Potentiated lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cell growth, migration and invasion by lncRNA DARS-AS1 via miR-188-5p/ KLF12 axis

LncRNA DARS-AS1 in human cancers: A comprehensive review of its potency as a biomarker and therapeutic target

Long non-coding RNAs have emerged as important players in cancer biology. Increasing evidence has uncovered their potency in improving cancer management as they can be used as a credible prognostic and diagnostic biomarker. Recently, DARS-AS1 has gained significant attention for its involvement in facilitating tumor progression. So far, numerous research has been reported its upregulation in different malignancies of human body systems and revealed its association with cancer hallmarks as well as clinicopathological characteristics. Importantly, targeting DARS-AS1 holds promise in cancer therapy. In the current study, we provide an in-depth analysis of its expression status and explore the underlying mechanisms through which DARS-AS1 contributes to tumor initiation, growth, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, we examine the correlation between DARS-AS1 expression and clinicopathological features of cancer patients, shedding light on its potential as a cancer biomarker. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting DARS-AS1 in cancer treatment, highlighting emerging strategies, such as RNA interference and small molecule inhibitors. Boosting the understanding of its functional role can open new avenues for precision medicine, thus resulting in better outcomes for cancer patients.

Crosstalk among disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma reveals a correlation with immune profile and clinical prognosis

Disulfidptosis refers to a specific programmed cell death process characterized by the accumulation of disulfides. It has recently been reported in several cancers. However, the impact of disulfidptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on malignant tumors has remained largely unknown. In the present work, we screened prognostic disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs and studied their effects on lung adenocarcinoma. Relevant clinical data of lung adenocarcinoma cases were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. RNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs within lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, prognostic disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs were obtained through univariate Cox regression analysis. LASSO-COX was used to construct new disulfidptosis-related lncRNA signatures. Different statistical approaches were used to validate the practicability and accuracy of the disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs signatures. Furthermore, several bioinformatic approaches were used to study relevant heterogeneities in biological processes and pathways of diverse risk groups. Reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted to analyze the expression of disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs. Finally, seven disulfidptosis-related lncRNA signatures were identified in lung adenocarcinoma cells. The prognosis prediction model constructed efficiently predicted patient survival. Subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in immune cell proportion, including T follicular helper cells and M0 macrophages. In addition, in vitro experimental results demonstrated significant differences in disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs. Altogether, the six disulfidptosis-related lncRNA signatures could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, these can be used as a prediction model in individualized immunotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma.

Circ_0007432 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression and macrophage M2 polarization through SRSF1/KLF12 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) plays critical roles in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development. Herein, we illustrated the effects of circ_0007432 on malignant features of NSCLC. We found that circ_0007432 played a promoting role in NSCLC progression, lying in accelerating cell viability, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, promoting M2 macrophage polarization, suppressing cell apoptosis of NSCLC cells, and enhancing tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, the interactions among circ_0007432, SRSF1, KLF12, and IL-8 were validated by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), RNA pull-down, dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Circ_0007432 upregulated KLF12 by recruiting SRSF1. KLF12 facilitated IL-8 expression and release by binding to IL-8 promoter. Furthermore, the role of circ_0007432/SRSF1/KLF12/IL-8 axis in malignant phenotypes of tumor cells or macrophage polarization was investigated using rescue experiments. In conclusion, circ_0007432 bound with SRSF1 to stabilize KLF12 and then promote IL-8 release, thus promoting malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells and M2 macrophage polarization.

Comprehensive analysis of m6A modification patterns and m6A-related lncRNAs as potential biomarkers in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is considered to induce tumor cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Understanding the mechanism of m6A-related lncRNAs in the development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) may help predict prognosis.

METHODS

m6A-related lncRNAs related to lung cancer were identified and combined with the MeRIP-Seq dataset. The consensus clustering method was utilized to divide LUAD patients, and prognostic model was constructed using the Lasso Cox algorithm. The cluster profiler package was used for gene ontology and KEGG enrichment. The proportion of immune infiltration was estimated using the CIBERSORT algorithm. The decision tree was constructed by the rpart package, and nomograms were built by the rms package. The Connectivity Map database was analyzed for the therapeutic effects of small molecule drugs for LUAD. In addition, qPCR, colony formation and transwell assays were performed to validate functions of m6A-associated lncRNAs.

RESULTS

Nineteen m6A-modified lncRNAs in LUAD were identified. LUAD patients were divided into two categories based on the expression of 19 m6A-related lncRNAs. Cluster 2 patients had better antigen production and expression, while naive B cells, plasma cells, and activated NK cells were lower in cluster 1. Nine m6A-related lncRNAs were selected to establish a risk model for evaluating the prognosis of LUAD patients. The high-risk group had higher tumor mutational burden and lower TIDE scores with more gamma delta T cells and neutrophils. Nomograms showed that the prognostic model had predominant predictive ability for LUAD patients based on the risk score analyzed by the decision tree model. Benzo(a)pyrene and neurodazine might improve the prognosis of LUAD patients. The qRT-PCR results confirmed the reliability of the analytical results.

CONCLUSION

The establishment of a prognostic model of m6A-related lncRNAs can independently predict overall survival in LUAD and may help to develop personalized immunotherapy strategies.

Identification of molecular subtypes and a prognostic signature based on m6A/m5C/m1A-related genes in lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer, specifically the histological subtype lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), has the highest global occurrence and fatality rate. Extensive research has indicated that RNA alterations encompassing m6A, m5C, and m1A contribute actively to tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and immunotherapy responses in LUAD. Nevertheless, the absence of a dependable predictive model based on m6A/m5C/m1A-associated genes hinders accurately predicting the prognosis of patients diagnosed with LUAD. In this study, we collected patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and identified genes related to m6A/m5C/m1A modifications using the GeneCards database. The "ConsensusClusterPlus" R package was used to produce molecular subtypes by utilizing genes relevant to m6A/m5C/m1A identified through differential expression and univariate Cox analyses. An independent prognostic factor was identified by constructing a prognostic signature comprising six genes (SNHG12, PABPC1, IGF2BP1, FOXM1, CBFA2T3, and CASC8). Poor overall survival and elevated expression of human leukocyte antigens and immune checkpoints were correlated with higher risk scores. We examined the associations between the sets of genes regulated by m6A/m5C/m1A and the risk model, as well as the immune cell infiltration, using algorithms such as ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, TIMER, ssGSEA, and exclusion (TIDE). Moreover, we compared tumor stemness indices (TSIs) by considering the molecular subtypes related to m6A/m5C/m1A and risk signatures. Analyses were performed based on the risk signature, including stratification, somatic mutation analysis, nomogram construction, chemotherapeutic response prediction, and small-molecule drug prediction. In summary, we developed a prognostic signature consisting of six genes that have the potential for prognostication in patients with LUAD and the design of personalized treatments that could provide new versions of personalized management for these patients.

Deregulation of interferon-gamma receptor 1 expression and its implications for lung adenocarcinoma progression

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays a dual role in cancer; it is both a pro- and an antitumorigenic cytokine, depending on the type of cancer. The deregulation of the IFN-γ canonic pathway is associated with several disorders, including vulnerability to viral infections, inflammation, and cancer progression. In particular, the interplay between lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and viral infections appears to exist in association with the deregulation of IFN-γ signaling. In this mini-review, we investigated the status of the IFN-γ signaling pathway and the expression level of its components in LUAD. Interestingly, a reduction in IFNGR1 expression seems to be associated with LUAD progression, affecting defenses against viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In addition, alterations in the expression of IFNGR1 may inhibit the antiproliferative action of IFN-γ signaling in LUAD.

DARS-AS1: A Vital Oncogenic LncRNA Regulator with Potential for Cancer Prognosis and Therapy

DARS-AS1, short for Aspartyl-tRNA synthetase antisense RNA 1, has emerged as a pivotal player in cancers. Upregulation of this lncRNA is a recurrent phenomenon observed across various cancer types, where it predominantly assumes oncogenic roles, exerting influence on multiple facets of tumor cell biology. This aberrant expression of DARS-AS1 has triggered extensive research investigations, aiming to unravel its roles and clinical values in cancer. In this review, we elucidate the significant correlation between dysregulated DARS-AS1 expression and adverse survival prognoses in cancer patients, drawing from existing literature and pan-cancer analyses from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Additionally, we provide comprehensive insights into the diverse functions of DARS-AS1 in various cancers. Our review encompasses the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms, ceRNA networks, functional mediators, and signaling pathways, as well as its involvement in therapy resistance, coupled with the latest advancements in DARS-AS1-related cancer research. These recent updates enrich our comprehensive comprehension of the pivotal role played by DARS-AS1 in cancer, thereby paving the way for future applications of DARS-AS1-targeted strategies in tumor prognosis evaluation and therapeutic interventions. This review furnishes valuable insights to advance the ongoing efforts in combating cancer effectively.

SLC7A8 overexpression inhibits the growth and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma and is correlated with a dismal prognosis

BACKGROUND

Overexpression of solute carrier family 7 member 8 (SLC7A8) has been shown to relate to the survival time and tumor progression in cancer patients. However, the role of SLC7A8 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is still obscure.

METHOD

The relationships between SLC7A8 expression in LUAD tissues and clinical values as well as immune infiltration were explored through bioinformatics. The functions and pathways of SLC7A8 in LUAD were investigated using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, Western blotting, and other methods.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of SLC7A8 was decreased significantly in LUAD tissues compared with normal tissues, which was related to the dismal survival time and disease progression. Moreover, it carried diagnostic value in LUAD and was a risk factor for dismal prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the expression level of SLC7A8 carried significant diagnostic value in LUAD. Overexpression of SLC7A8 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of LUAD cells, likely through a mechanism involving the cell cycle. SLC7A8 expression in LUAD was significantly correlated with the infiltration of immune cells, especially B cells, interstitial dendritic cells, mast cells, CD56 bright cells, natural killer cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, T follicular helper cells, T helper 2 and 17 cells, and immune factors.

CONCLUSION

The downregulation of SLC7A8 was related to a dismal prognosis and immune cell infiltration in LUAD. Increasing the expression of SLC7A8 inhibited the growth and migration of LUAD cells, thereby improving the prognosis of patients.

The mechanistic role of NAT10 in cancer: Unraveling the enigmatic web of oncogenic signaling

N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), a versatile enzyme, has gained considerable attention as a significant player in the complex realm of cancer biology. Its enigmatic role in tumorigenesis extends across a wide array of cellular processes, impacting cell growth, differentiation, survival, and genomic stability. Within the intricate network of oncogenic signaling, NAT10 emerges as a crucial agent in multiple cancer types, such as breast, lung, colorectal, and leukemia. This compelling research addresses the intricate complexity of the mechanistic role of NAT10 in cancer development. By elucidating its active participation in essential physiological processes, we investigate the regulatory role of NAT10 in cell cycle checkpoints, coordination of chromatin remodeling, and detailed modulation of the delicate balance between apoptosis and cell survival. Perturbations in NAT10 expression and function have been linked to oncogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance in a variety of cancer types. Furthermore, the bewildering interactions between NAT10 and key oncogenic factors, such as p53 and c-Myc, are deciphered, providing profound insights into the molecular underpinnings of cancer pathogenesis. Equally intriguing, the paradoxical role of NAT10 as a potential tumor suppressor or oncogene is influenced by context-dependent factors and the cellular microenvironment. This study explores the fascinating interplay of genetic changes, epigenetic changes, and post-translational modifications that shape the dual character of NAT10, revealing the delicate balance between cancer initiation and suppression. Taken together, this overview delves deeply into the enigmatic role of NAT10 in cancer, elucidating its multifaceted roles and its complex interplay with oncogenic networks.

LncRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer: novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related death worldwide, with a serious impact on human health and life. The identification of NSCLC at an early stage is a formidable task that frequently culminates in a belated diagnosis. LncRNA is a kind of noncoding RNA with limited protein-coding capacity, and its expression is out of balance in many cancers, especially NSCLC. A large number of studies have reported that lncRNA acts a vital role in regulating angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells, affecting the occurrence and development of NSCLC. Abundant evidence demonstrates that lncRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for NSCLC diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in characterizing the functional mechanism of lncRNAs involved in the development of NSCLC and further discuss the role of lncRNAs in NSCLC therapy and chemotherapy resistance. We also discuss the advantages, limitations, and challenges of using lncRNAs as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in the management of NSCLC.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulphate inhibits angiogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma via mediation of miR-874/eEF-2K/TG2 axis

CONTEXT

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulphate (STS) is a product originated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge [Lamiaceae], which exerts an antitumour effect. However, the role of STS on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

Our study explores the effect and mechanism of STS against LUAD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LUAD cells were treated with 100 μM STS for 24 h and control group cells were cultured under normal medium conditions. Functionally, the viability, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of LUAD cells were examined by MTT, wound healing, transwell and tube formation assay, respectively. Moreover, cells were transvected with different transfection plasmids. Dual luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were used to verify the relationship between miR-874 and eEF-2K.

RESULTS

STS significantly decreased the viability (40-50% reduction), migration (migration rate of A549 cells from 0.67 to 0.28, H1299 cells from 0.71 to 0.41), invasion (invasion numbers of A549 cells from 172 to 55, H1299 cells from 188 to 35) and angiogenesis (80-90% reduction) of LUAD cells. Downregulation of miR-874 partially abolished the antitumour effect of STS. EEF-2K was identified to be the target of miR-874, and its downregulation markedly abolished the effects of miR-874 downregulation on tumourigenesis of LUAD. Moreover, silencing of TG2 abrogated eEF-2K-induced progression of LUAD.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

STS attenuated the tumourigenesis of LUAD through the mediation of the miR-874/eEF-2K/TG2 axis. STS is a promising drug to fight against lung cancer, which might effectively reverse drug resistance when combined with classical anticancer drugs.

E2F3/CDCA2 reduces radiosensitivity in gastric adenocarcinoma by activating PI3K/AKT pathway

OBJECTIVES

Gastric adenocarcinoma is primarily responsible for tumor-associated deaths and its incidence is increasing global. CDCA2 is a nuclear protein binding to protein phosphatase one γ (PP1γ) and plays a pro-oncogenic role in tumors. This study aimed to elucidate the biological function of CDCA2 in gastric adenocarcinoma progression and radiosensitivity, as well as its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

Differentially expressed mRNAs in gastric adenocarcinoma were obtained by bioinformatics and upstream regulatory factors were predicted. The correlation between their expressions was analyzed. The expressions of E2F3 and CDCA2 in cells were assayed by qRT-PCR and their regulatory relationship was validated by molecular experiments. Cell viability was tested via CCK-8. Cell proliferation and survival after radiotherapy were determined by colony formation assay. The expressions of PI3K/AKT pathway-related proteins were assessed through western blot.

RESULTS

CDCA2 was significantly upregulated in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and cells, promoted cell proliferation, and reduced radiosensitivity. The impact of CDCA2 on cell proliferation and radiosensitivity was reversed by the PI3K/AKT inhibitor. Furthermore, the upstream transcription factor of CDCA2 was found to be E2F3, which was highly expressed in gastric adenocarcinoma. The binding relationship between the two was validated by dual luciferase and ChIP experiments. The rescue experiment showed that E2F3 activated CDCA2 to drive cell proliferation and reduce radiosensitivity through PI3K/AKT pathway in gastric adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study found that E2F3 activated CDCA2 to drive cell proliferation and reduce radiosensitivity in gastric adenocarcinoma through the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting that E2F3/CDCA2 axis is a new therapeutic target for gastric adenocarcinoma.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

1. CDCA2 reduced the radiosensitivity of gastric adenocarcinoma cells;2. CDCA2 reduced the radiosensitivity of gastric adenocarcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway;3. E2F3 activated CDCA2 to reduce the radiosensitivity of gastric adenocarcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Combined inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 and lactate dehydrogenase a induces metabolic and signaling reprogramming and enhances lung adenocarcinoma cell killing

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most prevalent and aggressive types of lung cancer. Metabolic reprogramming plays a critical role in the development and progression of LUAD. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) are two key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, whilst their aberrant expressions are often associated with tumorigenesis. Herein, we investigated the anticancer effects of combined inhibition of PDK1 and LDHA in LUAD in vitro and in vivo and its underlying mechanisms of action. The combination of a PDK1 inhibitor, 64, and a LDHA inhibitor, NHI-Glc-2, led to a synergistic growth inhibition in 3 different LUAD cell lines and more than additively suppressed tumor growth in the LUAD xenograft H1975 model. This combination also inhibited cellular migration and colony formation, while it induced a metabolic shift from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) resulting in mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis in LUAD cells. These effects were related to modulation of multiple cell signaling pathways, including AMPK, RAS/ERK, and AKT/mTOR. Our findings demonstrate that simultaneous inhibition of multiple glycolytic enzymes (PDK1 and LDHA) is a promising novel therapeutic approach for LUAD.

Mutant RB1 enhances therapeutic efficacy of PARPis in lung adenocarcinoma by triggering the cGAS/STING pathway

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) are approved for cancer therapy according to their synthetic lethal interactions, and clinical trials have been applied in non-small cell lung cancer. However, the therapeutic efficacy of PARPis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is still unknown. We explored the effect of a mutated retinoblastoma gene (RB1) on PARPi sensitivity in LUAD. Bioinformatic screening was performed to identify PARPi-sensitive biomarkers. Here, we showed that viability of LUAD cell lines with mutated RB1 was significantly decreased by PARPis (niraparib, rucaparib, and olaparib). RB1 deficiency induced genomic instability, prompted cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) formation, activated the cGAS/STING pathway, and upregulated downstream chemokines CCL5 and CXCL10, triggering immune cell infiltration. Xenograft experiments indicated that PARPi treatment reduced tumorigenesis in RB1-KO mice. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis showed that malignant cells with downregulated expression of RB1 had more communications with other cell types, exhibiting activation of specific signaling such as GAS, IFN response, and antigen-presenting and cytokine activities. Our findings suggest that RB1 mutation mediates the sensitivity to PARPis through a synthetic lethal effect by triggering the cGAS/STING pathway and upregulation of immune infiltration in LUAD, which may be a potential therapeutic strategy.

Multiple Omics Analysis of the Role of RBM10 Gene Instability in Immune Regulation and Drug Sensitivity in Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD)

OBJECTIVE

The RNA-binding protein RBM10 can regulate apoptosis during the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer, and osteosarcoma cells; however, the molecular mechanism underlying lung adenocarcinoma is rarely reported. Recent studies have detected multiple truncated and missense mutations in RBM10 in lung adenocarcinoma, but the role of RBM10 in lung adenocarcinoma is unclear. This study mainly explored the immune regulation mechanism of RBM10 in the development of lung adenocarcinoma and its influence on sensitivity to targeted therapy drugs.

METHODS

The transcriptome data of CGAP were used to analyze the RNA-seq data of lung adenocarcinoma patients from different subgroups by using the CIBERSORT algorithm to infer the relative proportion of various immune infiltrating cells, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the gene expression and immune cell content. In addition, this study utilized drug trial data from the GDSC database. The IC50 estimates for each specific targeted therapy were obtained by using a regression method, and the regression and prediction accuracy were tested via ten cross-validations with the GDSC training set. An immunohistochemical test was performed on the samples of 20 patients with lung adenocarcinoma in the subcomponent analysis of immune cells, and the protein expression of RBM10 in lung adenocarcinoma tissues was verified by cellular immunofluorescence assays. Nucleic acids were extracted at low temperatures, and qRT-PCR was used to verify the expression levels of the mRNA of RBM10 in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and normal tissues (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

After screening and inclusion using a machine language, the results showed that RBM10 was significantly highly expressed in the lung adenocarcinoma tissues. The related signaling pathways were mainly concentrated in ncRNA processing, rRNA metabolic processes, ribosome biogenesis, and the regulation of translation. The qRT-PCR for 20 lung adenocarcinoma tissues showed that the expression of RBM10 in these tissues was significantly different from that in normal tissues (p = 0.0255). Immunohistochemistry analysis and cell immunofluorescence staining also confirmed that RBM10 was involved in the immune regulation of lung adenocarcinoma tissues, and the number of immune cell aggregations was significantly higher than that of the control group. RBM10 regulates B cell memory-CIBERSORT (p = 0.042) and B cell memory-CIBERSOTRT-abs (p = 0.027), cancer-associated fibroblast-EPIC (p = 0.001), cancer-associated fibroblast- MCPCounter (p = 0.0037), etc. The risk score was significantly associated with the sensitivity of patients to lapatinib (p = 0.049), nilotinib (p = 0.015), pazopanib (p = 0.001), and sorafenib (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

RBM10 can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells through negative regulation and promote the apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells through immunomodulatory mechanisms. The expression level of RBM10 affects the efficacy of targeted drug therapy and the survival prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients, which has a certain guiding significance for the clinical treatment of these patients.

A radiomics nomogram prediction for survival of patients with "driver gene-negative" lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD)

BACKGROUND

To study the role of computed tomography (CT)-derived radiomics features and clinical characteristics on the prognosis of "driver gene-negative" lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and to explore the potential molecular biological which may be helpful for patients' individual postoperative care.

METHODS

A total of 180 patients with stage I-III "driver gene-negative" LUAD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from September 2003 to June 2015 were retrospectively collected. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression model was used to screen radiomics features and calculated the Rad-score. The prediction performance of the nomogram model based on radiomics features and clinical characteristics was validated and then assessed with respect to calibration. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to explore the relevant biological pathways.

RESULTS

The radiomics and the clinicopathological characteristics were combined to construct a nomogram resulted in better performance for the estimation of OS (C-index: 0.815; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.756-0.874) than the clinicopathological nomogram (C-index: 0.765; 95% CI: 0.692-0.837). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that in terms of clinical usefulness, the radiomics nomogram outperformed the traditional staging system and the clinicopathological nomogram. The clinical prognostic risk score of each patient was calculated based on the radiomics nomogram and divided by X-tile into high-risk (> 65.28) and low-risk (≤ 65.28) groups. GSEA results showed that the low-risk score group was directly related to amino acid metabolism, and the high-risk score group was related to immune and metabolism pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The radiomics nomogram was promising to predict the prognosis of patients with "driver gene-negative" LUAD. The metabolism and immune-related pathways may provide new treatment orientation for this genetically unique subset of patients, which may serve as a potential tool to guide individual postoperative care for those patients.

KIAA1429 promotes tumorigenesis and gefitinib resistance in lung adenocarcinoma by activating the JNK/ MAPK pathway in an m6A-dependent manner

Non-small cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most common subtypes. The role of N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in LUAD remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effects of vir-like m⁶A methyltransferase-associated protein (KIAA1429) depletion on proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance of LUAD cells, and identified m⁶A-dependent downstream genes influenced by KIAA1429. We found that KIAA1429 activated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway as a novel signaling event, which is responsible for tumorigenesis and resistance to gefitinib in LUAD cells. KIAA1429 and MAP3K2 showed high expression in LUAD patients' tissues. Knockdown of KIAA1429 inhibited MAP3K2 expression in an m⁶A methylation-dependent manner, restraining the progression of LUAD cells and inhibiting growth of gefitinib-resistant HCC827 cells. KIAA1429 positively regulated MAP3K2 expression, activated JNK/ MAPK pathway, and promoted drug resistance in gefitinib-resistant HCC827 cells. We reproduced the in vitro results in nude mouse xenografted with KIAA1429 knockdown cells. Our study showed that the mechanism of m⁶A KIAA1429-mediated gefitinib resistance in LUAD cells occurs by activating JNK/ MAPK signaling pathway. These findings provide potential targets for molecular therapy and clinical treatment in LUAD patients with gefitinib resistance.

DARS-AS1 modulates cell proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells by regulating miR-330-3p/NAT10 axis

The long noncoding RNA DARS-AS1 was aberrantly expressed and participated in several human cancer progressions, whereas whether DARS-AS1 is involved in human gastric cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of DARS-AS1 on gastric cancer progression and explore the potential regulatory network of DARS-AS1/miR-330-3p/NAT10. The expression levels of DARS-AS1, miR-330-3p, and NAT10 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay were used to determine the cell viability, migration, and invasion capacities, respectively. The target association between miR-330-3p and DARS-AS1 or NAT10 was confirmed using a luciferase reporter assay. In result, DARS-AS1 levels were elevated in tumor tissues and associated with shorter overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. Knockdown of DARS-AS1 could hamper cell viability, migration, and invasion in gastric cancer cells. DARS-AS1 acts as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate the NAT10 expression by sponging miR-330-3p in gastric cancer cells. In conclusion, DARS-AS1 was elevated in gastric cancer, and DARS-AS1/miR-330-3p/NAT10 signaling offered some new horizons for predicting prognosis and a novel therapeutic method for the treatment of gastric cancer.

A novel prognostic signature for lung adenocarcinoma based on cuproptosis-related lncRNAs: A Review

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a highly heterogeneous disease with complex pathogenesis, high mortality, and poor prognosis. Cuproptosis is a new type of programmed cell death triggered by copper accumulation that may play an important role in cancer. LncRNAs are becoming valuable prognostic factors in cancer patients. The effect of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRlncRNAs) on LUAD has not been clarified. Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas database, CRlncRNAs were screened by co-expression analysis of cuproptosis- related genes and lncRNAs. Using CRlncRNAs, Cox and LASSO regression analyses constructed a risk prognostic model. The predictive efficacy of the model was assessed and validated using survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve, univariate and multifactor Cox regression analysis, and principal component analysis. A nomogram was constructed and calibration curves were applied to enhance the predictive efficacy of the model. Tumor Mutational Burden analysis and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity prediction were performed to assess the clinical feasibility of the risk model. The novel prognostic signature consisted of 5 potentially high-risk CRlncRNAs, MAP3K20-AS1, CRIM1-DT, AC006213.3, AC008035.1, and NR2F2-AS1, and 5 potentially protective CRlncRNAs, AC090948.1, AL356481.1, AC011477.2, AL031600.2, and AC026355.2, which had accurate and robust predictive power for LUAD patients. Collectively, the novel prognostic signature constructed based on CRlncRNAs can effectively assess and predict the prognosis of patients and provide a new perspective for the diagnosis and treatment of LUAD.

Construction and analysis of expression profile of exosomal lncRNAs in pleural effusion in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a highly malignant tumor with a very low five-year survival rate. In this study, we aimed to identify differentially expressed long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) and mRNAs from benign and malignant pleural effusion exosomes.

METHODS

We used gene microassay and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to detect and verify differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs in benign and malignant pleural effusion exosomes. Gene Ontology (GO) functional significance and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway significance enrichment analyses were performed to identify the difference in biological processes and functions between different mRNAs. We selected the lncRNA ZBED5-AS1 with an upregulated differential fold of 3.003 and conducted a preliminary study on its cellular function.

RESULTS

Gene microassay results revealed that 177 differentially expressed lncRNAs were upregulated, and 215 were downregulated. The top 10 upregulated were FMN1, AL118505.1, LINC00452, AL109811.2, CATG00000040683.1, AC137932.1, AC008619.1, AL450344.1, AC092718.6, and ZBED5-AS1. The top 10 downregulated were TEX41, G067726, JAZF1-AS1, AC027328.1, AL445645.1, AL022345.4, AC008572.1, AC123777.1, AC093714.1, and PHKG1. For the mRNAs, 79 were upregulated, and 123 were notably downregulated. GO analysis revealed that the upregulated differential mRNAs were mainly involved in "cellular response to acidic pH" (biological processes), "endoplasmic reticulum part" (cellular components), and "at DNA binding, cyclase activity" (molecular functions). KEGG pathways were found to be related to V. cholerae infection, Parkinson's disease, and cell adhesion molecules. RT-qPCR showed that ZBED5-AS1 was highly expressed in LUAD tissues, cells, and benign and malignant pleural fluid exosomes. Overexpression of ZBED5-AS1 could significantly promote the proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation of LUAD cells, and knockdown had the opposite consequence.

CONCLUSION

The pleural effusion exosomes from patients with LUAD include several improperly expressed genes, and lncRNA-ZBED5-AS1 is a new biomarker that aids in our understanding of the occurrence and progression of LUAD.

MicroRNA-1-3p affects lung adenocarcinoma progression through E2F8 and regulating NF-кB pathway

E2F8 can modulate development and progression of various cancers including cervical cancer, breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. But its mechanism in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains underexplored. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments including qRT-PCR, western blot, CCK-8, scratch healing assay, Transwell, and flow cytometry. Through these assays, we confirmed the notable overexpression of E2F8 in LUAD and its promoting effects on LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Subsequently, microRNA-1-3p that was negatively associated with E2F8 expression was identified through bioinformatics analysis. qRT-PCR was then carried out for quantification of microRNA-1-3p expression, which displayed low microRNA-1-3p expression in LUAD cells. In addition, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was utilized for validating the targeted relationship between microRNA-1-3p and E2F8. The results denoted that microRNA-1-3p could bind to the promoter region of E2F8. Finally, the results of rescue experiment revealed that microRNA-1-3p negatively modulated E2F8 level. It regulated NF-κB pathway to repress LUAD cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive properties, lead to cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, and enhance cell apoptosis level. This study unraveled that microRNA-1-3p/E2F8 constrained LUAD malignant progression through NF-κB pathway, which may provide possible targets for LUAD diagnosis and treatment.

LncRNA-PACERR induces pro-tumour macrophages via interacting with miR-671-3p and m6A-reader IGF2BP2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

LncRNA-PACERR plays critical role in the polarization of tissue-associated macrophages (TAMs). In this study, we found the function and molecular mechanism of PACERR in TAMs to regulate pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression.

METHODS

We used qPCR to analyse the expression of PACERR in TAMs and M1-tissue-resident macrophages (M1-NTRMs) which were isolated from 46 PDAC tissues. The function of PACERR on macrophages polarization and PDAC proliferation, migration and invasion were confirmed through in vivo and in vitro assays. The molecular mechanism of PACERR was discussed via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), RNA pull-down, ChIP-qPCR, RIP-qPCR and luciferase assays.

RESULTS

LncRNA-PACERR was high expression in TAMs and associated with poor prognosis in PDAC patients. Our finding validated that LncRNA-PACERR increased the number of M2-polarized cells and facilized cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LncRNA-PACERR activate KLF12/p-AKT/c-myc pathway by binding to miR-671-3p. And LncRNA-PACERR which bound to IGF2BP2 acts as an m6A-dependent manner to enhance the stability of KLF12 and c-myc in cytoplasm. In addition, the promoter of LncRNA-PACERR was a target of KLF12 and LncRNA-PACERR recruited EP300 to increase the acetylation of histone by interacting with KLF12 in nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that LncRNA-PACERR functions as key regulator of TAMs in PDAC microenvironment and revealed the novel mechanisms in cytoplasm and in nucleus.

High Expression of lncRNA HEIH is Helpful in the Diagnosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Predicts Poor Prognosis

Background

This study aims to investigate the expression and clinical value of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HEIH in peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Healthy subjects (N=70), patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC, N=70) and patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD, N=80) were included. LncRNA HEIH expression in peripheral blood of included subjects was detected using RT-qPCR. According to the median expression of lncRNA HEIH, LUSC and LUAD patients were allocated into lncRNA HEIH high/low expression groups. The correlation between lncRNA HEIH and clinical indicators of patients was analyzed; Logistic multifactor regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors influencing lncRNA HEIH level. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of lncRNA HEIH and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in LUSC/LUAD patients. MedCalc-Comparison of ROC curves was used to compare the area under ROC curve. The cumulative survival rates of lncRNA HEIH high/low expression group were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier curve. COX multivariate analysis was used to assess the independent factors affecting prognosis of NSCLC.

Results

LncRNA HEIH in peripheral blood of LUSC/LUAD patients was higher than that in healthy controls, with no evident difference between LUSC and LUAD groups. In LUSC/LUAD patients, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, distal metastasis, and CEA were independent risk factors affecting lncRNA HEIH; patients with high lncRNA HEIH expression had larger pack-years and tumor size, higher CEA level and tumor stage, and higher risk of lymph node metastasis and distal metastasis. LncRNA HEIH had higher diagnostic efficiency than CEA in NSCLC patients. High expression of lncRNA HEIH predicted poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC and was an independent risk factor for prognosis of NSCLC.

Conclusion

High expression of lncRNA HEIH is helpful in the diagnosis of NSCLC and predicts poor prognosis.