Ultrasound-microbubbles-mediated microRNA-449a inhibits lung cancer cell growth via the regulation of Notch1

miR-449a: A Promising Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Cancer and Other Diseases

In the regulation of gene expression, epigenetic factors like non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play an equal role in genetics. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are members of the ncRNA family, in post-transcriptional gene regulation is well-documented and has important implications for both normal and abnormal biological processes, such as angiogenesis, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to synthesize previous research on miR-449a by analyzing published results from various databases, as there have been a number of investigations on miR-449's potential involvement in the development of human disorders. Based on our findings, miR-449 is strongly dysregulated in a wide range of diseases, from various cancers to cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairments, and respiratory diseases, and it may play a pivotal role in the development of these problems. In addition, miR-449a functions as a crucial regulator of the expression of several well-known genes, including E2F-3, BCL2, NOTCH1, and SOX4. This, in turn, modulates various pathways and processes related to cancer, including Notch, PI3K, and TGF-β, and contributes to the improvement of cancer drug sensitivity. Curiously, abnormalities in the expression of this miRNA may serve as diagnostic or prognostic indicators for distinguishing between healthy people and patients or to evaluate the survival rates for specific disorders. This article provides a synopsis of the current understanding of miR-449a's role in human disease development through its regulation of gene expression and the biological processes related to these genes and their linked processes. In addition, we have covered the topic of miR-449a's potential as a clinical feature (diagnosis and prognosis) indicator for a range of disorders, both neoplastic and non-neoplastic. In general, our goal was to gain a thorough comprehension of the numerous functions of miR-449a in different disorders.

The role of selected non-coding RNAs in the biology of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) represents 85% of all cases. Accumulating evidence highlights the outstanding role of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) in regulating the tumorigenesis process by modulating crucial signaling pathways. Micro RNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) are either up- or downregulated in lung cancer patients and can promote or suppress the progression of the disease. These molecules interact with messenger RNA (mRNA) and with each other to regulate gene expression and stimulate proto-oncogenes or silence tumor suppressors. NcRNAs provide a new strategy to diagnose or treat lung cancer patients and multiple molecules have already been identified as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence on the roles of miRNA, lncRNA and circRNA in NSCLC biology and present their clinical potential.

Ultrasound nanotheranostics: Toward precision medicine

Ultrasound (US) is a mechanical wave that can penetrate biological tissues and trigger complex bioeffects. The mechanisms of US in different diagnosis and treatment are different, and the functional application of commercial US is also expanding. In particular, recent developments in nanotechnology have led to a wider use of US in precision medicine. In this review, we focus on US in combination with versatile micro and nanoparticles (NPs)/nanovesicles for tumor theranostics. We first introduce US-assisted drug delivery as a stimulus-responsive approach that spatiotemporally regulates the deposit of nanomedicines in target tissues. Multiple functionalized NPs and their US-regulated drug-release curves are analyzed in detail. Moreover, as a typical representative of US therapy, sonodynamic antitumor strategy is attracting researchers' attention. The collaborative efficiency and mechanisms of US and various nano-sensitizers such as nano-porphyrins and organic/inorganic nanosized sensitizers are outlined in this paper. A series of physicochemical processes during ultrasonic cavitation and NPs activation are also discussed. Finally, the new applications of US and diagnostic NPs in tumor-monitoring and image-guided combined therapy are summarized. Diagnostic NPs contain substances with imaging properties that enhance US contrast and photoacoustic imaging. The development of such high-resolution, low-background US-based imaging methods has contributed to modern precision medicine. It is expected that the integration of non-invasive US and nanotechnology will lead to significant breakthroughs in future clinical applications.

A perspective to weaponize microRNAs against lung cancer

microRNAs are regulatory RNAs that silence specific mRNA by binding to it, inducing translational repression. Over the recent decades since the discovery of RNA interference, the field of microRNA therapeutics has expanded tremendously. The role of miRNAs in disease development has attracted researchers to investigate their potential in therapeutics. In lung cancer, multiple miRNAs are deregulated, and their involvement is observed in cell proliferation, immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, synthetic oligonucleotides are developed to downregulate the overexpressed miRNA or to upregulate the repressed miRNA. However, their clinical efficiency is limited due to the requirement for an effective delivery strategy. Advances in the current understanding of nanotechnology, biomaterial science, and disease molecular pathology have increased the chances of overcoming the limitations of miRNA-based therapy. This review enlists downregulated and upregulated miRNAs in lung cancer. This review also highlights the major contributions to miRNA-based therapeutics for lung cancer and strategies to overcome endosomal barriers. It also attempts to understand the nuances between current advancements in delivery methods, advantages, disadvantages, and practical issues for the large-scale development of miRNA-based therapeutics.

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Multiple miRNAs are deregulated in lung cancer, and they are involved in tumor progression.

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Synthetic oligonucleotides downregulate the overexpressed miRNA or to upregulate the repressed miRNA.

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This review also highlights the major contributions to miRNA-based therapeutics for lung cancer.

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It also attempts to understand the nuances between current advancements in delivery methods, advantages, disadvantages, and practical issues for the large-scale development of miRNA-based therapeutics.

UTMD-mediated delivery of miR-21-5p inhibitor suppresses the development of lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) is a new type of gene delivery technology. MiR-21-5p was highly expressed in a variety of cancers. In this paper, miR-21-5p inhibitor was transfected into lung cancer cells by UTMD to observe its role in lung cancer.

METHODS

StarBase was used to analyze the miR-21-5p expression in lung cancer patients and its relationship with the prognosis of the patients. MiR-21-5p expression in lung cancer tissues or cell lines was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Effects of gradient concentration (0, 5, 10, 20, 30%) of SonoVue or gradient mechanical index (MI) (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 W/cm²) on the cell viability were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). The targeting relationship between miR-21-5p and B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) was predicted by TargetScan and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay, while the expressions of the two genes were determined by qRT-PCR. Through liposome transfection or UTMD transfection, the effects of miR-21-5p/BTG2 on the biological behaviors of lung cancer cells, the size of xenograft tumors and the expressions of ki67 and miR-21-5p were measured by qRT-PCR, western blot, cell function experiments and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

RESULTS

MiR-21-5p expression was upregulated in lung cancer, which was associated with a poor prognosis. The optimal ultrasound conditions were 10% SonoVue concentration and 1 W/cm². UTMD transfection exerted a stronger effect than liposome transfection. MiR-21-5p promoted cell viability, proliferation and migration yet suppressed apoptosis by targeting BTG2. MiR-21-5p inhibitor reduced the size and volume of xenograft tumor and the expressions of ki67 and miR-21-5p in xenograft tumor tissues.

CONCLUSION

UTMD-mediated miR-21-5p inhibitor can more effectively suppress the development of lung cancer.

Ultrasound microbubbles-mediated miR-216b affects MALAT1-miRNA axis in non-small cell lung cancer cells

MiR-216b is ectopically expressed in various cancers. Ultrasound microbubbles (UTMBs) are an effective method for miRNA delivery. This article mainly explored the involvement of lncRNA in the effects of UTMBs-mediated miR-216b on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression. Expressions and relationship of miR-216b and MALAT1 were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Pearson, TargetScan, and dual-luciferase reporter assay. After the transfection with liposome- or UTMBs-mediated miR-216b mimic (M) or MALAT1 overexpression plasmid alone or together, levels of miR-216b and MALAT1, cell biological behaviors, as well as expressions of apoptosis- and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers were examined using qRT-PCR, cell functional experiments, and western blot. Besides, we used qRT-PCR to quantify the expressions of multiple downstream miRNAs of MALAT1. MiR-216b expression was weakened yet MALAT1 expression was enhanced in NSCLC tissues, and miR-216b was negatively bound to MALAT1. TargetScan analysis manifested that miR-216b, targeted by MALAT1, was down-regulated in NSCLC cells. UTMBs-mediated miR-216b M further intensified miR-216b level yet weakened cell biological behaviors. The inhibitory effect of UTMBs-mediated miR-216b M on cell biological behaviors and MALAT1 expression was greatly better relative to that of miR-216b M. Moreover, miR-216b restrained the cell biological behaviors by repressing MALAT1 expression. We further manifested that miR-216b facilitated the expressions of apoptosis-related markers, but restrained those of EMT-related markers by repressing MALAT1 expression. Moreover, UTMBs-mediated miR-216b M enhanced the expressions of downstream multiple miRNAs of MALAT1, but this tendency was reversed by co-transfection of overexpressed MALAT1 and miR-216b M. Collectively, UTMBs-mediated miR-216b M restrained NSCLC cell growth by modulating the MALAT1-miRNA axis.

Ultrasound-Enabled Therapeutic Delivery and Regenerative Medicine: Physical and Biological Perspectives

The role of ultrasound in medicine and biological sciences is expanding rapidly beyond its use in conventional diagnostic imaging. Numerous studies have reported the effects of ultrasound on cellular and tissue physiology. Advances in instrumentation and electronics have enabled successful in vivo applications of therapeutic ultrasound. Despite path breaking advances in understanding the biophysical and biological mechanisms at both microscopic and macroscopic scales, there remain substantial gaps. With the progression of research in this area, it is important to take stock of the current understanding of the field and to highlight important areas for future work. We present herein key developments in the biological applications of ultrasound especially in the context of nanoparticle delivery, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine. We conclude with a brief perspective on the current promise, limitations, and future directions for interfacing ultrasound technology with biological systems, which could provide guidance for future investigations in this interdisciplinary area.

The promising shadow of microbubble over medical sciences: from fighting wide scope of prevalence disease to cancer eradication

Microbubbles are typically 0.5-10 μm in size. Their size tends to make it easier for medication delivery mechanisms to navigate the body by allowing them to be swallowed more easily. The gas included in the microbubble is surrounded by a membrane that may consist of biocompatible biopolymers, polymers, surfactants, proteins, lipids, or a combination thereof. One of the most effective implementation techniques for tiny bubbles is to apply them as a drug carrier that has the potential to activate ultrasound (US); this allows the drug to be released by US. Microbubbles are often designed to preserve and secure medicines or substances before they have reached a certain area of concern and, finally, US is used to disintegrate microbubbles, triggering site-specific leakage/release of biologically active drugs. They have excellent therapeutic potential in a wide range of common diseases. In this article, we discussed microbubbles and their advantageous medicinal uses in the treatment of certain prevalent disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetic condition, renal defects, and finally, their use in the treatment of various forms of cancer as well as their incorporation with nanoparticles. Using microbubble technology as a novel carrier, the ability to prevent and eradicate prevalent diseases has strengthened the promise of effective care to improve patient well-being and life expectancy.

MicroRNA-449a delays lung cancer development through inhibiting KDM3A/HIF-1α axis

Background

It has been established that microRNA (miR)-449a is anti-tumorigenic in cancers, including lung cancer. Therefore, this study further explored miR-449a-mediated mechanism in lung cancer, mainly focusing on lysine demethylase 3A/hypoxia-induced factor-1α (KDM3A/HIF-1α) axis.

Methods

miR-449a, KDM3A and HIF-1α levels in lung cancer tissues and cell lines (A549, H1299 and H460) were measured. Loss- and gain-of-function assays were performed and then cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion and migration were traced. The relationship between KDM3A, miR-449a and HIF-1α was verified. Tumor growth in vivo was also monitored.

Results

Both lung cancer tissues and cells exhibited reduced miR-449a and raised KDM3A and HIF-1α levels. miR-449a interacted with KDM3A; HIF-1α could bind with KDM3A. Up-regulating miR-449a hindered while suppressing miR-449a induced lung cancer development via mediating HIF-1α. Elevating KDM3A promoted cellular aggression while down-regulating KDM3A had the opposite effects. Up-regulating KDM3A or HIF-1α negated up-regulated miR-449a-induced effects on cellular growth in lung cancer. Restoring miR-449a impaired tumorigenesis in vivo in lung cancer.

Conclusion

It is eventually concluded that miR-449a delays lung cancer development through suppressing KDM3A/HIF-1α axis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-02881-8.

Ultrasound Microbubble-Mediated microRNA-505 Regulates Cervical Cancer Cell Growth via AKT2

The application of ultrasound and microbubbles (USMB-) mediated microRNA (miR) is a promising approach of gene delivery for cancer treatment. We aimed to discuss the effects of USMB-miR-505 on cervical cancer (CC) development. miR-505 mediated by USMB was prepared. The effect of miR-505 on its transfection efficiency and the effect of miR-505 on HeLa cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were studied. The target gene of miR-505 was predicted, and its expression in CC was detected. The effect of the target gene on HeLa cells was further verified. USMB-miR-505 showed a higher transfection efficiency than miR-505 alone. The inhibitory effect of miR-505 mediated by USMB on HeLa cells was better than miR-505. miR-505 targeted AKT2, which was upregulated in CC. Overexpression of AKT2 reversed the inhibitory effect of USMB-miR-505 on HeLa cell malignant behaviors. Overall, we highlighted that USMB-miR-505 inhibited HeLa cell malignant behaviors by targeting AKT2.

In vivo gene delivery mediated by non-viral vectors for cancer therapy

Gene therapy by expression constructs or down-regulation of certain genes has shown great potential for the treatment of various diseases. The wide clinical application of nucleic acid materials dependents on the development of biocompatible gene carriers. There are enormous various compounds widely investigated to be used as non-viral gene carriers including lipids, polymers, carbon materials, and inorganic structures. In this review, we will discuss the recent discoveries on non-viral gene delivery systems. We will also highlight the in vivo gene delivery mediated by non-viral vectors to treat cancer in different tissue and organs including brain, breast, lung, liver, stomach, and prostate. Finally, we will delineate the state-of-the-art and promising perspective of in vivo gene editing using non-viral nano-vectors.