IL-17A promotes the migration and invasiveness of cervical cancer cells by coordinately activating MMPs expression via the p38/NF-κB signal pathway

A comprehensive review of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt axis in multiple myeloma: From molecular interactions to potential therapeutic targets

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways contribute to the development of several cancers, including multiple myeloma (MM). PTEN is a tumor suppressor that influences the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, which in turn impacts vital cellular processes like growth, survival, and treatment resistance. The current study aims to present the role of PTEN and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in the development of MM and its response to treatment. In addition, the molecular interactions in MM that underpin the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and address potential implications for the development of successful treatment plans are also discussed in detail. We investigate their relationship to both upstream and downstream regulators, highlighting new developments in combined therapies that target the PTEN/PI3K/Akt axis to overcome drug resistance, including the use of PI3K and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. We also emphasize that PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway elements may be used in MM diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets.

Oct4 activates IL-17A to orchestrate M2 macrophage polarization and cervical cancer metastasis

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a common malignant tumor in the female. Interleukin (IL)-17A is a proinflammatory factor and exerts a vital function in inflammatory diseases and cancers. M2 macrophage has been confirmed to promote tumor development. Nevertheless, it is not yet known whether IL-17A facilitates cervical cancer development by inducing M2 macrophage polarization. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the regulatory effect of IL-17A on M2 macrophage polarization and the underlying mechanism in cervical cancer development.

METHODS

RT-qPCR was utilized for testing IL-17A expression in cancer tissues and cells. Flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the M1 or M2 macrophage polarization. Cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities were measured through colony formation and transwell assays. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were applied to determine the interaction between IL-17A and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4).

RESULTS

IL-17A expression and concentration were high in metastatic tissues and cells of cervical cancer. IL-17A was found to facilitate M2 macrophage polarization in cervical cancer. Furthermore, IL-17A facilitated the macrophage-mediated promotion of cervical cancer cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities. Mechanistic assays manifested that Oct4 binds to and transcriptionally activated IL-17A in cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, Oct4 promoted cervical cancer cell malignant phenotype and M2 macrophage polarization by activating the p38 pathway that, in turn, upregulated IL-17A. Additionally, in vivo experiments confirmed that Oct4 knockdown reduced tumor growth and metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Oct4 triggers IL-17A to facilitate the polarization of M2 macrophages, which promotes cervical cancer cell metastasis.

Immune landscape of vulvar cancer patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy revealed restricted T cell functionality and increased IL-17 expression associated with cancer relapse

For vulvar cancers, radiotherapy is targeting cancer cells, but also affects the host immune system. As this may affect treatment outcome, in this prospective study, we characterized the individual T cell immune milieu induced by surgery and adjuvant radio +/- chemotherapy (aRT) systemically in the blood of vulvar cancer patients and found increased frequencies of Interleukin (IL)-17-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after aRT while frequencies of Th1 and perforin-producing CD8+ killer cells were strongly diminished. Phenotypic characterization revealed enhanced expression of the ectonucleotidase CD39 on Th17 and Tc17 cells as well as CD8+ perforin+ cells after aRT. Furthermore, the aRT cohort exhibited increased proportions of Programmed Cell Death Protein (PD-1) expressing cells among Th1 and CD8+ perforin+ cells, but not among Th17 and Tc17 cells. High post-therapeutic levels of Th17 and Tc17 cells and low proportions of Th1 and CD8+ perforin+ cells expressing PD-1 was associated with reduced recurrence free survival on follow-up. In conclusion, our study defines individual therapy-induced changes in the cellular immune milieu of patients and their association with cancer relapse. Our results may help to explain differences in the individual courses of disease of vulvar cancer patients and suggest PD-1 and IL-17 as targets for immunotherapy in vulvar cancer.

Th17 cells target the metabolic miR-142-5p-succinate dehydrogenase subunit C/D (SDHC/SDHD) axis, promoting invasiveness and progression of cervical cancers

During cervical carcinogenesis, T-helper (Th)-17 cells accumulate in the peripheral blood and tumor tissues of cancer patients. We previously demonstrated that Th17 cells are associated with therapy resistance as well as cervical cancer metastases and relapse; however, the underlying Th17-driven mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, using microarrays, we found that Th17 cells induced an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype of cervical cancer cells and promoted migration and invasion of 2D cultures and 3D spheroids via induction of microRNA miR-142-5p. As the responsible mechanism, we identified the subunits C and D of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex as new targets of miR-142-5p and provided evidence that Th17-miR-142-5p-dependent reduced expression of SDHC and SDHD mediated enhanced migration and invasion of cancer cells using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for SDHC and SDHD, and miR-142-5p inhibitors. Consistently, patients exhibited high levels of succinate in their serum associated with lymph node metastases and diminished expression of SDHD in patient biopsies correlated with increased numbers of Th17 cells. Correspondingly, a combination of weak or negative SDHD expression and a ratio of Th17/CD4+ T cells > 43.90% in situ was associated with reduced recurrence-free survival. In summary, we unraveled a previously unknown molecular mechanism by which Th17 cells promote cervical cancer progression and suggest evaluation of Th17 cells as a potential target for immunotherapy in cervical cancer.

Anti-HPV16 oncoproteins siRNA therapy for cervical cancer using a novel transdermal peptide PKU12

In this study, an innovative transdermal peptide, #PKU12, was developed based on transdermal peptide TD-1, and the anti-tumor effect of PKU12-based siRNA against HPV was investigated in vivo. Furthermore, transcriptome differences between PKU12 + siRNA treatment and control groups were compared to assess treatment effects. The top five upregulated and downregulated genes identified by RNA sequencing were further subjected to survival analysis. The present study, for the first time, showed that this novel peptide could enhance the transdermal delivery of the siRNA targeting HPV16 L1, E6, and E7. PKU12-based siRNA delivery significantly repressed the mRNA expression levels of HPV16 L1, E6, and E7 in the SiHa xenograft tumors and attenuated tumor growth as well. The RNA-sequencing results showed that a total of 586 DEGs were detected in the PKU12 + siRNA-treated tumor tissues compared to the control tumor tissues. The GSEA analysis revealed that DEGs were inversely associated with the HIF-1 signaling pathway, the TNF signaling pathway, the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, the NF-kappa B signaling pathway, ferroptosis, the IL-17 signaling pathway, ovarian steroidogenesis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Further functional enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were significantly enriched in several key pathways, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the TNF signaling pathway, and the IL-17 signaling pathway. High expression of MYH1, MYH4, FGG, DEPP1, and ZBTB16 was associated with shorter overall survival of patients with cervical cancer; high expression of SULT1E1, RAB3C, CXCR3, and PROX2 was associated with longer overall survival of patients with cervical cancer. In conclusion, the transdermal peptide PKU12 is potentially a good candidate for a siRNA delivery vehicle for the treatment of cervical cancer.

The role of Th-17 cells and IL-17 in the metastatic spread of breast cancer: As a means of prognosis and therapeutic target

Metastatic breast cancer is one of the most common and well-known causes of death for women worldwide. The inflammatory tumor cell and other cancer hallmarks dictate the metastatic form and dissemination of breast cancer. Taking these into account, from various components of the tumor microenvironment, a pro-inflammatory infiltrative cell known as Th-17 plays an immense role in breast cancer proliferation, invasiveness, and metastasis. It has been demonstrated that IL-17, a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine generated by Th-17, is upregulated in a metastatic form of breast cancer. Recent research updates stated that chronic inflammation and mediators like cytokines and chemokines are causative hallmarks in many human cancers, including breast cancer. Therefore, IL-17 and its multiple downward signaling molecules are the centers of research attention to develop potent treatment options for cancer. They provide information on the role of IL-17-activated MAPK, which results in tumor cell proliferation and metastasis via NF-kB-mediated expression of MMP signaling. Overall, this review article emphasizes IL-17A and its intermediate signaling molecules, such as ERK1/2, NF-kB, MMPs, and VEGF, as potential molecular targets for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Interleukin-17 Family Cytokines in Metabolic Disorders and Cancer

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines are potent drivers of inflammatory responses. Although IL-17 was originally identified as a cytokine that induces protective effects against bacterial and fungal infections, IL-17 can also promote chronic inflammation in a number of autoimmune diseases. Research in the last decade has also elucidated critical roles of IL-17 during cancer development and treatment. Intriguingly, IL-17 seems to play a role in the risk of cancers that are associated with metabolic disorders. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on the biochemical basis of IL-17 signaling, IL-17′s involvement in cancers and metabolic disorders, and postulate how IL-17 family cytokines may serve as a bridge between these two types of diseases.

Naringin inhibits titanium particles-induced up-regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 via the p38 MAPK pathway in fibroblasts from hip periprosthetic membrane

AIMS

Inflammatory responses to wear debris cause osteolysis that leads to aseptic loosening and hip arthroplasty failure. Wear debris stimulate macrophages and fibroblasts to secret proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6, which have been specifically implicated in periprosthetic osteolysis and osteoclast differentiation. Naringin has anti-inflammatory effect in macrophages. Moreover, naringin inhibited osteoclastogenesis and wear particles-induced osteolysis. In this study, we examined the potential inhibitory effects of naringin on titanium (Ti) particle-induced proinflammatory cytokines secretion in fibroblasts and the possible underlying molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fibroblasts were isolated from periprosthetic membrane at the time of revision surgery performed due to aseptic loosening after hip arthroplasty and were cultured in the presence or absence of Ti particles, naringin and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors, PD98059 (a selective inhibitor of ERK), SP600125 (a selective inhibitor of JNK), and SB203580 (a selective inhibitor of p38). TNF-α and IL-6 assays were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The phosphorylation levels of p38 and nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) were examined by western blot.

RESULTS

Naringin or SB203580 pretreatment significantly suppressed the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 induced by titanium particles in fibroblasts, while inhibition of ERK or JNK pathways showed no effect on production of TNF-α and IL-6. Moreover, naringin inhibited Ti particle-induced phosphorylation of p38 and p65.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that naringin could inhibit Ti particle-induced inflammation in fibroblasts by inhibiting p38 MAPK/NF-κB p65 activity and might be a potential drug for the treatment of inflammatory periprosthetic osteolysis after arthroplasty.

p38β - MAPK11 and its role in female cancers

Background

The p38MAPK family of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases are a group of signalling molecules involved in cell growth, survival, proliferation and differentiation. The widely studied p38α isoform is ubiquitously expressed and is implicated in a number of cancer pathologies, as are p38γ and p38δ. However, the mechanistic role of the isoform, p38β, remains fairly elusive. Recent studies suggest a possible role of p38β in both breast and endometrial cancer with research suggesting involvement in bone metastasis and cancer cell survival. Female tissue specific cancers such as breast, endometrial, uterine and ovary account for over 3,000,000 cancer related incidents annually; advancements in therapeutics and treatment however require a deeper understanding of the molecular aetiology associated with these diseases. This study provides an overview of the MAPK signalling molecule p38β (MAPK11) in female cancers using an in-silico approach.

Methods

A detailed gene expression and methylation analysis was performed using datasets from cBioportal, CanSar and MEXPRESS. Breast, Uterine Endometrial, Cervical, Ovarian and Uterine Carcinosarcoma TCGA cancer datasets were used and analysed.

Results

Data using cBioportal and CanSAR suggest that expression of p38β is lower in cancers: BRCA, UCEC, UCS, CESC and OV compared to normal tissue. Methylation data from SMART and MEXPRESS indicate significant probe level variation of CpG island methylation status of the gene MAPK11. Analysis of the genes’ two CpG islands shows that the gene was hypermethylated in the CpG1 with increased methylation seen in BRCA, CESC and UCEC cancer data sets with a slight increase of expression recorded in cancer samples. CpG2 exhibited hypomethylation with no significant difference between samples and high levels of expression. Further analysis from MEXPRESS revealed no significance between probe methylation and altered levels of expression. In addition, no difference in the expression of BRCA oestrogen/progesterone/HER2 status was seen.

Conclusion

This data provides an overview of the expression of p38β in female tissue specific cancers, showing a decrease in expression of the gene in BRCA, UCEC, CESC, UCS and OV, increasing the understanding of p38β MAPK expression and offering insight for future in-vitro investigation and therapeutic application.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13048-021-00834-9.

The role of Th17 cells in viral infections

The present review provides an overview of recent advances regarding the function of Th17 cells and their produced cytokines in the progression of viral diseases. Viral infections alone do not lead to virus-induced malignancies, as both genetic and host safety factors are also involved in the occurrence of malignancies. Acquired immune responses, through the differentiation of Th17 cells, form the novel components of the Th17 cell pathway when reacting with viral infections all the way from the beginning to its final stages. As a result, instead of inducing the right immune responses, these events lead to the suppression of the immune system. In fact, the responses from Th17 cells during persistent viral infections causes chronic inflammation through the production of IL-17 and other cytokines which provide a favorable environment for tumor growth and its development. Additionally, during the past decade, these cells have been understood to be involved in tumor progression and metastasis. However, further research is required to understand Th17 cells' immune mechanisms in the vast variety of viral diseases. This review aims to determine the roles and effects of the immune system, especially Th17 cells, in the progression of viral diseases; which can be highly beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of these infections.

Immunohistochemical expression of interleukin-17 and hormonal receptors in benign and malignant breast lesions

OBJECTIVES

IL17 is a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine that is involved in inflammation, multidrug resistance and growth persistence pathways in cancer. This study is aiming at studying the expression of IL17 and hormonal receptors expression in benign and malignant breast lesions using immunohistochemical staining methods.

RESULTS

A total of 137 cases of breast lesions were studied, 97 (70.8%) were malignant and 40 (29.2%) were benign cases. Age range for malignant and benign cases were between 26 and 80 years [mean age 50 ± 2 years], and 20 to 70 years [mean age 41 ± 4 years], respectively, Odds ratio = 2.3 [1.78-1.99, 95% CI]. The majority of the histopathological diagnosis of the benign and malignant lesions were 21 (15.3%) fibro-adenomas and 87 (63.5%) invasive ductal carcinoma, respectively. Expression of IL17 and age were insignificantly negatively correlated for both groups; benign cases [r = - 0.054, P value 0.742] and malignant cases [r = - 0.080, P value 0.444]. IL17 expression was showing insignificant association with age group, P value 0.065. IL17 expression showed a statistical significance based on the different histopathological diagnosis, P value 0.035. Expression levels of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal receptors were showing insignificant difference among IL17 expression categories, P values 0.678, 0.623, and 0.361, respectively.

IL-23 Expression in Stewart-Treves Syndrome: Two Case Reports and Immunohistochemical Investigation

Stewart-Treves syndrome (STS) is a rare cutaneous lymphangiosarcoma developing from chronic lymph edema as a consequence of radical mastectomy or surgical invasion of the groin for the treatment of cervical or penile cancer. Previous reports suggested possible mechanisms in the development of lymphangiosarcoma that correlate with the immunological background of STS patients. In this report, we described two cases of STS developing in patients who underwent radical dissection for cervical cancer, we employed immunohistochemical staining of IL-23 and IL-17.

IL-17 regulates DC migration to the peribronchial LNs and allergen presentation in experimental allergic asthma

IL-17 is associated with different phenotypes of asthma, however, it is not fully elucidated how it influences induction and maintenance of asthma and allergy. In order to determine the role of IL-17 in development of allergic asthma, we used IL-17A/F double KO (IL-17A/F KO) and WT mice with or without neutralization of IL-17 in an experimental allergic asthma model and analyzed airway hyperresponsiveness, lung inflammation, T helper cell polarization, and DCs influx and activation. We report that the absence of IL-17 reduced influx of DCs into lungs and lung draining LNs. Compared to WT mice, IL-17A/F KO mice or WT mice after neutralization of IL-17A showed reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion, and IgE levels. DCs from draining LNs of allergen-challenged IL-17A/F KO mice showed a reduction in expression of migratory and costimulatory molecules CCR7, CCR2, MHC-II, and CD40 compared to WT DCs. Moreover, in vivo stimulation of adoptively transferred antigen-specific cells was attenuated in lung-draining LNs in the absence of IL-17. Thus, we report that IL-17 enhances airway DC activation, migration, and function. Consequently, lack of IL-17 leads to reduced antigen-specific T cell priming and impaired development of experimental allergic asthma.

Type 3 cytokines in liver fibrosis and liver cancer

The type 3 cytokines IL-17 and IL-22 play a crucial, well synchronized physiological role in wound healing and repairing tissue damage due to infections or injury at barrier surfaces. These cytokines act on epithelial cells to induce secretion of early immune mediators, recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site of injury, and to trigger tissue repair mechanisms. However, if the damage persists or if these cytokines are dysregulated, then they contribute to a number of inflammatory pathologies, autoimmune conditions and cancer. The liver is a multifunctional organ that plays an essential role in metabolism, detoxification, and immune surveillance. It is also exposed to a variety of pathogens, toxins and injuries. Over the past decade, IL-17 and IL-22 have been implicated in various aspects of liver inflammation. IL-17 is upregulated in chronic liver injury and associated with liver disease progression. In contrast, IL-22 was shown to be hepatoprotective during acute liver injury but exhibited inflammatory effects in other models. Furthermore, IL-22 and IL-17 are both associated with poor prognosis in liver cancer. Finally, the regulatory mechanisms governing the physiological versus the pathological role of these two cytokines during acute and chronic liver injury remain poorly understood. In this review, we will summarize the current state of knowledge about IL-17 and IL-22 in wound healing during acute and chronic liver injury, their contribution to pathogenesis, their regulation, and their role in the transition from advanced liver disease to liver cancer.

Involvement of p38 MAPK pathway in benzo(a)pyrene-induced human hepatoma cell migration and invasion

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced hepatoma cell migration and invasion. Western blot assay was applied to detect the expression of proteins. qRT-PCR assay was used to measure the expression of mRNA. Wound healing assay and Transwell invasion assay were performed to evaluate cell migratory ability and cell invasive ability, respectively. Our data showed that BaP exposure increased the expression of p-p38 protein in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Exposure to BaP facilitated HepG2 cell migration and invasion, which could be blocked by p38 MAPK inhibitors. In addition, BaP exposure induced upregulation of MMP9 mRNA expression, which was modulated by p-p38. In conclusion, p38 MAPK pathway was involved in BaP-induced hepatoma cell migration and invasion.

Down-regulation of taurine-up-regulated gene 1 attenuates inflammation by sponging miR-9-5p via targeting NF-κB1/p50 in multiple sclerosis

AIMS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by widespread inflammation. LncRNA taurine-up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) has been reported to be involved in multiple biological processes and human diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of lncRNA TUG1 in MS and the underlying mechanism.

MAIN METHODS

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in mice by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 (MOG35-55). Lentiviral vectors encoding sh-TUG1 was constructed to silence TUG1 in MOG-EAE mice by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection. The effect of TUG1 on inflammation in MS was evaluated by real-time PCR, Western blot, ELISA and Hematoxylin-eosin staining. To further study the mechanism of TUG1 in MS, TUG1 knockdown and miR-9-5p overexpression were performed in LPS-induced BV2 cells.

KEY FINDINGS

Down-regulation of TUG1 improved mice behavior, reduced granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) level, decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17, and increased IL-10 in EAE mice. Notably, TUG1 expression was negatively correlated with miR-9-5p expression, while positively correlated with NF-κB1/p50. Knockdown of TUG1 or enforced expression of miR-9-5p inhibited LPS-induced inflammation in BV2 cells, while these effects were abolished by inhibition of miR-9-5p. We further verified that TUG1 negatively regulated miR-9-5p expression and NF-κB1/p50 is a direct target of miR-9-5p.

SIGNIFICANCE

Down-regulation of TUG1 attenuates MS through inhibition of inflammation by sponging miR-9-5p via targeting NF-κB1/p50, suggesting that TUG1 is a potential therapeutic target for MS treatment.

LncRNA-ATB promotes TGF-β-induced glioma cells invasion through NF-κB and P38/MAPK pathway

Glioma constitutes the most aggressive primary intracranial malignancy in adults. We previously showed that long noncoding RNA activated by TGF-β (lncRNA-ATB) promoted the glioma cells invasion. However, whether lncRNA-ATB is involved in TGF-β-mediated invasion of glioma cells remains unknown. In this study, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used for detecting the mRNA and protein expression of related genes, respectively. Transwell assay was performed to assess the impact of lncRNA-ATB on TGF-β-induced glioma cells migration and invasion. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to characterize related protein distribution. Results showed that TGF-β upregulated lncRNA-ATB expression in glioma LN-18 and U251 cells. Overexpression of lncRNA-ATB activated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway and promoted P65 translocation into the nucleus, thus facilitated glioma cells invasion stimulated by TGF-β. Similarly, lncRNA-ATB markedly enhanced TGF-β-mediated invasion of glioma cells through activation P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38/MAPK) pathway. Moreover, both the NF-κB selected inhibitor pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate ammonium and P38/MAPK specific inhibitor SB203580 partly reversed lncRNA-ATB induced glioma cells invasion mediated by TGF-β. Collectively, this study revealed that lncRNA-ATB promotes TGF-β-induced glioma cell invasion through NF-κB and P38/MAPK pathway and established a detailed framework for understanding the way how lncRNA-ATB performs its function in TGF-β-mediated glioma invasion.

TRIP4 promotes tumor growth and metastasis and regulates radiosensitivity of cervical cancer by activating MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and hTERT signaling

Thyroid hormone receptor interactor 4 (TRIP4), a subunit of the tetrameric nuclear activating signal co-integrator 1 (ASC-1) complex, exerts pro-tumorigenic effects. The role for TRIP4 in the regulation of cervical cancer growth and radiation resistance is presently unknown. In this study, TRIP4 was found to be highly expressed in cervical cancer cells and tumor tissues. Knockdown of TRIP4 significantly suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), accompanied by inactivation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling. TRIP4 was also found to target hTERT signaling by regulating its binding to the hTERT promoter. Moreover, the knockdown of TRIP4 increased cell sensitivity to radiation, concomitant with downregulation of Rad51 and p-H2AX. We also demonstrated in an in vivo study that the knockdown of TRIP4 effectively suppressed cervical cancer growth and progression in a xenograft tumor model, and these effects were concomitant with the downregulation of p-AKT, p-ERK, p-MEK1/2, MMP-9 and hTERT expression. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue microarrays showed that TRIP4 overexpression predicted poor prognosis in patients with cervical cancer. Collectively, these results show that TRIP4 plays an essential role in cervical cancer growth and survival.

Cervical Cancer-Instructed Stromal Fibroblasts Enhance IL23 Expression in Dendritic Cells to Support Expansion of Th17 Cells

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer. HPV-transformed cells actively instruct their microenvironment, promoting chronic inflammation and cancer progression. We previously demonstrated that cervical cancer cells contribute to Th17 cell recruitment, a cell type with protumorigenic properties. In this study, we analyzed the expression of the Th17-promoting cytokine IL23 in the cervical cancer micromilieu and found CD83⁺ mature dendritic cells (mDC) coexpressing IL23 in the stroma of cervical squamous cell carcinomas in situ. This expression of IL23 correlated with stromal Th17 cells, advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and cervical cancer recurrence. Cocultures of cervical cancer-instructed mDCs and cervical fibroblasts led to potent protumorigenic expansion of Th17 cells in vitro but failed to induce antitumor Th1 differentiation. Correspondingly, cervical cancer-instructed fibroblasts increased IL23 production in cocultured cervical cancer-instructed mDCs, which mediated subsequent Th17 cell expansion. In contrast, production of the Th1-polarizing cytokine IL12 in the cancer-instructed mDCs was strongly reduced. This differential IL23 and IL12 regulation was the consequence of an increased expression of the IL23 subunits IL23p19 and IL12p40 but decreased expression of the IL12 subunit IL12p35 in cervical cancer-instructed mDCs. Cervical cancer cell-derived IL6 directly suppressed IL12p35 in mDCs but indirectly induced IL23 expression in fibroblast-primed mDCs via CAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ)-dependent induction of IL1β. In summary, our study defines a mechanism by which the cervical cancer micromilieu supports IL23-mediated Th17 expansion associated with cancer progression. SIGNIFICANCE: Cervical cancer cells differentially regulate IL23 and IL12 in DC fibroblast cocultures in an IL6/C/EBPβ/IL1β-dependent manner, thereby supporting the expansion of Th17 cells during cancer progression.

The Interleukin-17 Family of Cytokines in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide and remains a major cause of mortality with an expected 137,000 death this year in Europe. Standard management of metastatic BC comprises hormonotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have recently proved their efficiency in hormonal receptor expressing BC. Checkpoint proteins inhibition is being evaluated in phase 3 studies. Since inflammation is constantly present in cancers, research teams have focused their attention on the interleukin-17 (IL-17) family of proinflammatory cytokines. Preclinical experiments have reported both pro and antitumor effects depending on the conditions. In the present article, we review the accumulating evidences about the roles of IL-17 in BC and discuss whether this family of cytokines could be a new target in anticancer treatments.

Loss of miR-146b-5p promotes T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia migration and invasion via the IL-17A pathway

Metastatic disease remains the primary cause of death for individuals with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of T-ALL by inhibiting gene expression at posttranscriptional levels. The goal of the current project is to identify any significant miRNAs in T-ALL metastasis. We observed miR-146b-5p to be downregulated in T-ALL patients and cell lines, and bioinformatics analysis implicated miR-146b-5p in the hematopoietic system. miR-146b-5p inhibited the migration and invasion in T-ALL cells. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) was predicted to be a target of miR-146b-5p; this was confirmed by luciferase assays. Interestingly, T-ALL patients and cell lines secreted IL-17A and expressed the IL-17A receptor (IL-17RA). IL-17A/IL-17RA interactions promoted strong T-ALL cell migration and invasion responses. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis indicated that matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP9), was a potential downstream effector of IL-17A activation, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling was also implicated in this process. Moreover, IL-17A activation promoted T-ALL cell metastasis to the liver in IL17A ^-/- mouse models. These results indicate that reduced miR-146b-5p expression in T-ALL may lead to the upregulation of IL-17A, which then promotes T-ALL cell migration and invasion by upregulating MMP9 via NF-κB signaling.

IL-17A promotes cell migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells via activation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most common of both benign and malignant primary brain tumours, in which the inflammatory and immunologic abnormalities are involved. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) plays an important role in various inflammatory diseases and cancers. Several recent studies revealed that the expression of IL-17A was overexpressed in human GBMs tissue. However, the accurate role of IL-17A in GBMs remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of IL-17A on cell migration and invasion of GBMs and the mechanism by which the effects occurred. We found that exogenous IL-17A promoted significantly cell migration and invasion abilities in two GBMs cell lines (U87MG and U251) in a time-dependent manner. In addition, the protein expressions of PI3K, Akt and MMP-2/9 were increased in the GBMs cells challenged by IL-17A. Furthermore, a tight junction protein ZO-1 was down-regulated but Twist and Bmi1 were up-regulated. Treatment with a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) significantly reduced the abilities of both migration and invasion in U87MG and U251 cells. LY294002 treatment also attenuated the IL-17A causing increases of protein levels of PI3K, AKT, MMP-2/9, Twist and the decreases of protein level of ZO-1 in the U87MG and U251 cells. Taken together, we concluded that IL-17A promotes the GBM cells migration and invasion via PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. IL-17A and its related signalling pathways may be potential therapeutic targets for GBM.

Th17 response in patients with cervical cancer

Persistent infection by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the main risk factor for uterine cervical cancer (UCC). However, viral infection alone is not sufficient for the development and progression of premalignant cervical lesions for cancer. In previous years it has been suggested that the adaptive immune response triggered by the differentiation of naïve helper T cells in Th17 cells may serve an important role in disease development. It has been hypothesized that Th17 cells may be involved in the promotion of UCC, as high levels of interleukin 17 (IL17) expression have been detected in the mucosa of the uterine cervix of patients affected by the disease. However, the role of Th17 cells in the tumor development and progression remains unclear. It is believed that the immune response of the Th17 type during persistent infection of the genital tract with HR-HPV triggers chronic inflammation with a long duration with the production of IL17 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, creating a favorable environment for tumor development. These cytokines are produced by immune system cells in addition to tumor cells and appear to function by modulating the host immune system, resulting in an immunosuppressive response as opposed to inducing an effective protective immune response, thus contributing to the growth and progression of the tumor. In the present review, the latest advances are presented about the function of Th17 cells and the cytokines produced by them in the development and progression of UCC.

Krüppel-Like Factor 10 participates in cervical cancer immunoediting through transcriptional regulation of Pregnancy-Specific Beta-1 Glycoproteins

Cervical cancer (CC) is associated with alterations in immune system balance, which is primarily due to a shift from Th1 to Th2 and the unbalance of Th17/Treg cells. Using in silico DNA copy number analysis, we have demonstrated that ~20% of CC samples exhibit gain of 8q22.3 and 19q13.31; the regions of the genome that encodes the KLF10 and PSG genes, respectively. Gene expression studies demonstrated that there were no alterations in KLF10 mRNA expression, whilst the PSG2 and −5 genes were up-regulated by 1.76 and 3.97-fold respectively in CC compared to normal tissue controls. siRNA and ChIP experiments in SiHa cells have demonstrated that KLF10 participates in immune response through regulation of IL6, IL25 and PSG2 and PSG5 genes. Using cervical tissues from KLF10^−/− mice, we have identified down-regulation of PSG17, −21 and −23 and IL11. These results suggest that KLF10 may regulate immune system response genes in cervical cancer among other functions. KLF10 and PSG copy number variations and alterations in mRNA expression levels could represent novel molecular markers in CC.

A bi-specific inhibitor targeting IL-17A and MMP-9 reduces invasion and motility in MDA-MB-231 cells

The cytokine IL-17A is associated with the progression of various cancers, but little is known about the molecular cross-talk between IL-17A and other tumor-promoting factors. Previous studies have shown that the IL-17A-mediated invasion of breast cancer cells can be inhibited by selective antagonists of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), suggesting that the cross-talk between IL-17A and MMP-9 may promote cancer invasiveness and metastasis. Here, we present a novel strategy for developing cancer therapeutics, based on the simultaneous binding and inhibition of both IL-17A and MMP-9. To this end, we use a bi-specific heterodimeric fusion protein, comprising a natural inhibitor of MMPs (N-TIMP2) fused with an engineered extracellular domain (V3) of the IL-17A receptor. We show that, as compared with the mono-specific inhibitors of IL-17A (V3) and MMP-9 (N-TIMP2), the engineered bi-specific fusion protein inhibits both MMP-9 activation and IL-17A-induced cytokine secretion from fibroblasts and exhibits a synergistic inhibition of both the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that dual targeting of inflammatory (IL-17A) and extracellular matrix remodeling (MMP) pathways can potentially be used as a novel therapeutic approach against cancer. Moreover, the platform developed here for generating the bi-specific IL-17A/MMP-9 inhibitor can be utilized for generating bi-specific inhibitors for other cytokines and MMPs.

Genetic polymorphisms of IL-17A rs2275913, rs3748067 and IL-17F rs763780 in gastric cancer risk: evidence from 8124 cases and 9873 controls

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a critical cytokine involved in inflammation-associated cancers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) might promote carcinogenesis. In this current meta-analysis, we investigated the association of IL-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphisms with gastric cancer (GC) risk. Eligible genetic association studies were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus database sources. Two reviewers independently assessed methodological quality and extracted data from eligible articles. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Quantitative data synthesis was conducted using comprehensive meta-analysis v2. Subgroup analysis and heterogeneity analysis were performed. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression tests were used to judge publication bias. In silico data analysis was executed to analyze the functional and structural impact of the SNPs. A total of 21 case-control studies for rs2275913 c.-197G > A (7660 patients and 9409 controls), 9 studies for rs3748067 c.*1249C > T (3378 patients and 4120 controls), and 14 studies for rs763780 c.482A > G (4481 patients and 5354 controls) were included. The pooled estimate revealed an association between IL-17A rs2275913 polymorphism and the risk of GC under all genetic models (A vs. G, OR 1.187, 95% CI 1.086-1.297, P < 0.001; GA vs. GG, OR 1.108, 95% CI 1.008-1.218, P = 0.033; AA vs. GG, OR 1.484, 95% CI 1.236-1.781, P < 0.001), while no evidence of association was found with IL-17A rs3748067 or IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms. Our results showed that IL-17A promoter rs2275913 variant might represent a potential risk factor for gastric cancer susceptibility.

Fluoride induced tissue hypercalcemia, IL-17 mediated inflammation and apoptosis lead to cardiomyopathy: Ultrastructural and biochemical findings

An increased prevalence of cardiac complications has been observed in residents of fluorosis endemic areas chronically exposed to fluoride. Fluoride induces soft tissue injury due to oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and mitochondriopathy. It was hypothesized that chronic fluoride exposure induces apoptosis in cardiomyocytes due to inflammation, lysis of extra cellular matrix and altered calcium metabolism. This study was planned to evaluate the effects of chronic fluoride exposure and the mechanism of action in the cardiac muscle. Fifteen week old male Wistar rats were administered a human equivalent dose of fluoride (50 and 100 ppm ad-libitum, HED = 5 & 10 ppm in human) for 75-days. After 75-days of fluoride exposure, the animals were euthanized and fluoride, oxidative stress (SOD, GPX, Catalase activities) and LPO were measured. Histopathological and ultrastructural pathological examinations were conducted on the cardiac tissues using light, atomic force and electron microscopies. The cardiac tissues were also assessed for apoptosis (TUNEL/Caspase assays), and tissue calcium levels (Alizarin-assay and SEM-EDX). Tissue inflammation and expression of IL-17, MMP-9, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were evaluated. In the fluoride exposed groups, a significant (≤0.05) increase in levels of oxidative stress, LPO and apoptosis were observed. The IL-17, MMP-9 and Caspase-3 were significantly (≤0.05) higher in the cardiac muscle after chronic fluoride exposure. The fluoride seems to have induced inflammation in the cardiac tissues, as well as an increase in tissue calcium (≤0.05). There was significant damage to cardiac muscle fibres including, thinning, distortion and neo-vasculogenesis following chronic fluoride exposure. Mitochondriopathy, lysis of ground substance, oedema, and hyper-vacuolation was seen in fluoride treated groups. Remarkable levels of distortion and bending in Z band were observed under the AFM. Many of these observed changes mimic those occurring in cardiomegaly, cardiac hypertrophy and cardiomyopathies.

MICAL2 promotes breast cancer cell migration by maintaining epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) stability and EGFR/P38 signalling activation

AIM

MICAL2, a cytoskeleton dynamics regulator, is identified associated with survival and metastasis of several types of cancers recently. This study was designed to investigate the role of MICAL2 in breast cancer cell migration as well as its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The relationship between MICAL2 and EGF/EGFR signalling was analysed by gene overexpression and knock-down techniques. Cell migration was measured by wound-healing assays. Activation of EGF/EGFR signalling pathways were evaluated by immunofluorescence, qPCR, Western blotting and zymography techniques. Rac1 activity was assessed by pull-down assay. Correlation of MICAL2 and EGFR in breast cancer specimens was examined by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Ectopic expression of MICAL2 in MCF-7 cells augmented EGFR protein level, accompanied by the promotion of cell migration. Silencing MICAL2 in MDA-MB-231 cells destabilized EGFR and inhibited cell migration. In mechanism, the maintaining effect of MICAL2 on EGFR protein content was due to a delay in EGFR degradation. Expression of MICAL2 was also shown positively correlated with the activation of P38/HSP27 and P38/MMP9 signallings, which are the main downstream signalling cascades of EGF/EGFR involved in cell migration. Further analysis indicated that Rac1 activation contributed to the maintaining effect of MICAL2 on EGFR stability. In addition, analysis of breast cancer specimens revealed a positive correlation between MICAL2 and EGFR levels and an association between MICAL2 expression and worse prognosis.

CONCLUSION

MICAL2 is a major regulator of breast cancer cell migration, maintaining EGFR stability and subsequent EGFR/P38 signalling activation through inhibiting EGFR degradation in a Rac1-dependent manner.

Matrine inhibits the metastatic properties of human cervical cancer cells via downregulating the p38 signaling pathway

Matrine is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that shows antitumor efficacy for many types of cancer. The present study evaluated the antitumor efficacy of matrine on cervical cancer and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. We performed MTT assays, and in vitro invasion and migration assays, and P1 L6 found that matrine significantly inhibited cervical cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis, and suppressed the invasion and migration ability of cervical cancer cells in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. Mechanistically, we found that matrine decreased the expression and activity of the extracellular matrix factors, matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 via the suppression of p38 signaling pathway. In addition, when cervical cancer cells were grown as xenografts in nude mice, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of matrine induced a significant dose-dependent decrease in tumor growth. Taken together, these findings suggest that a potential mechanism by which matrine inhibits the growth and metastasis of cervical cancer through downregulating the p38 signaling pathway.

Troxerutin (TXN) potentiated 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) treatment of human gastric cancer through suppressing STAT3/NF-κB and Bcl-2 signaling pathways

Gastric cancer still presents a significant problem for public health worldwide. Troxerutin (TXN), a flavonoid present in tea, coffee, cereal grains, and a variety of fruits and vegetables, exhibits various pharmacological and biological activities in vitro and in vivo. We investigated the ability of TXN to reverse the in vitro and in vivo drug resistance of human gastric cancer cells, which were resistant to treatment of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). 5-Fu is a pyrimidine analog, which is widely used in the treatment of cancers. Here, we found the growth inhibitory effects of TXN on human gastric cancer cell, resistant to 5-FU. TXN and 5-FU co-treatment resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of the cell proliferation. Decreasing of phosphorylated signal transducers and activation of transcription 3 (STAT3) was included in suppression of p65 by TXN with 5-FU in combination. Additionally, the presence of TXN sensitized gastric cancer cells resistant to 5-FU to 5-FU-induced apoptosis by suppressing Bcl-2. The pro-apoptotic proteins of Bax and Bid were up-regulated, accompanied with Caspase cleavage, leading to apoptosis. Moreover, in mice xenograft models, the combined therapy inhibited tumor growth compared to the TXN or 5-FU treatment alone. Our data indicated a novel therapeutic strategy to potentiate 5-FU-induced anti-tumor effect in gastric cancer cells with resistance to 5-FU by TXN through suppression of p-STAT3/NF-κB (p65 and p50) and Bcl-2.

Early interleukin-6 enhances hepatic ketogenesis in APPSWE/PSEN1dE9 mice via 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-CoA synthase 2 signaling activation by p38/nuclear factor κB p65

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered a multifactorial disease that affects the central nervous system and periphery. A decline in brain glucose metabolism is an early feature of AD and is accompanied by a phenotypic shift from aerobic glycolysis to ketogenesis. The liver is responsible for the generation of the ketone body. However, the mechanism that underlies hepatic ketogenesis in AD remains unclear. Here, we investigated hepatic ketogenesis during the early stage of AD pathogenesis in amyloid precursor protein (APP_SWE) and presenilin (PSEN1dE9) (APP/PS1) mice. We observed that β-hydroxybutyric acid was increased in the brain of the postmortem mild cognitive impairment and AD subjects and in 3-month-old APP/PS1 AD mice. A rise in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2), a key enzyme for catalyzing β-hydroxybutyric acid production, was observed in early AD mice. We further showed that proinflammatory cytokines were activated in the liver prior to their activation in the brain of 3-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Among the cytokines, interleukin-6 significantly activated HMGCS2 through the binding of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 to the HMGCS2 promoter. Additionally, interleukin-6 stimulated phosphorylation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinases, an upstream molecule for NF-κB p65 signaling. We have demonstrated that a hepatic inflammatory factor enhances ketogenesis through HMGCS2 signaling activation by p38/NF-κB p65. These results provide a novel peripheral metabolic mechanism for enhanced ketone production and suggest a plausible early AD phenotype to diagnose AD.

Interleukin-17A promotes esophageal adenocarcinoma cell invasiveness through ROS-dependent, NF-κB-mediated MMP-2/9 activation

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), a pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted primarily by Th17 cells, has been proved to be involved in the microenvironment of certain inflammation-related tumors. However, the role of IL-17A in cancer development has always been controversial. In this study, we investigated the effect of IL-17A on the regulation of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) cell invasiveness and related molecular mechanism. Surface IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) expression on human EAC cell line OE19 was examined using flow cytometry. The effect of IL-17A on cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Cell migration and invasive ability in vitro were assessed by wound-healing and Matrigel-coated Transwell invasion assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscope. The protein expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, NF-κB and p-IκB-α were detected by western blotting. Our results showed that IL-17A promoted migration and invasion of OE19 cells in a dose-dependent manner, however it had less effect on OE19 cell proliferation. Furthermore, IL-17A treatment significantly upregulated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, stimulated intracellular ROS production, increased IκB-α phosphorylation and NF-κB nuclear translocation. Nevertheless, IL-17A-induced expression of MMP-2/9 and OE19 cell invasiveness were both inhibited by pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, a ROS scavenger) or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, a NF-κB inhibitor). In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that IL-17A can promote the migration and invasiveness of EAC cells through ROS/NF-κB/MMP-2/9 signaling pathway activation, indicating that IL-17A may be a potential therapeutic target for EAC.

Nicotinic α7 receptor inhibits the acylation stimulating protein‑induced production of monocyte chemoattractant protein‑1 and keratinocyte‑derived chemokine in adipocytes by modulating the p38 kinase and nuclear factor‑κB signaling pathways

Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which is characterized by increased infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue. Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is an adipokine derived from the immune complement system, which constitutes a link between adipocytes and macrophages, and is involved in energy homeostasis and inflammation. The purpose of the present study was to preliminarily investigate in vitro, whether functional α7nAChR in adipocytes may suppress ASP-induced inflammation and determine the possible signaling mechanism. Studies have reported associations between the expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) and obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. Additionally, α7nAChRs are important peripheral mediators of chronic inflammation, which is a key contributor to health problems in obesity. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of exogenous ASP and α7nAChR on macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue and to examine the potential underlying molecular mechanism. Western blot analysis revealed that recombinant ASP increased the expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) by 3T3-L1 adipocytes. However, nicotine significantly inhibited the production of ASP-induced cytokines via the stimulation of α7nAChR. It was also found that α7nAChR inhibited the ASP-induced activation of p38 kinase and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and the production of MCP-1 and KC. These data indicated that α7nAChR caused the inhibition of ASP-induced activation of p38 kinase and NF-κB to inhibit the production of MCP-1 and KC.

MiR-125a suppresses tumor growth, invasion and metastasis in cervical cancer by targeting STAT3

MiR-125a has been characterized as a tumor suppressor in several cancers. However, the role of miR-125a in cervical cancer is unknown. In this study, we found the expression of miR-125a was downregulated in cervical cancer patients, and negatively correlated with the tumor size, FIGO stage, and preoperative metastasis. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that miR-125a expression predicted favorable outcome for cervical cancer patients. Dual luciferase assays identified the STAT3 gene as a novel direct target of miR-125a. Functional studies showed that miR-125a overexpression significantly suppressed the growth, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cervical cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo via decreasing STAT3 expression. Moreover, miR-125a conferred to G2/M cell cycle arrest, accompanied by inhibition of several G2/M checkpoint proteins. Mechanistically, inactivation of miR-125a during cervical carcinogenesis was caused by HPV suppression of p53 expression. Clinically, STAT3, the expression of which, predicted poorer outcome, was inversely correlated with miR-125a in cervical cancer. These data highlight the importance of miR-125a in the cell proliferation and progression of cervical cancer, and indicate that miR-125a may be a useful therapeutic target for cervical cancer.

Evaluation of mRNA expression levels of IL-17A and IL-10 cytokines in cervical cancer

In this study, we evaluated mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-10/IL-17A by quantitative real-time PCR and their clinical importance in cervical cancer. The IL-10 mRNA levels were higher in cervical cancer tissues as compared with corresponding normal tissues (p < 0.05). Moreover, IL-17A mRNA was significantly increased in cervical cancer tissues than in normal tissues (p < 0.05). Moreover, the high expression level of IL-10 mRNA was markedly related to International League of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (p = 0.001), but no significant association was found with other clinical factors including age, tumor size, histological grades, and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, high expression levels of IL-17A were not associated with patients' age, tumor size, FIGO stage, and histological grades while IL-17A expression was strongly linked to lymphatic metastasis (p = 0.001). These findings showed that IL-17A might have a crucial role in cervical cancer metastasis. Taken together, IL-17A expression was strongly linked to lymphatic metastasis, indicating that IL-17A might have a crucial role in cervical cancer metastasis. Moreover, our study suggested the association of IL-10 mRNA expression with clinical stage.

RETRACTED: MiR-143 inhibits tumor cell proliferation and invasion by targeting STAT3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

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. The term miR-143 has been used instead of the term miR-143* in the introduction and discussion which is misleading. With the misuse of this term subsequent errors and misleading statements appear throughout the paper. The authors apologize for this mistake.

CDKN3 mRNA as a Biomarker for Survival and Therapeutic Target in Cervical Cancer

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) gene, involved in mitosis, is upregulated in cervical cancer (CC). We investigated CDKN3 mRNA as a survival biomarker and potential therapeutic target for CC. CDKN3 mRNA was measured in 134 CC and 25 controls by quantitative PCR. A 5-year survival study was conducted in 121 of these CC patients. Furthermore, CDKN3-specific siRNAs were used to investigate whether CDKN3 is involved in proliferation, migration, and invasion in CC-derived cell lines (SiHa, CaSki, HeLa). CDKN3 mRNA was on average 6.4-fold higher in tumors than in controls (p = 8 x 10⁻⁶, Mann-Whitney). A total of 68.2% of CC patients over expressing CDKN3 gene (fold change ≥ 17) died within two years of diagnosis, independent of the clinical stage and HPV type (Hazard Ratio = 5.0, 95% CI: 2.5–10, p = 3.3 x 10⁻⁶, Cox proportional-hazards regression). In contrast, only 19.2% of the patients with lower CDKN3 expression died in the same period. In vitro inactivation of CDKN3 decreased cell proliferation on average 67%, although it had no effect on cell migration and invasion. CDKN3 mRNA may be a good survival biomarker and potential therapeutic target in CC.