Salinomycin Modulates the Expression of mRNAs and miRNAs Related to Stemness in Endometrial Cancer

Expression Profile of mRNAs and miRNAs Related to the Oxidative-Stress Phenomenon in the Ishikawa Cell Line Treated Either Cisplatin or Salinomycin

The oxidative stress phenomenon is a result of anticancer therapy. The aim of this study was the assessment of gene expression profile changes, and to determine the miRNAs regulating genes’ transcriptional activity in an Ishikawa endometrial cancer culture exposed to cisplatin or salinomycin, compared to a control culture. The molecular analysis comprised the microarray technique (mRNAs and micro RNA (miRNA), the real-time quantitative reverse transcription reaction (RTqPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reactions, and Western blot. NR4A2, MAP3K8, ICAM1, IL21, CXCL8, CCL7, and SLC7A11 were statistically significantly differentiated depending not only on time, but also on the drug used in the experiment. The conducted assessment indicated that the strongest links were between NR4A2 and hsa-miR-30a-5p and has-miR-302e, MAP3K8 and hsa-miR-144-3p, CXCL8 and hsa-miR-140-3p, and SLC7A11 and hsa-miR-144-3p. The obtained results suggest that four mRNAs—NR4A2, MAP3K8, CXCL8 and SLC7A11—and four miRNAs—hsa-miR-30a-5p, hsa-miR-302e, hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-140-3—changed their expressions regardless of the chemotherapeutic agent used, which suggests the possibility of their use in monitoring the severity of oxidative stress in endometrial cancer. However, considering the results at both the mRNA and the protein level, it is most likely that the expressions of NR4A2, MAP3K8, CXCL8 and SLC7A11 are regulated by miRNA molecules as well as other epigenetic mechanisms.

Dysregulation of miR-411 in cancer: Causative factor for pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis

MiRNA accounts for 1-3% of genes but regulates more than 30% of gene expression in humans. This article analyzes the current deficiencies and challenges of miR-411 research and looks forward to the prospects of miR-411 in cancer. MiR-411 is a non-coding RNA located on chromosome 14. MiR-411 is abnormally expressed in a variety of cancers. The dysregulation of miR-411 can affect cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis, colony formation, etc. miR-411 can be regulated by different lncRNAs and circRNAs. By targeting multiple genes, miR-411 participates in the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The expression of miR-411 is related to the diagnosis, prognosis, and sensitivity of drugs in cancer patients. In conclusion, this work outlines the molecular mechanisms and cellular functions of aberrant expression of miR-411 and its target genes in cancer to reveal its potential value in diagnosis, prognosis, and drug sensitivity.

Long non-coding RNA tumor protein 53 target gene 1 promotes cervical cancer development via regulating microRNA-33a-5p to target forkhead box K2

Long non-coding RNA tumor protein 53 target gene 1 (TP53TG1) has been unraveled to exert regulatory effects on cancer progression, while the regulatory function of TP53TG1 on cervical cancer (CC) via regulating microRNA (miR)-33a-5p/Forkhead box K2 (FOXK2) axis remains rarely explored. This study aims to unearth the regulatory mechanism of TP53TG1/miR-33a-5p/FOXK2 axis in CC. The CC clinical samples were collected, and CC cells were cultured. TP53TG1, miR-33a-5p and FOXK2 levels were examined in CC tissues and cells. The CC cells were transfected with high- or low-expressed TP53TG1, FOXK2 or miR-33a-5p to determine the changes of CC cell biological activities and the status of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. The tumorigenesis in nude mice was conducted. The relationship among TP53TG1, miR-33a-5p and FOXK2 was validated. TP53TG1 and FOXK2 expression levels were increased and miR-33a-5p expression level was reduced in CC cells and tissues. The silenced TP53TG1 or FOXK2, or elevated miR-33a-5p decelerated the CC cell development and restrained the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The depleted FOXK2 or elevated miR-33a-5p reversed the effects of decreased TP53TG1 on CC cell progression. TP53TG1 sponged miR-33a-5p, which targeted FOXK2. The experiment in vivo validated the outcomes of the experiment in vitro. TP53TG1 accelerates the CC development via regulating miR-33a-5p to target FOXK2 with the involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This study provides novel theory basis and distinct therapeutic targets for CC treatment.

Bone Marrow-Derived Cells in Endometrial Cancer Pathogenesis: Insights from Breast Cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer, representing 3.5% of all new cancer cases in the United States. Abnormal stem cell-like cells, referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs), reside in the endometrium and possess the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into cancer progenitors, leading to tumor progression. Herein we review the role of the endometrial microenvironment and sex hormone signaling in sustaining EC progenitors and potentially promoting dormancy, a cellular state characterized by cell cycle quiescence and resistance to conventional treatments. We offer perspective on mechanisms by which bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) within the endometrial microenvironment could promote endometrial CSC (eCSC) survival and/or dormancy. Our perspective relies on the well-established example of another sex hormone-driven cancer, breast cancer, in which the BM microenvironment plays a crucial role in acquisition of CSC phenotype and dormancy. Our previous studies demonstrate that BMDCs migrate to the endometrium and express sex hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors. Whether the BM is a source of eCSCs is unknown; alternatively, crosstalk between BMDCs and CSCs within the endometrial microenvironment could be an additional mechanism supporting eCSCs and tumorigenesis. Elucidating these mechanisms will provide avenues to develop novel therapeutic interventions for EC.

Synergistic Roles of Curcumin in Sensitising the Cisplatin Effect on a Cancer Stem Cell-Like Population Derived from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a small subpopulation within a tumour. These cells possess stem cell-like properties but also initiate resistance to cytotoxic agents, which contributes to cancer relapse. Natural compounds such as curcumin that contain high amounts of polyphenols can have a chemosensitivity effect that sensitises CSCs to cytotoxic agents such as cisplatin. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of curcumin as a chemo-sensitiser in CSCs subpopulation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using the lung cancer adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells A549 and H2170. The ability of curcumin to sensitise lung CSCs to cisplatin was determined by evaluating stemness characteristics, including proliferation activity, colony formation, and spheroid formation of cells treated with curcumin alone, cisplatin alone, or the combination of both at 24, 48, and 72 h. The mRNA level of genes involved in stemness was analysed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the effect of curcumin on the CSC niche. A combined treatment of A549 subpopulations with curcumin reduced cellular proliferation activity at all time points. Curcumin significantly (p < 0.001) suppressed colonies formation by 50% and shrank the spheroids in CSC subpopulations, indicating inhibition of their self-renewal capability. This effect also was manifested by the down-regulation of SOX2, NANOG, and KLF4. Curcumin also regulated the niche of CSCs by inhibiting chemoresistance proteins, aldehyde dehydrogenase, metastasis, angiogenesis, and proliferation of cancer-related proteins. These results show the potential of using curcumin as a therapeutic approach for targeting CSC subpopulations in non-small cell lung cancer.