LncRNA CASC9 Affects Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Tongue Squamous cell Carcinoma via Regulating miR-423-5p/SOX12 Axes

Long non-coding RNAs in cancer: multifaceted roles and potential targets for immunotherapy

Cancer remains a major global health concern with high mortality rates mainly due to late diagnosis and poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of gene expression in human cancer, functioning through various mechanisms including as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and indirectly regulating miRNA expression. LncRNAs have been found to have both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles in cancer, with the former promoting cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and poor prognosis. Recent research has shown that lncRNAs are expressed in various immune cells and are involved in cancer cell immune escape and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment, thus highlighting their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy. Targeting lncRNAs in cancer or immune cells could enhance the anti-tumor immune response and improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes. However, further research is required to fully understand the functional roles of lncRNAs in cancer and the immune system and their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted roles of lncRNAs in human cancers, with a focus on their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy. By exploring the intricate mechanisms underlying lncRNA-mediated regulation of cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and immune evasion, we provide insights into the diverse therapeutic applications of these molecules.

Dysregulation and implications of lncRNAs and miRNAs in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma: In reply with emphasis on the role of ceRNAs

Increasing evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) competitively sequestering microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in biological processes of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). In this Letter, the ceRNA regulatory networks consisting of lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA axes in TSCC were summarized. Dysregulated profiles containing 33 lncRNAs and 31 miRNAs were identified by cancer-associated phenotypes verification. Almost all the lncRNAs could exert the oncogenic roles to sponge miRNAs and regulate targeting mRNA expression, thereby modulating cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion, migration, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, as well as chemoresistance. Significantly, the implications of functional ceRNAs deactivated in tumor cells contribute to the exploitation of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for TSCC.

NF-κB-Activated lncRNACASC9 Promotes Bladder Cancer Progression by Regulating the TK1 Expression

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) are involved in cancer development, but the roles of most lncRNAs are undocumented. In this study, we identified lncRNAs that were abnormally expressed in bladder cancer. We found that lncRNACASC9 plays an important role in the progression of bladder cancer. CASC9 was highly expressed in bladder cancer cells and tissues, and the prognosis of bladder cancer patients with high expression of CASC9 was poor. The results of colony formation assays, CCK-8 assays, EdU assays, transwell assays, mouse xenograft models, and tail vein injection lung metastasis model showed that CASC9 could promote bladder cancer cells growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, through FISH experiments, luciferase reporter experiments, and RIP experiments, we proved that CASC9 regulated the expression of TK1 by adsorbing miR-195-5p, thereby exerting an oncogenic effect in bladder cancer. Taken together, our findings support that the CASC9/miR-195-5p/TK1 axis is a critical pathway in the tumorigenesis and progression of bladder cancer, implicating a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Analysis of the expression profiles of long noncoding RNAs and messenger RNAs in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the progression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively investigate the role of lncRNAs in TSCC.

STUDY DESIGN

In this study, RNA sequencing was performed to examine the expression profiles of lncRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of patients with TSCC. The expression of selected lncRNAs in TSCC and paired adjacent tissues as well as in cell lines was validated via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The cell function of lncRNA iodothyronine deiodinase 2 antisense RNA 1 (DIO2-AS1) overexpression was assessed through 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4.5-dimethyl-thiazoly)-3-(4-sulfophenyl) tetrazolium inner salt and Transwell assays.

RESULTS

A total of 342 lncRNAs and 6392 mRNAs were differentially expressed in TSCC tissues compared with paired adjacent tissues. qRT-PCR revealed the increased expression of AC093818.1 and reduced expression of CYP4F35P and DIO2-AS1 in TSCC. Furthermore, DIO2-AS1 overexpression inhibited Cal-27 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide evidence that DIO2-AS1 is involved in TSCC progression. This study provides a direction for subsequent research.

Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Biological Function and Clinical Application

Simple Summary

Increasing evidence has revealed the regulatory roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the initiation and progress of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). As some novel lncRNA-targeted techniques combined with immune checkpoint therapies have emerged, they provide a new strategy for OSCC treatment. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in OSCC along with their possible use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and therapeutic targets.

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a type of malignancy with high mortality, leading to poor prognosis worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying OSCC carcinogenesis have not been fully understood. Recently, the discovery and characterization of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have revealed their regulatory importance in OSCC. Abnormal expression of lncRNAs has been broadly implicated in the initiation and progress of tumors. In this review, we summarize the functions and molecular mechanisms regarding these lncRNAs in OSCC. In addition, we highlight the crosstalk between lncRNA and tumor microenvironment (TME), and discuss the potential applications of lncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic tools and therapeutic targets in OSCC. Notably, we also discuss lncRNA-targeted therapeutic techniques including CRISPR-Cas9 as well as immune checkpoint therapies to target lncRNA and the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Therefore, this review presents the future perspectives of lncRNAs in OSCC therapy, but more research is needed to allow the applications of these findings to the clinic.

LINC01783 accelerated tongue squamous cell carcinoma progression via inhibiting miR-199b-5p

Growing studies illustrated that lncRNAs exert critical roles in development and occurrence of tumours including TSCC. In this research, we indicated that LINC01783 was up‐regulated in TSCC cells (SCC1, Cal27, UM1 and SCC4) when compared to NHOK cell. RT‐qPCR analysis indicated that LINC01783 was overexpressed in 22 TSCC cases (73.3%, 22/30) compared with no‐tumour specimens. LINC01783 level was up‐regulated in TSCC specimens when compared to no‐tumour specimens. Ectopic expression of LINC01783 promoted TSCC cell cycle and growth and EMT progression in both TSCC cell SCC1 and Cal27. Overexpression of LINC01783 sponged miR‐199b‐5p in TSCC cell and elevated expression of LINC01783 inhibited miR‐199b‐5p expression. Moreover, we illustrated that miR‐199b‐5p was down‐regulated in TSCC cells and specimen and LINC01783 level was up‐regulated in TSCC specimens when compared to no‐tumour specimens. Elevated expression of LINC01783 promoted TSCC cell growth, cycle and EMT progression by sponging miR‐199b‐5p. These data suggested that LINC01783 functioned as one oncogene and might be one treatment target for TSCC.

Oncogenic LncRNA CASC9 in Cancer Progression

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), with the length of over 200 nucleotides, that originate from intergenic, antisense, or promoter-proximal regions, are a large family of RNAs that lack coding capacity. Emerging evidences illustrated that LncRNAs played significant roles in a variety of cellular functions and biological processes in profuse human diseases, especially in cancers. Cancer susceptibility candidate 9 (CASC9), as a member of the LncRNAs group, firstly found its oncogenic function in esophageal cancer. In the following recent studies, a growing amount of human malignancies are verified to be correlated with CASC9, most of which are derived from the squamous epithelium tissue. This present review attempts to highlight the latest insights into the expression, functional roles, and molecular mechanisms of CASC9 in different human malignancies.

METHODS

In this review, the latest findings related to the pathophysiological processes of CASC9 in human cancers were summarized and analyzed, and the associated studies collected in systematic retrieval of PubMed used lncRNA and CASA9 as keywords.

RESULTS

CASC9 expression is identified to be aberrantly elevated in a variety of malignancies. The over-expression of CASC9 has been suggested to accelerate cell proliferation, migration, cell growth and drug resistance of cancer cells, while depressing cell apoptosis, revealing its role as an oncogene. Moreover, the current review demonstrated CASC9 as closely related to the neoplastic transformation of squamous epithelial cells and squamous metaplasia in non-squamous epithelial tissues. Finally, we discuss the limitations and tremendous diagnostic/ therapeutic potential of CASC9 in various human cancers.

CONCLUSION

Long non-coding RNA CASC9 likely serve as useful disease biomarkers or therapeutic targets which be effectively applied in the treatment of different kinds of cancers.

TMPO-AS1, a Novel E2F1-Regulated lncRNA, Contributes to the Proliferation of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells via Modulating miR-326/SOX12 Axis

Background

TMPO-AS1, an antisense lncRNA located at human chromosome 12p23.1, has been identified as an oncogene involved in cell proliferation in various cancers, including LUAD. In this study, we aimed to explore the novel molecular mechanism of TMPO-AS1 underlying LUAD growth.

Materials and Methods

The transcription levels of TMPO-AS1, miR-326, and SOX12 in LUAD tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The cell proliferation ability was evaluatect 3d by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis analysis was assessed by flow cytometry. The target relationship among TMPO-AS1, miR-326, and SOX12 and promoter activity of TMPO-AS1 was measured using dual-luciferase reporter assay. The protein levels of SOX12 in LUAD cells were determined by Western blot. ChIP-qPCR assay was performed to validate the direct binding between E2F1 and TMPO-AS1 promoter.

Results

TMPO-AS1 was up-regulated in LUAD tissues as well as cell lines. Boosted TMPO-AS1 expression was positively correlated with poor prognosis and pathological stage in LUAD. Down-regulation of TMPO-AS1 could restrain the proliferation of LUAD cells through arresting the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis in vitro. Mechanically, we demonstrated that TMPO-AS1 could modulate the proliferation of LUAD cells through increasing SOX12 expression level via sponging miR-326 in accordance with bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Furthermore, we identified that TMPO-AS1 could be activated by E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) as a novel target gene.

Conclusion

TMPO-AS1 can modulate LUAD cell proliferation through E2F1/miR-326/SOX12 pathway.

Functional mechanism and clinical implications of MicroRNA-423 in human cancers

MicroRNAs play a vital role in the regulatory mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Current research indicates that microRNA-423 (miR-423) is abnormally expressed in various human tumors and participates in multiple signaling pathways of cancer progression. In most studies, miR-423 was confirmed as oncomiR, while a few contradictory reports considered miR-423 as an anticancer miRNA. The paradoxical role in cancer may hinder the application of miR-423 as a diagnostic and therapeutic target. Simultaneously, the interaction mechanism between miR-423 and lncRNA also needs attention. In this review, we have summarized the dual role of aberrant miR-423 expression and its mechanisms in tumorigenesis, and the therapeutic potential of miR-423 in human tumors.

Long non-coding RNA CASC9 promotes the progression of retinoblastoma via interacting with miR-145-5p

Abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 9 (CASC9) has been found to play vital roles in many human tumors. However, the role and the regulatory mechanism of CASC9 have not yet been demonstrated in retinoblastoma (RB). Hence, we performed this study to explore the function and mechanism of CASC9 in RB. CASC9 expression was firstly detected in human RB tissues and cells. The influence of CASC9 on the malignant phenotypes of RB cells, including cell proliferation, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis, was analyzed by overexpressing or silencing CASC9. The association between CASC9, miR-145-5p and E2F transcription factor 3 (E2F3) was determined by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. We found that CASC9 expression was elevated in RB tissues and cells. Overexpression of CASC9 significantly facilitated the proliferation, invasion and EMT of RB cells. On the contrary, knockdown of CASC9 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and EMT, while enhanced the apoptosis of RB cells. CASC9 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-145-5p to regulate E2F3. Additionally, miR-145-5p inhibitor and E2F3 overexpression both partly reversed the malignant phenotypes of RB cells affected by CASC9 knockdown. However, miR-145-5p overexpression further strengthened these features induced by CASC9 downregulation. These findings suggested that CASC9 contributed to RB development by regulating E2F3 via sponging miR-145-5p. CASC9 might be a possible therapeutic target for RB.

Long Noncoding RNA CAR10 Contributes to Melanoma Progression By Suppressing miR-125b-5p to Induce RAB3D Expression

Background

Melanoma is a very malignant skin cancer with high mortality and unsatisfactory prognosis. Many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be aberrantly expressed in melanoma. How lncRNA regulates melanoma progression is poorly defined. LncRNA CAR10 has been shown to regulate the progression of several cancers and its role in melanoma remains unclear. This study aims to determine the role and mechanism of lncRNA CAR10 in the regulation of melanoma progression.

Methods

qRT-PCR was utilized to analyze CAR10 in melanoma human tissues and cell lines while Kaplan–Meier curve was used to examine the survival rate. CCK8 assay and EdU assay were used to assess cell proliferation when Transwell assay was conducted to determine migration and invasion. And tumor xenograft assay was performed to evaluate tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, luciferase assay and RNA pulldown assay were performed to analyze the interactions among CAR10, miR-125b-5p and RAB3D.

Results

LncRNA CAR10 was upregulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines. Upregulation of CAR10 predicted a poor prognosis in patients with melanoma. CAR10 knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells in vitro. CAR10 silencing attenuated tumor growth in vivo. CAR10 inhibited miR-125b-5p activity to upregulate RAB3D expression. And miR-125b-5p/RAB3D signaling is crucial for CAR10-dependent melanoma progression.

Conclusion

Our work suggests that lncRNA CAR10 promotes melanoma growth and metastasis through modulating miR-125b-5p/RAB3D axis.