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Fang Y, Zhang Q, Chen Z, Guo C, Wu J. Clinical significance and immune characteristics analysis of miR-221-3p and its key target genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:322-347. [PMID: 38189813 PMCID: PMC10817385 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNA-221-3p (miR-221-3p) facilitates the advancement of breast cancer (BC) through the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our research aimed to utilize bioinformatics to discover possible EMT-related target genes (ETGs) of miR-221-3p and examine their roles in breast cancer. METHODS We employed bioinformatics techniques to identify ten key ETGs of miR-221-3p. Subsequently, we conducted an extensive analysis of both miR-221-3p and the ten ETGs, including clinical significance and immune characteristics. RESULTS The expression of miR-221-3p was notably higher in Basal-like BC compared to other subtypes and adjacent normal tissue. Our pathway analysis suggested that miR-221-3p might regulate EMT through the MAPK signaling pathway by targeting its ETGs. Among the ETGs, seven core genes (EGFR, IGF1, KDR, FGF2, KIT, FGFR1, and FGF1) exhibited downregulation in BC. Conversely, ERBB2, SDC1, and MMP14 showed upregulation in BC and displayed potential diagnostic value. The analysis of prognostication indicated that increased levels of SDC1 and MMP14 were correlated with an unfavorable prognosis, whereas elevated expression of KIT was associated with a more favorable prognosis. The infiltration of various immune cells and the expression of immune checkpoint genes (ICGs) exhibited positive correlations with most ETGs and miR-221-3p. SDC1 exhibited a greater tumor mutational burden (TMB) score, while ERBB2, KDR, FGF2, KIT, FGFR1, and FGF1 showed lower TMB scores. Furthermore, decreased ERBB2 and KDR expression levels were correlated with elevated microsatellite instability (MSI) scores. Elevated expression of ETGs was linked to decreased mRNA stemness indices (mRNAsi), whereas miR-221-3p displayed the opposite pattern. Most ETGs and miR-221-3p expression exhibited a negative correlation with IC50 values for drugs. Among the ETGs, amplification was the most significant genetic alteration, except for IGF1. CONCLUSION In conclusion, miR-221-3p acts as a unique indicator for Basal-like BC. The examination revealed ten essential ETGs of miR-221-3p, some of which show potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers. The in-depth examination of these ten ETGs and miR-221-3p indicates their participation in the development of BC, emphasizing their promise as innovative targets for therapy in BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Fang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Qunchen Zhang
- Department of Breast, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Jiangmen 529000, Guangdong, China
| | - Zexiao Chen
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Cuiping Guo
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Jundong Wu
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
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Sun XY, Li HZ, Xie DF, Gao SS, Huang X, Guan H, Bai CJ, Zhou PK. LPAR5 confers radioresistance to cancer cells associated with EMT activation via the ERK/Snail pathway. J Transl Med 2022; 20:456. [PMID: 36199069 PMCID: PMC9533496 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03673-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical event contributing to more aggressive phenotypes in cancer cells. EMT is frequently activated in radiation-targeted cells during the course of radiotherapy, which often endows cancers with acquired radioresistance. However, the upstream molecules driving the signaling pathways of radiation-induced EMT have not been fully delineated. METHODS In this study, RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis was performed to identify the early responsive genes of HeLa cells to γ-ray irradiation. EMT-associated genes were knocked down by siRNA technology or overexpressed in HeLa cells and A549 cells, and the resulting changes in phenotypes of EMT and radiosensitivity were assessed using qPCR and Western blotting analyses, migration assays, colony-forming ability and apoptosis of flow cytometer assays. RESULTS Through RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis, we found that LPAR5 is downregulated in the early response of HeLa cells to γ-ray irradiation. Radiation-induced alterations in LPAR5 expression were further revealed to be a bidirectional dynamic process in HeLa and A549 cells, i.e., the early downregulating phase at 2 ~ 4 h and the late upregulating phase at 24 h post-irradiation. Overexpression of LPAR5 prompts EMT programing and migration of cancer cells. Moreover, increased expression of LPAR5 is significantly associated with IR-induced EMT and confers radioresistance to cancer cells. Knockdown of LPAR5 suppressed IR-induced EMT by attenuating the activation of ERK signaling and downstream Snail, MMP1, and MMP9 expression. CONCLUSIONS LPAR5 is an important upstream regulator of IR-induced EMT that modulates the ERK/Snail pathway. This study provides further insights into understanding the mechanism of radiation-induced EMT and identifies promising targets for improving the effectiveness of cancer radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ya Sun
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao-Zheng Li
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China
| | - Da-Fei Xie
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan-Shan Gao
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Guan
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chen-Jun Bai
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ping-Kun Zhou
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China.
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Xie Z, Cai J, Sun W, Hua S, Wang X, Li A, Jiang J. Development and Validation of Prognostic Model in Transitional Bladder Cancer Based on Inflammatory Response-Associated Genes. Front Oncol 2021; 11:740985. [PMID: 34692520 PMCID: PMC8529162 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.740985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer is a common malignant type in the world, and over 90% are transitional cell carcinoma. While the impact of inflammatory response on cancer progression has been reported, the role of inflammatory response-associated genes (IRAGs) in transitional bladder cancer still needs to be understood. Methods In this study, IRAGs were download from Molecular Signature Database (MSigDB). The transcriptional expression and matched clinicopathological data were separately obtained from public databases. The TCGA-BLCA cohort was used to identify the differentially expressed IRAGs, and prognostic IRAGs were filtrated by univariate survival analysis. The intersection between them was displayed by Venn diagram. Based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis method, the TCGA-BLCA cohort was used to construct a risk signature. Survival analysis was conducted to calculate the overall survival (OS) in TCGA and GSE13507 cohort between two groups. We then conducted univariate and multivariate survival analyses to identify independently significant indicators for prognosis. Relationships between the risk scores and age, grade, stage, immune cell infiltration, immune function, and drug sensitivity were demonstrated by correlation analysis. The expression level of prognostic genes in vivo and in vitro were determined by qRT-PCR assay. Results Comparing with normal tissues, there were 49 differentially expressed IRAGs in cancer tissues, and 12 of them were markedly related to the prognosis in TCGA cohort for transitional bladder cancer patients. Based on LASSO regression analysis, a risk model consists of 10 IRAGs was established. Comparing with high-risk groups, survival analysis showed that patients in low-risk groups were more likely to have a better survival time in TCGA and GSE13507 cohorts. Besides, the accuracy of the model in predicting prognosis is acceptable, which is demonstrated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Age, stage, and risk scores variables were identified as the independently significant indicators for survival in transitional bladder cancer. Correlation analysis represented that the risk score was identified to be significantly related to the above variables except gender variable. Moreover, the expression level of prognostic genes in vivo and in vitro was markedly upregulated for transitional bladder cancer. Conclusions A novel model based on the 10 IRAGs that can be used to predict survival time for transitional bladder cancer. In addition, this study may provide treatment strategies according to the drug sensitivity in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Xie
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinming Cai
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenlan Sun
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Hua
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingjie Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Anguo Li
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Peoples Hospital of Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Juntao Jiang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wang T, Zhang Y, Bai J, Xue Y, Peng Q. MMP1 and MMP9 are potential prognostic biomarkers and targets for uveal melanoma. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:1068. [PMID: 34587931 PMCID: PMC8482640 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08788-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uveal melanoma (UVM) is the leading cause of eye-related mortality worldwide. This study aimed to explore the expression and prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UVM. METHODS Gene expression levels were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Oncomine databases. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. GeneMANIA was then applied to construct a protein-protein interaction network and identify the hub genes. Moreover, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) analysis for the hub genes was performed using the UALCAN and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online tool. Furthermore, TRRUST was used to predict the targets of the MMPs. RESULTS Our results revealed that the transcriptional levels of MMP1, MMP9, MMP10, MMP11, MMP13, MMP14, and MMP17 were upregulated in UVM tissues compared to normal tissues. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and the top 50 hub genes were identified. The functions of MMPs and their neighboring proteins are mainly associated with ECM-receptor interaction, proteoglycans in cancer, the IL-17 signaling pathway, and microRNAs in cancer. Among the MMPs, MMP1/2/9/11/14/15/16/17/24 played significant roles in the progression of UVM from stage 3 to stage 4. We also found that the expression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, and MMP16 positively correlated with OS and DFS in patients with UVM. Additionally, 18 transcription factors associated with nine MMPs were identified. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study may provide potential biomarkers and targets for UVM. However, further studies are required to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhao Bai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yawen Xue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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