Comprehensive Analysis of the Prognostic Significance of Hsa-miR-100-5p and Its Related Gene Signature in Stomach Adenocarcinoma

Abnormal expression profile of plasma exosomal microRNAs in exclusive electronic cigarette adult users

Background

Exposure to electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosol has been linked to several health concerns, including DNA damage, elevated oxidative stress, the release of inflammatory cytokine, and dysfunctions in epithelial barriers. However, little is known about the effect of exclusive e-cigarette use on expression profiles of exosomal miRNAs, which play critical regulatory roles in many inflammatory responses and disease processes including cancer. We aim to compare the exosomal microRNA expression profile between exclusive e-cigarette users and normal controls without any tobacco product use (non-users).

Methods

Using plasma samples from 15 exclusive e-cigarette users and 15 non-users in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Wave 1 study (2013-2014), we examined exosomal microRNAs expression levels through Illumina NextSeq 500/550 sequencing. The differential analyses between exclusive e-cigarette users and non-users were examined using the generalized linear model approach in the DESeq2 package in R/Bioconductor after adjusting the significant confounding effect from race. Gene enrichment analyses were conducted on target genes regulated by significant microRNAs in the differential analyses. Further, molecular-based techniques using the micro RNA mimics and inhibitors were applied for the validation of the expressions of the micro RNAs in vitro.

Results

We identified four microRNAs that have significantly higher expression levels in exclusive e-cigarette users than non-users including hsa-miR-100-5p, hsa-miR-125a-5p, hsa-miR-125b-5p, and hsa-miR-99a-5p. GO enrichment analysis on the target genes regulated by the four microRNAs showed that dysregulation of the four microRNAs in exclusive e-cigarette users involved in multiple cell processes such as protein kinase binding and miRNA metabolic process. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis found the four upregulated miRNAs in exclusive e-cigarette users involved in many cancer pathways such as the non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, p53 signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Overexpression of miRNA hsa-miR-125b-5p was shown to promote DNA damage in bronchial epithelia cells.

Conclusions

Four plasma exosomal microRNAs involved in cancer development had higher expression levels in exclusive e-cigarette users than non-users, which might indicate a potentially elevated risk of cancer among exclusive e-cigarette users.

Exosomal miR-99b-5p Secreted from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Can Retard the Progression of Colorectal Cancer by Targeting FGFR3

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are efficient mass producers of exosomes that can potentially be utilized for delivery of miRNAs in cancer therapy. The current study aimed to assess the role of MSC-exosomal miR-99b-5p during the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The potential value of using plasma levels of exosomal miR-99b-5p for predicting the liver metastasis of colorectal cancer was also assessed. In this study, we found that overexpression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) was associated with tumor progression in CRC and FGFR3 was the target gene of miR-99b-5p, which was down-regulated in CRC tissues. Furthermore, we observed that elevated miR-99b-5p inhibited CRC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, while reduced levels had the opposite effect on CRC cells. Moreover, exosomal miR-99b-5p delivered by BMSCs was able to limit the proliferation, invasion and migration of CRC cells in vitro, as well as suppressing tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, these findings revealed that MSC-derived exosomal miR-99b-5p can be transferred into CRC cells and which can suppress tumor progression by targeting FGFR3. This highlights the potential of using exosomal miR-99b-5p as a novel diagnostic marker for CRC, while providing a therapeutic target to combat CRC.

miR-186-ANXA9 signaling inhibits tumorigenesis in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) ranks as the highest incidence among cancer types in women all over the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short endogenous non-coding RNA in cells mostly functioning to silence the target mRNAs. In the current study, a miRNA screening analysis identified miR-186-5p to be downregulated in human breast cancer tumors. Functional studies in vitro demonstrated that overexpression of miR-186-5p inhibited cellular proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in multiple breast cancer cell lines including MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and BT549 cells. Transplantation of the miR-186-5p-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 cells into nude mice significantly inhibited mammary tumor growth in vivo. Sequence blast analysis predicted annexin A9 (ANXA9) as a target gene of miR-186-5p, which was validated by luciferase reporter assay, QRT-PCR analysis, and western blot. Additional gene expression analysis of clinical tumor samples indicated a negative correlation between miR-186-5p and ANXA9 in human breast cancer. Knockdown of ANXA9 mimicked the phenotype of miR-186-5p overexpression. Reintroduction of ANXA9 back rescued the miR-186-5p-induced cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-186-5p decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and increased the expression of p53, suggesting a mechanism regulating miR-186-5p-induced cellular apoptosis. In summary, our study is the first to demonstrate miR-186-5p-ANXA9 signaling in suppressing human breast cancer. It provided a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.

miR-100-5p Is a Novel Biomarker That Suppresses the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma

Objective

To better understand the role and underlying mechanisms of SKCM, we conducted bioinformatics analysis and in vivo experiments.

Results

We found its role as a tumor suppressor gene in SKCM and its effect on prognosis. In addition, this study found that miR-100-5p had a bidirectional effect on SKCM microenvironment. After exploring the relationship between the two, it was found that tumors with intermediate miR-100-5p expression had the highest level of immune cell infiltration. In addition, the value of miR-100-5p was assessed by survival analysis, univariate Cox regression analysis, and nomogram prognostic prediction. Finally, we constructed a regulatory network to illustrate the regulatory relationship of miR-100-5p.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the antitumor effect of miR-100-5p is revealed, and the present study is followed by a discussion of its molecular regulatory network, followed by novel insights into SKCM therapy.

Characterization of Immune-Related Molecular Subtypes and a Prognostic Signature Correlating With the Response to Immunotherapy in Patients With Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a disease characterized by high molecular and phenotypic heterogeneity and represents a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) affects the response to immunotherapy and the prognosis of patients with GC. Explorations of the TIME in GC and characterization of molecular subtypes might enhance personalized treatment and facilitate clinical decision-making. In this study, two molecular subtypes were defined through unsupervised consensus clustering based on immune-related dysregulated genes. Then, patients with different molecular subtypes of GC were shown to have distinct differences in sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs). The immune-related prognostic signature was established utilizing least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression analysis. Three independent external cohorts and the IMvigor210 cohort were introduced to validate the robustness of IPRS. scRNA-seq data of GC samples were used to decipher the underlying mechanisms of how IPRS contributes to the TIME. GC biospecimens were collected for RT-qPCR to further validate our findings. In summary, we characterized the abnormal TIME of GC and constructed a reliable immune-related prognostic signature correlating with the response to immunotherapy. This study may provide new strategies for developing individualized treatments for patients with GC.

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Premature Ovarian Failure through Cell Apoptosis of miR-100-5p/NOX4/NLRP3

Premature ovarian failure refers to a series of symptoms of perimenopausal hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, insomnia, reduced menstruation, sparse hair, even amenorrhea, and even infertility before the age of 40 due to the decline of ovarian function. Premature ovarian failure is a common and difficult disease in gynecology. Its prevalence is increasing gradually, and the trend is younger. The aim of this experiment was to elucidate the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) in premature ovarian failure and its mechanism. HUCMSCs, KGN cells, and HEK293T cells were used in this experiment. Quantitative PCR and microarray analysis, ELISA inflammation and oxidative stress kits, RNA pull-down assay, luciferase reporter assay, proliferation assay, EDU staining, and Western blot analysis were used. In an in vitro model of premature ovarian failure, HUCMSCs attenuated inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. HUCMSCs ameliorated the premature ovarian failure model. The miR-100-5p expression was induced by HUCMSCs through methylation. miR-100-5p regulation influenced the role of HUCMSCs in an in vitro model of premature ovarian failure. HUCMSCs inhibited the in vitro expression of NOX4, NLRP3, and GSDMD proteins in the model. NOX4/NLRP3 signaling pathway affects the role of HUCMSCs in an in vitro model of premature ovarian failure through miR-100-5p. This experiment elucidated the role of HUCMSCs in premature ovarian failure and its mechanism, with a view to providing a clinical reference.

A miRNAs catalogue from third-stage larvae and extracellular vesicles of Anisakis pegreffii provides new clues for host-parasite interplay

Anisakids are widespread marine parasites of medical, veterinary and economic relevance. They infect marine natural hosts but humans can accidentally acquire the fish-borne zoonosis anisakiasis by ingesting infected raw fishes or mollusks. Among the several species described, Anisakis pegreffii is one of the main etiological agent of the disease, in particular in the Mediterranean area. Despite the growing evidence of miRNAs involvement in host-parasite interplay, and the emerging role of exosomal microvesicles in shuttling them between different cell types (and sometime across species), no information on miRNAs from any Anisakis species is presently available. In this study we isolated extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by Anisakis pegreffii infective third-stage larvae (L3) and analyzed by RNA-seq small RNAs from both L3 and EVs. We showed by nanoparticle tracking analysis that L3 release in culture medium particles of size compatible with the one of extracellular vesicles. A catalogue of 156 miRNAs from A. pegreffii was compiled by sequence comparison to evolutionary close species and miRNA prediction software. Using differential expression analysis, we identified a small number of highly abundant miRNAs in larvae and extracellular vesicles fractions whose potential biological relevance may deserve future investigation. Finally, A. pegreffii miRNAs were compared to those described in other parasitic helminths and predicted targets among human genes were searched, suggesting their potential involvement during infection.