MicroRNA-548ac induces apoptosis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting transmembrane protein 158

Repression of developmental transcription factor networks triggers aging-associated gene expression in human glial progenitor cells

Human glial progenitor cells (hGPCs) exhibit diminished expansion competence with age, as well as after recurrent demyelination. Using RNA-sequencing to compare the gene expression of fetal and adult hGPCs, we identify age-related changes in transcription consistent with the repression of genes enabling mitotic expansion, concurrent with the onset of aging-associated transcriptional programs. Adult hGPCs develop a repressive transcription factor network centered on MYC, and regulated by ZNF274, MAX, IKZF3, and E2F6. Individual over-expression of these factors in iPSC-derived hGPCs lead to a loss of proliferative gene expression and an induction of mitotic senescence, replicating the transcriptional changes incurred during glial aging. miRNA profiling identifies the appearance of an adult-selective miRNA signature, imposing further constraints on the expansion competence of aged GPCs. hGPC aging is thus associated with acquisition of a MYC-repressive environment, suggesting that suppression of these repressors of glial expansion may permit the rejuvenation of aged hGPCs.

The transmembrane proteins (TMEM) and their role in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer

Transmembrane proteins (TMEM) are located in the different biological membranes of the cell and have at least one passage through these cellular compartments. TMEM proteins carry out a wide variety of functions necessary to maintain cell homeostasis TMEM165 participates in glycosylation protein, TMEM88 in the development of cardiomyocytes, TMEM45A in epidermal keratinization, and TMEM74 regulating autophagy. However, for many TMEM proteins, their physiological function remains unknown. The role of these proteins is being recently investigated in cancer since transcriptomic and proteomic studies have revealed that exits differential expression of TMEM proteins in different neoplasms concerning cancer-free tissues. Among the cellular processes in which TMEM proteins have been involved in cancer are the promotion or suppression of cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, migration, intravasation/extravasation, metastasis, modulation of the immune response, and response to antineoplastic drugs. Inclusive data suggests that the participation of TMEM proteins in these cellular events could be carried out through involvement in different cell signaling pathways. However, the exact mechanisms not clear. This review shows a description of the involvement of TMEM proteins that promote or decrease cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in cancer cells, describes those TMEM proteins for which both a tumor suppressor and a tumor promoter role have been identified, depending on the type of cancer in which the protein is expressed. As well as some TMEM proteins involved in chemoresistance. A better characterization of these proteins is required to improve the understanding of the tumors in which their expression and function are altered; in addition to improving the understanding of the role of these proteins in cancer will show those TMEM proteins be potential candidates as biomarkers of response to chemotherapy or prognostic biomarkers or as potential therapeutic targets in cancer.

TMEM158 expression is negatively regulated by AR signaling and associated with favorite survival outcomes in prostate cancers

BACKGROUND

Membrane protein TMEM158 was initially reported as a Ras-induced gene during senescence and has been implicated as either an oncogenic factor or tumor suppressor, depending on tumor types. It is unknown if TMEM158 expression is altered in prostate cancers.

METHODS

Multiple public gene expression datasets from RNA-seq and cDNA microarray assays were utilized to analyze candidate gene expression profiles. TMEM158 protein expression was assessed using an immunohistochemistry approach on a tissue section array from benign and malignant prostate tissues. Comparisons of gene expression profiles were conducted using the bioinformatics software R package.

RESULTS

COX regression-based screening identified the membrane protein TMEM158 gene as negatively associated with disease-specific and progression-free survival in prostate cancer patients. Gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels revealed that TMEM158 expression was significantly reduced in malignant tissues compared to benign compartments. Meanwhile, TMEM158 downregulation was strongly correlated with advanced clinicopathological features, including late-stage diseases, lymph node invasion, higher PSA levels, residual tumors after surgery, and adverse Gleason scores. In castration-resistant prostate cancers, TMEM158 expression was negatively correlated with AR signaling activity but positively correlated with neuroendocrinal progression index. Consistently, in cell culture models, androgen treatment reduced TMEM158 expression, while androgen deprivation led to upregulation of TMEM158 expression. Correlation analysis showed a tight correlation of TMEM158 expression with the level of R-Ras gene expression, which was also significantly downregulated in prostate cancers. Tumor immune infiltration profiling analysis discovered a strong association of TMEM158 expression with NK cell and Mast cell enrichment.

CONCLUSION

The membrane protein TMEM158 is significantly downregulated in prostate cancer and is tightly associated with disease progression, anti-tumor immune infiltration, and patient survival outcome.

Downregulation of hsa-miR-548d-3p and overexpression of HOXA9 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients and the risk of R-CHOP chemotherapy resistance and disease progression

INTRODUCTION

Routine categorization of DLBCL patients into GCB and non-GCB groups by Hans' criteria could not accurately predict chemotherapy resistance and disease progression in patients treated with standard R-CHOP therapy. There is a need to identify better biomarker predictors to enhance assisted selection of chemotherapy regimens for DLBCL patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To identify dysregulated miRNAs and mRNAs that are predictive of resistance to R-CHOP chemotherapy or disease progression in patients with DLBCL.

METHODS

miRNA and mRNA profiling were performed on archival FFPE samples of the DLBCL patients. miRabel and miRNet bioinformatic tools were applied to determine experimental validated miRNA-mRNA target interaction. The significance of the genomic predictive values was assessed using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

19/36 were R-CHOP therapy-resistant whilst 17/36 were R-CHOP therapy-sensitive. Ten dysregulated miRNAs and 12 dysregulated mRNAs were identified in therapy-resistant DLBCL patients. These dysregulated miRNAs and mRNA cause therapy resistance and disease progression in DLBCL patients, most likely via upregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl2, activation of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway and dysregulation of p53 pathway. Downregulation of hsa-miR-548d-3p and overexpression of HOXA9 mRNA were significantly associated with therapy resistance and disease progression in DLBCL patients [hsa-miR-548d-3p AOR: 0.258, 95%CI: 0.097-0.684, p = 0.006].

CONCLUSION

DLBCL patients with downregulation of hsa-miR-548d-3p and overexpression of HOXA9 mRNA are more likely to experience R-CHOP therapy resistance and disease progression.

MicroRNA548ac expression level in relation to BDCAF scored Behçet’s disease activity and history of treatment response

Background

Behçet’s disease gives a challenge to be diagnosed and followed up due to lack of specific biomarkers. MicroRNAs showed relations to different disease states including immunological and inflammatory illnesses. In this study, we are estimating microRNA548ac levels for the first time to be tested in the disease to see if there is a link to disease activity and if microRNA548ac can be used as a biomarker for activity or remission and prognosis of Behçet’s disease. MicroRNA548ac has been shown to have a role in autoimmunity and some inflammatory conditions. Blood samples were taken from patients to measure white blood cells expression of microRNA548ac, and compared to its expression in healthy subjects, disease activity was assessed by usage of Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF).

Results

MicroRNA548ac expression decreased but not significantly with increased Behçet’s disease activity, and expression was having a significant positive correlation with increased treatment response history.

Conclusions

MicroRNA548ac appeared not to be related to disease activity which needs confirmation in further studies, but it may predict response to treatment so that patients having higher expression of microRNA548ac may have a better response to treatment. Here, microRNA548ac could be used as a disease biomarker for disease prognosis.