The lnc-CTSLP8 upregulates CTSL1 as a competitive endogenous RNA and promotes ovarian cancer metastasis

Construction of lncRNA- and circRNA-associated ceRNA networks in the prostatic urethra of rats after simulating transurethral laser prostatectomy (TULP)

Non-coding RNA appears to be involved in wound repair. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) appears to be an important post-transcriptional mechanism, it means that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) or circular RNA (circRNA) acts as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge to further regulate mRNA. However, ceRNA network related to wound repair after prostatectomy has yet been constructed. TULP is the main surgical method of prostatectomy, but there have been no reports of TULP rat models in the past. We simulated TULP on rats, and observed the whole process of wound injury and repair after operation through pathological examination of wound tissue. Next, we discovered 732 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), 47 differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs), 17 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and 1892 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) related to wound repair after TULP through full transcriptome microarray and bioinformatics methods, and confirmed the reliability of transcriptome data by quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry. Then, we constructed the lncRNA- and circRNA-associated ceRNA regulatory networks related to wound repair after TULP in rats. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses showed that molecules in these networks were mainly involved in inflammatory infiltration, cell differentiation, and intercellular interactions and involved signal pathways such as the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Thus, this study successfully established the TULP model in rats, revealed potentially important biomarkers and ceRNA networks after prostatectomy in rats, and provided theoretical support for the repair of post-prostatectomy wound.

Long non-coding RNA RP11-197K6.1 as ceRNA promotes colorectal cancer progression via miR-135a-5p/DLX5 axis

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health challenge, with high incidence and mortality rates. The role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer progression has received considerable attention. The present study aimed to investigate the function and mechanisms underlying the role of lncRNA RP11-197K6.1, microRNA-135a-5p (hsa-miR-135a-5p), and DLX5 in CRC development.

METHODS

We analyzed RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Colorectal Cancer dataset to identify the association between lncRNA RP11-197K6.1 and CRC progression. The expression levels of lncRNA RP11-197K6.1 and DLX5 in CRC samples and cell lines were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting assays. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to confirm the cellular localization of lncRNA RP11-197K6.1. Cell migration capabilities were assessed by Transwell and wound healing assays, and flow cytometry was performed to analyze apoptosis. The interaction between lncRNA RP11-197K6.1 and miR-135a-5p and its effect on DLX5 expression were investigated by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, a xenograft mouse model was used to study the in vivo effects of lncRNA RP11-197K6.1 on tumor growth, and an immunohistochemical assay was performed to assess DLX5 expression in tumor tissues.

RESULTS

lncRNA RP11-197K6.1 was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines as compared to that in normal tissues, and its expression was inversely correlated with patient survival. It promoted the migration and metastasis of CRC cells by interacting with miR-135a-5p, alleviated suppression of DLX5 expression, and facilitated tumor growth.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the regulatory network and mechanism of action of the lncRNA RP11-197K6.1/miR-135a-5p/DLX5 axis in CRC development. These findings provided insights into the molecular pathology of CRC and suggested potential therapeutic targets for more effective treatment of patients with CRC.

Circ_0070934 promotes MGAT3 expression and inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bronchial epithelial cells by sponging miR-199a-5p

BACKGROUND

Circular RNA (circRNA) has the potential to serve as a crucial regulator in the progression of bronchial asthma. The objective of this investigation was to elucidate the functional dynamics of the circ_0070934/miR-199a-5p/Mannoside acetylglucosaminyltransferase 3 (MGAT3) axis in the development of asthma.

METHODS

Circ_0070934, miR-199a-5p and MGAT3 in peripheral venous blood of 38 asthmatic patients and 43 healthy controls were detected by qRT-PCR, and the expression of MGAT3 protein was examined by ELISA. The GSE148000 dataset was analyzed for differences in MGAT3. The BEAS-2B cells were transfected with circ_0070934 plasmid and small interfering RNA, miR-199a-5p mimics and inhibitors. The apoptosis level was detected by flow cytometry and MGAT3 was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin was examined by Western blot. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 were used to co-stimulate BEAS-2B cells as an asthmatic airway epithelial cell model. BEAS-2B cells exposed to type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) were treated with circ_0070934 plasmid, and the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin was detected by Western blot. The binding relationships were verified using dual-luciferase reporter assay and miRNA pull-down assay.

RESULTS

The expression of circ_0070934 and MGAT3 in peripheral venous blood of asthmatic patients was down-regulated, and the expression of miR-199a-5p was up-regulated. And the expression of MGAT3 was reduced in sputum of asthma patients. Down-regulating the expression of circ_0070934 could promote apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells and increase epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and this effect can be partially reversed by down-regulating miR-199a-5p. Circ_0070934 could inhibit the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by IL-4 and IL-13 in BEAS-2B cells. In addition, miR-199a-5p could respectively bind to circ_0070934 and MGAT3.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate that circ_0070934 may function as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-199a-5p, thereby modulating the expression of MGAT3 and impacting the process of EMT in bronchial epithelial cells. These results contribute to the establishment of a theoretical framework for advancing the prevention and treatment strategies for asthma.

LncRNA PRBC induces autophagy to promote breast cancer progression through modulating PABPC1-mediated mRNA stabilization

Breast cancer is one of the major malignant tumors among women worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been documented as significant modulators in the development and progression of various cancers; however, the contribution of lncRNAs to breast cancer remains largely unknown. In this study, we found a novel lncRNA (NONHSAT137675) whose expression was significantly increased in the breast cancer tissues. We named the novel lncRNA as lncRNA PRBC (PABPC1-related lncRNA in breast cancer) and identified it as a key lncRNA associated with breast cancer progression and prognosis. Functional analysis displayed that lncRNA PRBC could promote autophagy and progression of breast cancer. Mechanistically, we verified that lncRNA PRBC physically interacted with PABPC1 through RIP assay, and PABPC1 overexpression could reverse the inhibiting effect of lncRNA PRBC knockdown on the malignant behaviors in breast cancer cells. Knockdown of lncRNA PRBC interfered the translocation of PABPC1 from nucleus to cytoplasm as indicated by western blot and IF assays. Significantly, the cytoplasmic location of PABPC1 was required for the interaction between PABPC1 and AGO2, which could be enhanced by lncRNA PRBC overexpression, leading to strengthened recruitment of mRNA to RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and thus reinforcing the inhibition efficiency of miRNAs. In general, lncRNA PRBC played a critical role in malignant progression of breast cancer by inducing the cytoplasmic translocation of PABPC1 to further regulate the function of downstream miRNAs. This study provides novel insight on the molecular mechanism of breast cancer progression, and lncRNA PRBC might be a promising therapeutic target and prognostic predictor for breast cancer.

Icariin Regulates EMT and Stem Cell-Like Character in Breast Cancer through Modulating lncRNA NEAT1/TGFβ/SMAD2 Signaling Pathway

Metastases and drug resistance are the major risk factors associated with breast cancer (BC), which is the most common type of tumor affecting females. Icariin (ICA) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound that possesses significant anticancer properties. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in a wide variety of biological and pathological processes and have been shown to modulate the effectiveness of certain drugs in cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential effect of ICA on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness articulation in BC cells, as well as the possible relationship between its inhibitory action on EMT and stemness with the NEAT1/transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)/SMAD2 pathway. The effect of ICA on the proliferation (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony assays), EMT (Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and wound healing), and stemness (mammosphere formation assays, Western blotting) of BC cells were examined. According to the findings, ICA suppressed the proliferation, EMT, and stem cell-like in MDA-MB-231 cells, and exerted its inhibitory impact by downregulating the TGFβ/SMAD2 signaling pathway. ICA could significantly downregulate the expression of lncRNA NEAT1, and silencing NEAT1 enhanced the effect of ICA in suppressing EMT and expression of different stem cell markers. In addition, silencing NEAT1 was found to attenuate the TGFβ/SMAD2 signaling pathway, thereby improving the inhibitory impact of ICA on stemness and EMT in BC cells. In conclusion, ICA can potentially inhibit the metastasis of BC via affecting the NEAT1/TGFβ/SMAD2 pathway, which provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the mechanisms involved in potential application of ICA for BC therapy.

RUNX1-IT1 acts as a scaffold of STAT1 and NuRD complex to promote ROS-mediated NF-κB activation and ovarian cancer progression

Dysregulated expression of long-stranded non-coding RNAs is strongly associated with carcinogenesis. However, the precise mechanisms underlying their involvement in ovarian cancer pathogenesis remain poorly defined. Here, we found that lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 plays a crucial role in the progression of ovarian cancer. Patients with high RUNX1-IT1 expression had shorter survival and poorer outcomes. Notably, knockdown of RUNX1-IT1 suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells in vitro, and reduced the formation of peritoneum metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, RUNX1-IT1 bound to HDAC1, the core component of the NuRD complex, and STAT1, acting as a molecular scaffold of the STAT1 and NuRD complex to regulate intracellular reactive oxygen homeostasis by altering the histone modification status of downstream targets including GPX1. Consequently, RUNX1-IT1 activated NF-κB signaling and altered the biology of ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that RUNX1-IT1 promotes ovarian malignancy and suggest that targeting RUNX1-IT1 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer treatment.

The role and function of autophagy through signaling and pathogenetic pathways and lncRNAs in ovarian cancer

Lysosomal-driven autophagy is a tightly controlled cellular catabolic process that breaks down and recycles broken or superfluous cell parts. It is involved in several illnesses, including cancer, and is essential in preserving cellular homeostasis. Autophagy prevents DNA mutation and cancer development by actively eliminating pro-oxidative mitochondria and protein aggregates from healthy cells. Oncosuppressor and oncogene gene mutations cause dysregulation of autophagy. Increased autophagy may offer cancer cells a pro-survival advantage when oxygen and nutrients are scarce and resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. This finding justifies the use of autophagy inhibitors in addition to anti-neoplastic treatments. Excessive autophagy levels can potentially kill cells. The diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer present many difficulties due to its complexity and heterogeneity. Understanding the role of autophagy, a cellular process involved in the breakdown and recycling of cellular components, in ovarian cancer has garnered increasing attention in recent years. Of particular note is the increasing amount of data indicating a close relationship between autophagy and ovarian cancer. Autophagy either promotes or restricts tumor growth in ovarian cancer. Dysregulation of autophagy signaling pathways in ovarian cancers can affect the development, metastasis, and response to tumor treatment. The precise mechanism underlying autophagy concerning ovarian cancer remains unclear, as does the role autophagy plays in ovarian carcinoma. In this review, we tried to encapsulate and evaluate current findings in investigating autophagy in ovarian cancer.

ceRNA networks in gynecological cancers progression and resistance

Gynecological cancers are the second most common types of cancer in women. Clinical diagnosis of these cancers is often delayed or misdiagnosed due to lack of insight into their tumorigenesis mechanism and specific diagnostic biomarkers. Many studies have demonstrated that competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) modulate the progression and resistance of gynecological cancer through microRNA (miRNA)-mediated mechanisms, which affect gene expression in multiple cancer-related pathways. Here we review studies on the involvement of the ceRNA hypothesis in the progression and resistance of gynaecological cancers to validate some ceRNAs as therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers.

Long non-coding RNA NRSN2-AS1 promotes ovarian cancer progression through targeting PTK2/β-catenin pathway

As a common malignant tumor among women, ovarian cancer poses a serious threat to their health. This study demonstrates that long non-coding RNA NRSN2-AS1 is over-expressed in ovarian cancer tissues using patient sample and tissue microarrays. In addition, NRSN2-AS1 is shown to promote ovarian cancer cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NRSN2-AS1 stabilizes protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2) to activate the β-catenin pathway via repressing MG-53-mediated ubiquitinated degradation of PTK2, thereby facilitating ovarian cancer progression. Rescue experiments verify the function of the NRSN2-AS1/PTK2/β-catenin axis and the effects of MG53 on this axis in ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the key role of the NRSN2-AS1/PTK2/β-catenin axis for the first time and explores its potential clinical applications in ovarian cancer.

The role of noncoding RNA and its diagnostic potential in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: a research update

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a common liver disorder that generally occurs during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It rarely causes any harm to the mother; however, it can result in short- and long-term complications in the offspring. Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose and treat this condition to avoid poor pregnancy outcomes. The identification of novel markers with potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic utility in ICP has gained attention. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNA, long noncoding RNA, and circular RNA, are a type of transcripts that are not translated into proteins. They possess vital biological functions, including transcriptional and translational regulation and DNA, RNA, and protein interactions. The pathogenesis of ICP is related to the aberrant expression of several circulating or placenta-related ncRNAs. In this review, we summarized all recent findings on ncRNAs and ICP and outlined the concepts that form the basis for the early diagnosis and targeted treatment of ICP.

Unravelling the complexity of lncRNAs in autophagy to improve potential cancer therapy

Autophagy is well-known as an internal catabolic process that is evolutionarily conserved and performs the key biological function in maintaining cellular homeostasis. It is tightly controlled by several autophagy-related (ATG) proteins, which are closely associated with many types of human cancers. However, what has remained controversial is the janus roles of autophagy in cancer progression. Interestingly, the biological function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in autophagy has been gradually understood in different types of human cancers. More recently, numerous studies have demonstrated that several lncRNAs may regulate some ATG proteins and autophagy-related signaling pathways to either activate or inhibit the autophagic process in cancer. Thus, in this review, we summarize the latest advance in the knowledge of the complicated relationships between lncRNAs and autophagy in cancer. Also, the in-depth dissection of the lncRNAs-autophagy-cancers axis involved in this review would shed new light on discovery of more potential cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the future.

The Role of EMT-Related lncRNAs in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide; late diagnosis and drug resistance are two major factors often responsible for high morbidity and treatment failure. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process that has been closely linked with cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been also associated with several cancer-related mechanisms, including EMT. We conducted a literature search in the PubMed database in order to sum up and discuss the role of lncRNAs in regulating OC-related EMT and their underlying mechanisms. Seventy (70) original research articles were identified, as of 23 April 2023. Our review concluded that the dysregulation of lncRNAs is highly associated with EMT-mediated OC progression. A comprehensive understanding of lncRNAs' mechanisms in OC will help in identifying novel and sensitive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this malignancy.

Role of autophagy and its regulation by noncoding RNAs in ovarian cancer

Autophagy is a self-digestion process by which misfolded proteins and damaged organelles in eukaryotic cells are degraded to maintain cellular homeostasis. This process is involved in the tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance of various tumors such as ovarian cancer (OC). Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), mainly including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have been extensively investigated in cancer research for their roles in the regulation of autophagy. Recent studies have shown that in OC cells, ncRNAs can modulate the formation of autophagosomes, which affect tumor progression and chemoresistance. An understanding of the role of autophagy in OC progression, treatment, and prognosis is important, and the identification of the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in autophagy leads to intervention strategies for OC therapy. This review summarizes the role of autophagy in OC and discusses the role of ncRNA-mediated autophagy in OC, as an understanding of these roles may contribute to the development of potential therapeutic strategies for this disease.

Non-coding RNAs: The recently accentuated molecules in the regulation of cell autophagy for ovarian cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic response

Autophagy is a self-recycling and conserved process, in which the senescent cytoplasmic components are degraded in cells and then recycled to maintain homeostatic balance. Emerging evidence has suggested the involvement of autophagy in oncogenesis and progression of various cancers, such as ovarian cancer (OC). Meanwhile, the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) frequently regulate the mRNA transcription and other functional signaling pathways in cell autophagy, displaying promising roles in human cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic response. This article mainly reviews the cutting-edge research advances about the interactions between ncRNAs and autophagy in OC. This review not only summarizes the underlying mechanisms of dynamic ncRNA-autophagy association in OC, but also discusses their prognostic implications and therapeutic biomarkers. The aim of this review was to provide a more in-depth knowledge framework exploring the ncRNA-autophagy crosstalk and highlight the promising treatment strategies for OC patients.

NONHSAT021545/miR-330-3p/EREG: A Cooperative Axis in Breast Cancer Prognosis and Treatment

Lymphatic metastasis is the most common form in breast cancer (BC) progression. Previously, we observed that lnc045874, a most conservative homology of Homo Sapiens NONHSAT021545 (lnc021545), miR-330-3p, and EREG may have some effects in mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines with different lymphatic metastasis potentials. Through data from TCGA and GEO database analysis, we speculated that miR-330-3p might be a tumor promoter, while EREG could be a tumor suppressor in BC. MiR-330-3p was upregulated, while lnc021545 and EREG were downregulated in 50 BC tissues. MiR-330-3p advanced the metastatic behaviors of BC cells, whereas lnc021545 and EREG resulted in the opposite effects. The three molecules' expressions were correlated respectively and showed that miR-330-3p targeted lnc021545 and EREG to affect their expressions. Lnc021545/miR-330-3p axis affected BC metastasis by regulating EREG in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In 50 BC patients, these three molecules and their cooperation are associated with aggressive tumor phenotypes, patient outcomes, and trastuzumab therapy. We finally discovered that lnc021545, miR-330-3p, and EREG formed a multi-gene co-regulation system that affected the metastasis of BC and the cooperation reflects the synergistic effects of the three molecules, recommending that their cooperation may provide a more accurate index for anti-metastasis therapeutic and prognostic evaluation of BC.

Long noncoding RNAs: glycolysis regulators in gynaecologic cancers

The three most common gynaecologic cancers that seriously threaten female lives and health are ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer. Glycolysis plays a vital role in gynaecologic cancers. Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to function as oncogenic molecules. LncRNAs impact downstream target genes by acting as ceRNAs, guides, scaffolds, decoys, or signalling molecules. However, the role of glycolysis-related lncRNAs in regulating gynaecologic cancers remains poorly understood. In this review, we emphasize the functional roles of many lncRNAs that have been found to promote glycolysis in gynaecologic cancers and discuss reasonable strategies for future research.

lncRNA HCG11 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Cell Malignant Behaviors via Sponging miR-26b-5p

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of gastrointestinal cancer with an increasing incidence. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have raised great concern because of wide participation in human diseases, including cancers. However, whether lncRNA HLA complex group 11 (HCG11) played a functional role in CRC remained to be elucidated. Herein, we utilized qRT-PCR to analyze the expression of HCG11 and found that HCG11 was highly expressed in CRC cells. Besides, HCG11 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but facilitated cell apoptosis. Furthermore, supported by bioinformatics analyses and mechanism assays, HCG11, mainly located in cell cytoplasm, was confirmed to competitively bind to miR-26b-5p to modulate the expression of the target messenger RNA (mRNA), namely, cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein 19 (ARPP19). ARPP19 was detected to be upregulated in CRC cells, and ARPP19 silence was verified to inhibit the malignant behaviors of CRC cells. Rescue experiments validated that miR-26b-5p inhibition or ARPP19 overexpression could countervail the inhibitory influences of HCG11 silence on CRC cell biological behaviors in vitro. To conclude, HCG11, upregulated in CRC cells, could promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibit cell apoptosis via targeting miR-26b-5p/ARPP19 axis.

LncRNA ZFAS1 contributes to osteosarcoma progression via miR-520b and miR-520e-mediated inhibition of RHOC signaling

OBJECTIVES

We examined the expression of Lnc-ZFAS1 in osteosarcoma and comprehensively evaluated its effects on osteosarcoma in vitro and vivo. Moreover, we revealed the regulatory mechanism between Lnc-ZFAS1 and miR-520b/miR-520e-mediated RHOC and provided a novel clue for ameliorating osteosarcoma.

METHOD

The expression of Long non-coding RNA Zinc Finger Antisense 1 (LncRNA ZFAS1) osteosarcoma tissues and normal tissues in the TCGA database was analyzed. Then, LncRNA ZFAS1 expression was further verified in clinical samples and osteosarcoma cell lines (U2OS and KHOS), as well as the human osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 by qRT-PCR. Thereafter, LncRNA ZFAS1 was overexpressed or silenced to explore its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). The fundamental mechanism through which Lnc-ZFAS1 affects osteosarcoma progression was further investigated and verified.

RESULTS

We found that LncRNA ZFAS1 was upregulated in osteosarcoma, and Lnc-ZFAS1 overexpression facilitated osteosarcoma cells proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT, while Lnc-ZFAS1 silence exerted reverse influence. Mechanistically, Lnc-ZFAS1 functionally acted as a sponger of microRNA-520b (miR-520b) and microRNA-520e (miR-520e) to up-regulate Ras Homologue C (RHOC). In addition, depleted Lnc-ZFAS1 restrained osteosarcoma cells proliferation, migration, and invasion, which could be rescued by RHOC overexpression. Lnc-ZFAS1 was upregulated in osteosarcoma and Lnc-ZFAS1 could exert promoted impact upon osteosarcoma cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Lnc-ZFAS1 acted sponger of miR-520b and miR-520e to promote RHOC, indicating that Lnc-ZFAS1/miR-520b/RHOC and Lnc-ZFAS1/miR-520e/RHOC axes might serve as potential therapeutic strategies against osteosarcoma.

Role of non-coding RNAs and exosomal non-coding RNAs in retinoblastoma progression

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare aggressive intraocular malignancy of childhood that has the potential to affect vision, and can even be fatal in some children. While the tumor can be controlled efficiently at early stages, metastatic tumors lead to high mortality. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are implicated in a number of physiological cellular process, including differentiation, proliferation, migration, and invasion, The deregulation of ncRNAs is correlated with several diseases, particularly cancer. ncRNAs are categorized into two main groups based on their length, i.e. short and long ncRNAs. Moreover, ncRNA deregulation has been demonstrated to play a role in the pathogenesis and development of RB. Several ncRNAs, such as miR-491-3p, miR-613,and SUSD2 have been found to act as tumor suppressor genes in RB, but other ncRNAs, such as circ-E2F3, NEAT1, and TUG1 act as tumor promoter genes. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs can provide new opportunities for RB therapy. In the present review, we discuss the functional roles of the most important ncRNAs in RB, their interaction with the genes responsible for RB initiation and progression, and possible future clinical applications as diagnostic and prognostic tools or as therapeutic targets.

PRLR and CACNA2D1 Impact the Prognosis of Breast Cancer by Regulating Tumor Immunity

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is one of the highly susceptible genes to breast cancer (BC); however, the role of PTEN-related RNAs in BC remains poorly understood. Understanding the effect of PTEN-related RNAs and their mechanisms may be helpful to clinicians. We screened the differentially expressed RNAs (deRNAs) related to PTEN and established the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network by integrating several databases. After that, the RNA model, prolactin receptor (PRLR)/calcium voltage-gated channel auxiliary subunit alpha2delta 1 (CACNA2D1), was obtained by KM survival analysis and logistic regression analysis. Finally, mutation, methylation, functional enrichment, and immune correlation were analyzed to explore the roles of these RNAs. Our results showed that PRLR might be harmful to BC, while CACNA2D1 might be beneficial to BC. Furthermore, the abnormal expression of PRLR in BC might result from mutation and hypomethylation, while the aberrant expression of CACNA2D1 might be ascribed to methylation. Mechanistically, PRLR might affect the prognosis of BC by inhibiting the expression of immune checkpoints, while CACNA2D1 might improve the prognosis of BC by increasing the immune cells infiltrating into BC and up-regulating the expression of immune checkpoints. The abnormal expression of PRLR and CACNA2D1 in BC is closely related to the prognosis of BC, and they may serve as targets for the treatment of BC.

Integrating single-cell RNA sequencing and prognostic model revealed the carcinogenicity and clinical significance of FAM83D in ovarian cancer

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a fatal gynecological tumor with high mortality and poor prognosis. Yet, its molecular mechanism is still not fully explored, and early prognostic markers are still missing. In this study, we assessed carcinogenicity and clinical significance of family with sequence similarity 83 member D (FAM83D) in ovarian cancer by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and a prognostic model.

Methods

A 10x scRNA-seq analysis was performed on cells from normal ovary and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) tissue. The prognostic model was constructed by Lasso-Cox regression analysis. The biological function of FAM83D on cell growth, invasion, migration, and drug sensitivity was examined in vitro in OC cell lines. Luciferase reporter assay was performed for binding analysis between FAM83D and microRNA-138-5p (miR-138-5p).

Results

Our integrative analysis identified a subset of malignant epithelial cells (C1) with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and potential hyperproliferation gene signature. A FAM83D⁺ malignant epithelial subcluster (FAM83D⁺ MEC) was associated with cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, DNA repair, and EMT activation. FAM83D resulted as a viable prognostic marker in a prognostic model that efficiently predict the overall survival of OC patients. FAM83D downregulation in SKOV3 and A2780 cells increased cisplatin sensitivity, reducing OC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. MiR-138-5p was identified to regulate FAM83D's carcinogenic effect in OC cells.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of miR-138 -5p/FAM83D/EMT signaling and may provide new insights into therapeutic strategies for OC.

Low expression of PEBP1P2 promotes metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma by post-transcriptional regulation of PEBP1 and KLF13 mRNA

Background

Pseudogenes play an essential role in tumor occurrence and progression. However, the functions and mechanisms of pseudogenes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain largely elusive.

Methods

We quantified PEBP1P2 expression in ccRCC tissues and cells using fluorescence in situ hybridization and real-time PCR. Besides, we evaluated the role of PEBP1P2 in ccRCC using a lung metastasis model and a transwell assay. Finally, we documented the interactions between PEBP1P2, PEBP1, and KLF13 by performing luciferase, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pulldown, and targeted RNA demethylation assays.

Results

Low PEBP1P2 expression correlates significantly with advanced stages and poor prognosis in ccRCC patients. Besides, PEBP1P2 overexpression inhibits ccRCC metastasis formation in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, PEBP1P2 directly interacted with 5-methylcytosine (m5C)-containing PEBP1 mRNA and recruited the YBX1/ELAVL1 complex, stabilizing PEBP1 mRNA. In addition, PEBP1P2 increased KLF13 mRNA levels by acting as a sponge for miR-296, miR-616, and miR-3194.

Conclusions

PEBP1P2 inhibits ccRCC metastasis formation and regulates both PEBP1 and KLF13. Therefore, molecular therapies targeting PEBP1P2 might be an effective treatment strategy against ccRCC and other cancers with low PEBP1P2 levels.

Integrative, In Silico and Comparative Analysis of Breast Cancer Secretome Highlights Invasive-Ductal-Carcinoma-Grade Progression Biomarkers

Globally, BC is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. The aim of this study was to identify novel secreted biomarkers that may indicate progression to high-grade BC malignancies and therefore predict metastatic potential. A total of 33 studies of breast cancer and 78 of other malignancies were screened via a systematic review for eligibility, yielding 26 datasets, 8 breast cancer secretome datasets, and 18 of other cancers that were included in the comparative secretome analysis. Sequential bioinformatic analysis using online resources enabled the identification of enriched GO_terms, overlapping clusters, and pathway reconstruction. This study identified putative predictors of IDC grade progression and their association with breast cancer patient mortality outcomes, namely, HSPG2, ACTG1, and LAMA5 as biomarkers of in silico pathway prediction, offering a putative approach by which the abovementioned proteins may mediate their effects, enabling disease progression. This study also identified ITGB1, FBN1, and THBS1 as putative pan-cancer detection biomarkers. The present study highlights novel, putative secretome biomarkers that may provide insight into the tumor biology and could inform clinical decision making in the context of IDC management in a non-invasive manner.

Non-apoptotic cell death in ovarian cancer: Treatment, resistance and prognosis

Ovarian cancer is mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the absence of effective screening methods and specific symptoms. Repeated chemotherapy resistance and recurrence before PARPi are used as maintenance therapies, lead to low survival rates and poor prognosis. Apoptotic cell death plays a crucial role in ovarian cancer, which is proved by current researches. With the ongoing development of targeted therapy, non-apoptotic cell death has shown substantial potential in tumor prevention and treatment, including autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis, immunogenic cell death, pyroptosis, alkaliptosis, and other modes of cell death. We systematically reviewed the research progress on the role of non-apoptotic cell death in the onset, development, and outcome of ovarian cancer. This review provides a more theoretical basis for exploring therapeutic targets, reversing drug resistance in refractory ovarian cancer, and establishing risk prediction models that help realize the clinical transformation of vital drugs.

Long Non-Coding LEF1-AS1 Sponge miR-5100 Regulates Apoptosis and Autophagy in Gastric Cancer Cells via the miR-5100/DEK/AMPK-mTOR Axis

DEK and miR-5100 play critical roles in many steps of cancer initiation and progression and are directly or indirectly regulated by most promoters and repressors. LEF1-AS1 as a long non-coding RNA can regulate tumor development through sponge miRNA. The effect and regulatory mechanism of DEK on autophagy and apoptosis in gastric cancer (GC), and the role between miR-5100 and DEK or miR-5100 and LEF1-AS1 are still unclear. Our study found that DEK was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, and knockdown of DEK inhibited the autophagy of cells, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer. DEK regulates autophagy and apoptosis through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, miR-5100 inhibits autophagy and promotes apoptosis in GC cells while LEF1-AS1 had the opposite effect. Studies have shown that miR-5100 acts by targeting the 3'UTR of DEK, and LEF1-AS1 regulates the expression of miR-5100 by sponging with mIR-5100. In conclusion, our results found that LEF1-AS1 and miR-5100 sponge function, and the miR-5100/DEK/AMPK/mTOR axis regulates autophagy and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells.

CRISPR/Cas9: A Molecular Tool for Ovarian Cancer Management beyond Gene Editing

Ovarian cancer manifests with early metastases and has an adverse outcome, impacting the health of women globally. Currently, this malignancy is often treated with cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. This treatment option has a limited success rate due to tumor recurrence and chemoresistance. Consequently, the fundamental objective of ovarian cancer treatment is the development of novel treatment approaches. As a new robust tool, the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system has shown immense promise in elucidating the molecular basis of all the facets of ovarian cancer. Due to the precise gene editing capabilities of CRISPR-Cas9, researchers have been able to conduct a more comprehensive investigation of the genesis of ovarian cancer. This gained knowledge can be translated into the development of novel diagnostic approaches and newer therapeutic targets for this dreadful malignancy. There is encouraging preclinical evidence that suggests that CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful versatile tool for selectively targeting cancer cells and inhibiting tumor growth, establishing new signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis, and verifying biomolecules as druggable targets. In this review, we analyzed the current research and progress made using CRISPR/Cas9-based engineering strategies in the diagnosis and treatment, as well as the challenges in bringing this method to clinics. This comprehensive analysis will lay the basis for subsequent research in the future for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Long non-coding RNA CTSLP8 mediates ovarian cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance by modulating cellular glycolysis and regulating c-Myc expression through PKM2

PURPOSE

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play vital roles in tumor progression and resistance. Ovarian cancer (OC), a common gynecological cancer, is associated with poor prognosis as it can progress to peritoneal metastasis and develop resistance to chemotherapy. This study aimed to examine the role of lncRNAs in the development of chemotherapy resistance in OC.

METHODS

The clinical samples were divided into chemotherapy-sensitive and chemotherapy-resistant groups based on the chemotherapy response at follow-up. The glycolysis levels in the two groups were analyzed using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning and immunohistochemistry. GEO dataset analysis revealed the expression of CTSLP8 in chemotherapy-resistant patients with OC. Two pairs of normal and diamminodichloroplatinum (DDP)-resistant cells were transfected with CTSLP8 overexpression and knockdown constructs to examine the functions of CTSLP8 in the OC cells and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The in vivo effect of CTSLP8 overexpression and knockdown on the chemotherapy response of tumors was examined using a mouse subcutaneous tumor model. The tissue chips were subjected to fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining to examine the correlation among CTSLP8 expression, DDP resistance, and prognosis in OC.

RESULTS

The dataset analysis demonstrated that CTSLP8 was upregulated in chemotherapy-resistant tumor tissues. CTSLP8 promoted the proliferation and development of DDP resistance in the OC cells. Moreover, CTSLP8 promoted c-Myc expression by facilitating the binding of PKM2 to the promoter region of c-Myc, thereby upregulating glycolysis. The analysis of tissue chips revealed that the upregulation of CTSLP8 was associated with the development of DDP resistance and poor prognosis in patients with OC.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that CTSLP8 forms a complex with PKM2 to regulate c-Myc, and this action results in the upregulation of cellular glycolysis, consequently promoting OC progression and development of chemotherapy resistance.

HEADLIGHTS

1. CTSLP8 was upregulated in the chemotherapy-resistant tumor tissues. 2. CTSLP8 promoted the proliferation and cisplatin resistance in the OC cells. 3. CTSLP8 promoted glycolysis by facilitating the binding of PKM2 to the promoter region of c-Myc. 4. Inhibition of CTSLP8 or the combination of c-Myc inhibitors with cisplatin were potential therapeutic strategies for chemotherapy-resistant of OC.

Current Research Progress of the Role of LncRNA LEF1-AS1 in a Variety of Tumors

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), as key regulators of cell proliferation and death, are involved in the regulation of various processes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, involving biological developmental processes in the fields of immunology, neurobiology, cancer, and stress. There is great scientific interest in exploring the relationship between lncRNA and tumors. Many researches revealed that lymph enhancer-binding factor 1-antisense RNA 1 (LEF1-AS1), a recently discovered lncRNA, is downregulated in myeloid malignancy, acting mainly as a tumor suppressor, while it is highly expressed and carcinogenic in glioblastoma (GBM), lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), osteosarcoma, colorectal cancer (CRC), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), prostatic carcinoma, retinoblastoma, and other malignant tumors. Furthermore, abnormal LEF1-AS1 expression was associated with tumorigenesis, development, survival, and prognosis via the regulation of target genes and signaling pathways. This review summarizes the existing data on the expression, functions, underlying mechanism, relevant signaling pathways, and clinical significance of LEF1-AS1 in cancer. It is concluded that LEF1-AS1 can serve as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of various tumors, thus deserves further attention in the future.

Long Noncoding RNA 00472: A Novel Biomarker in Human Diseases

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in human diseases. They control gene expression levels and influence various biological processes through multiple mechanisms. Functional abnormalities in lncRNAs are strongly associated with occurrence and development of various diseases. LINC00472, which is located on chromosome 6q13, is involved in several human diseases, particularly cancers of the breast, lung, liver, osteosarcoma, bladder, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic and stomach. Importantly, LINC00472 can be used as a biomarker for breast cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapeutic regimens, including doxorubicin. LINC00472 is regulated by microRNAs and several signaling pathways. However, the significance of LINC00472 in human diseases has not been clearly established. In this review, we elucidate on the significance of LINC00472 in various human diseases, indicating that LINC00472 may be a diagnostic, prognostic as well as therapeutic target for these diseases.

Therapeutic inhibition of GAS6-AS1/YBX1/MYC axis suppresses cell propagation and disease progression of acute myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia in adults. Its therapy has not significantly improved during the past four decades despite intense research efforts. New molecularly targeted therapies are in great need. The proto-oncogene c-Myc (MYC) is an attractive target due to its transactivation role in multiple signaling cascades. Deregulation of the MYC is considered one of a series of oncogenic events required for tumorigenesis. However, limited knowledge is available on which mechanism underlie MYC dysregulation and how long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in MYC dysregulation in AML.

METHODS

AML microarray chips and public datasets were screened to identify novel lncRNA GAS6-AS1 was dysregulated in AML. Gain or loss of functional leukemia cell models were produced, and in vitro and in vivo experiments were applied to demonstrate its leukemogenic phenotypes. Interactive network analyses were performed to define intrinsic mechanism.

RESULTS

We identified GAS6-AS1 was overexpressed in AML, and its aberrant function lead to more aggressive leukemia phenotypes and poorer survival outcomes. We revealed that GAS6-AS1 directly binds Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) to facilitate its interaction with MYC, leading to MYC transactivation and upregulation of IL1R1, RAB27B and other MYC target genes associated with leukemia progression. Further, lentiviral-based GAS6-AS1 silencing inhibited leukemia progression in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed a previously unappreciated role of GAS6-AS1 as an oncogenic lncRNA in AML progression and prognostic prediction. Importantly, we demonstrated that therapeutic targeting of the GAS6-AS1/YBX1/MYC axis inhibits AML cellular propagation and disease progression. Our insight in lncRNA associated MYC-driven leukemogenesis may contribute to develop new anti-leukemia treatment strategies.