Impact of Matrix Metalloproteinases 11 Gene Variants on Urothelial Cell Carcinoma Development and Clinical Characteristics

Genetic Polymorphisms Involved in Bladder Cancer: A Global Review

Bladder cancer (BC) has been associated with genetic susceptibility. Single peptide polymorphisms (SNPs) can modulate BC susceptibility. A literature search was performed covering the period between January 2000 and October 2020. Overall, 334 articles were selected, reporting 455 SNPs located in 244 genes. The selected 455 SNPs were further investigated. All SNPs that were associated with smoking and environmental exposure were excluded from this study. A total of 197 genes and 343 SNPs were found to be associated with BC, among which 177 genes and 291 SNPs had congruent results across all available studies. These genes and SNPs were classified into eight different categories according to their function.

The Impact of Matrix Metalloproteinase-11 Polymorphisms on Colorectal Cancer Progression and Clinicopathological Characteristics

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide and the most prevalent cancer in Taiwan. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-11 is a proteolytic enzyme of the MMP family which is involved in extracellular matrix degradation and tissue remodeling. In this study, we focused on the associations of MMP-11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with CRC susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics. The MMP-11 SNPs rs131451, rs738791, rs2267029, rs738792, and rs28382575 in 479 controls and 479 patients with CRC were analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction. We found that the MMP-11 SNP rs738792 “TC + CC” genotype was significantly associated with perineural invasion in colon cancer patients after controlling for clinical parameters [OR (95% CI) = 1.783 (1.074–2.960); p = 0.025]. The MMP-11 rs131451 “TC + CC” genotypic variants were correlated with greater tumor T status [OR (95% CI):1.254 (1.025–1.534); p = 0.028] and perineural invasion [OR (95% CI):1.773 (1.027–3.062); p = 0.040) in male CRC patients. Furthermore, analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed that MMP-11 levels were upregulated in colorectal carcinoma tissue compared with normal tissues and were correlated with advanced stage, larger tumor sizes, and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database exhibited that the MMP-11 rs738792 “CC” and “CT” genotypic variants have higher MMP-11 expression than the “TT” genotype. In conclusion, our results have demonstrated that the MMP-11 SNPs rs738792 and rs131451 may have potential to provide biomarkers to evaluate CRC disease progression, and the MMP-11 rs131451 polymorphism may shed light on sex discrepancy in CRC development and prognosis.

Construction and analysis of a ceRNA network and patterns of immune infiltration in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: based on data mining and experimental verification

Recent studies have revealed the significant role of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in human diseases. However, systematic analysis of the ceRNA mechanism in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is limited. In this study, we constructed a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and identified a potential regulatory axis in CRSwNP based on bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification. We obtained lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus. After analysis of CRSwNP patients and the control groups, we identified 565 DE-lncRNAs, 23 DE-miRNAs, and 1799 DE-mRNAs by the DESeq2 R package or limma R package. Enrichment analysis of 1799 DE-mRNAs showed that CRSwNP was associated with inflammation and immunity. Moreover, we identified 21 lncRNAs, 8 miRNAs and 8 mRNAs to construct the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network. A potential MIAT/miR-125a/IRF4 axis was determined according to the degree and positive correlation between a lncRNA and its competitive endogenous mRNAs. The GSEA results suggested that IRF4 may be involved in immune cell infiltration. The validation of another dataset confirmed that MIAT and IRF4 were differentially expressed between the CRSwNP and control groups. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of MIAT and IRF4 was 0.944. The CIBERSORT analysis revealed that eosinophils and M2 macrophages may be involved in the CRSwNP process. MIAT was correlated with dendritic cells and M2 macrophages, and IRF4 was correlated with dendritic cells. Finally, to validate the key genes, we performed in-silico validation using another dataset and experimental validation using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. In summary, the constructed novel MIAT/miR-125a/IRF4 axis may play a critical role in the development and progression of CRSwNP. We believe that the ceRNA network and immune cell infiltration could offer further insight into novel molecular therapeutic targets for CRSwNP.

The paradoxical role of matrix metalloproteinase-11 in cancer

The microenvironment surrounding the tumor affects biological processes, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and invasion. Therefore, the ability to change these environments is an important attribute for tumor cells to obtain specific functions necessary for growth and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent proteolytic metalloenzymes that facilitate protease-dependent tumor progression by degrading extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, releasing cytokines, growth factors, and other cell surface molecules. As one of the most widely studied MMPs, MMP-11 is an important protease that is expressed in cancer cells, stromal cells, and the adjacent microenvironment. MMP-11 has a dual effect on tumors. On one hand, MMP-11 promotes tumor development by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting the migration and invasion of cancer cells in the early stage. On the other hand, in animal models, MMP-11 has a protective effect on tumor growth and metastasis at an advanced stage. Based on current findings regarding the importance of MMP-11 in altering the tumor microenvironment, there is a need to further understand how stromal cells and the ECM regulate tumor progression, which may result in the re-examination of MMPs as drug targets for cancer and other diseases. In this review, we summarize the dual role of MMP-11 in cancer and its potential clinical significance.

LncRNA CTBP1-AS2 Facilitates Gastric Cancer Progression via Regulating the miR-139-3p/MMP11 Axis

Background

This study aimed at probing into the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) C-terminal binding protein 1 antisense RNA 2 (CTBP1-AS2) on gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation and apoptosis, and its regulatory function on miR-139-3p and MMP11.

Methods

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to examine the expressions of CTBP1-AS2, miR-139-3p and MMP11 mRNA in GC cell lines and clinical specimens. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry and EdU assay were conducted to examine the effects of CTBP1-AS2 and miR-139-3p on GC cell proliferation and apoptosis. Western blot was applied for detecting the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and MMP11. A lung metastasis mouse model was used to evaluate metastasis of GC cells in vivo. Bioinformatics, dual-luciferase report assay, RIP and RNA pull-down assays were utilized to validate the targeted relationship between CTBP1-AS2 and miR-139-3p as well as the targeting relationship between miR-139-3p and MMP11.

Results

CTBP1-AS2 was highly expressed in GC, and its high expression was strongly associated with increased TNM stage, increased tumor size and low degree of differentiation of the tumor tissues. Meanwhile, CTBP1-AS2 promoted GC cell proliferation, metastasis and suppressed apoptosis, while miR-139-3p could weaken these effects. In addition, CTBP1-AS2 was identified as a molecular sponge for miR-139-3p, and MMP11 was verified as a target gene of CTBP1-AS2. CTBP1-AS2 could increase the expression of MMP11 via repressing miR-139-3p.

Conclusion

CTBP1-AS2 promotes GC cells and inhibits apoptosis by regulating the miR-139-3p/MMP11 molecular axis.

Impact of Matrix Metalloproteinase-11 Gene Polymorphisms on Biochemical Recurrence and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is among the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-11 is involved in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling and plays an essential role in cancer development and metastasis. This study investigated the association of MMP-11 polymorphisms with the clinicopathological characteristics and biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the MMP-11 were analyzed in 578 patients with prostate cancer through real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. A prostate-specific antigen level of >10 ng/mL, Gleason grade groups 4 + 5, advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, invasion, and high-risk D'Amico classification were significantly associated with biochemical recurrence in the patients (p < 0.001). MMP-11 rs131451 "TC + CC" polymorphic variants were associated with advanced clinical stage (T stage; p = 0.007) and high-risk D'Amico classification (p = 0.015) in patients with biochemical recurrence. These findings demonstrate that MMP-11 polymorphisms were not associated with prostate cancer susceptibility; however, the rs131451 polymorphic variant was associated with late-stage tumors and high-risk D'Amico classification in prostate cancer patients with biochemical recurrence. Thus, the MMP-11 SNP rs131451 may contribute to the tumor development in prostate cancer patients with biochemical recurrence.