LncRNA SNHG1 Regulates the Progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer by the miR-204/HOXC8 Axis

LncRNA SNHG1 acts as a ceRNA for miR-216a-3p to regulate TMBIM6 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: The long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The current study aims to explore the deeper molecular mechanisms of SNHG1 in ESCC. Methods: Fifty patients with ESCC were enrolled to assess overall survival. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to measure the levels of SNHG1, miR-216a-3p, and TMBIM6 in ESCC cells. Functional assessments of SNHG1 on ESCC cells were conducted using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays. Western blot was conducted to detect the protein levels of TMBIM6 and proapoptotic proteins (Calpain and Caspase-12). The interaction among SNHG1, miR-216a-3p, and TMBIM6 was assessed with luciferase reporter assays. Results: Our study revealed that SNHG1 was notably increased in both clinical ESCC samples and cellular lines. Upregulation of SNHG1 in ESCC tissues was indicative of poor overall survival. Functionally, SNHG1 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis in ESCC cells. Mechanistically, SNHG1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA by sequestering miR-216a-3p to modulate TMBIM6 levels in ESCC cells. Notably, inhibiting miR-216a-3p or restoring TMBIM6 reversed the inhibitory effect induced by SNHG1 knockdown in ESCC cells. Conclusions: We demonstrate for the first time that SNHG1 may act as a competing endogenous RNA and promote ESCC progression through the miR-216a-3p/TMBIM6 axis. This highlights the potential of SNHG1 as a target for ESCC treatment.

Functional role of lncRNAs in gastrointestinal malignancies: the peculiar case of small nucleolar RNA host gene family

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in normal physiology and are often de-regulated in disease states such as cancer. Recently, a class of lncRNAs referred to as the small nucleolar RNA host gene (SNHG) family have emerged as important players in tumourigenesis. Here, we discuss new findings describing the role of SNHGs in gastrointestinal tumours and summarize the three main functions by which these lncRNAs promote carcinogenesis, namely: competing with endogenous RNAs, modulating protein function, and regulating epigenetic marking. Furthermore, we discuss how SNHGs participate in different hallmarks of cancer, and how this class of lncRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Silencing HOXC13 exerts anti-prostate cancer effects by inducing DNA damage and activating cGAS/STING/IRF3 pathway

BACKGROUND

Advanced prostate cancer (PCa) will develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and lead to poor prognosis. As the primary subtype of CRPC, CRPC-AR accounts for the major induction of PCa heterogeneity. CRPC-AR is mainly driven by 25 transcription factors (TFs), which we speculate may be the key factors driving PCa toward CRPC. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the key regulator and its molecular mechanism mediating PCa progression.

METHODS

Firstly, we downloaded transcriptomic data and clinical information from TCGA-PRAD. The characteristic gene cluster was identified by PPI clustering, GO enrichment, co-expression correlation and clinical feature analyses for 25 TFs. Then, the effects of 25 TFs expression on prognosis of PCa patients was analyzed using univariate Cox regression, and the target gene was identified. The expression properties of the target gene in PCa tissues were verified using tissue microarray. Meanwhile, the related mechanistic pathway of the target gene was mined based on its function. Next, the target gene was silenced by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for cellular function and mechanistic pathway validation. Finally, CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze the infiltration levels of 22 immune cells in PCa patients with low and high expression of target gene, and validated by assaying the expression of related immunomodulatory factor.

RESULTS

We found that HOX family existed independently in 25 TFs, among which HOXC10, HOXC12 and HOXC13 had unique clinical features and the PCa patients with high HOXC13 expression had the worst prognosis. In addition, HOXC13 was highly expressed in tumor tissues and correlated with Gleason score and pathological grade. In vitro experiments demonstrated that silencing HOXC13 inhibited 22RV1 and DU145 cell function by inducing cellular DNA damage and activating cGAS/STING/IRF3 pathway. Immune infiltration analysis revealed that high HOXC13 expression suppressed infiltration of γδ T cells and plasma cells and recruited M2 macrophages. Consistent with these results, silencing HOXC13 up-regulated the transcriptional expression of IFN-β, CCL2, CCL5 and CXCL10.

CONCLUSION

HOXC13 regulates PCa progression by mediating the DNA damage-induced cGAS/STING/IRF3 pathway and remodels TIME through regulation of the transcription of the immune factors IFN-β, CCL2, CCL5 and CXCL10.

Upregulation of OTX2-AS1 is Associated With Immune Infiltration and Predicts Prognosis of Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) OTX2 antisense RNA 1 (OTX2-AS1) plays a pivotal role in gastric cancer (GC). An analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database data and bioinformatics was used to explore the relationship between OTX2-AS1 and GC in the current study.

METHODS

We evaluated the relationship between clinical features and OTX2-AS1 expression, prognostic factors, and the significant involvement of OTX2-AS1 in function using various statistical methods, such as Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and immune infiltration analysis. GC cell lines were tested for OTX2-AS1 expression using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

A high level of OTX2-AS1 expression was significantly and negatively associated with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in GC patients (P = .006) and predicted a poorer overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.10-2.14; P = .011), progression-free interval (PFI) (HR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.22-2.51; P = .002) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.21-2.85; P = .005) in GC patients. There was an independent correlation between OTX2-AS1 expression (HR: 1.771; 95% CI: 1.164-2.696; P = .008) and OS in patients with GC. There were differential enrichments for the OTX2-AS1 high expression phenotype in the olfactory transduction, G alpha (s) signaling events, keratinization, olfactory signaling pathway, and preimplantation embryo. OTX2-AS1 expression may be related to certain immune-infiltrating cells. Compared to gastric epithelial cells (GES-1), GC cell lines showed a significant increase in OTX2-AS1 expression.

CONCLUSION

There was a significant association between OTX2-AS1 expression in GC patients and poor survival, suggesting that it may be a useful biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy outcome of stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) in GC.

LncRNA SNHG3 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via regulating miR-151a-3p/PFN2 axis

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. The dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is closely related to the tumorigenesis and progression of ESCC. However, the effects of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 3 (lncRNA SNHG3) in ESCC are still unclear. Therefore, a series of experiments methods, such as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, function gain/loss experiments, western blots, and animal xenograft tumor model, were employed to explore the biological function and molecular mechanism of SNHG3 in ESCC. As results, we first reported that SNHG3 was significantly up-regulated in ESCC tissues and cells. SNHG3 knockdown obviously inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted apoptosis. Mechanism analysis revealed that SNHG3 sponged miR-151a-3p to regulate PFN2. Inhibition of miR-151a-3p and overexpression of PFN2 attenuated the positive effect of SNHG3 knockdown on suppressing tumor progression. Furthermore, the anti-tumor effects of SNHG3 knockdown were also observed in vivo. In summary, our results indicated that SNHG3 knockdown suppressed tumor development via the miR-151a-3p/PFN2 axis, and targeting SNHG3 may provide a new opportunity for ESCC patients.

LncRNA SNHG1 Facilitates Tumor Proliferation and Represses Apoptosis by Regulating PPARγ Ubiquitination in Bladder Cancer

Simple Summary

Our study elucidated that SNHG1 promotes MDM2 expression by binding to miR-9-3p to promote PPARγ ubiquitination and downregulate PPARγ expression and that SNHG1 plays an important role in bladder cancer and provides a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer.

Abstract

Background: Long noncoding RNAs regulate various biological effects in the progression of cancers. We found that the expression of SNHG1 was significantly up-regulated in bladder cancer after analyzing data obtained from TCGA and GEO. However, the potential role of SNHG1 remains to be investigated in bladder cancer. It was validated that SNHG1 was overexpressed in bladder cancer tissues detected by qRT-PCR and FISH, which was also associated with poor clinical outcome. Additionally, SNHG1 was verified to facilitate tumor proliferation and repress apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Results: SNHG1 could act as a competitive endogenous RNA and decrease the expression of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) by sponging microRNA-9-3p. Furthermore, MDM2 induced ubiquitination and degradation of PPARγ that contributed to the development of bladder cancer. Conclusions: the study elucidated that SNHG1 played an important role in bladder cancer and provided a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer.

MicroRNA-204-5p: A pivotal tumor suppressor

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules with a length of approximately 18-25 nt nucleotides that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. MiR-204-5p originates from the sixth intron of the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 3 (TRPM3) gene. MiR-204-5p is frequently downregulated in various cancer types and is related to the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of cancer patients. So far, many studies have determined that miR-204-5p functions as a tumor suppressor for its extensive and powerful capacity to inhibit tumor proliferation, metastasis, autophagy, and chemoresistance in multiple cancer types. MiR-204-5p appears to be a promising prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for human cancers. This review summarized the latest advances on the role of miR-204-5p in human cancers.

LINC00114 stimulates growth and glycolysis of esophageal cancer cells by recruiting EZH2 to enhance H3K27me3 of DLC1

Objective

LINC00114 could promote the development of colorectal cancer, but its mechanism has been rarely discussed in esophageal cancer (EC). Herein, we explored the molecular mechanism of LINC00114 via mediating enhancer of zeste homolog 2/deleted in liver cancer 1 (EZH2/DLC1) axis in EC.

Methods

LINC00114, EZH2 and DLC1 expression in EC tissues and cells were tested. LINC00114, EZH2 and DLC1 expression were altered in EC cells through transfection with different constructs, and cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and glycolysis were subsequently observed. The interaction between LINC00114 and EZH2 and that between EZH2 and DLC1 were explored. Tumor formation was also conducted to confirm the in vitro results.

Results

The expression levels of LINC00114 and EZH2 were elevated while those of DLC1 were reduced in EC. Inhibiting LINC00114 or reducing EZH2 blocked cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis and induce cell apoptosis in EC. LINC00114 promoted H3K27 trimethylation of DLC1 by recruiting EZH2. Knockdown of DLC1 stimulated cell growth and glycolysis in EC and even mitigated the role of LINC00114 inhibition in EC. In vivo experiment further confirmed the anti-tumor effect of LINC00114 inhibition in EC.

Conclusion

The data indicate that LINC00114 promotes the development of EC by recruiting EZH2 to enhance H3K27me3 of DLC1.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-022-01258-y.

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 662 accelerates the progression of gastric cancer through up-regulating centrosomal protein 55 by sponging microRNA-195-5p

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important players in regulating diverse human diseases, including cancers. Nonetheless, the function of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 662 (LINC00662) in gastric cancer (GC) carcinogenesis and progression remains to be delineated. In the present study, LINC00662, microRNA-195-5p (miR-195-5p) and centrosomal protein 55 (CEP55) mRNA expression levels were quantified by qRT-PCR. GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion were analyzed by CCK-8, BrdU and Transwell assays. Besides, dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were conducted for verifying the targeting relationships of LINC00662, miR-195-5p and CEP55. The regulatory functions of LINC00662 and miR-195-5p on CEP55 were examined utilizing Western blot. In this study, it was revealed that LINC00662 expression level was elevated in GC tissues and cells. LINC00662 overexpression facilitated the malignant biological behaviors of GC cells whereas knockdown of LINC00662 worked oppositely. In terms of mechanism, LINC00662 targeted miR-195-5p to modulate CEP55 expression. In conclusion, LINC00662 facilitates the malignant biological behaviors of GC cells via miR-195-5p/CEP55 axis, and therefore, it may be a promising target for GC treatment.

Mir-204 Regulates LPS-Induced A549 Cell Damage by Targeting FOXK2

Objective

To assess whether miR-204 and HA affect A549 cell injury induced by lipopolysaccharide. Material and Methods. A549 cells were treated with hirsutanol A, and cell damage was induced by LPS followed by analysis of cell proliferation by CCK-8, cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, apoptosis-related protein expression by western blot, downstream target of miR-20 by dual-luciferase reporter gene, and inflammatory factors by ELISA and PCR.

Results

LPS can significantly inhibit the viability of A549 cells, induce cell apoptosis, and promote the release of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, while HA pretreatment can target FOXK2 by upregulating miR-204 levels, thereby alleviating apoptosis and promoting cell viability and at the same time inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB.

Conclusions

miR-204 participates in the protection of HA acute lung injury by targeting FOXK2.

LncRNA-SNHG1 promotes macrophage M2-like polarization and contributes to breast cancer growth and metastasis

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers among women. Cancer cells and adjacent cells determine the development of the disease. Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are involved in the regulation of different stages of cancer progression. LncRNAs play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. However, the function of lncRNA in macrophage and tumor cell interaction is poorly described. Here we reported that lncRNA SNHG1 functioned as a modulator of M2 macrophage polarization and regulated tumor growth and angiogenesis. We indicated that knockdown of SNHG1 inhibited M2 macrophage polarization by suppression of STAT6 phosphorylation. SNHG1 silencing significantly alleviated migration of MCF-7 cells and tube formation of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). Furthermore, we found that implantation of cell mixture of MCF-7 cells and macrophages promoted tumor growth and angiogenesis. However, knockdown of SNHG1 in macrophages reversed that effect. Collectively, we demonstrated the important role of lncRNA SNHG1 in macrophages and breast cancer cells interaction. We highlight the essential effect of lncRNA in tumor progression and provide a new method for the prevention and treatment of breast tumor metastasis.

LncRNA SNHG6 promotes G1/S-phase transition in hepatocellular carcinoma by impairing miR-204-5p-mediated inhibition of E2F1

Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) function as competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) targeting proteins and genes; however, the role of lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well understood. We investigated the mechanism by which lncRNA SNHG6 promotes the development of HCC. RT-qPCR revealed upregulated lncRNA SNHG6 in the HCC setting. Elevated SNHG6 expression was indicative of poor prognosis in patients with HCC. SNHG6 overexpression resulted in increased cyclin D1, cyclin E1, and E2F1 expression both in vitro and in vivo. SNHG6 also promoted HCC cell proliferation by enhancing G1-S phase transition in vitro. Dual luciferase reporter assays, RIP, and RNA pull-down assays demonstrated SNHG6 competitively bound to miR-204-5p and inhibited its expression preventing miR-204-5p from targeting E2F1. Overexpression of miR-204-5p abolished the effect of SNHG6. Our data suggest that SNHG6 functions as a ceRNA that targets miR-204-5p resulting in an increased E2F1 expression and enhanced G1-S phase transition, thereby promoting the tumorigenesis of HCC.

The emerging role of long noncoding RNAs in esophageal carcinoma: from underlying mechanisms to clinical implications

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a type of transcriptional product more than 200 nucleotides in length, have emerged as crucial regulators in human cancers. Accumulating data have recently indicated relationships between lncRNAs and esophageal carcinoma (EC). Of note, lncRNAs act as decoys/sponges, scaffolds, guides, and signals to regulate the expression of oncogenes or tumor suppressors at epigenetic, post-transcriptional, and protein levels, through which they exert their unique EC-driving or EC-suppressive functions. Moreover, the features of EC-related lncRNAs have been gradually exploited for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in clinical scenarios. LncRNAs have the potential to be used as diagnostic and prognostic indicators individually or in combination with other clinical variables. Beyond these, although the time is not yet ripe, therapeutically targeting EC-related lncRNAs via gene editing, antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, and small molecules is likely one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for the next generation of cancer treatment. Herein, we focus on summarizing EC-driving/suppressive lncRNAs, as well as discussing their different features regarding expression profiles, modes of action, and oncological effects. Moreover, we further discuss current challenges and future developing possibilities of capitalizing on lncRNAs for EC early diagnosis and treatment.

Upregulation of Long Noncoding RNA_GAS5 Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Laryngeal Cancer via Regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors among head and neck cancers. Accumulating studies have indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in laryngeal cancer occurrence and progression, however, the functional roles and relative regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) in laryngeal cancer progression remain unclear.

METHODS

The expression of lncRNA GAS5 in both laryngeal cancer tissues and cell lines was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. The relationships between lncRNA GAS5 expression and clinical parameters were also analyzed. To determine the biological function of lncRNA GAS5, a lncRNA GAS5-specific plasmid was first transfected into laryngeal cancer cells using lentiviral technology. Cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays were used to detect in vitro cell proliferation, apoptosis, cycle distribution, and metastasis abilities, respectively. Furthermore, in vivo cell growth experiments were also performed using nude mice. Additionally, western blotting was performed to identify the underlying regulatory mechanism.

RESULTS

In the current study, lncRNA GAS5 was downregulated in laryngeal cancer tissues and its low expression was closely associated with poor tumor differentiation, advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and shorter overall survival time. In addition, lncRNA GAS5 upregulation significantly inhibited laryngeal cancer cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, in response to lncRNA GAS5 overexpression, more laryngeal cancer cells were arrested at the G2/M stage, accompanied by increased cell apoptosis rates and suppressed migration and invasion capacities. Mechanistically, our data showed that the overexpression of lncRNA GAS5 significantly regulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

LncRNA GAS5 might act as a suppressor gene during laryngeal cancer development, as it suppressed cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway; thus, lncRNA GAS5 is a promising therapeutic biomarker for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.

Long non-coding RNA BCAR4 aggravated proliferation and migration in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by negatively regulating p53/p21 signaling pathway

Long non-coding RNA breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 4 (lncRNA BCAR4) is an independent factor on the survival prognosis of patients with multiple cancers. However, the role of lncRNA BCAR4 in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) remains unknown. Here, we unraveled that lncRNA BCAR4 was upregulated in ESCC and predicted poor prognosis. Functionally, lncRNA BCAR4 knockdown induced cell apoptosis and G1/S arrest, while inhibited cell proliferation and migration in vitro; conversely, overexpressing lncRNA BCAR4 promoted proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, lncRNA BCAR4 sponged miR-139-3p to upregulate ELAVL1, thereby inhibiting p53/p21 pathway in ESCC cells. In conclusion, lncRNA BCAR4 promotes ESCC tumorigenesis via regulating p53/p21 signaling pathway and develops a brand-new biomarker and medicine target for ESCC.