Exosome-transmitted long non-coding RNA PTENP1 suppresses bladder cancer progression

New perspectives of exosomes in urologic malignancies - Mainly focus on biomarkers and tumor microenvironment

Bladder cancer (BCa) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are prevalent urologic malignancies (UM) characterized by high morbidity and frequent recurrence. Current diagnostic approaches, often invasive, often indicate an advanced disease stage. And the complex tumor microenvironment often promotes tumor progression and induces resistance to chemotherapy. Current diagnostic and therapeutic modalities often fail to achieve satisfactory outcomes for patients. Exosomes transport diverse cargoes, including cytokines, proteins, lipids, non-coding RNAs, and microRNAs, crucial for intercellular communication. Exosomes have shown potential as biomarkers for UM, participating in tumor progression, especially within the tumor microenvironment (TME), including tumor cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration, invasion, depletion of immune cell function, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and more.In this review, we summarize research advances related to exosomes in UM, focusing on the role of exosomes as biomarkers in bladder and renal cancer, highlighting their significance within the TME.

Exploring the roles and molecular mechanisms of RNA binding proteins in the sorting of noncoding RNAs into exosomes during tumor progression

BACKGROUND

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play a role in sorting non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) into exosomes. These ncRNAs, carried by exosomes, are involved in regulating various aspects of tumor progression, including metastasis, angiogenesis, control of the tumor microenvironment, and drug resistance. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of the RBP-ncRNA-exosome mechanism in tumor regulation.

AIM OF REVIEW

This comprehensive review aims to explore the RBP-ncRNA-exosome mechanism and its influence on tumor development. By understanding this intricate mechanism provides novel insights into tumor regulation and may lead to innovative treatment strategies in the future.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

The review discusses the formation of exosomes and the complex relationships among RBPs, ncRNAs, and exosomes. The RBP-ncRNA-exosome mechanism is shown to affect various aspects of tumor biology, including metastasis, multidrug resistance, angiogenesis, the immunosuppressive microenvironment, and tumor progression. Tumor development relies on the transmission of information between cells, with RBPs selectively mediating sorting of ncRNAs into exosomes through various mechanisms, which in turn carry ncRNAs to regulate RBPs. The review also provides an overview of potential therapeutic strategies, such as targeted drug discovery and genetic engineering for modifying therapeutic exosomes, which hold great promise for improving cancer treatment.

m6A-modified exosome-derived circHIF1α binding to KH domain of IGF2BP3 mediates DNA damage and arrests G1/S transition phase to resists bacterial infection in bacteremia

BACKGROUND

Animal and human health are seriously threatened by bacterial infections, which can lead to bacteremia and extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. Recently, there have been reports indicating the involvement of exosomal circular RNAs (circRNAs) in a range of human disorders and tumor types. However, the role of exosomal circRNAs in bacterial infection remains elusive.

METHODS

We extracted and identified exosomes from the culture medium of PIEC cells infected with or without Glaesserella parasuis. RNA sequencing analysis was performed on the exosomes to screen and identify circRNAs (circHIF1α) associated with Glaesserella parasuis infection. PIEC cells were infected with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus suis 2 to further determine whether exosome-derived circHIF1α was the crucial circHIF1α associated with bacterial infections. The transmission process of exosomes and their circHIF1α between cells was clarified via exosome tracing and co-culture assay. Moreover, the mechanism of circHIF1α being packaged into exosomes was explored, and the effects of exosomes and their circHIF1α on cell proliferation, DNA damage and cell cycle were analyzed. In addition, the binding mode and site of interacting proteins with circHIF1α were further determined. In vivo and in vitro, the role of exosomes and their circHIF1α in host resistance to bacterial infection was confirmed.

RESULTS

We first discovered a new circHIF1α that was very stable and detectable, encapsulated into exosomes by hnRNPA2B1, and whose expression in exosomes of bacterially infected PIEC cells significantly decreased. Additionally, exosomal circHIF1α reduced bacterial infection both in vitro and in vivo and suppressed the growth of reception cells. Mechanistically, the circHIF1α interacted with the KH domain of IGF2BP3 in an m6A-modified manner, which mediated DNA damage to arrest the cells at the G1/S phase through the interaction between the regulator of Chromosome Condensation 2 (RCC2) and γ-H2AX protein. Exosomal circHIF1α is a unique therapeutic target for bacterial infection since this work highlights its critical function in fighting bacterial infection.

Advancements in long non-coding RNA-based therapies for cancer: targeting, delivery, and clinical implications

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been in the spotlight for the past two decades due to their extensive role in regulating a wide range of cellular processes. Development, differentiation, regulation, and modulation are some of the vital cellular cascades coordinated by these molecules. Despite their importance, there has been limited literature on their practical implications in cancer prevention. Advancements in lncRNA biology have enabled the characterization of numerous secondary structures and sequence motifs, which could serve as potential targets for cellular therapies. Several studies have highlighted the involvement of lncRNAs in human pathologies, where they can be targeted by small molecules or antisense oligonucleotides to prevent diseases. However, progress has been hindered by the challenge of developing specific delivery vehicles for targeted delivery. Recent improvements in sequence optimization and nucleotide modification have enhanced drug stability and reduced the immunogenicity of lncRNA-based therapies, yet further advances are needed to fully realize their potential in treating complex diseases like cancer. This review aims to explore current lncRNA biology, their mechanisms of action, nanoformulation strategies, and the clinical trials focused on lncRNA delivery systems.

Comparative transcriptome of normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

The characteristics of a tumor are largely determined by its interaction with the surrounding micro-environment (TME). TME consists of both cellular and non-cellular components. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the TME. They are a source of many secreted factors that influence the survival and progression of tumors as well as their response to drugs. Identification of markers either overexpressed in CAFs or unique to CAFs would pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies that in combination with conventional chemotherapy are likely to have better patient outcome.

METHODS

Fibroblasts have been derived from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. RNA from these has been used to perform a transcriptome analysis in order to get a comparative profile of normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts.

RESULTS

The study has identified 818 differentially expressed mRNAs and 17 lincRNAs between normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Also, 15 potential lincRNA-miRNA-mRNA combinations have been identified which may be potential biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified differentially expressed markers between normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts that would help in targeted therapy against CAFs/derived factors, in combination with conventional therapy. However, this would in future need more experimental validation.

Extracellular vesicles loaded with ApoB-100 protein affect the occurrence of coronary heart disease in patients after injury of spinal cord

Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients have an increased susceptibility to coronary heart disease (CHD) due to dysregulated lipid deposition. We conducted a comprehensive investigation to gain insights into the specific roles of Apolipoprotein B-100 (APOB-100) in the development of CHD in patients suffering from SCI. First, we established an SCI rat model through semitransection. APOB-100 expression in plasma exosomes obtained from patients were determined. Subsequently, we found APOB-100 affected macrophage polarization when treating co-cultured neurons/macrophages lacking Sortilin with extracellular vesicles derived from SCI rats, where APOB-100 co-immunoprecipitated with Sortilin. Moreover, APOB-100 upregulation reduced neuronal cell viability and triggered apoptosis by upregulating Sortilin, leading to a decline in the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale, exacerbation of neuron injury, increased macrophage infiltration, and elevated blood lipid-related indicators in SCI rats, which could be reversed by silencing Sortilin. In conclusion, APOB-100 from post-SCI patients' extracellular vesicles upregulates Sortilin, thereby endangering those patients to CHD.

Exosomal non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as potential biomarkers in tumor early diagnosis

Exosomes, extracellular vesicles carrying a cargo rich in various non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication. Their stability, abundance, and specificity make exosomal ncRNAs promising candidates for biomarker discovery. The discovery of exosomal ncRNAs has unveiled a novel avenue for the exploration of biomarkers in tumor early diagnosis. This review consolidates current knowledge on the role of exosomal ncRNAs as potential biomarkers in the early detection of various tumors. We provide an overview of recent studies demonstrating the diagnostic potential of exosomal ncRNAs across multiple cancer types, highlighting their sensitivity, specificity, and feasibility for early detection. This review underscores the potential of exosomal ncRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for early tumor diagnosis, paving the way for improved clinical outcomes through timely intervention and personalized management strategies.

LINC00461 promotes bladder cancer cells EMT through miR-518b/HNRNPUL1 axis

Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent type of tumor in the urinary system, and it has been discovered that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a significant role in its occurrence and development. However, thus far, no reports have been published on the involvement of LINC00461 in BC. Here, we found that LINC00461 levels were upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines. Besides, knockdown of LINC00461 inhibited BC cell proliferation, migration, invasion through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and slowed down tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we found that LINC00461 regulated HNRNPUL1 expression through miR-518b sponge activity, and the miR-518 inhibitor could reverse the inhibitory effects of LINC00461 knockdown on BC cell proliferation, migration, and EMT. Our results suggest that LINC00461 may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for BC.

Immunogenomic profiles and therapeutic options of the pan-programmed cell death-related lncRNA signature for patients with bladder cancer

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a process that eliminates infected, damaged, or possibly neoplastic cells to sustain homeostatic multicellular organisms. Although long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in various types of PCD and regulate tumor growth, invasion, and migration, the role of PCD-related lncRNAs in bladder cancer still lacks systematic exploration. In this research, we integrated multiple types of PCD as pan-PCD and identified eight pan-PCD-related lncRNAs (LINC00174, HCP5, HCG27, UCA1, SNHG15, GHRLOS, CYB561D2, and AGAP11). Then, we generated a pan-PCD-related lncRNA prognostic signature (PPlncPS) with excellent predictive power and reliability, which performed equally well in the E-MTAB-4321 cohort. In comparison with the low-PPlncPS score group, the high-PPlncPS score group had remarkably higher levels of angiogenesis, matrix, cancer-associated fibroblasts, myeloid cell traffic, and protumor cytokine signatures. In addition, the low-PPlncPS score group was positively correlated with relatively abundant immune cell infiltration, upregulated expression levels of immune checkpoints, and high tumor mutation burden (TMB). Immunogenomic profiles revealed that patients with both low PPlncPS scores and high TMB had the best prognosis and may benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, for patients with high PPlncPS scores, docetaxel, staurosporine, and luminespib were screened as potential therapeutic candidates. In conclusion, we generated a pan-PCD-related lncRNA signature, providing precise and individualized prediction for clinical prognosis and some new insights into chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for bladder cancer.

The therapeutic potential of exosomes in immunotherapy

Exosomes are found in various tissues of the body and carry abundant contents including nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites, which continuously flow between cells of various tissues and mediate important intercellular communication. In addition, exosomes from different cellular sources possess different physiopathological immunomodulatory effects, which are closely related to the immune regeneration of normal or abnormal organs and tissues. Here, we focus on the mechanistic interactions between exosomes and the human immune system, introduce the immuno-regenerative therapeutic potential of exosomes in common clinical immune-related diseases, such as infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and tumors, and reveal the safety and efficacy of exosomes as a novel cell-free immune regenerative therapy.

Urinary exosomes: Potential diagnostic markers and application in bladder cancer

Background

The exosome is a critical component of the intercellular communication., playing a vital role in regulating cell function. These small vesicles contain proteins, mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs, surrounded by lipid bilayer substances. Most cells in the human body can produce exosomes, released into various body fluids such as urine, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. Bladder cancer is the most common tumor in the urinary system, with high recurrence and metastasis rates. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Methods

This study employed the PubMed search engine to retrieve publicly accessible data pertaining to urinary exosomes.

Results

We summarize the origins and intricate biological characteristics of urinary exosomes, the introduction of research methodologies used in basic experiments to isolate and analyze these exosomes, the discussion of their applications and progress in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer, and the exploration of the current limitations associated with using urinary exosomes as molecular biomarkers for diagnosing bladder cancer.

Conclusion

Exosomes isolated from urine may be used as molecular biomarkers for early detection of bladder cancer.

Advances in Liquid Biopsy for Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common malignancy of the urinary system. It has a high recurrence rate and requires longterm follow-up. Significant advances in BCa research have been made in recent years; however, the initial diagnosis and follow-up of BCa relies on cystoscopy, which is an invasive and expensive procedure. Over the past decade, liquid biopsies (e.g., blood and urine) have proven to be highly efficient methods for the discovery of BCa biomarkers. This noninvasive sampling method is used to analyze unique tumor components released into body fluids and enables serial sampling and longitudinal monitoring of tumor progression. Several liquid biopsy biomarkers have been studied extensively and have shown promising results in the clinical applications of BCa, including early detection, microscopic residual disease detection, recurrence prediction, and treatment response. Therefore, this review aims to provide an update on various new liquid biopsy markers and the advantages and current limitations of liquid biopsy in the diagnosis of BCa.

Puzzling out the role of MIAT LncRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma

A non-negligible part of our DNA has been proven to be transcribed into non-protein coding RNA and its intricate involvement in several physiological processes has been highly evidenced. The significant biological role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been variously reported. In the current review, the authors highlight the multifaceted role of myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT), a well-known lncRNA, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Since its discovery, MIAT has been described as a regulator of carcinogenesis in several malignant tumors and its overexpression predicts poor prognosis in most of them. At the molecular level, MIAT is closely linked to the initiation of metastasis, invasion, cellular migration, and proliferation, as evidenced by several in-vitro and in-vivo models. Thus, MIAT is considered a possible theranostic agent and therapeutic target in several malignancies. In this review, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying molecular mechanisms of MIAT in terms of its downstream target genes, interaction with other classes of ncRNAs, and potential clinical implications as a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker in HCC.

Exosomal noncoding RNAs as noninvasive biomarkers in bladder cancer: a diagnostic meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In view of discordance consisting in different reports, a meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of exosomal noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in blood and urine in the detection of bladder cancer.

METHODS

Eligible studies were acquired by systematic retrieval through PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The pooled diagnostic efficacy was appraised by reckoning the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve. The latent sources of heterogeneity were probed by subgroup analyses and meta-regression. STATA 12.0, Meta-DiSc 1.4, and RevMan 5.3 were applied to carry out all statistical analyses and plots.

RESULTS

A total of 46 studies from 15 articles comprising 2622 controls and 3015 bladder cancer patients were included in our meta-analysis. Exosomal ncRNAs in blood and urine represented relatively satisfactory diagnostic efficacy in detecting bladder cancer, with a pooled sensitivity of 0.75, a specificity of 0.79, and an area under the SROC curve (AUC) of 0.84. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) exhibited better diagnostic value with a pooled AUC of 0.91 than that of exosomal long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). To some extent, the heterogeneity among studies was induced by exosomal ncRNA types (miRNA or lncRNA), exosomal ncRNA profiling (single- or multiple-ncRNA), sample size, specimen types, and ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

Exosomal ncRNAs in blood and urine may play a vital role in diagnosing bladder cancer as prospective noninvasive biomarkers; nonetheless, their clinical performance needs to be confirmed by further massive proactive researches.

Molecular Mechanisms of Tumorgenesis and Metastasis of Long Non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 in Human Solid Tumors; An Update

The expression of the nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), as a well-known long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), is often upregulated in varied types of cancers and associated with poor survival outcomes in patients suffering from tumors. NEAT1 promotes the tumors growth by influencing the various genes' expression profile that regulate various aspects of tumor cell behavior, in particular tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance. This suggests that NEAT1 are capable of serving as a new diagnostic biomarker and target for therapeutic intervention. Through interrelation with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), NEAT1 acts as a scaffold RNA molecule, and thus regulating the expression EZH2-associated genes. Additionally, by perform as miRNA sponge, it constrains suppressing the interactions between miRNAs-mediated degradation of target mRNAs. In light of this, NEAT1 inhibition by small interfering RNA (siRNA) hampers tumorgenesis. We summarize recent findings about the expression, biological functions, and regulatory process of NEAT1 in human tumors. It specifically emphasizes the clinical significance of NEAT1 as a novel diagnostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic mark for many types of cancers.

LncRNA BCYRN1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target and Diagnostic Marker in Serum Exosomes in Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common genitourinary malignancy that exhibits silent morbidity and high mortality rates because of a lack of diagnostic markers and limited effective treatments. Here, we evaluated the role of the lncRNA brain cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BCYRN1) in BC. We performed loss-of-function assays to examine the effects of BCYRN1 downregulation in T24 and BOY BC cells. We found that BCYRN1 downregulation significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and three-dimensional spheroid formation ability and induced apoptosis in BC cells. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) using RNA sequences from tumor fractions showed that BCYRN1 downregulation decreased the expression of mRNAs associated with the cell cycle. These findings were supported by observations of G2/M arrest in flow cytometry assays. Finally, we examined the expression of serum exosomal BCYRN1 as a biomarker. Clinically, BCYRN1 expression in serum exosomes from patients with BC (n = 31) was significantly higher than that in healthy donors (n = 19; mean difference: 4.1-fold higher, p < 0.01). Moreover, in patients who had undergone complete resection of BC, serum exosomal BCYRN1 levels were significantly decreased (n = 8). Thus, serum exosomal BCYRN1 may be a promising diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in patients with BC.

Bladder Cancer in Exosomal Perspective: Unraveling New Regulatory Mechanisms

Bladder cancer, a prevalent malignant neoplasm of the urinary tract, exhibits escalating morbidity and mortality rates. Current diagnosis standards rely on invasive and costly cystoscopy and histopathology, underscoring the urgency for non-invasive, high-throughput, and cost-effective novel diagnostic techniques to ensure timely detection and standardized treatment. Recent years have witnessed the rise of exosome research in bladder cancer studies. Exosomes contain abundant bioactive molecules that can help elucidate the intricate mechanisms underlying bladder cancer pathogenesis and metastasis. Exosomes hold potential as biomarkers for early bladder cancer diagnosis while also serving as targeted drug delivery vehicles to enhance treatment efficacy and mitigate adverse effects. Furthermore, exosome analyses offer insights into the complex molecular signaling networks implicated in bladder cancer progression, revealing novel therapeutic targets. This review provides a comprehensive overview of prevalent exosome isolation techniques and highlights the promising clinical utility of exosomes in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in bladder cancer management.

The molecular mechanisms of various long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in human lung tumors: Shedding light on the molecular mechanisms

Although it is still mostly incomplete, unraveling the gene expression networks controlling the initiation and progression of cancer is crucial. The rapid identification and characterization of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is made possible by advancements in computational biology and RNA-seq technology. According to recent research, lncRNAs are involved in several stages in the genesis of lung cancer. These lncRNAs interact with DNA, RNA, protein molecules, and/or their combinations. They play a crucial role in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, as well as chromatin architecture. Their misexpression gives cancer cells the ability to start, grow, and spread tumors. This review will focus on their abnormal expression and function in lung cancer, as well as their involvement in cancer therapy and diagnosis.

Critical roles of long noncoding RNA H19 in cancer

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a category of noncoding RNAs characterized by their length, often exceeding 200 nucleotides. There is a growing body of data that indicate the significant involvement of lncRNAs in a wide range of disorders, including cancer. lncRNA H19 was among the initial lncRNAs to be identified and is transcribed from the H19 gene. The H19 lncRNA exhibits significant upregulation in a diverse range of human malignancies, such as breast, colorectal, pancreatic, glioma, and gastric cancer. Moreover, the overexpression of H19 is frequently associated with a worse prognosis among individuals diagnosed with cancer. H19 has been shown to have a role in facilitating several cellular processes, including cell proliferation, invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and apoptosis. This article summarizes the aberrant upregulation of H19 in human malignancies, indicating promising avenues for future investigations on cancer diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.

Diagnostic and prognostic potential of exosome non-coding RNAs in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Bladder cancer stands as the predominant malignant tumor in the urological system, presenting a significant challenge to public health and garnering extensive attention. Recently, with the deepening research into tumor molecular mechanisms, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers offering guidance for the diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer. However, the definitive role of ncRNAs in bladder cancer remains unclear. Hence, this study aims to elucidate the relevance and significance of ncRNAs through a Meta-analysis.

Methods

A systematic meta-analysis was executed, including studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of ncRNAs and their associations with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Key metrics such as hazard ratios, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios were extracted and pooled from these studies. Potential publication bias was assessed using Deeks' funnel plot, and the robustness of the results was ascertained through a sensitivity analysis.

Results

Elevated ncRNA expression showed a positive correlation with improved OS, evidenced by a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.66-0.96, P<0.001). Similarly, a significant association was observed between heightened ncRNA expression and DFS, with an HR of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.73-0.99, P<0.001). Diagnostic performance analysis across 17 articles yielded a pooled sensitivity of 0.76 and a specificity of 0.83. The diagnostic odds ratio was recorded at 2.71, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) standing at 0.85.

Conclusion

Exosome ncRNAs appear to possess potential significance in the diagnostic and prognostic discussions of bladder cancer. Their relationship with survival outcomes and diagnostic measures suggests a possible clinical utility. Comprehensive investigations are needed to fully determine their role in the ever-evolving landscape of bladder cancer management, especially within the framework of personalized medicine.

The role of long noncoding RNA DGCR5 in cancers: Focus on molecular targets

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are major components of cellular transcripts that are emerging as important players in various biological pathways. Due to their specific expression and functional diversity in a variety of cancers, lncRNAs have promising applications in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. Studies have shown that lncRNA DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 5 (DGCR5) with high specificity and accuracy has the potential to become biomarkers in cancers. LncRNA DGCR5 can be noninvasively extracted from body fluids, tissues, and cells, and can be used as independent or auxiliary biomarkers to improve the accuracy of diagnosis or prognosis. Now, the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs such as DGCR5 were explored as therapeutic targets, which have been investigated in clinical trials of several cancers. The DGCR5 lacks an appropriate animal model, which is necessary to gain greater knowledge of their functions. While some studies on the uses of DGCR5 have been carried out, the small sample size makes them unreliable. In this review, we presented a compilation of recent publications addressing the potential of lncRNA DGCR5 that could be considered as biomarkers or therapeutic targets, with the hopes of providing promised implications for future cancer therapy.

Exosomes-Promising Carriers for Regulatory Therapy in Oncology

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, together with apoptotic bodies form a diverse group of nanoparticles that play a crucial role in intercellular communication, participate in numerous physiological and pathological processes. In the context of cancer, they can allow the transfer of bioactive molecules and genetic material between cancer cells and the surrounding stromal cells, thus promoting such processes as angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. In this article, we review recent advances in understanding how EVs, especially exosomes, influence tumor progression and modulation of the microenvironment. The key mechanisms include exosomes inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, polarizing macrophages toward protumoral phenotypes, and suppressing antitumor immunity. The therapeutic potential of engineered exosomes is highlighted, including their loading with drugs, RNA therapeutics, or tumor antigens to alter the tumor microenvironment. Current techniques for their isolation, characterization, and engineering are discussed. Ongoing challenges include improving exosome loading efficiency, optimizing biodistribution, and enhancing selective cell targeting. Overall, exosomes present promising opportunities to understand tumorigenesis and develop more targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies by exploiting the natural intercellular communication networks in tumors. In the context of oncology, regulatory therapy provides the possibility of reproducing the original conditions that are unfavorable for the existence of the cancer process and may thus be a feasible alternative to population treatments. We also review current access to the technology enabling regulatory intervention in the cancer process using exosomes.

A comprehensive database of exosome molecular biomarkers and disease-gene associations

Exosomes play a crucial role in intercellular communication and can be used as biomarkers for diagnostic and therapeutic clinical applications. However, systematic studies in cancer-associated exosomal nucleic acids remain a big challenge. Here, we developed ExMdb, a comprehensive database of exosomal nucleic acid biomarkers and disease-gene associations curated from published literature and high-throughput datasets. We performed a comprehensive curation of exosome properties including 4,586 experimentally supported gene-disease associations, 13,768 diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers, and 312,049 nucleic acid subcellular locations. To characterize expression variation of exosomal molecules and identify causal factors of complex diseases, we have also collected 164 high-throughput datasets, including bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Based on these datasets, we performed various bioinformatics and statistical analyses to support our conclusions and advance our knowledge of exosome biology. Collectively, our dataset will serve as an essential resource for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of complex diseases and improving the development of diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.

LncRNAs: the good, the bad, and the unknown

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are significant contributors in maintaining genomic integrity through epigenetic regulation. LncRNAs can interact with chromatin-modifying complexes in both cis and trans pathways, drawing them to specific genomic loci and influencing gene expression via DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling. They can also operate as building blocks to assemble different chromatin-modifying components, facilitating their interactions and gene regulatory functions. Deregulation of these molecules has been associated with various human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. Thus, lncRNAs are implicated as potential diagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets. This review discusses the current understanding of how lncRNAs mediate epigenetic control, genomic integrity, and their putative functions in disease pathogenesis.

Exosomes: Toward a potential application in bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment

Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the urinary system, known for its rapid progression and high likelihood of recurrence. Despite ongoing efforts, clinical diagnosis and treatment of BC remain limited. As such, there is an urgent need to investigate potential mechanisms underlying this disease. Exosomes, which contain a variety of bioactive molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, are regarded as extracellular messengers because they are implicated in facilitating intercellular communication in various diseases and are pivotal in tumor advancement, serving as a promising avenue for such researches. Nevertheless, the heterogeneous nature of BC necessitates further exploration of the potential involvement of exosomes in disease progression. This review comprehensively outlines the biological attributes of exosomes and their critical roles in tumorigenesis, while also discussing their potential applications in regulating the progression of BC involving clinical diagnosis, prognostication and treatment.

Drug target therapy and emerging clinical relevance of exosomes in meningeal tumors

Meningioma is the most common central nervous system (CNS) tumor. In recent decades, several efforts have been made to eradicate this disease. Surgery and radiotherapy remain the standard treatment options for these tumors. Drug therapy comes to play its role when both surgery and radiotherapy fail to treat the tumor. This mostly happens when the tumors are close to vital brain structures and are nonbenign. Although a wide variety of chemotherapeutic drugs and molecular targeted drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, alkylating agents, endocrine drugs, interferon, and targeted molecular pathway inhibitors have been studied, the roles of numerous drugs remain unexplored. Recent interest is growing toward studying and engineering exosomes for the treatment of different types of cancer including meningioma. The latest studies have shown the involvement of exosomes in the theragnostic of various cancers such as the lung and pancreas in the form of biomarkers, drug delivery vehicles, and vaccines. Proper attention to this new emerging technology can be a boon in finding the consistent treatment of meningioma.

PM2.5-derived exosomal long noncoding RNA PAET participates in childhood asthma by enhancing DNA damage via m6A-dependent OXPHOS regulation

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is known to enhance DNA damage levels and is involved in respiratory diseases. Exosomes can carry noncoding RNAs, especially long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), as regulators of DNA damage, which participate in diseases. However, their role in PM2.5-induced childhood asthma remains unclear. We performed RNA-seq to profile aberrantly expressed exosomal lncRNAs derived from PM2.5-treated human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell models. The role of exosomal lncRNAs in childhood asthma was determined in a case-control study. The intercellular communication mechanisms of exosomal lncRNA on DNA damage were determined in vitro. Exosomes secreted by PM2.5-treated HBE cells (PM2.5-Exos) could increase the DNA damage levels of recipient HBE cells and promote the expression levels of airway remodeling-related markers in sensitive human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs). LncRNA PM2.5-associated exosomal transcript (PAET) was highly expressed in PM2.5-Exos and was associated with PM2.5 exposure in childhood asthma. Mechanistically, exosomal lncRNA PAET promoted methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) accumulation by increasing its stability, which stimulated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4I1 (COX4I1), and COX4I1 levels were decreased in a mechanism dependent on the m6A "reader" YTH domain family 3 (YTHDF3). COX4I1 deficiency subsequently disrupted oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), resulting in attenuated adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which increased DNA damage levels. This comprehensive study extends the understanding of PM2.5-induced childhood asthma via DNA damage and identifies exosomal lncRNA PAET as a potential target for childhood asthma.

Exosomal Long Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid Ribonuclease Component of Mitochondrial Ribonucleic Acid Processing Endoribonuclease Is Defined as a Potential Non-Invasive Diagnostic Biomarker for Bladder Cancer and Facilitates Tumorigenesis via the miR-206/G6PD Axis

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the cancers that is highly sensitive to specific non-invasive tumor biomarkers that facilitate early diagnosis. Exosome-derived long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers for BLCA. In this study, we employed RNA-sequencing to compare the expression patterns of lncRNAs in urine exosomes from three BLCA patients and three healthy individuals. RMRP displayed the most significant differential expression. Elevated RMRP expression levels were observed in urinary and plasma exosomes from BLCA patients compared with those from healthy individuals. RMRP exhibited significant associations with certain BLCA patient clinicopathological features, including tumor stage, poor prognosis, and tumor grade. Combined diagnosis using RMRP in urine and plasma exosomes demonstrated a superior diagnostic performance with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RMRP was found to be related to BLCA tumor progression and the cell migration and invasion processes via the miR-206/G6PD axis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RMRP serves as an miR-206 sponge, as suggested by dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA immunoprecipitation. Our study suggests that the combined diagnosis of RMRP in urinary and plasma exosomes can serve as an excellent non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for BLCA patients. Additionally, targeting the RMRP/miR-206/G6PD axis holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for BLCA.

Recent engineering advances of EVs for compounds, nucleic acids, and TCM delivery

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are phospholipid bilayer nano-vesicles that were originally identified to deliver signals for intercellular communications. Based on the dynamic contents including proteins, nucleic acids and metabolites, EVs have been developed into diagnostic and therapeutic fields including cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders and infectious diseases. A growing number of investigations revealed that EVs are also powerful carriers of loaded compounds and nucleic acids as enhanced treatments. Herein, we summarized the recent engineering advances related to three major issues when applying EVs in drug delivery systems: EVs isolation, drug loading strategies and targeting delivery approaches. Moreover, current applications of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in composition or compound form, are searched and listed as unique combinations with EVs. Further, we discuss emerging challenges and consider future directions of drug-loading EVs in therapeutic opportunities. This review discusses pros and cons of collecting, drug loading and delivery strategies of EVs as delivery systems, and highlights the promising combination with traditional Chinese medicine to help us advance its clinical application.

Unveiling the functional paradigm of exosome-derived long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer: based on a narrative review and systematic review

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The intricate mechanisms underlying intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment remain largely elusive. Recently, attention has shifted towards exploring the intercellular signaling mediated by exosomal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) within this context. This comprehensive systematic review aims to elucidate the functional paradigm of exosome-derived lncRNAs in cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The review provides a comprehensive narrative of lncRNA definition, characteristics, as well as the formation, sorting, and uptake processes of exosome-derived lncRNAs. Additionally, it describes comprehensive technology for exosome research and nucleic acid drug loading. This review further systematically examines the cellular origins, functional roles, and underlying mechanisms of exosome-derived lncRNAs in recipient cells within the cancer setting.

RESULTS

The functional paradigm of exosome-derived lncRNAs in cancer mainly depends on the source cells and sorting mechanism of exosomal lncRNAs, the recipient cells and uptake mechanisms of exosomal lncRNAs, and the specific molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in recipient cells. The source cells of exosomal lncRNAs mainly involved in the current review included tumor cells, cancer stem cells, normal cells, macrophages, and cancer-associated fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

This synthesis of knowledge offers valuable insights for accurately identifying exosomal lncRNAs with potential as tumor biomarkers. Moreover, it aids in the selection of appropriate targeting strategies and preclinical models, thereby facilitating the clinical translation of exosomal lncRNAs as promising therapeutic targets against cancer. Through a comprehensive understanding of the functional role of exosome-derived lncRNAs in cancer, this review paves the way for advancements in personalized medicine and improved treatment outcomes.

Applications of engineered exosomes in drugging noncoding RNAs for cancer therapy

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are engaged in key cell biological and pathological events, and their expression alteration is connected to cancer progression both directly and indirectly. A huge number of studies have mentioned the significant role of ncRNAs in cancer prevention and therapy that make them an interesting subject for cancer therapy. However, there are several limitations, including delivery, uptake, and short half-life, in the application of ncRNAs in cancer treatment. Exosomes are introduced as promising options for the delivery of ncRNAs to the target cells. In this review, we will briefly discuss the application and barriers of ncRNAs. After that we will focus on exosome-based ncRNAs delivery and their advantages as well as the latest achievements in drugging ncRNAs with exosomes.

PTEN, PTENP1, microRNAs, and ceRNA Networks: Precision Targeting in Cancer Therapeutics

The phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a well characterised tumour suppressor, playing a critical role in the maintenance of fundamental cellular processes including cell proliferation, migration, metabolism, and survival. Subtle decreases in cellular levels of PTEN result in the development and progression of cancer, hence there is tight regulation of the expression, activity, and cellular half-life of PTEN at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. PTENP1, the processed pseudogene of PTEN, is an important transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulator of PTEN. PTENP1 expression produces sense and antisense transcripts modulating PTEN expression, in conjunction with miRNAs. Due to the high sequence similarity between PTEN and the PTENP1 sense transcript, the transcripts possess common miRNA binding sites with the potential for PTENP1 to compete for the binding, or 'sponging', of miRNAs that would otherwise target the PTEN transcript. PTENP1 therefore acts as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), competing with PTEN for the binding of specific miRNAs to alter the abundance of PTEN. Transcription from the antisense strand produces two functionally independent isoforms (PTENP1-AS-α and PTENP1-AS-β), which can regulate PTEN transcription. In this review, we provide an overview of the post-transcriptional regulation of PTEN through interaction with its pseudogene, the cellular miRNA milieu and operation of the ceRNA network. Furthermore, its importance in maintaining cellular integrity and how disruption of this PTEN-miRNA-PTENP1 axis may lead to cancer but also provide novel therapeutic opportunities, is discussed. Precision targeting of PTENP1-miRNA mediated regulation of PTEN may present as a viable alternative therapy.

Plasma exosomes induce inflammatory immune response in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Exosomes are a kind of nanoscale extracellular vesicles with diameters of 30-100 nm and act as intracellular communication vehicles to influence cellular activities. Emerging pieces of evidence have indicated that exosomes play important roles in inflammation. However, the biological roles of plasma exosomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients have remained largely unexplored. In the current study, we found the plasma exosome levels were notably increased in patients with AMI in comparison with healthy controls (HCs), and AMI exosomes could induce endothelial cell injury. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that AMI exosomes triggered a pro-inflammatory immune response, at least partly depending on the activation of the NF-ĸB signalling. Together, AMI exosomes have pro-inflammatory properties and play a significant role in inflammation in AMI patients.

The role of ncRNA in the co-regulation of autophagy and exosome pathways during cancer progression

Since its discovery a few decades ago, autophagy has been recognized as a crucial signaling pathway, linked to the recycling of cellular components in nutrient stress. Autophagy is a two-way sword, playing a dual role in tumorigenesis. In this catabolic process, dysfunctional organelles, biomolecules, and misfolded proteins are sequestered in the autophagosome and sent to the lysosome for degradation. Alongside, there are cellular messengers called exosomes, which are released from cells and are known to communicate and regulate metabolism in recipient cells. Multivesicular bodies (MVB) act as the intricate link between autophagy and exosome pathways. The continuous crosstalk between the two pathways is coordinated and regulated by multiple players among which ncRNA is the emerging candidates. The exosomes carry varied cargo of which non-coding RNA exerts an immediate regulatory effect on recipient cells. ncRNA is known to exhibit dual behavior in both promoting and inhibiting tumor growth. There is increasing evidence for the involvement of ncRNAs' in the regulation of different hallmarks of cancer. Different ncRNAs are involved in the co-regulation of autophagy and exosome pathways and therefore represent a superior therapeutic approach to target cancer chemoresistance. Here, we will discuss the ncRNA involved in regulating autophagy, and exosomes pathways and its relevance in cancer therapeutics.

LncRNA BCCE4 Genetically Enhances the PD-L1/PD-1 Interaction in Smoking-Related Bladder Cancer by Modulating miR-328-3p-USP18 Signaling

Identification of cancer-associated variants, especially those in functional regions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), has become an essential task in tumor etiology. However, the genetic function of lncRNA variants involved in bladder cancer susceptibility remains poorly understood. Herein, it is identified that the rs62483508 G > A variant in microRNA response elements (MREs) of lncRNA Bladder cancer Cell Cytoplasm-Enriched abundant transcript 4 (BCCE4) is significantly associated with decreased bladder cancer risk (odds ratio = 0.84, P = 7.33 × 10-8 ) in the Chinese population (3603 cases and 4986 controls) but not in the European population. The protective genetic effect of the rs62483508 A allele is found in smokers or cigarette smoke-related carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) exposure. Subsequent biological experiments reveal that the A allele of rs62483508 disrupts the binding affinity of miR-328-3p to facilitate USP18 from miRNA-mediated degradation and thus specifically attenuates the downstream PD-L1/PD-1 interaction. LncRNA BCCE4 is also enriched in exosomes from bladder cancer plasma, tissues, and cells. This comprehensive study clarifies the genetic mechanism of lncRNA BCCE4 in bladder cancer susceptibility and its role in the regulation of the immune response in tumorigenesis. The findings provide a valuable predictor of bladder cancer risk that can facilitate diagnosis and prevention.

The value of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 as a diagnostic biomarker for bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE

To detect the expression level of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 in patients with bladder cancer and healthy individuals and explore its clinical application value in the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

METHODS

Urine samples were collected from 42 patients with bladder cancer and 42 healthy volunteers who visited Lu'an Hospital of Anhui Medical University and the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022. The expression levels of lncRNA SNHG16 in urinary exosomes of the two groups were detected by RT‒qPCR, and their correlation with clinical pathological parameters of bladder cancer patients was analysed. An Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC) curve was drawn to analyse the diagnostic value of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 for bladder cancer and compared with urinary cytology.

RESULTS

The expression of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 in patients with bladder cancer was significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the expression level had no correlation with the age, sex, pathological T stage, pathological grade, or tumour size of bladder cancer patients (P > 0.05). The Area Under Curve(AUC) of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 in diagnosing bladder cancer was 0.791, which was superior to that of urinary cytology (AUC = 0.597).

CONCLUSION

Urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 with high expression can serve as a potential diagnostic biological marker for bladder cancer.

Expression of plasma exosomal circLPAR1 in patients with gastric cancer and its clinical application value

OBJECTIVE

To determine plasma exosomal circular RNA LPAR1 (circLPAR1) expression in gastric cancer (GC) and analyze its clinical value in GC diagnosis and prognosis evaluation.

METHODS

The research subjects were 64 GC patients, 30 chronic gastritis (CG) patients (disease control group) and 30 healthy controls (HCs; healthy control group). RT-PCR quantified circLPAR1 expression in GC tissues and adjacent counterparts of GC patients as well as plasma exosomal circLPAR1 in each group. The correlation of differentially expressed circLPAR1 with clinicopathological indexes was analyzed, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn to evaluate the value of plasma exosomal circLPAR1 in GC diagnosis and prognosis assessment.

RESULTS

GC patients exhibited lower plasma exosomal circLPAR1 levels than CG patients and HCs (P<0.05). Lower circLPAR1 expression was determined in GC tissues than in adjacent counterparts (P<0.05), and a positive connection between GC tissue circLPAR1 and plasma exosomal circLPAR1 was identified in GC patients (P<0.05). Evidently elevated plasma exosomal circLPAR1 was observed in post-surgical GC patients (P<0.05). ROC curves showed that the areas under the curve (AUCs) of plasma exosomal circLPAR1, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) for the diagnosis of GC were 0.836, 0.767 and 0.746, respectively, and the AUC of their combined diagnosis was 0.914. Low plasma exosomal circLPAR1 was strongly linked to tumor size, differentiation degree, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging, vascular invasion, lymphatic metastasis, and HER2 expression of GC patients (P<0.05). GC patients with high plasma exosomal circLPAR1 expression had significantly longer prognostic survival time than those with low expression (P<0.05). According to univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, tissue differentiation degree (HR=1.415), TNM stage (HR=1.637), HER2 expression (HR=1.831), and low plasma exosomal circLPAR1 expression (HR=2.042) were risk factors for adverse prognosis in GC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

circLPAR1 expression is related to GC progression, and the detection of plasma exosomal circLPAR1 has promising clinical application value in assisting the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of GC.

Role of long non-coding RNAs in cancer: From subcellular localization to nanoparticle-mediated targeted regulation

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNA transcripts more than 200 nucleotides in length that play crucial roles in cancer development and progression. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology, a considerable number of lncRNAs have been identified as novel biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of cancer patients and/or therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs are closely associated with their subcellular localization. More importantly, based on the important roles of lncRNAs in regulating cancer progression (e.g., growth, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis) and the specific ability of nucleic acids (e.g., siRNA, mRNA, and DNA) to regulate the expression of any target genes, much effort has been exerted recently to develop nanoparticle (NP)-based nucleic acid delivery systems for in vivo regulation of lncRNA expression and cancer therapy. In this review, we introduce the subcellular localization and regulatory mechanisms of various functional lncRNAs in cancer and systemically summarize the recent development of NP-mediated nucleic acid delivery for targeted regulation of lncRNA expression and effective cancer therapy.

Liquid biopsy in urothelial carcinoma: Detection techniques and clinical applications

The types of urothelial carcinoma (UC) include urothelial bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Current diagnostic techniques cannot meet the needs of patients. Liquid biopsy is an accurate method of determining the molecular profile of UC and is a cutting-edge and popular technique that is expected to complement existing detection techniques and benefit patients with UC. Circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, extracellular vesicles, proteins, and metabolites can be found in the blood, urine, or other bodily fluids and are examined during liquid biopsies. This article focuses on the components of liquid biopsies and their clinical applications in UC. Liquid biopsies have tremendous potential in multiple aspects of precision oncology, from early diagnosis and treatment monitoring to predicting prognoses. They may therefore play an important role in the management of UC and precision medicine.

Molecular landscape of LncRNAs in bladder cancer: From drug resistance to novel LncRNA-based therapeutic strategies

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common and serious type of cancer that ranks among the top ten most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Due to the high occurrence rate of BC, the aggressive nature of cancer cells, and their resistance to medication, managing this disease has become a growing challenge in clinical care. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNA transcripts that do not code for proteins and are more than 200 nucleotides in length. They play a significant role in controlling cellular pathways and molecular interactions during the onset, development and progression of different types of cancers. Recent advancements in high-throughput gene sequencing technology have led to the identification of various differentially expressed lncRNAs in BC, which indicate abnormal expression. In this review, we summarize that these lncRNAs have been found to impact several functions related to the development of BC, including proliferation, cell growth, migration, metastasis, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and chemo- and radio-resistance. Additionally, lncRNAs may improve prognosis prediction for BC patients, indicating a future use for them as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for BC patients. This review highlights that genetic tools and anti-tumor agents, such as CRISPR/Cas systems, siRNA, shRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, and vectors, have been created for use in preclinical cancer models. This has led to a growing interest in using lncRNAs based on positive research findings.

Recent progress in exosome research: isolation, characterization and clinical applications

Exosomes, a kind of nano-vesicles released by various cell types, carry a variety of "cargos" including proteins, RNAs, DNAs and lipids. There is substantial evidence that exosomes are involved in intercellular communication by exchanging "cargos" among cells and play important roles in cancer development. Because of the different expressions of "cargos" carried by exosomes in biological fluids under physiological and pathological conditions, exosomes have the potential as a minimally invasive method of liquid biopsy for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In addition, due to their good biocompatibility, safety, biodistribution and low immunogenicity, exosomes also have potential applications in the development of promising cancer treatment methods. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the isolation and characterization techniques of exosomes. Moreover, we review the biological functions of exosomes in regulating tumor metastasis, drug resistance and immune regulation during cancer development and outline the applications of exosomes in cancer therapy.

Whole transcriptome sequencing analysis of blood plasma-derived exosomes from immune-related hearing loss

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis of immune-related hearing loss and timely treatment can prevent structural damage to the inner ear and contribute to hearing retention. Exosomal miRNAs, lncRNAs and proteins have great prospects as novel biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. Our study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of exosomes or exosomal ceRNA regulatory networks in immune-related hearing loss.

METHODS

An immune-related hearing loss mice model was constructed by injection with inner ear antigen, and then the blood plasma samples of the mice were collected for exosomes isolation by ultra-centrifugation. Subsequently, the different exosomes were sent for whole transcriptome sequencing using Illumina platform. Finally, a ceRNA pair was chosen for validation by RT-qPCR and dual luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

The exosomes were successfully extracted from the blood samples of the control and the immune-related hearing loss mice. After sequencing, 94 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs, 612 DEmRNAs, and 100 DEmiRNAs were found in the immune-related hearing loss-associated exosomes. Afterwards, ceRNA regulatory networks consisting of 74 lncRNAs, 28 miRNAs and 256 mRNAs were proposed, and the genes in the ceRNA regulatory networks were significantly enriched in 34 GO terms of biological processes and 9 KEGG pathways. Finally, Gm9866 and Dusp7 were significantly up-regulated, while miR-185-5p level was declined in the exosomes from immune-related hearing loss, and Gm9866, miR-185-5p and Dusp7 interacted with each other.

CONCLUSIONS

Gm9866-miR-185-5p-Dusp7 was confirmed to be closely correlated with the occurrence and progression of immune-related hearing loss.

Endothelial plasticity across PTEN and Hippo pathways: A complex hormetic rheostat modulated by extracellular vesicles

Vascularization is a multifactorial and spatiotemporally regulated process, essential for cell and tissue survival. Vascular alterations have repercussions on the development and progression of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, which are the leading causes of death worldwide. Additionally, vascularization continues to be a challenge for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Hence, vascularization is the center of interest for physiology, pathophysiology, and therapeutic processes. Within vascularization, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and Hippo signaling have pivotal roles in the development and homeostasis of the vascular system. Their suppression is related to several pathologies, including developmental defects and cancer. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are among the regulators of PTEN and/or Hippo pathways during development and disease. The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss the mechanisms by which exosome-derived ncRNAs modulate endothelial cell plasticity during physiological and pathological angiogenesis, through the regulation of PTEN and Hippo pathways, aiming to establish new perspectives on cellular communication during tumoral and regenerative vascularization.

Exosomal non-coding RNAs: Emerging therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an LDL-driven and inflammatory disorder of the sub-endothelial space. Available data have proposed that various factors could affect atherosclerosis pathogenesis, including inflammation, oxidation of LDL particles, endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, proliferation, and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In addition, other research indicated that the crosstalk among atherosclerosis-induced cells is a crucial factor in modulating atherosclerosis. Extracellular vesicles arenanoparticleswith sizes ranging from 30-150 nm, playing an important role in various pathophysiological situations. Exosomes, asa form of extracellular vesicles, could affect the crosstalk between sub-endothelial cells. They can transport bioactive components like proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA. As an important cargo in exosomes, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs could modulate cellular functions by regulating the transcription, epigenetic alteration, and translation. The current work aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of exosomal ncRNA as well as their potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.

Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Bladder Cancer Biomarkers: Take It or Leave It?

Bladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide. Although urine cytology and cystoscopy are current standards for BC diagnosis, both have limited sensitivity to detect low-grade and small tumors. Moreover, effective prognostic biomarkers are lacking. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipidic particles that contain nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites, which are released by cells into the extracellular space, being crucial effectors in intercellular communication. These particles have emerged as potential tools carrying biomarkers for either diagnosis or prognosis in liquid biopsies namely urine, plasma, and serum. Herein, we review the potential of liquid biopsies EVs’ cargo as BC diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers. Additionally, we address the emerging advantages and downsides of using EVs within this framework.

Blood-based liquid biopsy: insights into early detection, prediction, and treatment monitoring of bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is a clinical challenge worldwide with late clinical presentation, poor prognosis, and low survival rates. Traditional cystoscopy and tissue biopsy are routine methods for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of BC. However, due to the heterogeneity and limitations of tumors, such as aggressiveness, high cost, and limited applicability of longitudinal surveillance, the identification of tumor markers has attracted significant attention in BC. Over the past decade, liquid biopsies (e.g., blood) have proven to be highly efficient methods for the discovery of BC biomarkers. This noninvasive sampling method is used to analyze unique tumor components released into the peripheral circulation and allows serial sampling and longitudinal monitoring of tumor progression. Several liquid biopsy biomarkers are being extensively studied and have shown promising results in clinical applications of BC, including early detection, detection of microscopic residual disease, prediction of recurrence, and response to therapy. Therefore, in this review, we aim to provide an update on various novel blood-based liquid biopsy markers and review the advantages and current limitations of liquid biopsy in BC therapy. The role of blood-based circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, cell-free RNA, exosomes, metabolomics, and proteomics in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring, and their applicability to the personalized management of BC, are highlighted.

Exosomal delivery of 7SK long non-coding RNA suppresses viability, proliferation, aggressiveness and tumorigenicity in triple negative breast cancer cells

AIMS

RN7SK (7SK), a highly conserved non-coding RNA, serves as a transcription regulator via interaction with a few proteins. Despite increasing evidences which support the cancer-promoting roles of 7SK-interacting proteins, limited reports address the direct link between 7SK and cancer. To test the hypothetic suppression of cancer by overexpression of 7SK, the effects of exosomal 7SK delivery on cancer phenotypes were studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Exosomes derived from human mesenchymal stem cells were loaded with 7SK (Exo-7SK). MDA-MB-231, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), cell line was treated with Exo-7sk. Expression levels of 7SK were evaluated by qPCR. Cell viability was assessed via MTT and Annexin V/PI assays as well as qPCR assessment of apoptosis-regulating genes. Cell proliferation was evaluated by growth curve analysis, colony formation and cell cycle assays. Aggressiveness of TNBCs was evaluated via transwell migration and invasion assays and qPCR assessment of genes regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, tumor formation ability was assessed using a nude mice xenograft model.

KEY FINDINGS

Treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with Exo-7SK resulted in efficient overexpression of 7SK; reduced viability; altered transcription levels of apoptosis-regulating genes; reduced proliferation; reduced migration and invasion; altered transcription of EMT-regulating genes; and reduced in vivo tumor formation ability. Finally, Exo-7SK reduced mRNA levels of HMGA1, a 7SK interacting protein with master gene regulatory and cancer promoting roles, and its bioinformatically-selected cancer promoting target genes.

SIGNIFICANCE

Altogether, as a proof of the concept, our findings suggest that exosomal delivery of 7SK may suppress cancer phenotypes via downregulation of HMGA1.

SH3BP5-AS1/IGF2BP2/VDAC2 Axis Promotes the Apoptosis and Ferroptosis of Bladder Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in the urinary system with a high incidence, imposing a burden on the healthcare system worldwide. The participation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in BC has attracted increasing attention.

OBJECTIVE

The aim in the current study was to explore the potential mechanism involving SH3BP5-AS1 in modulating BC cell proliferation, apoptosis and ferroptosis.

METHODS

qPCR and WB analysis measured the expression of RNAs and proteins. Functional and mechanism experiments were performed to investigate RNA impacts on cell proliferation, apoptosis and ferroptosis, and explore the correlation between RNA and protein expression.

RESULTS

SH3BP5-AS1 was down-regulated in BC cells, and SH3BP5-AS1 overexpression could inhibit BC cell proliferation but facilitate the cell apoptosis. SH3BP5-AS1 was also found to facilitate the ferroptosis of BC cells. Additionally, SH3BP5-AS1 was confirmed to recruit IGF2BP2 to regulate VDAC2 expression in the m6A-dependent manner. VDAC2 was detected to be down-regulated in BC cells and was verified to inhibit BC cell growth. Moreover, it was indicated from rescue assays that SH3BP5-AS1 could modulate VDAC2 expression to promote the ferroptosis of BC cells.

CONCLUSION

SH3BP5-AS1 could affect BC cell proliferation, apoptosis and ferroptosis via IGF2BP2/VDAC2, providing a novel molecular perspective for understanding BC.

SNHG18 inhibits bladder cancer cell proliferation by increasing p21 transcription through destabilizing c-Myc protein

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been confirmed to play important roles in various cancers including bladder cancer (BC). The precise expression pattern of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 18 (SNHG18) in BC and its mechanisms of action have not been fully explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of SNHG18 was evaluated by RT-qPCR in bladder cancer clinical samples and human bladder cancer cell lines, and stable cell lines overexpressing SNHG18 were constructed. The effect of SNHG18 on the proliferation of bladder cancer cells was detected by soft agar colony formation test, ATP activity test and subcutaneous tumorigenesis model in nude mice. The specific mechanism of SNHG18 inhibition of bladder cancer proliferation was studied by flow cytometry, western blotting, dual luciferase reporter gene assay and protein degradation assay.

RESULTS

We found that SNHG18 is significantly downregulated in BC tissues and cell lines. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that SNHG18 expression is positively correlated with survival in BC patients. Ectopic overexpression of SNHG18 significantly inhibited the proliferation of BC cells in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic investigations demonstrated that SNHG18 inhibited c-Myc expression by modulating the ubiquitination-proteasome pathway and that c-Myc is the critical transcription factor that mediates SNHG18 inhibition of BC growth by directly binding to the p21 promoter, which was attributed with significant p21 accumulation.

CONCLUSIONS

SNHG18 promotes the transcription and expression of p21 by inhibiting c-Myc expression, leading to G0-G1 arrest and inhibiting the proliferation of bladder cancer cells. These findings highlight a novel cell cycle regulatory mechanism involving the SNHG18/c-Myc/p21 pathway in BC pathogenesis and could potentially lead to new lncRNA-based diagnostics and/or therapeutics for BC.

Emerging RNA-Based Therapeutic and Diagnostic Options: Recent Advances and Future Challenges in Genitourinary Cancers

Renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer are the most widespread genitourinary tumors. Their treatment and diagnosis have significantly evolved over recent years, due to an increasing understanding of oncogenic factors and the molecular mechanisms involved. Using sophisticated genome sequencing technologies, the non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have all been implicated in the occurrence and progression of genitourinary cancers. Interestingly, DNA, protein, and RNA interactions with lncRNAs and other biological macromolecules drive some of these cancer phenotypes. Studies on the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs have identified new functional markers that could be potentially useful as biomarkers for effective diagnosis and/or as targets for therapeutic intervention. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying abnormal lncRNA expression in genitourinary tumors and discusses their role in diagnostics, prognosis, and treatment.