LncRNA NEAT1 Acts as an miR-148b-3p Sponge to Regulate ROCK1 Inhibition of Retinoblastoma Growth

The Traces of Dysregulated lncRNAs-Associated ceRNA Axes in Retinoblastoma: A Systematic Scope Review

PURPOSE

Long non-coding RNAs are an essential component of competing endogenous RNA regulatory axes and play their role by sponging microRNAs and interfering with the regulation of gene expression. Because of the broadness of competing endogenous RNA interaction networks, they may help investigate treatment targets in complicated disorders.

METHODS

This study performed a systematic scoping review to assess verified loops of competing endogenous RNAs in retinoblastoma, emphasizing the competing endogenous RNAs axis related to long non-coding RNAs. We used a six-stage approach framework and the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of seven databases was done to locate suitable papers published before February 2022. Two reviewers worked independently to screen articles and collect data.

RESULTS

Out of 363 records, fifty-one articles met the inclusion criteria, and sixty-three axes were identified in desired articles. The majority of the research reported several long non-coding RNAs that were experimentally verified to act as competing endogenous RNAs in retinoblastoma: XIST/NEAT1/MALAT1/SNHG16/KCNQ1OT1, respectively. At the same time, around half of the studies investigated unique long non-coding RNAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the many features of this regulatory system may aid in elucidating the unknown etiology of Retinoblastoma and providing novel molecular targets for therapeutic and clinical applications.

Dysregulation of PVT1 and NEAT1 lncRNAs in pituitary adenomas

Pituitary adenomas are slow-growing tumors originated from the anterior part of pituitary gland. These tumors are associated with dysregulation of a number of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). PVT1, TUG1, MALAT1, NEAT1 and GAS5 are among lncRNAs with important roles in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell differentiation and cell cycle transition. In the current study, we assessed expression levels of PVT1, TUG1, MALAT1, NEAT1 and GAS5 in the pituitary adenoma samples compared with adjacent non-cancerous samples to find their relevance with this type of tumors and their potential as diagnostic markers in these tumors. Expression of NEAT1 was significantly higher in total adenoma tissues (Expression ratio (95% CI)= 7.06 (2.31-21.4), P value= 0.02) and in non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) samples (Expression ratio (95% CI)= 8.5 (2.17-33.12), P value= 0.04) compared with corresponding controls. Although both lncRNAs had appropriate sensitivity values for discrimination of NFPAs from adjacent non-cancerous tissues (0.84 and 0.90 for PVT1 and NEAT1, respectively), the calculated AUC values were not adequate for either lncRNAs (0.63 ± 0.04 and 0.58 ± 0.04 for PVT1 and NEAT1, respectively). Therefore, NEAT1 and PVT1 lncRNAs are dysregulated in NFPA. The current study suggests the role of NEAT1 and PVT1 in the pathogenesis of NFPA.

Tumor-derived exosomal miR-148b-3p mediates M2 macrophage polarization via TSC2/mTORC1 to promote breast cancer migration and invasion

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence has revealed that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and exosomes play a crucial role in the microenvironment for tumor growth. However, the mechanisms through which exosomal miRNAs modulate TAMs and tumor development in breast cancer are not fully understood.

METHODS

We constructed a macrophage model and an indirect coculture system consist of breast cancer cells and macrophages. Exosomes were isolated from BC cells culture supernatant and identified by transmission electron microscopy, Western blot and Nanosight LM10 system. The expression of miR-148b-3p in exosomes was determined by qRT-PCR and the effect of exosomal miR-148b-3p on macrophage polarization was measured using qRT-PCR and ELISA. The proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells were estimated by EdU, wound healing assay and transwell assay. We employed bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assay and Western blot to identify the target gene of miR-148b-3p. Western blot was used to clarify the mechanism of exosomal miR-148b-3p mediated the crosstalk between BC cells and M2 macrophages.

RESULTS

Cancer-derived exosomes could induce M2 polarization of macrophages, which promoted the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. We found that exosomal miR-148b-3p was overexpressed in breast cancer cell-derived exosomes and correlated with lymph node metastasis, late tumor stage and worse prognosis. Upregulated miR-148b-3p expression in exosomes modulated macrophage polarization by targeting TSC2, which promoted the proliferation and might affect migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Interestingly, we found that exosomal miR-148b-3p could induce M2 macrophage polarization via the TSC2/mTORC1 signaling pathway in breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our study elucidated that miR-148b-3p could be transported by exosomes from breast cancer cells to surrounding macrophages and induced M2 polarization by targeting TSC2, providing novel insights for breast cancer therapy.

Long non-coding RNAs involved in retinoblastoma

INTRODUCTION

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common childhood tumor that can occur in the retina and develop in a sporadic or heritable form. Although various traditional treatment options have been used for patients with RB, identifying novel strategies for childhood cancers is necessary.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Recently, molecular-based targeted therapies have opened a greater therapeutic window for RB. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) presented a potential role as a biomarker for the detection of RB in various stages.

CONCLUSION

LncRNAs by targeting several miRNA/transcription factors play critical roles in the stimulation or suppression of RB. In this review, we summarized recent progress on the functions of tumor suppressors or oncogenes lncRNAs in RB.

Molecular Interactions of the Long Noncoding RNA NEAT1 in Cancer

As one of the best-studied long noncoding RNAs, nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) plays a pivotal role in the progression of cancers. NEAT1, especially its isoform NEAT1-1, facilitates the growth and metastasis of various cancers, excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia. NEAT1 can be elevated via transcriptional activation or stability alteration in cancers changing the aggressive phenotype of cancer cells. NEAT1 can also be secreted from other cells and be delivered to cancer cells through exosomes. Hence, elucidating the molecular interaction of NEAT1 may shed light on the future treatment of cancer. Herein, we review the molecular function of NEAT1 in cancer progression, and explain how NEAT1 interacts with RNAs, proteins, and DNA promoter regions to upregulate tumorigenic factors.

LINC00488 Induces Tumorigenicity in Retinoblastoma by Regulating microRNA-30a-5p/EPHB2 Axis

OBJECTIVE

LINC00488 confers oncogenic activity in the progression of some tumors. Hence, the target of the study was about to specify LINC00488-mediated network in retinoblastoma (RB).

METHODS

LINC00488 expression was tested in RB clinical tissues. siRNA targeting LINC00488 or miR-30a-5p mimic was introduced into RB cell line (Y79) to observe cellular biological functions. The relationship between LINC00488, miR-30a-5p and EPHB2 was verified. Afterward, the role of miR-30a-5p involved in RB through targeted regulation of EPHB2 was probed in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

LINC00488 was induced in RB tissue and cells. LINC00488 knockdown or miR-30a-5p upregulation depressed the malignant activities of Y79 cells. LINC00488 could sponge miR-30a-5p that targeted EPHB2. EPHB2, and EPHB2 overexpression counteracted miR-30a-5p restoration-induced inhibition of Y79 cell development in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

LINC00488 induces tumorigenicity in RB by binding to miR-30a-5p to target EPHB2, which may offer a new clue of RB treatment from an lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network.

NORAD-sponged miR-378c alleviates malignant behaviors of stomach adenocarcinoma via targeting NRP1

Background

Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is the most common type of gastric cancer (GC), with a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis, but the potential indicators for STAD are insufficient.

Methods

Herein, we found that MicroRNA-378c (miR-378c) was lowly expressed in STAD, and the low expression of miR-378c was highly correlated with poor overall survival (OS), T stage, Reflux history, DSS events and PFI events of STAD patients.

Results

In addition, univariate analysis displayed that miR-378c was significantly associated with OS (Hazard ratio 0.735; 95% CI, 0.542–0.995; P = 0.046). Furthermore, it was validated that miR-378c inhibition accelerated STAD cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while they were suppressed by miR-378c overexpression. Mechanistically, Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) was confirmed as the target of miR-378c, and Lnc-NORAD was identified as its sponger. More importantly, NORAD-mediated miR-378c inhibited malignant behaviors of STAD both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Collectively, these results suggest miR-378c as a promising indicator for the treatment of STAD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-022-02474-5.

LncRNA NEAT1 aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by regulating the miR-98-5p/TLR4 axis

Although long noncoding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) was reported to be associated with acute lung injury (ALI), its specific mechanism has not been well studied. Mouse and cell ALI models were constructed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di- phenytetrazoliumromide assay. Cell death was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH) detection kit and flow cytometry. The levels of cytokines in lung tissues lysates were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of apoptosis-related markers was detected by Western blot. The relationship between NEAT1, miR-98-5p, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was determined by bioinformatics prediction, luciferase reporter assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Rescue experiments were performed to determine the role of NEAT1/miR-98-5p/TLR4 in ALI. NEAT1 was significantly upregulated during ALI both in vitro and in vivo. NEAT1 knockdown efficiently attenuated LPS-induced ALI and reduced LPS-induced elevation of cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. NEAT1 negatively regulated miR-98-5p by directly sponging it, and TLR4 was a target of miR-98-5p. MiR-98-5p inhibition or TLR4 overexpression could obviously attenuate the protective effects of NEAT1 knockdown in LPS-treated A549 cells. Our study demonstrated that NEAT1 knockdown alleviated LPS-induced ALI by targeting the miR-98-5p/TLR4 axis.