Virus-Induced Tumorigenesis and IFN System

Non-coding RNAs in disease: from mechanisms to therapeutics

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a heterogeneous group of transcripts that, by definition, are not translated into proteins. Since their discovery, ncRNAs have emerged as important regulators of multiple biological functions across a range of cell types and tissues, and their dysregulation has been implicated in disease. Notably, much research has focused on the link between microRNAs (miRNAs) and human cancers, although other ncRNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are also emerging as relevant contributors to human disease. In this Review, we summarize our current understanding of the roles of miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs in cancer and other major human diseases, notably cardiovascular, neurological and infectious diseases. Further, we discuss the potential use of ncRNAs as biomarkers of disease and as therapeutic targets.

Molecular biology of canine parainfluenza virus V protein and its potential applications in tumor immunotherapy

Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) is a zoonotic virus that is widely distributed and is the main pathogen causing canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), also known as "kennel cough," in dogs. The CPIV-V protein is the only nonstructural protein of the virus and plays an important role in multiple stages of the virus life cycle by inhibiting apoptosis, altering the host cell cycle and interfering with the interferon response. In addition, studies have shown that the V protein has potential applications in the field of immunotherapy in oncolytic virus therapy or self-amplifying RNA vaccines. In this review, the biosynthesis, structural characteristics and functions of the CPIV-V protein are reviewed with an emphasis on how it facilitates viral immune escape and its potential applications in the field of immunotherapy. Therefore, this review provides a scientific basis for research into the CPIV-V protein and its potential applications.

JAK/STAT Signaling and Cervical Cancer: From the Cell Surface to the Nucleus

The Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway constitutes a rapid signaling module from the cell surface to the nucleus, and activates different cellular responses, such as proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, and inflammation. When the JAK/STAT pathway is altered, it contributes to cancer progression and metastasis. STAT proteins play a central role in developing cervical cancer, and inhibiting the JAK/STAT signaling may be necessary to induce tumor cell death. Several cancers show continuous activation of different STATs, including cervical cancer. The constitutive activation of STAT proteins is associated with a poor prognosis and overall survival. The human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins E6 and E7 play an essential role in cervical cancer progression, and they activate the JAK/STAT pathway and other signals that induce proliferation, survival, and migration of cancer cells. Moreover, there is a crosstalk between the JAK/STAT signaling cascade with other signaling pathways, where a plethora of different proteins activate to induce gene transcription and cell responses that contribute to tumor growth. Therefore, inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway shows promise as a new target in cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss the role of the JAK/STAT pathway components and the role of the HPV oncoproteins associated with cellular malignancy through the JAK/STAT proteins and other signaling pathways to induce tumor growth.

The E6 and E7 proteins of beta3 human papillomavirus 49 can deregulate both cellular and extracellular vesicles-carried microRNAs

BACKGROUND

The β3 human papillomavirus (HPV)49 induces immortalization of primary keratinocytes through the action of E6 and E7 oncoproteins with an efficiency similar to alpha high risk (HR)-HPV16. Since HR-HPV oncoproteins are known to alter microRNA (miRNA) expression and extracellular vesicle (EV) production, we investigated the impact of HPV49 E6 and E7 proteins on miRNA profile and EV expression, and their involvement in the control of cell proliferation.

METHODS

The miRNA expression was evaluated by a miRNA array and validated by RT-qPCR in primary human keratinocytes immortalized by β3 HPV49 (K49) or α9 HR-HPV16 (K16), and in EVs from K49 and K16. The modulation of miRNA target proteins was investigated by immunoblotting analyses.

RESULTS

By comparing miRNA expression in K49 and K16 and the derived EVs, six miRNAs involved in HPV tumorigenesis were selected and validated. MiR-19a and -99a were found to be upregulated and miR-34a downregulated in both cell lines; miR-17 and -590-5p were upregulated in K49 and downmodulated in K16; miR-21 was downregulated only in K16. As for EV-carried miRNAs, the expression of miR-17, -19a, -21 and -99a was decreased and miR-34a was increased in K49 EVs. In K16 EVs, we revealed the same modulation of miR-19a, -34a, and -99a observed in producing cells, while miR-21 was upregulated. Cyclin D1, a common target of the selected miRNAs, was downmodulated in both cell lines, whereas cyclin-dependent kinase 4 was down-modulated in K49 but upregulated in K16.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that E6 and E7 proteins of β3 HPV49 and α9 HR-HPV16 affect key factors of cell cycle control by indirect mechanisms based on miRNA modulation.