Overexpression of MicroRNA-216a Suppresses Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Glioma Cells by Targeting Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptor 5

Molecular mechanisms of microRNA-216a during tumor progression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as the members of non-coding RNAs family are involved in post-transcriptional regulation by translational inhibiting or mRNA degradation. They have a critical role in regulation of cell proliferation and migration. MiRNAs aberrations have been reported in various cancers. Considering the importance of these factors in regulation of cellular processes and their high stability in body fluids, these factors can be suggested as suitable non-invasive markers for the cancer diagnosis. MiR-216a deregulation has been frequently reported in different cancers. Therefore, in the present review we discussed the molecular mechanisms of the miR-216a during tumor progression. It has been reported that miR-216a mainly functioned as a tumor suppressor through the regulation of signaling pathways and transcription factors. This review paves the way to suggest the miR-216a as a probable therapeutic and diagnostic target in cancer patients.

New therapy strategies in the management of breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths after lung cancer, is the most common cancer type among women worldwide. BC comprises multiple subtypes based on molecular properties. Depending on the type of BC, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are the current systemic treatment options along with conventional chemotherapy. Several new molecular targets, miRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have been discovered over the past few decades and are powerful potential therapeutic targets. Here, we review advanced therapeutics as new players in BC management.

[ARTICLE WITHDRAWN] MicroRNA-362-3p Inhibits Glioma Growth by Targeting PAX3 and Regulating Wnt/Beta-Catenin Pathway

THIS ARTICLE WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE PUBLISHER IN October 2021

Regulatory interplay between microRNAs and WNT pathway in glioma

Glioma is one of the most common neoplasms of the central nervous system with a poor survival. Due to the obstacles in treating this disease, a part of recent studies mainly focuses on identifying the underlying molecular mechanisms that contribute to its malignancy. Altering microRNAs (miRNAs) expression pattern has been identified obviously in many cancers. Through regulating various targets and signaling pathways, miRNAs play a pivotal role in cancer progression. As one of the essential signaling pathways, WNT pathway is dysregulated in many cancers, and a growing body of evidence emphasis its dysregulation in glioma. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of miRNAs involved in WNT pathway in glioma. Moreover, we show the interplay between miRNAs and WNT pathway in regulating different processes such as proliferation, invasion, migration, radio/chemotherapy resistance, and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition. Then, we introduce several drugs and treatments against glioma, which their effects are mediated through the interplay of WNT pathway and miRNAs.

Co-Deregulated miRNA Signatures in Childhood Central Nervous System Tumors: In Search for Common Tumor miRNA-Related Mechanics

Simple Summary

Childhood tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) constitute a grave disease and their diagnosis is difficult to be handled. To gain better knowledge of the tumor’s biology, it is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that are dysregulated in many types of CNS tumors and regulate their occurrence and development through specific signal pathways. However, different types of CNS tumors’ area are characterized by different deregulated miRNAs. Here, we hypothesized that CNS tumors could have commonly deregulated miRNAs, i.e., miRNAs that are simultaneously either upregulated or downregulated in all tumor types compared to the normal brain tissue, irrespectively of the tumor sub-type and/or diagnosis. The only criterion is that they are present in brain tumors. This approach could lead us to the discovery of miRNAs that could be used as pan-CNS tumoral therapeutic targets, if successful.

Abstract

Despite extensive experimentation on pediatric tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), related to both prognosis, diagnosis and treatment, the understanding of pathogenesis and etiology of the disease remains scarce. MicroRNAs are known to be involved in CNS tumor oncogenesis. We hypothesized that CNS tumors possess commonly deregulated miRNAs across different CNS tumor types. Aim: The current study aims to reveal the co-deregulated miRNAs across different types of pediatric CNS tumors. Materials: A total of 439 CNS tumor samples were collected from both in-house microarray experiments as well as data available in public databases. Diagnoses included medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, ependydoma, cortical dysplasia, glioblastoma, ATRT, germinoma, teratoma, yoc sac tumors, ocular tumors and retinoblastoma. Results: We found miRNAs that were globally up- or down-regulated in the majority of the CNS tumor samples. MiR-376B and miR-372 were co-upregulated, whereas miR-149, miR-214, miR-574, miR-595 and miR-765 among others, were co-downregulated across all CNS tumors. Receiver-operator curve analysis showed that miR-149, miR-214, miR-574, miR-595 and miR765 could distinguish between CNS tumors and normal brain tissue. Conclusions: Our approach could prove significant in the search for global miRNA targets for tumor diagnosis and therapy. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports concerning the present approach.

Long Noncoding RNA DANCR Activates Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling through MiR-216a Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Long noncoding RNA differentiation antagonizing nonprotein coding RNA (lncRNA-DANCR) is associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancers, and promotes cancer stemness and invasion. However, the exact mechanisms by which DANCR promotes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain elusive. In this study, we determined that DANCR knockdown (KD) impeded cell migration and reduced stem-like characteristics in two NSCLC cell lines, A549 and H1755. Wnt signaling was shown to promote NSCLC proliferation, stemness, and invasion; therefore, we hypothesized that DANCR may regulate these activities through induction of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. DANCR KD reduced β-catenin signaling and protein expression, and decreased the expression of β-catenin gene targets c-Myc and Axin2. One of the well-defined functions of lncRNAs is their ability to bind and inhibit microRNAs. Through in silico analysis, we identified tumor suppressor miR-216a as a potential binding partner to DANCR, and confirmed this binding through coimmunoprecipitation and luciferase-reporter assays. Furthermore, we show that DANCR-induced β-catenin protein expression may be blocked with miR-216a overexpression. Our findings illustrate a role of DANCR in NSCLC migration and stemness, and suggest a novel DANCR/miR-216a signaling axis in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Inhibition of lncRNA LINC00461/miR-216a/aquaporin 4 pathway suppresses cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance in glioma

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00461 (LINC00461) is reported to be related to glioma progression. However, the mechanism of LINC00461 in glioma remains unclear. Expression of LINC00461, miRNA (miR)-216a, and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) was detected using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Proliferation, temozolomide (TMZ) resistance, migration, and invasion were assessed by MTT, colony formation, and transwell assays, respectively. The target binding among miR-216a, LINC00461, and AQP4 was confirmed by the luciferase reporter assay. The tumor growth was monitored in the xenograft experiment. LINC00461 was upregulated, and miR-216a was downregulated in glioma tissues and cells, and LINC00461 upregulation was correlated with large tumor size, higher WHO grade and recurrence, and poor overall survival. LINC00461 knockdown suppressed cell viability, abilities of cell cloning and migration and invasion, and TMZ resistance in glioma. Mechanically, LINC00461 was confirmed to sponge miR-216a to affect AQP4 expression. Rescue assays verified that miR-216a downregulation or AQP4 upregulation abrogated the inhibitory effect of LINC00461 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and TMZ resistance in vitro. Moreover, LINC00461 downregulation blocked the glioma tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, LINC00461 knockdown inhibits glioma cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and TMZ resistance through miR-216a/AQP4 axis, suggesting LINC00461 as an oncogene in glioma progression.

miR-216a-targeting theranostic nanoparticles promote proliferation of insulin-secreting cells in type 1 diabetes animal model

Aberrant expression of miRNAs in pancreatic islets is closely related to the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The aim of this study was to identify key miRNAs dysregulated in pancreatic islets during T1D progression and to develop a theranostic approach to modify their expression using an MRI-based nanodrug consisting of iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated to miRNA-targeting oligonucleotides in a mouse model of T1D. Isolated pancreatic islets were derived from NOD mice of three distinct age groups (3, 8 and 18-week-old). Total RNA collected from cultured islets was purified and global miRNA profiling was performed with 3D-Gene global miRNA microarray mouse chips encompassing all mouse miRNAs available on the Sanger miRBase V16. Of the miRNAs that were found to be differentially expressed across three age groups, we identified one candidate (miR-216a) implicated in beta cell proliferation for subsequent validation by RT-PCR. Alterations in miR-216a expression within pancreatic beta cells were also examined using in situ hybridization on the frozen pancreatic sections. For in vitro studies, miR-216a mimics/inhibitors were conjugated to iron oxide nanoparticles and incubated with beta cell line, βTC-6. Cell proliferation marker Ki67 was evaluated. Expression of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), which is one of the direct targets of miR-216a, was analyzed using western blot. For in vivo study, the miR-216a mimics/inhibitors conjugated to the nanoparticles were injected into 12-week-old female diabetic Balb/c mice via pancreatic duct. The delivery of the nanodrug was monitored by in vivo MRI. Blood glucose of the treated mice was monitored post injection. Ex vivo histological analysis of the pancreatic sections included staining for insulin, PTEN and Ki67. miRNA microarray demonstrated that the expression of miR-216a in the islets from NOD mice significantly changed during T1D progression. In vitro studies showed that treatment with a miR-216a inhibitor nanodrug suppressed proliferation of beta cells and increased the expression of PTEN, a miR-216a target. In contrast, introduction of a mimic nanodrug decreased PTEN expression and increased beta cell proliferation. Animals treated in vivo with a mimic nanodrug had higher insulin-producing functionality compared to controls. These observations were in line with downregulation of PTEN and increase in beta cell proliferation in that group. Our studies demonstrated that miR-216a could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes. miR-216a-targeting theranostic nanodrugs served as exploratory tools to define functionality of this miRNA in conjunction with in vivo MR imaging.

Differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA modulates the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of glioma cells by targeting the miR-216a/LGR5 axis and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Purpose: DANCR plays an important role in various types of cancer. However, its role in gliomas remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the role of DANCR in gliomas.

Methods: DANCR expression was measured by qRT-PCR, and expression of LGR5, PI3K, AKT, and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) was detected by western blotting. The combination of miR-216a and DANCR was quantified by Luciferase reporter assays. Proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle, migration and invasion, and angiogenesis of glioma cells were measured by MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell, and Tube formation assays, respectively.

Results: DANCR expression was significantly higher in glioma cells than in normal human astrocytes. Silencing of DANCR inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of glioma cells, promoted apoptosis, blocked the cell cycle at the G1/S transition, and reduced LGR5, PI3K, and p-AKT expression. We identified miR-216a as a direct target of DANCR. Silencing of DANCR in glioma cells increased miR-216a expression. Further, miR-216a suppression increased proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis and inhibited apoptosis of glioma cells transfected with DANCR-targeting siRNA. In addition, miR-216a suppression compromised inhibition of the G1/S transition caused by DANCR silencing. Furthermore, suppression of miR-216a increased accumulation of LGR5, PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT in glioma cells transfected with DANCR-targeting siRNA.

Conclusion: DANCR modulates growth and metastasis by targeting the miR-216a/LGR5 axis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

SIRT4 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of thyroid cancer cells by inhibiting glutamine metabolism

Background

SIRT4, a protein localized in the mitochondria, is one of the least characteristic members of the sirtuin family. It is known that SIRT4 has deacetylase activity and plays a role in energy metabolism, but little is known about its possible role in carcinogenesis. Recently, several studies have suggested that SIRT4 may function as either a tumor oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene. However, its relationship with thyroid cancer remains unclear.

Methods

We stably overexpressed SIRT4 or silenced its expression in the human thyroid cancer cell line BCPAP by means of lentiviral vectors. We conducted a variety of tests, such as CCK-8, wound healing, migration, and invasion assays, to investigate the role of SIRT4 in the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of thyroid cancer cells. We also investigated the effects of SIRT4 overexpression on cell cycle progression and apoptosis of BCPAP cells and studied the role of glutamine metabolism in the effects of SIRT4 on BCPAP cell migration and invasion. Finally, we analyzed SIRT4 expression levels in thyroid cancer specimens by immunohistochemistry and investigated their association with clinicopathological features.

Results

Overexpression of SIRT4 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of BCPAP thyroid cancer cells, blocked the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, and induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, SIRT4 inhibited BCPAP migration and invasion by inhibiting glutamine metabolism. Moreover, we found that SIRT4 protein levels in thyroid cancer tissues were markedly lower than in their non-neoplastic tissue counterparts (P<0.001).

Conclusion

SIRT4 plays a pivotal role in the growth and metastasis of thyroid cancer cells and could be a potential therapeutic target in thyroid cancer.

MicroRNA-216a suppresses the proliferation and migration of human breast cancer cells via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential anticancer effects of microRNA-216a on the growth of human breast cancer and the possible underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that serum microRNA-216a was significantly decreased in patients with breast cancer compared with healthy controls. MicroRNA-216a overexpression led to a decrease in cell proliferation and migration, as well as increases in apoptosis, caspase-3/8 activities, Bax expression and p53 protein expression in MCF-7 cells. It was also revealed that microRNA-216a suppressed Wnt and β-catenin expression in MCF-7 cells. The anticancer effects of microRNA-216a were reversed by anti-microRNA-216a by promoting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Inactivation of the Wnt pathway increased the anticancer effects of microRNA-216a in MCF-7 cells. Collectively, the results of the present study indicated that microRNA-216a suppressed the growth of human breast cancer cells by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine preferentially targets genes upregulated in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutant high-grade glioma

Gliomas demonstrate epigenetic dysregulation exemplified by the Glioma CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (G-CIMP) seen in IDH1 mutant tumors. 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is implicated in glioma pathogenesis; however, its role in IDH1 mutant gliomas is incompletely understood. To characterize 5hmC in IDH1 mutant gliomas further, we examine 5hmC in a cohort of IDH1 mutant and wild-type high-grade gliomas (HGG) using a quantitative locus-specific approach. Regions demonstrating high 5hmC abundance and differentially hydroxymethylated regions (DHMR) enrich for enhancers implicated in glioma pathogenesis. Among these regions, IDH1 mutant tumors possess greater 5hmC compared to wild type. 5hmC contributes to overall methylation status of G-CIMP genes. 5hmC targeting gene body regions correlates significantly with increased gene expression. In particular, a strong correlation between increased 5hmC and increased gene expression is identified for genes highly expressed in the IDH1 mutant cohort. Overall, locus-specific gain of 5hmC targeting regulatory regions and associated with overexpressed genes suggests a significant role for 5hmC in IDH1 mutant HGG.

SIRT4 is upregulated in breast cancer and promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Several members of the SIRT family (SIRT1-7), a highly conserved family of NAD⁺-dependent enzymes, play an important role in tumor formation. Recently, several studies have suggested that SIRT4 may function as both a tumor oncogene and a tumor suppressor. However, its relationship with breast cancer remains unclear.

METHODS

We investigated SIRT4 protein levels in breast cancer and its possible association with selected clinicopathological parameters by immunohistochemical staining of a tissue microarray that included samples from 94 breast cancer patients. We further invested the effect of SIRT4 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.

RESULTS

SIRT4 protein levels in breast were markedly higherthan their non-neoplastic tissue counterparts (P<0.001). Additionally, SIRT4 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that SIRT4 possess oncogenic properties at the human cancer cell level and indicate that SIRT4 may participate in the development of breast cancer.

MicroRNA-216a inhibits the metastasis of gastric cancer cells by targeting JAK2/STAT3-mediated EMT process

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a group of small, non-protein coding, endogenous RNAs, play critical roles in the tumorigenesis and progression of human cancer. miR-216a has recently been reported to play an oncogenic role in human cancer. While, the expression of miR-216a, its biological function and underlying molecular mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) are largely unknown. In this study, we revealed that miR-216a was underexpressed in GC tissues compared to matched noncancerous tissues. Decreased levels of miR-216a were confirmed in GC cell lines compared with a normal gastric epithelium cell line. miR-216a underexpression was associated with malignant prognostic features including lymph node metastasis, venous infiltration, invasive depth and advanced TNM stage. GC patients with low miR-216a level showed an obvious shorter overall survival. miR-216a overexpression restrained migration and invasion of MGC-803 cells, while its knockdown exerted opposite effects on metastatic behaviors of SGC-7901 cells. In vivo experiments found that miR-216a restoration reduced metastatic nodes of GC cells in nude mice liver. miR-216a notably suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of GC cells. Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) was recognized as a direct target and downstream mediator of miR-216a in GC cells. Interestingly, JAK2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway was prominently inactivated by miR-216a and probably mediated the role of miR-216a in the regulation of migration, invasion and EMT process of GC cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that miR-216a functions as a tumor suppressive miRNA in the development of GC possibly by targeting JAK2/STAT3-mediated EMT.

miR-216a-3p Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Human Gastric Cancer Cells via Targeting RUNX1 and Activating the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

This work aims to elucidate the effects and the potential underlying mechanisms of microRNA-216a-3p (miR-216a-3p) on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer (GC) cells. In this study, we revealed that the expression of miR-216a-3p was significantly elevated in GC tissues and cell lines. The different expression level of miR-216a-3p was firmly correlated with clinicopathological characteristics of GC patients. We next demonstrated that upregulation of miR-216a-3p could dramatically promote the ability of proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells using a series of experiments, whereas downregulation essentially inhibited these properties. Additionally, through bioinformatics analysis and biological approaches, we confirmed that runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) was a direct target of miR-216a-3p, and overexpression of RUNX1 could reverse the potential effect of miR-216a-3p on GC cells. Furthermore, mechanistic investigation using Western blot analysis showed that downregulation of RUNX1 by miR-216a-3p could stimulate the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. In summary, this work proved that miR-216a-3p can promote GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via targeting RUNX1 and activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, miR-216a-3p/RUNX1 could be a possible molecular target for innovative therapeutic agents against GC.