miR-520e regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration in breast cancer

HLF promotes ovarian cancer progression and chemoresistance via regulating Hippo signaling pathway

Hepatic leukemia factor (HLF) is aberrantly expressed in human malignancies. However, the role of HLF in the regulation of ovarian cancer (OC) remains unknown. Herein, we reported that HLF expression was upregulated in OC tissues and ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs). Functional studies have revealed that HLF regulates OC cell stemness, proliferation, and metastasis. Mechanistically, HLF transcriptionally activated Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression and subsequently modulated the Hippo signaling pathway. Moreover, we found that miR-520e directly targeted HLF 3'-UTR in OC cells. miR-520e expression was negatively correlated with HLF and YAP1 expression in OC tissues. The combined immunohistochemical (IHC) panels exhibited a better prognostic value for OC patients than any of these components alone. Importantly, the HLF/YAP1 axis determines the response of OC cells to carboplatin treatment and HLF depletion or the YAP1 inhibitor verteporfin abrogated carboplatin resistance. Analysis of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) further suggested that HLF might predict carboplatin benefits in OC patients. In conclusion, these findings suggest a crucial role of the miR-520e/HLF/YAP1 axis in OC progression and chemoresistance, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for OC.

Identification of the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network in Bladder Cancer by Bioinformatics Analysis

In recent years, increasing evidence shows that circular RNA (circRNA) disorder is closely related to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, the regulatory functions of most circRNAs in bladder cancer (BCa) remain unclear. This study was aimed at exploring the molecular regulatory mechanism of circRNAs in BCa. We obtained four datasets of circRNA, microRNA (miRNA), and messenger (mRNA) expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas microarray databases and identified 434, 367, and 4799/4841 differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs, respectively. With these differentially expressed RNAs, we established a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA targeted interaction network. A total of 18, 24, and 51 central circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs were identified, respectively. Among them, the top 10 mRNAs that had high connectivity with other circRNAs and miRNAs were regarded as hub genes. We detected the expression levels of these 10 mRNAs in 16 pairs of BCa tissues and adjacent normal tissues through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The differentially expressed mRNAs and central mRNAs were enriched in the processes and pathways that are associated with the growth, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of tumor cells. The outstanding genes (CDCA4, GATA6, LATS2, RHOB, ZBTB4, and ZFPM2) also interacted with numerous drugs, indicating their potency as biomarkers and drug targets. The findings of this study provide a deep understanding of the circRNA-related competitive endogenous RNA regulatory mechanism in BCa pathogenesis.

Correlations between vitronectin, miR-520, and miR-34 in patients with stenosis of coronary arteries

BACKGROUND

In-stent restenosis usually occurs by platelet activation, neointima formation, VSMC migration, and proliferation in the position of the vessel stent. The monocytes have a magnificent role in neointimal hyperplasia since these cells recruit to the site of vessel injury through chemokines and other secretion proteins. This study is focused on the investigation of vitronectin, miR-193, miR-34, and miR-520 expression levels in PBMCs isolated from stenosed patients.

METHODS

A total of sixty subjects undergoing coronary artery angiography containing patients with stent no restenosis (n = 20), in-stent restenosis (n = 20), and healthy participants (n = 20) participated in the study. The vitronectin, miR-193, miR-34, and miR-520 expression levels were measured by the RT-qPCR technique. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.

RESULTS

The vitronectin, miR-34, and miR-520 expression levels changed significantly in patients with vessel in-stent restenosis (p = 0.02, p = 0.02, and p = 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, there were inverse correlations between the expression levels of vitronectin gene and miR-34 (r =  - 0.44, p = 0.04) as well as miR-520 (r =  - 0.5, p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The molecular events in the vessel stenosis may be affected by targeting vitronectin with miR-520 and miR-34.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis pathway is involved in coronary artery stenosis and restenosis

The inflammatory events related to prostaglandins may play an important role in the progression of vessel stenosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the monocyte PTGES and 15-PGDH gene expression levels and the serum 13,14-dihyro-15-keto-PGF2α value involved in PGE2 metabolism in patients with coronary artery stenosis and restenosis. Moreover, the effects of miR-520, miR-1297 and miR-34 were studied on the gene expression levels. A total of sixty subjects referred for coronary angiography including healthy controls (stenosis <5%), subjects with stent no restenosis) SNR, stenosis <5%) and subjects in stent restenosis (ISR, restenosis >70%) were participated in the study. The gene expression levels and the serum 13,14-dihyro-15-keto- PGF2α value were measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA techniques, respectively. Moreover, the effects of miRNAs on the gene expression levels were investigated by the monocyte transfection of miR/PEI complexes. The PTGES and 15-PGDH gene expression levels and serum 13,14-dihyro-15-keto- PGF2α value increased significantly (P <0.05). Based on the miR-520 and miR-34 expression levels, the miR/PEI transfection studies were confirmed significantly the gene expression changes. The monocyte PGE2 synthesis pathway is actively considered in the SNR and ISR patients and might be related to miR-34 and miR-520 functions.

CyclinD1 Is a New Target Gene of Tumor Suppressor MiR-520e in Breast Cancer

Objective

To investigate the involvement of miR-520e in the modulation of cancer-promoting cyclinD1 in breast cancer.

Methods

A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to test the regulation of miR-520e on cyclinD1. The binding of miR-520e to 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of cyclinD1 mRNA was predicted by an online bioinformatics website. The effect of miR-520e on the luciferase reporters with binding sites of miR-520e and 3'UTR of cyclinD1 mRNA was revealed using a luciferase reporter gene assay. The correlation between miR-520e and cyclinD1 in clinical breast cancer samples was detected through quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

The expression of cyclinD1 was gradually reduced as the dose of miR-520e increased. Anti-miR-520e obviously induced cyclinD1 in breast cancer cells. After anti-miR-520e was introduced into the cells, the inhibition of cyclinD1 expression mediated by miR-520e was reversed. The binding of miR-520e with cyclinD1 was revealed via bioinformatics. Under the treatment of dose-increasing miR-520e or anti-miR-520e, the luciferase activities of cyclinD1 3'UTR vector were lower or higher by degrees. However, the activity of the mutant vector was not affected at all. Finally, in clinical breast cancer tissues the negative correlation of miR-520e with cyclinD1 was revealed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cyclinD1 is a new target of miR-520e in breast cancer.

Comprehensive analysis of non-small-cell lung cancer microarray datasets identifies several prognostic biomarkers

Aim: To find accurate and effective biomarkers for diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Materials & methods: We downloaded microarray datasets GSE19188, GSE33532, GSE101929 and GSE102286 from the database of Gene Expression Omnibus. We screened out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DEMs) with GEO2R. We also performed analyses for the enrichment of DEGs' and DEMs' function and pathway by several tools including database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery, protein-protein interaction and Kaplan-Meier-plotter. Results: Total 913 DEGs were screened out, among which ten hub genes were discovered. All the hub genes were linked to the worsening overall survival of the NSCLC patients. Besides, 98 DEMs were screened out. MiR-9 and miR-520e were the most significantly regulated miRNAs. Conclusion: Our results could provide potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.

Genetic and epigenetic characteristics in ovarian tissues from polycystic ovary syndrome patients with irregular menstruation resemble those of ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Irregular menstruation is clinically associated with an increased risk for ovarian cancer and disease-related mortality. This relationship remains poorly understood, and a mechanism explaining it has yet to be described.

METHODS

Ovarian tissues from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and regular menstruation (n = 10) or irregular menstruation (n = 10) were subjected to DNA methylation sequencing, real-time PCR array, whole-exome sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that ovarian tissue from PCOS patients with irregular menstruation displayed global DNA hypomethylation, as well as hypomethylation at several functionally and oncologically significant regions. Furthermore, we showed that several cancer-related genes were aberrantly expressed in ovarian tissue from patients with irregular menstruation, and that their mRNA and microRNA profiles shared appreciable levels of coincidence with those from ovarian cancer tissue. We identified multiple point mutations in both the BRCA1 and MLH1 genes in patients with irregular menstruation, and predicted the potential pathogenicity of these mutations using bioinformatics analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the nature of ovarian cancer, it is important to broaden our understanding of the pathogenesis and risk factors of the disease. Herein, we provide the first description of a genetic and epigenetic basis for the clinical relationship between irregular menstruation and an increased risk for ovarian cancer.

In Systemic Sclerosis, a Unique Long Non Coding RNA Regulates Genes and Pathways Involved in the Three Main Features of the Disease (Vasculopathy, Fibrosis and Autoimmunity) and in Carcinogenesis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by three main features: vasculopathy, immune system dysregulation and fibrosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and a comprehensive analysis of lncRNAs expression in SSc is still lacking. We profiled 542,500 transcripts in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 20 SSc patients and 20 healthy donors using Clariom D arrays, confirming the results by Reverse Transcription Polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR). A total of 837 coding-genes were modulated in SSc patients, whereas only one lncRNA, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U processed transcript (ncRNA00201), was significantly downregulated. This transcript regulates tumor proliferation and its gene target hnRNPC (Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins C) encodes for a SSc-associated auto-antigen. NcRNA00201 targeted micro RNAs (miRNAs) regulating the most highly connected genes in the Protein-Protein interaction (PPI) network of the SSc transcriptome. A total of 26 of these miRNAs targeted genes involved in pathways connected to the three main features of SSc and to cancer development including Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, ErbB1 downstream, Sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1), Activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1), Endothelins, Ras homolog family member A (RhoA), Class I Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1), Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor, Myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) pathways. In SSc, the identification of a unique deregulated lncRNA that regulates genes involved in the three main features of the disease and in tumor-associated pathways, provides insight in disease pathogenesis and opens avenues for the design of novel therapeutic strategies.

miRNA expression profiling in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded endometriosis and ovarian cancer samples

Endometriosis is an inflammatory pathology associated with a negative effect on life quality. Recently, this pathology was connected to ovarian cancer, in particular with endometrioid ovarian cancer. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of RNA transcripts ~19–22 nucleotides in length, the altered miRNA pattern being connected to pathological status. miRNAs are highly stable transcripts, and these can be assessed from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples leading to the identification of miRNAs that could be developed as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, in particular those involved in malignant transformation. The aim of our study was to evaluate miRNA expression pattern in FFPE samples from endometriosis and ovarian cancer patients using PCR-array technology and also to compare the differential expression pattern in ovarian cancer versus endometriosis. For the PCR-array study, we have used nine macrodissected FFPE samples from endometriosis tissue, eight samples of ovarian cancers and five normal ovarian tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used for data validation in a new patient cohort of 17 normal samples, 33 endometriosis samples and 28 ovarian cancer macrodissected FFPE samples. Considering 1.5-fold expression difference as a cut-off level and a P-value <0.05, we have identified four miRNAs being overexpressed in endometrial tissue, while in ovarian cancer 15 were differentially expressed (nine overexpressed and six downregulated). The expression level was confirmed by qRT-PCR for miR-93, miR-141, miR-155, miR-429, miR-200c, miR-205 and miR-492. Using the interpretative program Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed several deregulated pathways due to abnormal miRNA expression in endometriosis and ovarian cancer, which in turn is responsible for pathogenesis; this differential expression of miRNAs can be exploited as a therapeutic target. A higher number of altered miRNAs were detected in endometriosis versus ovarian cancer tissue, most of them being linked with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

MiR-107 inhibits proliferation of lung cancer cells through regulating TP53 regulated inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (TRIAP1)

Aims

Accumulating evidence indicates that aberrant expression of miR-107 plays a crucial role in cancers. This study aims to display the function of miR-107 and its novel target genes in the progression of lung cancer.

Methods and Material

MiR-107 or miR-107 inhibitor was transfected into lung cancer cells A549. The levels of miR-107 and TP53 regulated inhibition of apoptosis 1 (TRIAP1) were examined by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and Western Blot. Functionally, MTT and colony formation assays were carried out to test the effect of miR-107 inhibitor and/or small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting TRIAP1 mRNA on proliferation of lung cancer cells. Levels of miR-107 or TRIAP1 were detected in clinical lung cancer samples by using qRT-PCR analysis.

Results

QRT-PCR analysis revealed that miR-107 inhibitor or miR-107 was successfully transfected into A549 cells. Western Blot indicated that miR-107 decreased the expression of TRIAP1 protein in the cells. In contrast, miR-107 inhibitor augmented the levels of TRIAP1 protein. Functionally, miR-107 inhibitor remarkably suppressed A549 cell proliferation, whereas, TRIAP1 siRNAs could abrogate the miR-107 inhibitor-induced proliferation of cells. Then, we validated that TRIAP1 was increased in clinical lung cancer samples. MiR-107 expression was negatively related to TRIAP1 expression in clinical lung cancer samples.

Conclusions

MiR-107 suppresses cell proliferation by targeting TRIAP1 in lung cancer. Our finding allows new insights into the mechanisms of lung cancer that is mediated by miR-107.

MicroRNA-520e suppresses non-small-cell lung cancer cell growth by targeting Zbtb7a-mediated Wnt signaling pathway

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that negatively regulated gene expression have emerged as novel therapeutic target for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. In this study, we investigated the potential role of miR-520e and examined its functional role in NSCLCs. Loss-and-gain of function assays show that miR-520e significantly modulated NSCLC cell growth, cell invasion and cell migration via directly targeting the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of Zbtb7a and therefore reduced Zbtb7a protein level. These effects of miR-520e on NSCLC progression could be rescued by Zbtb7a overexpression in A549 cells. Furthermore, both of miR-520e level and Zbtb7a level were correlated with Wnt signaling in NSCLC cells. Taken together, these results indicate that overexpressing miR-520e is involved in regulating the NSCLC cell growth, invasion and migration by targeting Zbtb7a partly depending on Wnt signaling.