Circ_0079558 promotes papillary thyroid cancer progression by binding to miR-26b-5p to activate MET/AKT signaling

CircCPA4 induces ASCT2 expression to promote tumor property of non-small cell lung cancer cells in a miR-145-5p-dependent manner

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a type of lung cancer that occurs in the cells of the respiratory tract, and its development is influenced by the regulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs). However, the role of circRNA carboxypeptidase A4 (circCPA4) in the progression of NSCLC and the underlying mechanism remain relatively clear.

METHODS

The study utilized both real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot techniques to evaluate the levels of circCPA4, microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p), alanine, serine, or cysteine-preferring transporter 2 (ASCT2). To assess cell proliferation, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were performed. Apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry, while cell migration and invasive capacity were evaluated through transwell and wound-healing assays. Intracellular levels of glutamine, glutamate, and α-KG were measured using specific kits. The relationship between miR-145-5p and circCPA4 or ASCT2 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay.

RESULTS

CircCPA4 and ASCT2 RNA levels were elevated, while miR-145-5p was downregulated in both NSCLC tissues and cells. Depletion of circCPA4 significantly inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and intracellular levels of glutamine, glutamate, and α-KG, and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, circCPA4 knockdown delayed tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, circCPA4 was found to bind to miR-145-5p, thereby regulating the progression of NSCLC in vitro. ASCT2 was also identified as a downstream target of miR-145-5p, and its upregulation rescued the effects of miR-145-5p overexpression on NSCLC cell processes.

CONCLUSION

CircCPA4 knockdown inhibited tumor property of NSCLC cells by modulating the miR-145-5p/ASCT2 axis.

Non-coding RNAs as potential therapeutic targets for receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in solid tumors: current status and future directions

This review article presents an in-depth analysis of the current state of research on receptor tyrosine kinase regulatory non-coding RNAs (RTK-RNAs) in solid tumors. RTK-RNAs belong to a class of non-coding RNAs (nc-RNAs) responsible for regulating the expression and activity of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which play a critical role in cancer development and progression. The article explores the molecular mechanisms through which RTK-RNAs modulate RTK signaling pathways and highlights recent advancements in the field. This include the identification of potential new RTK-RNAs and development of therapeutic strategies targeting RTK-RNAs. While the review discusses promising results from a variety of studies, encompassing in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations, it is important to acknowledge the challenges and limitations associated with targeting RTK-RNAs for therapeutic applications. Further studies involving various cancer cell lines, animal models, and ultimately, patients are necessary to validate the efficacy of targeting RTK-RNAs. The specificity of ncRNAs in targeting cellular pathways grants them tremendous potential, but careful consideration is required to minimize off-target effects, the article additionally discusses the potential clinical applications of RTK-RNAs as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In essence, by providing a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of RTK-RNAs in solid tumors, this review emphasizes their potential as therapeutic targets for cancer while acknowledging the associated challenges and limitations.

Circ_LDLR promotes the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma by regulating miR-1294/HMGB3 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to be associated with the development and progression of cancers including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Circ_LDLR has been reported to be highly expressed in PTC, but its underlying mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the role of circ_LDLR in PTC. The expression of circ_LDLR, miR-1294 and high mobility group box (HMGB) 3 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). CCK-8 assay and transwell assays were employed to value cell viability, invasion and migration abilities. Western blot assay was to detect HMGB3 protein expression. Luciferase reporter gene and pull down assay were used to validate the interaction between miR-1294 and HMGB3 or circ_LDLR. Circ_LDLR showed high expression levels in PTC tissues and cells and knockdown of it inhibited the growth, invasion, and migration of PTC cells. In addition, miR-1294 was considered as a downstream target of circ_LDLR, and inhibition of miR-1294 partially reversed the inhibitory effects of circ_LDLR knockdown on PTC cells growth, invasion, and migration. More importantly, HMGB3 was identified as a downstream target of miR-1294. Our findings suggest circ_LDLR may plays a promoting role in PTC by downregulating miR-1294 and upregulating HMGB3 expression. Therefore, circ_LDLR may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PTC.

Upregulation and the clinical significance of KCNQ1OT1 and HAGLROS lncRNAs in papillary thyroid cancer: An observational study

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in regulating gene expression. Changes in their expression have been associated with many types of cancer, including thyroid cancer. This study aimed to investigate how changes in the expression of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) and HAGLR opposite strand lncRNA (HAGLROS) lncRNAs correlate with the development and clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the expression of lncRNAs in both tumor and adjacent normal thyroid tissue samples of the patients. Expressions of KCNQ1OT1 and HAGLROS were upregulated in the patients tumor samples compared to the adjacent normal thyroid samples. KCNQ1OT1 expression was linked to microcarcinoma and gender, while HAGLROS expression was linked to microcarcinoma and tumor size. When only microcarcinoma samples were evaluated, KCNQ1OT1 expression was higher in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues; however, no significant difference was observed in HAGLROS expression. Our data suggests that high expressions of KCNQ1OT1 and HAGLROS might contribute to the development of PTC and disease progression, and both lncRNAs may be potential therapeutic targets in PTC patients.

Circ_0124055 promotes the progression of thyroid cancer cells through the miR-486-3p/MTA1 axis

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer is one of the malignancy cancers. CircRNA, a non-coding RNA, plays an important role in the development of cancer. The relationship and roles of circ_0124055, miR-486-3p and MTA1 in thyroid cancer have not been reported.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to analyze the RNA levels of circ_0124055, miR-486-3p and MTA1. Western blot was conducted to analyze the protein levels of MTA1, Epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) and Neuro cadherin (N-cadherin). Subcellular localization assay was used to analyze circ_0124055 location in thyroid cancer cells. Colony formation assay and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay were carried out to analyze cell proliferation. Cell migration and invasion were analyzed by wound-healing assay and transwell assay. Flow cytometry assay was performed to investigate cell apoptosis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were employed to analyze the interactions among circ_0124055, miR-486-3p and MTA1. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assay was performed to assess the expression of Ki67, MTA1 and E-cadherin in tumor tissues. Thyroid cancer tumor growth in vivo was evaluated by tumor xenograft mouse model assay.

RESULTS

The expression of circ_0124055 was up-regulated in tumor tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ_0124055 could inhibit thyroid cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promote cell apoptosis, accompanied by the dysregulation of E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression. Circ_0124055 could target miR-486-3p, and miR-486-3p could target MTA1. MiR-486-3p inhibitor could restore the effect of circ_0124055 knockdown in the progression of thyroid cancer. Moreover, MTA1 overexpression weakened the inhibitory effects of miR-486-3p mimics on the progression of thyroid cancer. Further, circ_0124055 could influence tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0124055 promoted the progression of thyroid cancer cells through the miR-486-3p /MTA1 axis.

The Emerging Roles of circRNAs in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarker Potential

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a common endocrine malignant tumor. The incidence of PTC has increased in the past decades and presents a younger trend. Accumulating evidence indicates that circular RNAs (circRNAs), featured with non-linear, closed-loop structures, play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis and regulate cell biological processes, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion, by acting as microRNA (miRNA) sponges. Additionally, due to their unique stability, circRNAs hold promising potential as diagnostic biomarkers and effective therapeutic targets for PTC treatment. In this review, we systematically arrange the expression level of circRNAs, related clinical characteristics, circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network, and molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, related signaling pathways and their potential ability of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets are discussed, which might provide a new strategy for PTC diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis.

A Review and In Silico Analysis of Tissue and Exosomal Circular RNAs: Opportunities and Challenges in Thyroid Cancer

Simple Summary

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine neoplasm. Recently, knowledge of the molecular genetic changes of thyroid cancer has dramatically improved. Understanding the roles of these molecular changes in thyroid cancer tumorigenesis and progression is essential in developing a successful treatment strategy and improving disease outcomes. As a family of non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been involved in several aspects of the physiological and pathological processes of the cells. The roles of circRNAs in cancer development and progress are evident. In the current review, we aimed to explore the clinical potential of circRNAs as potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets in thyroid cancer. Furthermore, screening the genome-wide circRNAs and performing functional enrichment analyses for all associated dysregulated circRNAs in thyroid cancer have been done. Given the unique advantages circRNAs have, such as superior stability, higher abundance, and presence in different body fluids, this family of non-coding RNAs could be promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for thyroid cancer.

Abstract

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine tumor. The genetic and epigenetic molecular alterations of TC have become more evident in recent years. However, a deeper understanding of the roles these molecular changes play in TC tumorigenesis and progression is essential in developing a successful treatment strategy and improving patients’ prognoses. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a family of non-coding RNAs, have been implicated in several aspects of carcinogenesis in multiple cancers, including TC. In the current review, we aimed to explore the clinical potential of circRNAs as putative diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets in TC. The current analyses, including genome-wide circRNA screening and functional enrichment for all deregulated circRNA expression signatures, show that circRNAs display atypical contributions, such as sponging for microRNAs, regulating transcription and translation processes, and decoying for proteins. Given their exceptional clinical advantages, such as higher stability, wider abundance, and occurrence in several body fluids, circRNAs are promising prognostic and theranostic biomarkers for TC.

Function and Clinical Significance of Circular RNAs in Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the leading cause and mortality of endocrine malignancies worldwide. Tumourigenesis involves multiple molecules including circular RNAs (circRNAs). circRNAs with covalently closed single-stranded structures have been identified as a type of regulatory RNA because of their high stability, abundance, and tissue/developmental stage-specific expression. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that various circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in thyroid tissues, cells, exosomes, and body fluids in patients with TC. CircRNAs have been identified as either oncogenic or tumour suppressor roles in regulating tumourigenesis, tumour metabolism, metastasis, ferroptosis, and chemoradiation resistance in TC. Importantly, circRNAs exert pivotal effects on TC through various mechanisms, including acting as miRNA sponges or decoys, interacting with RNA-binding proteins, and translating functional peptides. Recent studies have suggested that many different circRNAs are associated with certain clinicopathological features, implying that the altered expression of circRNAs may be characteristic of TC. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent advances on the dysregulation, functions, molecular mechanisms and potential clinical applications of circRNAs in TC. This review also aimes to improve our understanding of the functions of circRNAs in the initiation and progression of cancer, and to discuss the future perspectives on strategies targeting circRNAs in TC.

MicroRNAs as the critical regulators of cell migration and invasion in thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most frequent endocrine malignancies that is more common among females. Tumor recurrence is one of the most important clinical manifestations in differentiated TC which is associated with different factors including age, tumor size, and histological features. Various molecular processes such as genetic or epigenetic modifications and non-coding RNAs are also involved in TC progression and metastasis. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important biological process during tumor invasion and migration that affects the initiation and transformation of early-stage tumors into invasive malignancies. A combination of transcription factors, growth factors, signaling pathways, and epigenetic regulations affect the thyroid cell migration and EMT process. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important molecular factors involved in tumor metastasis by regulation of EMT-activating signaling pathways. Various miRNAs are involved in the signaling pathways associated with TC metastasis which can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. Since, the miRNAs are sensitive, specific, and non-invasive, they can be suggested as efficient and optimal biomarkers of tumor invasion and metastasis. In the present review, we have summarized all of the miRNAs which have been significantly involved in thyroid tumor cells migration and invasion. We also categorized all of the reported miRNAs based on their cellular processes to clarify the molecular role of miRNAs during thyroid tumor cell migration and invasion. This review paves the way of introducing a non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic panel of miRNAs in aggressive and metastatic TC patients.