miRNA Clusters with Down-Regulated Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer and Their Regulation

Deregulation mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities of p53-responsive microRNAs in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Here, we have discussed the molecular mechanisms of p53-responsive microRNAs dysregulation in response to genotoxic stress in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. The role of micro ribonucleic acids (microRNAs) in p53-signaling cellular stress has been studied. MicroRNAs are the small non-coding RNAs, which regulate genes expression at post-transcriptional level. Many of them play a crucial role in carcinogenesis and may act as oncogenes or suppressor of tumor growth. The understanding of the effect of p53-responsive microRNA dysregulation on oncogenesis achieved in recent decades opens wide opportunities for the diagnosis, prediction and of microRNA-based cancer therapy. Development of new bioinformatics tools and databases for microRNA supports DLBCL research. We overview the studies on the role of miRNAs in regulating gene expression associated with tumorigenesis processes, with particular emphasis on their role as tumor growth-suppressing factors. The starting point is a brief description of the classical microRNA biogenesis pathway and the role of p53 in regulating the expression of these molecules. We analyze various molecular mechanisms leading to this dysregulation, including mutations in the TP53 gene, DNA methylation, changes in host-genes expression or microRNA gene copy number, mutations in microRNA and microRNA biogenesis genes.

A glimpse into the world of microRNAs and their putative roles in hard ticks

Ticks are important blood feeding ectoparasites that transmit pathogens to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Hard ticks can feed for several days to weeks, nevertheless they often go undetected. This phenomenon can be explained by a tick's ability to release analgesics, immunosuppressives, anticoagulants, and vasodilators within their saliva. Several studies have identified extracellular vesicles (EVs) as carriers of some of these effector molecules. Further, EVs, and their contents, enhance pathogen transmission, modulate immune responses, and delay wound healing. EVs are double lipid-membrane vesicles that transport intracellular cargo, including microRNAs (miRNAs) to recipient cells. miRNAs are involved in regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. Interestingly, tick-derived miRNAs have been shown to enhance pathogen transmission and affect vital biological processes such as oviposition, blood digestion, and molting. miRNAs have been found within tick salivary EVs. This review focuses on current knowledge of miRNA loading into EVs and homologies reported in ticks. We also describe findings in tick miRNA profiles, including miRNAs packed within tick salivary EVs. Although no functional studies have been done to investigate the role of EV-derived miRNAs in tick feeding, we discuss the functional characterization of miRNAs in tick biology and pathogen transmission. Lastly, we propose the possible uses of tick miRNAs to develop management tools for tick control and to prevent pathogen transmission. The identification and functional characterization of conserved and tick-specific salivary miRNAs targeting important molecular and immunological pathways within the host could lead to the discovery of new therapeutics for the treatment of tick-borne and non-tick-borne human diseases.

The role of miRNA in IBS pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy: The latest thought

IBS is a prevalent clinical condition affecting bowel function. There is a restricted comprehension of its pathogenesis, an absence of particular diagnostic tools, and an insufficiency of efficient pharmacological remedies. MiRNAs are a highly conserved class of non-coding small molecule RNAs, with a length of 20-24 nucleotides. Research has shown the presence of a number of differentially expressed miRNAs in the colonic tissue and peripheral blood of IBS patients. Meanwhile, miRNAs have a critical role in gene expression and the pathology of IBS as they act as significant mediators of post-transcriptional gene silencing. The investigation of miRNA molecular regulatory networks proves useful in examining the convoluted pathogenesis of IBS. This paper presents a review of recent literature on miRNAs associated with IBS, explains how miRNAs contribute to the development of IBS, and assesses the potential usefulness of miRNA analysis for diagnosing and treating IBS.

Analysis of miR-497/195 cluster identifies new therapeutic targets in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

miR-497/195, located at 17p13.1, is a highly conserved miRNA cluster whose abnormal expression is a key regulator of carcinogenesis. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the miR-497/195 cluster to determine its prognostic utility and role in cervical cancer (CC) using publicly available datasets.

RESULTS

In silico analysis and validation revealed that this cluster is downregulated in CC. A total of 60 target genes of miR-497/195 cluster were identified as differentially expressed between normal and CC samples. ShinyGO, STRING, CytoHubba, Timer 2.0, HPA, and HCMBD were used for functional enrichment, PPIN network construction, hub gene identification, immune infiltration correlation, histopathological expression, and determination of the metastatic potential of miR-497/195 cluster and their target genes. PPIN analysis identified CCNE1, CCNE2, ANLN, RACGAP1, KIF23, CHEK1, CDC25A, E2F7, CDK1, and CEP55 as the top 10 hub genes (HGs). Furthermore, the upregulation of RECK, ATD5, and BCL2, downregulation of OSBPL3, RCAN3, and HIST1H3H effected overall survival of CC patients. We identified 6 targets (TFAP2A, CLSPN, RASEF, HIST1H3H, AKT3, and ITPR1) of miR-497/195 cluster to influence metastasis. In addition, 8 druggable genes and 38 potential drugs were also identified. Our study identified miR-497/195 cluster target genes and pathways that could be used for prognostic and therapeutic applications in CC.

Identification of a Novel miR-195-5p/PNN Axis in Colorectal Cancer

Pinin (PNN) is a desmosome-associated protein that reinforces the organization of keratin intermediate filaments and stabilizes the anchoring of the cytoskeleton network to the lateral surface of the plasma membrane. The aberrant expression of PNN affects the strength of cell adhesion as well as modifies the intracellular signal transduction pathways leading to the onset of CRC. In our previous studies, we characterized the role of miR-195-5p in the regulation of desmosome junctions and in CRC progression. Here, with the aim of investigating additional mechanisms related to the desmosome complex, we identified PNN as a miR-195-5p putative target. Using a public data repository, we found that PNN was a negative prognostic factor and was overexpressed in colon cancer tissues from stage 1 of the disease. Then, we assessed PNN expression in CRC tissue specimens, confirming the overexpression of PNN in tumor sections. The increase in intracellular levels of miR-195-5p revealed a significant decrease in PNN at the mRNA and protein levels. As a consequence of PNN regulation by miR-195-5p, the expression of KRT8 and KRT19, closely connected to PNN, was affected. Finally, we investigated the in vivo effect of miR-195-5p on PNN expression in the colon of AOM/DSS-treated mice. In conclusion, we have revealed a new mechanism driven by miR-195-5p in the regulation of desmosome components, suggesting a potential pharmacological target for CRC therapy.

Resveratrol restrains colorectal cancer metastasis by regulating miR-125b-5p/TRAF6 signaling axis

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies with a high incidence, metastatic tendency and low 5-year survival rate. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound has been shown to inhibit colorectal cancer metastasis in recent studies. Its underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. Our findings demonstrated that miR-125b-5p, acting as a tumor suppressor, was conspicuously down-regulated in both colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. The expression of miR-125b-5p negatively correlated with the expression of its direct target TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Both miR-125b-5p overexpression and TRAF6 knockdown inhibited metastasis of colorectal cancer cells. In addition, we uncovered that resveratrol up-regulated miR-125b-5p by increasing its stability and suppressed TRAF6-induced signal pathway in a dose/time-dependent manner. Resveratrol could significantly curtail the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells, which was counteracted by miR-125b-5p knockdown or TRAF6 overexpression. These results indicated that resveratrol could restrain colorectal cancer metastasis by promoting miR-125b-5p/TRAF6 signaling axis. Furthermore, lung metastasis models of colorectal cancer were constructed by tail vein injection. Down-regulation of miR-125b-5p could facilitate colorectal cancer metastasis in vivo, which could be impeded by resveratrol. In conclusion, our findings delineated the miR-125b-5p/TRAF6 signaling axis as a novel molecular mechanism underlying the metastatic process in colorectal cancer, as well as a prospective therapeutic target. Resveratrol disrupts colorectal cancer metastasis by activating miR-125b-5p/TRAF6 signal pathway and might improve the clinical outcome of colorectal cancer patients with low expression of miR-125b-5p.

Exosomes derived from pulmonary metastatic sites enhance osteosarcoma lung metastasis by transferring the miR-194/215 cluster targeting MARCKS

Osteosarcoma, a prevalent primary malignant bone tumor, often presents with lung metastases, severely impacting patient survival rates. Extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes, play a pivotal role in the formation and progression of osteosarcoma-related pulmonary lesions. However, the communication between primary osteosarcoma and exosome-mediated pulmonary lesions remains obscure, with the potential impact of pulmonary metastatic foci on osteosarcoma progression largely unknown. This study unveils an innovative mechanism by which exosomes originating from osteosarcoma pulmonary metastatic sites transport the miR-194/215 cluster to the primary tumor site. This transportation enhances lung metastatic capability by downregulating myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) expression. Addressing this phenomenon, in this study we employ cationic bovine serum albumin (CBSA) to form nanoparticles (CBSA-anta-194/215) via electrostatic interaction with antagomir-miR-194/215. These nanoparticles are loaded into nucleic acid-depleted exosomal membrane vesicles (anta-194/215@Exo) targeting osteosarcoma lung metastatic sites. Intervention with bioengineered exosome mimetics (anta-194/215@Exo) not only impedes osteosarcoma progression but also significantly prolongs the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice. These findings suggest that pulmonary metastatic foci-derived exosomes initiate primary osteosarcoma lung metastasis by transferring the miR-194/215 cluster targeting MARCKS, making the miR-194/215 cluster a promising therapeutic target for inhibiting the progression of patients with osteosarcoma lung metastases.

miR-497/195 Cluster Affects the Development of Colorectal Cancer by Targeting FRA1

The miR-497-195 cluster facilitates the occurrence and development of cancer. This study aims to investigate whether the miR-195-497 cluster could regulate the progression of colorectal cancer by regulating the common target gene, FOS-related antigen 1 (FRA1). Overexpression of the miR-195/497 vector was used to evaluate the effect of overexpression of miR-195-497 clusters on the biological behavior of colon cancer cells. In animal experiments, tumor growth and metastasis were recorded by constructing a nude mouse model of a subcutaneously implanted tumor. miR-195 and miR-497 were expressed to varying degrees in Caco-2, LoVo, and HT-29 cells. Overexpression of miR-195/497 and inhibition of FRA1 decreased HT-29 cell proliferation, inhibited cell invasion and migration, and promoted Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vivo experiments showed that the overexpression of miR-195/497 or inhibition of FRA1 inhibited tumor growth, affected EMT in tumor cells, and inhibited the expression of FRA1. Additionally, the aforementioned conditions had the best effect when used together. The miR-195-497 cluster can regulate the proliferation, EMT, invasion, and migration of colorectal cancer cells by regulating the common target gene FRA1, thereby affecting the development of colorectal cancer.

CHL1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion by regulating the NF‑κB signaling pathway in colorectal cancer

Cell adhesion molecule close homolog of L1 (CHL1) is implicated in tumorigenesis of various malignancies. However, its role and underlying molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the specific biological functions and mechanisms of CHL1, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the use of CHL1 as a biological target in CRC. CHL1 expression was originally determined in CRC cell lines. Subsequently, CHL1 overexpression was induced by plasmid transfection in HT29 and SW480 cells, and cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8, clone formation, organoids formation and Transwell assays. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to assess the protein expression of E-cadherin or N-cadherin. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were further evaluated using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) in HT29 and SW480 cells following CHL1 overexpression and functional enrichment analysis. Western blotting was performed to validate the expression of proteins related to the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. The TNMplot online database revealed the significant downregulation of CHL1 in CRC tissues. The results indicated that exogenous CHL1 overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferative, organoid-forming, migratory and invasive abilities of HT29 and SW480 cells, and increased E-cadherin protein expression. Additionally, CHL1 overexpression reduced xenograft tumor growth in vivo. RNA-seq and functional analysis revealed that DEGs in CHL1 overexpressing cells were mainly enriched in the NF-κB signaling pathway. The expression of p-p65 and p-p65/p65 ratio were significantly reduced in HT29 and SW480 cells, following CHL1 overexpression. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of CHL1 overexpression on CRC cell proliferation, organoid formation, migration and invasion were partially counteracted following the overexpression of p65 expression. Overall, the present study demonstrates that CHL1 inhibits CRC cell growth, migration and invasion through the inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Folate-modified liposomes mediate the co-delivery of cisplatin with miR-219a-5p for the targeted treatment of cisplatin-resistant lung cancer

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance, often leading to first-line chemotherapy failure in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), poses a significant challenge. MiR-219a-5p has been reported to enhance the sensitivity of human NSCLC to DDP. However, free miR-219a-5p is prone to degradation by nucleases in the bloodstream, rendering it unstable. In light of this, our study developed an efficient nanodrug delivery system that achieved targeted delivery of DDP and miR-219a-5p by modifying liposomes with folate (FA). Based on the results of material characterization, we successfully constructed a well-dispersed and uniformly sized (approximately 135.8 nm) Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA nanodrug. Agarose gel electrophoresis experiments demonstrated that Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA exhibited good stability in serum, effectively protecting miR-219a-5p from degradation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry experiments revealed that, due to FA modification, Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA could specifically bind to FA receptors on the surface of tumor cells (A549), thus enhancing drug internalization efficiency. Safety evaluations conducted in vitro demonstrated that Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA exhibited no significant toxicity to non-cancer cells (BEAS-2B) and displayed excellent blood compatibility. Cellular functional experiments, apoptosis assays, and western blot demonstrated that Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA effectively reversed DDP resistance in A549 cells, inhibited cell proliferation and migration, and further promoted apoptosis. In summary, the Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA nanodrug, through specific targeting of cancer cells and reducing their resistance to DDP, significantly enhanced the anti-NSCLC effects of DDP in vitro, providing a promising therapeutic option for the clinical treatment of NSCLC.

Impact of Long-Lasting Environmental Factors on Regulation Mediated by the miR-34 Family

The present review focuses on the interactions of newly emerging environmental factors with miRNA-mediated regulation. In particular, we draw attention to the effects of phthalates, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and a disrupted light/dark cycle. miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules with a tremendous regulatory impact, which is usually executed via gene expression inhibition. To address the capacity of environmental factors to influence miRNA-mediated regulation, the miR-34 family was selected for its well-described oncostatic and neuro-modulatory properties. The expression of miR-34 is in a tissue-dependent manner to some extent under the control of the circadian system. There is experimental evidence implicating that phthalates, EMFs and the circadian system interact with the miR-34 family, in both lines of its physiological functioning. The inhibition of miR-34 expression in response to phthalates, EMFs and light contamination has been described in cancer tissue and cell lines and was associated with a decline in oncostatic miR-34a signalling (decrease in p21 expression) and a promotion of tumorigenesis (increases in Noth1, cyclin D1 and cry1 expressions). The effects of miR-34 on neural functions have also been influenced by phthalates, EMFs and a disrupted light/dark cycle. Environmental factors shifted the effects of miR-34 from beneficial to the promotion of neurodegeneration and decreased cognition. Moreover, the apoptogenic capacity of miR-34 induced via phthalate administration in the testes has been shown to negatively influence germ cell proliferation. To conclude, as the oncostatic and positive neuromodulatory functions of the miR-34 family can be strongly influenced by environmental factors, their interactions should be taken into consideration in translational medicine.

miR-129-2-3p inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation by down-regulating the expression of BZW1

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

MicroRNA (miRNA) is involved in diverse biological and physiological processes of tumors. Dysregulation of miRNA will induce a series of human diseases. miR-129-2-3p has vital effects in the pathogenesis of various tumors. However, the regulatory function of miR-129-2-3p in colon cancer remains to be clarified. This study investigated the role of miR-129-2-3p targeting BZW1 in proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of colon cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Here, RT-qPCR was applied to measure the miR-129-2-3p levels in colon cancer tissues. The predicted targets of miR-129-2-3p were identified by bioinformatics and verified using luciferase reporter assay. The effects of miR-129-2-3p on colon cancer were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, transwell chamber test, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays. Finally, the influence of miR-129-2-3p on tumor growth was studied. Nude mice were xenografted with transfected Lovo cells by subcutaneous injection of 5 × 105 cells in 100 µl. HE staining and TUNEL were used to assess metastasis ability.

RESULTS

miR-129-2-3p level in colon cancer tissue was significantly reduced. Furthermore, it was verified that BZW1 was a target of miR-129-2-3p, and its expression in colon cancer cells was inhibited by miR-129-2-3p. Additionally, miR-129-2-3p inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, mobility ability and tumor growth, and promoted cell apoptosis by targeting BZW1. miR-129-2-3p overexpression in tumor xenografts in vivo decreased BZW1 expression, and suppressed tumor growth.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings indicated that miR-129-2-3p exerts a suppressive role in colon cancer cells by directly targeting BZW1, and may have significant therapeutic implications for patients with colon cancer.

Exploring the expression and clinical significance of the miR-140-3p-HOXA9 axis in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the expression patterns and clinical significance of miR-140-3p and homeobox A9 (HOXA9) in colorectal cancer (CRC) selected by bioinformatic study, while elucidating their potential interplay.

METHODS

The microRNA expression profiles of paired colorectal cancer and matched normal tissues were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus Database. Differentially expressed microRNAs and microRNA candidates were filtered and subjected to further analysis. Clinicopathological data, along with paraffin-embedded samples of colorectal tumor tissues were collected to facilitate comprehensive analysis. Expression levels of miR-140-3p and HOXA9 were quantified using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Survival rates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the COX regression model was utilized to identify independent prognostic factors that impact the overall prognosis.

RESULTS

MiR-140-3p was significantly downregulated in colorectal tumors compared to normal tissue, and HOXA9 was identified as a previously unreported potential downstream target. HOXA9 expression was elevated in tumors compared to normal tissues. Reduced miR-140-3p expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, while high HOXA9 expression correlated with both lymph node metastasis and lympho-vascular invasion. Patients with low miR-140-3p and high HOXA9 expression had a poorer prognosis. HOXA9 was identified as an independent risk factor for CRC patient survival.

CONCLUSION

The miR-140-3p-HOXA9 signaling disruption is closely linked to lymph node metastasis and unfavorable prognosis in CRC. This axis shows promise as a clinical biomarker for predicting the CRC patient survival and a potential therapeutic target.

Curcumin inhibits colon cancer malignant progression and promotes T cell killing by regulating miR-206 expression

Colon cancer is a great threat to human health. Curcumin, as a traditional Chinese medicine extract with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects, can affect the development of diverse human diseases including cancer. The aim of this research was to probe the mechanism by which curcumin regulates colon cancer progression. Colon cancer cells were processed with graded concentrations of curcumin. The proliferation and apoptosis of the treated cells were determined by MTT, colony formation assay and flow cytometry. Expression of signaling pathway-related proteins and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) was measured by western blotting. The effect of curcumin on tumor cell growth was verified through T cell-mediated killing and ELISA assays. The relationship between target gene expression and the survival rate of colon cancer patients was analyzed by a survival curve. Curcumin treatment restrained proliferation and accelerated apoptosis of colon cancer cells. It elevated miR-206 expression, which in turn affected colon cancer cell function. miR-206 enhanced colon cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited PD-L1 expression; thus, curcumin enhanced the killing effect of T cells on tumor cells by suppressing PD-L1 through inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 pathway. Patients with high expression of miR-206 had better survival rates than those with low expression. Curcumin can regulate miR-206 expression and inhibit the malignant behavior of colon cancer cells and enhance T cell killing through the JAK/STAT3 pathway.

Downregulation of Serum miR-133b and miR-206 Associate with Clinical Outcomes of Progression as Monitoring Biomarkers for Metastasis Colorectal Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Noncoding RNAs or microRNAs (miRNAs; miRs) biomarkers can play a role in cancer carcinogenesis and progression. Specific KRAS and EGFR mutation are associated with CRC development playing a role in controlling the cellular process as epigenetic events. Circulating serum miRs can serve for early diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of CRC as biomarkers but it is still unclear, clinically.

OBJECTIVE

To determine potential biomarkers of circulating serum miR-133b and miR-206 in CRC patients Methods: Bioinformatic prediction of microRNA was screened followed by TargetScanHuman7.2, miRTar2GO, miRDB, MiRanda, and DIANA-microT-CDS. Forty-four CRC serum (19 locally advanced, 23 distant advanced CRC) and 12 normal serum samples were subsequently extracted for RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and miR validation. The candidate circulating serum miR-133b and miR-206 were validated resulting in a relative expression via quantitative RT-PCR. Relative expression was normalized to the spike-internal control and compared to normal samples as 1 using the -2ΔΔCt method in principle.

RESULTS

Our results represented 9 miRs of miR-206, miR-155-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-193a-3p, miR-30a- 5p, miR-30d-5p, miR-30e-5p, miR-543, miR-877-5p relate to KRAS-specific miRs, whereas, 9 miRs of miR-133b, miR-302a-3p, miR-302b-3p, miR-302d-3p, miR-302e, miR-520a-3p, miR-520b, miR-520c- 3p and miR-7-5p relevance to EGFR-specific miRs by using the bioinformatic prediction tools. Our results showed a decreased expression level of circulating serum miR-133b as well as miR-206 associating with CRC patients (local and advanced metastasis) when compared to normal (P < 0.05), significantly.

CONCLUSION

The circulating serum miR-133b and miR-206 can serve as significant biomarkers for monitoring the clinical outcome of progression with metastatic CRC patients. Increased drug-responsive CRC patients associated with crucial molecular intervention should be further explored, clinically.

Cisplatin-based Liposomal Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery in Lung Cancer Therapy: Recent Progress and Future Outlooks

In order to improve the treatment of lung cancer, this paper looks at the development of cisplatinbased liposomal nanocarriers. It focuses on addressing the drawbacks of conventional cisplatin therapy, including systemic toxicity, inadequate tumor targeting, and drug resistance. Liposomes, or spherical lipid vesicles, offer a potentially effective way to encapsulate cisplatin, enhancing its transport and minimizing harmful effects on healthy tissues. The article discusses many liposomal cisplatin formulations, including pH-sensitive liposomes, sterically stabilized liposomes, and liposomes coupled with specific ligands like EGFR antibodies. These novel formulations show promise in reducing cisplatin resistance, optimizing pharmacokinetics, and boosting therapeutic results in the two in vitro and in vivo models. They also take advantage of the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect in the direction of improved tumor accumulation. The study highlights the need for more investigation to move these liposomal formulations from experimental to clinical settings, highlighting their potential to offer less harmful and more effective cancer therapy alternatives.

Dysregulated expression of miR‑367 in disease development and its prospects as a therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker (Review)

MicroRNA (miR)-367 has a wide range of functions in gene regulation and as such plays a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation and development, making it an essential molecule in various physiological processes. miR-367 belongs to the miR-302/367 cluster and is located in the intronic region of human chromosome 4 on the 4q25 locus. Dysregulation of miR-367 is associated with various disease conditions, including cancer, inflammation and cardiac conditions. Moreover, miR-367 has shown promise both as a tumor suppressor and a potential diagnostic biomarker for breast, gastric and prostate cancer. The elucidation of the essential role of miR-367 in inflammation, development and cardiac diseases emphasizes its versatility in regulating various physiological processes beyond cancer biology. However, further research is necessary to fully understand the complex regulatory mechanisms involving miR-367 in different physiological and pathological contexts. In conclusion, the versatility and significance of miR-367 makes it a promising candidate for further study and in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

BAP31-Mediated miR-206/133b Cluster Promotes Transendothelial Migration and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

Dysregulated B cell receptor-associated protein 31 (BAP31) plays a crucial role in tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the functions and molecular mechanism of BAP31 on the miR-206/133b cluster in colorectal cancer (CRC). qPCR was conducted to detect miRNA and mRNA levels in tissues and cells. Western blot assays were used to assess the levels of biomarkers and targets, as well as the levels of BAP31 and HOXD10. Wound healing, coculture and transwell assays were conducted to assess the transendothelial migration abilities of CRC cells. A luciferase assay was employed to assess miRNA binding effects on targets, as well as the initiating transcription effect of genomic fragments. Tumor growth and lung metastatic models were established through an in vivo animal study. BAP31 overexpression in CRC cells led to a reduction in the expression of the miR-206/133b cluster. The expression of the miR-206/133b cluster was correlated with the transendothelial migration capability of CRC cells. The miR-206/133b cluster was found to directly regulate cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) and actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 5 (ARPC5) in the tight junction pathway (hsa04530). Moreover, a potential transcription regulator of the miR-206/133b cluster was also found to be Homeobox D10 (HOXD10). We further elucidated the molecular mechanisms and functional mechanisms of BAP31's regulatory role in the expression levels of the miR-206/133b cluster by inhibiting HOXD10 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into how BAP31 regulates the transcription of the miR-206/133b cluster and how BAP31-related lung metastases arise in CRC.

The ATF2/miR-3913-5p/CREB5 axis is involved in the cell proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer

Various miRNAs have been shown to participate in the tumor progression and development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of miR-3913-5p in CRC are yet to be clearly defined. In the present study, we determine that miR-3913-5p is downregulated in CRC cell lines and CRC tissues. Exogenous miR-3913-5p expression weakens the CRC cells growth, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, miR-3913-5p directly targets the 3'UTR of CREB5. Overexpression of CREB5 reverses the suppression of CRC cells proliferation, migration and invasion induced by miR-3913-5p. Furthermore, ATF2 negatively regulates the transcription of miR-3913-5p by binding to its promoter. CREB5 can cooperate with ATF2. CREB5 is required for ATF2 in regulating miR-3913-5p. Finally, inverse correlations can be found between the expressions of miR-3913-5p and CREB5 or ATF2 in CRC tissues. Thus, a plausible mechanism of ATF2/miR-3913-5p/CREB5 axis regulating CRC progression is elucidated. Our findings suggest that miR-3913-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in CRC. ATF2/miR-3913-5p/CREB5 axis might be a potential therapeutic target against CRC progression.

Epigenetic regulation in colorectal cancer: The susceptibility of microRNAs 145, 143 and 133b to DNA demethylation and histone deacetylase inhibitors

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health concern. Despite improvements in CRC treatment, mortality rates remain high. Genetic instability and epigenetic dysregulation of gene expression are instigators of CRC development that result in genotypic differences, leading to often variable and unpredictable treatment responses. Three miRNAs, miR-143, -145 and -133b, are most commonly downregulated in CRC and are proposed here as potential tumour suppressors. Although the downregulation of these miRNAs in CRC is largely unexplained, epigenetic silencing has been postulated to be a causative regulatory mechanism. Potential epigenetic modulation of miRNA expression, by means of histone acetylation and DNA methylation, was assessed in this study by treating early (SW1116) and late stage (DLD1) CRC cells with the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-2'C) and the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA), respectively. Subsequent quantification of miRNA expression revealed that while all the selected miRNAs were susceptible to DNA demethylation in early- and late-stage CRC cells, susceptibility to DNA demethylation was significantly pronounced in late-stage DLD1 cells. Conversely, although histone acetylation moderately affected miRNA expression in early-stage CRC, it had a marginal effect on the expression of miRNAs in late-stage CRC cells. Overall, this study provides further understanding of the contribution of epigenetics to the regulation of putative tumour suppressor miRNAs in CRC.

Expression Analysis of hsa-miR-181a-5p, hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-miR-132-3p and hsa-miR-23a-3p as Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer-Relationship to the Body Mass Index

This work aims to investigate the expression levels of four preselected miRNAs previously linked to cancer and/or obesity, with the purpose of finding potential biomarkers in the clinical management of CRC developed by patients showing different BMI values. We analyzed samples from a total of 65 subjects: 43 affected by CRC and 22 without cancer. Serum and both subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues (SAT and OAT) were investigated, as well as tumor and non-tumor colorectal tissues in the case of the CRC patients. The relative expression (2^-∆∆Ct) levels of 4 miRNAs (hsa-miR-181a-5p, hsa-miR-143-3p, has-miR-132-3p and hsa-miR-23a-3p) were measured by RT-qPCR. Serum, SAT and OAT expression levels of these miRNAs showed significant differences between subjects with and without CRC, especially in the group of overweight/obese subjects. In CRC, serum levels of hsa-miR-143-3p clearly correlated with their levels in both SAT and OAT, independently of the BMI group. Moreover, hsa-miR-181a-5p could be considered as a biomarker in CRC patients with BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m² and emerges as a tumor location marker. We conclude that both adiposity and CRC induce changes in the expression of the miRNAs investigated, and hsa-miR-143-3p and hsa-miR-181a-5p expression analysis could be useful in the clinical management of CRC.

A Review of IsomiRs in Colorectal Cancer

As advancements in sequencing technology rapidly continue to develop, a new classification of microRNAs has occurred with the discovery of isomiRs, which are relatively common microRNAs with sequence variations compared to their established template microRNAs. This review article seeks to compile all known information about isomiRs in colorectal cancer (CRC), which has not, to our knowledge, been gathered previously to any great extent. A brief overview is given of the history of microRNAs, their implications in colon cancer, the canonical pathway of biogenesis and isomiR classification. This is followed by a comprehensive review of the literature that is available on microRNA isoforms in CRC. The information on isomiRs presented herein shows that isomiRs hold great promise for translation into new diagnostics and therapeutics in clinical medicine.

MiR-363 restrain the proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal carcinoma cell by targeting E2F3

MicroRNA (miRNA) is associated with tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Studies have shown that miRNAs are closely related to the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC), but the mechanisms deserve further investigation. In this study, we aim to explore the role of miR-363 on CRC tumorigenesis. Using CRC cell lines, we tested the expression of miR-363 by using RT-PCR, and miR-363 effect on cell behavior was test by using CCK-8 assay, wound-healing assay and cell invasion assay, and western blotting. Luciferase reporter assay and western blot confirmed that E2F3 was the target gene for miR-363. We further examined the effect of E2F3 on the regulation of miR-363 on cell behavior through knockdown of E2F3. Western blot and RT-PCR assay showed that miR-363 inhibited the expression of E2F3 in HCT-116 and SW480 cell. MiR-363 overexpression or E2F3 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC. This study demonstrated that miR-363 is able to suppress cell proliferation, migration and invasion by negative regulating E2F3 in CRC cells, and inhibits tumor growth in vivo.

Tau pathology epigenetically remodels the neuron-glial cross-talk in Alzheimer's disease

The neuron-glia cross-talk is critical to brain homeostasis and is particularly affected by neurodegenerative diseases. How neurons manipulate the neuron-astrocyte interaction under pathological conditions, such as hyperphosphorylated tau, a pathological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease (AD), remains elusive. In this study, we identified excessively elevated neuronal expression of adenosine receptor 1 (Adora1 or A1R) in 3×Tg mice, MAPT P301L (rTg4510) mice, patients with AD, and patient-derived neurons. The up-regulation of A1R was found to be tau pathology dependent and posttranscriptionally regulated by Mef2c via miR-133a-3p. Rebuilding the miR-133a-3p/A1R signal effectively rescued synaptic and memory impairments in AD mice. Furthermore, neuronal A1R promoted the release of lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) and resulted in astrocyte activation. Last, silencing neuronal Lcn2 in AD mice ameliorated astrocyte activation and restored synaptic plasticity and learning/memory. Our findings reveal that the tau pathology remodels neuron-glial cross-talk and promotes neurodegenerative progression. Approaches targeting A1R and modulating this signaling pathway might be a potential therapeutic strategy for AD.

Age-stratified proteomic characteristics and identification of promising precise clinical treatment targets of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an extremely lethal disease worldwide. However, the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to reveal the distinct characteristics of age-stratified CRC at the protein level and explore precise treatment targets. Patients who underwent surgical removal with pathologically confirmed CRC at China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2020 to October 2021 were recruited, cancer and para-carcinoma tissues (> 5 cm) were detected by mass spectrometry. Ninety-six clinical samples were collected and divided into three groups according to age: young (≤ 50 years), middle-aged (51-69 years), and old (≥ 70 years). Quantitative proteomic analysis was performed, as well as comprehensive bioinformatic analysis based on the Human Protein Atlas, Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium and Connectivity Map databases. The numbers of upregulated and downregulated proteins were 1315 and 560 in the young group, 757 and 311 in the old group, and 1052 and 468 in the middle-aged group, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis showed that these differentially expressed proteins had different molecular functions and participated in extensive signaling pathways. We also revealed ADH1B, ARRDC1, GATM, GTF2H4, MGME1, and LILRB2 as possible cancer-promoting molecules, which might serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and precise therapeutic targets for CRC. SIGNIFICANCE: This study comprehensively characterized the proteomic profiles of age-stratified colorectal cancer patients, focusing on the differentially expressed proteins between cancer and paracancerous tissues in different age groups, in an effort to find corresponding potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In addition, this study provides potentially valuable clinical small molecule inhibitory agents.

miR‑151a‑5p promotes the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma cells by targeting AGMAT

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common types of digestive cancer. It has been reported that the ectopic expression of microRNAs (miRs) plays a critical role in the occurrence and progression of CRC. In addition, it has also been suggested that miR‑151a‑5p may serve as a useful biomarker for the early detection and treatment of different types of cancer and particularly CRC. However, the specific effects and underlying mechanisms of miR‑151a‑5p in CRC remain elusive. The results of the current study demonstrated that miR‑151a‑5p was upregulated in CRC cell lines and clinical tissues derived from patients with CRC. Functionally, the results showed that miR‑151a‑5p significantly promoted CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Additionally, dual luciferase reporter assays verified that agmatinase (AGMAT) was a direct target of miR‑151a‑5p and it was positively associated with miR‑151a‑5p expression. Mechanistically, miR‑151a‑5p could enhance the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition of CRC cells. Taken together, the results of the current study revealed a novel molecular mechanism indicating that the miR‑151a‑5p/AGMAT axis could serve a crucial role in the regulation of CRC and could therefore be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC.

Circulating miRNA Expression Profiles and Machine Learning Models in Association with Response to Irinotecan-Based Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer represents a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Despite improvements, chemotherapy remains the backbone of colorectal cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the variation of circulating microRNA expression profiles and the response to irinotecan-based treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer and to identify relevant target genes and molecular functions. Serum samples from 95 metastatic colorectal cancer patients were analyzed. The microRNA expression was tested with a NucleoSpin miRNA kit (Machnery-Nagel, Germany), and a machine learning approach was subsequently applied for microRNA profiling. The top 10 upregulated microRNAs in the non-responders group were hsa-miR-181b-5p, hsa-miR-10b-5p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-181a-5p, hsa-miR-181d-5p, hsa-miR-301a-3p, hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-30c-5p, and hsa-let-7i-5p. Similarly, the top 10 downregulated microRNAs were hsa-let-7d-5p, hsa-let-7c-5p, hsa-miR-215-5p, hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-10a-5p, hsa-miR-142-5p, hsa-miR-148a-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p, and hsa-miR-17-5p. The upregulation of microRNAs in the miR-181 family and the downregulation of those in the let-7 family appear to be mostly involved with non-responsiveness to irinotecan-based treatment.

Dysregulation of miR-1-3p: An Early Event in Colitis-Associated Dysplasia

Detection of colorectal dysplasia during surveillance colonoscopy remains the best method of determining risk for colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). miRNAs (miRs) show great promise as tissue-specific biomarkers of neoplasia. The goal of this study was to explore the miR expression profile of precancerous dysplastic lesions in the AOM/DSS mouse model and identify early molecular changes associated with CAC. Epithelial cells were laser-microdissected from the colonic mucosa (inflamed versus dysplastic) of mice with AOM/DSS-induced colitis. A miR signature that can distinguish inflamed non-neoplastic mucosa from dysplasia was identified. Bioinformatic analyses led to the discovery of associated miR gene targets and enriched pathways and supported the construction of a network interaction map. miR-1a-3p was one of the miRs with the highest number of predicted targets, including Cdk6. Interestingly, miR-1a-3p and Cdk6 were down- and up-regulated in dysplastic lesions, respectively. Transfection of HCT116 and RKO cells with miR-1a-3p mimics induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G1, suggesting its biological function. A slight reduction in the level of CDK6 transcripts was also observed in cells transfected with miR-1. These data provide novel insight into the early molecular alterations that accompany the development of CAC and identify a miR signature that represents a promising biomarker for the early detection of colitis-associated dysplasia.

A comparative study on biopharmaceutical function of curcumin and miR-34a by multistimuli-responsive nanoniosome carrier: In-vitro and in-vivo

This research conducted a comparative study on nanoscaled niosomal structures consisting of Tween-80, Tween-60, cholesterol, and dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP). Thin-film hydration technique was used for the preparation and entrapment of curcumin and miRNA in niosomal formulations for enhancing the stability and delivery rate of the agents. Herein, the influence of Tween-80, Tween-60, cholesterol, and DOTAP on the entrapment efficiency (EE%) of curcumin and the physicochemical properties of the carrier are fully discussed. The optimum engineered formulation resulted in a positive charge of +11.23 mV, high EE (100%), smooth surface, spherical shape, small diameter (90 nm), and good stability in physiological buffers. Also, an accelerated cellular uptake, as well as drug release in PBS (pH 7.4, 37°C) after 72 h, were observed. The cytotoxic activity of curcumin (Cur)/miR-34a-loaded nanoparticles was determined by the MTT assay. The results displayed an improved cytotoxic activity of Cur-niosome towards cancer cells compared to free-dispersed Cur. The uptake of Cur-loaded niosome by A280s and A280cp-1 cancer cell lines faced 2.5 folds drop in the concentration compared to its free form. Generally, Cur-niosome exhibits a significant accumulation of superior anti-cancer properties. Likewise, the cytotoxicity of miR-34a-niosome against tumor cells was higher in comparison with its free form. The anti-cancer effects of the gene/drug delivery were investigated in the 4T1 xenografted Balb/C mouse tumor model. According to the in vitro and in vivo results, gene delivery from the modified niosome nanoparticles was distinctly greater than Cur delivery. Therefore, it was concluded that encapsulation of genes in the nano-niosomal delivery system is a promising procedure for the treatment of cancer cells.

Promising Biomarkers in Head and Neck Cancer: The Most Clinically Important miRNAs

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors that extend from the oral cavity to the upper gastrointestinal tract. The principal etiologic factors for oral tumors include tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, while human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have been accused of a high incidence of pharyngeal tumors. Accordingly, HPV detection has been extensively used to categorize carcinomas of the head and neck. The diverse nature of HNC highlights the necessity for novel, sensitive, and precise biomarkers for the prompt diagnosis of the disease, its successful monitoring, and the timely prognosis of patient clinical outcomes. In this context, the identification of certain microRNAs (miRNAs) and/or the detection of alterations in their expression patterns, in a variety of somatic fluids and tissues, could serve as valuable biomarkers for precision oncology. In the present review, we summarize some of the most frequently studied miRNAs (including miR-21, -375, -99, -34a, -200, -31, -125a/b, -196a/b, -9, -181a, -155, -146a, -23a, -16, -29, and let-7), their role as biomarkers, and their implication in HNC pathogenesis. Moreover, we designate the potential of given miRNAs and miRNA signatures as novel diagnostic and prognostic tools for successful patient stratification. Finally, we discuss the currently ongoing clinical trials that aim to identify the diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic utility of miRNAs in HNC.

Development of a miRNA-based classifier for detection of colorectal cancer molecular subtypes

Previously, colorectal cancer (CRC) has been classified into four distinct molecular subtypes based on transcriptome data. These consensus molecular subtypes (CMSs) have implications for our understanding of tumor heterogeneity and the prognosis of patients. So far, this classification has been based on the use of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), although microRNAs (miRNAs) have also been shown to play a role in tumor heterogeneity and biological differences between CMSs. In contrast to mRNAs, miRNAs have a smaller size and increased stability, facilitating their detection. Therefore, we built a miRNA-based CMS classifier by converting the existing mRNA-based CMS classification using machine learning (training dataset of n = 271). The performance of this miRNA-assigned CMS classifier (CMS-miRaCl) was evaluated in several datasets, achieving an overall accuracy of ~ 0.72 (0.6329-0.7987) in the largest dataset (n = 158). To gain insight into the biological relevance of CMS-miRaCl, we evaluated the most important features in the classifier. We found that miRNAs previously reported to be relevant in microsatellite-instable CRCs or Wnt signaling were important features for CMS-miRaCl. Following further studies to validate its robustness, this miRNA-based alternative might simplify the implementation of CMS classification in clinical workflows.

Sensitive detection of microRNAs using polyadenine-mediated fluorescence spherical nucleic acids and a microfluidic electrokinetic signal amplification chip

The identification of tumor-related microRNAs (miRNAs) exhibits excellent promise for the early diagnosis of cancer and other bioanalytical applications. Therefore, we developed a sensitive and efficient biosensor using polyadenine (polyA)-mediated fluorescent spherical nucleic acid (FSNA) for miRNA analysis based on strand displacement reactions on gold nanoparticle (AuNP) surfaces and electrokinetic signal amplification (ESA) on a microfluidic chip. In this FSNA, polyA-DNA biosensor was anchored on AuNP surfaces via intrinsic affinity between adenine and Au. The upright conformational polyA-DNA recognition block hybridized with 6-carboxyfluorescein-labeled reporter-DNA, resulting in fluorescence quenching of FSNA probes induced by AuNP-based resonance energy transfer. Reporter DNA was replaced in the presence of target miRNA, leading to the recovery of reporter-DNA fluorescence. Subsequently, reporter-DNAs were accumulated and detected in the front of with Nafion membrane in the microchannel by ESA. Our method showed high selectivity and sensitivity with a limit of detection of 1.3 pM. This method could also be used to detect miRNA-21 in human serum and urine samples, with recoveries of 104.0%–113.3% and 104.9%–108.0%, respectively. Furthermore, we constructed a chip with three parallel channels for the simultaneous detection of multiple tumor-related miRNAs (miRNA-21, miRNA-141, and miRNA-375), which increased the detection efficiency. Our universal method can be applied to other DNA/RNA analyses by altering recognition sequences.

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FSNA assisted microfluidic chip was developed for miRNAs detection.

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Three different miRNAs were detected simultaneously.

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The excellent sensitivity and specificity were displayed toward miRNAs.

MiR‐130a‐3p regulates neural stem cell differentiation in vitro by targeting Acsl4

In the adult mammalian brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) are the precursor cells of neurons that contribute to nervous system development, regeneration, and repair. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that regulate cell fate determination and differentiation by negatively regulating gene expression. Here, we identified a post‐transcriptional mechanism, centred around miR‐130a‐3p that regulated NSC differentiation. Importantly, overexpressing miR‐130a‐3p promoted NSC differentiation into neurons, whereas inhibiting miR‐130a‐3p function reduced the number of neurons. Then, the quantitative PCR, Western blot and dual‐luciferase reporter assays showed that miR‐130a‐3p negatively regulated acyl‐CoA synthetase long‐chain family member 4 (Acsl4) expression. Additionally, inhibition of Acsl4 promoted NSC differentiation into neurons, whereas silencing miR‐130a‐3p partially suppressed the neuronal differentiation induced by inhibiting Acsl4. Furthermore, overexpressing miR‐130a‐3p or inhibiting Acsl4 increased the levels of p‐AKT, p‐GSK‐3β and PI3K. In conclusion, our results suggested that miR‐130a‐3p targeted Acsl4 to promote neuronal differentiation of NSCs via regulating the Akt/PI3K pathway. These findings may help to develop strategies for stem cell‐mediated treatment for central nervous system diseases.

Micro RNA differential expression profile in canine mammary gland tumor by next generation sequencing

Canine mammary gland tumors are very common and represent a potential model of human breast cancer, and microRNA (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these tumors. Accordingly, we aimed to identify miRNAs differentially expressed in canine mammary gland tumors using next generation sequencing (NGS), with subsequent confirmatory qPCR and target gene analyses. Mammary gland tissue was collected from healthy dogs (n=7) and dogs with suspected tumors (n=80). A subset of samples was analyzed with NGS to identify differentially expressed miRNAs with CLC Genome Workbench. Normal (n=10), tumor-adjacent (n=6), and tumor-bearing (n=76) mammary gland tissue samples were analyzed for the identified miRNAs using qPCR. An in silico analysis (TargetScan) was performed to predict the miRNAs' target genes using gene ontology (GO) terms and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database (DAVID). We identified four miRNAs (cfa-miR-1-3p, cfa-miR-133a-3p, cfa-miR-133b-3p, and cfa-miR-133c-3p) as down regulated in canine mammary gland tumor tissues relative to normal and tumor adjacent tissues. KEGG analysis revealed the potential target genes of cfa-miR-1-3p are related to the Rap1 signaling pathway, adherens junction, and Ras signaling pathway, and those of the miR-133 family are related to the TGF-beta signaling pathway, synaptic vesicle cycle, and sphingolipid signaling pathway. In combination, these target genes are related to the regulation of transcription and DNA binding transcription (GO analysis), and the Hippo signaling pathway, adherens junction, and endocytosis (KEGG analysis). Accordingly, we suggest these four miRNAs are promising potential biomarker candidates for canine mammary gland tumors warranting further investigation.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer: Role of Non-coding RNAs

High oxidative stress, Th1/Th17 immune response, M1 macrophage inflammation, and cell death are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Controlled oxidative stress, Th2/Treg anti-tumor immune response, M2 macrophage inflammation, and survival are associated with cancer. MiR-21 protects against cardiovascular diseases but may induce tumor growth by retaining the anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage and Treg phenotypes and inhibiting apoptosis. Down-regulation of let-7, miR-1, miR-9, miR-16, miR-20a, miR-22a, miR-23a, miR-24a, miR-26a, miR-29, miR-30a, miR-34a, miR-124, miR-128, miR-130a, miR-133, miR-140, miR-143-145, miR-150, miR-153, miR-181a, miR-378, and miR-383 may aid cancer cells to escape from stresses. Upregulation of miR-146 and miR-223 may reduce anti-tumor immune response together with miR-21 that also protects against apoptosis. MiR-155 and silencing of let-7e, miR-125, and miR-126 increase anti-tumor immune response. MiR expression depends on oxidative stress, cytokines, MYC, and TGF-β, and expression of silencing lncRNAs and circ-RNAs. However, one lncRNA or circ-RNA may have opposite effects by targeting several miRs. For example, PVT1 induces apoptosis by targeting miR-16a and miR-30a but inhibits apoptosis by silencing miR-17. In addition, levels of a non-coding RNA in a cell type depend not only on expression in that cell type but also on an exchange of microvesicles between cell types and tumors. Although we got more insight into the function of a growing number of individual non-coding RNAs, overall, we do not know enough how several of them interact in functional networks and how their expression changes at different stages of disease progression.

The role of miR-370 and miR-138 in the regulation of BMP2 suppressor gene expression in colorectal cancer: preliminary studies

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth-most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cancer cause of death in the world. The components of the TGFβ-signalling pathway, which are often affected by miRNAs, are involved in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle. Therefore, in the current study, the expression of BMP2 gene in CRC tissues at different clinical stages compared to the non-tumour tissues has been assessed. Moreover, the plasma BMP2 protein concentration in the same group of CRC patients has been validated. Due to the constant necessity to conduct further research of the correlation between specific miRNAs and mRNAs in CRC, in silico analysis has been performed to select miRNAs that regulate BMP2 mRNA.

METHODS

The cDNA samples from tumor and non-tumor tissue were used in a qPCR reaction to determine the mRNA expression of the BMP2 gene and the expression of selected miRNAs. The concentration of BMP2 protein in plasma samples was also measured.

RESULTS

It was indicated that BMP2 was downregulated in CRC tissue. Moreover, miR-370 and miR-138 expression showed an upward trend. Decreased BMP2 with accompanied increasing miR-370 and miR-138 expression was relevant to the malignant clinicopathological features of CRC and consequently poor patient prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that miR-370 with its clear expression in plasma samples may be a potential diagnostic marker to determine the severity of the disease in patients at a later stage of colorectal cancer.

Non-Coding RNAs in Colorectal Cancer: Their Functions and Mechanisms

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy with high mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CRC remain unclear. Controversies over the exact functions of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the progression of CRC have been prevailing for multiple years. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in various human cancers, including CRC. The intracellular signaling pathways by which ncRNAs act on tumor cells have been explored, and in CRC, various studies have identified numerous dysregulated ncRNAs that serve as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in the process of tumorigenesis through diverse mechanisms. In this review, we have summarized the functions and mechanisms of ncRNAs (mainly lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs) in the tumorigenesis of CRC. We also discuss the potential applications of ncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as therapeutic targets in CRC. This review details strategies that trigger the recognition of CRC-related ncRNAs, as well as the methodologies and challenges of studying these molecules, and the forthcoming clinical applications of these findings.

Functional analysis of the miR-145/Fascin1 cascade in canine oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Canine oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often develops in the gingiva and tonsils. The biological behaviour of canine oral SCC is similar to that of human head and neck SCC (HNSCC). Inhibiting invasion and metastasis is major importance for the treatment of canine and human HNSCC. In this study, the significance of microRNA (miR)-145 and Fascin1 (FSCN1) in the invasion of canine oral SCC was explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Canine oral SCC tissues and cell lines were used for miR-145 and FSCN1 expression analysis via real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Canine oral SCC cell lines were used for in vitro assays.

RESULTS

miR-145 was downregulated while FSCN1 mRNA was upregulated in canine oral SCC. Immunohistochemistry revealed that FSCN1 was upregulated in SCC when compared to normal mucosa. Transfection of canine SCC cells with miR-145 or FSCN1 siRNA suppressed cell growth and attenuated cell migration as well as invasion by inhibiting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, the promoter region of miR-145 was highly methylated in SCC cell lines and tissues.

CONCLUSION

The expression profile and functions of miR-145 in canine oral SCC are similar to those in human HNSCC. Thus, canine oral SCC may represent a valuable preclinical model for human HNSCC.

Hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome and acquired aplastic anemia: Immune‑mediated bone marrow failure syndromes (Review)

Hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome (hMDS) and aplastic anemia (AA) are rare hematopoietic disorders characterized by pancytopenia with hypoplastic bone marrow (BM). hMDS and idiopathic AA share overlapping clinicopathological features, making a diagnosis very difficult. The differential diagnosis is mainly based on the presence of dysgranulopoiesis, dysmegakaryocytopoiesis, an increased percentage of blasts, and abnormal karyotype, all favouring the diagnosis of hMDS. An accurate diagnosis has important clinical implications, as the prognosis and treatment can be quite different for these diseases. Patients with hMDS have a greater risk of neoplastic progression, a shorter survival time and a lower response to immunosuppressive therapy compared with patients with AA. There is compelling evidence that these distinct clinical entities share a common pathophysiology based on the damage of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) by cytotoxic T cells. Expanded T cells overproduce proinflammatory cytokines (interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α), resulting in decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of HSPCs. The antigens that trigger this abnormal immune response are not known, but potential candidates have been suggested, including Wilms tumor protein 1 and human leukocyte antigen class I molecules. Our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these BM failure syndromes has been improved by next-generation sequencing, which has enabled the identification of a large spectrum of mutations. It has also brought new challenges, such as the interpretation of variants of uncertain significance and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential. The present review discusses the main clinicopathological differences between hMDS and acquired AA, focuses on the molecular background and highlights the importance of molecular testing.

Chondrocyte-derived Exosomal miR-195 Inhibits Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation and Anti-Apoptotic by Targeting KIF4A in vitro and in vivo

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Osteosarcoma (OS) chemoresistance and distant metastasis are directly associated with OS recurrence and dismal patient prognosis, which are serious concerns for the medical community.

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However, current knowledge on OS pathogenesis and treatment remains limited. We found that kinesin superfamily protein 4A (KIF4A) acts as a potential OS biomarker.

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KIF4A promoted OS cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic in vitro and enhanced tumor growth in vivo. Our results indicate that miR-195 inhibits the expression of KIF4A by directly targeting its 3’-untranslated region

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Hence, targeting KIF4A could be a novel therapeutic strategy for OS and miR-195 may be a potential KIF4A-targeting drug. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that normal human chondrocytes can be used to produce miR-195-carrying exosomes to successfully deliver miR-195 into OS cells.

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Thus, our results suggest that chondrocyte-derived exosomal miR-195 may be developed into a potential adjuvant chemotherapeutic drug.

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant tumor of the bone that occurs in adolescents and is characterized by a young age at onset, high malignancy, high rate of metastasis, and poor prognosis. However, the factors influencing disease progression and prognosis remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of chondrocyte-derived exosomal miR-195 in OS. We used normal human chondrocytes to form miR-195-carrying exosomes to deliver miR-195 into OS cells. Xenograft tumor experiments were performed in mice intratumorally injected with exosomal miR-195. We found that kinesin superfamily protein 4A (KIF4A) promoted OS tumor progression and anti-apoptotic.

Resules

We demonstrated that miR-195 inhibited the expression of KIF4A by directly targeting its 3’-untranslated region. Moreover, we observed that exosomal miR-195 successfully inhibited OS cell tumor growth and antiapoptotic in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

Collectively, these results demonstrate that normal human chondrocyte-derived exosomal miR-195 can be internalized by OS cells and inhibit tumor growth and antiapoptotic by targeting KIF4A, providing a new direction for clarifying the molecular mechanism underlying OS development.

Reiterating the Emergence of Noncoding RNAs as Regulators of the Critical Hallmarks of Gall Bladder Cancer

Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is a rare and one of the most aggressive types of malignancies, often associated with a poor prognosis and survival. It is a highly metastatic cancer and is often not diagnosed at the initial stages, which contributes to a poor survival rate of patients. The poor diagnosis and chemoresistance associated with the disease limit the scope of the currently available surgical and nonsurgical treatment modalities. Thus, there is a need to explore novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers that will help relieve the severity of the disease and lead to advanced therapeutic strategies. Accumulating evidence has correlated the atypical expression of various noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including circular RNAs (circRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA) with the increased cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, migration, metastasis, chemoresistance, and decreased apoptosis in GBC. Numerous reports have indicated that the dysregulated expression of ncRNAs is associated with poor prognosis and lower disease-free and overall survival in GBC patients. These reports suggest that ncRNAs might be considered novel diagnostic and prognostic markers for the management of GBC. The present review recapitulates the association of various ncRNAs in the initiation and progression of GBC and the development of novel therapeutic strategies by exploring their functional and regulatory role.

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction mediated miR-492 inhibitor suppresses the tumorigenesis in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) is a novel adjuvant tumor therapeutic method by enhancing exogenous gene transfection to target tissues. This study aims to investigate the role of microRNA-492 (miR-492) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and further analyze the effects of UTMD-mediated miR-492 inhibitor on tumorigenesis.

METHODS

The expression of miR-492 was detected by qRT-PCR. Co-transfection of microbubbles and miR-492 inhibitor with Lipofectamine 3000 was performed to achieve UTMD-mediated miR-492 inhibition in NSCLC cells. CCK-8 and Transwell assay were used to determine NSCLC cell proliferation, and the migration and invasion.

RESULT

High expression of miR-492 was associated with poor prognosis in NSCLC patients. miR-492 inhibitor suppressed tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and UTMD not only increased the transfection efficiency of miR-492 inhibitor, but also enhance the inhibitory effects on cell biological behaviors.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the expression level of miR-492 was up-regulated in NSCLC tissue samples and cells. Silencing of miR-492 inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and UTMD-mediated miR-492 inhibitor could promote more significant inhibition, which indicated that UTMD-mediated miR-492 inhibitor might provide a novel strategy for the treatment of NSCLC.KEY MESSAGESmiR-492 inhibitor inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion.UTMD-mediated miR-492 inhibitor can promote more significant inhibition.UTMD-mediated miR-492 inhibitor provide a new strategy for NSCLC.

The Role of Immune-Related miRNAs in the Pathology of Kidney Transplantation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of the non-coding regulatory RNA family that play pivotal roles in physiological and pathological conditions, including immune response. They are particularly interesting as promising therapeutic targets, prognostic and diagnostic markers due to their easy detection in body fluids and stability. There is accumulating evidence that different miRNAs provide disease-specific signatures in liquid samples of distinct kidney injuries. Using experimental models and human samples, there have been numerous suggestions that immune-related miRNAs are also important contributors to the development of different kidney diseases as well as important markers for monitoring response after kidney transplantation. However, there are limited data for understanding their function in the molecular pathways of allograft pathologies. In our review, we focused on microRNAs that are related to different aspects of immune response after kidney transplantation.

miRNA Clusters with Up-Regulated Expression in Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary

As miRNAs show the capacity to be used as CRC biomarkers, we analysed experimentally validated data about frequently up-regulated miRNA clusters in CRC tissue. We identified 15 clusters that showed increased expression in CRC: miR-106a/363, miR-106b/93/25, miR-17/92a-1, miR-181a-1/181b-1, miR-181a-2/181b-2, miR-181c/181d, miR-183/96/182, miR-191/425, miR-200c/141, miR-203a/203b, miR-222/221, mir-23a/27a/24-2, mir-29b-1/29a, mir-301b/130b and mir-452/224. Cluster positions in the genome are intronic or intergenic. Most clusters are regulated by several transcription factors, and by long non-coding RNAs. In some cases, co-expression of miRNA with other cluster members or host gene has been proven. miRNA expression patterns in cancer tissue, blood and faeces were compared. The members of the selected clusters target 181 genes. Their functions and corresponding pathways were revealed with the use of Panther analysis. Clusters miR-17/92a-1, miR-106a/363, miR-106b/93/25 and miR-183/96/182 showed the strongest association with metastasis occurrence and poor patient survival, implicating them as the most promising targets of translational research.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies in Europe and North America. Early diagnosis is a key feature of efficient CRC treatment. As miRNAs can be used as CRC biomarkers, the aim of the present study was to analyse experimentally validated data on frequently up-regulated miRNA clusters in CRC tissue and investigate their members with respect to clinicopathological characteristics of patients. Based on available data, 15 up-regulated clusters, miR-106a/363, miR-106b/93/25, miR-17/92a-1, miR-181a-1/181b-1, miR-181a-2/181b-2, miR-181c/181d, miR-183/96/182, miR-191/425, miR-200c/141, miR-203a/203b, miR-222/221, mir-23a/27a/24-2, mir-29b-1/29a, mir-301b/130b and mir-452/224, were selected. The positions of such clusters in the genome can be intronic or intergenic. Most clusters are regulated by several transcription factors, and miRNAs are also sponged by specific long non-coding RNAs. In some cases, co-expression of miRNA with other cluster members or host gene has been proven. miRNA expression patterns in cancer tissue, blood and faeces were compared. Based on experimental evidence, 181 target genes of selected clusters were identified. Panther analysis was used to reveal the functions of the target genes and their corresponding pathways. Clusters miR-17/92a-1, miR-106a/363, miR-106b/93/25 and miR-183/96/182 showed the strongest association with metastasis occurrence and poor patient survival, implicating them as the most promising targets of translational research.

MicroRNA‑142‑3p suppresses cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition via RAC1‑ERK1/2 signaling in colorectal cancer

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) is associated with the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), but how they regulate colorectal tumorigenesis is still unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the expression profile of miRNAs in human CRC tissues, and to reveal the molecular mechanism of miRNA-142-3p in suppressing colon cancer cell proliferation. The expression of miRNA was examined using an Exiqon miRNA array. Bioinformatics was used to predict the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs and to analyze their biological function in CRC. The effect of miR-142-3p in colon cancer cells was evaluated in vitro using cell proliferation, colony formation and Transwell assays. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to investigate the association between miR-142-3p and Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1). The effect of miR-142-3p regulation on colon cancer proliferation was assessed through western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Compared with their expression in adjacent non-cancer mucosal tissues, 76 miRNAs were upregulated and 102 miRNAs were downregulated in CRC. One of the most significantly and differentially regulated miRNAs was miR-142-3p, which was downregulated in 81.0% (51/63) of primary CRC tissues. After transfection of miR-142-3p mimics into colon cancer cells, proliferation and colony formation were decreased, and migration and invasion were markedly suppressed. RAC1 was a possible target of miR-142-3p, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Transfection of miR-142-3p mimics decreased the levels of RAC1 and suppressed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in colon cancer cells. The phosphorylation of extraceullar signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was decreased significantly by the inhibition of RAC1 or transfection of miR-142-3p mimics in colon cancer cells. In conclusion, aberrant miRNAs are implicated in CRC. Decreased expression of miR-142-3p may be associated with CRC tumorigenesis via Rac1-ERK signaling.

Correlation of microRNA-367 in the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of breast cancer patients

Breast cancer (BC) is a malignant tumor originating from cells of the breast. Notably, microRNAs have been recognized as biomarkers of BC metastasis. The present study is designed to evaluate the association between microRNA (miR)-367 expression and BC with the variance of clinicopathologic features and prognosis.Initially, 63 BC patients were allocated in the BC group, while the other 40 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group. miR-367 expression in the serum of patients and healthy controls was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the relation between miR-367 in serum and clinicopathologic features and prognosis of BC patients was accessed.miR-367 expression in serum of the BC group was evidently lower than that in the control group (all P < .001). Besides, miR-367 underexpression in the BC group was closely associated with the variance in tumor nodes metastasis advanced stage, tumor diameter, and lymph node metastasis of BC (all P < .001). In addition, compared with the control group, poorly expressed miR-367 BC group had short period of disease-free survival and overall survival (all P < .001).Our study demonstrated that miR-367 expression is associated with BC clinicopathologic features and prognosis. This investigation may offer new insight for BC treatment.

miRNA-6715-5p Inhibits Cellular Proliferation and Invasion in Colorectal Cancer by Directly Targeting CST4

Background

Data on the correlation between CST4 and colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze CST4 expression and investigate its biological roles and related microRNA- (miRNA-) mediated regulation in CRC.

Methods

The expression of CST4 was examined in cancer tissues and their corresponding adjacent normal tissues from 40 gastric adenocarcinoma patients. The expression level of CST4 in specimens (cancer and normal tissues) was assessed through immunohistochemistry and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction. miRNAs targeting CST4 in CRC were predicted by bioinformatics software. CST4 was knocked down in HCT116 cells and candidate miRNAs were transfected into HCT116 cells, and the effects of CST4 knockdown and miRNA transfection on cell proliferation and invasion were examined using CCK8, cell colony formation, and Transwell migration assays. Luciferase double-reporter assays were performed to verify the relationship between miRNA and CST4.

Results

The expression of CST4 in CRC tissues was significantly higher than that in normal paracancerous tissues, but the results for miRNA-6715-5p were opposite. Regardless of CST4 knockdown or miRNA-6715-5p overexpression, the proliferation and invasion ability of HCT116 cells decreased significantly. Luciferase double-reporter assays showed that the upregulation of miR-6715-5p significantly reduced the luciferase activities of the CST4 3'-UTR plasmid in HCT116 cells.

Conclusion

CST4 may be involved in CRC proliferation and metastasis. miRNA-6715-5p directly targets CST4 and negatively regulates its expression.

The Role of miRNAs, miRNA Clusters, and isomiRs in Development of Cancer Stem Cell Populations in Colorectal Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have a critical role in regulating stem cells (SCs) during development and altered expression can cause developmental defects and/or disease. Indeed, aberrant miRNA expression leads to wide-spread transcriptional dysregulation which has been linked to many cancers. Mounting evidence also indicates a role for miRNAs in the development of the cancer SC (CSC) phenotype. Our goal herein is to provide a review of: (i) current research on miRNAs and their targets in colorectal cancer (CRC), and (ii) miRNAs that are differentially expressed in colon CSCs. MicroRNAs can work in clusters or alone when targeting different SC genes to influence CSC phenotype. Accordingly, we discuss the specific miRNA cluster classifications and isomiRs that are predicted to target the ALDH1, CD166, BMI1, LRIG1, and LGR5 SC genes. miR-23b and miR-92A are of particular interest because our previously reported studies on miRNA expression in isolated normal versus malignant human colonic SCs showed that miR-23b and miR-92a are regulators of the LGR5 and LRIG1 SC genes, respectively. We also identify additional miRNAs whose expression inversely correlated with mRNA levels of their target genes and associated with CRC patient survival. Altogether, our deliberation on miRNAs, their clusters, and isomiRs in regulation of SC genes could provide insight into how dysregulation of miRNAs leads to the emergence of different CSC populations and SC overpopulation in CRC.