miR-490-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in glioma by inhibiting high-mobility group AT-hook 2 expression

Emodin ameliorates renal injury and fibrosis via regulating the miR-490-3p/HMGA2 axis

Renal fibrosis is a major pathological feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD). While emodin is reported to elicit anti-fibrotic effects on renal injury, little is known about its effects on microRNA (miRNA)-modulated mechanisms in renal fibrosis. In this study, we established a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model and a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced normal rat renal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK-52E) model to investigate the protective effects of emodin on renal fibrosis and its miRNA/target gene mechanisms. Dual-luciferase assay was performed to confirm the direct binding of miRNA and target genes in HEK293 cells. Results showed that oral administration of emodin significantly ameliorated the loss of body weight and the increase in physicochemical parameters, including serum uric acid, creatinine, and urea nitrogen in UUO mice. Inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and interleukin (IL)-1β, but not IL-6, were down-regulated by emodin administration. Emodin decreased the expression levels of TGF-β1 and fibrotic-related proteins, including alpha-smooth muscle actin, Collagen IV, and Fibronectin, and increased the expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, miR-490-3p was decreased in UUO mice and negatively correlated with increased expression of high migration protein A2 (HMGA2). We further confirmed HMGA2 was the target of miR-490-3p. Transfection of miR-490-3p mimics decreased, while transfection of miR-490-3p inhibitors increased fibrotic-related proteins and HMGA2 expression levels in TGF-β1-induced NRK-52E cells. Furthermore, transfection of miR-490-3p mimics enhanced the anti-fibrotic effects of emodin, while transfection of miR-490-3p inhibitors abolished the protective effects of emodin. Thus, as a novel target of emodin that prevents renal fibrosis in the HMGA2-dependent signaling pathway, miR-490-3p has potential implications in CKD pathology.

A rationally identified panel of microRNAs targets multiple oncogenic pathways to enhance chemotherapeutic effects in glioblastoma models

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor. Available treatments have limited success because most patients develop chemoresistance. Alternative strategies are required to improve anticancer effects of current chemotherapeutics while limiting resistance. Successful targeting of microRNAs (miRNAs) as regulators of gene expression can help reprogram GBM cells to better respond to chemotherapy. We aimed to identify a panel of miRNAs that target multiple oncogenic pathways to improve GBM therapy. We first identified differentially expressed miRNAs and tested if their target genes play central roles in GBM signaling pathways by analyzing data in the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. We then studied the effects of different combinations of these miRNAs in GBM cells by delivering synthetic miRNAs using clinically compatible PLGA-PEG nanoparticles prior to treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) or doxorubicin (DOX). The successful miRNA panel was tested in mice bearing U87-MG cells co-treated with TMZ. We identified a panel of five miRNAs (miRNA-138, miRNA-139, miRNA-218, miRNA-490, and miRNA-21) and their oncogenic targets (CDK6, ZEB1, STAT3, TGIF2, and SMAD7) that cover four different signaling pathways (cell proliferation and apoptotic signaling, invasion and metastasis, cytokine signaling, and stemness) in GBM. We observed significant in vitro and in vivo enhancement of therapeutic efficiency of TMZ and DOX in GBM models. The proposed combination therapy using rationally selected miRNAs and chemotherapeutic drugs is effective owing to the ability of this specific miRNA panel to better target multiple genes associated with the hallmarks of cancer.

LINC00958 promotes bladder cancer carcinogenesis by targeting miR-490-3p and AURKA

Background

Bladder cancer is a prevalent malignancy of the urinary system, in which long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are highly associated. We aimed to elucidate the role of LINC00958 in bladder cancer.

Methods

LINC00958 expression levels were measured using qRT-PCR. The interaction of LINC00958-miR-490-3p-AURKA was analyzed by luciferase, RIP, and RNA pull-down assays. The biological roles of LINC00958, miR-490-3p, and AURKA in bladder cancer cells were analyzed using CCK8, BrdU, and transwell assays.

Results

Increased expression of LINC00958 and AURKA was observed in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. Decreased LINC00958 expression repressed bladder cancer progression and downregulation of miR-490-3p accelerated bladder cancer cell progression. Moreover, LINC00958 sponges miR-490-3p to upregulate AURKA expression, thereby promoting carcinogenesis in bladder cancer cells.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that LINC00958 facilitated cell proliferation and invasion, and suppressed cell apoptosis by sponging miR-490-3p and upregulating AURKA, thus inspiring a new treatment method for bladder cancer.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08882-6.

LncRNA CCAT1 promotes prostate cancer cells proliferation, migration, and invasion through regulation of miR-490-3p/FRAT1 axis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent cancer in males, with high incidence and mortality. Recent studies have shown the crucial role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in PCa. Here, we aimed to explore the functional roles and inner mechanisms of lncRNA CCAT1 in PCa cells. qRT-PCR results showed that CCAT1 was upregulated in PCa tissues and cells. Functional assays demonstrated that CCAT1 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, yet promoted apoptosis, while CCAT1 promotion showed the opposite results. We also found that CCAT1 negatively regulated miR-490-3p expression and subsequently regulated FRAT1 expression. Inhibition of miR-490-3p or up-regulation of FRAT1 reversed the suppressive effects of CCAT1 knockdown on the PCa cells. In conclusion, CCAT1 regulated FRAT1 expression through miR-490-3p and then promote the PCa cells proliferation, migration, and invasion, which reveals the oncogenic function of CCAT1 in PCa progress.

MicroRNA-490-3p and -490-5p in carcinogenesis: Separate or the same goal?

MicroRNA (miR)-490-3p and miR-490-5p, located on chromosome 7q33, are two independent mature products of miR-490 exerting distinct effects on tumor progression. miR-490-3p and miR-490-5p possess antitumor properties. miR-490-3p dysfunction has been associated with malignancies including colorectal cancer, while the abnormal function of miR-490-5p has been more considerably associated with bladder cancer (for example). At present, there are 30 and 11 target genes of miR-490-3p and miR-490-5p, respectively, that have been experimentally verified, of which the cyclin D1 (CCND1) gene is a common target. Through these target genes, miR-490-3p and miR-490-5p are involved in 7 and 3 signaling pathways, respectively, of which only 2 are shared regulatory signaling pathways. The present review introduces two competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks centered on miR-490-3p and miR-490-5p. These networks may be important promoters of tumor cell proliferation, invasiveness, metastatic potential and apoptosis. Unlike miR-490-5p, miR-490-3p plays a unique role in promoting cancer. However, both are promising molecular markers for early cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In addition, miR-490-3p was also found to be associated with the chemical resistance of cisplatin and paclitaxel. The present review focuses on the abnormal expression of miR-490-3p and miR-490-5p in different tumor types, and their complex ceRNA regulatory networks. The clinical value of miR-490-3p and miR-490-5p in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment is also clarified, and an explanation for the opposing effects of miR-490-3p in tumor research is provided.

MicroRNA-490-3p inhibits migration and chemoresistance of colorectal cancer cells via targeting TNKS2

OBJECTIVE

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancy in the world. The oncogenesis of colorectal cancer is still not fully elucidated. It was reported that microRNA-490-3p (miR-490-3p) was closely related to the regulation of cancers. However, if miR-490-3p could also affect colorectal cancer and the specific mechanism remains unclear.

METHODS

qRT-PCR was conducted to examine the expression of miR-490-3p. DIANA, miRDB, and TargetScan databases were used to identify target genes. LOVO and SW480 cells were transfected by miR-490-3p mimics and inhibitors. Transwell assay was used to measure cell invasion and migration. Cisplatin and fluorouracil were administered to investigate chemotherapy resistance. Western blot was used to measure TNKS2 protein expression. Binding sites were verified using the double luciferase assay.

RESULTS

miR-490-3p expression was low in the colorectal cancer cells. The level of miR-490-3p was negatively correlated with cell migration and invasion of cancer cells. miR-490-3p could bind to TNKS2 mRNA 3'UTR directly. miR-490-3p can suppress cell viability and resistance to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer cells through targeting TNKS2.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-490-3p could affect colorectal cancer by targeting TNKS2. This study may provide a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.

MicroRNA-490-3p inhibits inflammatory responses in LPS-induced acute lung injury of neonatal rats by suppressing the IRAK1/TRAF6 pathway

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a main reason for neonatal death. Studying the molecular mechanism behind neonatal ALI is critical for the development of therapeutic strategies. The present study explored microRNA (miR)-490-3p-mediated regulatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neonatal ALI. Initially, LPS (10 mg/kg body weight) was injected to 3-8 day old neonatal SD rats to induce ALI, and LPS (100 ng/ml) was used to treat lung epithelial cells to construct an ALI model in vitro. Next, miR-490-3p, pro-inflammatory factors (that included IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα), interleukin 1 receptor associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) mRNA expression levels in lung tissues and epithelial cells were assessed via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. In addition, miR-490-3p mimics were adopted to construct its overexpressed cell model, and Cell Counting Kit-8 and BrdU assays were conducted to assess cell viability. Furthermore, the miR-490-3p target, IRAK was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified via Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The results revealed that miR-490-3p was markedly downregulated in an LPS-induced rat ALI model, while IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, IRAK1 and TRAF6 were all upregulated and negatively correlated with miR-490-3p expression. Moreover, overexpressed miR-490-3p significantly inhibited LPS-induced lung epithelial cell injury and inflammatory response. Mechanistically, miR-490-3p targeted and attenuated IRAK1 expression, which thus inactivated the LPS-mediated TRAF6/NF-κB pathway. Overall, the present study indicated that miR-490-3p overexpression significantly inhibited LPS-induced ALI and inflammatory responses by restricting the IRAK1/TRAF6 pathway.

Exostosin1 as a novel prognostic and predictive biomarker for squamous cell lung carcinoma: A study based on bioinformatics analysis

The exostosin (EXT) protein family is involved in diverse human diseases. However, the expression and prognostic value of EXT genes in human lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the association between expression of EXT1 and EXT2 genes and survival in patients with LUSC using bioinformatics resources such as Oncomine and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) server and Kaplan–Meier plotter. Furthermore, regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) were predicted for EXT1 and used to establish a potential miRNA‐messenger RNA (mRNA) regulation network for LUSC using the ENCORI platform. We observed that EXT1 and EXT2 expression levels were higher in LUSC than those in normal tissues. However, only EXT1 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) in LUSC patients. Functional annotation enrichment analysis showed that genes co‐expressed with the EXT1 gene were enriched in biological processes such as cell adhesion and migration, and KEGG pathways such as extracellular matrix receptor interactions, complement and coagulation cascades, and cell death. Furthermore, three miRNAs, hsa‐mir‐190a‐5p, hsa‐mir‐195‐5p, and hsa‐mir‐490‐3p, were identified to be potentially involved in the regulation of EXT1. In summary, we identified EXT1 expression as a novel potential prognostic marker for human LUSC and the regulatory miRNAs that could possibly contribute to the prognosis of the disease.

MiR-935/HIF1α Feedback Loop Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasiveness of Glioma

Objective

The biological functions and molecular mechanisms of miR-935 have been widely investigated in various types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to explore the function of miR-935 in glioma.

Methods

Bioinformatic analysis and quantitative real-time fluorescent PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to determine the expression of miR-935 in glioma tissues and glioma cell lines. Chi-square test was performed to analyze the relationship between the expression of miR-935 and clinical traits. CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, cell cycle analysis and subcutaneous tumorigenesis model in nude mice were conducted to determine the effects of miR-935 on the proliferation of glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to detect the effects of miR-935 on the migration and invasion of glioma cells in vitro. The relationship between miR-935 and HIF1α was analyzed using bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting.

Results

The expression of miR-935 was lower in glioma tissues than in the adjacent tissues, and in cell lines than in the normal human astrocytes (NHAs), and the low expression levels of miR-935 predicted a poor outcome. Exogenous overexpression of miR-935 inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo, and suppressed the migration and invasion of glioma cells in vitro. HIF1α was identified as the target of miR-935, whereas miR-935 overexpression decreased the expression of HIF1α and its target genes VEGF, MCL1 and GLUT1. Strikingly, overexpression of HIF1α significantly decreased the expression of miR-935, whereas silencing HIF1α increased the expression of miR-935. Similarly, HIF1α overexpression remarkably reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-935 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells.

Conclusion

Overall, present study reveals the presence of miR-935/HIF1α feedback loop in glioma, which inhibits the development of glioma. This feedback loop may be a potential target for the treatment of glioma.

Reduced Expression of hsa-miR-338-3p Contributes to the Development of Glioma Cells by Targeting Mitochondrial 3-Oxoacyl-ACP Synthase (OXSM) in Glioblastoma (GBM)

Background

MicroRNAs have been identified as major regulators and therapeutic targets of glioblastoma (GBM). It is thus meaningful to study the miRNAs differentially expressed (DE-miRNAs) in GBM.

Materials and Methods

We performed a meta-analysis of previously published microarray data using the R-based “metaMA” package to identify DE-miRNAs.The biological processes of the DE-miRNAs were then analyzed using FunRich. KEGG pathways of the DE-miRNAs gene targets were analyzed by mirPath V.3. Luciferase activity assay was performed to validate that OXSM is a direct target of hsa-miR338-3p. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of miR-338-3p on GBM cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle.

Results

DE-miRNAs in blood and brain tissue from GBM were identified. “Type I interferon signaling pathway” and “VEGF and VEGFR signaling network” were the most significantly enriched biological processes shared by all GBM types. In KEGG pathway analysis, DE-miRNAs both in blood and tissue show altered fatty acid biosynthesis. Further validation shows hsa-miR-338-3p regulates fatty acid metabolism by directly targeting OXSM gene. In addition, our data revealed an accelerated cell cycle and an anti-apoptotic role for OXSM in glioma cells, which has not been reported. Finally, we confirmed that hsa-miR-338-3p inhibitor antagonized the effect of downregulation of OXSM on cell cycle and apoptosis of GBM cells.

Conclusion

We revealed that hsa-miR-338-3p, down-regulated in GBM, may affect the biogenesis and rapid proliferation of glioma cells by regulating the level of OXSM, providing new insights into understanding the pathogenesis of GBM and developing strategies to improve GBM prognosis.

LncRNA LINC00483 promotes gastric cancer development through regulating MAPK1 expression by sponging miR-490-3p

Background

Previous studies have shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00483 was aberrantly expressed in human cancers, including gastric cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism of this lncRNA in gastric cancer remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of LINC00483 on gastric cancer development and explore the potential regulatory network of LINC00483/microRNA (miR)-490-3p/mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1).

Methods

Thirty patients with gastric cancer were recruited for tissues collection. The expression levels of LINC00483, miR-490-3p and MAPK1 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or western blot. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were determined by MTT, flow cytometry, transwell assays and western blot, respectively. The target association between miR-490-3p and LINC00483 or MAPK1 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Xenograft model was established to assess the function of LINC00483 in vivo.

Results

LINC00483 and MAPK1 levels were increased in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Knockdown of LINC00483 or MAPK1 inhibited cells viability, migration and invasion but promoted apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Moreover, MAPK1 overexpression attenuated the effect of LINC00483 knockdown on gastric cancer development. LINC00483 could increase MAPK1 expression by competitively sponging miR-490-3p. miR-490-3p overexpression suppressed gastric cancer development, which was abated by introduction of LINC00483. Besides, inhibition of LINC00483 decreased xenograft tumor growth by regulating miR-490-3p/MAPK1 axis.

Conclusion

Knockdown of LINC00483 inhibited gastric cancer development in vitro and in vivo by increasing miR-490-3p and decreasing MAPK1, elucidating a novel mechanism for understanding the development of gastric cancer.

High Mobility Group A (HMGA): Chromatin Nodes Controlled by a Knotty miRNA Network

High mobility group A (HMGA) proteins are oncofoetal chromatin architectural factors that are widely involved in regulating gene expression. These proteins are unique, because they are highly expressed in embryonic and cancer cells, where they play a relevant role in cell proliferation, stemness, and the acquisition of aggressive tumour traits, i.e., motility, invasiveness, and metastatic properties. The HMGA protein expression levels and activities are controlled by a connected set of events at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. In fact, microRNA (miRNA)-mediated RNA stability is the most-studied mechanism of HMGA protein expression modulation. In this review, we contribute to a comprehensive overview of HMGA-targeting miRNAs; we provide detailed information regarding HMGA gene structural organization and a comprehensive evaluation and description of HMGA-targeting miRNAs, while focusing on those that are widely involved in HMGA regulation; and, we aim to offer insights into HMGA-miRNA mutual cross-talk from a functional and cancer-related perspective, highlighting possible clinical implications.

HMGA Genes and Proteins in Development and Evolution

HMGA (high mobility group A) (HMGA1 and HMGA2) are small non-histone proteins that can bind DNA and modify chromatin state, thus modulating the accessibility of regulatory factors to the DNA and contributing to the overall panorama of gene expression tuning. In general, they are abundantly expressed during embryogenesis, but are downregulated in the adult differentiated tissues. In the present review, we summarize some aspects of their role during development, also dealing with relevant studies that have shed light on their functioning in cell biology and with emerging possible involvement of HMGA1 and HMGA2 in evolutionary biology.

MicroRNA-769-3p inhibits tumor progression in glioma by suppressing ZEB2 and inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Accumulating evidence suggests the crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical and functional roles of miR-769-3p in glioma, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the expression levels of miR-769-3p in glioma tissues and cells. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to calculate the diagnostic value of miR-769-3p. The 5-year survival rate of patients was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis. Cell experiments were used to investigate the functional role of miR-769-3p in glioma. The gene target of miR-769-3p was predicted by TargetScan. Changes in the levels of Wnt signaling-related proteins were measured by western blotting. miR-769-3p was significantly downregulated in glioma tissues and serum, as well as in glioma cell lines (P<0.001). miR-769-3p expression was significantly associated with the World Health Organization grade and Karnofsky performance score. The ROC curves demonstrated that serum miR-769-3p level reliably distinguished patients with glioma from healthy individuals. High tissue miR-769-3p expression predicted poor overall survival in patients with glioma (log-rank P=0.001) and was identified as an independent prognostic factor. In addition, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) was demonstrated to be a direct target of miR-769-3p in glioma cells using a luciferase assay. miR-769-3p upregulation suppressed the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in glioma cells. In conclusion, miR-769-3p may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with glioma and target ZEB2 to inhibit tumor progression via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. miR-769-3p may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of glioma.