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Yang Z, Zhu J, Yang T, Tang W, Zheng X, Ji S, Ren Z, Lu F. Comprehensive analysis of the lncRNAs-related immune gene signatures and their correlation with immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1397-1408. [PMID: 37543671 PMCID: PMC10628174 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02379-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)-related immune genes (lrRIGs) play a crucial role in the development and progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, reliable prognostic signatures based on lrRIGs have not yet been identified. METHODS We screened lrRIGs associated with the prognosis of LUAD using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and then established a novel prognostic nine-gene signature composed of CD79A, INHA, SHC3, LIFR, TNFRSF11A, GPI, F2RL1, SEMA7A and WFDC2 through bioinformatic approaches. A risk score derived from this gene signature was used to divide LUAD patients into the low- and high-risk groups. The latter was confirmed to have markedly worse overall survival (O.S.). A nomogram was developed using the risk score and other independent prognostic elements, demonstrating excellent performance in predicting the O.S. rate of LUAD patients. RESULTS We observed that the infiltration of diverse immune cell subtypes and response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy significantly differed between the low- and high-risk groups. CONCLUSIONS Overall, stratification based on this gene signature could be used to guide better therapeutic management and improve outcomes for LUAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyan Yang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jianling Zhu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Tiantian Yang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wenjun Tang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xiaowei Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Puyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Puyang, China
| | - Shaoping Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhiguang Ren
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
| | - Feng Lu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
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Dai S, Liu T, Liu YY, He Y, Liu T, Xu Z, Wang ZW, Luo F. Long Non-Coding RNAs in Lung Cancer: The Role in Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:795874. [PMID: 35047506 PMCID: PMC8762058 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.795874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of various therapeutic interventions, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, have effectively induced tumor remission for patients with advanced lung cancer. However, few cancer patients can obtain significant and long-lasting therapeutic effects for the limitation of immunological nonresponse and resistance. For this case, it’s urgent to identify new biomarkers and develop therapeutic targets for future immunotherapy. Over the past decades, tumor microenvironment (TME)-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gradually become well known to us. A large number of existing studies have indicated that TME-related lncRNAs are one of the major factors to realize precise diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Herein, this paper discusses the roles of lncRNAs in TME, and the potential application of lncRNAs as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for immunotherapy in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Dai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan-Yang Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingying He
- Oncology Department, People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Zihan Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhi-Wu Wang
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Feng Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Ti W, Wang J, Cheng Y. The Interaction Between Long Non-Coding RNAs and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Lung Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:714125. [PMID: 35087824 PMCID: PMC8787156 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great advances in research and treatment, lung cancer is still one of the most leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Evidence is mounting that dynamic communication network in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play an integral role in tumor initiation and development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which promote tumor growth and metastasis, are the most important stroma component in the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, in-depth identification of relevant molecular mechanisms and biomarkers related to CAFs will increase understanding of tumor development process, which is of great significance for precise treatment of lung cancer. With the development of sequencing technologies such as microarray and next-generation sequencing, lncRNAs without protein-coding ability have been found to act as communicators between tumor cells and CAFs. LncRNAs participate in the activation of normal fibroblasts (NFs) to CAFs. Moreover, activated CAFs can influence the gene expression and secretion characteristics of cells through lncRNAs, enhancing the malignant biological process in tumor cells. In addition, lncRNA-loaded exosomes are considered to be another important form of crosstalk between tumor cells and CAFs. In this review, we focus on the interaction between tumor cells and CAFs mediated by lncRNAs in the lung cancer microenvironment, and discuss the analysis of biological function and molecular mechanism. Furthermore, it contributes to paving a novel direction for the clinical treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jianbo Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yufeng Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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4
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Zhou L, Li J, Tang Y, Yang M. Exosomal LncRNA LINC00659 transferred from cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes colorectal cancer cell progression via miR-342-3p/ANXA2 axis. J Transl Med 2021; 19:8. [PMID: 33407563 PMCID: PMC7789760 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02648-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in regulating tumor progression by transferring exosomes to adjacent cells. Our aim was to clarify the role of LINC00659 encapsulated in CAFs-derived exosomes (CAFs-exo) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated and cultured. CAFs-exo and NFs-derived exosomes (NFs-exo) were characterized by transmission electron microscope and Western blot. The mRNA level of LINC00659 in CAFs-exo and NFs-exo were measured. Then we analyzed cell proliferation by CCK-8 and clone formation assay, cell migration by cell scratch, and cell invasion by Transwell. Epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) related markers E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail-1 expressions were assessed by Western blot. The binding of LINC00659 and miR-342-3p, miR-342-3p and ANXA2 were analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Results CAFs and NFs showed a spindle-like morphology. CAFs-exo promoted CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT progression. The expression of LINC00659 in CAF-derived exosomes was significantly increased, and fibroblasts could transfer exosomal LINC00659 to CRC cells. We further revealed that transfection of miR-342-3p mimic or sh-ANXA2 could obviously reverse the promotion effect of exosomal LINC00659 on CRC progression. Functional studies reveal that LINC00659 is transferred from CAFs to the cancer cells via exosomes, where it promotes CRC cell proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT progression in vitro. Mechanistically, LINC00659 interacts directly with miR-342-3p to increase ANXA2 expression in CRC cells. Conclusion Collected evidence supported that CAFs-derived exosomal LINC00659 promotes CRC cell proliferation, invasion and migration via miR-342-3p/ANXA2axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhou
- Departmemt of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Li
- Departmemt of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaping Tang
- Departmemt of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China.
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Wei T, Song J, Liang K, Li L, Mo X, Huang Z, Chen G, Mao N, Yang J. Identification of a novel therapeutic candidate, NRK, in primary cancer-associated fibroblasts of lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:1049-1064. [PMID: 33387038 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03489-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) accounts for approximately half of patients in lung cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major component in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeting CAFs is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. However, therapeutic targets of CAFs in LUAD remains largely unclear. METHODS Seven CAFs and nine normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from tumor and paratumor tissues of LUAD patients undergoing surgery, respectively. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis were performed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their functions in CAFs compared with NFs. DEGs of ten overlaying were obtained from RNA-seq, our previously reported lncRNA microarray and public datasets (E-MTAB-6149, E-MTAB-6653) and validated by RT-qPCR. Nik-related kinase (NRK) was further validated by RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence (IF), Western Blot (WB) in vitro, and in Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) database. Survival analysis was performed on Kaplan-Meier plotter. RESULTS A total of 1799 DEGs were identified, including 650 upregulated DEGs and 1149 downregulated DEGs. The upregulated and downregulated DEGs were mostly enriched in extracellular matrix (ECM) functions and in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Interestingly, NRK was the most significantly upregulated overlaying DEGs which was rarely associated with CAFs before. NRK was predominantly expressed in CAFs, but weakly expressed in NFs, normal lung bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, LUAD cell lines A549 and H1299, as well as in the majority of 191 lung cancer cell lines including LUAD. Moreover, elevated NRK predicted poor survival in LUAD patients. CONCLUSION Here, we first report that NRK is significantly elevated in LUAD-associated CAFs and may function as a promising therapeutic target for cancer combination treatment. Besides, modulation of ECM and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways may be an efficient approach to alter CAFs functionality in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinjing Song
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Liang
- Department of Thoracic Tumor Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxiang Mo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiguang Huang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Naiquan Mao
- Department of Thoracic Tumor Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
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Uddin MN, Wang X. The landscape of long non-coding RNAs in tumor stroma. Life Sci 2020; 264:118725. [PMID: 33166593 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with cancer development, while their relationship with the cancer-associated stromal components remains poorly understood. In this review, we performed a broad description of the functional landscape of stroma-associated lncRNAs in various cancers and their roles in regulating the tumor-stroma crosstalk. MATERIALS AND METHODS We carried out a systematic literature review of PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Bentham, and EMBASE (Elsevier) databases by using the keywords "LncRNAs in cancer," "LncRNAs in tumor stroma," "stroma," "cancer-associated stroma," "stroma in the tumor microenvironment," "tumor-stroma crosstalk," "drug resistance of stroma," and "stroma in immunosuppression" till July 2020. We collected the latest articles addressing the biological functions of stroma-associated lncRNAs in cancer. KEY FINDINGS These articles reported that dysregulated stroma-associated lncRNAs play significant roles in modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) by the regulation of tumor-stroma crosstalk, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, and tumor immunity. SIGNIFICANCE The tumor stroma is a substantial portion of the TME, and the dysregulation of tumor stroma-associated lncRNAs significantly contributes to cancer initiation, progression, angiogenesis, immune evasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Thus, stroma-associated lncRNAs could be potentially useful targets for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Nazim Uddin
- Biomedical Informatics Research Lab, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; Cancer Genomics Research Center, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; Big Data Research Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; Institute of Food Science and Technology, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Xiaosheng Wang
- Biomedical Informatics Research Lab, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; Cancer Genomics Research Center, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; Big Data Research Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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7
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Wu M, Fu P, Qu L, Liu J, Lin A. Long Noncoding RNAs, New Critical Regulators in Cancer Immunity. Front Oncol 2020; 10:550987. [PMID: 33194608 PMCID: PMC7662117 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.550987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in various aspects of cellular functions. Recent studies have revealed that lncRNAs are critical players in the immune system by modulating immune cell differentiation and functions, particularly in cancer immunity. Here we systematically summarize how lncRNAs are involved in different processes of the cancer immunity cycle, including immune cell differentiation, proliferation, trafficking, and infiltration. Moreover, the limitations of the current understanding of lncRNA’s functions in cancer immunity are described, such as the complexity of the cancer immunity system, the inclusive functions of lncRNAs in this system, and the associated immune response. In sum, the comprehensive investigation of the roles of lncRNAs in cancer immunity aids in cancer diagnosis and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Wu
- Breast Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peifen Fu
- Breast Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Qu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Aifu Lin
- Breast Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Ahn YH, Kim JS. Long Non-Coding RNAs as Regulators of Interactions between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Cancer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7484. [PMID: 33050576 PMCID: PMC7589653 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate diverse physiological and pathological processes via post-transcriptional, post-translational, and epigenetic mechanisms. They are also involved in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis by functioning as key players in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, drug resistance, and immunosuppression, which can be modulated by lncRNAs. LncRNAs regulate the intrinsic properties of CAFs or cancer cells intracellularly or function extracellularly through exosomal secretion. In-depth studies on the mechanisms of lncRNA functions will enable their clinical use as diagnosis/prognosis markers and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Ho Ahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea;
- Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea
| | - Jeong Seon Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea;
- Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea
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