miR-4262, low level of which predicts poor prognosis, targets proto-oncogene CD163 to suppress cell proliferation and invasion in gastric cancer

Mechanism of salidroside in tumor suppression through the miRNA-mRNA signaling axis

With the rapid development of traditional Chinese medicine and the continuous discovery of various anticancer effects of salidroside (sal), it is known that sal inhibits tumor proliferation, invasion and migration by inducing apoptosis and autophagy, regulating the cell cycle, modulating the tumor microenvironment, and controlling cancer-related signaling pathways and molecules. The microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA signaling axis can regulate the expression of target mRNAs by altering miRNA expression, thereby affecting the growth cycle, proliferation, and metabolism of cancer cells. Studies have shown that sal can influence the occurrence and progression of various malignant tumors through the miRNA-mRNA signaling axis, inhibiting the progression of lung cancer, gastric cancer, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, with a notable time and dose dependence in its antitumor effects. Summarizing the specific mechanism of sal regulating miRNA-mRNA signaling axis to inhibit tumors in recent years can provide a new theoretical basis, diagnosis, and therapeutic methods for the research on prevention and treatment of tumors.

Biological implications and clinical potential of invasion and migration related miRNAs in glioma

Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors and are highly aggressive. Invasion and migration are the main causes of poor prognosis and treatment resistance in gliomas. As migration and invasion occur, patient survival and prognosis decline dramatically. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding 21–23 nucleotides involved in regulating the malignant phenotype of gliomas, including migration and invasion. Numerous studies have demonstrated the mechanism and function of some miRNAs in glioma migration and invasion. However, the biological and clinical significance (including diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy) of glioma migration and invasion-related miRNAs have not been systematically discussed. This paper reviews the progress of miRNAs-mediated migration and invasion studies in glioma and discusses the clinical value of migration and invasion-related miRNAs as potential biomarkers or targeted therapies for glioma. In addition, these findings are expected to translate into future directions and challenges for clinical applications. Although many biomarkers and their biological roles in glioma invasion and migration have been identified, none have been specific so far, and further exploration of clinical treatment is still in progress; therefore, we aimed to further identify specific markers that may guide clinical treatment and improve the quality of patient survival.

A Novel apaQTL-SNP for the Modification of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Susceptibility across Histological Subtypes

Background: Alternative polyadenylation (APA) events may be modulated by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the association between APA quantitative trait loci (apaQTLs)-related SNPs (apaQTL-SNPs) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) risk. Methods: APA-related genes associated with NSCLC (LUAD and LUSC) were first identified, and the respective apaQTL-SNPs of those genes were selected. Then, a two-phase case-control study was performed to evaluate the association between candidate apaQTL-SNPs and NSCLC risk. Results: A total of 7 LUAD- and 21 LUSC-associated apaQTL-SNPs were selected. In the first phase, the apaQTL-SNP rs10138506 was significantly associated with LUAD risk (p < 0.05), whereas the other two apaQTL-SNPs (rs1130698 and rs1130719) were significantly associated with LUSC risk (p < 0.05). In the second phase, the variant G allele of rs10138506 was still significantly associated with an increased risk of LUAD (OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.02−1.98, p = 0.038). Functional annotation indicated that the variant G allele of rs10138506 was significantly associated with a higher PDUI value of CHURC1. Meanwhile, 3′RACE experiments verified the presence of two poly(A) sites (proximal and distal) in CHURC1, while qRT-PCR results indicated that different genotypes of rs1127968 which, in perfect LD with rs10138506, can mediate changes in the lengths of the 3′UTR of CHURC1 isoforms. Conclusion: The variant G allele of rs10138506 in CHURC1 was correlated with a longer 3′UTR of CHURC1 mRNA and an increased LUAD risk. Further studies should evaluate the interaction between rs10138506 and different 3′UTR lengths of CHURC1 that regulate LUAD development.

Hsa_circ_0001550 facilitates colorectal cancer progression through mediating microRNA-4262/nuclear casein kinase and cyclin-dependent kinase substrate 1 cascade

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in various malignancies, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the function of hsa_circ_0001550 in CRC remains to be elucidated.

Methods

The expression levels of hsa_circ_0001550, microRNA (miR)‐4262, and nuclear casein kinase and cyclin‐dependent kinase substrate 1 (NUCKS1) were determined by real‐time qPCR. Cell biological behaviors were evaluated via colony formation assay, transwell assay, flow cytometry, and sphere formation assays. The target relationship was validated via dual‐luciferase reporter and RNA pull‐down assays. Protein expression was analyzed by western blot. Xenograft tumor model was adopted to evaluate hsa_circ_0001550 function in vivo.

Results

Hsa_circ_0001550 enrichment was enhanced in CRC tissue specimens and cell lines. Hsa_circ_0001550 absence hindered CRC cell proliferation, metastasis, stemness, and caused apoptosis. Hsa_circ_0001550 targeted miR‐4262, and hsa_circ_0001550 absence‐caused impacts were diminished by anti‐miR‐4262. MiR‐4262 targeted NUCKS1. Hsa_circ_0001550 had positive regulation on NUCKS1 expression. NUCKS1 overexpression overturned the influences of hsa_circ_0001550 silencingon CRC cell progression. Hsa_circ_0001550 interference notably blocked in vivo xenograft tumor growth.

Conclusion

Hsa_circ_0001550 facilitated CRC progression by binding to miR‐4262 to positively regulate NUCKS1 abundance.

Salidroside suppresses the activation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via targeting miR-4262/GRP78 axis

To study the effect of Salidroside on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and its mechanism. NPC cells were cultured, MTT was used to detect the effect of Salidroside on cell proliferation, apoptosis detected by flow cytometry assay, Western blot was used to detect the related protein expression. MiR-4262 and GRP78 used qRT-PCR for evaluation. Mimics/mimic NC and miR-4262 inhibitor/inhibitor NC were transfected into CNE2 and HONE1 cell lines, and cell viability was detected by MTT. Caspase-3, −8 and −9 activities were detected by caspase colorimetric assay kit. Targetscan predicted that downstream target of miR-4262. Relative luciferase activity was detected by luciferase assay. The effect of Salidroside on the growth of transplanted tumor in nude mice was observed. After Salidroside treatment, cell proliferation decreased and apoptosis increased, Bax protein expression increased and Bcl-2 decreased; miR-4262 expression level in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues was lower than that in adjacent tissues. GRP78 was the target of miR-4262 and downregulate the expression of miR-4262 in NPC cells can increase the expression of GRP78, and the expression of GRP78 decreased after upregulating the expression of miR-4262. Salidroside could inhibit the growth of NPC xenografts in nude mice. The level of Bax was increased and Bcl-2 was decreased in Salidroside group. Salidroside can significantly inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of NPC cells via regulating miR-4262/GRP78 signal axis.

Circ_0006948 Contributes to Cell Growth, Migration, Invasion and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Esophageal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can act as promoters or inhibitors in cancer progression. Has_circ_0006948 (circ_0006948) was reported to aggravate the malignant behaviors of esophageal carcinoma (EC).

AIMS

This study focused on investigating the molecular mechanism of circ_0006948 in EC progression.

METHODS

The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression of circ_0006948, microRNA-4262 (miR-4262) and fibronectin type III domain containing 3B (FNDC3B). Cell growth analysis was conducted by Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by transwell assay. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins and FNDC3B protein expression were assayed using western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were performed to validate the target combination. Xenograft tumor assay was used for investigating the role of circ_0006948 in vivo.

RESULTS

Circ_0006948 was upregulated in EC tissues and cells. Downregulating the expression of circ_0006948 or FNDC3B repressed cell growth, migration, invasion and EMT in EC cells. Target analysis indicated that miR-4262 was a target for circ_0006948 and FNDC3B was a downstream gene for miR-4262. Moreover, circ_0006948 could affect the expression of FNDC3B via sponging miR-4262. The effects of si-circ_0006948#1 on EC cells were partly restored by miR-4262 inhibition or FNDC3B overexpression. In addition, circ_0006948 also facilitated EC tumorigenesis in vivo by targeting the miR-4262/FNDC3B axis.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, circ_0006948 functioned as an oncogenic factor in EC by the miR-4262-mediated FNDC3B expression regulation.

CRNDE Contributes Cervical Cancer Progression by Regulating miR-4262/ZEB1 Axis

Background

Cervical cancer is a lethal gynecologic cancer in women. Long non-coding RNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (LncRNA CRNDE) was recognized as a significant oncogene in multiple cancers. However, the functional role of CRNDE in cervical cancer remains poorly explored.

Methods

The expression of CRNDE, microRNA-4262 (miR-4262) and zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) in cervical cancer tumors and cells was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Colony formation and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) were performed to detect cell viability. Flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay were conducted to evaluate cell apoptosis. The interaction between miR-4262 and CRNDE or ZEB1 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter system. Transwell assay was employed to evaluate cell migration and invasion. The relative protein expression was assessed by Western blot.

Results

CRNDE and ZEB1 were up-regulated, while miR-4262 was down-regulated in cervical cancer tissues and cells. We found that CRNDE sponged miR-4262 and ZEB1 was a target of miR-4262. In addition, miR-4262 inhibitor abolished CRNDE silencing-induced repression on cell proliferation, EMT, migration, invasion and promotion on cell apoptosis. Furthermore, ZEB1 rescued the effects of miR-4262 overexpression or CRNDE deletion on cervical cancer progression. Our data showed that CRNDE targeted miR-4262 to regulate ZEB1 expression in cervical cancer cells. Besides, CRNDE expedited cervical cancer progression through wnt/β-catenin pathway via sponging miR-4262 and altering ZEB1 expression.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated that CRNDE facilitated the progression of cervical cancer through activation of wnt/β-catenin pathway by regulating miR-4262/ZEB1 axis, representing a prospective targeted therapy for cervical cancer.

Long noncoding RNA LIFR-AS1 suppresses proliferation, migration and invasion and promotes apoptosis through modulating miR-4262/NF-κB pathway in glioma

AIM

This study aimed to explore the role of lncRNA leukemia inhibitory factor receptor antisense RNA 1 (LIFR-AS1) on glioma and its underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODS

The expression of LIFR-AS1 and miR-4262 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-RCR) in both glioma tissues and cell lines. Colony formation assay, 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry and transwell assay were respectively conducted to detect cell clones, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. The effect of LIFR-AS1 on the chemoresistance to temozolomide (TMZ) of glioma cells was also analyzed. In addition, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to evaluate the luciferase activity. The expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, p-NF-κB p65 and inhibitor of κBα (IκBα) in glioma cells were measured by western blot.

RESULTS

LIFR-AS1 was lowly expressed and miR-4262 was highly expressed in glioma tissues and cell lines. LIFR-AS1 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis of glioma cells. LIFR-AS1 overexpression also reduced the chemoresistance to TMZ of glioma cells. Moreover, LIFR-AS1 overexpression suppressed the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in glioma cells. miR-4262 was the target gene of LIFR-AS1. We also found that miR-4262 abrogated the functions of LIFR-AS1 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of glioma cells in the NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSION

LIFR-AS1 could suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion and promote the apoptosis through modulating miR-4262/NF-κB pathway in glioma.

Mechanism underlying the significant role of the miR-4262/SIRT1 axis in children with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe chronic and recurrent gastrointestinal disease. In total, >2 million individuals worldwide have been diagnosed with IBD, including ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD) and indeterminate colitis. There is accumulating evidence to indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are involved in the development and progression of IBD. miR-4262, an underlying promoter in tumor diseases, has been reported to regulate inflammatory responses. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the role of miR-4262 in IBD remain unknown. The present study attempted to explore the role and mechanisms of miR-4262 in IBD. Firstly, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-4262 in 30 IBD colonic mucosa tissues, 30 normal tissues, 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated Caco-2 cells and normal cells. It was demonstrated that the expression levels of miR-4262 in IBD colonic mucosa tissues and 2% DSS-stimulated Caco-2 cells were markedly higher compared with those in the control groups. Target gene prediction databases and dual-luciferase reporter assays were then used, and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) was identified as a target gene of miR-4262. Furthermore, the levels of SIRT1 in 2% DSS-stimulated Caco-2 cells and IBD colonic mucosa tissues were suppressed compared with the corresponding control groups. In addition, it was observed that miR-4262 negatively regulated SIRT1 expression in Caco-2 cells. Thereafter, Caco-2 cells were treated with inhibitor control, miR-4262 inhibitor, control-siRNA or SIRT1-siRNA for 48 h, followed by 2% DSS treatment for 4 days. The secretion of inflammatory factors was analyzed via ELISA and RT-qPCR. MTT assay, flow cytometry and western blot analysis were performed to assess cell viability, apoptosis and NF-κB signaling pathway-related protein levels, respectively. The results indicated that DSS enhanced the inflammatory response, suppressed cell viability and promoted cell apoptosis, and this was decreased following transfection with an miR-4262 inhibitor. In addition, 2% DSS upregulated p-p65 expression and enhanced the ratio of p-p65/p65, while the miR-4246 inhibitor exerted an opposite effect. All the effects of miR-4262 inhibitor on Caco-2 cells were eliminated following transfection with SIRT1-siRNA. It was thus concluded that miR-4262 may serve a role in the progression of IBD via targeting SIRT1, and miR-4262/SIRT1 may represent a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.

MicroRNA-105 plays an independent prognostic role in esophageal cancer and acts as an oncogene

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer is a common tumor with high mortality worldwide. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic significance and regulatory effects of miR-105 on cellular functions of esophageal cancer cells.

METHODS

The expression level of miR-105 was analyzed in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines by qRT-PCR. Survival analysis was carried out using the Kaplan-Meier and the prognostic significance of miR-105 was analyzed with Cox regression analysis. The effects of miR-105 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were detected with cellular experiments.

RESULTS

We found that miR-105 was significantly upregulated in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines, compared with the control group, respectively. Moreover, overexpression of miR-105 was significantly associated with positive lymph node metastasis, advanced TNM stage, and poor overall survival. In addition, overexpression of miR-105 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in esophageal cancer cells, while downregulation of miR-105 suppressed these cellular behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that a higher level of miR-105 predicts poorer prognosis in esophageal cancer patients, and miR-105 can promote esophageal cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

CircAGFG1 drives metastasis and stemness in colorectal cancer by modulating YY1/CTNNB1

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy with high occurrence and mortality worldwide. In recent years, the overall survival rate of CRC patients has been improved because of the advances in early diagnosis and therapy. However, the prognosis of CRC patients at the advanced stage is still poor due to high recurrence rate and metastasis. The function of circular RNA (circRNA) ArfGAP with FG repeats 1 (circAGFG1) has been explored in non-small-cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. Nevertheless, its role in CRC is not clear. In this study, circAGFG1 was upregulated in CRC cell lines. CircAGFG1 silencing significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness, while promoted cell apoptosis in CRC. Meanwhile, we found that circAGFG1 also accelerated CRC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Importantly, circAGFG1 activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway through regulating CTNNB1. Afterwards, YY1 was found to transcriptionally activate CTNNB1. Furthermore, circAGFG1 directly sponged miR-4262 and miR-185-5p to upregulate YY1 expression. Eventually, rescue assays demonstrated that the effect of circAGFG1 silencing on CRC cell functions was observably reversed by upregulating YY1 or CTNNB1. In brief, our findings uncovered that circAGFG1 modulated YY1/CTNNB1 axis to drive metastasis and stemness in CRC by sponging miR-4262 and miR-185-5p.

Abnormal increase of miR-4262 promotes cell proliferation and migration by targeting large tumor suppressor 1 in gliomas

BACKGROUND

miRNA was recently detected as tumor suppressor or inducer in various cancers including gliomas. Due to the abnormal expression of miR-4262 in glioma cancer, we supposed that miR-4262 made efforts in proliferation and migration in glioma cancer.

METHODS

CCK-8, Transwell migration Assay and Wound-healing assay were appraisal assays for cell proliferation and migration. qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to test the expression of miR-4262, MMP2, MMP13 and LATS1 in glioma cancers tissues and cancer cells. The targeting detection between miR-4262 and LATS1 was detected by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

miR-4262 expression was dramatically higher in glioma tumor tissues than in para-tumor control. Inhibition of miR-4262 in glioma cancer cells prominently inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Mechanically, downregulation of miR-4262 inhibited expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2, -13. In addition, miR-4262 directly and negatively modulated expression of large tumor suppressor 1 (LATS1). Moreover, we discovered that overexpression of LATS1 could reverse the effects of miR-4262 on cell proliferation and migration, as well as the production of MMP-2, -13.

CONCLUSIONS

In glioma cancer, miR-4262 regulated cell proliferation and migration mediated by LATS1. This indicated that miR-4262 is a tumor inducer in glioma cancer and may be a feasible target for glioma therapy.