Microrna-199a-5p Functions as a Tumor Suppressor via Suppressing Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma

MiR-18a-5p Targets Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression and Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor β2-Induced Trabecular Meshwork Cell Contractility

Increased trabecular meshwork (TM) cell and tissue contractility is a driver of the reduced outflow facility and elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is an established mediator of TM cell contractility, and its expression is increased in POAG due to transforming growth factor β 2 (TGFβ2) signalling. Inhibiting CTGF upregulation using microRNA (miRNA) mimetics could represent a new treatment option for POAG. A combination of in silico predictive tools and a literature review identified a panel of putative CTGF-targeting miRNAs. Treatment of primary human TM cells with 5 ng/mL TGFβ2 for 24 h identified miR-18a-5p as a consistent responder, being upregulated in cells from five different human donors. Transfection of primary donor TM cells with 20 nM synthetic miR-18a-5p mimic reduced TGFβ2-induced CTGF protein expression, and stable lentiviral-mediated overexpression of this miRNA reduced TGFβ2-induced contraction of collagen gels. Together, these findings identify miR-18a-5p as a mediator of the TGFβ2 response and a candidate therapeutic agent for glaucoma via its ability to inhibit CTGF-associated increased TM contractility.

The miR-199a-5p/PD-L1 axis regulates cell proliferation, migration and invasion in follicular thyroid carcinoma

Background

Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is the second most common cancer of the thyroid and easily develops into distant metastasis. PD-L1 is known to be associated with the carcinogenesis and progression of thyroid carcinoma. Our study aimed to investigate the biological functions of PD-L1 and to identify miRNAs that were responsible for modulating the activity of PD-L1.

Methods

A total of 72 patients with FTC at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were enrolled in this retrospective study. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assay was used to measure PD-L1 expression in FTC. The association between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics was evaluated. Bioinformatics analysis, RT–qPCR and western blotting were used to examine the relationships between miR-199a-5p, PD-L1 and Claudin-1. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated by using CCK8 and Transwell migration and invasion assays. Target prediction and luciferase reporter assays were performed to verify the binding between miR-199a-5p and PD-L1. Rescue assay was performed to confirm whether PD-L1 downregulation abolished the inhibitory effect of miR-199a-5p.

Results

Among 72 pairs of tumor and normal specimens, the proportion of PD-L1 positive samples was higher in FTC tissues than in normal tissues. The results of ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT illustrated that there was a positive correlation between PD-L1 expression and immune infiltration, especially regulatory T cells and M1 macrophages. Prediction of immunotherapy revealed that patients with high PD-L1 expression might benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. Transwell migration and invasion assays showed that PD-L1 downregulation in FTC cells could significantly inhibit cell migration and invasion. The bioinformatics analysis and luciferase activity results indicated that PD-L1 was a potential target of miR-199a-5p. Knockdown of PD-L1 reversed the miR-199a-5p inhibitor mediated promotion effect. In addition, we found that PD-L1 expression was positively correlated with Claudin-1 expression and that miR-199a-5p affected the progression of FTC cells through the negative regulation of PD-L1 and Claudin-1.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that PD-L1 expression was elevated in FTC and was closely associated with tumor aggressiveness and progression. MiR-199a-5p has a functional role in the progression and metastasis of FTC by regulating PD-L1 and Claudin-1 expression.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09838-0.

Emerging Biomarkers in Thyroid Practice and Research

Simple Summary

Tumor biomarkers are molecules at genetic or protein level, or certain evaluable characteristics. These help in perfecting patient management. Over the past decade, advanced and more sensitive techniques have led to the identification of many new biomarkers in the field of oncology. A knowledge of the recent developments is essential for their application to clinical practice, and furthering research. This review provides a comprehensive account of such various markers identified in thyroid carcinoma, the most common endocrine malignancy. While some of these have been brought into use in routine patient management, others are novel and need more research before clinical application.

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Recent developments in molecular biological techniques have led to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and clinical behavior of thyroid neoplasms. This has culminated in the updating of thyroid tumor classification, including the re-categorization of existing and introduction of new entities. In this review, we discuss various molecular biomarkers possessing diagnostic, prognostic, predictive and therapeutic roles in thyroid cancer. A comprehensive account of epigenetic dysregulation, including DNA methylation, the function of various microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs, germline mutations determining familial occurrence of medullary and non-medullary thyroid carcinoma, and single nucleotide polymorphisms predisposed to thyroid tumorigenesis has been provided. In addition to novel immunohistochemical markers, including those for neuroendocrine differentiation, and next-generation immunohistochemistry (BRAF V600E, RAS, TRK, and ALK), the relevance of well-established markers, such as Ki-67, in current clinical practice has also been discussed. A tumor microenvironment (PD-L1, CD markers) and its influence in predicting responses to immunotherapy in thyroid cancer and the expanding arena of techniques, including liquid biopsy based on circulating nucleic acids and plasma-derived exosomes as a non-invasive technique for patient management, are also summarized.

miR-199a Downregulation as a Driver of the NOX4/HIF-1α/VEGF-A Pathway in Thyroid and Orbital Adipose Tissues from Graves′ Patients

Graves’ disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroiditis often associated with Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). GD thyroid and GO orbital fat share high oxidative stress (OS) and hypervascularization. We investigated the metabolic pathways leading to OS and angiogenesis, aiming to further decipher the link between local and systemic GD manifestations. Plasma and thyroid samples were obtained from patients operated on for multinodular goiters (controls) or GD. Orbital fats were from GO or control patients. The NADPH-oxidase-4 (NOX4)/HIF-1α/VEGF-A signaling pathway was investigated by Western blotting and immunostaining. miR-199a family expression was evaluated following quantitative real-time PCR and/or in situ hybridization. In GD thyroids and GO orbital fats, NOX4 was upregulated and correlated with HIF-1α stabilization and VEGF-A overexpression. The biotin assay identified NOX4, HIF-1α and VEGF-A as direct targets of miR-199a-5p in cultured thyrocytes. Interestingly, GD thyroids, GD plasmas and GO orbital fats showed a downregulation of miR-199a-3p/-5p. Our results also highlighted an activation of STAT-3 signaling in GD thyroids and GO orbital fats, a transcription factor known to negatively regulate miR-199a expression. We identified NOX4/HIF-1α/VEGF-A as critical actors in GD and GO. STAT-3-dependent regulation of miR-199a is proposed as a common driver leading to these events in GD thyroids and GO orbital fats.

The RNA binding protein QKI5 suppresses ovarian cancer via downregulating transcriptional coactivator TAZ

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are a set of proteins involved in many steps of post-transcriptional regulation to maintain cellular homeostasis. Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most deadly gynecological cancer, but the roles of RBPs in OC are not fully understood. Here, we reported that the RBP QKI5 was significantly negatively correlated with aggressive tumor stage and worse prognosis in serous OC patients. QKI5 could suppress the growth and metastasis of OC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Transcriptome analysis showed that QKI5 negatively regulated the expression of the transcriptional coactivator TAZ and its downstream targets (e.g., CTGF and CYR61). Mechanistically, QKI5 bound to TAZ mRNA and recruited EDC4, thus decreasing the stability of TAZ mRNA. Functionally, TAZ was involved in the QKI5-mediated tumor suppression of OC cells, and QKI5 expression was inversely correlated with TAZ, CTGF, and CYR61 expression in OC patients. Together, our study indicates that QKI5 plays a tumor-suppressive role and negatively regulates TAZ expression in OC.

Changes in Exosomal miRNA Composition in Thyroid Cancer Cells after Prolonged Exposure to Real Microgravity in Space

As much as space travel and exploration have been a goal since humankind looked up to the stars, the challenges coming with it are manifold and difficult to overcome. Therefore, researching the changes the human organism undergoes following exposure to weightlessness, on a cellular or a physiological level, is imperative to reach the goal of exploring space and new planets. Building on the results of our CellBox-1 experiment, where thyroid cancer cells were flown to the International Space Station, we are now taking advantage of the newest technological opportunities to gain more insight into the changes in cell–cell communication of these cells. Analyzing the exosomal microRNA composition after several days of microgravity might elucidate some of the proteomic changes we have reported earlier. An array scan of a total of 754 miRNA targets revealed more than 100 differentially expressed miRNAs in our samples, many of which have been implicated in thyroid disease in other studies.

miR-491-5p inhibits the proliferation and migration of A549 cells by FOXP4

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) plays a key role in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, lower miRNA (miR)-491-5p levels and a higher forkhead box P4 (FOXP4) mRNA level were observed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, compared to adjacent tissues and the normal human lung epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, respectively. A549 cell proliferation and migration were inhibited upon transfection of miR-491-5p mimics compared to miR-negative control (NC) mimics. In addition, compared to miR-NC mimics, overexpression of miR-491-5p decreased FOXP4 expression, while downregulation of miR-491-5p increased FOXP4 expression in A549 cells. The dual luciferase assay confirmed that the 3'untranslated region of FOXP4 was a target for miR-491-5p in A549 cells. Moreover, compared with the control short hairpin (sh)RNA, there was lower expression levels of TGF-β and its downstream targets (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the FOXP4 shRNA group. Similarly, compared to miR-NC mimics, overexpression of miR-491-5p decreased MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels. In FOXP4-knockdown A549 cells, overexpression of miR-491-5p showed little effect on cell proliferation/migration. In A549 cells, overexpression of FOXP4 partially reversed the miR-491-5p mimics-induced inhibition on the cell proliferation and migration. These results may provide new insights into the role of miR-491-5p in NSCLC.

CCN2 (Cellular Communication Network factor 2) in the bone marrow microenvironment, normal and malignant hematopoiesis

CCN2, formerly termed Connective Tissue Growth Factor, is a protein belonging to the Cellular Communication Network (CCN)-family of secreted extracellular matrix-associated proteins. As a matricellular protein it is mainly considered to be active as a modifier of signaling activity of several different signaling pathways and as an orchestrator of their cross-talk. Furthermore, CCN2 and its fragments have been implicated in the regulation of a multitude of biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration, cell survival, apoptosis and the production of extracellular matrix products, as well as in more complex processes such as embryonic development, angiogenesis, chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, fibrosis, mechanotransduction and inflammation. Its function is complex and context dependent, depending on cell type, state of differentiation and microenvironmental context. CCN2 plays a role in many diseases, especially those associated with fibrosis, but has also been implicated in many different forms of cancer. In the bone marrow (BM), CCN2 is highly expressed in mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). CCN2 is important for MSC function, supporting its proliferation, migration and differentiation. In addition, stromal CCN2 supports the maintenance and longtime survival of hematopoietic stem cells, and in the presence of interleukin 7, stimulates the differentiation of pro-B lymphocytes into pre-B lymphocytes. Overexpression of CCN2 is seen in the majority of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemias, especially in certain cytogenetic subgroups associated with poor outcome. In acute myeloid leukemia, CCN2 expression is increased in MSCs, which has been associated with leukemic engraftment in vivo. In this review, the complex function of CCN2 in the BM microenvironment and in normal as well as malignant hematopoiesis is discussed. In addition, an overview is given of data on the remaining CCN family members regarding normal and malignant hematopoiesis, having many similarities and some differences in their function.

Role and clinical significance of TGF‑β1 and TGF‑βR1 in malignant tumors (Review)

The appearance and growth of malignant tumors is a complicated process that is regulated by a number of genes. In recent years, studies have revealed that the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway serves an important role in cell cycle regulation, growth and development, differentiation, extracellular matrix synthesis and immune response. Notably, two members of the TGF-β signaling pathway, TGF-β1 and TGF-β receptor 1 (TGF-βR1), are highly expressed in a variety of tumors, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that TGF-β1 and TGF-βR1 promote proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells by activating other signaling pathways, signaling molecules or microRNAs (miRs), such as the NF-κB signaling pathway and miR-133b. In addition, some inhibitors targeting TGF-β1 and TGF-βR1 have exhibited positive effects in in vitro experiments. The present review discusses the association between TGF-β1 or TGF-βR1 and tumors, and the development of some inhibitors, hoping to provide more approaches to help identify novel tumor markers to restrain and cure tumors.

RETRACTED: The protective role of microRNA-133b in restricting hippocampal neurons apoptosis and inflammatory injury in rats with depression by suppressing CTGF

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Concern was raised about the integrity of the images in Figures 5, 6A and 8A, which appear to contain suspected duplications, as detailed here: https://pubpeer.com/publications/773D824533241B2186D16AA3FFCB3F and here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r0MyIYpagBc58BRF9c3luWNlCX8VUvUuPyYYXzxWvgY/edit#gid=262337249. Additional suspected image duplications were detected within Figure 7A. Our analysis suggested these image anomalies represent either direct duplications of the entire image, or contain several repeated features between or within an image. The journal requested the corresponding author comment on these concerns and provide the raw data. The authors did not respond to this request and therefore the Editor-in-Chief decided to retract the article.

Identification of potential pathogenic candidates or diagnostic biomarkers in papillary thyroid carcinoma using expression and methylation profiles

The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have not yet been elucidated. The aim of the current study was to identify potential pathogenic biomarkers in PTC by comprehensively analyzing gene expression and methylation profiles, and to increase the understanding of PTC pathogenesis. The gene expression profiles of the GSE97001 and GSE83520 datasets, the miRNA expression profiles of the GSE73182 dataset, and the DNA methylation profiles of the GSE86961 and GSE97466 datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) were identified using the limma package in R, and the differentially methylated sites (DMSs) were identified using the β distribution and two-sample t-tests. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Reactome were subsequently used to perform functional and pathway enrichment analysis. The miRNA target genes were predicted using the online databases miRWalk. The protein-protein interactions (PPI) were analyzed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins. The regulatory network was constructed, and the gene expression and methylation levels of the key nodes were detected using reverse-transcription quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and methylation-specific PCR. A total of 155 overlapping DEGs were identified between the GSE97001 and GSE83520 datasets, and 19 DEMs between PTC tissue and normal tissue samples were identified in the GSE73182 set. In the GSE86961 and GSE97466 datasets, 2,910 overlapping DMSs that were associated with 38 downregulated methylated genes were identified. The overlapping DEGs were enriched in 46 Gene Ontology terms and one KEGG pathway. A total of 60 PPI pairs were identified for the overlapping DEGs and 12 negative miRNA-gene pairs were identified for the DEMs. The expression levels of hsa-miR-199a-5p and decorin (DCN) were decreased in patients with PTC. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) was hypermethylated and had a decreased expression level in PTC tissues. LDL receptor related protein 4 (LRP4) and carbonic anhydrase 12 (CA12) were hypomethylated and had an increased expression level. The present study revealed that hsa-miR-199a-5p, DCN, CXCL12, LRP4 and CA12 may serve important roles in the pathogenesis of PTC.

MiR-509-5p improves the proliferative and invasive abilities of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells by inhibiting SFRP1

INTRODUCTION

Our study was conducted to prove that miR-509-5p improved the proliferative and invasive abilities of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cells through inhibiting SFRP1 expression.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

QRT-PCR was conducted in order to detect the miR-509-5p expression levels in PTC and normal tissues. The miR-509-5p and SFRP1 mRNA expression levels in PTC cell lines K1, TPC-1, BCPAP and the human normal thyroid cell line HT-ori3 were also detected by qRT-PCR. The transfection was performed using Lipofectamine and lentiviral vectors. Pgcsil-008 was used as the SFRP1 gene vector. Western blot and dual luciferase reporter gene assay were conducted to investigate miR-509-5p's direct regulation on SFRP1. MTT, clone formation, and Transwell assays were adopted to investigate the biological behaviors of PTC cells. TCF/LEF luciferase assays were used to prove that miR-509-5p influenced the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by regulating SFRP1.

RESULTS

MiR-509-5p was overexpressed in PTC cells and tissues in which SFRP1 was down-regulated. MiR-509-5p bound to the 3'-UTR of SFRP1 and therefore partially weakened the proliferative, migrating and invasive activities of PTC cells. MiR-509-5p promoted activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through down-regulating SFRP1.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-509-5p improved the proliferative, migrating and invasive abilities of PTC cells through inhibiting SFRP1 expression.

MicroRNA‑199a‑5p functions as a tumor suppressor in oral squamous cell carcinoma via targeting the IKKβ/NF‑κB signaling pathway

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to have a significant role in the progression of several types of cancer, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the biological function and regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in OSCC remain to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miRNAs in OSCC and the relevant mechanism. Using a microarray, it was found that miRNA (miR)-199a-5p was one of the most downregulated miRNAs in OSCC tissues. A low expression of miR-199a-5p was closely associated with tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, tumor-node-metastasis stage, and overall survival rate. Functionally, the overexpression of miR-199a-5p suppressed cell proliferation, induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and promoted the apoptosis of Tca8113 and SCC-4 cells. Subsequently, inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) kinase β (IKKβ), an important regulator of NF-κB activation, was identified as a direct target of miR-199-5p. An inverse correlation was found between miR-199a-5p and IKKβ in tumor tissues. Further investigations revealed that the overexpression of IKKβ efficiently abrogated the influences caused by the overexpression of miR-199a-5p. It was also found that the miR-199a-5p-mediated anticancer effects were dependent on the inhibition of NF-κB activation. These findings indicate that miR-199a-5p functions as a tumor suppressor through regulation of the NF-κB pathway by targeting IKKβ in OSCC.

The landscape of miRNA-related ceRNA networks for marking different renal cell carcinoma subtypes

We know that different types of cancers usually have different responses to the same treatment. Therefore, it is important to understand the similarities and differences across subtypes of cancers, so as to provide a basis for the individualized treatments. Until now, no comprehensive investigation on competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) has been reported for the three main subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), so the regulation characteristics of ceRNAs in three subtypes are not well revealed. This paper firstly describes a comparative analysis of ceRNA-ceRNA interaction networks for all the three subtypes of RCC based on differential microRNAs (miRNAs). We comprehensively summarized all miRNA and messenger RNAdata of RCC from 126 matched tumor-normal tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas, systematically analyzed a total of more than 80 000 ceRNA interactions and highlighted the common and specific properties among them, aiming to identify critical genes to classify them for providing supplementary help in the precise diagnosis of RCC. From three aspects, including common or specific ceRNAs, upregulated or downregulated and classifications across the three subtypes, we highlighted the common and specific properties for the three subtypes and also explored the classification of RCC by combining the specific ceRNAs with differential regulations. Moreover, for the most major subtype of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (KIRC), three critical genes were screened out from KIRC ceRNA network and further demonstrated to be the potential biomarkers of KIRC by performing biological experiments at the transcriptional level.

Thyroid cancers of follicular origin in a genomic light: in-depth overview of common and unique molecular marker candidates

In recent years, thyroid malignances have become more prevalent, especially among women. The most common sporadic types of thyroid tumors of follicular origin include papillary, follicular and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Although modern diagnosis methods enable the identification of tumors of small diameter, tumor subtype differentiation, which is imperative for the correct choice of treatment, is still troublesome. This review discusses the recent advances in the field of molecular marker identification via next-generation sequencing and microarrays. The potential use of these biomarkers to distinguish among the most commonly occurring sporadic thyroid cancers is presented and compared. Geographical heterogeneity might be a differentiator, although not necessarily a limiting factor, in biomarker selection. The available data advocate for a subset of mutations common for the three subtypes as well as mutations that are unique for a particular tumor subtype. Tumor heterogeneity, a known issue occurring within solid malignancies, is also discussed where applicable. Public databases with datasets derived from high-throughput experiments are a valuable source of information that aid biomarker research in general, including the identification of molecular hallmarks of thyroid cancer.

Circulating Plasma Levels of miR-20b, miR-29b and miR-155 as Predictors of Bevacizumab Efficacy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Targeting angiogenesis in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common strategy, for which potential predictive biomarkers have been studied. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in several processes including the angiogenic pathway. They are very stable in biological fluids, which turns them into potential circulating biomarkers. In this study, we considered a case series of patients with metastatic (m) CRC treated with a bevacizumab (B)-based treatment, enrolled in the prospective multicentric Italian Trial in Advanced Colorectal Cancer (ITACa). We then analyzed a panel of circulating miRNAs in relation to the patient outcome. In multivariate analysis, circulating basal levels of hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-29b-3p and hsa-miR-155-5p resulted in being significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.027, p = 0.034 and p = 0.039, respectively) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.044, p = 0.024 and p = 0.032, respectively). We also observed that an increase in hsa-miR-155-5p at the first clinical evaluation was significantly associated with shorter PFS (HR 3.03 (95% CI 1.06-9.09), p = 0.040) and OS (HR 3.45 (95% CI 1.18-10.00), p = 0.024), with PFS and OS of 9.5 (95% CI 6.8-18.7) and 15.9 (95% CI 8.4-not reached), respectively, in patients with an increase ≥30% of hsa-miR-155-5p and 22.3 (95% CI 10.2-25.5) and 42.9 (24.8-not reached) months, respectively, in patients without such increase. In conclusion, our results highlight the potential usefulness of circulating basal levels of hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-29b-3p and hsa-miR-155-5p in predicting the outcome of patients with mCRC treated with B. In addition, the variation of circulating hsa-miR-155-5p could also be indicative of the patient survival.

BRAFV600E and RET/PTC Promote Proliferation and Migration of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cells In Vitro by Regulating Nuclear Factor-κB

Background

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated with mutations of BRAF^V600E and RET/PTC and high levels of expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). However, few studies have focused on the association between NF-κB expression and mutations in BRAF^V600E and RET/PTC, especially regarding PTC cell proliferation and migration. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of BRAF^V600E or RET/PTC on NF-κB expression, cell proliferation and cell migration in four established PTC cell lines.

Material/Methods

Four cell lines included TPC-1 (BRAF^WT/WT), BCPAP (BRAF^V600E/V600E), PCCL3, and PTC3-5 (RET/PTC), were grown in culture in vitro with or without suppression of NF-κB using pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), and cell proliferation, and cell migration were evaluated.

Results

Expression of the BRAF gene was increased in the BCPAP cell line when compared with the TPC-1 cells. Expression of the RET gene was increased in the PTC3-5 cell line when compared with the PCCL3 cells. In the BCPAP and PTC3-5 cell lines, the relative expression of NF-κB protein, including phosphorylated p100/52, phosphorylated p65, phosphorylated IKKα/β, phosphorylated IκBα, and p65 nuclear translocation were increased compared with the TPC-1 and PCCL3 cells. Proliferation and migration of BCPAP and PTC3-5 cells were increased compared with the TPC-1 and PCCL3 cells. Suppression of NF-κB reduced NF-κB protein expression and inhibited the proliferation of cells in the TPC-1, BCPAP, PCCL3 and PTC3-5 cell lines, and migration of the BCPAP and PTC3-5 cells.

Conclusions

BRAF^V600E and RET/PTC and the expression of NF-κB promote the proliferation and migration of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells in vitro.

MiR-150 Inhibits Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo by Restraining the RAB11A/WNT/β-Catenin Pathway in Thyroid Cancer

Background

Emerging evidence has shown that downregulation or upregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays an important role in the development and progression of thyroid cancer (TC). However, the potential role of miR-150 and its biological function in TC remains largely unclear.

Material/Methods

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to detect the expression level of miR-150 and RAB11A in human TC tissue and human normal thyroid tissue. MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry cell cycle, and apoptosis assay were used to investigate the role of miR-150 and RAB11A on the malignant phenotypes in vitro. Nude mouse xenograft assay and western blot assay was used to verify the function of miR-150 in vivo. Western blot assay and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the activation of WNT/β-catenin pathway mediated by miR-150 and RAB11A. EGFP reporter assay, RT-qPCR assay, and western blot assay were used to validate the regulation relationship.

Results

This study demonstrated that miR-150 expression in human TC tissues was markedly downregulated. Moreover, overexpression of miR-150 markedly inhibited cell proliferation via inducing the cell cycle arrest and promoting cell apoptosis by directly targeting RAB11A in vitro and suppressing tumor growth in vivo. However, overexpression of RAB11A promoted cell malignant phenotypes. In addition, miR-150 restrained the RAB11A mediated WNT/β-catenin activation in TC cells.

Conclusions

miR-150 may function as a suppressor gene in TC cells by inhibiting the RAB11A/WNT/β-catenin pathway.

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in Thyroid Carcinoma

Optimal management of patients with thyroid cancer requires the use of sensitive and specific biomarkers. For early diagnosis and effective follow-up, the currently available cytological and serum biomarkers, thyroglobulin and calcitonin, present severe limitations. Research on microRNA expression in thyroid tumors is providing new insights for the development of novel biomarkers that can be used to diagnose thyroid cancer and optimize its management. In this review, we will examine some of the methods commonly used to detect and quantify microRNA in biospecimens from patients with thyroid tumor, as well as the potential applications of these techniques for developing microRNA-based biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of thyroid cancers.

Regulation of ITGA3 by the dual-stranded microRNA-199 family as a potential prognostic marker in bladder cancer

Background:

Based on the microRNA (miRNA) signature of bladder cancer (BC) by deep sequencing, we recently found that several double-stranded mature miRNAs derived from the same pre-miRNAs were sufficiently expressed and acted as tumour suppressors by regulating common target genes in BC. Our deep-sequencing signature of BC showed that all miR-199 family members (miR-199a-3p/-5p and miR-199b-3p/-5p) were also downregulated. We hypothesised that these miRNAs may function as tumour suppressors by regulating common target genes.

Methods:

Functional assays of BC cells were performed using transfection of mature miRNA. In silico analyses and luciferase reporter analyses were applied to identify target genes of these miRNAs. The overall survival of patients with BC in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results:

Restoration of these miRNAs significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion in BC cells. Integrin α3 (ITGA3) was directly regulated by these miRNAs. The Cancer Genome Atlas database showed that patients with low pre-miR-199 family (miR-199a-1/-2 and miR-199b) expression exhibited significantly poorer overall survival compared with patients with high pre-miR-199 family expression.

Conclusions:

miR-199 family miRNAs functioned as tumour suppressors in BC cells by targeting ITGA3 and might be good prognostic markers for predicting survival in patients with BC.

MiR-199a-5p suppresses tumorigenesis by targeting clathrin heavy chain in hepatocellular carcinoma

The deregulation of microRNA (miRNA) is frequently associated with a variety of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the expression and possible role of miR-199a-5p in HCC. The expression of miR-199a-5p was measured by quantitative RT-PCR in HCC. The effect of miR-199a-5p was evaluated by cell viability and colony formation assays in HCC cell lines and tumor cell growth assay in xenograft nude mice. Quantitative real time PCR results showed that miR-199a-5p was down-regulated in 77.9 % (67/86) of HCC tissues compared with adjacent nontumor tissues. MiR-199a-5p mimic reduced cell viability and colony formation by induction of cell arrest in HCC cell lines and inhibited tumor cell growth in xenograft nude mice, but miR-199a-5p inhibitor increased cell viability and colony formation in HCC cell lines and tumor cell growth in xenograft nude mice. Furthermore, CLTC was defined as a potential direct target of miR-199a-5p by MiRanda and TargetScan predictions. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that CLTC was a direct target of miR-199a-5p. The use of miR-199a-5p mimic or inhibitor could decrease or increase CLTC protein levels in HCC cell lines. We conclude that the frequently down-regulated miR-199a-5p can regulate CLTC and might function as a tumor suppressor in HCC. Therefore, miR-199a-5p may serve as a useful therapeutic agent for miRNA-based HCC therapy.

Epigenetic modulators of thyroid cancer

There are some well known factors involved in the etiology of thyroid cancer, including iodine deficiency, radiation exposure at early ages, or some genetic changes. However, epigenetic modulators that may contribute to development of these tumors and be helpful to for both their diagnosis and treatment have recently been discovered. The currently known changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in each type of thyroid carcinoma are reviewed here.

Up-regulation of microRNA-491-5p suppresses cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by targeting FOXP4 in human osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in pathogenesis and progression of human malignancies. MicroRNA-491-5p (miR-491-5p) is down-regulated in many human cancers where it would serve as a tumour suppressor. However, the role played by miR-491-5p in pathogenesis of human osteosarcoma has remained largely unknown. This study has been conducted to examine effects of miR-491-5p on migration and proliferation of cells of the SAOS-2 and MG63 osteosarcoma lines, and mechanisms of those effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Levels of miR-491-5p expression in osteosarcoma tissues and in human osteosarcoma cell lines were studied using qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) methods. Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 and EdU assays, while the transwell assay was used to evaluate migration and invasion. Apoptosis was analysed uing flow cytometry and the Hoechst 33342 nuclear staining method. A dual-luciferase reporter system was used to confirm the target gene of miR-491-5p. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) with DIG-labelled double-stranded FOXP4 oligonucleotides was used to confirm whether or not miR-491-5p suppressed FOXP4 activation.

RESULTS

Cells of osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines had low levels of miR-491-5p expression, but high levels of forkhead-box P4 (FOXP4) expression. Transfection of SAOS-2 and MG63 cells with miR-491-5p mimics inhibited expression of FOXP4 protein, which suppressed cell growth and migration, but induced apoptosis. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed FOXP4 as the target gene for miR-491-5p. Overexpression of miR-491-5p suppressed FOXP4 activity in SAOS-2 and MG63 cells. Knockdown of FOXP4 in SAOS-2 and MG63 cells using an RNAi strategy resulted in reduced levels of cell proliferation and migration, but increased levels of apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our in vitro studies showed that up-regulation of miR-491-5p suppressed proliferation of the human osteosarcoma cells and induced apoptosis by targeting FOXP4. These findings suggest that miR-491-5p could be further studied as a potential clinical diagnostic or predictive biomarker for human osteosarcoma.

MicroRNAs in the thyroid

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA comprising approximately 19-25 nucleotides. miRNAs can act as tumour suppressors or oncogenes, and aberrant expression of miRNAs has been reported in several human cancers and has been associated with cancer initiation and progression. Recent evidence suggests that miRNAs play a major role in thyroid carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize the role of miRNAs in thyroid cancer and describe the oncogenic or tumour suppressor function of miRNAs as well as their clinical utility as prognostic or diagnostic markers in thyroid cancer.

Anticancer bioactive peptide-3 inhibits human gastric cancer growth by targeting miR-338-5p

BACKGROUND

Cancer incidence and mortality have been increasing in China, making cancer the leading cause of death since 2010 and a major public health concern in the country. Cancer stem cells have been studied in relation to the treatment of different malignancies, including gastric cancer. Anticancer bioactive peptide-3 (ACBP-3) can induce the apoptosis of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) and reduce their tumorigenicity. In the present study, for the first time, we used a miRNA microarray and bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in ACBP-3-treated GCSCs and GCSC-derived tumors in a xenograft model and functionally verified the identified miRNAs. miR-338-5p was selected based on its significant upregulation by ACBP-3 both in cultured GCSCs and in tumor tissues.

RESULTS

miR-338-5p was downregulated in GCSCs compared with normal gastric epithelial cells, and the ectopic restoration of miR-338-5p expression in GCSCs inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, which correlated with the upregulation of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins BAK and BIM. We also found that ACBP-3-treated GCSCs could respond to lower effective doses of cisplatin (DDP) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), possibly because ACBP-3 induced the expression of miR-338-5p and the BAK and BIM proteins and promoted GCSC apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that miR-338-5p is part of an important pathway for the inhibition of human gastric cancer stem cell proliferation by ACBP-3 combined with chemotherapeutics. ACBP-3 could suppress GCSC proliferation and lower the required effective dose of cisplatin or 5-fluorouracil. Therefore, this study provides not only further evidence for the remarkable anti-tumor effect of ACBP-3 but also a possible new approach for the development of GCSC-targeting therapies.

Fibrogenic Signaling Is Suppressed in Hepatic Stellate Cells through Targeting of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2) by Cellular or Exosomal MicroRNA-199a-5p

Pathways of liver fibrosis are controlled by connective tissue growth factor (CCN2). In this study, CCN2 was identified as a target of miR-199a-5p, which was principally expressed in quiescent mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and directly suppressed production of CCN2. Up-regulated CCN2 expression in fibrotic mouse livers or in activated primary mouse HSCs was associated with miR-199a-5p down-regulation. MiR-199a-5p in quiescent mouse HSCs inhibited the activity of a wild-type CCN2 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) but not of a mutant CCN2 3'-UTR lacking the miR-199a-5p-binding site. In activated mouse HSCs, CCN2, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen 1(α1) were suppressed by a miR-199a-5p mimic, whereas in quiescent mouse HSCs, the inhibited CCN2 3'-UTR activity was blocked by a miR-199a-5p antagomir. CCN2 3'-UTR activity in human HSCs was reduced by a miR-199a-5p mimic. MiR-199a-5p was present at higher levels in exosomes from quiescent versus activated HSCs. MiR-199a-5p-containing exosomes were shuttled from quiescent mouse HSCs to activated mouse HSCs in which CCN2 3'-UTR activity was then suppressed. Exosomes from quiescent HSCs caused miR-199a-5p-dependent inhibition of CCN2, α-smooth muscle actin, or collagen 1(α1) in activated HSCs in vitro and bound to activated HSCs in vivo. Thus, CCN2 suppression by miR-199a-5p accounts, in part, for low-level fibrogenic gene expression in quiescent HSCs and causes dampened gene expression in activated HSCs after horizontal transfer of miR-199a-5p in exosomes from quiescent HSCs.

Targeting Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1 (TGF-β1) Inhibits Tumorigenesis of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Cells Through ERK1/2-NFκkB-PUMA Signaling

BACKGROUND The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays a critical role in promoting tumor growth. TGF-β1was found to be overexpressed in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). We therefore tested our hypothesis that targeting TGF-β1 inhibits tumorigenesis of ATC cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS Effects of TGF-β1 stimulation or TGF-β1 inhibition by small interfering RNA (TGF-β1siRNA) on proliferation, colony formation, and apoptosis in 8505C cells in vitro was detected using siRNAs and inhibitors to examine the TGF-β1 signaling pathway. A subcutaneously implanted tumor model of 8505C cells in nude mice was used to assess the effects of TGF-β1 inhibition on tumorigenesis development. RESULTS TGF-β1siRNAs decreased proliferation and colony formation, and increased apoptosis in 8505C cells in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. TGF-β1siRNA inhibited phosphorylation ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and increased p65-dependant PUMA mRNA and protein expression. Knockdown of p65 or PUMA by siRNA reduced TGF-β1siRNA-induced apoptosis, as well as caspase-3 and PARP activation. Upregulation of p65 or PUMA expression by TGF-β1siRNA requires pERK1/2 inhibition. TGF-β1 shRNA inhibited tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Therapies targeting the TGF-β1 pathway may be more effective to prevent primary tumor formation. The ability of this therapy to decrease tumorigenesis may be related to ERK1/2/NF-κB/PUMA signaling.