miRNA-1207-5p is associated with cancer progression by targeting stomatin-like protein 2 in esophageal carcinoma

SLP-2 regulates the generation of reactive oxygen species and the ERK pathway to promote papillary thyroid carcinoma motility and angiogenesis

Although papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has a generally decent prognosis, approximately 10% of patients experience recurrence, which is frequently associated with distant metastasis. Stomatin-like protein 2 (SLP-2), a protein located in the mitochondrial intermembrane space, is thought to be a possible cancer promoter. This study aimed to discover the involvement of SLP-2 in PTC motility and angiogenesis, and to initially explore its mechanism. According to the CCLE database, SLP-2 was universally increased in various cancers. Then SLP-2 expression in PTC cell lines was evaluated. Thereafter the influences of SLP-2 knockdown on cell migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis were assessed, respectively. The mediated roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MAPKs in the SLP-2 regulation were likewise determined. SLP-2 was discovered to be upregulated in PTC cells, and its knockdown could suppress cell migration, invasion, EMT, and angiogenesis. Declined SLP-2 expression also facilitated ROS generation and inhibited phosphorylation of MAPKs. Moreover, ERK agonist and ROS scavenger treatment partially reversed the impacts of SLP-2 knockdown on cells, indicating SLP-2 regulated generation of ROS and ERK pathway to promote PTC motility and angiogenesis. Generally, SLP-2 appears to be one of the major genes in the pathogenesis of PTC. Silencing its expression may have an impact on the onset and evolution of PTC. The fact that SLP-2 has a considerable influence on ROS levels implies that PTC can be treated by boosting ROS levels.

MiR-1207-5p targets PYCR1 to inhibit the progression of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer, the most common non-cutaneous male cancer, is a public health problem with a third prevalence worldwide. PYCR1 and miR-1207-5p dysregulations were found in cancer progression. Our study aims to reveal the biological role of miR-1207-5p-PYCR1 axis in prostate cancer progression. First, we investigated the expression of miR-1207-5p in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines by RT-qPCR. Next, we confirmed miR-1207-5p targeting PYCR1 by luciferase assay. CCK-8 assay, BrdU assay, flow cytometry, and tanswell assay were applied for examining cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion in prostate cancer cells, respectively. In the present study, decreased miR-1207-5p expression was obviously observed in prostate cancer tissues and cells. Upregulation of miR-1207-5p hampered cellular proliferation and invasion, while enhanced cellular apoptosis. In addition, upregulation of PYCR1 elevated cell proliferation and invasion, but repressed apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. Moreover, miR-1207-5p inhibited the expression of PYCR1 to repress prostate cancer tumorigenesis. MiR-1207-5p inhibited the expression of PYCR1 to repress the progression of prostate cancer by inhibiting cell growth and elevating cell apoptosis. Overall, our study clarifies the biological role of miR-1207-5p-PYCR1 axis in prostate cancer progression, which might be effective biomarkers for clinical treatment of prostate cancer.

miR-1207-5p suppresses laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma progression by downregulating SKA3 and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the second most common head and neck cancer. Previously, we discovered that miR-1207-5p was downregulated in LSCC. In this study, the clinical significance, function, and mechanism of miR-1207-5p in LSCC were investigated. Downregulation of miR-1207-5p was found to be strongly linked to the malignant progression of LSCC. Functional studies revealed that miR-1207-5p upregulation suppressed LSCC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and xenograft tumor growth. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-1207-5p target genes were involved in cell cycle regulation, proliferation, adhesion, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR-1207-5p interacts directly with the 3′ untranslated region of spindle and kinetochore associated complex subunit 3 (SKA3) and downregulates SKA3 expression. Furthermore, SKA3 was found to be overexpressed in LSCC, and its high expression was associated with tumor progression and a poor prognosis. Rescue experiments demonstrated that miR-1207-5p inhibited the malignant phenotypes of LSCC via SKA3. Furthermore, miR-1207-5p upregulation or knockdown of SKA3 inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Collectively, miR-1207-5p inhibited LSCC malignant progression by downregulating SKA3 and preventing EMT. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of LSCC progression, as well as new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for LSCC diagnosis and treatment.

Long noncoding RNA HEIH depletion depresses esophageal carcinoma cell progression by upregulating microRNA-185 and downregulating KLK5

Numerous studies have reported the association of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancers, yet the function of lncRNA high expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HEIH) in esophageal carcinoma (EC) has seldom been explored. Here, we aimed to explore the mechanism of HEIH on EC via microRNA-185 (miR-185)/kallikrein-related peptidase 5 (KLK5) modulation. Cancer and non-tumoral tissues were collected, in which HEIH, miR-185 and KLK5 expression were detected, as well as their correlations. Also, the relation between the prognosis of EC patients and HEIH/miR-185/KLK5 expression was clarified. EC cells (KYSE-30 and TE-1) were screened for subsequent gain- and loss-of-function assays and their biological functions were further monitored. Tumor volume and weight in EC mice were also measured. Results from this study indicated that HEIH and KLK5 were elevated and miR-185 was declined in EC. The positive correlation was seen in HEIH and KLK5 expression, while the negative correlation was observed in HEIH or KLK5 and miR-185 expression. High HEIH and KLK5 indicated worse prognosis and high miR-185 suggested better prognosis of EC patients. Depleting HEIH or restoring miR-185 suppressed the malignant phenotypes of EC cells, and delayed tumor growth in EC mice. HEIH was found to bind with miR-185 to regulate KLK5 expression. Overexpressing KLK5 alone promoted EC cell progression while up-regulating miR-185 reversed such effects on EC cells. Collectively, we reveal that HEIH depletion dampens EC progression by upregulating miR-185 and downregulating KLK5, which provides novel treatments for EC.

Tanshinol inhibits growth of malignant melanoma cells via regulating miR-1207-5p/CHPF pathway

Tanshinol possesses anti-tumor activity in melanoma both in vitro and in vivo, and miR-1207-5p is involved in tumor progression in melanoma. However, whether miR-1207-5p can be affected by tanshinol treatment in melanoma is not clear. The expression levels of miR-1207-5p were detected by RT-qPCR. The validation of the direct target of miR-1207-5p was through dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blotting assay. The cell viability rate was determined using MTT assay and colony formation assay. The cell mobility was assessed using Transwell migration/invasion assay. Downregulation of miR-1207-5p was found in melanoma cell lines and tissues and was associated with tumor stages, presence of ulceration, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival rate of melanoma patients. Tanshinol treatment and miR-1207-5p overexpression suppressed melanoma cell growth and cell mobility. Chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) is a direct target of miR-1207-5p. Tanshinol exerted anti-tumor activity to melanoma through the regulation of miR-1207-5p/CHPF signaling. Our study highlighted the potential therapeutic application of tanshinol and miR-1207-5p as a supplement to enhance the effect of the traditional cancer treatment methods against melanoma.

PVT1-derived miR-1207-5p promotes breast cancer cell growth by targeting STAT6

Accumulating evidence indicates that ectopic expression of non‐coding RNAs are responsible for breast cancer progression. Increased non‐coding RNA PVT1, the host gene of microRNA‐1207‐5p (miR‐1207‐5p), has been associated with breast cancer proliferation. However, how PVT1 functions in breast cancer is still not clear. In this study, we show a PVT1‐derived microRNA, miR‐1207‐5p, that promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by directly regulating STAT6. We first confirm the positive correlated expression pattern between PVT1 and miR‐1207‐5p by observing consistent induced expression by estrogen, and overexpression in breast cancer cell lines and breast cancer patient specimens. Moreover, silence of PVT1 also decreased miR‐1207‐5p expression. Furthermore, increased miR‐1207‐5p expression promoted, while decreased miR‐1207‐5p expression suppressed, cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell cycle progression in breast cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, a novel target of miR‐1207‐5p,STAT6, was identified by a luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of miR‐1207‐5p decreased the levels of STAT6, which activated CDKN1A and CDKN1B to regulate the cell cycle. We also confirmed the reverse correlation of miR‐1207‐5p and STAT6 expression levels in breast cancer samples. Therefore, our findings reveal that PVT1‐derived miR‐1207‐5p promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by targeting STAT6, which in turn controls CDKN1A and CDKN1B expression. These findings suggest miR‐1207‐5p might be a potential target for breast cancer therapy.

The roles of microRNAs related with progression and metastasis in human cancers

Metastasis is an important factor in predicting the prognosis of the patients with cancers and contributes to high cancer-related mortality. Recent studies indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) played a functional role in the initiation and progression of human malignancies. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs of about 22 nucleotides in length that can induce messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation or repress mRNA translation by binding to the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of their target genes. Overwhelming reports indicated that miRNAs could regulate cancer invasion and metastasis via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related and/or non-EMT-related mechanisms. In this review, we concentrate on the underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in regulating cancer progression and metastasis.

The effects of miR-1207-5p expression in peripheral blood on cisplatin-based chemosensitivity of primary gallbladder carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between miR-1207-5p expression in peripheral blood and the chemosensitivity of primary gallbladder carcinoma (PGBC).

METHODS

A total of 85 patients with PGBC undergoing preoperative chemotherapy were divided into effective (n=18) and ineffective (n=67) groups. Another 70 healthy individuals were selected as the control group. An miR-1207-5p mimic (mimic group), an inhibitor (inhibitor group), and a negative control (NC group) sequence were transfected into human gallbladder carcinoma GBC-SD cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine miR-1207-5p expression. After 48 hours of cisplatin treatment, CCK-8 method was used to detect cell proliferation and flow cytometry were performed to examine cell apoptosis.

RESULTS

miR-1207-5p expression in peripheral blood was significantly associated with tumor node metastasis staging of PGBC (P<0.05). Before chemotherapy, miR-1207-5p expression in patients was higher than in healthy individuals (P<0.05). After chemotherapy, the effective group had lower miR-1207-5p expression than the ineffective group (P<0.05). The rates of positive expression of Ki67 protein in the effective group were significantly lower than those in the ineffective group (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the area under curve, sensitivity, and specificity of miR-1207-5p used to diagnose PGBC were 0.898, 77.6%, and 97.1% at a cutoff of 1.470, respectively. After 48 hours of cisplatin treatment, compared with the NC group and nontransfected (non-T) group, the mimic group had decreased rates of cell inhibition and apoptosis, but the inhibitor group had increased rates (all P<0.05). The expression levels of caspase3 protein were increased in the mimic group and decreased in the inhibitor group. Cell survival rates in the mimic group at different time points after cisplatin treatment were significantly higher than the corresponding rates in the NC and non-T groups, whereas the cell survival rates in the inhibitor group were significantly lower than the rates in the NC and non-T groups (all P<0.05). The concentration and action time of cisplatin were negatively associated with the cell survival rate in each group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin-based chemosensitivity of PGBC increased as expression of miR-1207-5p in peripheral blood declined. Thus, miR-1207-5p appears to be a promising and novel chemosensitizer for the treatment of PGBC.