miR-152-3p Sensitizes Glioblastoma Cells Towards Cisplatin Via Regulation Of SOS1

miRNA-660-3p inhibits malignancy in glioblastoma via negative regulation of APOC1-TGFβ2 signaling pathway

Glioblastoma as the most common and aggressive central nervous system tumor in adults. Its prognosis and therapeutic outcome are poor due to the limited understanding of its molecular mechanism. Apolipoprotein C-1 (APOC1) as a member of the apolipoprotein family that acts as a tumor promoter in various cancers. MicroRNA (miRNA) can silence gene expression and suppress tumor progression. However, the role of APOC1 and its upstream miRNA has not been explored in glioblastoma. Two glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251) were used to explore the role of APOC1 and its upstream miRNA-660-3p in glioblastoma tumorigenesis in vitro. Cells with APOC1/miRNA-660-3p overexpression or knockdown were assessed for their proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and tumorigenesis in vivo. Gene and protein expression was assessed by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation was assessed by the MTT assay and the EdU and Ki67 staining. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by the transwell assay. Tumorigenesis in vivo was assessed in U87 cells with a xenograft mouse model. APOC1 was overexpressed in glioblastoma compared with normal peritumoral tissue and was inversely related to patient prognosis. APOC1 overexpression promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. APOC1 inhibition reduced tumor growth in vivo. miRNA-660-3p inhibits tumorigenesis by directly targeting APOC1. Mechanistically, APOC1 drives the malignancy of glioblastoma by activating the TGFβ2 signaling pathway. miRNA-660-3p suppresses tumorigenesis by targeting APOC1. Therefore, miRNA-660-3p/APOC1 axis can serve as potential intervention targets in managing glioblastoma progression.

Platinum-Based Nanoformulations for Glioblastoma Treatment: The Resurgence of Platinum Drugs?

Current therapies for treating Glioblastoma (GB), and brain tumours in general, are inefficient and represent numerous challenges. In addition to surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are presently used as standards of care. However, treated patients still face a dismal prognosis with a median survival below 15-18 months. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the main chemotherapeutic agent administered; however, intrinsic or acquired resistance to TMZ contributes to the limited efficacy of this drug. To circumvent the current drawbacks in GB treatment, a large number of classical and non-classical platinum complexes have been prepared and tested for anticancer activity, especially platinum (IV)-based prodrugs. Platinum complexes, used as alkylating agents in the anticancer chemotherapy of some malignancies, are though often associated with severe systemic toxicity (i.e., neurotoxicity), especially after long-term treatments. The objective of the current developments is to produce novel nanoformulations with improved lipophilicity and passive diffusion, promoting intracellular accumulation, while reducing toxicity and optimizing the concomitant treatment of chemo-/radiotherapy. Moreover, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents the access of the drugs to the brain and accumulation in tumour cells, so it represents a key challenge for GB management. The development of novel nanomedicines with the ability to (i) encapsulate Pt-based drugs and pro-drugs, (ii) cross the BBB, and (iii) specifically target cancer cells represents a promising approach to increase the therapeutic effect of the anticancer drugs and reduce undesired side effects. In this review, a critical discussion is presented concerning different families of nanoparticles able to encapsulate platinum anticancer drugs and their application for GB treatment, emphasizing their potential for increasing the effectiveness of platinum-based drugs.

ELF1 suppresses autophagy to reduce cisplatin resistance via the miR-152-3p/NCAM1/ERK axis in lung cancer cells

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs limits the efficacy of chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Autophagy is an essential mechanism which involves in drug resistance. Our previous research has revealed that miR-152-3p represses NSCLC progression. However, the mechanism of miR-152-3p in autophagy-mediated chemoresistance in NSCLC remains unclear. Cisplatin-resistant cell lines (A549/DDP and H446/DDP) were transfected with related vectors and subjected to cisplatin, autophagy inhibitor, activator, or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activator. Flow cytometry, CCK8 and colony formation assays were performed for testing apoptosis and cell viability. The related RNAs or proteins were detected by qRT-PCR or Western blot. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation were used for validating the interaction between miR-152-3p and ELF1 or NCAM1. Co-IP verified the binding between NCAM1 and ERK. The role of miR-152-3p in cisplatin resistance of NSCLC was also validated in vivo. The results showed that miR-152-3p and ELF1 were decreased in NSCLC tissues. miR-152-3p reversed cisplatin resistance by inhibiting autophagy through NCAM1. NCAM1 promoted autophagy through the ERK pathway and facilitated cisplatin resistance. ELF1 positively regulated miR-152-3p level by directly interacting with miR-152-3p promoter. miR-152-3p targeted NCAM1 to regulate NCAM1 level and then affected the binding of NCAM1 to ERK1/2. ELF1 inhibited autophagy and reversed cisplatin resistance through miR-152-3p/NCAM1. miR-152-3p inhibited autophagy and cisplatin resistance of xenograft tumor in mice. In conclusion, our study revealed that ELF1 inhibited autophagy to attenuate cisplatin resistance through the miR-152-3p/NCAM1/ERK pathway in H446/DDP and A549/DDP cells, suggesting a potential novel treatment strategy for NSCLC.

Dual role of quercetin in enhancing the efficacy of cisplatin in chemotherapy and protection against its side effects: a review

Chemotherapy has opened a new window in cancer therapy. However, the resistance of cancer cells has dramatically reduced the efficacy of chemotherapy. Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent and its potential in cancer therapy has been restricted by resistance of cancer cells. As a consequence, the scientists have attempted to find new strategies in elevating chemotherapy efficacy. Due to great anti-tumour activity, naturally occurring compounds are of interest in polychemotherapy. Quercetin is a flavonoid with high anti-tumour activity against different cancers that can be used with cisplatin to enhance its efficacy and also are seen to sensitise cancer cells into chemotherapy. Furthermore, cisplatin has side effects such as nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Administration of quercetin is advantageous in reducing the adverse effects of cisplatin without compromising its anti-tumour activity. In this review, we investigate the dual role of quercetin in enhancing anti-tumour activity of cisplatin and simultaneous reduction in its adverse effects.

Long non-coding RNA OIP5-AS1 inhibition upregulates microRNA-129-5p to repress resistance to temozolomide in glioblastoma cells via downregulating IGF2BP2

OBJECTIVE

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs (miRNAs) participate in tumors, while the effects of lncRNA OIP5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) and miR-129-5p on glioblastoma (GBM) remain to be further studied. We aim to explore the role of OIP5-AS1/miR-129-5p/insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) axis in GBM progression.

METHODS

OIP5-AS1, miR-129-5p and IGF2BP2 expression in tissues was determined. Temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant GBM cells were established and transfected with relative plasmid to alter OIP5-AS1, IGF2BP2 or miR-129-5p expression. Then, the viability, proliferation, apoptosis and in vivo tumor growth were assessed. The subcellular localization of OIP5-AS1 was determined, and the binding relationships between OIP5-AS1 and miR-129-5p, and between miR-129-5p and IGF2BP2 were confirmed.

RESULTS

OIP5-AS1 and IGF2BP2 were upregulated whereas miR-129-5p was downregulated in GBM. OIP5-AS1 silencing or miR-129-5p overexpression inhibited GBM cell chemoresistance to TMZ and proliferation, and promoted cell apoptosis. MiR-129-5p downregulation or IGF2BP2 upregulation reversed the role of OIP5-AS1 silencing on GBM cells. OIP5-AS1 sponged miR-129-5p and miR-129-5p targeted IGF2BP2.

CONCLUSION

OIP5-AS1 inhibition upregulated miR-129-5p to repress resistance to TMZ in GBM cells via downregulating IGF2BP2.

MicroRNA-485-5p inhibits glioblastoma progression by suppressing E2F transcription factor 1 under cisplatin treatment

Cisplatin (CDDP) has been widely used for glioblastoma treatment. miR-485-5p and E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) dysfunction has been reported in glioblastoma. Nonetheless, whether CDDP affects glioblastoma progression via the miR-485-5p-E2F1 axis requires investigation. The expression of miR-485-5p and E2F1 was investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or western blotting in glioblastoma tissues and cell lines. The interaction between miR-485-5p and E2F1 was confirmed using a luciferase assay. The malignancy of glioblastoma was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), cell adhesion, flow cytometry, and transwell assays. We identified miR-485-5p downregulation and E2F1 upregulation in glioblastoma, and miR-485-5p inhibited cell growth and elevated cell apoptosis in glioblastoma cells after CDDP treatment. Moreover, miR-485-5p targeting E2F1 repressed cell growth and improved cell apoptosis in glioblastoma cells after CDDP treatment. Our study revealed that CDDP retarded glioblastoma cell development via the miR-485-5p-E2F1 axis, which may be a new direction for glioblastoma therapy.

Glioblastoma and MiRNAs

Glioblastoma (GB) is one of the most common types of lethal brain tumors. Although several treatment options are available including surgery, along with adjuvant chemo and radiotherapy, the disease has a poor prognosis and patients generally die within 14 months of diagnosis. GB is chemo and radio resistant. Thus, there is a critical need for new insights into GB treatment to increase the chance of therapeutic success. This is why microRNA (miRNA) is being potentially considered in the diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma. The objective of our review is to provide a holistic picture of GB up-regulated and down-regulated miRNA, in relationship with the expression of other genes, cell signaling pathways, and their role in GB diagnosis and treatment. MiRNA treatment is being considered to be used against GB together with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Moreover, the use of miRNA as a diagnostic tool has also begun. Knowing that miRNAs are isolated in almost all human body fluids and that there are more than 3000 miRNAs in the human genome, plus the fact that each miRNA controls hundreds of different mRNAs, there is still much study needed to explore how miRNAs relate to GB for its proliferation, progression, and inhibition.

MicroRNA signature in liver cancer

Liver cancer is the 7^th utmost frequent neoplasm and the 4^th principal source of cancer deaths. This malignancy is linked with several environmental and lifestyle-related factors emphasizing the role of epigenetics in its pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been regarded as potent epigenetic mechanisms partaking in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been related with poor outcome of patients with liver cancer. In the current manuscript, we provide a concise review of the results of recent studies about the role of miRNAs in the progression of liver cancer and their diagnostic and prognostic utility.

LncRNAs and miRNAs participate in determination of sensitivity of cancer cells to cisplatin

Cisplatin is an extensively used chemotherapeutic substance for various types of human malignancies including sarcomas, carcinomas and lymphomas. Yet, the vast application of this drug is hampered by the emergence of chemoresistance in some treated patients. Several mechanisms such as degradation of the membrane transporters by cisplatin have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this event. Recent researches have also indicated the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as well as micoRNAs (miRNAs) in the emergence of resistance to cisplatin in several cancer types. For instance, up-regulation of miR-21 has been associated with resistance to this agent in ovarian cancer, oral squamous cell cancer, gastric malignancy and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). On the other hand, down-regulation of miR-218 has been implicated in emergence of chemoresistance in breast cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. MALAT1 is implicated in the chemoresistance of bladder cancer cells, NSCLC, gastric cancer and cervical cancer. Most notably, the expression profile of resistance-associated miRNAs and lncRNAs can predict overall survival of cancer patients. Mechanistic assays have revealed that interference with expression of some miRNAs and lncRNAs can reverse the resistance phenotype in cancer cells. In this paper, we review the scientific writings on the role of lncRNAs and miRNAs in the evolution of chemoresistance to cisplatin in cancer cells.

Integrative p53, micro-RNA and Cathepsin Protease Co-Regulatory Expression Networks in Cancer

Simple Summary

This article describes an emerging area of significant interest in cancer and cell death and the relationships shared by these through the transcriptional regulation of cathepsin protease genes by micro-RNAs that are connected to p53 activation. While it has been demonstrated that the p53 protein can directly regulate some cathepsin genes and the expression of their upstream regulatory micro-RNAs, very little is known about what input the p53 isoform proteins may have in regulating this relationship. Herein, we draw attention to this important regulatory aspect in the context of describing mechanisms that are being established for the micro-RNA regulation of cathepsin protease genes and their collective use in diagnostic or prognostic assays.

Abstract

As the direct regulatory role of p53 and some of its isoform proteins are becoming established in modulating gene expression in cancer research, another aspect of this mode of gene regulation that has captured significant interest over the years is the mechanistic interplay between p53 and micro-RNA transcriptional regulation. The input of this into modulating gene expression for some of the cathepsin family members has been viewed as carrying noticeable importance based on their biological effects during normal cellular homeostasis and cancer progression. While this area is still in its infancy in relation to general cathepsin gene regulation, we review the current p53-regulated micro-RNAs that are generating significant interest through their regulation of cathepsin proteases, thereby strengthening the link between activated p53 forms and cathepsin gene regulation. Additionally, we extend our understanding of this developing relationship to how such micro-RNAs are being utilized as diagnostic or prognostic tools and highlight their future uses in conjunction with cathepsin gene expression as potential biomarkers within a clinical setting.

DNMT1 maintains the methylation of miR-152-3p to regulate TMSB10 expression, thereby affecting the biological characteristics of colorectal cancer cells

Objective

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) take on a relevant role in epigenetic control of cancer proliferation and cell survival. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of DNA methylation in human cancer remain to be fully elucidated. This study was to investigate that how DNMT1 affected the biological characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells via modulating methylation of microRNA (miR)‐152‐3p and thymosin β 10 (TMSB10) expression.

Methods

DNMT1, miR‐152‐3p, and TMSB10 expression, and the methylation of miR‐152‐3p in CRC tissues and cells were detected. SW‐480 and HCT‐116 CRC cells were transfected with DNMT1 or miR‐152‐3p‐related sequences or plasmids to explore their characters in biological functions of CRC cells. The binding relationship between DNMT1 and miR‐152‐3p and the targeting relationship between miR‐152‐3p and TMSB10 were analyzed. The tumor growth was also detected in vivo.

Results

Upregulated DNMT1, TMSB10, reduced miR‐152‐3p, and methylated miR‐152‐3p were detected in CRC tissues and cells. Silenced DNMT1 or upregulated miR‐152‐3p reduced TMSB10 expression and suppressed CRC progression and tumor growth. Moreover, elevated DNMT1 could reverse the effect of miR‐152‐3p upregulation on CRC development and tumor growth. DNMT1 maintained methylation of miR‐152‐3p. TMSB10 was the direct target gene of miR‐152‐3p.

Conclusion

The study highlights that silenced DNMT1 results in non‐methylated miR‐152‐3p to depress TMSB10 expression, thereby inhibiting CRC development, which provides a new approach for CRC therapy.

Association of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) with Cisplatin Resistance

Therapy resistance is a characteristic of cancer cells that significantly reduces the effectiveness of drugs. Despite the popularity of cisplatin (CP) as a chemotherapeutic agent, which is widely used in the treatment of various types of cancer, resistance of cancer cells to CP chemotherapy has been extensively observed. Among various reported mechanism(s), the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process can significantly contribute to chemoresistance by converting the motionless epithelial cells into mobile mesenchymal cells and altering cell-cell adhesion as well as the cellular extracellular matrix, leading to invasion of tumor cells. By analyzing the impact of the different molecular pathways such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, nuclear factor-κB (NF-ĸB), phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mammalian target rapamycin (mTOR), and Wnt, which play an important role in resistance exhibited to CP therapy, we first give an introduction about the EMT mechanism and its role in drug resistance. We then focus specifically on the molecular pathways involved in drug resistance and the pharmacological strategies that can be used to mitigate this resistance. Overall, we highlight the various targeted signaling pathways that could be considered in future studies to pave the way for the inhibition of EMT-mediated resistance displayed by tumor cells in response to CP exposure.