Knockdown of KLK12 inhibits viability and induces apoptosis in human colorectal cancer HT-29 cell line

Oral Nanomedicines for siRNA Delivery to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease

RNA interference (RNAi) therapies have significant potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Although administering small interfering RNA (siRNA) via an oral route is desirable, various hurdles including physicochemical, mucus, and cellular uptake barriers of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) impede both the delivery of siRNA to the target site and the action of siRNA drugs at the target site. In this review, we first discuss various physicochemical and biological barriers in the GI tract. Furthermore, we present recent strategies and the progress of oral siRNA delivery strategies to treat IBD. Finally, we consider the challenges faced in the use of these strategies and future directions of oral siRNA delivery strategies.

Upregulated LINC00922 Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Indicates a Dismal Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

Background. LINC00922 has been found to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of tumors. But its functions in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. We attempt to investigate the correlation between LINC00922 and GC via bioinformatics analysis, in vitro and in vivo experiments. Methods. TCGA and GTEx databases were utilized to obtain the RNAseq and clinical data of GC, and then, identified the correlation of LINC00922 with patients’ clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. GSEA and GO/KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to explore the potential functions or signaling pathways that LINC00922 participated in GC. Infiltration levels of immune cells were employed by ssGSEA algorithm, and then Wilcoxon rank sum test was applied to analyze their correlations with LINC00922. Scratch and transwell assays were conducted to detect the invasion and migration abilities of GC cells. Western blot was performed to explore the expression level of EMT-related proteins. Furthermore, we constructed the xenograft tumor model and metastatic tumor model in nude mice to explore the effect of LINC00922 downregulating on metastasis of GC cells in vivo. Results. Compared with normal tissues, LINC00922 was highly expressed in GC tissues and positively correlated with poor prognosis. The correlation existed between LINC00922 and immune infiltration in GC. Downregulation of LINC00922 inhibited the EMT process of GC cells. In addition, both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that LINC00922 affects the invasion and migration abilities of GC. Conclusions. LINC00922 promotes the migration, invasion, and EMT in GC and has the potential to be used as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.

Oral Delivery of Nucleic Acids with Passive and Active Targeting to the Intestinal Tissue Using Polymer-Based Nanocarriers

Despite the apparent advantages for long-term treatment and local therapies against intestinal diseases, the oral delivery of nucleic acids has been challenging due to unfavorable physiological conditions for their stability. In this study, a novel nanodelivery system of PEG-PCL nanoparticles with encapsulated nucleic acids–mannosylated PEI (Man-PEI) complexes was developed for intestinal delivery. We complexed model nucleic acids with Man-PEI at the optimal N/P ratio of 20:1 for in vitro and in vivo analyses. Cells were transfected in vitro and analyzed for gene expression, receptor-mediated uptake, and PEG-PCL nanoparticles’ toxicity. We also evaluated the nucleic acid’s stability in the nanocarrier during formulation, and under simulated gastrointestinal environments or the presence of nucleases. Finally, we assessed the biodistribution for the PEG-PCL nanoparticles with encapsulated complexes and their ability to transfect intestinal cells in vivo. Nucleic acids complexed with Man-PEI were protected from degradation against nucleases. In comparison to the parent compound PEI, Man-PEI transfected the cells with an overall higher potency. Competition assay indicated receptor-mediated endocytosis promoted by mannose receptors. The PEG-PCL nanoparticles with Man-PEI/plasmid complexes indicated minimal cytotoxicity. The nanocarrier successfully protected the complexes in a simulated gastric fluid environment and released them in a simulated intestinal fluid environment, promoted by the presence of lipases. The oral administration of the PEG-PCL nanoparticles with encapsulated Man-PEI/plasmid complexes transfected intestinal cells with the plasmid in vivo, while presenting a time-dependent progression through the intestines. Conclusively, our carrier system can deliver genetic material to the GI tract and actively target mannose receptor overexpressing cells.

EVI5 is an oncogene that regulates the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells

Background

The Ecotropic viral integration site 5 (EVI5), an important protein in regulating cell cycle, cytokinesis and cellular membrane traffic, functions as a stabilizing factor maintaining anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) inhibitor Emi1 in S/G2 phase. However, the mechanism by which EVI5 promotes malignant transformation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. In the present study, we addressed the role of EVI5 in NSCLC by regulating tumor growth, migration and invasion.

Methods

The expression levels of EVI5 and miR-486-5p in NSCLC tissues and cells were measured by real-time PCR. Meanwhile, EVI5 and its associated protein expression were analyzed by western blot and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Flow cytometry was performed to determine cell proliferation and apoptosis. CCK-8 and clonogenic assays were used to analyze cell viability. Wound healing, transwell migration and matrigel invasion assays were utilized to assess the motility of tumor cells. To investigate the role of EVI5 in vivo, lung carcinoma xenograft mouse model was applied..

Results

EVI5 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines when compared with that in normal tissues and cell line. Knockdown of EVI5 in vitro inhibited tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion in NSCLC cells. Further, inoculation of EVI5-deficient tumor cells into nude mice suppressed tumor proliferation and metastasis compared to control mice inoculated with unmanipulated tumor cells. These data indicated that EVI5 promote the proliferation of NSCLC cells which was consistent with our previous results. Additionally, we showed that EVI5 was directly regulated by miR-486-5p, and miR-486-5p-EVI5 axis affected the NSCLC migration and invasion through TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway by interacting with TGF-β receptor II and TGF-β receptor I.

Conclusions

Based on these results, we demonstrated a new post-transcriptional mechanism of EVI5 regulation via miR-486-5p and the protumoral function of EVI5 in NSCLC by interacting with Emi1 and/or TGF-β receptors, which provides a new insight into the targeted therapy of NSCLC.