LncRNA-ANCR regulates the cell growth of osteosarcoma by interacting with EZH2 and affecting the expression of p21 and p27

New evidence for a role of DANCR in cancers: a comprehensive review

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality and poses a substantial threat to public health. Studies have revealed that Long noncoding RNA DANCR is a cytoplasmic lncRNA whose aberrant expression plays a pivotal role in various cancer types. Within tumour biology, DANCR exerts regulatory control over crucial processes such as proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, cellular energy metabolism reprogramming, and apoptosis. By acting as a competitive endogenous RNA for miRNAs and by interacting with proteins and mRNAs at the molecular level, DANCR contributes significantly to cancer progression. Elevated DANCR levels have also been linked to heightened resistance to anticancer drugs. Moreover, the detection of circulating DANCR holds promise as a valuable biomarker for aiding in the clinical differentiation of different cancer types. This article offers a comprehensive review and elucidation of the primary functions and molecular mechanisms through which DANCR influences tumours.

Enabling factor for cancer hallmark acquisition: Small nucleolar RNA host gene 17

The role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in human tumors has gradually received increasing attention in recent years. Particularly, the different functions of lncRNAs in different subcellular localizations have been widely investigated. The upregulation of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 17 (SNHG17) has been observed in various human tumors. Growing evidence has proved that SNHG17 plays a tumor-promoting role in tumorigenesis and development. This paper describes the molecular mechanisms by which SNHG17 contributes to tumor formation and development. The different functions of SNHG17 in various subcellular localizations are also emphasized: its function in the cytoplasm as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), its action in the nucleus as a transcriptional coactivator, and its function through the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2)-dependent epigenetic modifications that regulate transcriptional processes. Finally, the correlation between SNHG17 and human tumors is summarized. Its potential as a novel prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for cancer is explored especially.

LINC00313 facilitates osteosarcoma carcinogenesis and metastasis through enhancing EZH2 mRNA stability and EZH2-mediated silence of PTEN expression

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is one of the five leading causes of cancer death among all pediatric malignancies. Recent advances in non-coding RNAs suggested that many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are dysregulated in cancer tissues and play important roles in carcinogenesis. We aimed to further explore the mechanisms of Long Intergenic Non-Protein Coding RNA 313 (LINC00313)-promoted malignant phenotypes of osteosarcoma.

METHODS

The mRNA expressions were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Protein levels were detected using Western blotting or immunohistochemistry staining. Protein binding to genomic DNA and RNA were measured using chromatin and RNA immunoprecipitation assay, respectively. CCK-8 and EdU incorporation assay were adopted to detect cell proliferation. Transwell assay was employed to assess the capacity of cell migration and invasion. The roles of LINC00313 and its target genes in tumorigenesis and metastasis of osteosarcoma were evaluated using subcutaneous xenograft models and tail vein inoculation models.

RESULTS

LINC00313 was elevated in osteosarcoma tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Higher LINC00313 was associated with advanced grades of osteosarcoma. LINC00313 promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion in vitro and tumor growth as well as metastasis in vivo through inhibiting PTEN expression to promote AKT phosphorylation. Mechanistically, LINC00313 favored the interaction between FUS and EZH2, leading to the prolonged half-life of EZH2 mRNA, thereby in turn up-regulating EZH2 proteins and increasing EZH2-mediated epigenetic silence of PTEN.

CONCLUSION

LINC00313 exerted oncogene-like actions through increasing EZH2 mRNA stability, leading to PTEN deficiency in osteosarcoma.

Navigating the genomic instability mine field of osteosarcoma to better understand implications of non-coding RNAs

Osteosarcoma is one of the most genomically complex cancers and as result, it has been difficult to assign genomic aberrations that contribute to disease progression and patient outcome consistently across samples. One potential source for correlating osteosarcoma and genomic biomarkers is within the non-coding regions of RNA that are differentially expressed. However, it is unsurprising that a cancer classification that is fraught with genomic instability is likely to have numerous studies correlating non-coding RNA expression and function have been published on the subject. This review undertakes the formidable task of evaluating the published literature of noncoding RNAs in osteosarcoma. This is not the first review on this topic and will certainly not be the last. The review is organized with an introduction into osteosarcoma and the epigenetic control of gene expression before reviewing the molecular function and expression of long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs, and short non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs, piwi RNAs, and short-interfering RNAs. The review concludes with a review of the literature and how the biology of non-coding RNAs can be used therapeutically to treat cancers, especially osteosarcoma. We conclude that non-coding RNA expression and function in osteosarcoma is equally complex to understanding the expression differences and function of coding RNA and proteins; however, with the added lens of both coding and non-coding genomic sequence, researchers can begin to identify the patterns that consistently associate with aggressive osteosarcoma.

Exosomal Long Non-Coding RNA ANCR Mediates Drug Resistance in Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is rare cancer with bimodal age distribution with peaks observed in children and young adults. Typically, OS is treated with pre-surgery neoadjuvant therapy, surgical excision, and post-surgery chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of treatment on disease prognosis and objective response is not currently optimal, often resulting in drug resistance; in turn, highlighting the need to understand mechanisms driving resistance to therapy in OS patients. Using Doxycycline (Dox)-sensitive and resistant variants of OS cells lines KHOS and U2OS, we found that the resistant variants KHOS-DR and U2OS-DR have significantly higher in vitro proliferation. Treating the Dox-sensitive KHOS/U2OS cells with exosomes isolated from KHOS-DR/U2OS-DR made them resistant to treatment with Dox in vitro and in vivo and enhanced tumor growth and progression, while decreasing overall survival. Expression of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ANCR was significantly higher in the KHOS-DR and U2OS-DR variants. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of ANCR decreased in vitro proliferation, while increasing sensitivity to Dox treatment in the KHOS-DR/U2OS-DR cells. Expression of the exosomal lncRNA ANCR was critical for drug resistance and OS tumor progression in xenografts and was correlated to resistance to Adriamycin and overall survival is patients with OS. These results establish lncRNA ANCR as a critical mediator of resistance to therapy in OS patients, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target in OS patients.

Identification of potential key genes and functional role of CENPF in osteosarcoma using bioinformatics and experimental analysis

Osteosarcoma, which arises from bone tissue, is considered to be one of the most common types of cancer in children and teenagers. As the etiology of osteosarcoma has not been fully elucidated, the overall prognosis for patients is generally poor. In recent years, the development of bioinformatical technology has allowed researchers to identify numerous molecular biological characteristics associated with the prognosis of osteosarcoma using online databases. In the present study, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used and three microarray datasets were obtained. The GEO2R web tool was utilized and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in osteosarcoma tissue were identified. Venn analysis was performed to determine the intersection of the DEG profiles. DEGs were analyzed by Gene Ontology function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between these DEGs were analyzed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database, and the PPI network was then visualized using Cytoscape software. The top ten genes were identified based on measurement of degree, density of maximum neighborhood component, maximal clique centrality and mononuclear cell counts in the PPI network, and five overlapping genes [origin recognition complex subunit 6 (ORC6), IGF-binding protein 5 (IGFBP5), minichromosome maintenance 10 replication initiation factor (MCM10), MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) and centromere protein F (CENPF)] were identified. Additionally, three module networks were analyzed by Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), and six key genes [ORC6, MCM10, DEP domain containing 1 (DEPDC1), CENPF, TIMELESS interacting protein (TIPIN) and shugoshin 1 (SGOL1)] were screened. Combined with the results from Cytoscape and MCODE, eight hub genes (ORC6, MCM10, DEPDC1, CENPF, TIPIN, SGOL1, MET and IGFBP5) were obtained. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier plotter survival analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic value of these eight hub genes in patients with osteosarcoma. Oncomine and GEPIA databases were applied to further confirm the expression levels of hub genes in tissue. Finally, the functional roles of the core gene CENPF were investigated using Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing and Transwell assays, which indicated that CENPF knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. These results provided potential prognostic markers, as well as a basis for further investigation of the mechanism underlying osteosarcoma.

Long non-coding RNA anti-differentiation non-coding RNA affects proliferation, invasion, and migration of breast cancer cells by targeting miR-331

We aimed to evaluate the effects of long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) anti-differentiation non-coding RNA (ANCR) on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of breast cancer cells by targeting miR-331. Forty-eight breast cancer and paracancerous tissue samples were collected. LncRNA ANCR expressions in breast cancer and adjacent tissues, human breast cancer cells and mammary epithelial cells, and miR-331 expressions in interfering cell line MDA-MB-231 (MCF-7)-shANCR, negative control MDA-MB-231 (MCF-7)-shNC and blank control MDA-MB-231 (MCF-7) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The correlations between lncRNA ANCR expression and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT and colony formation assays. Invasion and migration were tested by Transwell and scratch assays, respectively. The targeting relationship between ANCR and miR-331 was analyzed using the TargetScan database, and their interaction was studied using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The expression of lncRNA ANCR in breast cancer tissue was significantly lower than that in adjacent normal tissue (p < 0.05). LncRNA ANCR was lowly expressed in various human breast cancer cell lines, being lowest in high-metastatic cell line (MDA-MB-231HM) (p < 0.05). Silencing lncRNA ANCR significantly enhanced the proliferation and invasion capacities of breast cancer cells, and promoted their tumor formation abilities in nude mice (p < 0.05). ANCR bound miR-331 targetedly, and the former negatively regulated the expression of the latter. LncRNA ANCR is lowly expressed upon breast cancer, and inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in vitro and in vivo. LncRNA ANCR exerts antitumor effects by targetedly binding miR-331 and then inhibiting its expression.

Long Non-coding RNA DANCR in Cancer: Roles, Mechanisms, and Implications

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DANCR (also known as ANCR)—differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA, was first reported in 2012 to suppress differentiation of epithelial cells. Emerging evidence demonstrates that DANCR is a cancer-associated lncRNA abnormally expressed in many cancers (e.g., lung cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma). Increasing studies suggest that the dysregulation of DANCR plays critical roles in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistic analyses show that DANCR can serve as miRNA sponges, stabilize mRNAs, and interact with proteins. Recent research reveals that DANCR can be detected in many body fluids such as serum, plasma, and exosomes, providing a quick and convenient method for cancer monitor. Thus DANCR can be used as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for various types of cancer. This review focuses on the role and mechanism of DANCR in cancer progression with an emphasis on the clinical significance of DANCR in human cancers.

Emerging Roles of LncRNAs in the EZH2-regulated Oncogenic Network

Cancer is a life-threatening disease, but cancer therapies based on epigenetic mechanisms have made great progress. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the key catalytic component of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that mediates the tri-methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3), a well-recognized marker of transcriptional repression. Mounting evidence indicates that EZH2 is elevated in various cancers and associates with poor prognosis. In addition, many studies revealed that EZH2 is also involved in transcriptional repression dependent or independent of PRC2. Meanwhile, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to regulate numerous and diverse signaling pathways in oncogenesis. In this review, we firstly discuss functional interactions between EZH2 and lncRNAs that determine PRC2-dependent and -independent roles of EZH2. Secondly, we summarize the lncRNAs regulating EZH2 expression at transcription, post-transcription and post-translation levels. Thirdly, we review several oncogenic pathways cooperatively regulated by lncRNAs and EZH2, including the Wnt/β-catenin and p53 pathways. In conclusion, lncRNAs play a key role in the EZH2-regulated oncogenic network with many fertile directions to be explored.

LncRNA ANCR promotes glioma cells invasion, migration, proliferation and inhibits apoptosis via interacting with EZH2 and repressing PTEN expression

Recently, the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been identified in human diseases, and we aim to explore the role of lncRNA antidifferentiation noncoding RNA (ANCR) in glioma. Expression of lncRNA ANCR, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in glioma tissues and cells was determined by RT-PCR or western blot assay. The correlation between expression of ANCR, EZH2, and PTEN in glioma tissues was analyzed using Pearson test. The apoptosis, transwell invasion, migration, colony formation, and proliferation assays were conducted to evaluate the influences of lncRNA ANCR depletion, EZH2 reduction, or PTEN elevation on the cell biology of glioma cells. The relationships between ANCR and EZH2, and between EZH2 and PTEN were confirmed through RIP, RNA pull-down, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Our results indicated that ANCR and EZH2 were upregulated and PTEN was downregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. ANCR expression was positively related to EZH2 expression, while PTEN expression was negatively related to ANCR/EZH2 expression. Inhibited ANCR, reduced EZH2, or elevated PTEN could reduce the ability of invasion, migration, and proliferation, and promote apoptosis of glioma cells. PTEN overexpression or EZH2 inhibition reversed the promotive role of ANCR upregulation in glioma cell growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, PTEN was upregulated in ANCR knockdown glioma cells. EZH2 interacted with ANCR in glioma cells. In conclusion, we have found that restrained ANCR could repress invasion, migration, and proliferation, as well as promote apoptosis of glioma cells through interacting with EZH2 and regulating the expression of PTEN, offering an effective therapeutic target for patients with glioma.

Potency of miR-144-3p in promoting abdominal aortic aneurysm progression in mice correlates with apoptosis of smooth muscle cells

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a life-threatening disease, is commonly diagnosed among people with risk factors, including increasing age, male gender, and smoking. The apoptosis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) has been reported to disrupt the vascular structural integrity, which causes AAA. Thus, we sought to characterize the potential role of microRNA (miR)-144-3p in SMC apoptosis, and to outline the molecular mechanisms involved in this pathway. We collected pathological abdominal aortic tissues and adjacent normal aortic biopsy specimens from 18 patients undergoing AAA repair surgery. The relationship between miR-144-3p expression and SMC proliferation was assessed by transfecting mimic/inhibitor of miR-144-3p in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Anti-growth effect of miR-144-3p and related genes was evaluated in a murine AAA model. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was adopted to validate the targeting relationship between miR-144-3p and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), and the enrichment of EZH2 in the p21 promoter region was determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. MiR-144-3p was highly expressed in AAA tissues. Enhanced miR-144-3p diminished SMC proliferation by binding to the EZH2 3'-untranslated region and thereby inhibiting EZH2 expression. In addition, EZH2 was highly enriched in the promoter region of p21, and knockdown of p21 expression could rescue the effect of miR-144-3p on SMC proliferation and apoptosis. miR-144-3p serves as a promoter for the apoptosis of SMCs, which contributes to the occurrence and progression of AAA. This observation will serve as the basis for further investigations into potential p21-based therapies for AAA treatment.

The lncRNAs in HBV-Related HCCs: Targeting Chromatin Dynamics and Beyond

Simple Summary

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common and fast rising cause of cancer, is responsible for over 800,000 deaths/year. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection accounts for >50% of the cases worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), untranslated transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides, by acting both in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, regulate gene expression both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. The lncRNAs have been involved in the development and progression of many cancers, including HCC. In this review, we describe the role of lncRNAs in HBV infection and HBV-related liver carcinogenesis and discuss the potential of lncRNAs as predictive or diagnostic biomarkers.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the fourth leading and fastest rising cause of cancer death (841,000 new cases and 782,000 deaths annually), and hepatitis B (HBV), with 250 million people chronically infected at risk of developing HCC, accounts for >50% of the cases worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), untranslated transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides, are implicated in gene regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, exerting their activities both in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. Thanks to high-throughput sequencing techniques, several lncRNAs have been shown to favor the establishment of chronic HBV infection, to change the host transcriptome to establish a pro-carcinogenic environment, and to directly participate in HCC development and progression. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the role of lncRNAs in HBV infection and HBV-related liver carcinogenesis and discuss the potential of lncRNAs as predictive or diagnostic biomarkers.

Up-regulation of LINC00619 promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion while promoting apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells through inactivation of the HGF-mediated PI3K-Akt signalling pathway

This study is performed to evaluate the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00619 in osteosarcoma through the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway by binding to HGF. Osteosarcoma and osteochondroma tissues from patients were collected. The relationship between lncRNA LINC00619 and HGF was proved by the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The expression patterns of lncRNA LINC00619 as well as the levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), Bax, Bcl-2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteopontin (OPN) were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. In addition, MTT assay, flow cytometry, scratch test, and Transwell assay were performed to assess the cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, cell migration, and invasion in each group, respectively. Osteosarcoma tissues presented with elevated positive expression rate of HGF, up-regulated expression levels of PCNA, HGF, PI3K, Akt, Bcl-2, ALP and OPN, and down-regulated expressions of Bax and LINC00619. HGF was verified as a target gene of lncRNA LINC00619. LINC00619 was found to down-regulate the expressions of PCNA, HGF, PI3K, Akt, Bcl-2, ALP, and OPN in osteosarcoma cells. Up-regulation of lncRNA LINC00619 decreased cell growth, migration intensity, and invasion ability, but enhanced the apoptosis rate of osteosarcoma cells. Our findings suggest that lncRNA LINC00619 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion and improves apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells through the inhibition of the activation of the HGF-dependent PI3K-Akt signalling pathway.

SP1-induced lncRNA FOXD3-AS1 contributes to tumorigenesis of cervical cancer by modulating the miR-296-5p/HMGA1 pathway

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have drawn growing attention due to their regulatory roles in various diseases, including tumors. Recently, lncRNA FOXD3 antisense RNA 1 (FOXD3-AS1) was shown to be overexpressed in colon adenocarcinoma and glioma, exerting oncogenic functions. However, its expression and effects in cervical cancer (CC) remained unknown. In this research, our group first reported that the levels of FOXD3-AS1 were distinctly elevated in CC samples and cell lines. The distinct upregulation of FOXD3-AS1 was associated with lymphatic invasion, distant metastasis, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and also predicted poor clinical results of CC patients. Next, transcription factor SP1 was demonstrated to resulting in the upregulation of FOXD3-AS1 in CC. Functional assays indicated that knockdown of FOXD3-AS1 distinctly suppressed CC progression via affecting cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and metastasis. Moreover, mechanistic studies suggested that FOXD3-AS1 acted as an endogenous sponge by directly binding miR-296-5p, resulting in the suppression of miR-296-5p. In addition, we also reported that high mobility group A, a direct target of miR-296-5p, could mediate the tumor-promotive effects that FOXD3-AS1 displayed. Overall, our present study might help to lead a better understanding of the pathogenesis of CC, provide a novel possible tumor biomarker, and probe the feasibility of lncRNA-directed treatments for CC.

The landscape of long non-coding RNAs in tumor stroma

AIMS

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with cancer development, while their relationship with the cancer-associated stromal components remains poorly understood. In this review, we performed a broad description of the functional landscape of stroma-associated lncRNAs in various cancers and their roles in regulating the tumor-stroma crosstalk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a systematic literature review of PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Bentham, and EMBASE (Elsevier) databases by using the keywords "LncRNAs in cancer," "LncRNAs in tumor stroma," "stroma," "cancer-associated stroma," "stroma in the tumor microenvironment," "tumor-stroma crosstalk," "drug resistance of stroma," and "stroma in immunosuppression" till July 2020. We collected the latest articles addressing the biological functions of stroma-associated lncRNAs in cancer.

KEY FINDINGS

These articles reported that dysregulated stroma-associated lncRNAs play significant roles in modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) by the regulation of tumor-stroma crosstalk, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, and tumor immunity.

SIGNIFICANCE

The tumor stroma is a substantial portion of the TME, and the dysregulation of tumor stroma-associated lncRNAs significantly contributes to cancer initiation, progression, angiogenesis, immune evasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Thus, stroma-associated lncRNAs could be potentially useful targets for cancer therapy.

The functional roles of long noncoding RNA DANCR in Human Cancers

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been wildly explored in various cellular processes and their aberrant expression could lead to tumorigenesis, development and progression. Differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR), a well-known lncRNA that is aberrant expression in various tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and glioma and so on, in which it functions as oncogene mainly, contributing to cancer development and progression. High expressed DANCR is correlated with poor prognosis. In the present review, we summarize recent progression concerning the role, potential clinical utilities and underlying molecular mechanisms of DANCR related to occurrence and development of multiple cancers.

STAT3-Induced Upregulation of lncRNA CASC9 Promotes the Progression of Bladder Cancer by Interacting with EZH2 and Affecting the Expression of PTEN

Objective

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) cancer susceptibility candidate 9 (CASC9) has been reported to play a vital role in tumorigenesis. This study explored the biological role of CASC9 and its regulation mechanism in bladder cancer (BC).

Methods

Gene expression was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The functional role of CASC9 in BC was studied using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation assay, scratch wound healing assay, transwell invasion assay, and xenograft tumor assay. In addition, the mechanism of CASC9 function in BC was determined using RNA immunoprecipitation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay.

Results

CASC9 was upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines, and correlated with the staging and metastasis in BC. Knockdown of CASC9 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BC cells. Similarly, silencing of CASC9 inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines, and positively correlated with CASC9 in BC tissues. Moreover, CASC9 was shown to be regulated by STAT3 in BC cells. Furthermore, CASC9 regulated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression by interacting with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). More significantly, CASC9 silencing-mediated inhibition of BC progression was partly reversed by EZH2 overexpression or PTEN inhibition.

Conclusion

Upregulation of CASC9 induced by STAT3 promoted the progression of BC by interacting with EZH2 and affecting the expression of PTEN, representing a novel regulatory mechanism for BC progression.

LncRNA ANCR Suppresses the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through the Inhibition of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Objective

Our study aimed to investigate the effect of anti-differentiation noncoding RNA (ANCR) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its potential molecular mechanisms.

Methods

The expression of ANCR was detected by qRT-RCR in both HCC tissues and HCC cells. Moreover, the relationship between ANCR expression and clinical parameters in HCC patients was investigated. The proliferation, cell clones, migration, invasion and apoptosis of MHCC97H and HCCLM3 cells were measured by MTT assay, colony formation assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin, E-cadherin, cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, Wnt1, β-catenin and GSK-3β in MHCC97H and HCCLM3 cells were measured by Western blot.

Results

Our results showed that ANCR was lowly expressed in both HCC tissues and HCC cells. ANCR expression was closely associated with tumor size, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages and vascular invasion in HCC. ANCR could dramatically inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as promote apoptosis in MHCC97H and HCCLM3 cells. ANCR could significantly increase the expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, E-cadherin and GSK-3β but reduce the expression of Bcl-2, N-cadherin, vimentin, Wnt1 and β-catenin in MHCC97H and HCCLM3 cells. In addition, Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor (IWP-2) partially reversed the effects of silencing ANCR on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of HCCLM3 cells.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that ANCR can suppress cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as promote apoptosis of HCC cells via modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

SLC25A10 performs an oncogenic role in human osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary malignant bone tumors in adolescents. It is associated with high risk of relapse and the outcomes of patients with high-grade osteosarcoma remain poor. Therefore, additional studies investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor initiation, growth, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma are necessary. In the present study, the protein levels of solute carrier family 25 member 10 (SLC25A10) were increased in osteosarcoma tissue, compared with normal bone tissue. In patients with osteosarcoma, high expression levels of SLC25A10 were associated with poor clinicopathological parameters, including metastasis, clinical Enneking stage, relapse-free survival and overall survival rates. Short hairpin RNA knockdown of SLC25A10 significantly suppressed cell proliferation as determined by cell counting, MTT assay and cell colony formation assays. In addition, SLC25A10 knockdown caused an increase in apoptosis and a decrease in mitosis in osteosarcoma cells. Cyclin E1 (CCNE1) was positively regulated by SLC25A10, while P21 and P27 were negatively regulated by SLC25A10. Therefore, SLC25A10 may play an oncogenic role in human osteosarcoma, which could be mediated by CCNE1, P21 and P27.

UNC5B-AS1 promoted ovarian cancer progression by regulating the H3K27me on NDRG2 via EZH2

The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumorigenesis and development of ovarian cancer (OC) has caught the attention of scientists. UNC5B antisense RNA 1 (UNC5B-AS1) is a newly identified carcinogenic lncRNA in thyroid papillary carcinoma, but its role in OC remains unclear. This study is proposed to investigate the function and mechanism of UNC5B-AS1 in OC. UNC5B-AS1 expression in OC samples was obtained from gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) based on The Cancer Genome Atlas data. Gene expressions were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. Biological functions of UNC5B-AS1 were assessed by cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and caspase-3 analysis. GEPIA revealed the UNC5B-AS1 upregulation in OC samples. RT-qPCR assay confirmed the upregulation of UNC5B-AS1 in OC cells. Functionally, depletion of UCN5B-AS1 hindered proliferation and prompted apoptosis in OC cells. Mechanistically, we found that UNC5B-AS1 interacted with zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2) to trigger trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) on N-myc downstream regulated gene-2 (NDRG2) promoter and epigenetically repressed NDRG2. Rescue assay indicated the participation of NDRG2 in the regulation of UNC5B-AS1 on OC progression. Together, we first illustrated that UNC5B-AS1 promoted OC progression by regulating the H3K27me on NDRG2 via EZH2, indicating UNC5B-AS1 as a potential molecular target for OC treatment.

LncRNA ANCR promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through upregulating HNRNPA1 expression

LncRNA ANCR plays important roles in the modulation of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumour metastasis in many tumours. However, the role of ANCR in regulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis is still not known. The current study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism for tumour oncogenesis of ANCR in HCC metastasis. HCC cell proliferation and migration/invasion were measured by MTT and Transwell assays. Xenograft model was established to determine the effect of ANCR on HCC growth and metastasis. ChIP assay was used to detect the H3 and H4 histone acetylation levels at the ANCR promoter region. RNA pull-down and RIP assay was performed to analyse the relationship between ANCR and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNPA1). Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to determine the interaction between ANCR and miR-140-3p. The results indicated that ANCR was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cells, which promoted the proliferation and migration/invasion of HCC cells. In vivo experiments showed interfering ANCR suppressed the growth and metastasis of HCC. H3/H4 histone acetylation levels at the ANCR promoter region were elevated in HCC tissues and cells, and interfering histone deacetylases 3 (HDAC3) significantly up-regulated ANCR expression. ANCR could bind to HNRNPA1, and promoted the expression of HNRNPA1 through regulating its degradation. In addition, ANCR upregulated the expression of HNRNPA1 through sponging miR-140-3p. Finally, we found that ANCR promoted the EMT and invasion/migration of HCC cells through regulating HNRNPA1. In conclusion, ANCR promoted HCC metastasis by upregulating HNRNPA1, inhibiting HNRNPA1 degradation and sponging miR-140-3p.

LncRNA-SRA1 Suppresses Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation While Promoting Cell Apoptosis

Objective:

Osteosarcoma is a common malignant bone tumor that is frequently found in the long bones of children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to examine long noncoding RNA-steroid receptor RNA activator 1 expression in osteosarcoma to explore the biological function of long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1 on proliferation, migration, and invasion along with apoptosis and its regulatory mechanism, which would facilitate the early diagnosis and targeted therapy of osteosarcoma.

Methods:

First, microarray analysis was applied to determine the expression of long noncoding RNAs in osteosarcoma tissues and paired normal tissues. Then, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to validate microarray findings. Next, osteosarcoma cancerous cell lines SJSA-1 and U2OS were transfected with pcDNA3.1-SRA1 or pCMV-sh-SRA1 to increase or decrease steroid receptor RNA activator 1 expression levels, and microRNA-208a inhibitors, mimic to investigate the effects of microRNA-208a on osteosarcoma as well as the regulatory relation between long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1 and microRNA-208a. Cell proliferation was evaluated through Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to evaluate the apoptosis ratio. The migration and invasion abilities were measured using wound-healing and transwell assays.

Results:

Long noncoding RNA-steroid receptor RNA activator 1 expression was downregulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cells compared with that in corresponding normal tissues, whereas microRNA-208a expression was upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues. Moreover, the restoration of long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1 inhibited cell proliferation, and upregulation of long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1 restrained cell migration and invasion but boosted the apoptosis rate in osteosarcoma cells. In addition, long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1 targeting microRNA-208a was involved in the progression of osteosarcoma. Furthermore, upregulating microRNA-208a exerted similar roles of silencing long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1 in cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion, which were reversed by enhancing the expression of long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1.

Conclusions:

In our study, long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1 played an antitumor role in osteosarcoma as it reduced cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, but facilitated cell apoptosis via sponging microRNA-208a, which could be regarded as a potential therapeutic target of osteosarcoma treatment.

Silencing of long-non-coding RNA ANCR suppresses the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by activating the p38MAPK signalling pathway

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignancy of the bone that has no clearly identified prognostic factors for diagnosis. In this study, we evaluated the regulatory role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ANCR on the migration and invasion of OS cells as well as the possible mechanism involving the p38MAPK signalling pathway.

Methods

ANCR expression was determined in OS tissues and OS cell lines (MG-63, S1353, U2OS, and UMR-106) by qRT-PCR. It was observed that ANCR was down-regulated in MG-63 and U2OS cells by 48 h of siRNA-ANCR (si-ANCR) transfection. The proliferation of transfected cells was determined using the CCK-8 and the EdU assays. The migration and invasion of transfected cells were determined by the Transwell assay. The expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and phosphorylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) proteins was determined by Western blot. In addition, combinatorial treatment of cells with si-ANCR + SB203580 (p38MAPK inhibitor) was performed to investigate the association between ANCR and MAPK signalling in OS cells.

Results

ANCR was up-regulated in OS cells and tissues. ANCR silencing significantly inhibited the proliferation rate, decreased the percentage of migration and invasion cells, down-regulated N-cadherin, and up-regulated E-cadherin and p-p38MAPK in MG-63 and U2OS cells. Inhibition of the p38MAPK signalling pathway (SB203580) in MG-63 and U2OS cells rescued si-ANCR-induced inhibition of cell migration and invasion.

Conclusions

Silencing of ANCR inhibited the migration and invasion of OS cells through activation of the p38MAPK signalling pathway.

Silencing of LncRNA-ANCR Promotes the Osteogenesis of Osteoblast Cells in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis via Targeting EZH2 and RUNX2

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) anti-differentiation non-coding RNA (ANCR) on the osteogenesis of osteoblast cells in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice models of PMOP were established. ANCR expression and intracellular calcium ions were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and laser confocal microscopy, respectively. ANCR was silenced in osteoblast cells from PMOP mice by the transfection of siRNA-ANCR (si-ANCR). The proliferation and apoptosis of osteoblast cells was analyzed by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium nodules were examined by ALP and alizarin red staining assay, respectively. The expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), runt related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and OSTERIX was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Furthermore, an osteogenesis model was constructed in mice, and osteoid formation was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The interaction between lncRNA-ANCR and EZH2 was further identified by RNA pull-down assay.

RESULTS

ANCR expression and intracellular calcium ions were increased in PMOP mice. Si-ANCR significantly increased the proliferation, ALP activity, calcium deposition of osteoblast cells and decreased apoptosis. ANCR and EZH2 were down-regulated by si-ANCR, while RUNX2 and OSTERIX were upregulated. Si-ANCR also promoted osteoid formation in mice treated with hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate. In addition, ANCR specifically bound to EZH2.

CONCLUSION

Silencing ANCR promotes the osteogenesis of PMOP osteoblast cells. The specific binding of ANCR with EZH2 suppressed RUNX2, thereby inhibiting osteogenesis.

Long noncoding RNA OIP5-AS1 aggravates cell proliferation, migration in gastric cancer by epigenetically silencing NLRP6 expression via binding EZH2

The critical role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development of multiple cancers has been revealed either functioning as a tumor initiator or a cancer suppressor. A widely recognized OIP5 antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA OIP5-AS1) has been validated to be an essential regulator of the tumorigenesis of various malignancies. Whereas, the potential role and the exact mechanism of lncRNA OIP5-AS1 by which OIP5-AS1 mediates gastric cancer (GC) progression remains vague. Therefore, first our work probed its expression levels in GC cell lines and related normal cells by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The heightened level of OIP5-AS1 was detected in GC cell lines. In terms of its cellular effects, we performed a series of functional experiments and as presented in the assays, the proliferative potential and motility was diminished. However, more apoptotic cells were induced with the introduction of OIP5-AS1 silencing. Meanwhile, higher Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 6 (NLRP6) and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) expression in the GC cells was monitored. Besides, OIP5-AS1 was disclosed to locate mainly in the nucleus. In terms of mechanism, OIP5-AS1 directly bound to EZH2 and obstructed NLRP6 expression, speeding up GC progression.

LncRNA ANCR is positively correlated with transforming growth factor-β1 in patients with osteoarthritis

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, while TGF-β signaling in certain diseases models is regulated by the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) antidifferentiation noncoding RNA (ANCR). Therefore, ANCR may also participate in osteoarthritis. In this study, the expression of ANCR and TGF-β1 in the plasma of osteoarthritis patients and healthy controls was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The diagnostic value of ANCR for osteoarthritis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The correlation between the plasma levels of ANCR and TGF-β1 was analyzed by the Pearson correlation coefficient. The ANCR expression vector was transfected into cells of the human chondrocyte cell line CHON-001 (ATCC CRL-2846), and the effect on TGF-β1 expression and cell proliferation was detected by Western blot and cell counting kit-8 assay, respectively. We observed that the plasma levels of ANCR were significantly lower, while the plasma levels of TGF-β1 were significantly higher in osteoarthritis patients than those in healthy controls. Downregulation of ANCR effectively distinguished osteoarthritis patients from healthy controls. ANCR and TGF-β1 expression was negatively correlated in osteoarthritis patients but not in healthy controls. ANCR overexpression promoted the proliferation of chondrocytes and inhibited TGF-β1 expression. We concluded that ANCR might participate in osteoarthritis by downregulating TGF-β1 and promote the proliferation of chondrocytes.

LncRNA BDNF-AS suppresses colorectal cancer cell proliferation and migration by epigenetically repressing GSK-3β expression

This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanism and biological roles of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) brain-derived neurotrophic factor antisense (BDNF-AS) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were performed to detect the expressions of lncRNA BDNF-AS and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) in human CRC tissues and cell lines. The cell proliferation, transwell migration, and invasion assays were carried out to evaluate the effect of lncRNA BDNF-AS on the growth of CRC cells. RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were conducted to confirm the interaction between lncRNA BDNF-AS and enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2). Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to verify the enrichment of EZH2 and histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in the promoter region of GSK-3β in CRC cells. LncRNA BDNF-AS expression was significantly decreased, while GSK-3β was highly expressed in human CRC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, lncRNA BDNF-AS induced inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells via inhibiting GSK-3β expression. Mechanistically, BDNF-AS led to GSK-3β promoter silencing in CRC cells through recruitment of EZH2. In conclusion, lncRNA BDNF-AS functioned as an oncogene in CRC and shed new light on lncRNA-directed therapeutics in CRC. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: LncRNA BDNF-AS is recently reported to be remarkably downregulated in a variety of tumours and served as a tumour suppressor. However, the functions and underlying mechanism of lncRNA BDNF-AS in CRC pathogenesis have not been reported yet. Our study is the first to demonstrate the effect of lncRNA BDNF-AS in CRC and revealed that lncRNA BDNF-AS expression is negatively correlated with the aggressive biological behaviour of CRC. Further investigation demonstrated that lncRNA BDNF-AS functioned as a tumour suppressor in CRC progression by suppressing GSK-3β expression through binding to EZH2 and H3K27me3 with the GSK-3β promoter, shedding light on the diagnosis and therapy for CRC.

The interaction between ANXA2 and lncRNA Fendrr promotes cell apoptosis in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Annexin A2 (ANXA2) plays a crucial role in acute pancreatitis (AP). However, its potential mechanism remains unclear.

METHODS

In the present study, we used caerulein-treated AR42J rat pancreatic acinar cells as cell model of AP to investigate the potential functions of ANXA2 and its predicted long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) FOXF1 adjacent noncoding developmental regulatory RNA (lncRNA Fendrr). Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry using annexinV-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining. The expressions of ANAX2 and lncRNA Fendrr were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein levels of ANXA2, Bcl-2, and Bax. The association between lncRNA Fendrr and ANXA2 was disclosed by RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays.

RESULTS

ANXA2 was elevated in caerulein-induced AP model and promoted apoptosis of AR42J cells. LncRNA Fendrr was also upregulated in AP cell model and directly bound ANXA2 protein. Further studies indicated that the interaction between ANXA2 and lncRNA Fendrr contributed to the apoptosis of AR42J cells in AP cell model.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that ANXA2 promoted AP progression via interacting with lncRNA Fendrr in vitro, which will provide a novel insight into the therapeutic target for AP.

Long non-coding RNA SNHG17 promotes gastric cancer progression by inhibiting P15 and P16

BACKGROUND

The dysregulated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) have been demonstrated to be involved in gastric carcinogenesis and progression; however, the role of SNHG17 in gastric carcinoma remains to be investigated. We aimed to ascertain the expression of SNHG17 in gastric carcinoma tissues and cell lines, and to investigate its mechanistic role in this malignancy.

METHODS

The expression levels of SNHG17, P15, P16, P18, P19 and cyclin dependent kinases-4 (CDK4) were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and/or western blotting in human gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Correlations between SNHG17 levels and clinicopathological features were evaluated. siRNAs were used to silence SNHG17 in cell lines, and then Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, and transwell migration assays were used to assess proliferation, clonogenic potential, and migration, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle distributions and apoptosis. In vivo tumorigenicity was evaluated using xenografts in nude mice.

RESULTS

Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database revealed that SNHG17 expression was remarkably higher in gastric carcinoma tissues than normal stomach mucosae (P=4.85×10^-10). We confirmed that SNHG17 was overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues (P<0.0001) and cell lines (P<0.01) compared with corresponding noncancerous tissues and gastric epithelial cell line, respectively. Furthermore, SNHG17 levels in tumor tissues were associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.0006), pTNM stage (P=0.0061), and lymphovascular invasion (P=0.0005), but were not associated with overall survival (OS) (P=0.888). Loss-of-function studies indicated that SNHG17 promoted gastric carcinoma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo (P<0.01), and that SNHG17 enhanced gastric cancer cell migration (P<0.01). Mechanistically, we found that SNHG17 inhibited P15 and P16, and enhanced CDK4 expression, resulting in a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and that SNHG17 inhibited cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary findings highlight the role of SNHG17 in gastric cancer, and suggest that it may be a novel indicator and/or a potential therapeutic target for diagnosing and/or treating gastric cancer.

Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of long non-coding RNAs in human endothelial cell line after incubation with PM2.5

Epidemiological studies and experimental research have illustrated that PM2.5 has an association with cardiovascular adverse events. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proposed to take part in diverse diseases. To comprehensively gain insight into the molecular toxicity of PM2.5, expression patterns are analyzed in EA.hy926 cell line through RNAs microarray. A total of 356 lncRNA transcripts are dysregulated in 2.5 μg/cm² group, and there are 1283 lncRNAs differentially expressed in 10 μg/cm² group. From functional analysis, several lncRNAs may be implicated in the bio-pathways of phagosome, TNF signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway and gap junction. Moreover, certain lncRNAs participate in the toxicity of PM2.5 through cis- and/or trans-regulation of their co-expressed genes. Therefore, lncRNAs may be used as new candidate biomarkers and potentially preventive targets in cardiotoxicity of PM2.5. Our study indicates that not limited to transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional regulation plays a pivotal role in PM2.5-caused toxicity.

Long noncoding RNA SYISL regulates myogenesis by interacting with polycomb repressive complex 2

Although many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in muscle, their physiological function and regulatory mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we systematically characterized the expression profiles of lncRNAs during C2C12 myoblast differentiation and identified an intronic lncRNA, SYISL (SYNPO2 intron sense-overlapping lncRNA), that is highly expressed in muscle. Functionally, SYISL promotes myoblast proliferation and fusion but inhibits myogenic differentiation. SYISL knockout in mice results in significantly increased muscle fiber density and muscle mass. Mechanistically, SYISL recruits the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) protein, the core component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), to the promoters of the cell-cycle inhibitor gene p21 and muscle-specific genes such as myogenin (MyoG), muscle creatine kinase (MCK), and myosin heavy chain 4 (Myh4), leading to H3K27 trimethylation and epigenetic silencing of target genes. Taken together, our results reveal that SYISL is a repressor of muscle development and plays a vital role in PRC2-mediated myogenesis.

LncRNA DUXAP10 modulates cell proliferation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through epigenetically silencing p21

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) belongs to malignant tumor of human digestive system. It has greatly threatened human health both mentally and physically. Long non-coding RNAs have been discovered to be special molecular regulators in various cancers, including ESCC. LncRNA DUXAP10 is a newfound RNA, which is able to improve the progression of cancers ^1-3 . In this study, DUXAP10 was certified to be upregulated in ESCC tissues and cells. Besides, it was positively correlated with short survival time. Moreover, down-expression of DUXAP10 contributed to decreased cell proliferation and metastasis. Silenced DUXAP10 led to increased apoptosis rate and stagnation of cell cycle. Results of mechanism experiments suggested that DUXAP10 motivated ESCC progression through recruiting enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) to the promoter of p21. Our findings suggested that the pseudogene-derived from lncRNA DUXAP10 drove the biological progression of ESCC. DUXAP10 was likely to be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

lncRA ANCR Inhibits Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion by Inactivating TGF-β Pathway

Background

lncRNA ANCR is proved to be a tumor suppressor gene only in colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Our study aimed to explore the possible involvement of ACNR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Material/Methods

In this study, we first detected the expression of ACNR in lung biopsies and plasma of both NSCLC patients and healthy controls. The diagnostic value of ANCR for NSCLC was analyzed by ROC curve analysis. Follow-up data of NSCLC patients was analyzed and the prognostic value of ANCR was analyzed by survival curve analysis. ANCR expression vector was transfected into cells of human NSCLC cell lines, and the effects on cell migration and invasion were explored by Transwell migration and invasion assays, respectively. TGF-β1 expression after ANCR overexpression was detected by Western blot analysis.

Results

ANCR was significantly downregulated in NSCLC patients compared with healthy controls in lung biopsies and plasma. Downregulated expression of ANCR distinguishes NSCLC patients from healthy controls and low NSCLC expression level indicates shorter postoperative survival time of NSCLC patients. ANCR overexpression inhibited NSCLC cell migration and invasion and downregulated TGF-β1 expression, while TGF-β1 treatment showed no significant effects on ANCR expression but promoted NSCLC cell migration and invasion. In addition, TGF-β1 treatment also attenuated the inhibitory effects of ANCR overexpression on NSCLC cell migration and invasion.

Conclusions

ANCR can inhibit NSCLC cell migration and invasion by downregulating TGF-β1 expression.

miR-34 inhibits growth and promotes apoptosis of osteosarcoma in nude mice through targetly regulating TGIF2 expression

miR-34 was reported to be involved in multiple tumors occurrence and development. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of miR-34 on osteosarcoma and related mechanisms. Tumor tissues and non-tumor tissues of 34 patients with osteosarcoma were collected. qRT-PCR detection revealed that miR-34 was significantly down-regulated in tumor tissues (P<0.05). hFOB 1.19 and MG-63 cells were cultured. qRT-PCR detection showed that miR-34 was also significantly down-regulated in MG-63 cells (P<0.05). After transfection by miR-34 mimics, MG-63 cells proliferation in nude mice was significantly impaired (P<0.05), and percentage of apoptosis as well as caspase-3 positive cells proportion of osteosarcoma tissue in nude mice was markly increased (P<0.05). Western blot and immunofluorescence results also demonstrated that TGIF2 relative expression and TGIF2 positive cells proportion were both dramatically decreased (P<0.05). By luciferase reporter assay, we found that TGIF2 was the target gene of miR-34. After transfected by TGIF2 overexpression vector or co-transfected by miR-34 mimics and TGIF2 overexpression vector, we observed that, compared with blank group, tumor volume was significantly increased and apoptotic cells as well as caspase-3 positive cells proportion was obviously decreased in TGIF2 group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was found in these indicators between blank group and TGIF2 + mimics group. We concluded that miR-34 inhibited growth and promoted apoptosis of osteosarcoma in nude mice through targetting regulated TGIF2 expression.

Exploring the key genes and pathways of side population cells in human osteosarcoma using gene expression array analysis

BACKGROUND

Human osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common primary bone sarcoma, because of early metastasis and few treatment strategies. It has been reported that the tumorigenicity and self-renewal capacity of side population (SP) cells play roles in human OS via regulating of target genes. This study aims to complement the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that regulated between the SP cells and the non-SP cells from primary human OS and identify their functions and molecular pathways associated with OS.

METHODS

The gene expression profile GSE63390 was downloaded, and bioinformatics analysis was made.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-one DEGs totally were identified. Among them, 72 DEGs (51.06%) were overexpressed, and the remaining 69 DEGs (48.94%) were underexpressed. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis of target genes were performed. We furthermore identified some relevant core genes using gene-gene interaction network analysis such as EIF4E, FAU, HSPD1, IL-6, and KISS1, which may have a relationship with the development process of OS. We also discovered that EIF4E/mTOR signaling pathway could be a potential research target for therapy and tumorigenesis of OS.

CONCLUSION

This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the roles of DEGs coming from SP cells in the development of OS. However, these predictions need further experimental validation in future studies.

Cell viability assessed in a reproducible model of human osteoblasts derived from human adipose-derived stem cells

Human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs) have been subjected to extensive investigation because of their self-renewal properties and potential to restore damaged tissues. In the literature, there are several protocols for differentiating hASCs into osteoblasts, but there is no report on the control of cell viability during this process. In this study, we used osteoblasts derived from hASCs of patients undergoing abdominoplasty. The cells were observed at the beginning and end of bone matrix formation, and the expression of proteins involved in this process, including alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, was assessed. RANKL, Osterix, Runx2, Collagen3A1, Osteopontin and BSP expression levels were analyzed using real-time PCR, in addition to a quantitative assessment of protein levels of the markers CD45, CD105, STRO-1, and Nanog, using immunofluorescence. Rhodamine (Rho123), cytochrome-c, caspase-3, P-27, cyclin D1, and autophagy cell markers were analyzed by flow cytometry to demonstrate potential cellular activity and the absence of apoptotic and tumor cell processes before and after cell differentiation. The formation of bone matrix, along with calcium nodules, was observed after 16 days of osteoinduction. The gene expression levels of RANKL, Osterix, Runx2, Collagen3A1, Osteopontin, BSP and alkaline phosphatase activity were also elevated after 16 days of osteoinduction, whereas the level of osteocalcin was higher after 21 days of osteoinduction. Our data also showed that the cells had a high mitochondrial membrane potential and a low expression of apoptotic and tumor markers, both before and after differentiation. Cells were viable after the different phases of differentiation. This proposed methodology, using markers to evaluate cell viability, is therefore successful in assessing different phases of stem cell isolation and differentiation.

LncRNA HOXD-AS1 promotes melanoma cell proliferation and invasion by suppressing RUNX3 expression

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as critical regulators of many malignant tumors cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. However, the functions and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA HOXD-AS1 in melanoma remain little known. In the present study, we observed that lncRNA HOXD-AS1 expression was remarkably higher in melanoma tissues compared to skin tissues with melanocytic nevus. Increased expression of lncRNA HOXD-AS1 correlated with poor survival of melanoma patients. Furthermore, functional experiments demonstrated that upregulated lncRNA HOXD-AS1 expression dramatically promoted cell proliferation and invasion of melanoma, while downregulation of lncRNA HOXD-AS1 showed a tumor inhibiting effects on melanoma cells in vitro. In vivo, data results showed that lncRNA HOXD-AS1 knockdown notably reduced tumor growth. Additionally, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that lncRNA HOXD-AS1 could epigenetically suppress the expression of RUNX3 via binding to EZH2. Downregulation of RUNX3 attenuated the proliferation and invasion-inhibiting effects induced by lncRNA HOXD-AS1 knockdown in melanoma cells. Therefore, these results indicated that HOXD-AS1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target of melanoma.