Vitamin D Impacts the Expression of Runx2 Target Genes and Modulates Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Membrane Vesicle Biogenesis Gene Networks in 143B Osteosarcoma Cells

A new method for network bioinformatics identifies novel drug targets for mucinous ovarian carcinoma

Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is a subtype of ovarian cancer that is distinct from all other ovarian cancer subtypes and currently has no targeted therapies. To identify novel therapeutic targets, we developed and applied a new method of differential network analysis comparing MOC to benign mucinous tumours (in the absence of a known normal tissue of origin). This method mapped the protein-protein network in MOC and then utilised structural bioinformatics to prioritise the proteins identified as upregulated in the MOC network for their likelihood of being successfully drugged. Using this protein-protein interaction modelling, we identified the strongest 5 candidates, CDK1, CDC20, PRC1, CCNA2 and TRIP13, as structurally tractable to therapeutic targeting by small molecules. siRNA knockdown of these candidates performed in MOC and control normal fibroblast cell lines identified CDK1, CCNA2, PRC1 and CDC20, as potential drug targets in MOC. Three targets (TRIP13, CDC20, CDK1) were validated using known small molecule inhibitors. Our findings demonstrate the utility of our pipeline for identifying new targets and highlight potential new therapeutic options for MOC patients.

Upregulation of BMP1 through ncRNAs correlates with adverse outcomes and immune infiltration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 2-3% of all adult malignancies. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), which comprises 70-80% of all RCC cases, is the most common histological subtype.

METHODS

ccRCC transcriptome data and clinical information were downloaded from the TCGA database. We used the TCGA and GEPIA databases to analyze relative expression of BMP1 in various types of human cancer. GEPIA was used to perform survival analysis for BMP1 in various cancer types. Upstream binding miRNAs of BMP1 were obtained through several important target gene prediction tools. StarBase was used to predict candidate miRNAs that may bind to BMP1 and candidate lncRNAs that may bind to hsa-miR-532-3p. We analyzed the association between expression of BMP1 and immune cell infiltration levels in ccRCC using the TIMER website. The relationship between BMP1 expression levels and immune checkpoint expression levels was also investigated.

RESULTS

BMP1 was upregulated in GBM, HNSC, KIRC, KIRP and STAD and downregulated in KICH and PRAD. Combined with OS and DFS, BMP1 can be used as a biomarker for poor prognosis among patients with KIRC. Through expression analysis, survival analysis and correlation analysis, LINC00685, SLC16A1-AS1, PVT1, VPS9D1-AS1, SNHG15 and the CCDC18-AS1/hsa-miR-532-3p/BMP1 axis were established as the most potential upstream ncRNA-related pathways of BMP1 in ccRCC. Furthermore, we found that BMP1 levels correlated significantly positively with tumor immune cell infiltration, biomarkers of immune cells, and immune checkpoint expression.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that ncRNA-mediated high expression of BMP1 is associated with poor prognosis and tumor immune infiltration in ccRCC.

The crucial role of LncRNA MIR210HG involved in the regulation of human cancer and other disease

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have evoked considerable interest in recent years due to their critical functions in the regulation of disease processes. Abnormal expression of lncRNAs is found in multiple diseases, and lncRNAs have been exploited for diverse medical applications. The lncRNA MIR210HG is a recently discovered lncRNA that is widely dysregulated in human disease. MIR210HG was described to have biological functions with potential roles in disease development, including cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and energy metabolism. And MIR210HG dysregulation was confirmed to have promising clinical values in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. In this review, we systematically summarize the expression profiles, roles, underlying mechanisms, and clinical applications of MIR210HG in human disease.

An Analysis of BMP1 Associated with m6A Modification and Immune Infiltration in Pancancer

Background. This research explores the underlying link between diagnosis and therapy between bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1) and various cancers. Methods. Three immunotherapeutic cohorts, by the composition of IMvigor210, GSE35640, and GSE78220 were obtained from previously published articles and the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The different expressions of BMP1 in various clinical parameters were conducted, and prognostic analysis was executed utilizing Cox proportional hazard regression and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis. Moreover, the correlation between BMP1 and tumor microenvironment was analyzed using ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms. Tumor mutational burden and microsatellite instability were also included. The correlation between m6A modification and the gene expression level was analyzed using Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis portal. Gene Set Cancer Analysis analyzed the correlation of BMP1 expression level with copy number variations and methylation. Furthermore, the correlation between BMP1 and therapeutic response after antineoplastic drug use was illustrated for further discussion. Results. BMP1 expression had significant differences in 14 cancers. It presented an intimate relationship with immune-relevant biomarkers. A variation analysis indicated that BMP1 had a significant association with immunotherapeutic response. The expression level of BMP1 was closely associated with insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, an m6A modification relative gene. Except for a few cancer types, methylation negatively correlated with BMP1, and copy number variations positively correlated with BMP1. Notably, low BMP1 expression was connected with immunotherapeutic response in the cohorts, and its expression was related to increased sectional sensitivity of drugs. Conclusion. BMP1 may serve as a potential biomarker for prognostic prediction and immunologic infiltration in diversified cancers, providing a new thought approach for oncotherapy.

The promising effects of BMP2 transfected mesenchymal stem cells on human osteosarcoma

Selective targeting of transfected mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) carrying specific antioncogenes to the tumor was suggested as a treatment option. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) was shown to inhibit the proliferation and aggressiveness of osteosarcoma (OS) cells. Here, we aimed to assess the homing efficiency of intraperitoneally administered hMSCs transfected with BMP2 to the tumoral site and their effects on OS using an orthotopic xenograft murine model. Orthotopic xenograft murine model of OS in six-week-old female NOD/SCID mice using 143B cells was established. hMSCs transfected with BMP2 (BMP2⁺hMSC) were used. In vivo experiments performed on four groups of mice that received no treatment, or intraperitoneally administered BMP2, hMSCs, and BMP2⁺hMSCs. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were used to evaluate the pathological identification and to assess the dimensions and necrotic foci of the tumor, the features of lung metastases, and immunostaining against p27, Ki-67, and caspase-3 antibodies. The osteogenic differentiation markers BMP2, BMP4, COL1A1, OPN, OCN and PF4 evaluated using RT-PCR. The tumor dimensions in the hMSCs group were significantly higher than those of the remaining groups (p < 0.01). The number of metastatic foci in the BMP2⁺hMSCs group was significantly lower than those of the other groups (p < 0.01). The current results showed that the intraperitoneal route could be efficiently used for targeting hMSCs to the tumoral tissues for effective BMP2 delivery. In this study, the effects of BMP2 transfected hMSCs on human OS and metastasis were promising for achieving osteogenic differentiation and reduced metastatic process.

Establishment of a Novel Risk Score System of Immune Genes Associated With Prognosis in Esophageal Carcinoma

Background

Few studies have addressed the role of immune-related genes in the survival and prognosis of different esophageal cancer (EC) sub-types. We established two new prognostic model indexes by bioinformatics analysis to select patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) who may benefit from immunotherapy.

Methods

Based on TCGA and ImmPort data sets, we screened immune genes differentially expressed between tumor and normal tissues in ESCC and EAC and analyzed the relationship between these genes and patient survival outcomes. We established the risk score models of immune-related genes in ESCC and EAC by multivariate COX regression analysis.

Results

We identified 12 and 11 immune-related differentially expressed genes associated with the clinical prognosis of ESCC and EAC respectively, based on which two prognostic risk score models of the two EC sub-types were constructed. It was found that the survival probability of patients with high scores was significantly lower than that of patients with low scores (p < 0.001). BMP1, EGFR, S100A12, HLA-B, TNFSF18, IL1B, MAPT and OXTR were significantly related to sex, TNM stage or survival outcomes of ESCC or EAC patients (p < 0.05). In addition, the risk score of ESCC was significantly correlated with the level of B cell infiltration in immune cells (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The prognosis-related immune gene model indexes described herein prove to be useful prognostic biomarkers of the two EC sub-types in that they may provide a reference direction for looking for the beneficiaries of immunotherapy for EC patients.

Enhanced Antiproliferative Effect of Combined Treatment with Calcitriol and All-Trans Retinoic Acid in Relation to Vitamin D Receptor and Retinoic Acid Receptor α Expression in Osteosarcoma Cell Lines

The main objective of this study was to analyze changes in the antiproliferative effect of vitamin D3, in the form of calcitriol and calcidiol, via its combined application with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in osteosarcoma cell lines. The response to treatment with calcitriol and calcidiol alone was specific for each cell line. Nevertheless, we observed an enhanced effect of combined treatment with ATRA and calcitriol in the majority of the cell lines. Although the levels of respective nuclear receptors did not correlate with the sensitivity of cells to these drugs, vitamin D receptor (VDR) upregulation induced by ATRA was found in cell lines that were the most sensitive to the combined treatment. In addition, all these cell lines showed high endogenous levels of retinoic acid receptor α (RARα). Our study confirmed that the combination of calcitriol and ATRA can achieve enhanced antiproliferative effects in human osteosarcoma cell lines in vitro. Moreover, we provide the first evidence that ATRA is able to upregulate VDR expression in human osteosarcoma cells. According to our results, the endogenous levels of RARα and VDR could be used as a predictor of possible synergy between ATRA and calcitriol in osteosarcoma cells.

Burst, Short, and Sustained Vitamin D3 Applications Differentially Affect Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose Stem Cells

Incorporation of 1,25(OH)₂ vitamin D₃ (vitD₃) into tissue-engineered scaffolds could aid the healing of critical-sized bone defects. We hypothesize that shorter applications of vitD₃ lead to more osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) than a sustained application. To test this, release from a scaffold was mimicked by exposing MSCs to exactly controlled vitD₃ regimens. Human adipose stem cells (hASCs) were seeded onto calcium phosphate particles, cultured for 20 days, and treated with 124 ng vitD₃, either provided during 30 min before seeding ([200 nM]), during the first two days ([100 nM]), or during 20 days ([10 nM]). Alternatively, hASCs were treated for two days with 6.2 ng vitD₃ ([10 nM]). hASCs attached to the calcium phosphate particles and were viable (~75%). Cell number was not affected by the various vitD₃ applications. VitD₃ (124 ng) applied over 20 days increased cellular alkaline phosphatase activity at Days 7 and 20, reduced expression of the early osteogenic marker RUNX2 at Day 20, and strongly upregulated expression of the vitD₃ inactivating enzyme CYP24. VitD₃ (124 ng) also reduced RUNX2 and increased CYP24 applied at [100 nM] for two days, but not at [200 nM] for 30 min. These results show that 20-day application of vitD₃ has more effect on hASCs than the same total amount applied in a shorter time span.

Overexpression of BMP1 reflects poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the highest mortality, invasion, and metastasis subtype of renal cell carcinoma. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family has recently emerged as a group of cancer-related proteins in multiple pathogenesis of cancers. Currently, little is known about the prediction role of BMPs in ccRCC. Therefore, we screened The Cancer Genome Atlas Kidney Clear Cell Carcinoma (TCGA-KIRC) database for ccRCC patients with complete clinical information and BMP family expression data. Multivariate analysis showed that high expression of BMP1 was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001), and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.018). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed BMP1 was associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), G2M checkpoint, angiogenesis, hypoxia pathway, and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) signaling. Knockdown BMP1 suppressed malignancy of ccRCC in vitro and in vivo. Our results indicated that high expressions of BMP1 were poor prognostic factors and gene therapy could be an effective treatment for ccRCC.

1,25(OH)2D3 regulates the proangiogenic activity of pericyte through VDR-mediated modulation of VEGF production and signaling of VEGF and PDGF receptors

We have previously demonstrated that the active form of vitamin D (calcitriol; 1,25(OH)₂D₃) is a potent inhibitor of retinal neovascularization. However, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms involved remained poorly understood. Perivascular supporting cells including pericytes (PC) play important roles during angiogenesis, vascular maturation, and stabilization of blood vessels. How 1,25(OH)₂D₃ affects retinal PC proliferation and migration, and whether these effects are mediated through vitamin D receptor (VDR), are unknown. Here, we determined the impact of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ on retinal PC prepared from wild‐type (Vdr+/+) and VDR‐deficient (Vdr−/−) mice. Retinal PC expressed significantly higher VDR levels compared to retinal endothelial cells (EC). Unlike retinal EC, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ significantly decreased PC proliferation and migration and resulted in a G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest. Although 1,25(OH)₂D₃ did not inhibit the proliferation of Vdr−/− PC, it did inhibit their migration. PC adhesion to various extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and ECM production were also affected by incubation of PC with 1,25(OH)₂D₃. Vdr−/− PC were more adherent compared with Vdr+/+ cells. Mechanistically, incubation of Vdr+/+ PC with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ resulted in an increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and attenuation of signaling through VEGF‐R2 and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐beta. Incubation with soluble VEGF‐R1 (sFlt‐1) partially reversed the effect of VEGF on Vdr+/+ PC. In addition, incubation of Vdr+/+ PC with VEGF or inhibition of VEGF‐R2 increased VDR expression. Together, these results suggest an important role for retinal PC as a target for vitamin D and VDR action for attenuation of angiogenesis.

Comprehensive Treatment and Rehabilitation of Patients With Osteosarcoma of the Mandible

OBJECTIVE

The article studies state-of-the art physical therapeutic techniques as a high degree of relevance to minimize invalidation and improve quality of life for patients with dental osteosarcoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in 21 patients with osteogenic sarcoma of mandible (C41.1). There were 10 patients in the experimental group and 11 patients in the control group.

RESULTS

A comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation program for patients with osteosarcoma of mandible was developed. The first part of the program comprised 3 basic phases: preop chemotherapy, surgery, and postop rehabilitation. The surgical treatment further included resection of an affected part of the mandible and primary repair of the defect with jaw fragments and an autoimplant joined together with the help of positioning devices. The postop rehabilitation included postop chemotherapy and mesodiencephalic modulation (MDM). The second part of the program comprised preop examination, modeling, using stereolytic 3-dimensional models of the mandible, corrective surgeries, including implantation into the autoimplant-a fragment of patient's fibula, and building of a removable titanium alloy-based denture. MDM sessions were administered after each invasive intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher psychological and physical well-being was observed in the experimental group as compared with the control group (P < 0.01) in 2 weeks after the first surgery and 2 months after scheduled corrective surgeries, which finished in denture installation.

Extracellular Vesicles and Matrix Remodeling Enzymes: The Emerging Roles in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling, Progression of Diseases and Tissue Repair

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane enclosed micro- and nano-sized vesicles that are secreted from almost every species, ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, and from almost every cell type studied so far. EVs contain repertoire of bioactive molecules such as proteins (including enzymes and transcriptional factors), lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids including DNA, coding and non-coding RNAs. The secreted EVs are taken up by neighboring cells where they release their content in recipient cells, or can sail through body fluids to reach distant organs. Since EVs transport bioactive cargo between cells, they have emerged as novel mediators of extra- and intercellular activities in local microenvironment and inter-organ communications distantly. Herein, we review the activities of EV-associated matrix-remodeling enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases, heparanases, hyaluronidases, aggrecanases, and their regulators such as extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducers and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases as novel means of matrix remodeling in physiological and pathological conditions. We discuss how such EVs act as novel mediators of extracellular matrix degradation to prepare a permissive environment for various pathological conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis and metabolic diseases. Additionally, the roles of EV-mediated matrix remodeling in tissue repair and their potential applications as organ therapies have been reviewed. Collectively, this knowledge could benefit the development of new approaches for tissue engineering.

MicroRNA-183 suppresses the vitality, invasion and migration of human osteosarcoma cells by targeting metastasis-associated protein 1

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)-183 on vitality, invasion, metastasis and apoptosis in osteosarcoma (OS) cells, mediated by its binding to metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1). A dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine whether MTA1 was a direct target of miR-183. Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell, scratch-wound healing, fluorescence-activated cell sorting andterminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays were also performed to investigate the effects of miR-183 expression on the proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis of MG63 cells. It was demonstrated that that MTA1 expression levels were significantly higher in OS tissues and MG63 cells compared with corresponding adjacent noncancerous tissues and normal cells, respectively, while miR-183 expression levels were significantly lower (both P<0.05). Furthermore, miR-183 overexpression downregulated MTA1 levels and inhibited cell proliferation (P<0.05), migration (P<0.05) and invasion (P<0.01), as well as promoting apoptosis (P<0.01) by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of MTA1. These results indicate that miR-183 inhibits the vitality, invasion, migration and apoptosis of the OS cell line MG63 by targeting MTA1. These findings may contribute to the development of novel clinical therapeutic approaches for the treatment of OS.

Calcitriol exerts an anti-tumor effect in osteosarcoma by inducing the endoplasmic reticulum stress response

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary bone tumor, and novel therapeutic approaches for this disease are urgently required. To identify effective agents, we screened a panel of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs in AXT cells, our newly established mouse osteosarcoma line, and identified calcitriol as a candidate compound with therapeutic efficacy for this disease. Calcitriol inhibited cell proliferation in AXT cells by blocking cell cycle progression. From a mechanistic standpoint, calcitriol induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which was potentially responsible for downregulation of cyclin D1, activation of p38 MAPK, and intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Knockdown of Atf4 or Ddit3 restored cell viability after calcitriol treatment, indicating that the ER stress response was indeed responsible for the anti-proliferative effect in AXT cells. Notably, the ER stress response was induced to a lesser extent in human osteosarcoma than in AXT cells, consistent with the weaker suppressive effect on cell growth in the human cells. Thus, the magnitude of ER stress induced by calcitriol might be an index of its anti-osteosarcoma effect. Although mice treated with calcitriol exhibited weight loss and elevated serum calcium levels, a single dose was sufficient to decrease osteosarcoma tumor size in vivo. Our findings suggest that calcitriol holds therapeutic potential for treatment of osteosarcoma, assuming that techniques to diminish its toxicity could be established. In addition, our results show that calcitriol could still be safely administered to osteosarcoma patients for its original purposes, including treatment of osteoporosis.