Comprehensive analysis reveals CTHRC1, SERPINE1, VCAN and UPK1B as the novel prognostic markers in gastric cancer

MiRNA-145-5p inhibits gastric cancer progression via the serpin family E member 1- extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 axis

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and play a critical role in cancer physiology. However, there is still a limited understanding of the function and regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in gastric cancer (GC).

AIM

To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of miRNA-145-5p (miR145-5p) in the progression of GC.

METHODS

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect miRNA expression in human GC tissues and cells. The ability of cancer cells to migrate and invade was assessed using wound-healing and transwell assays, respectively. Cell proliferation was measured using cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays, and apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated protein was determined by Western blot. Targets of miR-145-5p were predicated using bioinformatics analysis and verified using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1) expression in GC tissues and cells was evaluated using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between SERPINE1 expression and overall patient survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier plot analysis. The association between SERPINE1 and GC progression was also tested. A rescue experiment of SERPINE1 overexpression was conducted to verify the relationship between this protein and miR-145-5p. The mechanism by which miR-145-5p influences GC progression was further explored by assessing tumor formation in nude mice.

RESULTS

GC tissues and cells had reduced miR-145-5p expression and SERPINE1 was identified as a direct target of this miRNA. Overexpression of miR-145-5p was associated with decreased GC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT, and these effects were reversed by forcing SERPINE1 expression. Kaplan-Meier plot analysis revealed that patients with higher SERPINE1 expression had a shorter survival rate than those with lower SERPINE1 expression. Nude mouse tumorigenesis experiments confirmed that miR-145-5p targets SERPINE1 to regulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2).

CONCLUSION

This study found that miR-145-5p inhibits tumor progression and is expressed in lower amounts in patients with GC. MiR-145-5p was found to affect GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by negatively regulating SERPINE1 levels and controlling the ERK1/2 pathway.

The role of collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) in cancer development and progression

INTRODUCTION

Collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) is a protein that has been implicated in pro-migratory pathways, arterial tissue-repair processes, and inhibition of collagen deposition via the regulation of multiple signaling cascades. Studies have also demonstrated an upregulation of CTHRC1 in multiple cancers where it has been linked to enhanced proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. However, the understanding of the exact role and mechanisms of CTHRC1 in cancer is far from complete.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on analyzing the role of CTHRC1 in cancer as well as its associations with clinicopathologies and cancer-related processes and signaling. We have also summarized the available literature information regarding the role of CTHRC1 in tumor microenvironment and immune signaling. Finally, we have discussed the mechanisms associated with CTHRC1 regulations, and opportunities and challenges regarding the development of CTHRC1 as a potential target for cancer management.

EXPERT OPINION

CTHRC1 is a multifaceted protein with critical roles in cancer progression and other pathological conditions. Its association with lower overall survival in various cancers, and impact on the tumor immune microenvironment make it an intriguing target for further research and potential therapeutic interventions in cancer.

NAA10 gene expression is associated with mesenchymal transition, dedifferentiation, and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the expression and prognostic role of NAA10 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a gene expression and survival analysis based on the human cancer genome atlas database of ccRCC patients (TCGA-KIRC).

RESULTS

The patients in the TCGA-KIRC (n = 537) were divided into two subgroups: NAA10-low and NAA10-high expression groups. NAA10-high ccRCC exhibited higher T stages (p = 0.002), a higher frequency of distant metastasis (p = 0.018), more advanced AJCC stages (p < 0.001), a lower overall survival time (p = 0.036), and a lower survival rate (p < 0.001). NAA10-high ccRCC was associated with increased activity of non-specific oncogenic pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation (p < 0.001) and cell cycle progression [G2 to M phase transition (p = 0.045) and E2F targets (p < 0.001)]. Additionally, the NAA10-high tumors showed reduced apoptosis via TRIAL pathways (p < 0.001) and increased levels of activity that promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (p = 0.026) or undifferentiation (p = 0.01). In ccRCC, NAA10 expression was found to be a negative prognostic factor in both non-metastatic (p < 0.001) and metastatic tumors (p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

In ccRCC, NAA10 expression was shown to be a negative prognostic factor related to tumor progression rather than tumor initiation, and high NAA10 expression promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition and undifferentiation.

Immunohistochemical staining of versican as a potential marker for predicting lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers and has a high mortality rate. Lymph node metastasis is a key determinant of prognosis, and an essential mechanism involved in metastasis is the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In this study, we aimed to assess the diagnostic role of versican (VCAN), a molecule participating in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, on the detection of metastatic cancer. The expression of VCAN was evaluated using immunohistochemistry, and its biological activity was examined using gastric cancer cell lines. In patients with lymph node metastasis, VCAN expression was more prominent at primary tumor sites. In addition, VCAN was found to promote cell migration in vitro, thus potentially facilitating the distribution of metastases. Overall, increased expression of VCAN at the primary site may signify the development of metastases in lymph nodes because this protein is recognized as contributing to the migration of cancer cells into lymph nodes.

UPK1B promoted the invasion and stem cell characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer cells by modulating c-myc/Sox4 axis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a malignant tumor with extremely high mortality. Uroplakin1B (UPK1B) promotes the occurrence and development of multiple types of cancer by enhancing the expression of c-myc and Sox4. However, whether UPK1B can modulate the development of NSCLC by regulating c-myc/Sox4 axis is unclear. In this study, UPK1B was overexpressed or knocked down in the non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLCs) were. Next, the proliferation and invasion of those cells were detected with the EdU staining and transwell assays. Sphere formation assays was performed to examine the stem cell characteristics of those cells. Then, we overexpressed the Sox4 in UPK1B knockdown cells and determined the proliferation and invasion of those cells. Our results showed that UPK1B promoted the proliferation, invasion and stem cell characteristics of NSCLCs. In addition, UPK1B enhanced the expression of c-myc, Sox4 and stem cell associated proteins in those cells. Overexpression of Sox4 rescued the proliferation and invasion of NSCLCs, which were suppressed by the UPK1B knockdown. In summary, our study suggested that UPK1B enhanced the invasiveness and stem cell characteristics of NSCLCs by activating c-myc/UPK1B axis.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis of noncoding RNAs with tumor immune microenvironment in gastric cancer

In recent years, molecular and genetic research hotspots of gastric cancer have been investigated, including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNA (mRNAs). The study on the role of lncRNAs may help to develop personalized treatment and identify potential prognostic biomarkers in gastric cancer. The RNA-seq and miRNA-seq data of gastric cancer were downloaded from the TCGA database. Differential analysis of RNA expression between gastric cancer samples and normal samples was performed using the edgeR package. The ceRNA regulatory network was visualized using Cytoscape. KEGG pathway analysis of mRNAs in the ceRNA network was performed using the clusterProfiler package. CIBERSORT was used to distinguish 22 immune cell types and the prognosis-related genes and immune cells were determined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard analyses. To estimate these nomograms, we used receiver operating characteristic and calibration curve studies. The ceRNA regulation network of gastric cancer was built in this study, and the genes in the network were analyzed for prognosis. A total of 980 lncRNAs were differentially expressed, of which 774 were upregulated and 206 were downregulated. A survival study identified 15 genes associated with gastric cancer prognosis, including VCAN-AS1, SERPINE1, AL139002.1, LINC00326, AC018781.1, C15orf54, hsa-miR-145. Monocytes and Neutrophils were associated with the survival rate of gastric cancer. Our research uncovers new ceRNA network for the detection, treatment, and monitoring of gastric cancer.

CTHRC1, a novel gene with multiple functions in physiology, disease and solid tumors (Review)

Collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) is a gene discovered in 2005; it is highly conserved, and no homologous proteins have been disclosed thus far. A number of studies have shown that CTHRC1 is present in normal tissues and organs, and it has vital functions in physiological processes, including participating in the regulation of metabolism, arterial remodeling, bone formation and myelination of the peripheral nervous system. It has been reported that abnormal expression of CTHRC1 is involved in the carcinogenesis of various human organs, such as the breast, colon, pancreas, lung, stomach and liver. Therefore, the present review aims to collate all known findings and results on the regulation of CTHRC1 expression and related signaling pathways. To conclude, this review also provides a hypothesis of the functional mechanism of this gene.

Uroplakin 1a Knockout Mice Display Marginal Reduction in Fecundity, Decreased Bacterial Clearance Capacity, and Drastic Changes in the Testicular Transcriptome

Uroplakins (UPKs) form physical and chemical barriers in the bladder and other urinary tract tissues. We previously reported the identification and localization of UPKs in the male reproductive tract of rat. In this study, we characterized Upk1a knockout mice and report a marginal reduction in fecundity associated with significant decrease in sperm count. Upk1a mice had lower bacterial clearance capacity when challenged with uropathogenic Escherichia coli for 1 to 5 days. High-throughput analyses of testicular transcriptome indicated that 1128 genes that are expressed in testis of wild-type mice were completely absent in the knockout, while 2330 genes were found to be expressed only in the testis of knockout mice. Furthermore, differential regulation of 148 (67 upregulated and 81 downregulated) was observed. Gene ontology analyses indicated that processes related to integral components of membrane (plasma membrane), G-protein receptor activity and signaling, olfactory receptor activity and perception of smell, organization of extracellular space/region, immune and inflammatory responses to pathogens, spermatid development, meiotic cell cycle, and formation of synaptonemal complex were affected. Results of this study provide evidence on the possible multi-functional role of Upk1a in male reproductive tract and in other tissues as well.

Versican enrichment predicts poor prognosis and response to adjuvant therapy and immunotherapy in gastric cancer

Background

Increasing evidence has revealed an important role of versican (VCAN) on various aspects of cancer progression. Here, we assessed the impact of VCAN expression on prognosis and the response to adjuvant therapy and immunotherapy in patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

Four independent cohorts containing 1353 patients with GC, were utilized to investigate the effect of VCAN expression on prognosis and response to adjuvant therapy in GC. Two cohorts treated with immune checkpoint blockades were included to assess the predict value of VCAN expression on response to immunotherapy. Moreover, the bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq data were analyzed to illustrate the role of VCAN in tumor microenvironment. Clinical outcomes of patient subgroups were compared by Kaplan-Meier curves with the log-rank test.

Result

High VCAN expression was associated with poor prognosis for patients with GC. Compared with patients with high VCAN expression, patients with low VCAN expression benefited more from adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Moreover, patients with high VCAN expression tended to be resistant to immunotherapy, and VCAN could serve as a promising indicator for predicting the response to immunotherapy. VCANhigh tumors showed a specific microenvironment with more cancer associated fibroblasts infiltration and significant enrichment of stromal relevant signaling pathways.

Conclusion

VCAN could predict the response to adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and immunotherapy in GC, and designing new medicine target to VCAN might be an effective way to improve the efficacy of several treatment options for GC.

A risk score model based on TGF-β pathway-related genes predicts survival, tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy for liver hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signal is an important pathway involved in all stages of liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) initiation and progression. Therefore, targeting TGF- β pathway may be a potential therapeutic strategy for LIHC. Prediction of patients' tumor cells response requires effective biomarkers.

METHODS

From 54 TGF-β-related genes, this research determined the genes showing the greatest relation to LIHC prognosis, and developed a risk score model with 8 TGF-β-related genes. The model divided LIHC patients from different datasets and platforms into low- and high-risk groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that the model was an independent prognostic factor for LIHC. The differences in genetic mutation, immune cell infiltration, biological pathway, response to immunotherapy or chemotherapy, and tumor microenvironment in LIHC samples showing different risks were analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with low-risk group, in the training set and test set, high-risk group showed shorter survival, lower stromal score and higher M0 macrophages scores, regulatory T cells (Tregs), helper follicular T cells. Moreover, high-risk samples showed higher sensitivity to cisplatin, imatinib, sorafenib and salubrinal and pyrimethamine. High-risk group demonstrated a significantly higher Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score, but would significantly benefit less from taking immunotherapy and was less likely to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, this work provided a risk scoring model based on 8 TGF-β pathway-related genes, which might be a new potential tool for predicting LIHC.

Novel CircRNAs in Hub ceRNA Axis Regulate Gastric Cancer Prognosis and Microenvironment

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies with an unfavorable survival rate. Immunotherapy may contribute to a better prognosis. However, several phase III trials failed. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a novel type of non-coding RNA, plays a vital role in the progression of tumors. The expression and function of circRNA in the GC immune microenvironment remain obscure. In this study, we utilized a bioinformatic analysis to construct a circRNA/microRNA (miRNA)/messenger RNA (mRNA) network involved in the progression and prognosis of GC. CircRNA DYRK1A_017, circRNA FLNA_118, miR-6512-3p, miR-6270-5p, and VCAN were identified as the key molecules in the hub regulatory axis. Dysregulation of this axis contributed to the cancer-associated signaling pathways (epithelial-mesenchymal transition [EMT], Nuclear factor kappa β-Tumor necrosis factor-α (NFκβ-TNFα) signaling, and angiogenesis) and aberrant immune microenvironment (infiltration by tumor associated macrophage, regulatory T cell, and mast cell). More importantly, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment may reveal the mechanism of novel circRNAs in tumors and serve as the target of immunotherapy.