PNMA5 Promotes Bone Metastasis of Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer as a Target of BMP2 Signaling

Deciphering age-specific molecular features in cervical cancer and constructing an angio-immune prognostic model

Cancer incidence is increasingly seen in younger individuals. Molecular distinctions between young and elderly patients at onset are understudied. This study used public databases to explore genomic, transcriptomic, and immune-related features across age groups in cervical cancer. Additionally, it aims to create a prognostic model applicable across diverse age cohorts, enabling precise patient stratification, and personalized therapies. Gene mutations, expression data, and clinicopathological information were obtained from 317 cervical cancer patients. These patients were divided into a young group and an old group based on the median age of onset. The characteristics of differential gene mutation, gene expression, and immune cells analysis were analyzed by R software. Finally, the prognostic model was constructed by univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and multivariate Cox regression analyses of angiogenic and immune gene sets. Its validity was further confirmed using an additional 300 cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma tissues. Cervical cancer patients at elderly onset age exhibit a significantly higher frequency of NOTCH1 and TP53 driver mutations compared to young patients, along with a notably higher tumor mutational burden. However, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of genomic instability and age-related mutational signatures. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that the young group significantly upregulated interferon-alpha and gamma responses and exhibited significantly higher activity in multiple metabolic pathways. Immune microenvironment analysis indicated enrichment of dendritic cells and natural killer cells in the young group, while transforming growth factor-β signature was enriched in the elderly group, indicating a higher degree of immune exclusion. A multigene prognostic model based on angiogenesis and T cell immune gene sets showed excellent prognostic performance independent of clinical factors such as age. High-risk groups identified by the model exhibit significant activation of tumor-promoting processes, such as metastasis and angiogenesis. Our study reveals distinct patterns in cancer-driving mechanisms, biological processes, and immune system status between young and elderly patients at onset with cervical cancer. These findings shed light on the age-specific underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Furthermore, an independent molecular prognostic model is constructed to provide valuable references for patient stratification and the development of potential drug targets.

Genome-wide RNA-sequencing dataset reveals AC096751.1 sever as a novel prognostic long non-coding RNA and its potential molecular mechanisms in patients with colon adenocarcinoma

Objective: Through data analysis, we observed that AC096751.1 is markedly imbalance between colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) cancer and paracancerous tissues. However, the prognostic value and potential molecular mechanism of AC096751.1 in COAD are still unclear. Methods: Whole genome RNA-sequencing datasets of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) COAD cohort were collected into current study, comprehensive survival analysis and bioinformatics function enrichment analysis approaches were apply to explore the clinical outcome and molecular mechanisms of AC096751.1 in COAD. Results: In current study, we found that AC096751.1 is markedly down-regulated in COAD cancer tissues (log2 fold change =2.303, P<0.0001, false discovery rate <0.0001), and can be serve as a biomarker to distinguish COAD cancer and paracancerous tissues [area under curve=0.9518, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.9261-0.9776]. Survival analysis suggests that low expression of AC096751.1 is connected with poor clinical outcome of COAD, and can serve as a novel prognostic indicator (log-rank P=0.016, adjusted P=0.005, hazard ratio=0.548, 95% CI=0.360-0.836). Bioinformatics function enrichment analysis suggests that the molecular mechanism of AC096751.1 in COAD may include participation in cell adhesion, cell proliferation, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK), MAPK, janus-activated kinase-singal transducers and activators of transcriprion cascade, Erk1 and Erk 2 cascade, and nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Tumor microenvironment and immune infiltration analysis indicates that COAD patients with different AC096751.1 expression have significant variation in tumor immune background. Conclusion: The present study found that AC096751.1 is significantly differentially expressed in COAD and can be serve as a novel prognostic biomarker.

Synergistic Effect of QNZ, an Inhibitor of NF-κB Signaling, and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 on Osteogenic Differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells through Fibroblast-Induced Yes-Associated Protein Activation

Biomaterials carrying recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) have been developed to enhance bone regeneration in the treatment of bone defects. However, various reports have shown that in the bone repair microenvironment, fibroblasts can inhibit BMP2-induced osteogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Thus, factors that can target fibroblasts and improve BMP2-mediated osteogenesis should be explored. In this project, we focused on whether or not an inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway, QNZ (EVP4593), could play a synergistic role with BMP2 in osteogenesis by regulating the activity of fibroblasts. The roles of QNZ in regulating the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts were examined. In addition, the effect of QNZ combined with BMP2 on the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the detailed mechanisms by which QNZ improved BMP2-mediated osteogenesis through the modulation of fibroblasts were analyzed and revealed. Interestingly, we found that QNZ inhibited the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts. Thus, QNZ could relieve the inhibitory effects of fibroblasts on the homing and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, biomaterials carrying both QNZ and BMP2 showed better osteoinductivity than did those carrying BMP2 alone both in vitro and in vivo. It was found that the mechanism of QNZ involved reactivating YAP activity in mesenchymal stem cells, which was inhibited by fibroblasts. Taken together, our results suggest that QNZ may be a candidate factor for assisting BMP2 in inducing osteogenesis. The combined application of QNZ and BMP2 in biomaterials may be promising for the treatment of bone defects in the future.

Synthesis of tetrahedron DNA nanostructures for detecting the activation of cell signal transduction via their specific binding to transcriptional factors

A technique for detecting the activation of cell signal transduction is particularly important for disease diagnosis and therapy. Transcriptional factor (TF) activities that could indicate the status of cell signal transduction are a favorable target for cell signal detection. Tetrahedron DNA nanostructures (TDNs) which contain specific binding sequences of TFs were designed and synthesized in this research, and their effects on detecting cell signal transduction were evaluated. We found that FAM-labeled TDNs with the indicated TF binding sequences could specifically bind to activated TFs of hypoxia signaling or TGF-β signaling. Signaling pathway activities detected via TDNs could be exhibited by various methods including fluorescence imaging, flow cytometry and fluorescence spectrometer analysis. The reliability of this new technique is in line with the classical dual luciferase reporter assay system. This work develops a novel and effective tool to examine the activation of intracellular signaling pathways via nanotechnology. In addition, good stability and programmability of TDNs ensure their widespread application in various signaling pathways.

Muscle and Bone Defects in Metastatic Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review addresses most recently identified mechanisms implicated in metastasis-induced bone resorption and muscle-wasting syndrome, known as cachexia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Metastatic disease in bone and soft tissues is often associated with skeletal muscle defects. Recent studies have identified a number of secreted molecules and extracellular vesicles that contribute to cancer cell growth and metastasis leading to bone destruction and muscle atrophy. In addition, alterations in muscle microenvironment including dysfunctions in hepatic and mitochondrial metabolism have been implicated in cancer-induced regeneration defect and muscle loss. Moreover, we review novel in vitro and animal models including promising new drug candidates for bone metastases and cancer cachexia. Preservation of bone health could be highly beneficial for maintaining muscle mass and function. Therefore, a better understanding of molecular pathways implicated in bone and muscle crosstalk in metastatic disease may provide new insights and identify new strategies to improve current anticancer therapeutics.

Osteoporosis in Patients With Respiratory Diseases

Climate change, environmental pollution, and virus epidemics have sharply increased the number of patients suffering from respiratory diseases in recent years. Prolonged periods of illness and drug use increase the occurrence of complications in these patients. Osteoporosis is the common bone metabolism disease with respiratory disturbance, which affects prognosis and increases mortality of patients. The problem of osteoporosis in patients with respiratory diseases needs more attention. In this review, we concluded the characteristics of osteoporosis in some respiratory diseases including COPD, asthma, COVID-19, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. We revealed that hypoxia was the common pathogenesis of osteoporosis secondary to respiratory diseases, with malnutrition and corticosteroid abuse driving the progression of osteoporosis. Hypoxia-induced ROS accumulation and activated HIF-1α lead to attenuated osteogenesis and enhanced osteoclastogenesis in patients with respiratory diseases. Tuberculosis and cancer also invaded bone tissue and reduced bone strength by direct infiltration. For the treatment of osteoporosis in respiratory patients, oral-optimized bisphosphonates were the best treatment modality. Vitamin D was a necessary supplement, both for calcium absorption in osteogenesis and for improvement of respiratory lesions. Reasonable adjustment of the dose and course of corticosteroids according to the etiology and condition of patients is beneficial to prevent the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. Additionally, HIF-1α was a potential target for the treatment of osteoporosis in respiratory patients, which could be activated under hypoxia condition and involved in the process of bone remodeling.

Clinical Efficacy of Osimertinib in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Effect on Serum CEA and VEGF Expression

Objective

To assess the clinical efficacy of osimertinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and its effect on serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression.

Methods

Between July 2018 and January 2020, 80 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were assessed for eligibility and recruited. The patients were assigned at a ratio of 1 : 1 to receive either the PC regimen (pemetrexed + cisplatin) (conventional group) or osimertinib (experimental group). The primary endpoint was the clinical efficacy, and the secondary endpoints were the adverse events, expression of serum CEA and VEGF, and 2-year survival.

Results

Osimertinib was associated with a significantly higher response rate and disease control rate versus pemetrexed plus cisplatin (P < 0.05). Osimertinib resulted in a significantly lower incidence of adverse events versus the PC regimen (P < 0.05). Patients given osimertinib had significantly lower levels of CEA and VEGF versus those given pemetrexed plus cisplatin (P < 0.05). Osimertinib was associated with a significantly higher 1-year and 2-year survival rate versus pemetrexed plus cisplatin.

Conclusion

Osimertinib could inhibit the expression of serum CEA and VEGF in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and reduce the adverse events with significant efficacy, so it is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

PNMA5 accelerated cellular proliferation, invasion and migration in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVES

Paraneoplastic antigen Ma family (PNMA) is dysregulated in the pathological development of various cancers. However, the actions of PNMA member 5 (PNMA5) in cancers are still unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the biological actions of PNMA5 and its implication in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining, western blot and qPCR were used to explore PNMA5 expression in colorectal cancer tissues and cells. In addition, western blot, MTT assays, Colony formation assay, wound-healing, and transwell cell invasion assays were used to investigate the effects of PNMA5 on EMT in colorectal cancer. The lung metastasis models and xenografts in nude mice were established to explore the roles of PNMA5 in vivo.

RESULTS

It was found that the expression level of PNMA5 in colorectal cancer tissues was significantly up regulated compared to that in the adjacent tissues. The overall survival rates of patients with a higher PNMA5 expression were markedly decreased. In addition, knockdown of PNMA5 expression decreased the proliferation, invasion and migration of both HCT-15 and HCT-116 cells. PNMA5 expression was found to be positively associated with the expression of C-myc, CyclinD1, Ki67, N-cadherin, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 and vimentin, and negatively associated with E-cadherin. It was also found that PNMA5 knockdown attenuated TGF-β-induced EMT in colorectal cancer cells. Finally, it was demonstrated that PNMA5 accelerated colorectal cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The results revealed that PNMA5 increased cellular proliferation, invasion and migration in colorectal cancer. PNMA5 plays a key role in promoting CRC carcinogenesis and progression for patients with CRC.

MiroRNA-31-3p Promotes the Invasion and Metastasis of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting Forkhead Box 1 (FOXO1)

OBJECTIVE

To explore the possibility of microRNA miR-31-3p as a biomarker for bone metastasis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its molecular mechanism to the invasion and metastasis of NSCLC cells.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-31-3p and forkhead box 1 (FOXO1) in NSCLC tissues, serum, and cells to analyze the correlation between the expression levels of miR-31-3p and the clinicopathology of NSCLC. After interference with or overexpressing miR-31-3p, NSCLC cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion ability, and migration ability were detected by MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell, and scratch experiment, respectively. The interaction between miR-31-3p and FOXO1 was further verified by the dual-luciferase reporter experiment. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of FOXO1 in tissues and FOXO1, RhoA, p-RhoA, ROCK-2, and p-ROCK-2 in cells.

RESULTS

In tissues, serum, and NSCLC cell line A549 of the NSCLC patients, the expression of FOXO1 was notably lower, and the miR-31-3p expression was significantly higher. Overexpression of miR-31-3p could distinctly improve the proliferation, invasion, and migration of A549 cells, meanwhile inhibit cell apoptosis, and activate the RhoA/ROCK-2 signaling pathway, while interfering with the expression of miR-31-3p has the opposite function. Besides, bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that FOXO1 was a target gene of miR-31-3p. Overexpressing FOXO1 could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of A549 cells, but overexpressing miR-31-3p reverses the results.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that miR-31-3p promotes the proliferation, invasion, and migration of NSCLC cells and inhibits apoptosis through targeted regulating FOXO1 and be a potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of NSCLC.