Hsa_circ_0081534 increases the proliferation and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through regulating the miR-508-5p/FN1 axis

EBV-positive glycoproteins associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and glycosylation of proteins is associated with precancerous lesions and carcinogenesis of NPC, and viral glycoproteins mediates the fusion of viruses with B cells or epithelial cells in the infection stage, promoting the conversion of normal epithelial cells into cancer cells. In the process of occurrence and development of NPC, various glycoproteins in the body promote or inhibit the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of tumor cells, such as the tumor inhibitory effect of NGX6 and inhibin B (INHBB); the cancer-promoting effect of tenascin-C (TNC), fibronectin 1 (FN1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3), serglycin, and its core protein; and some effects of glycosylation of immune proteins on immunotherapy in NPC. This article provides an overview of the research progress on the interaction of glycoproteins associated with EBV infection with the occurrence and development of NPC.

Construction and assessment of an angiogenesis-related gene signature for prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Angiogenesis-associated genes (AAGs) play a critical role in cancer patient survival. However, there are insufficient reports on the prognostic value of AAGs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between AAG expression levels and survival in HNSC patients, explore the predictive value of signature genes and lay the groundwork for future in-depth research.

METHODS

Relevant data for HNSC were obtained from the databases. AAGs-associated signature genes linked to prognosis were screened to construct a predictive model. Further analysis was conducted to determine the functional correlation of the signature genes.

RESULTS

The signature genes (STC1, SERPINA5, APP, OLR1, and PDGFA) were used to construct prognostic models. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the calculated risk scores. Survival analysis showed that patients in the high-risk group had a significantly lower overall survival than those in the low-risk group (P < 0.05). Therefore, this prognostic model was an independent prognostic factor for predicting HNSC. In addition, patients in the low-risk group were more sensitive to multiple anti-cancer drugs. Functional correlation analysis showed a good correlation between the characteristic genes and HNSC metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

This study established a new prognostic model for AAGs and may guide the selection of therapeutic agents for HNSC. These genes have important functions in the tumor microenvironment; it also provides a valuable resource for the future clinical trials investigating the relationship between HNSC and AAGs.

Emerging roles of circular RNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: functions and implications

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct malignancy primarily prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are evolutionarily conserved and exhibit remarkable stability. Their dysregulation has been observed in various cancers, including NPC. In this review, we investigate the pivotal role of circRNAs in NPC, focusing specifically on their involvement in tumor proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, stemness, metabolism, and the tumor microenvironment. We highlight the diagnostic and prognostic potential of circRNAs in NPC, emphasizing their utility as biomarkers for early detection, disease monitoring, and prediction of treatment outcomes. Additionally, we explore the therapeutic implications of circRNAs in NPC, highlighting their potential for targeted therapies.

Study of MicroRNA Cluster Located on Chromosome X in Serum and Breast Cancer Tissue

Breast cancer is a prevalent cancer type among women worldwide, with the second highest incidence rate. The objective of this study was to identify a non-invasive biomarker for detecting breast cancer, and to this end, miRNA clusters were investigated as potential candidates. A micro-RNA cluster located on the X chromosome q27.3 region was selected for the study. The research was conducted as a case-control study with a sample size of 100 patients with breast cancer and 100 healthy individuals. Tissue samples from breast cancer tumors and tumor margins were collected from the breast cancer patients. Following RNA extraction and RT-PCR, the expression of miRNA clusters, including miR-506, miR-507, miR-508, miR-509, miR-513, miR-888, miR-891, miR-892-a, and miR-892-b, was analyzed in the serum and breast tissue of the breast cancer patients. The expression of various micro-RNAs in the case and control serums was compared, and it was found that all mentioned micro-RNAs, except mir888-5p and mir-509-3p, exhibited significant and meaningful differences between the patients and control serum groups. These micro-RNAs can be considered as potential tumor markers with a confidence level of P-value = 0.0001. In contrast, mir888-5p and mir-509-3p were considered non-significant. The expression of all micro-RNAs in the tumor margin and BC tumor was significant with a P-value < 0.0001. Based on the ROC curves, all the mentioned microRNAs, except mir-888-5p, mir-513-a-5p, and mir-509-3p, exhibited high sensitivity and specificity and can be considered remarkable non-invasive tumor markers for breast cancer detection.

Anti-Nasopharyngeal carcinoma mechanism of sanguinarine based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of sanguinarine (SAN) against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by means of network pharmacology, molecular docking technique, and experimental verification.

METHODS

The SAN action targets were predicted using the Swiss Target Prediction database, the related NPC targets were determined using the GEO database, and the intersection of drug and disease pathway targets were considered to be the potential targets of SAN against NPC. The target-protein interaction network map was constructed using the STRING database, and the core target genes of SAN against NPC were obtained via topological network analysis. "R" language gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to dock the core target genes with SAN with the help of AutodockVina. Cell proliferation was detected using MTT and xCELLigence real-time cell analysis. Apoptosis was identified via Hoechst 33342 staining, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane staining, and annexin V-FITC/PI double fluorescence staining, while protein expression was quantified using western blotting.

RESULTS

A total of 95 SAN against NPC targets were obtained using target intersection, and 8 core targets were obtained by topological analysis and included EGFR, TP53, F2, FN1, PLAU, MMP9, SERPINE1, and CDK1. Gene ontology enrichment analysis identified 530 items, and 42 items were obtained by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome pathway enrichment analysis and were mainly related to the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed that SAN had good binding activity to the core target. SAN inhibited the proliferation of NPC cells, induced apoptosis, reduced the expression levels of survivin and Bcl2, and increased the expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-8. It also decreased the expression levels of the key proteins p-c-Raf, p-MEK, and p-ERK1/2 in the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in NPC cells.

CONCLUSION

SAN inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of NPC cells through the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

FN1 mRNA 3'-UTR supersedes traditional fibronectin 1 in facilitating the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer through the FN1 3'-UTR-let-7i-5p-THBS1 axis

Background: Current clinical treatments for gastric cancer (GC), particularly advanced GC, lack infallible therapeutic targets. The 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) has attracted increasing attention as a drug target. Methods: In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to determine the function of FN1 3'-UTR and FN1 protein in invasion and metastasis. RNA pull-down assay and high-throughput sequencing were used to screen the factors regulated by FN1 3'-UTR and construct the regulatory network. Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction were used to examine the correlation of intermolecular expression levels. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation was used to verify the correlation between FN1 3'-UTR and target mRNAs. Results: The FN1 3'-UTR may have stronger prognostic implications than the FN1 protein in GC patients. Upregulation of FN1 3'-UTR significantly promoted the invasive and metastatic abilities of GC cells to a greater extent than FN1 protein in vitro and in vivo. A novel regulatory network was constructed based on the FN1 3'-UTR-let-7i-5p-THBS1 axis, wherein FN1 3'-UTR displayed stronger oncogenic effects than the FN1 protein. Conclusions: FN1 3'-UTR may be a better therapeutic target for constructing targeted drugs in GC than the FN1 protein.

Screening of core genes and prediction of ceRNA regulation mechanism of circRNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by bioinformatics analysis

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) represents a highly aggressive malignant tumor. Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) regulation is a common regulatory mechanism in tumors. The ceRNA network links the functions between mRNAs and ncRNAs, thus playing an important regulatory role in diseases. This study screened the potential key genes in NPC and predicted regulatory mechanisms using bioinformatics analysis.

Methods: The merged microarray data of three NPC-related mRNA expression microarrays from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and the expression data of tumor samples or normal samples from the nasopharynx and tonsil in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were both subjected to differential analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). The results from two different databases were intersected with WGCNA results to obtain potential regulatory genes in NPC, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses. The hub-gene in candidate genes was discerned through Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis and its upstream regulatory mechanism was predicted by miRwalk and circbank databases.

Results: Totally 68 upregulated genes and 96 downregulated genes in NPC were screened through GEO and TCGA. According to WGCNA, the NPC-related modules were screened from GEO and TCGA analysis results, and the genes in the modules were obtained. After the results of differential analysis and WGCNA were intersected, 74 differentially expressed candidate genes associated with NPC were discerned. Finally, fibronectin 1 (FN1) was identified as a hub-gene in NPC. Prediction of upstream regulatory mechanisms of FN1 suggested that FN1 may be regulated by ceRNA mechanisms involving multiple circRNAs, thereby influencing NPC progression through ceRNA regulation.

Conclusion: FN1 is identified as a key regulator in NPC development and is likely to be regulated by numerous circRNA-mediated ceRNA mechanisms.

CircSETDB1 contributes to paclitaxel resistance of ovarian cancer cells by sponging miR-508-3p and regulating ABCC1 expression

Ovarian cancer is a gynecological tumor with a poor prognosis. The chemotherapy failure and recurrence induced by paclitaxel (Ptx) resistance are the main reason for the failure of ovarian cancer treatment. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of circular RNA (circRNA) in the regulation of Ptx resistance in ovarian cancer. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was performed to detect the expression of circRNA SET domain bifurcated histone lysine methyltransferase 1 (circSETDB1), microRNA (miR)-508-3p and ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 1 ( ABCC1 ) mRNA. The effects of circSETDB1 on Ptx resistance were explored by cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, and flow cytometry experiments in vitro . The protein level was assessed by western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were carried out to confirm the interactions among circSETDB1, miR-508-3p, and ABCC1 . Xenograft tumor experiment was performed to investigate the effect of circSETDB1 on Ptx resistance in vivo . CircSETDB1 was highly expressed in Ptx-resistant ovarian cancer. CircSETDB1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation viability, half maximal inhibitory concentration value of Ptx, cell cycle progression, and induced cell apoptosis in Ptx-resistant ovarian cancer cells. miR-508-3p was a target of circSETDB1, and inhibition of miR-508-3p overturned the effects of circSETDB1 knockdown on the Ptx resistance of ovarian cancer cells. miR-508-5p could bind to ABCC1 . Overexpression of ABCC1 reversed the effects of circSETDB1 knockdown on the Ptx resistance of ovarian cancer cells. CircSETDB1 knockdown also enhanced Ptx sensitivity in vivo . In conclusion, circSETDB1 regulated Ptx resistance of ovarian cancer by targeting miR-508-3p/ ABCC1 axis.

Circ_0000523 regulates miR-1184/COL1A1/PI3K/Akt pathway to promote nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression

BACKGROUND

The present study is to investigate the biological functions and mechanisms of circular RNA_0000523 (circ_0000523) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to examine the expression levels of circ_0000523 and microRNA-1184 (miR-1184) in NPC tissues and cells. Collagen type 1 alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) expression was assessed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. Cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion were examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), flow cytometry and Transwell assays. Xenograft nude mouse models were used to investigate the metastatic potential of NPC cells in vivo. The binding relationships between circ_0000523 and miR-1184, and between miR-1184 and COL1A1 were detected by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The protein expressions of COL1A1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p85), phosphorylated (p)-p85, protein kinase B (Akt) and p-Akt were detected through Western blot. The DAVID database was used for the enrichment analysis of the potential targets of miR-1184.

RESULTS

Circ_0000523 and COL1A1 mRNA expressions were significantly increased in NPC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0000523 overexpression promoted NPC cell proliferation and accelerated cell cycle progression, whereas miR-1184 overexpression reversed these effects; circ_0000523 knockdown suppressed NPC cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest, while miR-1184 inhibition counteracted these effects. MiR-1184 was the downstream target of circ_0000523, and COL1A1 was the target gene of miR-1184 and could be positively modulated by circ_0000523. COL1A1 overexpression increased the expression levels of p-p85 and p-Akt, whereas knocking down COL1A1 repressed their expressions.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ_0000523 facilitates NPC progression through regulating the miR-1184/COL1A1 axis.

Identification of the regulatory role of the circ_0004788/miR-515-5p/FGF2 network in nasopharyngeal carcinoma development

BACKGROUND

CircularRNAs (circRNAs) played vital roles in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the impacts of circ_0004788 on the development of NPC have not been explored.

METHODS

Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and colony formation assays were applied to determine cell proliferation. Wound healing, transwell invasion assay, tube formation assay, and flow cytometry were employed for the detection of cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and apoptosis, respectively. Xenograft tumor experiment was used to explore the biological role of circ_0004788 in NPC in vivo.

RESULTS

Circ_0004788 and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) were significantly elevated, and microRNA-515-5p (miR-515-5p) was dramatically decreased in NPC tissues and cells. The impacts of circ_0004788 knockdown on cell progression in NPC cells were reversed by miR-515-5p inhibitor, and FGF2 overexpression could block the suppressive effect of miR-515-5p on cell progression in NPC cells.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0004788 knockdown restrained the progression of NPC via the miR-515-5p/FGF2 axis.

Hsa_circ_0007637 Facilitates Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression by Sponging miR-636/TPD52 Axis

Purpose

Hsa_circ_0007637 was discovered to be differentially expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the exact function and mechanism of Hsa_circ_0007637 on NPC have not been studied. This study firstly researched the function and mechanism of Hsa_circ_0007637 on NPC progression.

Methods

Hsa_circ_0007637, miR-636 and TPD52 expressions in 80 NPC patients were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Hsa_circ_0007637 effect on NPC cell proliferation, apopticosis, invasion and migration was investigated by cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, transwell experiment and wound healing assay accordingly. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA immunoprecipitation experiment and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment were performed to identify the binding between Hsa_circ_0007637 and miR-636. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull down assay were conducted to verify the binding between miR-636 and TPD52. TPD52 protein expression in NPC cells was determined by Western blot. In vivo study was performed using nude mice. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess TPD52 and Ki67 expression in tissues.

Results

Hsa_circ_0007637 was overexpressed in NPC tissues and cells. High Hsa_circ_0007637 expression predicted a poor outcome for NPC patients. Hsa_circ_0007637 knockdown decreased proliferation, invasion, migration and increased apoptosis of NPC cells (P < 0.01). Hsa_circ_0007637 could enhance TPD52 expression via sponging miR-636. miR-636 overexpression or TPD52 knockdown weakened the promoting effect of Hsa_circ_0007637 on NPC cells malignant phenotype (P < 0.01). Hsa_circ_0007637 knockdown suppressed NPC cells growth in vivo (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Hsa_circ_0007637 facilitates NPC progression by sponging miR-636/TPD52 axis.

hsa-miR-508-5p as a New Potential Player in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is widely known as the principal cause of low back pain, diminishing patients' quality of life and imposing a huge economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide. However, the underlying mechanisms of IDD remain to be determined. This study aimed to scrutinize data sets via bioinformatics to identify microRNAs (miRNAs)/genes and pathways associated with IDD. The array profiling of patients with IDD and individuals without IDD was acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (viz., GSE19943, GSE63492, and GSE34095). The expression profiles of miRNAs and genes with differential patterns were analyzed using GEO2R. The target genes of the chosen miRNA were then examined, and in silico functional analyses were performed on the signaling pathways and biological processes of the differentially expressed genes. Three human miRNAs were up and downregulated in IDD patients in the examined data sets. Among them, hsa-miR-508-5p had a significant differential expression in the IDD group, and SEC11A, IPO5, FN1, and MRPS10, as the targets of hsa-miR-508-5p, were upregulated in the IDD group. Furthermore, extracellular matrix-receptor interactions, focal adhesion, and actin cytoskeleton regulation were important pathways involved in IDD. Our analysis identified hsa-miR-508-5p as a novel miRNA involved in IDD pathogenies. Our findings not only further confirmed the significant role of miRNAs in IDD pathogenesis but also extended the spectrum of the miRNAs and genes involved in IDD. Though, still, further experimental investigations are needed to confirm our findings.

Circular RNAs: Functions and mechanisms in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant epithelial tumor of the nasopharyngeal mucosa with a high incidence rate in southern China and Southeast Asia and an evident ethnic and geographical distribution. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded noncoding RNAs with covalent, closed-loop structures. They are characterized by high stability and abundance, are evolutionarily conserved, and exhibit tissue/developmental stage specificity. Previous studies have shown that circRNAs are associated with the occurrence and development of various malignant tumors. However, the expression patterns and clinical significance of circRNAs in NPC remain ambiguous. Hence, the present review focuses on the biogenesis and regulation of circRNAs, and the functional roles of abnormally expressed circRNAs in NPC. In addition, the current review discusses the possibility of utilizing circRNAs as potential clinical biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC.

ChrXq27.3 miRNA cluster functions in cancer development

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the expression of their target genes post-transcriptionally; thus, they are deeply involved in fundamental biological processes. miRNA clusters contain two or more miRNA-encoding genes, and these miRNAs are usually coexpressed due to common expression mechanisms. Therefore, miRNA clusters are effective modulators of biological pathways by the members coordinately regulating their multiple target genes, and an miRNA cluster located on the X chromosome q27.3 region has received much attention in cancer research recently. In this review, we discuss the novel findings of the chrXq27.3 miRNA cluster in various types of cancer.

The chrXq27.3 miRNA cluster contains 30 mature miRNAs synthesized from 22 miRNA-encoding genes in an ~ 1.3-Mb region. The expressions of these miRNAs are usually negligible in many normal tissues, with the male reproductive system being an exception. In cancer tissues, each miRNA is dysregulated, compared with in adjacent normal tissues. The miRNA-encoding genes are not uniformly distributed in the region, and they are further divided into two groups (the miR-506-514 and miR-888-892 groups) according to their location on the genome. Most of the miRNAs in the former group are tumor-suppressive miRNAs that are further downregulated in various cancers compared with normal tissues. miR-506-3p in particular is the most well-known miRNA in this cluster, and it has various tumor-suppressive functions associated with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, proliferation, and drug resistance. Moreover, other miRNAs, such as miR-508-3p and miR-509-3p, have similar tumor-suppressive effects. Hence, the expression of these miRNAs is clinically favorable as prognostic factors in various cancers. However, the functions of the latter group are less understood. In the latter group, miR-888-5p displays oncogenic functions, whereas miR-892b is tumor suppressive. Therefore, the functions of the miR-888–892 group are considered to be cell type- or tissue-specific.

In conclusion, the chrXq27.3 miRNA cluster is a critical regulator of cancer progression, and the miRNAs themselves, their regulatory mechanisms, and their target genes might be promising therapeutic targets.

CircAMOTL1 Promotes Tumorigenesis Through miR-526b/SIK2 Axis in Cervical Cancer

Background

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women, leading to major health problems for its high morbidity and mortality. Numerous studies have demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) could be participated in the progression of multifarious diseases, especially plentiful carcinomas. CircAMOTL1 (angiomotin-like1, ID: hsa_circ_0004214), which is located on human chromosome 11:9 4532555-94533477, is involved in the occurrence of breast cancer, etc. However, the intrinsic and concrete molecular mechanism of circAMOTL1 in cervical carcinomas remained thoroughly unclear, which was also the bottleneck of circRNAs studies in cancer.

Methods

The relative expression levels of circAMOTL1 and miR-526b in cervical carcinoma patients’ specimens and cervical carcinoma cell lines were detected by RT-qPCR. Through experiments including loss-function and overexpression, the biological effects of circAMOTL1 and miR-526b on the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and tumorigenicity were explored in cervical carcinomas. Dual luciferase reporter gene analysis, western blot, and other methods were adopted to explore the circAMOTL1 potential mechanism in cervical carcinomas.

Results

In our experiments, our researches displayed that circAMOTL1 was significantly higher expression in cervical carcinomas specimens and cell lines. Further experiments illustrated that the knockdown of circAMOTL1 could restrain the malignant phenotype, AKT signaling, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of in cervical carcinomas cells. Meanwhile miR-526b was downregulated in cervical carcinomas and even miR-526b could partially reverse circAMOTL1 function in malignant cervical tumor cells. CircAMOTL1 acts as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge that actively regulates the expression of salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) to sponge miR-526b and subsequently increases malignant phenotypes of cervical carcinomas cells. In a word, circAMOTL1 acts a carcinogenic role and miR-526b serves as the opposite function of antioncogene in the cervical carcinoma pathogenesis.

Conclusion

CircAMOTL1-miR-526b-SIK2 axis referred to the malignant progression and development of cervical carcinomas. CircAMOTL1 expression was inversely correlated with miR-526b and positively correlated with SIK2 mRNA in cervical cancer tissues. Thus, circAMOTL1 exerted an oncogenic role in cervical cancer progression through sponging miR-526b. Taken together, our study revealed that circAMOTL1 acted as an oncogene and probably was a potential therapeutic target for the cervical cancer.