Targeting Long Non-Coding RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Progress and Prospects

Novel lncRNA SNHG16 Promotes the Growth and Metastasis of Malignant Melanoma by Regulating miR-205-5p/PAK2 Axis

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an key role in the biological processes of various malignant tumors. SNHG16 has been confirmed to be associated with the progression of various cancers. However, function and molecular mechanism of SNHG16 in melanoma have not been studied by scholars.

Methods

The expression of SNHG16 in melanoma tissues were detected by using qRT-PCR. Melanoma cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GEO#GSE15605 were included in this study. CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, transwell and scratch wound assay were used to explore the role of SNHG16 in melanoma cells. Luciferase reporter assays and RNA pull-down assay were used to explore the molecular mechanism of SNHG16 in melanoma.

Results

Here, we found that SNHG16 was up-regulated in melanoma. SNHG16 enhances the growth and metastasis of melanoma. SNHG16 can promote the expression of P21-activated kinases 2 (PAK2) by sponging miR-205-5p. PAK2 is the target gene of miR-205-5p. We demonstrated that SNHG16 promotes the metastasis and growth of melanoma through miR-205-5p/PAK2 axis.

Conclusion

This study firstly confirmed the role and mechanism of SNHG16 in the occurrence and development of melanoma. Therefore, SNHG16 may become a key point in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of melanoma patients in the future.

The Role of Macroautophagy and Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy in the Pathogenesis and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Simple Summary

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem with the second highest mortality among all cancers and a continuous increase worldwide. HCC is highly resistant to available chemotherapeutic agents, leaving patients with no effective therapeutic option and a poor prognosis. Although an increasing number of studies have elucidated the potential role of autophagy underlying HCC, the complete regulation is far from understood. The different forms of autophagy constitute important cell survival mechanisms that could prevent hepatocarcinogenesis by limiting hepatocyte death and the associated hepatitis and fibrosis at early stages of chronic liver diseases. On the other hand, at late stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, they could support the malignant transformation of (pre)neoplastic cells by facilitating their survival.

Abstract

Hepatocarcinogenesis is a long process with a complex pathophysiology. The current therapeutic options for HCC management, during the advanced stage, provide short-term survival ranging from 10–14 months. Autophagy acts as a double-edged sword during this process. Recently, two main autophagic pathways have emerged to play critical roles during hepatic oncogenesis, macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy. Mounting evidence suggests that upregulation of macroautophagy plays a crucial role during the early stages of carcinogenesis as a tumor suppressor mechanism; however, it has been also implicated in later stages promoting survival of cancer cells. Nonetheless, chaperone-mediated autophagy has been elucidated as a tumor-promoting mechanism contributing to cancer cell survival. Moreover, the autophagy pathway seems to have a complex role during the metastatic stage, while induction of autophagy has been implicated as a potential mechanism of chemoresistance of HCC cells. The present review provides an update on the role of autophagy pathways in the development of HCC and data on how the modulation of the autophagic pathway could contribute to the most effective management of HCC.

Long Noncoding RNA AC007639.1 Promotes the Pathogenesis and Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Inhibiting Apoptosis and Stimulating Chemotherapeutic Resistance

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known for its poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical in the pathogenesis of various types of cancers. We tried to explore the role of lncRNA in the development of HCC.

Methods

We identified the role of lncRNA AC007639.1 in the pathogenesis of HCC through bioinformatics and biological experiments in HepG2, Hep3B, and SMMC-7721 cells as well as the nude mice xenograft model.

Results

We found that lncRNA AC007639.1 was overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma. Knocking down of lncRNA AC007639.1 by specific siRNAs or shRNAs promoted cancer cell death. The growth of mouse xenograft tumor created using lncRNA AC007639.1 deficient HepG2 cells was significantly slowed down. Furthermore, the knockdown of lncRNA AC007639.1 in HCC cells led to the increased expression of p53 and decreased expression of angiopoietin-like 4.

Conclusion

LncRNA AC007639.1 was involved in the pathogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibition of apoptosis and increasing HCC resistance to chemotherapy.