ATG16L2 overexpression is associated with a good prognosis in colorectal cancer

Inflammasomes Are Influenced by Epigenetic and Autophagy Mechanisms in Colorectal Cancer Signaling

Inflammasomes contribute to colorectal cancer signaling by primarily inducing inflammation in the surrounding tumor microenvironment. Its role in inflammation is receiving increasing attention, as inflammation has a protumor effect in addition to inducing tissue damage. The inflammasome's function is complex and controlled by several layers of regulation. Epigenetic processes impact the functioning or manifestation of genes that are involved in the control of inflammasomes or the subsequent signaling cascades. Researchers have intensively studied the significance of epigenetic mechanisms in regulation, as they encompass several potential therapeutic targets. The regulatory interactions between the inflammasome and autophagy are intricate, exhibiting both advantageous and harmful consequences. The regulatory aspects between the two entities also encompass several therapeutic targets. The relationship between the activation of the inflammasome, autophagy, and epigenetic alterations in CRC is complex and involves several interrelated pathways. This article provides a brief summary of the newest studies on how epigenetics and autophagy control the inflammasome, with a special focus on their role in colorectal cancer. Based on the latest findings, we also provide an overview of the latest therapeutic ideas for this complex network.

Genetic markers associated with resistance to radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer patients: Prospective cohort study

Background. The indication for radiotherapy in oncological practice are metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer after thyroidectomy, the presence of distant metastases, or stage N1b, or negative dynamics of blood thyroglobulin levels after thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. The mechanism of action of radiotherapy is based on provoking double-stranded DNA breaks. It is important to study the role of polymorphisms of NFKB1, ATM, ATG16L2 and ATG10 genes, products of which are involved in the processes of DNA damage response pathway and autophagy, in the formation of resistance to radioiodine therapy of thyroid cancer patients. Aim. To examine the association between NFKB1, ATM, ATG16L2 and ATG10 polymorphisms and resistance to radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer patients. Materials and methods. The study included 181 patients (37 men, 144 women; mean age 53.515.7 years) with histologically confirmed thyroid cancer and a history of thyroidectomy who received radioiodine therapy. Carriage of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs230493) NFKB1, (rs11212570) ATM, (rs10898880) ATG16L2 and (rs10514231, rs1864183, rs4703533) ATG10 was determined by real-time PCR using TaqMan kits. Results. Among 181 patients, resistance to radioiodine therapy was observed in 11 (6.1%) cases. No significant associations between the individual polymorphisms and resistance to radioiodine therapy were obtained, p0.05. Haplotype analysis showed that carriage of the C-C ATG10 rs10514231-rs1864183 haplotype was associated with an increased risk of developing resistance to radioiodine therapy, p=0.04. Conclusion. Further studies on large samples of radioiodine therapy-resistant patients using whole-genome sequencing methods are required to specify the role of genetic factors in the response to 131I therapy.

The role of ATG16L2 in autophagy and disease

Macroautophagy/autophagy, a fundamental cell process for nutrient recycling and defense against pathogens (termed xenophagy), is crucial to human health. ATG16L2 (autophagy related 16 like 2) is an autophagic protein and a paralog of ATG16L1. Both proteins are implicated in similar diseases such as cancer and other chronic diseases; however, most autophagy studies to date have primarily focused on the function of ATG16L1, with ATG16L2 remaining uncharacterized and understudied. Overexpression of ATG16L2 has been reported in various cancers including colorectal, gastric, and prostate carcinomas, whereas altered methylation of ATG16L2 has been associated with lung cancer formation and poorer response to therapy in leukemia. In addition, ATG16L2 polymorphisms have been implicated in a range of other diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite this likely role in human health, the function of this enigmatic protein in autophagy remains unknown. Here, we review current studies on ATG16L2 and collate evidence that suggests that this protein is a potential modulator of autophagy as well as the implications this has on pathogenesis.Abbreviations: ATG5: autophagy related 5; ATG12: autophagy related 12; ATG16L1: autophagy related 16 like 1; ATG16L2: autophagy related 16 like 2; CD: Crohn disease; IBD: inflammatory bowel diseases; IRGM: immunity related GTPase M; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; PE: phosphatidylethanolamine; RB1CC1: RB1 inducible coiled-coil 1; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; WIPI2B: WD repeat domain, phosphoinositide interacting 2B.

Hsa_hsa_circ_0081069 promotes the progression of colorectal cancer through sponging miR-665 and regulating E2F3 expression

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been implicated in the initiation and development of various cancers. This study explored the potential contribution of hsa_hsa_circ_0081069 in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

The gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Functional roles of hsa_circ_0081069 were examined by shRNA-mediated silencing using CCK-8 proliferation assay, Transwell migration and invasion assay, tube formation assay. The tumorigenesis and metastasis of CRC cells were assess in a xenograft mouse model.

RESULTS

Hsa_circ_0081069 was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cells. Hsa_circ_0081069 knockdown suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion in CRC cells, as well as the angiogenesis. Silencing hsa_circ_0081069 also impaired the tumorigenesis of CRC cells in a xenograft mouse model. Furthermore, miR-665 was identified as an interacting partner of hsa_circ_0081069, which was negatively regulated by hsa_circ_0081069. miR-665 targeted the mRNA of E2F3 to suppress its expression. We further demonsatred that miR-665/E2F3 axis mediated the functional role of hsa_circ_0081069 in regulating the malignant phenotype of CRC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our study suggests that hsa_circ_0081069 could serve as a prognostic marker in progression of CRC. Targeting hsa_circ_0081069 and miR-665/E2F3 axis could serve as potential therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment.