LncRNA miR143HG Up-Regulates p53 In Endometrial Carcinoma By Sponging miR-125a

LncRNA CARMN suppresses EMT through inhibiting transcription of MMP2 activated by DHX9 in breast cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to drive cancer progression. However, the function of lncRNAs and the underlying mechanism in early-stage breast cancer(BC) have rarely been investigated. Datasets of pre-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive ductal BC (IDC) and normal breast tissue from TCGA and GEO databases were used to conduct bioinformatics analysis. LncRNA CARMN was identified as a tumor suppressor in early-stage BC and related to a better prognosis. CARMN over-expression inhibited MMP2 mediated migration and EMT in BC. Further analysis showed that CARMN was located in the nucleus and functioned as an enhancer RNA (eRNA) in mammary epithelial cell. Mechanically, CARMN binding protein DHX9 was identified by RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry (MS) assays and it also bound to the MMP2 promoter to activate its transcription. As a decoy, CARMN competitively bound to DHX9 and blocked MMP2 transcriptional activation, thereby inhibiting metastasis and EMT of BC cells. These findings reveal the important role of CARMN as a tumor suppressor in the metastasis and a potential biomarker for progression in early-stage BC.

[Mechanism Research of lncRNA miR143HG on Regulating the Biological Behavior of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma H520 Cells]

BACKGROUND

There is a high morbidity, mortality, and poor clinical prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). However, there is currently no effective targeted treatment plan for LUSC. As a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), lncRNA miR143HG has been proven to play an important role in the occurrence and development of various tumors. However, the biological role played by lncRNA miR143HG in LUSC cells is still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism of lncRNA miR143HG on regulating the biological behavior of LUSC H520 cells.

METHODS

Pan-cancer analysis and differential expression analysis of lncRNA miR143HG were performed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The predictive effect of lncRNA miR143HG on the diagnosis and prognosis of LUSC was evaluated by adopting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and timeROC curve. The enrichment degree of each pathway to lncRNA miR143HG was determined. The expression of lncRNA miR143HG and miR-155 in BEAS-2B cells and H520 cells was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). H520 cells were randomly divided into blank control group (without any treatment), negative control group (transfected with lncRNA-NC), lncRNA miR143HG group (transfected with lncRNA miR143HG), and lncRNA miR143HG+miR-155 group (co-transfected with lncRNA miR143HG and miR-155). The approaches of CCK-8, wound healing test, Transwell assay, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were respectively employed to detect the cell proliferation ability, cell migration ability, cell invasion ability, cell apoptosis rate, and expression level of related genes and proteins of the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway.

RESULTS

The results of pan-cancer analysis and differential analysis collectively showed that except for renal clear cell carcinoma, the expression of lncRNA miR143HG in other cancer tissues was higher than that in healthy tissues, and the differences were significant in LUSC. The evaluation results of the ROC curve and timeROC curve suggested that lncRNA miR143HG was of great significance in the prediction of diagnosis and prognosis of LUSC. The pathways enriched in high expression of lncRNA miR143HG mainly included focal adhesion, vascular smooth muscle contraction, calcium signaling pathways, and so on; the pathways enriched in the low expression of lncRNA miR143HG embraced oxidative phosphorylation, cell cycle, basic transcription factors, etc. The qRT-PCR results showed that lncRNA miR143HG was low expressed but miR-155 was highly expressed in H520 cells when compared to BEAS-2B cells (P<0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the expression levels of the gene of lncRNA miR143HG, the gene and protein of Wnt, as well as the gene and protein of β-Catenin were significantly increased, while the gene expression of miR-155, the ability of cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell invasion were significantly reduced, but the cell apoptosis rate was dominantly elevated in cells of lncRNA miR143HG group (P<0.05). In addition, compared with the lncRNA miR143HG group, overexpression of miR-155 could reverse the biological behavior mediated by lncRNA miR143HG, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA miR143HG was of great significance for the biological behavior of H520 cells. LncRNA miR143HG inhibited the ability of proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as enhanced the apoptosis of H520 cells by downregulating miR-155 expression, which may be related to the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway.
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Non-coding RNA-based therapeutics in cancer therapy: An emphasis on Wnt/β-catenin control

Non-coding RNA transcripts are RNA molecules that have mainly regulatory functions and they do not encode proteins. microRNAs (miRNAs), lncRNAs and circRNAs are major types of this family and these epigenetic factors participate in disease pathogenesis, especially cancer that their abnormal expression may lead to cancer progression. miRNAs and lncRNAs possess a linear structure, whereas circRNAs possess ring structures and high stability. Wnt/β-catenin is an important factor in cancer with oncogenic function and it can increase growth, invasion and therapy resistance in tumors. Wnt upregulation occurs upon transfer of β-catenin to nucleus. Interaction of ncRNAs with Wnt/β-catenin signaling can determine tumorigenesis. Wnt upregulation is observed in cancers and miRNAs are able to bind to 3'-UTR of Wnt to reduce its level. LncRNAs can directly/indirectly regulate Wnt and in indirect manner, lncRNAs sponge miRNAs. CircRNAs are new emerging regulators of Wnt and by its stimulation, they increase tumor progression. CircRNA/miRNA axis can affect Wnt and carcinogenesis. Overall, interaction of ncRNAs with Wnt can determine proliferation rate, migration ability and therapy response of cancers. Furthermore, ncRNA/Wnt/β-catenin axis can be utilized as biomarker in cancer and for prognostic applications in patients.

The role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance of endometrial cancer: a spotlight on the convergence of signaling pathways

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the 2nd common cancer in females after breast cancer. Besides, it's the most common among gynecological cancers. Several epigenetic factors such as miRNAs have been reported to affect EC aspects including initiation, progression, angiogenesis, and resistance to therapy. miRNAs could regulate the expression of various genes involved in EC pathogenesis. This effect is attributed to miRNAs' effects in proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. miRNAs also influence crucial EC-related mechanistic pathways such as JAK/STAT axis, EGFR, TGF-β signaling, and P53. Beside pathogenesis, miRNAs also have the potential to affect EC response to treatments including radio and chemotherapy. Thus, this review aims to illustrate the link between miRNAs and EC; focusing on the effects of miRNAs on EC signaling pathways.

LncRNA CARMN inhibits cervical cancer cell growth via the miR-92a-3p/BTG2/Wnt/β-catenin axis

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) cardiac mesoderm enhancer-associated noncoding RNA (CARMN) is a newly discovered tumor-suppressor lncRNA in cancers. However, its role in cervical cancer (CC) remains elusive. This study was conducted to analyze the molecular mechanism of CARMN in CC cell growth and provide a novel theoretical basis for CC treatment. RT-qPCR and clinical analysis revealed that CARMN and B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) were downregulated, whereas miR-92a-3p was upregulated in CC tissues and cells and their expressions were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays revealed that CARMN overexpression reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased apoptosis rate in CC cells. Mechanically, CARMN repressed miR-92a-3p to promote BTG2 transcription. Functional rescue assays revealed that miR-92a-3p overexpression or BTG2 downregulation reversed the inhibitory role of CARMN overexpression in CC cell growth. Western blot analysis elicited that Wnt3a and β-catenin were elevated in CC cells and CARMN blocked the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via the miR-92a-3p/BTG2 axis. Overall, our findings demonstrated that CARMN repressed miR-92a-3p to upregulate BTG2 transcription and then blocked the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby suppressing CC cell growth.

Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomal microRNA-503-3p inhibits progression of human endometrial cancer cells through downregulating MEST

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a group of epithelial malignant tumors that occur in the endometrium. The specific pathogenesis is not revealed, hence, the goal of this study was to investigate the influence of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs)-derived exosomal microRNA-503-3p (miR-503-3p) on human EC cells by mediating mesoderm-specific transcript (MEST). The binding relationship between MiR-503-3p and MEST was searched. HUMSCs were collected and exosomes (Exos) were isolated and identified. Human EC cell lines HEC-1B and RL95-2 were transfected with elevated miR-503-3p or silenced MEST vector or co-cultured with Exos to figure their roles in biological functions of EC cells. The in vitro effect of miR-503-3p, MEST, and Exos on EC cells was further verified in vivo. MEST was a target of miR-503-3p. Overexpression of miR-503-3p or reduction of MEST suppressed the biological functions of EC cells. Enhanced MEST expression mitigated the role of upregulated miR-503-3p on the growth of EC cells. HUMSCs-derived Exos suppressed EC cell growth, upregulated miR-503-3p-modified HUMSCs-derived Exos had a more obvious inhibitory effect on EC cell growth. The anti-tumor effect of elevated miR-503-3p, silenced MEST, and HUMSCs-derived Exos were verified in nude mice. This study highlights that hUMSCs-derived exosomal miR-503-3p inhibits EC development by suppressing MEST, which is of great benefit to EC therapy.

Identification and Validation of Cuproptosis-Related Prognostic Signature and Associated Regulatory Axis in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma

Background: Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is a common gynecological malignancy globally with high recurrence and mortality rates. Cuproptosis is a new type of programmed cell death involved in tumor cell proliferation and growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Methods: The difference in cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) between UCEC tissues and normal tissues deposited in The Cancer Genome Atlas database was calculated using the “limma” R package. LASSO Cox regression analysis was conducted to construct a prognostic cuproptosis–related signature. Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to compare the survival of UCEC patients. A ceRNA network was constructed to identify the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axis. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to verify CRG expression in UCEC.

Results: The expression of FDX1, LIAS, DLAT, and CDKN2A were upregulated, whereas the expression of LIPT1, DLD, PDHB, MTF1, and GLS were downregulated in UCEC versus normal tissues. The genetic mutation landscape of CRGs in UCEC was also summarized. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed that these CRGs were enriched in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, glycolysis, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. LASSO Cox regression analysis was performed and identified a cuproptosis-related prognostic signature including these three prognostic biomarkers (CDKN2A, GLS, and LIPT1). UCEC patients with high risk scores had a poor prognosis with an area under the curve of 0.782 and 0.764 on 3- and 5-year receiver operating characteristic curves. Further analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between CDKN2A and pTNM stage, tumor grade, immune cell infiltration, drug sensitivity, tumor mutational burden (TMB) score, and microsatellite instable (MSI) score. The data validation of qRT-PCR further demonstrated the upregulation of CDKN2A and the downregulation of LIPT1 and GLS in UCEC versus normal tissues. The ceRNA network also identified lncRNA XIST/miR-125a-5p/CDKN2A regulatory axis for UCEC.

Conclusion: The current study identified a cuproptosis-related prognostic signature including these three prognostic biomarkers (CDKN2A, GLS, and LIPT1) for UCEC. The ceRNA network also identified that lncRNA XIST/miR-125a-5p/CDKN2A regulatory axis may be involved in the progression of UCEC. Further in vivo and in vitro studies should be conducted to verify these results.

Towards Personalized Medicine: Non-Coding RNAs and Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most frequent female cancer associated with excellent prognosis if diagnosed at an early stage. The risk factors on which clinical staging is based are constantly updated and genetic and epigenetic characteristics have recently been emerging as prognostic markers. The evidence shows that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a fundamental role in various biological processes associated with the pathogenesis of EC and many of them also have a prognosis prediction function, of remarkable importance in defining the therapeutic and surveillance path of EC patients. Personalized medicine focuses on the continuous updating of risk factors that are identifiable early during the EC staging to tailor treatments to patients. This review aims to show a summary of the current classification systems and to encourage the integration of various risk factors, introducing the prognostic role of non-coding RNAs, to avoid aggressive therapies where not necessary and to treat and strictly monitor subjects at greater risk of relapse.

Non-Coding RNAs as Prognostic Markers for Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) has been classified over the years, for prognostic and therapeutic purposes. In recent years, classification systems have been emerging not only based on EC clinical and pathological characteristics but also on its genetic and epigenetic features. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as promising markers in several cancer types, including EC, for which their prognostic value is currently under investigation and will likely integrate the present prognostic tools based on protein coding genes. This review aims to underline the importance of the genetic and epigenetic events in the EC tumorigenesis, by expounding upon the prognostic role of ncRNAs.

Small Non-Coding-RNA in Gynecological Malignancies

Gynecologic malignancies, which include cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, vagina, and fallopian tube, are among the leading causes of female mortality worldwide, with the most prevalent being endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. Gynecologic malignancies are complex, heterogeneous diseases, and despite extensive research efforts, the molecular mechanisms underlying their development and pathology remain largely unclear. Currently, mechanistic and therapeutic research in cancer is largely focused on protein targets that are encoded by about 1% of the human genome. Our current understanding of 99% of the genome, which includes noncoding RNA, is limited. The discovery of tens of thousands of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), possessing either structural or regulatory functions, has fundamentally altered our understanding of genetics, physiology, pathophysiology, and disease treatment as they relate to gynecologic malignancies. In recent years, it has become clear that ncRNAs are relatively stable, and can serve as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as guide therapy choices. Here we discuss the role of small non-coding RNAs, i.e., microRNAs (miRs), P-Element induced wimpy testis interacting (PIWI) RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA-derived small RNAs in gynecological malignancies, specifically focusing on ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer.

LncRNA TUG1 Promotes Growth and Metastasis of Cholangiocarcinoma Cells by Inhibiting miR-29a

Background

As a highly malignant tumor, cholangiocarcinoma poses a serious threat to human life and health, so exploring the mechanisms of its development and progression at a molecular level is of great significance to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Objective

This study was aimed at investigating the effects and related mechanisms of LncRNA TUG1 on cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Methods

Cholangiocarcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues (n=82 each), human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (RBE, QBC939, HuH28), and a human normal biliary epithelial cell line (HIBE) were collected. miR-29a-mimics, miR-29a-inhibitor, miR-NC, si-TUG1, pcDNA3.1 TUG1, and NC were transfected into the cholangiocarcinoma cells. qRT-PCR was performed to detect TUG1 and miR-29a expression in the cholangiocarcinoma tissues and cells. Western blotting (WB) was conducted to detect the expression of Bax, Caspase-3, and Bcl-2 in the cells. CCK-8 assay, Transwell, and flow cytometry were carried out to detect cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay (DLRGA) was performed to confirm the correlation of TUG1 with miR-29a.

Results

TUG1 was highly expressed while miR-29a was poorly expressed in cholangiocarcinoma cells. TUG1 expression was negatively correlated with miR-29a expression, and TUG1 had a relatively high diagnostic value for cholangiocarcinoma. Cell experiments showed that inhibiting TUG1 expression or up-regulating miR-29a expression could inhibit cholangiocarcinoma cells from proliferation and invasion, and promote their apoptosis, while up-regulating TUG1 or inhibiting miR-29a could promote the proliferation and invasion but inhibit the apoptosis. Rescue experiment showed that overexpressing miR-29a could reverse the effects of high TUG1 expression on cholangiocarcinoma cells. DLRGA confirmed that there was a regulatory relationship between TUG1 and miR-29a.

Conclusion

TUG1 is highly expressed in cholangiocarcinoma tissues. It can promote the growth and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma cells by inhibiting miR-29a, so it may be a new target for diagnosing and treating cholangiocarcinoma.

An in-silico method leads to recognition of hub genes and crucial pathways in survival of patients with breast cancer

Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disorder characterized by dysregulation of expression of numerous genes and cascades. In the current study, we aim to use a system biology strategy to identify key genes and signaling pathways in breast cancer. We have retrieved data of two microarray datasets (GSE65194 and GSE45827) from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus database. R package was used for identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), assessment of gene ontology and pathway enrichment evaluation. The DEGs were integrated to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Next, hub genes were recognized using the Cytoscape software and lncRNA-mRNA co-expression analysis was performed to evaluate the potential roles of lncRNAs. Finally, the clinical importance of the obtained genes was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. In the present study, 887 DEGs including 730 upregulated and 157 downregulated DEGs were detected between breast cancer and normal samples. By combining the results of functional analysis, MCODE, CytoNCA and CytoHubba 2 hub genes including MAD2L1 and CCNB1 were selected. We also identified 12 lncRNAs with significant correlation with MAD2L1 and CCNB1 genes. According to The Kaplan-Meier plotter database MAD2L1, CCNA2, RAD51-AS1 and LINC01089 have the most prediction potential among all candidate hub genes. Our study offers a framework for recognition of mRNA-lncRNA network in breast cancer and detection of important pathways that could be used as therapeutic targets in this kind of cancer.

Long Non-Coding RNA SNHG14 Impedes Viability, Migration and Invasion of Endometrial Carcinoma Cells Through Modulating miR-93-5p/ZBTB7A Axis

Background

The function of long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) in endometrial carcinoma (EC) has not been thoroughly reported. This research is designed to research the action mechanism of SNHG14 in EC development.

Methods

The expression of SNHG14 was estimated in The Cancer Genome Atlas and was verified by qRT-PCR in EC tissues. The correlation between SNHG14 expression and clinicopathological features of EC patients was analyzed. Cell viability, wound healing rate, and relative invasion rate were examined by MTT, wound healing, and transwell assay. StarBase, TargetScan, RNA pull-down, and dual luciferase reporter gene (DLR) assay were conducted to analyze the relationship among SNHG14, miR-93-5p and ZBTB7A.

Results

SNHG14 was underexpressed in EC. SNHG14 expression was significantly relevant to menstruation, FIGO stage, histological grade and lymphatic metastasis of EC patients. SNHG14 overexpression hampered viability, migration and invasion of EC cells. SNHG14 functioned as a sponge for miR-93-5p, and miR-93-5p inhibition restrained cell viability, migration and invasion in EC. In addition, miR-93-5p directly targeted to ZBTB7A, which was underexpressed in EC. The suppressive action of SNHG14 overexpression on the viability, migration and invasion of EC cells was partly rescued by miR-93-5p overexpression or ZBTB7A silencing.

Conclusion

LncRNA SNHG14 hampered the viability, migration and invasion of EC cells via modulating miR-93-5p/ZBTB7A axis.