and some other key pathways by regulating some key genes.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that miR-221/222 have the potential to serve as auxiliary tools for diagnosing PTC. Further prospective clinical trials should be performed to assess the accuracy of these findings in a larger cohort and determine the clinical uses.