GPR115 Contributes to Lung Adenocarcinoma Metastasis Associated With LAMC2 and Predicts a Poor Prognosis

A correlation study of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors as potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs), a distinctive subset of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, play crucial roles in various physiological and pathological processes, with implications in tumor development. Despite the global prevalence of breast cancer (BRCA), specific aGPCRs as potential drug targets or biomarkers remain underexplored.

METHODS

UALCAN, GEPIA, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, MethSurv, cBiopportal, String, GeneMANIA, DAVID, Timer, Metascape, and qPCR were applied in this work.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed significantly increased transcriptional levels of ADGRB2, ADGRC1, ADGRC2, ADGRC3, ADGRE1, ADGRF2, ADGRF4, and ADGRL1 in BRCA primary tumors. Further analysis indicated a significant correlation between the expressions of certain aGPCRs and the pathological stage of BRCA. High expression of ADGRA1, ADGRF2, ADGRF4, ADGRG1, ADGRG2, ADGRG4, ADGRG6, and ADGRG7 was significantly correlated with poor overall survival (OS) in BRCA patients. Additionally, high expression of ADGRF2 and ADGRF4 indicated inferior recurrence-free survival (RFS) in BRCA patients. The RT-qPCR experiments also confirmed that the mRNA levels of ADGRF2 and ADGRF4 were higher in BRCA cells and tissues. Functional analysis highlighted the diverse roles of aGPCRs, encompassing GPCR signaling and metabolic energy reserves. Moreover, aGPCRs may exert influence or actively participate in the development of BRCA through their impact on immune status.

CONCLUSION

aGPCRs, particularly ADGRF2 and ADGRF4, hold promise as immunotherapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers in BRCA.

LAMC2 promotes EGFR cell membrane localization and acts as a novel biomarker for tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) sensitivity in lung cancer

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the first and most prominent driver genes known to promote malignant lung cancer. Investigating regulatory mechanisms beyond ligand-receptor binding, phosphorylation, and receptor kinase activation as means of EGFR signaling activation is important for improving EGFR-targeted therapy. Here, we report that Laminin-5γ-2 (LAMC2) retained high oncogenic capacity in lung cancer, silencing LAMC2 inhibited EGFR-induced cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo. Deletion mutation experiments showed that both the EGF-Lam and LamB regions of LAMC2 are necessary for EGFR receptor binding, and that LAMC2 and EGFR were found to co-localize at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. In addition, LAMC2 overexpression enhanced EGFR membrane deposition and promoted EGFR transport from the ER. Moreover, LAMC2 was necessary for preventing EGFR protein degradation via ubiquitination. Lastly, our study showed that high LAMC2 expression is positively associated with response to gefitinib (EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor) treatment. Overall, our study revealed a new regulatory mechanism of LAMC2 in promoting EGFR protein expression and stability by facilitating ER transport and preventing protein degradation via ubiquitination. Moreover, LAMC2 may serve as a stratifying biomarker for patients suitable for EGFR-TKI treatment.

Clinical significance and functional role of adhesion G-protein-coupled receptors in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The adhesion G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play crucial roles in tumour pathogenesis, however, their clinical significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear.

METHODS

We analysed 796 PDAC patients, including 331 from public data sets (TCGA, ICGC and GSE57495) and 465 from independent cohorts (training: n = 321, validation: n = 144). Using in-vitro studies, we confirmed the biological function of the candidate GPCRs.

RESULTS

Analysis of all 33 adhesion GPCRs, led to identify GPR115, as the only significant prognostic factor in all public data sets. The patients with high GPR115 expression exhibited significantly poorer prognosis for OS and RFS, in training (P < 0.01, P < 0.01) and validation cohort (P < 0.01, P = 0.04). Multivariate analysis indicated that GPR115 high expression was an independent prognostic factor in both cohorts (HR = 1.43; P = 0.01, HR = 2.55; P < 0.01). A risk-prediction model using Cox regression by incorporating GPR115 and clinicopathological factors accurately predicted 5-year survival following surgery. In addition, GPR115 silencing inhibited cell proliferation and migration in PDAC cells.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that GPR115 has important prognostic significance and functional role in tumour progression; providing a rationale that this may be a potential therapeutic target in patients with PDAC.

Alcohol promotes epithelial mesenchymal transformation-mediated premetastatic niche formation of colorectal cancer by activating interaction between laminin-γ2 and integrin-β1

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor. Alcohol consumption is positively correlated with CRC malignant metastasis; however, the mechanism is unclear. The interaction between laminin-γ2 (LAMC2) and integrin-β1 (ITGB1) plays a role in premetastatic niche signaling, which may induce epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and lead to metastasis.

AIM

To investigate the effects of alcohol on CRC metastasis from the molecular mechanism of the premetastatic niche.

METHODS

The interaction between LAMC2 and ITGB1 was measured by Duolink assay, and the expression levels of LAMC2, ITGB1 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), snail, fibronectin, N-cadherin and special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6 levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histopathological assessment via hematoxylin eosin staining, and determination of aberrant crypt foci via methylene blue.

RESULTS

The lymph node metastasis rate was higher in the alcohol group than non-alcohol group. There was a significant increase in interaction signals between LAMC2 and ITGB1, and an increase in phosphorylate-FAK/FAK, snail, fibronectin, N-cadherin and SATB1, whereas E-cadherin was reduced in the alcohol group compared to the non-alcohol group in both animal and clinical samples. Serum IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 were higher in alcohol group than in non-alcohol group. Alcohol may promote CRC metastasis by influencing the molecular mechanism of the premetastatic niche.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that alcohol promotes EMT-mediated premetastatic niche formation of CRC by activating the early interaction between LAMC2 and ITGB1 and lead to CRC metastasis.

The single-sample network module biomarkers (sNMB) method reveals the pre-deterioration stage of disease progression

The progression of complex diseases generally involves a pre-deterioration stage that occurs during the transition from a healthy state to disease deterioration, at which a drastic and qualitative shift occurs. The development of an effective approach is urgently needed to identify such a pre-deterioration stage or critical state just before disease deterioration, which allows the timely implementation of appropriate measures to prevent a catastrophic transition. However, identifying the pre-deterioration stage is a challenging task in clinical medicine, especially when only a single sample is available for most patients, which is responsible for the failure of most statistical methods. In this study, a novel computational method, called single-sample network module biomarkers (sNMB), is presented to predict the pre-deterioration stage or critical point using only a single sample. Specifically, the proposed single-sample index effectively quantifies the disturbance caused by a single sample against a group of given reference samples. Our method successfully detected the early warning signal of the critical transitions when applied to both a numerical simulation and four real datasets, including acute lung injury, stomach adenocarcinoma, esophageal carcinoma, and rectum adenocarcinoma. In addition, it provides signaling biomarkers for further practical application, which helps to discover prognostic indicators and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms of disease progression.

Construction of a Novel Prognostic Signature in Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Necroptosis-Related lncRNAs

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are drawing increasing attention as promising predictors of prognosis for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. Necroptosis, a novel regulated mechanism of necrotic cell death, plays an important role in the biological process of cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the necroptosis-related lncRNAs (NRLRs) in a LUAD cohort and establish a necroptosis-related lncRNA signature (NRLSig) to stratify LUAD patients.

Methods: NRLRs were identified in LUAD patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database using Pearson correlation analysis between necroptosis-related genes and lncRNAs. Then the NRLSig was identified using univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis. Assessments of the signature were performed based on survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and clustering analysis. Next, a nomogram containing the NRLSig and clinical information was developed through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Further, functional enrichment analysis of the selected lncRNAs in NRLSig and the association between NRLSig and the immune infiltration were also evaluated.

Results: A 4-lncRNA signature, incorporating LINC00941, AP001453.2, AC026368.1, and AC236972.3, was identified to predict overall survival (OS) and stratify LUAD patients into different groups. Survival analysis, ROC curve analysis and clustering analysis showed good performance in the prognostic prediction of the lncRNA signature. Then, a nomogram containing the NRLSig was developed and showed satisfactory predictive accuracy, calibration and clinical usefulness. The co-expressed genes of selected NRLRs were enriched in several biological functions and signaling pathways. Finally, differences in the abundance of immune cells were investigated among the high-risk group and low-risk group divided by the NRLSig.

Conclusion: The proposed NRLSig may provide promising therapeutic targets or prognostic predictors for LUAD patients.

Prominin 1 Significantly Correlated with Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer and Influenced the Patient’s Prognosis

Background

This study is aimed at identifying the important biomarkers associated with bone metastasis (BM) in breast cancer (BRCA).

Methods

The GSE175692 dataset was used to detect significant differential expressed genes (DEGs) between BRCA samples with or without BM, and DEG-related pathways were then explored. Further, we constructed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network on GEGs and filtered 5 vital nodes. We then performed the Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, nomogram, and ROC curve to filter the most significant prognosis genes. The GSE14020 and GSE124647 datasets were used to verify the expression and prognostic value of hub genes, respectively. Finally, the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to reveal the potential mechanism.

Results

Totally, 74 DEGs were detected, which mainly correlated with infectious disease, signaling molecules, and interaction. The 5 important DEGs were then filtered, and the Cox regression further showed that 2 genes, including prominin 1 (PROM1) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), were related to the prognosis of BRCA metastasis patients. Especially, PROM1 presented a better prognostic performance on the survival probability of patients than CCL2. Verification analysis further confirmed the abnormal expression and significant prognostic influence of PROM1. Finally, GSEA revealed that PROM1 was negatively related to IGF1 and mTOR pathways in BRCA metastasis.

Conclusion

PROM1 was an important biomarker associated with BRCA bone metastasis and affected the prognosis of metastatic BRCA patients. It may play a vital role in metastatic BRCA by negatively regulating IGF1 and mTOR pathways.

Long non-coding RNA BBOX1-antisense RNA 1 enhances cell proliferation and migration and suppresses apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma via the miR-3940-3p/laminin subunit gamma 2 axis

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an essential role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We aimed to demonstrate the effects of lncRNA gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase 1 (BBOX1)-antisense RNA 1 (AS1) in OSCC and its regulatory mechanisms. The levels of BBOX1-AS1, microRNA (miR)-3940-3p, and laminin subunit gamma 2 (LAMC2) in OSCC were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The correlations among BBOX1-AS1, miR-3940-3p, and LAMC2 were validated using luciferase, pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were examined. BBOX1-AS1 and LAMC2 were notably overexpressed in OSCC, while miR-3940-3p showed the opposite trend. BBOX-1-AS1 silencing reduced the cell proliferation and migration, while promoting apoptosis. Mechanistically, BBOX1-AS1 modulates LAMC2 expression by competitively binding to miR-3940-3p. miR-3940-3p inhibition alleviated the inhibitory effects of BBOX1-AS1 deficiency on OSCC development. LAMC2 knockdown reversed these changes. Our results revealed that BBOX1-AS1 promotes the malignant phenotype of OSCC cells via the upregulation of LAMC2 expression by targeting miR-3940-3p, indicating that BBOX1-AS1 may be a novel target for OSCC intervention.

LncRNA SNHG1 Promotes the Progression of Pancreatic Cancer by Regulating FGFR1 Expression via Competitively Binding to miR-497

Background

Long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) is dysregulated in a variety of tumors. However, little is known of its role in pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods

The role of SNHG1 on PC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assessed in vitro using MTT, EDU, wound healing, and Transwell assays, as well as flow cytometry and western blotting. Luciferase reporter assay, western blotting, and qRT-PCR were used to examine SNHG1 regulation. Tumor growth in mice was also investigated.

Results

Downregulation of SNHG1 blocked cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis in vitro, while also inhibiting the EMT, shown by changes in the biomarkers E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. The opposite results were observed on upregulation of SNHG1. In vivo experiments showed that downregulation of SNHG1 inhibited tumor development in nude mice. Furthermore, experiments investigating the regulatory mechanism of SNHG1 indicated that SNHG1 acted as a competitive endogenous RNA, positively regulating the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) through sponging miR-497. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the effects of SNHG1 downregulation on PC cells were attenuated when simultaneously inhibiting the levels of miR-497.

Conclusions

SNHG1 upregulates FGFR1 expression by sponging miR-497, which promotes the progression of PC. SNHG1 may thus be a novel target for treating PC.

MiR-186 Suppressed Growth, Migration, and Invasion of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells via Targeting Dicer1

Objective

Globally, the fatal form of lung cancer is non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and its most common subtype is lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In cancer development and progression, miRNAs play key roles primarily in interacting with cancer-related genes. The main focus of this research was to examine the biological roles of miR-186 in LUAD.

Methods

We examined tissues of LUAD and lung cancer cell lines. The expressions of miR-186, Dicer1, Ki-67, and PCNA were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR), and western blot assays. The CCK-8 and transwell assays were used to determine cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. To determine the association between miR-186 and Dicer1, a luciferase assay was used.

Results

MiR-186 expression was found to be lower in LUAD tissues, and this was correlated to TNM stage and lymph node metastasis in LUAD patients. miR-186 upregulation significantly reduced the proliferation rate and the level of Ki67 and PCNA of LUAD cell lines HCC827 and A549. Transwell assay exhibited that miR-186 upregulation considerably reduced HCC827 and A549 cells' migration and invasion abilities. Furthermore, we also confirmed that Dicer1 was a direct target of miR-186. Importantly, Dicer1 overexpression abolished the suppression of miR-186 mimics on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC827 and A549 cells.

Conclusion

These results indicated that the miR-186/Dicer1 pathway is critical for regulating LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression and Prognosis for Laminin Genes in Ovarian Cancer

Survival is low in ovarian cancer (OC). Most OC patients demonstrate advanced metastases, and recurrence is common. Dysregulation of laminin interactions is associated with cancer development. However, it is unknown whether laminin subunits can be considered as biomarkers for OC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. We used cBioPortal, GEO, ONCOMINE, GEPIA, Human Protein Atlas, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, TIMER, and Metascape to determine the associations among laminin expression, prognosis, and immune cell infiltration in OC. LAMA5, LAMB3, and LAMC2 mRNAs and LAMA3, LAMB1/B2/B3, and LAMC1/C2 proteins were overexpressed in OC tissues compared with normal ovaries. LAMA4, LAMB1, and LAMC1 mRNA upregulation was positively correlated with worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in OC. Elevated LAMA2 and LAMC2 mRNA expression levels were related to better PFS or OS, respectively. The results speculated that LAMA5 could potentially be a good prognostic factor in OC. Its expression proves valuable for predicting OS in patients diagnosed with stage Ⅳ and grade 3 OC and PFS in patients diagnosed with all OC stages or grades. LAMB3 and LAMC2 expression was correlated with platinum resistance development. ROC analysis of laminins in OC sets revealed that LAMA2/A4/A5, LAMB1/B2/B3, and LAMC2 could be used to differentiate between malignant tumors and non-neoplastic tissues. LAMA1/A5 and LAMC1 were significantly and negatively correlated with various tumor immune infiltrates (TILs), especially with dendritic cells, CD8⁺ T cells or neutrophil. LAMA4 and LAMB1 might be associated with tumor purity in OC. Overall, LAMA5 and LAMC1 could help predict OC survival and diagnosis and might be deemed important OC oncogenes.