The TGFβ-Induced Long Non-coding RNA TBULC Promotes the Invasion and Migration of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells and Indicates Poor Prognosis

Analysis of immunoinfiltration and EndoMT based on TGF-β signaling pathway-related genes in acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a critical manifestation of coronary heart disease, presents a complex and not entirely understood etiology. This study investigates the potential role of immune infiltration and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in AMI pathogenesis. We conducted an analysis of the GSE24519 and MSigDB datasets to identify differentially expressed genes associated with the TGF-β signaling pathway (DE-TSRGs) and carried out a functional enrichment analysis. Additionally, we evaluated immune infiltration in AMI and its possible link to myocardial fibrosis. Key genes were identified using machine learning and LASSO logistic regression. The expression of MEOX1 in the ventricular muscles and endothelial cells of Sprague-Dawley rats was assessed through RT-qPCR, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence assays, and the effect of MEOX1 overexpression on EndoMT was investigated. Our study identified five DE-TSRGs, among which MEOX1, SMURF1, and SPTBN1 exhibited the most significant associations with AMI. Notably, we detected substantial immune infiltration in AMI specimens, with a marked increase in neutrophils and macrophages. MEOX1 demonstrated consistent expression patterns in rat ventricular muscle tissue and endothelial cells, and its overexpression induced EndoMT. Our findings suggest that the TGF-β signaling pathway may contribute to AMI progression by activating the immune response. MEOX1, linked to the TGF-β signaling pathway, appears to facilitate myocardial fibrosis via EndoMT following AMI. These novel insights into the mechanisms of AMI pathogenesis could offer promising therapeutic targets for intervention.

LncRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer: novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related death worldwide, with a serious impact on human health and life. The identification of NSCLC at an early stage is a formidable task that frequently culminates in a belated diagnosis. LncRNA is a kind of noncoding RNA with limited protein-coding capacity, and its expression is out of balance in many cancers, especially NSCLC. A large number of studies have reported that lncRNA acts a vital role in regulating angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells, affecting the occurrence and development of NSCLC. Abundant evidence demonstrates that lncRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for NSCLC diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in characterizing the functional mechanism of lncRNAs involved in the development of NSCLC and further discuss the role of lncRNAs in NSCLC therapy and chemotherapy resistance. We also discuss the advantages, limitations, and challenges of using lncRNAs as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in the management of NSCLC.

The function of LncRNA-ATB in cancer

Cancer as a progressive and complex disease is caused by early chromosomal changes and stimulated cellular transformation. Previous studies reported that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play pivotal roles in the initiation, maintenance, and progression of cancer cells. LncRNA activated by TGF-β (ATB) has been shown to be dysregulated in different types of cancer. Aberrant expression of lncRNA-ATB plays an important role in the progression of diverse malignancies. High expression of LncRNA-ATB is associated with cancer cell growth, proliferation, metastasis, and EMT. LncRNA-ATB by targeting various signaling pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) can trigger cancer pathogenesis. Therefore, lncRNA-ATB can be a novel target for cancer prediction and diagnosis. In this review, we will focus on the function of lncRNA-ATB in various types of human cancers.

Long non-coding RNAs and exosomal lncRNAs: Potential functions in lung cancer progression, drug resistance and tumor microenvironment remodeling

Among the different kinds of tumors threatening human life, lung cancer is one that is commonly observed in both males and females. The aggressive behavior of lung cancer and interactions occurring in tumor microenvironment enhances the malignancy of this tumor. The lung tumor cells have demonstrated capacity in developing chemo- and radio-resistance. LncRNAs are a category of non-coding RNAs that do not encode proteins, but their aberrant expression is responsible for tumor development, especially lung cancer. In the present review, we focus on both lncRNAs and exosomal lncRNAs in lung cancer, and their ability in regulating proliferation and metastasis. Cell cycle progression and molecular mechanisms related to lung cancer metastasis such as EMT and MMPs are regulated by lncRNAs. LncRNAs interact with miRNAs, STAT, Wnt, EZH2, PTEN and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways to affect progression of lung cancer cells. LncRNAs demonstrate both tumor-suppressor and tumor-promoting functions in lung cancer. They can be considered as biomarkers in lung cancer and especially exosomal lncRNAs present in body fluids are potential tools for minimally invasive diagnosis. Furthermore, we discuss regulation of lncRNAs by anti-cancer drugs and genetic tools as well as the role of these factors in therapy response of lung cancer cells.

Exosomal miR-205-5p enhances angiogenesis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis by targeting desmocollin-2

The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how exosomal miR-205-5p regulated angiogenesis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastasis. We found that up-regulated serum exosomal miR-205-5p levels were associated with NPC progression and worse overall survival of NPC patients. miR-205-5p over-expression significantly increased tube formation, wound healing, migration and invasion of NPC cells, and lung metastasis of NPC tumors, whereas miR-205-5p inhibition had opposite effects. Exosomal miR-205-5p from NPC cells promoted the migration, tube formation, and microvessel density (MVD) of HUVECs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, bioinformatics-, luciferase reporter-, and biotinylated miR-205-5p-based pull-down assays indicated that miR-205-5p directly bound to the 3′ UTR of desmocollin-2 (DSC2). Exosomal miR-205-5p targeted DSC2 to enhance the EGFR/ERK signaling and MMP2/MMP9 expression, promoting angiogenesis and NPC metastasis, which was abrogated by DSC2 over-expression. Finally, the levels of miR-205-5p transcripts were positively correlated with MVD but negatively with DSC2 expression in NPC tissues, and patients with miR-205^high/DSC2^low NPC had worse overall survival. In conclusion, exosomal miR-205-5p promotes angiogenesis and NPC metastasis by targeting DSC2 to enhance EGFR/ERK signaling and MMP expression. This exosomal/miR-205-5p/EGFR/ERK axis may be a new therapeutic target for intervention of NPC metastasis.

RSPH14 regulates the proliferation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common subtype of lung cancer and it is characterized by a high incidence. It is important to understand the molecular mechanisms that determine the progression and metastasis of NSCLC in order to develop more effective therapies and identify novel diagnostic indicators of NSCLC. RSPH14 has been reported to be related to multiple human diseases, including duodenal adenocarcinoma and meningiomas, but the role of RSPH14 in NSCLC remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular function and clinical significance of RSPH14 in NSCLC. Analyses of public datasets and clinical samples demonstrated that RSPH14 expression was upregulated in NSCLC samples compared with normal samples. In addition, high RSPH14 expression was associated with a shorter overall survival time in patients with NSCLC. Notably, RSPH14 knockdown suppressed the proliferation and cell cycle progression, and enhanced the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Mechanically, Tandem Mass Tag analysis demonstrated that RSPH14 can affect multiple processes, including the AMPK signaling pathway, calcium ion import regulation, glucose transmembrane transporter activity, and glucose transmembrane transport. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that RSPH14 may be a promising prognostic factor and therapeutic target for NSCLC.