Clinical significance of miR-195 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its biological function in tumor progression

Circulating microRNAs as promising diagnostic biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is a major global health problem, ranking as the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early identification and diagnosis of HCC requires the discovery of reliable biomarkers. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of miRNAs for HCC. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO website with the registration number CRD42023417494. Method: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Wiley Online Library, and Science Direct databases to identify pertinent articles published between 2018 and 30 July 2023. Stata 17.0 software was employed to determine the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) for evaluating the accuracy of miRNAs in diagnosing HCC. The assessment of heterogeneity among studies involved the use of the Cochran-Q test and I2 statistic tests. Due to the observed significant heterogeneity, the random-effect model was chosen. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis were also undertaken to explore potential sources contributing to heterogeneity. Deeks' funnel plot was used to assess publication bias. In addition, Fagan's nomogram and likelihood ratio scattergram were utilized to assess the clinical validity of miRNAs for HCC. Result: Twenty-four articles were included, involving 1,668 individuals diagnosed with HCC and 1,236 healthy individuals. The findings revealed pooled sensitivity of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80-0.88), specificity of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77-0.84), PLR of 4.36 (95% CI: 3.59-5.30), NLR of 0.19 (95% CI: 0.15-0.25), DOR of 22.47 (95% CI: 14.47-32.64), and an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86-0.91) for the diagnosis of HCC using miRNAs. Furthermore, results from the subgroup analysis demonstrated that superior diagnostic performance was observed when utilizing plasma miRNAs, a large sample size (≥100), and miRNA panels. Conclusion: Hence, circulating miRNAs demonstrate substantial diagnostic utility for HCC and can serve as effective non-invasive biomarkers for the condition. Additionally, miRNA panels, miRNAs derived from plasma, and miRNAs evaluated in larger sample sizes (≥100) demonstrate enhanced diagnostic efficacy for HCC diagnosis. Nevertheless, a large pool of prospective studies and multi-center research will be required to confirm our findings in the near future.

The microRNA-195-5p/hnRNP A1 axis contributes to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the migration of cancer cells

Dysregulation of gene expression is critical for the progression of cancer. The augmented expression of hnRNP A1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been related to its oncogenic functions. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for upregulation of hnRNP A1 have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we identified microRNA-195-5p (miR-195-5p), a miRNA downregulated in HCC, as a novel regulator governing hnRNP A1 expression. Notably, our investigations showed an inverse correlation between hnRNP A1 level, which was increased in HCC, and miR-195-5p level, which was decreased. Our findings demonstrated that hnRNP A1 significantly enhanced the migration and invasion of PLC/PRF/5 cells through its association with mRNAs regulating metastasis. MiR-195-5p also interfered with the hnRNP A1-mediated cell migration by targeting hnRNP A1. Our results underscore the significance of the miR-195-5p/hnRNP A1 axis in regulating the migratory potential of cancer cells and its role in promoting HCC by orchestrating cell migration processes.

Circulating MicroRNAs: Diagnostic Value as Biomarkers in the Detection of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a metabolic-related disorder, is the most common cause of chronic liver disease which, if left untreated, can progress from simple steatosis to advanced fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the leading cause of hepatic damage globally. Currently available diagnostic modalities for NAFLD and hepatocellular carcinoma are mostly invasive and of limited precision. A liver biopsy is the most widely used diagnostic tool for hepatic disease. But due to its invasive procedure, it is not practicable for mass screening. Thus, noninvasive biomarkers are needed to diagnose NAFLD and HCC, monitor disease progression, and determine treatment response. Various studies indicated that serum miRNAs could serve as noninvasive biomarkers for both NAFLD and HCC diagnosis because of their association with different histological features of the disease. Although microRNAs are promising and clinically useful biomarkers for hepatic diseases, larger standardization procedures and studies are still required.

Nanobubble-mediated co-delivery of Ce6 and miR-195 for synergized sonodynamic and checkpoint blockade combination therapy with elicitation of robust immune response in hepatocellular carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) is the tiny and highly conserved noncoding RNAs, regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by binding to the 3'-UTR of target mRNAs. Several studies found that miR-195 plays an unavoidable role in the regulation of cell proliferation, cycle and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we constructed miR-195 and Chlorine e6 (Ce6) co-loading NBs (nanobubbles), making use of NBs as carriers to deliver miR-195 and Ce6 to mouse tumor models. Our results showed that the binding between PD-1 and PD-L1 was blocked by upregulating miR-195 expression. The analysis of CTL (Cytotoxic T Cell) immune activity in the treatment group was higher than the control group. Simultaneously, Ce6 was used as sonosensitizer to induce SDT (sonodynamic therapy) and trigger ICD (immunogenic cell death) of tumor cell via generation of ROS. Recent studies have found that ICD may further enhance anti-tumor immunity against PD-L1. Results indicated that combination treatment effectively stimulated infiltration of T cell and the activation of natural killer (NK) cells as well as the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), and the combination treatment group exibited the highest CTL killing activity. These results indicate that a stronger antitumor immunity was triggered via combination of SDT-induced tumor cell ICD and immune checkpoint blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 mediated by upregulation of miR-195. In conclusion, we have successfully constructed an efficient delivery system with great potential to provide a new strategy for synergistic immunotherapy.

Blood Circulating Non-Coding RNAs for the Clinical Management of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, and is related to unfavorable prognosis and limited treatment strategies. Currently, there is a lack of reliable biomarkers allowing for the clinical management of TNBC. This is probably caused by a complex molecular background, leading to the development and establishment of a unique tumor phenotype. Recent studies have reported non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) not only as the most promising class of molecular agents with a high applicability to manage human cancers, including TNBC, but also as robust and non-invasive biomarkers that are able to be monitored in blood circulation, with the application of liquid biopsy. There is a lack of papers discussing the role of blood-circulating ncRNAs as diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic biomarkers for TNBC. In this paper, we summarized the available literature reports on the utility of blood-circulating ncRNAs for TNBC management. Additionally, we supplemented this review by bioinformatics analysis, for better understanding of the role of ncRNAs' machinery in the development of a unique TNBC phenotype.

Diagnostic value of RNA for hepatocellular carcinoma: a network meta-analysis

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of RNA in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A systematic review was conducted from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Web of Science databases via well-designed retrieval strategy. Subsequently, the network meta-analysis was performed by the STATA software. Results: Through statistical analysis, the three hypotheses of the network meta-analysis were established. In view of these hypotheses, the diagnostic efficacy of the three markers in HCC (HCC vs healthy people) may be consistent, and the cumulative ranking results showed such a trend: circular RNA >long noncoding RNA >microRNA. Conclusion: Circular RNA may be most effective for diagnosing HCC across the three types of RNA.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Potential of a Plasma Exosomal miRNAs Panel for Gastric Cancer

Purpose

Gastric cancer (GC) is often difficult to diagnose early in the disease and remains one of the most frequently occurring malignancies. This investigation looks at the diagnostic potential of a specific plasma exosomal miRNAs panel for GC.

Methods

This study analyzed 216 individual peripheral blood samples. 2 GEO datasets were analyzed and two miRNAs were selected - plasma exosomal miR-195-5p and miR-211-5p. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT–PCR) was used to assess relative expressions and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic efficiency of miR-195-5p and miR-211-5p panel. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the prognostic value of plasma exosomal miR-195-5p and miR-211-5p.

Results

GC patients possessed notably raised plasma levels of exosomal miR-195-5p and miR-211-5p. The area under ROC curves (AUCs) of miR-195-5p, miR-211-5p were 0.745, 0.798 in the screening phase and 0.762, 0.798 in the training stage respectively. GC was able to be diagnosed more accurately when both miRNAs were interpreted together (AUC=0.820 in the validation stage). Poorer prognosis was observed in GC patients who had plasma exosomal miR-195-5p and miR-211-5p of higher levels. In vitro experiments also confirmed that miR-195-5p and miR-211-5p is able to be transmitted between cells, and works to enhance tumor invasion, migration and proliferation while inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Conclusion

Plasma exosomal miR-195-5p and miR-211-5p may become potential biomarkers for GC diagnosis, and may be useful in predicting tumor phenotype.

MicroRNA-596 is epigenetically inactivated and suppresses prostatic cancer cell growth and migration via regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling

OBJECTIVES

Although studies have reported that miR-596 extensively participates in multiple cancer progression, the biological mechanisms and effects of miR-596 in prostatic cancer remain unclear. The literature is aimed to reveal the function and possible molecular mechanisms of miR-596 in prostatic cancer carcinogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

qRT-PCR was applied to examine miR-596 expression in prostatic cancer cell lines and samples, also methylation-specific PCR was used to detect the methylation status of the promoter CpG islands in prostatic cancer samples. Meanwhile, the tumor-related effects of miR-596 were detected via cell viability, clone formation assay, migration assay, flow cytometric and AO/EB assay. qRT-PCR and Western blots were applied to investigate the function of miR-596 on malignant behavior in prostatic cancer cells.

RESULTS

We found that miR-596 mRNA was decreased in prostatic cancer samples and cell lines. miR-596 mRNA level was also correlated to cancer stage, Gleason scores, while miR-596 promoter methylation was related to cancer tumor stage, Gleason score and preoperative PSA levels. miR-596 inhibited the cell growth and activity by causing cell apoptosis, and also suppressed the migration of prostatic cancer cells by revealing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. In addition, Western blot indicates that miR-596 overexpression deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, by restraining phosphorylation levels of β-catenin and expression levels of downstream targets.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this research indicates that miR-596 overexpression could be potentially useful in the cell growth and migration of prostatic cancer and serves as a potential molecular marker in prostatic cancer.

microRNA-195 Promotes Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Apoptosis via Inhibiting Rap2C Protein-Dependent MAPK Signal Transduction

This study aimed to explore the influences of microRNA-195 (miRNA-195)/Rap2C/MAPK in the proliferation and apoptosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. QRT-PCR analysis were executed to evaluate miRNA-195 expression in lung cancer tissues and SCLC cells, and the western blot was implemented to monitor Rap2C protein level and uncovered whether the MAPK signaling pathway in lung cancer tissues and SCLC cells was activated. The CCK-8 experiment was performed to detect cell proliferation ability, and the flow cytometry was utilized to examine cell apoptosis level. Luciferase reporter gene system was executed to disclose the interaction between miRNA-195 and Rap2C. Subcutaneous implantation mouse models of SCLC cells were constructed to detect cell proliferation in vivo, and Kaplan-Meier method calculated patient survival. The expression of Rap2C was higher in lung cancer tissues and SCLC cells than in normal tissues and cells, while the expression of miRNA-195 was lower in lung cancer tissues and SCLC cells than in normal tissues and cells. miRNA-195 lower expression predicted showed reduced overall survival in lung cancer patients. Further loss of function and enhancement experiments revealed that miRNA-195 overexpression could significantly inhibit SCLC cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis by upregulation of Bax and down-regulation of bcl-2; Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miRNA-195 could bind to Rap2C mRNA and inhibit its expression, Rap2C overexpression also related to the poorer prognosis of lung patients. Knockdown of Rap2C suppressed cell proliferation and expedited apoptosis. In addition, overexpression of Rap2C reversed miRNA-195-induced apoptosis and proliferation inhibition. Furthermore, miRNA195 prohibited the activation of MAPK signaling pathway by down-regulating Rap2C. These consequences indicated that miRNA-195 promotes the apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells via inhibiting Rap2C protein-dependent MAPK signal transduction

Demethylation of miR-195 suppresses prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent cancer among men and the second leading cause of tumor-associated deaths worldwide, with increasing incidence rates over the last 10 years. Recently, miR-195 was reported to be hypermethylated at its promoter CpG island and down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the function of miR-195 and the underlying mechanisms in PCa remain unknown. Here, we report that a significant down-regulation of microRNA-195 (miR-195) in PCa tissues and cell lines was associated with promoter methylation status. Overexpression of miR-195 significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (increased E-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin) in PCa cells. We further demonstrated that transfection with a miR-195 inhibitor reversed the inhibitory effect of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine on the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of PCa cells. In summary, our findings suggest that miR-195 may function as a crucial tumor suppressor in PCa.

The Diagnostic Value of MicroRNAs as a Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Recently, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in diagnosing cancer has been attracted increasing attention. However, few miRNAs have been applied in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of miRNAs for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at early stages clinically.

METHODS

A literature search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. We explored the diagnostic value of miRNAs in distinguishing HCC from healthy individuals. The quality assessment was performed in Review Manager 5.3 software. The overall sensitivity and specificity and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained with random-effects models through Stata 14.0 software. And heterogeneity was assessed using Q test and I 2 statistics. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted based on the sample, nation, quality of studies, and miRNA profiling. The publication bias was evaluated through Deeks' funnel plot.

RESULTS

A total of 34 studies, involving in 2747 HCC patients and 2053 healthy individuals, met the inclusion criteria in the 33 included literature studies. In the summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve, AUC was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.90-0.94), with 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79-0.88) sensitivity and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.83-0.90) specificity. There was no publication bias (P=0.48).

CONCLUSION

miRNAs in vivo can be acted as a potential diagnostic biomarker for HCC, which can facilitate the early diagnosis of HCC in clinical practice.

MicroRNA-769-3p inhibits tumor progression in glioma by suppressing ZEB2 and inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Accumulating evidence suggests the crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical and functional roles of miR-769-3p in glioma, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the expression levels of miR-769-3p in glioma tissues and cells. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to calculate the diagnostic value of miR-769-3p. The 5-year survival rate of patients was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis. Cell experiments were used to investigate the functional role of miR-769-3p in glioma. The gene target of miR-769-3p was predicted by TargetScan. Changes in the levels of Wnt signaling-related proteins were measured by western blotting. miR-769-3p was significantly downregulated in glioma tissues and serum, as well as in glioma cell lines (P<0.001). miR-769-3p expression was significantly associated with the World Health Organization grade and Karnofsky performance score. The ROC curves demonstrated that serum miR-769-3p level reliably distinguished patients with glioma from healthy individuals. High tissue miR-769-3p expression predicted poor overall survival in patients with glioma (log-rank P=0.001) and was identified as an independent prognostic factor. In addition, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) was demonstrated to be a direct target of miR-769-3p in glioma cells using a luciferase assay. miR-769-3p upregulation suppressed the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in glioma cells. In conclusion, miR-769-3p may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with glioma and target ZEB2 to inhibit tumor progression via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. miR-769-3p may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of glioma.

miR-1249-3p accelerates the malignancy phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma by directly targeting HNRNPK

Background

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated to play crucial roles in carcinogenesis. miR‐1249‐3p was reported to be abnormally expressed in multiple human cancers. However, its biological role and the associated underlying mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown.

Methods

miR‐1249‐3p expression level in HCC cell lines and normal cell line was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. Role of miR‐1249‐3p on HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion was examined by cell counting kit‐8 assay, colony formation assay, and transwell invasion assay, respectively. Luciferase activity reporter assay and western blot were performed to validate whether heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) was a direct target of miR‐1249‐3p. Effect of miR‐1249‐3p on overall survival of HCC patients was analyzed at KM Plotter website.

Results

We found miR‐1249‐3p expression level was increased, while HNRNPK expression level was decreased in HCC cell lines compared with normal cell line. Knockdown miR‐1249‐3p expression inhibits HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell invasion through regulating HNRNPK in vitro. We also showed high miR‐1249‐3p expression was a predictor for poor overall survival of HCC patients.

Conclusions

These findings about miR‐1249‐3p/HNRNPK pair provide a novel therapeutic method for HCC patients.

A Noninvasive Prediction Nomogram for Lymph Node Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Serum Long Noncoding RNAs

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is common in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In order to intervene HCC LNM in advance, we developed a prediction nomogram based on serum long noncoding RNA (lncRNA).

METHODS

Serum samples from 242 HCC patients were gathered and randomly enrolled into the training and validation cohorts. LncRNAs screened out from microarray were quantified with qRT-PCR. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied for screening independent risk factors. A prediction nomogram was ultimately developed for HCC LNM. The nomogram was estimated by discrimination and calibration tests in the validation cohort. The effects of the candidate lncRNA on the malignant phenotypes of HCC cells were further explored by wound healing assay and colony formation assay.

RESULTS

ENST00000418803, lnc-ZNF35-4:1, lnc-EPS15L1-2:1, BCLC stage, and vascular invasion were selected as components of the nomogram according to the adjusted multivariate analysis. The nomogram effectively predicted the HCC LNM risk among the cohorts with suitable calibration fittings and displayed high discrimination with C-index of 0.89 and 0.85. Moreover, the abnormally high expression of lnc-EPS15L1-2:1 in HCC cell lines showed significant carcinogenic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The noninvasive nomogram may provide more diagnostic basis for treatments of HCC. The biomarkers identified can bring new clues to basic researches.

miR-632 Functions as Oncogene in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Targeting MYCT1

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been widely recognized as crucial regulators for tumorigenesis. However, the role of miR-632 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. miR-632 expression in HCC cell lines was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The role of miR-632 expression on overall survival of HCC patients was examined on the Kaplan-Meier plotter Web site. The dual luciferase reporter method was performed to investigate whether myc target 1 (MYCT1) was a target of miR-632. Cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, and Transwell invasion assay were performed to examine cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell invasion of HCC cells. The results showed miR-632 expression was elevated in HCC cell lines compared to normal cell lines. Loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that miR-632 downregulation was able to inhibit HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell invasion. Moreover, miR-632 could negatively regulate the expression of MYCT1 in HCC cells. Importantly, the study showed miR-632 and MYCT1 were negatively correlated by analyzing the public data sets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Knockdown of MYCT1 by small interfering RNA partially reversed the effects of miR-632 on HCC cell events. The present study suggests that miR-632 regulates growth and invasion of HCC cells through targeting MYCT1.