Reduction of Bladder Cancer Chemosensitivity Induced by the Effect of HOXA-AS3 as a ceRNA for miR-455-5p That Upregulates Notch1

LncRNA HOXA-AS3 promotes cell proliferation and invasion via targeting miR-218-5p/FOXP1 axis in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive form of bone cancer and affects the health in children and adolescents. Although conventional treatment improves the osteosarcoma survival, some patients have metastasis and drug resistance, leading to a worse prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the molecular mechanism of osteosarcoma occurrence and progression, which could discover the novel treatment for osteosarcoma. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to regulate osteosarcoma occurrence and malignant progression. LncRNA HOXA-AS3 facilitates the tumorigenesis and progression in a variety of human cancers. However, the underlying mechanism of lncRNA HOXA-AS3-induced oncogenesis is poorly determined in osteosarcoma. To address this point, we utilized several cellular biological strategies and molecular approaches to explore the biological functions and mechanisms of lncRNA HOXA-AS3 in osteosarcoma cells. We found that lncRNA HOXA-AS3 facilitates cell proliferation and invasion via targeting miR-218-5p/FOXP1 axis in osteosarcoma. In conclusion, lncRNA HOXA-AS3 could be a promising target for osteosarcoma treatment.

Tumour-regulatory role of long non-coding RNA HOXA-AS3

Dysregulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA-AS3 has been shown to contribute to the development of multiple cancer types. Several studies have presented the tumour-modulatory role or prognostic significance of this lncRNA in various kinds of cancer. Overall, HOXA-AS3 can act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that inhibits the activity of seven microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-29a-3p, miR-29 b-3p, miR-29c, miR-218-5p, miR-455-5p, miR-1286, and miR-4319. This relieves the downstream messenger RNA (mRNA) targets of these miRNAs from miRNA-mediated translational repression, allowing them to exert their effect in regulating cellular activities. Examples of the pathways regulated by lncRNA HOXA-AS3 and its associated downstream targets include the WNT/β-catenin and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activities. Besides, HOXA-AS3 can interact with other cellular proteins like homeobox HOXA3 and HOXA6, influencing the oncogenic signaling pathways associated with these proteins. Generally, HOXA-AS3 is overexpressed in most of the discussed human cancers, making this lncRNA a potential candidate to diagnose cancer or predict the clinical outcomes of cancer patients. Hence, targeting HOXA-AS3 could be a new therapeutic approach to slowing cancer progression or as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. A drawback of using lncRNA HOXA-AS3 as a biomarker or therapeutic target is that most of the studies that have reported the tumour-regulatory roles of lncRNA HOXA-AS3 are single observational, in vitro, or in vivo studies. More in-depth mechanistic and large-scale clinical trials must be conducted to confirm the tumour-modulatory roles of lncRNA HOXA-AS3 further. Besides, no lncRNA HOXA-AS3 inhibitor has been tested preclinically and clinically, and designing such an inhibitor is crucial as it may potentially slow cancer progression.

Role of HOXA1-4 in the development of genetic and malignant diseases

The HOXA genes, belonging to the HOX family, encompass 11 members (HOXA1-11) and exert critical functions in early embryonic development, as well as various adult processes. Furthermore, dysregulation of HOXA genes is implicated in genetic diseases, heart disease, and various cancers. In this comprehensive overview, we primarily focused on the HOXA1-4 genes and their associated functions and diseases. Emphasis was placed on elucidating the impact of abnormal expression of these genes and highlighting their significance in maintaining optimal health and their involvement in the development of genetic and malignant diseases. Furthermore, we delved into their regulatory mechanisms, functional roles, and underlying biology and explored the therapeutic potential of targeting HOXA1-4 genes for the treatment of malignancies. Additionally, we explored the utility of HOXA1-4 genes as biomarkers for monitoring cancer recurrence and metastasis.

Predictive Values of Homeobox Gene A-Antisense Transcript 3 (HOXA-AS3), Cystatin 6 (CST6), and Chromobox Homolog 4 (CBX4) Expressions in Cancer Tissues for Recurrence of Early Colon Cancer After Surgery

Purpose

We aim to explore the predictive values of homeobox gene A-antisense transcript 3 (HOXA-AS3), cystatin 6 (CST6), and chromobox homolog 4 (CBX4) expressions in cancer tissues for the recurrence of early colon cancer after surgery.

Patients and Methods

A total of 136 patients who received surgery from January 2020 to January 2021 were enrolled and followed up for 24 months to observe the recurrence after surgery, based on which they were assigned into recurrence and non-recurrence groups. All patients underwent a histopathological examination on admission.

Results

The recurrence group had a lower degree of differentiation as well as a higher HOXA-AS3 level and CST6 and CBX4 expression scores than those of the non-recurrence group (P<0.05). HOXA-AS3 level, CST6 expression score, and CBX4 expression score were risk factors for the recurrence of early colon cancer after surgery [odds ratio (OR)>1, P<0.05]. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves of HOXA-AS3 level, CST6 expression score, CBX4 expression score, and their combination for predicting recurrence were 0.909 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.785-1.000], 0.819 (95% CI: 0.690-0.948), 0.794 (95% CI: 0.663-0.926), and 0.942 (95% CI: 0.882-1.000), respectively.

Conclusion

The expressions of HOXA-AS3, CST6, and CBX4 in cancer tissues have close correlations with the recurrence of early colon cancer after surgery and are thus of high predictive values.

Regulation of cisplatin resistance in bladder cancer by epigenetic mechanisms

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world. Cisplatin is one of the most potent and widely used anticancer drugs and has been employed in several malignancies. Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapies have become important adjuvant therapies for bladder cancer patients. Cisplatin-based treatment often results in the development of chemoresistance, leading to therapeutic failure and limiting its application and effectiveness in bladder cancer. To develop improved and more effective cancer therapy, research has been conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanism of cisplatin resistance. Epigenetic modifications have been demonstrated involved in drug resistance to chemotherapy, and epigenetic biomarkers, such as urine tumor DNA methylation assay, have been applied in patients screening or monitoring. Here, we provide a systematic description of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, noncoding RNA regulation, m6A modification and posttranslational modifications, related to cisplatin resistance in bladder cancer.

The Roles of miRNAs in Predicting Bladder Cancer Recurrence and Resistance to Treatment

Bladder cancer (BCa) is associated with significant morbidity, with development linked to environmental, lifestyle, and genetic causes. Recurrence presents a significant issue and is managed in the clinical setting with intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy. In order to address challenges such as a limited supply of BCG and identifying cases likely to recur, it would be advantageous to use molecular biomarkers to determine likelihood of recurrence and treatment response. Here, we review microRNAs (miRNAs) that have shown promise as predictors of BCa recurrence. MiRNAs are also discussed in the context of predicting resistance or susceptibility to BCa treatment.

A novel prognostic related lncRNA signature associated with amino acid metabolism in glioma

Background

Glioma is one of the deadliest malignant brain tumors in adults, which is highly invasive and has a poor prognosis, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have key roles in the progression of glioma. Amino acid metabolism reprogramming is an emerging hallmark in cancer. However, the diverse amino acid metabolism programs and prognostic value remain unclear during glioma progression. Thus, we aim to find potential amino-related prognostic glioma hub genes, elaborate and verify their functions, and explore further their impact on glioma.

Methods

Glioblastoma (GBM) and low-grade glioma (LGG) patients' data were downloaded from TCGA and CCGA datasets. LncRNAs associated with amino acid metabolism were discriminated against via correlation analysis. LASSO analysis and Cox regression analysis were conducted to identify lncRNAs related to prognosis. GSVA and GSEA were performed to predict the potential biological functions of lncRNA. Somatic mutation data and CNV data were further built to demonstrate genomic alterations and the correlation between risk scores. Human glioma cell lines U251 and U87-MG were used for further validation in vitro experiments.

Results

There were eight amino-related lncRNAs in total with a high prognostic value that were identified via Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses. The high risk-score group presented a significantly poorer prognosis compared with the low risk-score group, with more clinicopathological features and characteristic genomic aberrations. Our results provided new insights into biological functions in the above signature lncRNAs, which participate in the amino acid metabolism of glioma. LINC01561 is one of the eight identified lncRNAs, which was adopted for further verification. In in vitro experiments, siRNA-mediated LINC01561 silencing suppresses glioma cells' viability, migration, and proliferation.

Conclusion

Novel amino-related lncRNAs associated with the survival of glioma patients were identified, and a lncRNA signature can predict glioma prognosis and therapy response, which possibly has vital roles in glioma. Meanwhile, it emphasized the importance of amino acid metabolism in glioma, particularly in providing deeper research at the molecular level.

miRNome profiling of lung cancer metastases revealed a key role for miRNA-PD-L1 axis in the modulation of chemotherapy response

Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is frequent at diagnosis and requires multimodal treatment approaches. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by surgery is the treatment of choice for operable locally advanced NSCLC (Stage IIIA). However, the majority of patients are NACT-resistant and show persistent lymph nodal metastases (LNmets) and an adverse outcome. Therefore, the identification of mechanisms and biomarkers of NACT resistance is paramount for ameliorating the prognosis of patients with Stage IIIA NSCLC. Here, we investigated the miRNome and transcriptome of chemo-naïve LNmets collected from patients with Stage IIIA NSCLC (N = 64). We found that a microRNA signature accurately predicts NACT response. Mechanistically, we discovered a miR-455-5p/PD-L1 regulatory axis which drives chemotherapy resistance, hallmarks metastases with active IFN-γ response pathway (an inducer of PD-L1 expression), and impacts T cells viability and relative abundances in tumor microenvironment (TME). Our data provide new biomarkers to predict NACT response and add molecular insights relevant for improving the management of patients with locally advanced NSCLC.

Predictive molecular biomarkers for determining neoadjuvant chemosensitivity in muscle invasive bladder cancer

INTRODUCTION

Identifying neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) response in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) has had limited success based on clinicopathological features and molecular subtyping. Identification of chemotherapy responsive cohorts would facilitate delivery to those most likely to benefit.

OBJECTIVE

Develop a molecular signature that can identify MIBC NAC responders (R) and non-responders (NR) using a cohort of known NAC response phenotypes, and better understand differences in molecular pathways and subtype classifications between NAC R and NR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Presented are the messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) differential expression profiles from initial transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) specimens of a discovery cohort of MIBC patients consisting of 7 known NAC R and 11 NR, and a validation cohort consisting of 3 R and 5 NR. Pathological response at time of cystectomy after NAC was used to classify initial TURBT specimens as R (pT0) versus NR (≥pT2). RNA and miRNA from FFPE blocks were sequenced using RNAseq and qPCR, respectively.

RESULTS

The discovery cohort had 2309 genes, while the validation cohort had 602 genes and 13 miRNA differentially expressed between R and NR. Gene set enrichment analysis identified mitochondrial gene expression, DNA replication initiation, DNA unwinding in the R discovery cohort and positive regulation of vascular associated smooth muscle cell proliferation in the NR discovery cohort. Canonical correlation (CC) analysis was applied to differentiate R versus NR. 3 CCs (CC13, CC16, and CC17) had an AUC >0.65 in the discovery and validation dataset. Gene ontology enrichment showed CC13 as nucleoside triphosphate metabolic process, CC16 as cell cycle and cellular response to DNA damage, CC17 as DNA packaging complex. All patients were classified using established molecular subtypes: Baylor, UNC, CIT, Lund, MD Anderson, TCGA, and Consensus Class. The MD Anderson p53-like subtype, CIT MC4 subtype and Consensus Class stroma rich subtype had the strongest correlation with a NR phenotype, while no subtype had a strong correlation with the R phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results identify molecular signatures that can be used to differentiate MIBC NAC R versus NR, salient molecular pathway differences, and highlight the utility of molecular subtyping in relation to NAC response.

miR-455-5p enhances 5-fluorouracil sensitivity in colorectal cancer cells by targeting PIK3R1 and DEPDC1

Our previous study has demonstrated that miR-455-5p was a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-455-5p in 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in CRC. The expression of miR-455-5p, PIK3R1, and DEPDC1 was analyzed in HT-29 cells after treatment with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 2.5, and 12.5 μM) of 5-Fu. The effects of miR-455-5p on cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. PIK3R1 and DEPDC1 were overexpressed to measure the mechanism of miR-455-5p on 5-Fu sensitivity. And the direct binding between miR-455-5p and DEPDC1 was detected by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. We found that miR-455-5p decreased, while PIK3R1 and DEPDC1 increased after 5-Fu treatment. miR-455-5p mimic significantly suppressed cell viability and elevated cell apoptosis in 5-Fu-treated HT-29 cells, whereas miR-455-5p inhibitor showed the opposite effects. Overexpression of PIK3R1 and DEPDC1 could attenuate the effects of miR-455-5p mimic on the viability and apoptosis of 5-Fu-treated cells. miR-455-5p could directly bind to DEPDC1 in HT-29 cells. In conclusion, miR-455-5p enhanced 5-Fu sensitivity by targeting PIK3R1 and DEPDC1 in CRC. This study provides a novel role of miR-455-5p in CRC and restoring miR-455-5p might be a therapeutic strategy to enhance chemosensitivity to 5-Fu.

A Novel Assessment Model Based on Molecular Subtypes of Hypoxia-Related LncRNAs for Prognosis of Bladder Cancer

Hypoxia is a common feature in various tumors that regulates aggressiveness. Previous studies have demonstrated that some dysregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are correlated with tumor progression, including bladder cancer (BCa). However, the prognostic effect of hypoxia-related lncRNAs (HRLs) and their clinical relevance, as well as their regulatory effect on the tumor immune microenvironment, are largely unknown in BCa. A co-expression analysis between hypoxia genes and lncRNA expression, which was downloaded from the TCGA database, was performed to identify HRLs. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to select the most desirable lncRNAs for molecular subtype, and further LASSO analysis was performed to develop a prognostic model. This molecular subtype based on four HRLs (AC104653, AL136084, AL139393, and LINC00892) showed good performance in the tumor microenvironment and tumor mutation burden. The prognostic risk model suggested better performance in predicting BCa patients' prognosis and obtained a close correlation with clinicopathologic features. Furthermore, four of five first-line clinical chemotherapies showed different sensitivities to this model, and nine immune checkpoints showed different expression in the molecular subtypes or the risk model. In conclusion, this study indicates that this molecular subtype and risk model based on HRLs may be useful in improving the prognostic prediction of BCa patients with different clinical situations and may help to find a useful target for tumor therapy.

Long non-coding RNA HOXA-AS3 promotes cell proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma through sponging microRNA miR-218-5p

Increasing evidence demonstrated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the occurrence and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to explore the role and molecular mechanism of lncRNA HOXA-AS3 in the progression of OSCC. Here, we found that the expression of lncRNA HOXA-AS3 was upregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines compared with the para-cancerous tissues and normal human oral keratinocyte (NHOK), respectively. Inhibition of HOXA-AS3 significantly inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of OSCC cells. Further, the luciferase reporter assay showed that HOXA-AS3 was directly bound to miR-218-5p. Moreover, the expression of miR-218-5p was negatively regulated by HOXA-AS3, and miR-218-5p could inhibit the expression of collagen type I alpha1 (COL1A1) and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1). In addition, silencing miR-218-5p reversed the inhibitory effect of HOXA-AS3 knockdown on the proliferative potential of OSCC cells. In summary, our study illustrated that HOXA-AS3 promoted cancer cell proliferation in OSCC, possibly by sponging miR-218-5p for the first time, which provides a new target or a potential diagnostic biomarker for OSCC.

A positive feedback loop of lncRNA-RMRP/ZNRF3 axis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates the progression and temozolomide resistance in glioma

Drug resistance strikingly limits the therapeutic effect of temozolomide (TMZ) (a common drug for glioma). Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) RMRP has been found to be implicated in glioma progression. However, the effect of RMRP on TMZ resistance along with related molecular mechanisms is poorly defined in glioma. In the present study, RMRP, ZNRF3, and IGF2BP3 were screened out by bioinformatics analysis. The expression levels of lncRNAs and mRNAs were measured by RT-qPCR assay. Protein levels of genes were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence assays. ZNRF3 mRNA stability was analyzed using Actinomycin D assay. Cell proliferative ability and survival rate were determined by CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptotic pattern was estimated by flow cytometry. The effect of RMRP knockdown on the growth of TMZ-treated glioma xenograft tumors was explored in vivo. The relationships of IGF2BP3, RMRP, and ZNRF3 were explored by bioinformatics prediction analysis, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase, and RNA pull-down, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The results showed that RMRP was highly expressed in glioma. RMRP knockdown curbed cell proliferation, facilitated cell apoptosis and reduced TMZ resistance in glioma cells, and hindered the growth of TMZ-treated glioma xenograft tumors. RMRP exerted its functions by down-regulating ZNRF3 in glioma cells. IGF2BP3 interacted with RMRP and ZNRF3 mRNA. IGF2BP3 knockdown weakened the interaction of Argonaute 2 (Ago2) and ZNRF3. RMRP reduced ZNRF3 expression and mRNA stability by IGF2BP3. RMRP knockdown inhibited β-catenin expression by up-regulating ZNRF3. The inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by XAV-939 weakened RMRP-mediated TMZ resistance in glioma cells. β-catenin promoted RMRP expression by TCF4 in glioma cells. In conclusion, RMRP/ZNRF3 axis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling formed a positive feedback loop to regulate TMZ resistance in glioma. The sustained activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by RMRP might contribute to the better management of cancers.