Upregulation of miR-211 Promotes Chondrosarcoma Development via Targeting Tumor Suppressor VHL

MiR-211 plays a dual role in cancer development: From tumor suppressor to tumor enhancer

Cancer is a general term for more than 100 unique malignancies in different organs of the body. Each cancer type and subtype has its own unique genetic, epigenetic, and cellular factors accountable for malignant progression and metastasis. Small non-coding RNAs called miRNAs target mRNAs and play a vital part in the pathogenesis of human diseases, specifically cancer. Recent investigations provided knowledge of the deregulation of miR-211 in various cancer types and disclosed that miR-211 has an oncogenic or tumor-suppressive impact on tumourigenesis and cancer development. Moreover, recent discoveries which clarify the essential functions of miR-211 might provide proof for its prognosis, diagnostic and therapeutic impact on cancer. Thereby, this review will discuss recent findings regarding miR-211 expression level, target genes, and mechanisms in different cancers. In addition, the most recent results that propose miR-211 usefulness as a noninvasive biomarker and therapeutic factor for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer will be explained.

Association of FBXW11 levels with tumor development and prognosis in chondrosarcoma

INTRODUCTION

The E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXW11 exerts an oncogenic or tumor suppressive function in a cellular context-dependent manner. However, the clinical significance and biological role of FBXW11 in chondrosarcoma have not been clearly characterized. This study focuses on the expression profile, prognostic value and biological function of FBXW11 in chondrosarcoma.

METHODS

FBXW11 expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot in six cases of chondrosarcoma specimens and the matched adjacent non-tumor tissues. The expression profile and prognostic value of FBXW11 were investigated in sixty-three cases of chondrosarcoma patients. Cell viability, colony formation, migration, invasion and apoptosis assays were further detected in SW1353 chondrosarcoma cells with restored FBXW11 expression.

RESULTS

Downregulation of FBXW11 was remarkably detected in human chondrosarcoma specimens compared with the corresponding non-tumor tissues and benign cartilage tumors. Downregulated FBXW11 expression significantly correlated with high-grade chondrosarcoma and poor prognosis. Furthermore, FBXW11 was identified as an independent prognostic factor for the overall survival of chondrosarcoma patients. Restored expression of FBXW11 significantly suppressed chondrosarcoma cell growth and induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings establish that FBXW11 was markedly downregulated and recognized as an independent prognostic factor for patients with chondrosarcoma, and restored FBXW11 expression can suppress chondrosarcoma growth and induce apoptosis, highlighting a novel biological marker and potential therapeutic target against chondrosarcoma.

Identification of ZNF704 as a Novel Oncogene and an Independent Prognostic Marker in Chondrosarcoma

Purpose

The transcription factor zinc finger protein 704 (ZNF704) is implicated in tumorigenesis. However, the underlying role of ZNF704 in the pathogenesis of chondrosarcoma remains not well delineated. This study investigates the expression level, prognostic significance and potential biological function of ZNF704 in human chondrosarcoma.

Materials and Methods

The mRNA and protein levels of ZNF704 in fresh chondrosarcomas and the paired adjacent non-tumor tissues were evaluated using real-time PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. The protein expression of ZNF704 in chondrosarcoma specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the associations among its expression level, clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were further investigated. Cell viability, colony formation and apoptosis assay were determined in chondrosarcoma cells and a xenograft model with ZNF704 knockdown.

Results

The expression levels of ZNF704 mRNA and protein in chondrosarcoma tissues were significantly higher than those in the paired adjacent non-tumor tissues and benign cartilage tumors. Clinicopathological analysis revealed that ZNF704 was expressed at higher levels in chondrosarcoma patients with higher histological grade and advanced MSTS stage. We also found that high expression of ZNF704 significantly correlated with a worse overall survival of chondrosarcoma patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that ZNF704 was an independent prognostic marker in chondrosarcoma patients. Our in vitro studies demonstrated that knockdown of ZNF704 markedly inhibited chondrosarcoma cell viability, colony formation and induced apoptosis. In a nude mouse xenograft model, ZNF704 knockdown slowed down chondrosarcoma growth by inducing apoptosis in vivo.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that ZNF704 may act as a potent oncogene implicated in chondrosarcoma development, and serve as a independent prognostic marker, highlight the potential of ZNF704 as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for chondrosarcoma.

Dysregulation of Zinc Finger Protein 395 Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Chondrosarcoma

Introduction

The transcription factor zinc finger protein 395 (ZNF395) is involved in several cellular responses and tumorigenesis. However, the potential role and clinical significance of ZNF395 in chondrosarcoma are not well investigated. This study determines the expression profile, prognostic value and biological function of ZNF395 in human chondrosarcoma.

Methods

The mRNA and protein expressions of ZNF395 in fresh chondrosarcomas and the matched adjacent non-tumor tissues were assessed using real-time PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. The protein expression of ZNF395 in chondrosarcoma specimens was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and the relationships among its protein level, clinicopathological parameters and prognosis were further detected. Cell viability, colony formation, migration, invasion and apoptosis assay were evaluated in chondrosarcoma cells with depletion of ZNF395.

Results

The mRNA and protein expressions of ZNF395 in chondrosarcoma tissues were significantly higher than those in the matched adjacent non-tumor tissues and benign cartilage tumors. Clinical analysis displayed that ZNF395 was expressed at higher levels in chondrosarcoma patients with higher histological grade and advanced MSTS stage. Furthermore, we demonstrated that high expression of ZNF395 correlated with a worse overall survival of chondrosarcoma patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that ZNF395 was an independent prognostic marker in chondrosarcoma patients. Functional studies revealed that depletion of ZNF395 markedly inhibited cell viability, colony formation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis in chondrosarcoma.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that dysregulation of ZNF395 contributes to chondrosarcoma development, and ZNF395 may act as a potent oncogene and serve as a independently prognostic factor, highlight the potential of ZNF395 as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for chondrosarcoma.

MicroRNA-96 is downregulated in sepsis neonates and attenuates LPSinduced inflammatory response by inhibiting IL-16 in monocytes

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis (NS) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among newborns. This study found the deregulated microRNA-96 (miR-96) in NS neonates, and aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of miR-96, as well as its effect on LPS-induced inflammatory response in monocytes. In addition, the relationship of interleukin-16 (IL16) and miR-96 was investigated to understand the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Expression of miR-96 was examined using real-time quantitative PCR. Monocytes stimulated by LPS was used to mimic excessive inflammation in the pathogenesis of NS. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to evaluate pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. A luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the interaction between miR-96 and IL16.

RESULTS

Serum miR-96 expression was decreased in NS newborns and had considerable diagnostic value for NS screening. LPS inhibited miR-96 expression in monocytes, and the overexpression of miR-96 could reverse the effects of LPS on the inflammation of monocytes. IL-16 was a target gene of miR-96 and negatively correlated with miR-96 levels in NS neonates. The inhibited inflammatory responses induced by miR-96 overexpression was abolished by the elevated IL-16 in monocytes.

CONCLUSION

All the data reveal that serum decreased miR-96 may serve as a candidate non-invasive biomarker for NS diagnosis. In addition, miR-96 inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses by targeting IL-16 in monocytes. The miR96/IL-16 axis may provide novel therapeutic targets for NS treatment.

Neuroprotective effects of miR-331-3p through improved cell viability and inflammatory marker expression: Correlation of serum miR-331-3p levels with diagnosis and severity of Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease with an increasing incidence rate. Numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be involved in AD progression. This study aimed to investigate the expression and diagnostic value of microRNA-331-3p (miR-331-3p) in AD patients and to explore the effects of miR-331-3p on neuronal viability and neuroinflammation.

METHODS

This study recruited AD patients and used Aβ_1-40 treated SH-SY5Y cells mimicking AD characteristics. The expression of miR-331-3p was estimated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-331-3p, and the correlation of miR-331-3p with patients' Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and serum proinflammatory cytokines were analyzed. The effects of miR-331-3p on neuronal viability and inflammatory response were explored in SH-SY5Y cells by in vitro analysis.

RESULTS

In AD patients and Aβ_1-40 treated SH-SY5Y cells, the expression of miR-331-3p was significantly downregulated. Serum miR-331-3p had certain diagnostic potential and was correlated with the MMSE scores and serum proinflammatory cytokine levels of AD patients. In Aβ_1-40-treated SH-SY5Y cells, the overexpression of miR-331-3p enhanced cell viability and inhibited inflammatory responses.

CONCLUSION

The data of this study indicated that serum expression of miR-331-3p is decreased in AD patients, and is correlated with the MMSE scores and proinflammatory cytokine levels of AD patients. In addition, miR-331-3p can regulate the cell viability and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines of Aβ_1-40 treated SH-SY5Y cells, indicating the potential neuroprotective role of miR-331-3p.