Genetic Variants of HOTAIR Associated With Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility and Mortality

The association of FSCN1 (rs852479, rs1640233) and HOTAIR (rs920778) polymorphisms with the risk of breast cancer in Egyptian women

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancers that contribute to mortality among women worldwide. Despite contradictory findings, considerable evidence suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FSCN1 and HOTAIR genes may have a causative impact on the development of BC. This case-control study was conducted to evaluate the association of genotype frequency in FSCN1 rs852479, rs1640233, and HOTAIR rs920778 with susceptibility and prognosis of BC, as well as the impact of clinical stages and hormonal features.

METHODS AND RESULTS

FSCN1 (rs852479, rs1640233) and HOTAIR (rs920778) were genotyped using TaqMan real-time PCR assay in 200 BC patients and 200 cancer-free controls, all representing Egyptian women. Genotypic analyses in association with clinicopathological factors and disease risk were assessed. As a result, a significant association with BC risk was observed for CC genotype frequency of FSCN1 rs852479 A > C (OR = 0.395, 95% CI 0.204-0.76, p-value = 0.005). However, no significant correlation was detected between the FSCN1 rs1640233 C > T and HOTAIR rs920778 C > T polymorphic variants and susceptibility to BC. Interestingly, CC genotype of FSCN1 rs1640233 was more likely to progress tumor size and lymph node invasion in BC cases (p-value = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Moreover, it was revealed that there was a non-significant correlation between the haplotype distributions of FSCN1 rs852479 and rs1640233 and the probability of BC.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the sample size and genetic characteristics of the subjects involved in the present study, our findings indicated that FSCN1 rs852479 may contribute to BC susceptibility in a sample of the Egyptian population.

Decoding the regulatory landscape of lncRNAs as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for gastric and colorectal cancers

Colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer (GC) are major contributors to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in understanding molecular mechanisms and improved drug treatments, the overall survival rate for patients remains unsatisfactory. Metastasis and drug resistance are major challenges contributing to the high mortality rate in both CRC and GC. Recent research has shed light on the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development and progression of these cancers. LncRNAs regulate gene expression through various mechanisms, including epigenetic modifications and interactions with microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins. They can serve as miRNA precursors or pseudogenes, modulating gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Additionally, circulating lncRNAs have emerged as non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of drug therapy response in CRC and GC. This review explores the intricate relationship between lncRNAs and CRC/GC, encompassing their roles in cancer development, progression, and chemoresistance. Furthermore, it discusses the potential of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets in these malignancies. The interplay between lncRNAs, miRNAs, and tumor microenvironment is also highlighted, emphasizing their impact on the complexity of cancer biology. Understanding the regulatory landscape and molecular mechanisms governed by lncRNAs in CRC and GC is crucial for the development of effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as novel therapeutic strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and paves the way for further exploration of lncRNAs as key players in the management of CRC and GC.

Association of HOTAIR, MIR155HG, TERC, miR-155, -196a2, and -146a Genes Polymorphisms with Papillary Thyroid Cancer Susceptibility and Prognosis

Polymorphisms in long non-coding RNA and microRNA genes may play a significant role in the susceptibility and progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The current study investigates the polymorphisms HOTAIR rs920778, MIR155HG rs1893650, TERC rs10936599, miR-155 rs767649, miR-196a2 rs11614913 and miR-146a rs2910164 in 102 PTC patients and 106 age- and sex-matched controls of the Caucasian Serbian population, using real-time PCR. We observed differences in genotype distributions of the HOTAIR rs920778 (p = 0.016) and MIR155HG rs1893650 (p = 0.0002) polymorphisms between PTC patients and controls. HOTAIR rs920778 was associated with increased PTC susceptibility (adjusted OR = 1.497, p = 0.021), with the TT variant genotype increasing the risk compared to the CC genotype (OR = 2.466, p = 0.012) and C allele carriers (CC + CT) (OR = 1.585, p = 0.006). The HOTAIR rs920778 TT genotype was associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.022), tumor recurrence (p = 0.016), and progression-free survival (p = 0.010) compared to C allele carriers. Multivariate Cox regression revealed that ATA risk (HR = 14.210, p = 0.000004) and HOTAIR rs920778 (HR = 2.811, p = 0.010) emerged as independent prognostic factors in PTC. A novel polymorphism, MIR155HG rs1893650, was negatively correlated with susceptibility to PTC, with TC heterozygotes exerting a protective effect (OR = 0.268, p = 0.0001). These results suggest that the polymorphisms HOTAIR rs920778 and MIR155HG rs1893650 could be potential prognostic and risk biomarkers in papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Association of HOTAIR gene rs920778 (C > T) and rs4759314 (A > G) polymorphism with breast cancer in Egyptian women

BACKGROUND

Hox transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is considered an oncogene associated with the initiation and progression of many malignancies. Previous studies have examined the connection between HOTAIR SNPs rs4759314 and rs920778 for breast cancer (BC), getting variable results in multiple ethnicities. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the connection between these two SNPs and disease vulnerability, clinic-laboratory, and hormonal parameters, featuring status associations with the BC risk in an Egyptian woman sample.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this case-control study, DNA was taken from the blood of 100 BC patients and 100 unrelated healthy Egyptian females. The characterization of rs4759314 was genotyped using the T-ARMS-PCR method and rs920778 using the SNP-RFLP technique for all participants. The frequency of the rs4759314 A > G variation revealed a statistically significant increase in BC risk with dominant (p = 0.013, OR = 1.592, 95% Cl = 1.105-2.293), co-dominant (p = 0.006, OR = 2.314, 95%Cl = 1.278-4.191) and overdominant (p = 0.002, OR = 2.571, 95% Cl = 1.430-4.624) genetic models. On the other hand, the rs920778 C > T polymorphism was not significantly associated with BC. ER/PR positivity with HER2 negativity was significantly associated with the AA genotype compared to the AG genotype. Otherwise, no significant associations between the two SNPs and clinical stage or hormonal features could be found. In conclusion, the rs4759314 A > G SNP in the HOTAIR gene is strongly associated with BC, which might warrant its determination among affected families for prevention and early treatment.

The Intergenic Type LncRNA (LINC RNA) Faces in Cancer with In Silico Scope and a Directed Lens to LINC00511: A Step toward ncRNA Precision

BACKGROUND

Long intergenic non-coding RNA, is one type of lncRNA, exerting various cellular activities, as does ncRNA, including the regulation of gene expression and chromatin remodeling. The abnormal expression of lincRNAs can induce or suppress carcinogenesis.

MAIN BODY

LincRNAs can regulate cancer progression through different mechanisms and are considered as potential drug targets. Genetic variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lincRNAs may affect gene expression and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) stability. SNPs in lincRNAs have been found to be associated with different types of cancer, as well. Specifically, LINC00511 has been known to promote the progression of multiple malignancies such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and others, making it a promising cancer prognostic molecular marker.

CONCLUSION

LincRNAs have been proved to be associated with different cancer types through various pathways. Herein, we performed a comprehensive literature and in silico databases search listing lncRNAs, lincRNAs including LINC00511, lncRNAs' SNPs, as well as LINC00511 SNPs in different cancer types, focusing on their role in various cancer types and mechanism(s) of action.

The Role of Genetic Polymorphisms in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A 2023 Update

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with an increasing trend in the past decades. It has a variety of different histological subtypes, the most frequent one being differentiated thyroid cancer, which refers to papillary carcinoma, the most common histological type, followed by follicular carcinoma. Associations between genetic polymorphisms and thyroid cancer have been investigated over the years and are an intriguing topic for the scientific world. To date, the results of associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms, the most common genetic variations in the genome, with thyroid cancer have been inconsistent, but many promising results could potentially influence future research toward developing new targeted therapies and new prognostic biomarkers, thus consolidating a more personalized management for these patients. This review focuses on emphasizing the existing literature data regarding genetic polymorphisms investigated for their potential association with differentiated thyroid cancer and highlights the opportunity of using genetic variations as biomarkers of diagnosis and prognosis for thyroid cancer patients.

Genetic Variants of HOTAIR Associated with Colorectal Cancer: A Case-Control Study in the Saudi Population

Genetic polymorphism in long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR is linked with the risk and susceptibility of various cancers in humans. The mechanism involved in the development of CRC is not fully understood but single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can be used to predict its risk and prognosis. In the present case-control study, we investigated the relationship between HOTAIR (rs12826786, rs920778, and rs1899663) polymorphisms and CRC risk in the Saudi population by genotyping using a TaqMan genotyping assay in 144 CRC cases and 144 age- and sex-matched controls. We found a significant (p < 0.05) association between SNP rs920778 G > A and CRC risk, and a protective role of SNPs rs12826786 (C > T) and rs1899663 (C > A) was noticed. The homozygous mutant “AA” genotype at rs920778 (G > A) showed a significant correlation with the female sex and colon tumor site. The homozygous TT in SNP rs12816786 (C > T) showed a significant protective association in the male and homozygous AA of SNP rs1899663 (C > A) with colon tumor site. These results indicate that HOTAIR can be a powerful biomarker for predicting the risk of colorectal cancer in the Saudi population. The association between HOTAIR gene polymorphisms and the risk of CRC in the Saudi population was reported for the first time here.

The effect of SNPs in lncRNA as ceRNA on the risk and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Most susceptible loci of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are located in non-coding regions, and the mechanism of action remains unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that affect competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) regulation mechanism with the risk and prognosis of HCC.

Methods

Based on a set of bioinformatics strategies, eight lncRNA genes that affect HCC through the mechanism of lncRNA-mediated ceRNA were systematically screened, and 15 SNPs that affect microRNA (miRNA) binding in these lncRNA genes were annotated. Genotyping was performed in 800 HCC cases and 801 healthy controls to examine associations of these SNPs with HCC in a northeastern Chinese Han population.

Results

The GG, GC and GG + GC genotypes of HOTAIR rs7958904 were associated with a 0.65, 0.59 and 0.63-fold decreased HCC risk, respectively. In addition, HCC patients with PVT1 rs3931282 AA + GA genotypes were less prone to develop late-stage cancers in a stratified analysis of clinical characteristics. When stratified by clinical biochemical indexes, rs1134492 and rs10589312 in PVT1 and rs84557 in EGFR-AS1 showed significant associations with aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or AST/ALT ratio in HCC patients. Furthermore, we constructed potential ceRNA regulatory axes that might be affected by five positive SNPs to explain the causes of these genetic associations.

Conclusions

HOTAIR rs7958904, PVT1 rs3931282, rs1134492 and rs10589312, and EGFR-AS1 rs84557 might be predictors for HCC risk or prognosis. Our results provide new insights into how SNPs on lncRNA-mediated ceRNAs confer interindividual differences to occurrence and progression of HCC.

Association of Polymorphisms in the Long Non-Coding RNA HOTAIR with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in a Korean Population

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) affects 1% to 5% of women, with devastating effects on both reproductive health and psychological well-being. Homeobox (HOX) transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) produced by HOXC; it plays a major role in invasion and development of ovarian and other cancers. The aim of the present study was to analyze effects of HOTAIR polymorphisms (rs4759314 A>G, rs920778 T>C, rs1899663 G>T, and rs7958904 G>C) on RPL in Korean women. A total of 403 women with RPL and 383 healthy women were selected for this study. Genotyping analysis was performed with the polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the TaqMan genotyping assay. Clinical characteristics were compared using Student's unpaired t-test and the chi-square test for categorical variables. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms and RPL incidence. In all assays, p < 0.05 was considered significant. HOTAIR polymorphisms rs4759314A>G and rs920778T>C were highly associated with increased risk of RPL, specifically the haplotypes rs4759314A>G/rs1899663G>T (G-T) and rs4759314A>G/rs920778 T>C (G-C). These associations were maintained in haplotypes that contained three polymorphisms (rs4759314 A>G, rs920778 T>C, and rs1899663 G>T) A-C-G, G-T-G, and G-T-T, further indicating that the HOTAIR rs4759314 and rs920778 polymorphisms play significant roles in idiopathic RPL in Korean women.

Association Between HOTAIR rs920778 and H19 rs3741219 Polymorphisms with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' Disease (GD)

Background

Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) are two autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs). The current study aimed to assess possible association between HOTAIR rs920778 and H19 rs3741219 polymorphisms with GD and HT.

Methods

We recruited 248 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (133 HT patients and 115 GD patients) and 135 age- and sex-matched controls. The PCR-RFLP method was applied for genotyping of HOTAIR rs920778, and H19 rs3741219 polymorphisms.

Results

The HOTAIR rs920778 GA frequency was significantly higher in control compared to HT group. The Overdominant model showed a significant association with the risk of HT. However, no significant association was observed between this polymorphism and HT susceptibility in dominant and recessive models. The H19 rs3741219 GA was more repeated in HT patients compared to control group, but the difference was not significant. There was no association between HOTAIR rs920778 and H19 rs3741219 polymorphisms with GD in all genetic models.

Discussion

Our findings indicated that HOTAIR rs920778 polymorphism decreased the risk of HT. Since, this the first study, further studies with different races are required to confirm our results.

Discovery and Validation of Clinically Relevant Long Non-Coding RNAs in Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary

Recent efforts in biomedical research have focused on the identification of molecular biomarkers to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and eventually treatment of the most common human diseases worldwide, including cancer. In this context, a large number of studies point to a pivotal role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathophysiology of carcinogenesis, suggesting diagnostic or therapeutic potential. However, for most of them, supporting evidence is scarce and often based on a single large-scale analysis. Here, focusing on colorectal cancer (CRC), we present an overview of the main approaches for discovering and validating lncRNA candidate molecules, and provide a curated list of the most promising lncRNAs associated with this malignancy.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide, with nearly two million newly diagnosed cases each year. The survival of patients with CRC greatly depends on the cancer stage at the time of diagnosis, with worse prognosis for more advanced cases. Consequently, considerable effort has been directed towards improving population screening programs for early diagnosis and identifying prognostic markers that can better inform treatment strategies. In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as promising molecules, with diagnostic and prognostic potential in many cancers, including CRC. Although large-scale genome and transcriptome sequencing surveys have identified many lncRNAs that are altered in CRC, most of their roles in disease onset and progression remain poorly understood. Here, we critically review the variety of detection methods and types of supporting evidence for the involvement of lncRNAs in CRC. In addition, we provide a reference catalog that features the most clinically relevant lncRNAs in CRC. These lncRNAs were selected based on recent studies sorted by stringent criteria for both supporting experimental evidence and reproducibility.

Prognostic significance of three endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) have been associated with cancer susceptibility. Also, metabolic syndrome is associated with cancer malignancy. However, the effect of eNOS polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome on colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigated whether three genetic polymorphisms (- 786 T > C rs2070744, 4a4b rs869109213, and 894G > T rs1799983) in the eNOS and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were associated with CRC patient survival.

METHODS

We genotyped three polymorphisms of eNOS (- 786 T > C, 4a4b, and 894G > T) in 312 CRC cases from the Korean population by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

RESULTS

Although the three eNOS polymorphisms were not causative of MetS, the TT genotype of the 894G > T polymorphism was associated with a worse survival rate compared with the GG genotype in the CRC group with MetS than in the CRC group without MetS (5-years survival; adjusted HR = 54.777; 95% CI 5.073-591.487 and RFS; adjusted HR = 14.909; 95% CI 1.571-141.528).

CONCLUSIONS

The eNOS polymorphisms were not associated with metabolic syndrome prevalence in CRC patients. However, our findings suggest that the eNOS 894G > T polymorphism with MetS was associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Long noncoding RNA polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk: Progression and future perspectives

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers causing death worldwide. Many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have possible carcinogenic or tumor suppressor functions. Some lncRNA polymorphisms are useful for predicting cancer risk, and may help advance personalized therapy management. While the use of lncRNAs as biomarkers is promising, there are still drawbacks, and further studies are needed to verify the consistency of current outcomes in large-scale populations and different ethnicities. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can disrupt a lncRNAs' function, thus enhancing or hindering disease occurrence. SNPs can directly influence the lncRNA expression by interfering with transcription factor binding or affecting indirectly a regulatory factors' expression. Moreover, the association between lncRNAs and other RNAs or proteins may be disrupted by SNPs. This research sought to assess the association between lncRNA polymorphisms and CRC risk, as well as clinical and therapeutic consequences in certain cases.

VPS9D1-AS1 gene rs7206570 polymorphism associated with the clinical stage of colorectal cancer and binding with hsa-miR-361-3p

VPS9D1-AS1 is a long non-coding RNA that can operate as a competitive endogenous RNA and plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we investigated whether a putative functional polymorphism (rs7206570) in the VPS9D1-AS1 gene is linked to the risk and clinical stage of CRC. Sanger sequencing method was used to detect the rs7206570 polymorphism in 500 CRC patients and 500 healthy individuals. Quantitative real-time PCR technology was used to detect the expression of VPS9D1-AS1 and hsa-miR-361-3p in colorectal tissues with different rs7206570 genotypes. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to examine whether the rs7206570 polymorphism affects hsa-miR-361-3p binding. The rs7206570 polymorphism was not associated with CRC risk, but was associated with the clinical stage of CRC. CRC patients with rs7206570 A allele were less likely to have high-stage CRC. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between the expression of VPS9D1-AS1 and hsa-miR-361-3p in CRC tissues with rs7206570 GG genotype. Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that the rs7206570 A allele presumably hinders the binding of VPS9D1-AS1 to hsa-miR-361-3p. In conclusion, VPS9D1-AS1 gene rs7206570 polymorphism affecting hsa-miR-361-3p binding was associated with the clinical stage of CRC, which might be able to assist in the preoperative staging of CRC.

Gene regulation by antisense transcription: A focus on neurological and cancer diseases

Advances in high-throughput sequencing over the past decades have led to the identification of thousands of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which play a major role in regulating gene expression. One emerging class of ncRNAs is the natural antisense transcripts (NATs), the RNA molecules transcribed from the opposite strand of a protein-coding gene locus. NATs are known to concordantly and discordantly regulate gene expression in both cis and trans manners at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and epigenetic levels. Aberrant expression of NATs can therefore cause dysregulation in many biological pathways and has been observed in many genetic diseases. This review outlines the involvements and mechanisms of NATs in the pathogenesis of various diseases, with a special emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. We also summarize recent findings on NAT knockdown and/or overexpression experiments and discuss the potential of NATs as promising targets for future gene therapies.

LncRNA HOTAIR: A Potential Prognostic Factor and Therapeutic Target in Human Cancers

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as crucial regulators of gene expression and physiological processes. LncRNAs are a class of ncRNAs of 200 nucleotides in length. HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), a trans-acting lncRNA with regulatory function on transcription, can repress gene expression by recruiting chromatin modifiers. HOTAIR is an oncogenic lncRNA, and numerous studies have determined that HOTAIR is highly upregulated in a wide variety of human cancers. In this review, we briefly summarize the impact of lncRNA HOTAIR expression and functions on different human solid tumors, and emphasize the potential of HOTAIR on tumor prognosis and therapy. Here, we review the recent studies that highlight the prognostic potential of HOTAIR in drug resistance and survival, and the progress of therapies developed to target HOTAIR to date. Furthermore, targeting HOTAIR results in the suppression of HOTAIR expression or function. Thus, HOTAIR knockdown exhibits great therapeutic potential in various cancers, indicating that targeting lncRNA HOTAIR may serve as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. We also propose that preclinical studies involving HOTAIR are required to provide a better understanding of the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of its expression and function in different human cancers and to explore effective methods of targeting HOTAIR and engineering efficient and targeted drug delivery methods in vivo.

Study of HOTAIR LncRNA in AML patients in context to FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations status

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have recently been considered promising biomarkers for oncogenesis due to their epigenetic regulatory effects. HOTAIR is one of the oncogenic LncRNAs that was previously studied in different non-hematological malignancies. The current study set out to detect the expression level of HOTAIR LncRNA in AML patients concerning their clinical characteristics, laboratory data, FLT3-ITD, and NPM1 mutations, as well as treatment outcome. This study included quantitative detection of HOTAIR gene expression in 47 cases of AML using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, as well as NPM1 and FLT3-ITD genotyping.

Results

The HOTAIR expression was significantly higher in AML patients 6.87 (0.001) than in normal controls 1.66 (0.004–6.82) (p 0.007). The HOTAIR expression level was affected by chemotherapy, and it was correlated to hemoglobin level (p 0.001), age, total leukocytic count (p 0.022), and NPM1 mutation (p 0.017). HOTAIR gene expression level showed a correlation to relapse-free survival in the study group (p 0.04).

Conclusion

HOTAIR is overexpressed in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). HOTAIR pre-treatment and post-chemotherapy gene expression levels can predict chemosensitivity and relapse.

Potential Therapeutic Targeting of lncRNAs in Cholesterol Homeostasis

Maintaining cholesterol homeostasis is essential for normal cellular and systemic functions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a mechanism to fine-tune numerous biological processes by controlling gene expression. LncRNAs have emerged as important regulators in cholesterol homeostasis. Dysregulation of lncRNAs expression is associated with lipid-related diseases, suggesting that manipulating the lncRNAs expression could be a promising therapeutic approach to ameliorate liver disease progression and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, given the high-abundant lncRNAs and the poor genetic conservation between species, much work is required to elucidate the specific role of lncRNAs in regulating cholesterol homeostasis. In this review, we highlighted the latest advances in the pivotal role and mechanism of lncRNAs in regulating cholesterol homeostasis. These findings provide novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in lipid-related diseases and may offer potential therapeutic targets for treating lipid-related diseases.

Association between HOTAIR lncRNA Polymorphisms and Coronary Artery Disease Susceptibility

Coronary artery disease (CAD), one of the most frequent causes of mortality, is the most common type of cardiovascular disease. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of plaques in the coronary artery, leading to blockage of blood flow to the heart. The main symptom of CAD is chest pain caused by blockage of the coronary artery and shortness of breath. HOX transcript antisense RNA gene (HOTAIR) is a long non-coding RNA which is well-known as an oncogene involved in various cancers, such as lung, breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer. We selected six single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs4759314 A>G, rs1899663 G>T, rs920778 T>C, rs7958904 G>C, rs12826786 C>T, and rs874945 C>T, for genotype frequency analysis and assessed the frequency of HOTAIR gene polymorphisms in 442 CAD patients and 418 randomly selected control subjects. To analyze the differences between these two populations, we performed a Student's t-test, adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and ANOVA analysis. According to our baseline characteristic analysis, control subjects and CAD patients were significantly different in hypertension and diabetes mellitus. We also found that the rs4759314 A>G, rs1899663 G>T, and rs12826786 C>T genotypes were strongly associated with CAD susceptibility (AA vs. AG+GG: AOR = 0.608, 95% CI = 0.393-0.940, p = 0.025; GG vs. TT: AOR = 2.276, 95% CI = 1.125-4.607, p = 0.022; CC vs. CT+TT: AOR = 1.366, 95% CI = 1.027-1.818, p = 0.032, respectively). Our data also demonstrated that the genotype of HOTAIR polymorphisms, genotype combination, and haplotype analysis affect disease occurrence. Moreover, these polymorphisms are linked to clinical factors that contribute to disease susceptibility. In conclusion, results from our study suggest that HOTAIR polymorphisms may be useful novel biomarkers for diagnosing CAD.

Association between HOX Transcript Antisense RNA Single-Nucleotide Variants and Recurrent Implantation Failure

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) refers to the occurrence of more than two failed in vitro fertilization–embryo transfers (IVF-ETs) in the same individual. RIF can occur for many reasons, including embryo characteristics, immunological factors, and coagulation factors. Genetics can also contribute to RIF, with some single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) reported to be associated with RIF occurrence. We examined SNVs in a long non-coding RNA, homeobox (HOX) transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), which is known to affect cancer development. HOTAIR regulates epigenetic outcomes through histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. We recruited 155 female RIF patients and 330 healthy controls, and genotyped HOTAIR SNVs, including rs4759314, rs920778, rs7958904, and rs1899663, in all participants. Differences in these SNVs were compared between the patient and control groups. We identified significant differences in the occurrence of heterozygous genotypes and the dominant expression model for the rs1899663 and rs7958904 SNVs between RIF patients and control subjects. These HOTAIR variants were associated with serum hemoglobin (Hgb), luteinizing hormone (LH), total cholesterol (T. chol), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, as assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). We analyzed the four HOTAIR SNVs and found significant differences in haplotype patterns between RIF patients and healthy controls. The results of this study showed that HOTAIR is not only associated with the development of cancer but also with pregnancy-associated diseases. This study represents the first report showing that HOTAIR is correlated with RIF.

Association between homeobox protein transcript antisense intergenic ribonucleic acid genetic polymorphisms and cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) represents a rare but highly aggressive malignancy that is often challenging to diagnose, especially in early stages. The role of existing tumor biomarkers for CCA diagnosis, remains controversial due to their low sensitivity and specificity. Increasing evidence has implicated long non-coding ribonucleic acid polymorphisms with cancer susceptibility in a variety of tumor types. The association between long non-coding ribonucleic acid homeobox protein transcript antisense intergenic ribonucleic acid (HOTAIR) polymorphisms and CCA risk has not been reported yet.

AIM

To investigate the influence of HOTAIR variants on the risk of CCA development.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study in which three HOTAIR single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs920778, rs4759314 and rs7958904) were genotyped in a Greek cohort. Our study population included 122 CCA patients (80 males and 42 females) and 165 healthy controls. The polymorphisms under investigation were examined in peripheral blood samples.

RESULTS

HOTAIR rs4759314 AG and GG genotypes were associated with a significantly increased CCA risk [P = 0.004, odds ratio: 3.13; 95% confidence interval: 1.65-5.91 and P = 0.005, odds ratio: 12.31; 95% confidence interval: 1.48-101.87, respectively]. However, no significant associations of HOTAIR rs920778, and rs7958904 were detected. Similarly, we found no significant associations between rs4759314 AA genotype and CCA susceptibility.

CONCLUSION

HOTAIR rs4759314 AG and GG genotypes may be implicated with CCA development and may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker.

Contributions of HOTAIR polymorphisms to the susceptibility of cancer

OBJECTIVE

Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), a lncRNA, functions as a critical regulator in cancer development. A plenty of case-control studies were conducted to assess the actual relationship of HOTAIR gene generic variants on cancer susceptibility, yet conflicting conclusions remain. Herein, we carried out this up-to-date meta-analysis to get a better understanding of such relationship by incorporating all eligible case-control studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six widely investigated polymorphisms were included in this meta-analysis: rs920778, rs4759314, rs7958904, rs874945, rs1899663, and rs12826786. We retrieved relevant studies from databases PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, CNKI and Wanfang update to June 2020. We applied odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the relationship strengths.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that rs920778, rs4759314, rs874945, rs12826786 polymorphism significantly increased with susceptibility to overall cancer. However, rs7958904, rs1899663 under any five genetic models could not impact susceptibility to overall cancer. Furthermore, altered cancer risk was detected when the data were stratified by cancer type, ethnicity, the source of controls, and HWE in all the SNPs.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings of the meta-analysis suggest that HOTAIR polymorphisms may predispose to cancer susceptibility.

Serum Long Non-Coding RNAs PVT1, HOTAIR, and NEAT1 as Potential Biomarkers in Egyptian Women with Breast Cancer

Long non-coding RNAs play an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis in several types of cancer. However, the clinical significance of using lncRNAs as biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis is still poorly investigated. In this study, we analyzed the serum expression levels of lncRNAs PVT1, HOTAIR, NEAT1, and MALAT1, and their associated proteins, PAI-1, and OPN, in breast cancer patients compared to fibroadenoma patients and healthy subjects. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), we compared the serum expression levels of the four circulating lncRNAs in patients with breast cancer (n = 50), fibroadenoma (n = 25), and healthy controls (n = 25). The serum levels of PAI-1 and OPN were measured using ELISA. Receiveroperating-characteristic (ROC) analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the selected parameters. The serum levels of HOTAIR, PAI-1, and OPN were significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to controls and fibroadenoma patients. The serum level of PVT1 was significantly higher in breast cancer patients than in the controls, while that of NEAT1 was significantly lower in breast cancer patients compared to controls and fibroadenoma patients. Both ROC and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that PAI-1 has the greatest power in discriminating breast cancer from the control, whereas HOTAIR, PAI-1, and OPN have the greatest power in discriminating breast cancer from fibroadenoma patients. In conclusion, our data suggest that the serum levels of PVT1, HOTAIR, NEAT1, PAI-1, and OPN could serve as promising diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer.

Genome-wide scan of long noncoding RNA single nucleotide polymorphisms and pancreatic cancer susceptibility

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to become the second cancer-related cause of death by 2030. Identifying novel risk factors, including genetic risk loci, could be instrumental in risk stratification and implementation of prevention strategies. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in regulation of key biological processes, and the possible role of their genetic variability has been unexplored so far. Combining genome wide association studies and functional data, we investigated the genetic variability in all lncRNAs. We analyzed 9893 PDAC cases and 9969 controls and identified a genome-wide significant association between the rs7046076 SNP and risk of developing PDAC (P = 9.73 × 10^-9 ). This SNP is located in the NONHSAG053086.2 (lnc-SMC2-1) gene and the risk allele is predicted to disrupt the binding of the lncRNA with the micro-RNA (miRNA) hsa-mir-1256 that regulates several genes involved in cell cycle, such as CDKN2B. The CDKN2B region is pleiotropic and its genetic variants have been associated with several human diseases, possibly though an imperfect interaction between lncRNA and miRNA. We present a novel PDAC risk locus, supported by a genome-wide statistical significance and a plausible biological mechanism.

A comprehensive study of construction and analysis of competitive endogenous RNA networks in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gain increasing attention in lung adenocarcinoma. In this study, we aimed at constructing and analyzing the lncRNAs and the related proteins based competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network.

METHODS

RNA expression data of lung adenocarcinoma were extracted from the TCGA database. Differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs, messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) were identified and then a DElncRNA-DEmiRNA-DEmRNA ceRNA network was constructed for lung adenocarcinoma. We also analyzed the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment of the DEgenes. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were also been further utilized for exploring the prognostic factors.

RESULTS

After compared and calculated lncRNA, mRNA and miRNA expression profiles between lung adenocarcinoma and normal samples, 1709 differential expressed lncRNAs, 2554 differential expressed mRNAs and 116 differential expressed miRNAs were finally identified. Afterwards, a lncRNA mediated ceRNA network was constructed, according to the interactions among 544 pairs of DElncRNA-DEmiRNA relationships and 47 pairs of DEmiRNA-DEmRNA relationships. As for the survival analyses, we found 10 DElncRNAs, 25 DEmRNAs and 7 miRNAs have statistically prognostic significance for overall survival, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides meaningful information for deeper understanding the underlying molecular mechanism of lung adenocarcinoma and for evaluating prognosis, which could monitor recurrence, guide clinical treatment drugs and subsequent related researches.