Bayesian multilevel model of micro RNA levels in ovarian-cancer and healthy subjects

MicroRNA targeting: A novel therapeutic intervention for ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer, a perilous form of cancer affecting the female reproductive system, exhibits intricate communication networks that contribute to its progression. This study aims to identify crucial molecular abnormalities linked to the disease to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In particular, we investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic biomarkers and explore their potential in treating ovarian cancer. By targeting miRNAs, which can influence multiple pathways and genes, substantial therapeutic benefits can be attained. In this review we want to shed light on the promising application of miRNA-based interventions and provide insights into the specific miRNAs implicated in ovarian cancer pathogenesis.

Clinical significance of miR-142-5p in spinal cord injury caused by spinal trauma and its functional role in the regulation of inflammation

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe traumatic disease in the central nervous system, and can result in neuronal injury. Altered miRNA expression is identified to be involved in the pathogenesis of SCI.

DESIGN

This study investigated the clinical value of miR-142-5p in SCI patients, and explored its functional role in the regulation of inflammatory.

SETTING

The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-eight patients with acute spinal trauma.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients were recruited, and divided into complete SCI group, incomplete SCI group and normal nerve function group.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-142-5p. CCK-8 and flow cytometry assay were performed to evaluate the cell viability and apoptosis. ELISA assay was applied to estimate the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

RESULTS

Serum miR-142-5p level was significantly increased in SCI patients, especially the complete SCI cases. ROC curve analysis suggested miR-142-5p could distinguish SCI patients from normal nerve function patients and was associated with the severity of SCI. A positive association was detected between miR-142-5p and serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α in SCI patients. Downregulation of miR-142-5p significantly reduced the protein levels of both IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS treated PC12 cells, and weakened LPS induced cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

MiR-142-5p is a potential biomarker for the occurrence of SCI in acute spinal trauma patients. Downregulation of miR-142-5p plays an anti-inflammatory effect for SCI patients.

circ_0052184 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Progression via Targeting miR-604/HOXA9 Axis

Background

The mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second. circRNAs are abnormal expression in some diseases, and their dysregulation is associated with cancer progression. Recent studies have shown that the malignant progression of colorectal cancer is inseparable from the abnormal expression of circRNAs.

Methods

First, the circ_0052184 expression in clinical tissue and cell samples was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Then, we constructed circ_0052184-silenced CRC cells and detected by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, the proliferation ability of cells was detected by colony formation assay. Cell migration ability was tested by wound healing assay and transwell assay. Cell invasion ability was detected by transwell assay.

Results

Expression of circ_0052184 was significantly increased in colorectal cancer cell lines and tissues. Silencing circ_0052184 affected the proliferation, migration, and invasion of colorectal cancer cells. miR-604 was targeted by circ_0052184. The downstream target of miR-604 was HOXA9, and silencing circ_0052184 inhibited HOXA9 expression. The existence of the circ_0052184/miR-604/HOXA9 regulatory network in colorectal cancer was validated. circ_0052184 promoted the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer by targeting the miR-604/HOXA9 axis.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that the molecular mechanism of circ_0052184 regulated the miR-604/HOXA9 axis, which might promote the malignant progression of colorectal cancer cells.

The Role of miRNA in Ovarian Cancer: an Overview

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a highly malignant disease that seriously threatens women’s health and poses challenges for clinicians. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been intensively studied in the field of oncology due to their regulatory roles in gene expressions through RNA degradation and/or translation inhibition. This review summarizes the current studies on miRNAs in OC and introduces the latest updates of miRNAs in the early screening, treatment, and prognostic prediction of OC, thereby demonstrating the clinical significance of miRNAs in OC. Further exploration on potential targets of miRNAs in OC may provide new insights on optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of OC. MiRNAs are important driving factors for the progression of OC and the dysregulation of miRNAs can serve as biomarkers in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of OC. Therefore, miRNAs are potential biological targets for early screening, targeted therapy, drug resistance monitoring, and prognosis improvement in malignancies such as OC.

MicroRNA-based signatures impacting clinical course and biology of ovarian cancer: a miRNOmics study

Background

In Western countries, ovarian cancer (OC) still represents the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths, despite the remarkable gains in therapeutical options. Novel biomarkers of early diagnosis, prognosis definition and prediction of treatment outcomes are of pivotal importance. Prior studies have shown the potentials of micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) as biomarkers for OC and other cancers.

Methods

We focused on the prognostic and/or predictive potential of miRNAs in OC by conducting a comprehensive array profiling of miRNA expression levels in ovarian tissue samples from 17 non-neoplastic controls, and 60 tumor samples from OC patients treated at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRE). A set of 54 miRNAs with differential expression in tumor versus normal samples (T/N-deregulated) was identified in the IRE cohort and validated against data from the Cancer Genoma Atlas (TCGA) related to 563 OC patients and 8 non-neoplastic controls. The prognostic/predictive role of the selected 54 biomarkers was tested in reference to survival endpoints and platinum resistance (P-res).

Results

In the IRE cohort, downregulation of the 2 miRNA-signature including miR-99a-5p and miR-320a held a negative prognostic relevance, while upregulation of miR-224-5p was predictive of less favorable event free survival (EFS) and P-res. Data from the TCGA showed that downregulation of 5 miRNAs, i.e., miR-150, miR-30d, miR-342, miR-424, and miR-502, was associated with more favorable EFS and overall survival outcomes, while miR-200a upregulation was predictive of P-res. The 9 miRNAs globally identified were all included into a single biologic signature, which was tested in enrichment analysis using predicted/validated miRNA target genes, followed by network representation of the miRNA-mRNA interactions.

Conclusions

Specific dysregulated microRNA sets in tumor tissue showed predictive/prognostic value in OC, and resulted in a promising biological signature for this disease.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40364-021-00289-6.

Nanomedicine promotes ferroptosis to inhibit tumour proliferation in vivo

miR-101–3p may play a therapeutic role in various tumours. However, its anti-tumour mechanism remains unclear, and a definitive strategy to treat tumour cells in vivo is lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of miR-101–3p on tumour cells and to develop relevant nanomedicines for in vivo therapy. The expression levels of miR-101–3p and its target protein TBLR1 in tumour tissues and cells were detected, and their relationship with ferroptosis was clarified. Furthermore, the efficacy of nanocarriers in achieving in vivo therapeutic gene delivery was evaluated. Nanomedicine was further developed, with the anti-proliferative in vivo therapeutic effect validated using a subcutaneous xenograft cancer model. The expression level of miR-101–3p negatively correlated with clinical tumour size and TNM stage. miR-101–3p restores ferroptosis in tumour cells by directly targeting TBLR1, which in turn promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation. We developed nanomedicine that can deliver miR-101–3p to tumour cells in vivo to achieve ferroptosis recovery, as well as to inhibit in vivo tumour proliferation. The miR-101–3p/TBLR1 axis plays an important role in tumour ferroptosis. Nanopharmaceuticals that increase miR-101–3p levels may be effective therapies to inhibit tumour proliferation.

Prominent roles of microRNA-142 in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally via mRNA degradation, or translational repression. They have important roles in normal development and homeostasis maintenance. Many studies have revealed that aberrant expression of miRNAs is associated with development of pathological conditions, including cancers. MiRNAs can either promote or suppress tumorigenesis based on the regulation of gene expression by targeting multiple molecules. In recent years, several miRNAs have been reported to be dysregulated in various cancers. Most recent findings have shown that miR-142 gene, located at chromosome 17q22, is involved in cellular migration, proliferation, and apoptosis in different human cancers. The present review discusses some molecular mechanisms and the expression status of miRNA-142 in the pathogenesis of various cancers.