Long Noncoding RNA FBXL19-AS1 Expedites Cell Growth, Migration and Invasion in Cervical Cancer by miR-193a-5p/PIN1 Signaling

LncRNA BCRT1 depletion suppresses cervical cancer cell growth via sponging miR-432-5p/CCR7 axis

Breast cancer-related transcript 1 (BCRT1), a lncRNA that is overexpressed in several human cancers, facilitates the progression of breast cancer and osteosarcoma. Nevertheless, the function of BCRT1 in cervical cancer (CC) still remains unknown. In this study, BCRT1 was significantly overexpressed in CC tissues and correlated with the advanced stage of CC patients. BCRT1 depletion dampened CC cell proliferation, and drives cell apoptosis and cell cycle inhibition. Mechanistically, BCRT1 bound miR-432-5p and negatively modulated miR-432-5p's expression in CC cells. Reduced miR-452-3p expression was observed in CC tissues and exerted tumor suppressive function in CC cell growth. Further mechanism study revealed that CCR7 was clarified as a target of miR-432-5p and was inhibited following BCRT1 depletion. CCR7 transfection could recover CC cell growth that was suppressed with BCRT1 down-regulation. These results revealed the novel function of BCRT1/miR-432-5p/CCR7 pathway in CC, suggesting BCRT1 might be a potential biomarker and target for CC treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03863-x.

Advances in epigenetic modifications and cervical cancer research

Cervical cancer (CC) is an important public health problem for women, and perspectives and information regarding its prevention and treatment are quickly evolving. Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been recognized as a major contributor to CC development; however, HPV infection is not the only cause of CC. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression levels caused by non-gene sequence changes. Growing evidence suggests that the disruption of gene expression patterns which were governed by epigenetic modifications can result in cancer, autoimmune diseases, and various other maladies. This article mainly reviews the current research status of epigenetic modifications in CC based on four aspects, respectively DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNA regulation and chromatin regulation, and we also discuss their functions and molecular mechanisms in the occurrence and progression of CC. This review provides new ideas for early screening, risk assessment, molecular targeted therapy and prognostic prediction of CC.

MicroRNA-150-5p inhibits the proliferation and invasion of human larynx epidermiod cancer cells though regulating peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of miR-150-5p regulating the malignant biological behavior of Human Epidermoid cancer cell (HEp-2) by targeting peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase NIMA-Interacting-1 (PIN1).

METHODS

Firstly, qRT-PCR and Western blot were adopted to detect the expression levels of miR-150-5p and PIN1 in cancer tissue and paracancerous tissues of patients with LSCC, and those in human bronchial epithelial cells (16 HBE) and HEp-2. Next, the targeted relationship between miR-150-5p and PIN1 was assessed by bioinformatics website and dual-luciferase reporter assay, followed by their correlation analysis. Besides, after interfering with miR-150-5p or PIN1 expression in HEp-2 cells, CCK-8, cell colony formation assay, and transwell assay were utilized to detect the proliferation, viability, and invasion of cells, respectively. Subsequently, the protein levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and EMT-related proteins in HEp-2 cells were checked by Western blot.

RESULTS

Expression of miR-150-5p was down-regulated in LSCC tissues and HEp-2 cells. Moreover, miR-150-5p suppressed proliferation and invasion of HEp-2 cells, affected protein expression related to MMP and EMT, thereby inhibiting development of cancer. The expression of PIN1 was significantly increased in cancer tissues and HEp-2 cells, and there was a targeted relationship and negative correlation between miR-150-5p and PIN1 in cancer tissue. However, overexpression of PIN1 could reverse the effect of miR-150-5p on the proliferation and invasion of HEp-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

In a nutshell, there is a targeted relationship between PIN1 and miR-150-5p. Besides, miR-150-5p can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of HEp-2 cells by regulating the expression of PIN1.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3

FLVCR1-AS1 and FBXL19-AS1: Two Putative lncRNA Candidates in Multiple Human Cancers

(1) Background: Mounting evidence supports the idea that one of the most critical agents in controlling gene expression could be long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Upregulation of lncRNA is observed in the different processes related to pathologies, such as tumor occurrence and development. Among the crescent number of lncRNAs discovered, FLVCR1-AS1 and FBXL19-AS1 have been identified as oncogenes in many cancer progression and prognosis types, including cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, glioma and glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and osteosarcoma. Therefore, abnormal FBXL19-AS1 and FLVCR1-AS1 expression affect a variety of cellular activities, including metastasis, aggressiveness, and proliferation; (2) Methods: This study was searched via PubMed and Google Scholar databases until May 2022; (3) Results: FLVCR1-AS1 and FBXL19-AS1 participate in tumorigenesis and have an active role in impacting several signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, and EMT; (4) Conclusions: Our review focuses on the possible molecular mechanisms in a variety of cancers regulated by FLVCR1-AS1 and FBXL19-AS1. It is not surprising that there has been significant interest in the possibility that these lncRNAs might be used as biomarkers for diagnosis or as a target to improve a broader range of cancers in the future.

Long Noncoding RNA FBXL19-AS1-Mediated Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Defect

BACKGROUND

This study commenced to uncover the role of long non-coding RNA FBXL19 antisense RNA 1 (FBXL19-AS1) in the development of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

FBXL19-AS1 expression in the colonic sigmoid mucosa of UC patients was detected. A colitis model was induced in mice using 5% dextran sodium sulfate. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed for histopathological examination. Apoptosis was detected by Tunel staining and tissue fibrosis was detected by immunohistochemistry. Also, intestinal permeability was examined. The concentrations of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between FBXL19-AS1, miR-339-3p and RHOB was verified by RNA immunoprecipitation assay and dual luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The expression of FBXL19-AS1 was increased in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. FBXL19-AS1 interference or miR-339-3p overexpression inhibited DSS-induced colonic epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammatory response, and improved intestinal epithelial barrier defects, thereby ameliorating DSS-induced colitis injury in mice. FBXL19-AS1 sponged miR-339-3p while miR-339-3p targeted RHOB. Overexpression of RHOB reversed the protective effect of inhibition of FBXL19-AS1 on DSS-induced colitis in mice.

CONCLUSION

FBXL19-AS1 reduces miR-339-3p-mediated targeting of RHOB and aggravates intestinal epithelial barrier defect in DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Circular RNA circACAP2 Suppresses Ferroptosis of Cervical Cancer during Malignant Progression by miR-193a-5p/GPX4

Cervical cancer is among the most cancer types, with an extremely high global incidence and mortality. Ferroptosis is a newly reported programmed cell death process that differs from apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed loops generated from back-splicing pre-mRNAs, with high stability, and are abundant in the physical environment. Here, we explored the effect of circACAP2 on ferroptosis of cervical cancer. We observed that the depletion of circACAP2 by siRNAs was validated in cervical cancer cells. The cervical cancer cell viability was inhibited by circACAP2 knockdown as well. The levels of lipid ROS, iron, and Fe²⁺ were reduced by circACAP2 depletion in cervical cancer cells. The circACAP2 served as a ceRNA of miR-193a-5p and directly interacted with miR-193a-5p in cervical cancer cells. miR-193a-5p was able to target GPX4 and circACAP2 promoted GPX4 expression by sponging miR-193a-5p in cervical cancer cells. The knockdown of circACAP2 inhibited the cervical cancer cell viability, but the miR-193a-5p inhibitor or GPX4 overexpression could reverse the effect in the cells. The inhibition of miR-193a-5p or GPX4 overexpression repressed the circACAP2 depletion-induced levels of lipid ROS, iron, and Fe²⁺ in cervical cancer cells. Clinically, the expression of circACAP2 and GPX4 was upregulated, and miR-193a-5p expression was downregulated in clinical cervical cancer samples. The expression of miR-193a-5p was negatively correlated with circACAP2 and GPX4, while the circACAP2 expression was positively correlated with GPX4 in the samples. Therefore, we concluded that circular RNA circACAP2 repressed ferroptosis of cervical cancer during malignant progression by miR-193a-5p/GPX4.

Profiling and integrated analysis of differentially expressed circRNAs in cervical cancer

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new type of regulatory RNAs, which have been identified to play critical role in various tumors. However, the profiles and roles of circRNAs in cervical cancer (CCa) have not been fully understood and need to be further explored. In the present study, we performed circRNA array and mRNA-sequencing (mRNA-Seq) to profile the differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs in CCa tissues. A total of 397 differentially expressed circRNAs and 2138 differentially expressed mRNAs were detected, respectively. Subsequently, a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed and indicated that hsa_circ_0026377 was downregulated in CCa. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0026377 inhibited HeLa and SiHa cells proliferation, migration and invasion. Collectively, this study provided new insights into the circRNA profiles in CCa and suggested that hsa_circ_0026377 might play important roles in CCa development.

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes associated competitive endogenous RNA networks as predictors of outcome in hepatic carcinoma based on WGCNA analysis

Background

The important regulatory role of competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been confirmed. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are of great significance to tumor outcome and prognosis. This study will systematically analyze the key factors affecting the prognosis of HCC from the perspective of ceRNA and TILs.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used for transcriptome data acquisition of HCC. Through the analysis of the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WCGNA), the two modules for co-expression of the disease were determined, and a ceRNA network was constructed. We used Cox regression and LASSO regression analysis to screen prognostic factors and constructed a risk score model. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was used to validate the model. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was used for mRNAs functional analysis. The cell composition of TILs was analyzed by the CIBERSORT algorithm, and Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the correlation between TILs and prognostic factors.

Results

We constructed a ceRNA regulatory network composed of 67 nodes through WGCNA, including 44 DElncRNAs, 19 DEGs, and 4 DEmiRNAs. And based on the expression of 4 DEGs in this network (RRM2, LDLR, TXNIP, and KIF23), a prognostic model of HCC with good specificity and sensitivity was developed. CIBERSORT analyzed the composition of TILs in HCC tumor tissues. Correlation analysis showed that RRM2 is significantly correlated with T cells CD4 memory activated, T cells CD4 memory resting, T cells CD8, and T cells follicular helper, and TXNIP is negatively correlated with B cells memory.

Conclusions

In this study, a ceRNA with prognostic value in HCC was created, and a prognostic risk model for HCC was constructed based on it. This risk score model is closely related to TILs and is expected to become a potential therapeutic target and a new predictive indicator.

Identify and Validate the Transcriptomic, Functional Network, and Predictive Validity of FBXL19-AS1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common neoplastic diseases worldwide. Available biomarkers are not sensitive enough for the diagnosis of HCC, hence seeking new biomarkers of HCC is urgent and challenging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 19-antisense RNA 1 (FBXL19-AS1) through a functional network and inquire into its diagnostic and prognostic value in HCC. A comprehensive strategy of genomic data mining, bioinformatics and experimental validation was used to evaluate the clinical value of FBXL19-AS1 in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC and to identify the pathways in which FBXL19-AS1 might be involved. FBXL19-AS1 was up-regulated in HCC tissues, and its high expression was associated with TNM stage and poor prognosis of HCC patients. The combination of FBXL19-AS1 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in plasma could prominently improve the diagnostic validity for HCC. FBXL19-AS1 might stabilize FBXL19 to reduce the amount of macrophage M1, and then promote the occurrence and development of HCC. Meanwhile, FBXL19-AS1 might participate in regulating HCC related pathways through FBXL19-AS1-miRNA-mRNA network. Our findings indicated that FBXL19-AS1 not only serves as a potential biomarker for HCC diagnosis and prognosis, but also might be functionally carcinogenic.