Long non-coding RNA NAP1L6 promotes tumor progression and predicts poor prognosis in prostate cancer by targeting Inhibin-β A

miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster suppresses pancreatic cancer through regulation of NR6A1

This experiment investigates how the miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster regulates the mechanism of NR6A1 involved in the invasive and metastatic effects of pancreatic cancer (PCa). Bioinformatics prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay were applied to verify the targeted relationship between miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a and NR6A1. ASPC1 cells underwent transfection with lentiviruses to overexpress miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a (individual or together) to explore functions of miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster governing NR6A1 in PCa. The detection of tumorigenesis was verified by tumor formation assay in nude mice in vivo, and mouse models of liver metastasis of PCa observed cell metastasis of PCa. MiR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster was screened for differential expression in PCa. NR6A1 was confirmed as a target gene of the miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster. Findings demonstrated that overexpression of the miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster inhibited cell invasion, metastasis, proliferation, and tumorigenesis in PCa. Conversely, overexpressed NR6A1, a crucial gene in the miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster, promoted cell invasion, migration, and proliferation in PCa. Moreover, the overexpression of the miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster inhibited liver metastases and tumor formation. Thus, the study concludes that the miR-99b/let-7e/miR-125a cluster impedes the invasion and metastasis of PCa cells via targeting the NR6A1 gene.

LncNAP1L6 activates MMP pathway by stabilizing the m6A-modified NAP1L2 to promote malignant progression in prostate cancer

Malignant progression such as bone metastasis, which is associated with pathologic fractures, pain and reduced survival frequently occurs in prostate cancer (PCa) patients at advanced stages. Accumulating evidence has supported that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in multiple biological processes. Nevertheless, the functions of most lncRNAs in PCa malignant progression remain largely unclear. Our current study is to elucidate the influence of lncRNA lncNAP1L6 on PCa malignant progression and uncover the possible regulatory mechanism. Firstly, RT-qPCR analysis was to detect lncNAP1L6 expression and suggested that lncNAP1L6 was markedly upregulated in PCa cells. Functional assays manifested that silencing of lncNAP1L6 hampered cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) while overexpression of lncNAP1L6 exacerbated cell migration, invasion and EMT. In addition, mechanism assays were to determine the latent regulatory mechanism of lncNAP1L6. It turned out that METTL14/METTL3 complex mediated m6A methylation of NAP1L2 mRNA. Besides, lncNAP1L6 recruited HNRNPC to m6A-modified NAP1L2, leading to stabilization of NAP1L2 mRNA. Moreover, NAP1L6 interacted with YY1 to promote the transcription of MMP2 and MMP9 and activate MMP signaling pathway. In summary, lncNAP1L6 was identified as an oncogene in PCa, which revealed that lncNAP1L6 might be used as potential therapeutic target in PCa.

NAP1L1 targeting suppresses the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) is significantly involved in the development of various cancers. However, its role in the molecular mechanism of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains undetermined. In this study, we detected the upregulated expression of NAP1L1 mRNA and protein levels by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis in NPC cell lines. Results of the immunohistochemistry analysis of NPC tissue biopsies showed that upregulated NAP1L1 protein expression promoted NPC progression and negatively correlated with poor prognosis in NPC patients. Suppression of NAP1L1 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) methods significantly decreased cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Mechanism analysis revealed that the regulation of cell growth was enriched by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis based on RNA sequencing data. Cell cycle-induced genes CCND1 and E2F1 were downregulated in NAP1L1 knockdown NPC cells. Reduced NAP1L1 suppressed the recruitment of hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) and decreased its expression. Knockdown of HDGF reduced the expression of c-JUN, a key oncogenic transcription factor that can induce the expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1), reducing cell cycle progression and suppressing cell growth in NPC. Transfecting HDGF or c-JUN could reverse the growth-suppressive effects in NAP1L1-downregulated NPC cells. The data obtained in this study suggest that NAP1L1 acts as a potential oncogene by activating HDGF/c-JUN/CCND1 signaling in NPC.

Long Noncoding RNA AATBC Promotes the Proliferation and Migration of Prostate Cancer Cell Through miR-1245b-5p/CASK Axis

Introduction

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRANs) as suppressive or oncogenic genes have been substantiated in prostate cancer (PCa). In the current study, the role and molecular mechanism of lncRNA AATBC in the progression of PCa was evaluated.

Methods

LncRNA AATBC and miR-1245b-5p expression were evaluated using RT-qPCR. CCK-8, colony-formation, apoptosis and transwell assay were used to analyze the in vitro role. The xenograft model was used to explore the in vivo role. Bioinformatics analysis and a dual luciferase assay, RIP and RNA pull down were used to confirm the interaction between lncRNA AATBC and 1245b-5p, as well as 1245b-5p and CASK.

Results

Firstly, we certified that the expression of AATBC was augmented in PCa, and knockdown of AATBC could significantly inhibit the growth of PCa in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, our results manifested that AATBC could directly bind to miR-1245b-5p. In addition, miR-1245b-5p played cancer-suppressive role in PCa cells. Moreover, CASK was attested as the target of miR-1245b-5p, and CASK was demonstrated to exert as oncogene in the progression of PCa. Finally, rescue assays illustrated that miR-1245b-5p downregulation or CASK restoration could greatly resist the restrained effects of AATBC knockdown on PCa progression.

Conclusion

AATBC could accelerate the progression of PCa through regulating miR-1245b-5p/CASK axis, which provided a potential therapeutic target for PCa treatment.

Identification of HCG18 and MCM3AP-AS1 That Associate With Bone Metastasis, Poor Prognosis and Increased Abundance of M2 Macrophage Infiltration in Prostate Cancer

Background:

Bone metastasis is a leading cause of the high mortality rate of prostate cancer (PCa), but curative strategies remain lacking. Recent studies suggest long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be potential targets to develop drugs. However, PCa bone metastasis-specifically-related lncRNAs were rarely reported. This study aimed to identify crucial lncRNAs and reveal their function mechanisms.

Methods:

GSE32269 and GSE26964 microarray datasets, downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, were used to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs)/lncRNAs (DELs) and miRNAs (DEMs), respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to screen PCa bone metastasis-associated modules. The co-expression and competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) networks were constructed to identify hub lncRNAs. Univariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine their prognostic values. The correlation of lncRNAs with immune infiltrating cells was analyzed by using Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource. Therapeutic drugs were predicted by querying the Connectivity Map (CMap) and the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD).

Results:

A total of 18 DELs, 2,614 DEGs and 86 DEMs were screened between bone metastatic and primary PCa samples. Four modules enriched by DEGs were shown to be bone metastasis-associated. LncRNA HCG18 and MCM3AP-AS1 were identified to be important because they existed in both of the co-expression and ceRNA networks (forming the relationship pairs: HCG18/MCM3AP-AS1-KNTC1, MCM3AP-AS1-hsa-miR-508-3p-DTL and HCG18/MCM3AP-AS1-hsa-miR-127-3p-CDKN3). All the genes in these interaction pairs were significantly associated with overall survival of PCa patients. Also, HCG18, MCM3AP-AS1 and their target mRNAs were positively correlated with various tumor-infiltrated immune cells, especially increased M2 macrophages. Valproic acid and trichostatin A may be effective to treat PCa bone metastasis by targeting HCG18 and MCM3AP-AS1.

Conclusion:

HCG18 and MCM3AP-AS1 that regulate M2 macrophage infiltration may be important targets to treat PCa bone metastasis and improve prognosis.

microRNA-211-mediated targeting of the INHBA-TGF-β axis suppresses prostate tumor formation and growth

Prostate cancer (PCa) stem cells increase the sustainability of tumor growth, resulting in high relapse rates in patients with PCa. This goal of the present study was to elucidate the function of microRNA (miR)-211 in PCa stem cell activities. Based on the initial findings from the GSE26910 dataset, inhibin-β A (INHBA) was used for subsequent experiments, and miR-211 was then predicted as a candidate regulatory miR. Subsequently, INHBA and miR-211 were observed to be highly and poorly expressed in PCa tissues, respectively, and miR-211 negatively target INHBA. CD44⁺CD133⁺ cells were isolated, and both miR-211 and INHBA expression was altered in these cells to assess functional role of miR-211 and INHBA in PCa stem cells. Overexpression of miR-211 decreased expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, smad2, smad3, phosphorylated smad2 and smad3, and stem cell markers. miR-211 upregulation or INHBA knockdown resulted in reductions in the proliferation, invasion, colony-forming ability, sphere-forming ability, and stemness of PCa stem cells but enhanced their apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, miR-211 upregulation or INHBA silencing decreased tumor growth and cell apoptosis in vivo. Taken together, these results indicate that upregulation of miR-211 has tumor-suppressive properties by inhibiting TGF-β pathway activation via INHBA in PCa stem cells.

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Value of Gastric Carcinoma Highly Expressed Transcript 1 in Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Long noncoding RNA gastric cancer highly expressed transcript 1 (lncRNA GHET1) is often reported to be abnormally expressed in multiple cancers, but the situation is different in different cancers. Therefore, a meta-analysis is necessary to clarify the value of lncRNA GHET1 as a prognostic indicator in cancer.

Methods

Relevant research studies on lncRNA GHET1 and cancer were retrieved from three electronic literature databases of Web of Science, PubMed, and OVID. Meanwhile, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to explore the relationship between lncRNA GHET1 expression and survival of cancer patients. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated to assess the association of lncRNA GHET1 expression with pathological parameters of cancer patients.

Results

The meta-analysis included a total of 11 studies involving 714 cancer patients. The pooled HR suggests that high lncRNA GHET1 expression is associated with poor overall survival. In addition, high expression of lncRNA GHET1 was found to be associated with larger tumor size, poor histological grade, high tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis.

Conclusions

High lncRNA GHET1 expression can predict poor survival and pathological parameters. And lncRNA GHET1 could serve as a new indicator in multiple cancers.

Combined signature of nine immune-related genes: a novel risk score for predicting prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common internal malignancies worldwide and is associated with a poor prognosis. There is an urgent need to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of HCC pathogenesis and progression. Accordingly, in this study, we analyzed differentially expressed immune-related genes (IRGs) from 329 patients with HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets. Functional analysis revealed that the IRGs had potential effects on tumor immune processes, such as inflammatory responses and growth factor activity. In the training group, we constructed a nine-IRG formula to predict prognosis in patients with HCC. To validate the protein and mRNA levels of these IRGs, we used the Human Protein Atlas database and quantitative PCR analysis and found that most protein expression levels matched the corresponding mRNA expression levels. Furthermore, we also validated the prognostic value of the new risk model in another independent cohort (n = 277) from a Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE14520). Our data suggested that there was a significant association between our risk model and patient prognosis. Stratification analysis showed that the nine-IRG signature was significantly associated with overall survival in men. Finally, the signature was found to be correlated with various clinicopathological features. Intriguingly, the prognostic index based on the IRGs reflected infiltration by several types of immune cells. In summary, our data provided evidence that the nine-IRG signature could serve as an independent biomarker to predict prognosis in patients with HCC.

Significance of lncRNA MIR31HG in predicting the prognosis for Chinese patients with cancer: a meta-analysis

It is important to clarify the significance of long noncoding RNA MIR31 host gene (lncRNA MIR31HG) in predicting the prognosis for malignant tumors through meta-analysis. Electronic databases were systemically searched, from inception until 2 January 2019, to identify related articles. Meanwhile, the hazard ratios (odds ratios) and 95% CIs were computed for exploring the association between the expression of lncRNA MIR31HG and the survival (pathological variables). Eleven studies with 1041 cases were enrolled into the current meta-analysis. Low expression of lncRNA MIR31HG showed correlation with the dismal overall survival, disease-free survival, high tumor stage and lymph node metastasis among patients with digestive system cancers. Low expression of lncRNA MIR31HG may serve as a potential novel factor to indicate the dismal prognosis and metastasis in patients with digestive system cancers.

A comprehensive review of the role of long non-coding RNAs in organs with an endocrine function

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts with sizes larger than 200 nucleotides and no/ small open reading frame that cannot produce functional proteins. The number of these transcripts surpasses the number of coding genes. LncRNAs regulate many aspects of cell functions such as proliferation, cell cycle transition and differentiation; so their dysregulation has pervasive effects on cell phenotype. Increasing numbers of these transcripts have been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of cancer. In the current review, we summarize recent findings regarding the role of lncRNAs in tumors originated from organs which have an endocrine function. We mostly focused on adrenal, pancreas and pituitary gland as prototypes of these organs. Moreover, we presented the obtained data of the role of lncRNAs in prostate, ovarian and testicular cancers. Recent data highly supports the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of cancers originated from these organs. Moreover, certain genomic loci within lncRNAs have been shown to be associated with risk of these cancers. Diagnostic and prognostic role of some lncRNAs in these cancers have been evaluated recently. Taken together, lncRNAs are putative biomarkers for cancers originated from organs which have an endocrine function.

Long non-coding RNAs in prostate cancer: Functional roles and clinical implications

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that do not encode proteins. LncRNAs have been documented to exhibit aberrant expression in various types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Currently, screening for prostate cancer results in overdiagnosis. The consequent overtreatment of patients with indolent disease in the clinic is due to the lack of appropriately sensitive and specific biomarkers. Thus, the identification of lncRNAs as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for prostate cancer is promising. In the present review, we attempt to summarize the current knowledge of lncRNA expression patterns and mechanisms in prostate cancer. In particular, we focus on lncRNAs regulated by the androgen receptor and the specific molecular mechanism of lncRNAs in prostate cancer to provide a potential clinical therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer.

Meta-analysis of the prognostic value of lncRNA DANCR for cancer patients in China

Background

Abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA anti-differentiation noncoding RNA (lncRNA DANCR) can frequently be detected in cancer. Because of this, it is of vital necessity to perform a meta-analysis to clarify the value of lncRNA DANCR as a prognostic marker in malignant tumors.

Methods

Related studies were retrieved from electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and OVID, from inception to November 21, 2018. The HRs and corresponding 95% CIs were also calculated to explore the relationship of lncRNA DANCR expression with patient survival. Moreover, ORs were computed to assess the association of lncRNA DANCR expression with the pathological parameters.

Results

A total of 14 studies involving 1,117 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR suggested that high lncRNA DANCR expression was correlated with poor overall survival (OS; HR =1.85, 95% CI: 1.56–2.18) and disease-free survival (DFS; HR =2.49, 95% CI: 1.75–3.56) in cancer patients. Besides, High lncRNA DANCR expression was related to poor histological grade (PHG; OR =2.01, 95% CI: 1.08–3.75), high tumor stage (HTS; OR =3.52, 95% CI: 1.67–7.43), lymph node metastasis (LNM; OR =3.47, 95% CI: 1.42–8.49), and distant metastasis (DM; OR =4.76, 95% CI: 2.39–9.51). However, no evidence of obvious asymmetry was found for DFS (Pr>|z|=0.308), PHG (Pr>|z|=0.707), LNM (Pr>|z|=0.174), and DM (Pr>|z|=0.734) using Begg’s funnel plot.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that high lncRNA DANCR expression can predict poor OS, DFS, PHG, HTS, LNM, and DM in cancer patients, implying that high lncRNA DANCR expression may potentially serve as a new indicator for poor prognosis and metastasis in cancer.

lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 predicts poor prognosis in glioma and promotes cell proliferation by silencing P21

Background

In multiple cancers, long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (lncRNA SNHG20) is generally dysregulated. In the present study, both the biological role and clinicopathological value of lncRNA SNHG20 in glioma are explored.

Methods

Real-time PCR was employed to determine lncRNA SNHG20 expression in glioma patients. The prognostic role of expression of lncRNA SNHG20 was evaluated in a retrospective cohort study. In addition, the association between lncRNA SNHG20 expression and the clinicopathological features of glioma patients, such as tumor recurrence, survival status, follow-up time, WHO grade, resection extent, tumor location, Karnofsky performance scale score, cystic change, tumor size, gender and age, was discussed. By constructing and transfecting siRNAs that targeted lncRNA SNHG20 into the glioma U87 cells, the effects of lncRNA SNHG20 on the proliferation and cell cycle of U87 cells were assessed through cell counting kit-8, colony formation and cell cycle assays, respectively. In addition, Western blot and real-time PCR measured the expression levels of P21 and CCNA1 in U87 cells after being transfected with SNHG20 siRNA.

Results

Our results suggested the high expression of lncRNA SNHG20 in human glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues, which was related to recurrence-free survival and poor overall survival in glioma patients. According to the existing retrospective cohort study, high lncRNA SNHG20 expression was associated with tumor size, extent of resection, WHO grade, follow-up time, survival status and recurrence. Besides, knocking down the expression of lncRNA SNHG20 could inhibit the proliferation and colony formation abilities of glioma U87 cells through cell cycle arrest. Consequently, the expression of CCNA1 was inhibited, and the expression of P21 was up-regulated in U87 cells.

Conclusion

A high lncRNA SNHG20 expression level predicts the poor prognosis for glioma patients. Moreover, lncRNA SNHG20 can promote glioma proliferation through silencing P21 and thus lncRNA SNHG20 is an independent potential prognostic biomarker for glioma patients.

Meta-analysis of the prognostic value of long non-coding RNA PVT1 for cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is reported to be dysregulated in various cancers. Therefore, this meta-analysis was performed to clarify its utility as a prognosis marker in malignant tumors.

METHODS

Electronic databases, including PubMed, OVID, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, were retrieved from inception to December 16, 2017. Typically, hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, so as to explore the relationship between PVT1 expression and patient survival. In addition, odds ratios (OR) were calculated to assess the association of PVT1 expression with pathological parameters.

RESULTS

A total of 23 studies involving 2350 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR suggested that high PVT1 expression levels were correlated with poor overall survival (OS, HR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.73-2.28), disease-free survival (DFS, HR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.45-2.14), and recurrence-free survival (RFS, HR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.26-2.39) in cancer patients without obvious heterogeneity. Moreover, high PVT1 expression levels were also correlated with larger tumor size (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.02-2.11), poor differentiation grade (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.39-2.30), advanced tumor stage (pooled OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 2.46-4.38), lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.66-4.29) and distant metastasis (OR = 4.00, 95% CI: 1.39-11.50) in cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of this meta-analysis suggest that a high PVT1 expression level may serve as a novel biomarker of poor prognosis in cancers.