Effect of let-7c on the PI3K/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu Capsule regulates the macrophage polarization and inflammatory response via the let-7i/TLR9/MyD88 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu Capsule (ZL) is clinically prescribed for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, only a few studies have addressed the mechanisms of ZL in treating AIS.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the underlying mechanism of macrophage polarization and inflammation mediated by ZL, and to provide a reference for AIS treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen SD rats were fed with different dose of ZL (0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 g/kg/d) for 4 days to prepare ZL serum. After 500 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, RAW264.7 cells were administrated with ZL serum. Then, experiments including ELISA, flow cytometry, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were performed to verify the effects of ZL on macrophage polarization and inflammation. Next, let-7i inhibitor was transfected in RAW264.7 cells when treated with LPS and ZL serum to verify the regulation of ZL on the let-7i/TLR9/MyD88 signaling pathway. Moreover, the interaction between let-7i and TLR9 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase assay.

RESULTS

ZL serum significantly decreased the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increased the expression of IL-10 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) of LPS stimulated-macrophages. Furthermore, ZL serum polarized macrophages toward M2, decreased the expressions of TLR9, MyD88, and iNOS, as well as increased the expressions of let-7i, CHIL3, and Arginase-1. It is worth mentioning that the effect of ZL serum is dose-dependent. However, let-7i inhibitor restored all the above effects in LPS stimulated-macrophages. In addition, TLR9 was the target of let-7i.

CONCLUSIONS

ZL targeted let-7i to inhibit TLR9 expression, thereby inhibiting the activation of the TLR9/MyD88 pathway, promoting the M2 polarization, and inhibiting the development of inflammation in AIS.

Investigating the mechanism of tricyclic decyl benzoxazole -induced apoptosis in liver Cancer cells through p300-mediated FOXO3 activation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether tricyclic decylbenzoxazole (TDB) regulates liver cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis through p300-mediated FOXO acetylation.

METHODS

Sequencing, adenovirus, and lentivirus transfection were performed in human liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721 and apoptosis was detected by Tunel, Hoechst, and flow cytometry. TEM for mitochondrial morphology, MTT for cell proliferation ability, Western blot, and PCR were used to detect protein levels and mRNA changes.

RESULTS

Sequencing analysis and cell experiments confirmed that TDB can promote the up-regulation of FOXO3 expression. TDB induced FOXO3 up-regulation in a dose-dependent manner, promoted the expression of p300 and Bim, and enhanced the acetylation and dephosphorylation of FOXO3, thus promoting apoptosis. p300 promotes apoptosis of cancer cells through Bim and other proteins, while HAT enhances the phosphorylation of FOXO3 and inhibits apoptosis. Overexpression of FOXO3 can increase the expression of exo-apoptotic pathways (FasL, TRAIL), endo-apoptotic pathways (Bim), and acetylation at the protein level and inhibit cell proliferation and apoptotic ability, while FOXO3 silencing or p300 mutation can partially reverse apoptosis. In tumor tissues with overexpression of FOXO3, TDB intervention can further increase the expression of p53 and caspase-9 proteins in tumor cells, resulting in loss of mitochondrial membrane integrity during apoptosis, the release of cytoplasm during signal transduction, activation of caspase-9 and synergistic inhibition of growth.

CONCLUSION

TDB induces proliferation inhibition and promotes apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells by activating p300-mediated FOXO3 acetylation.

Propofol regulates the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via the POLR2L/TGF-β signaling pathway

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Propofol has been reported to modulate tumorigenesis in HCC; the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the interaction of propofol with POLR2L on HCC tumor progression in HCC.

Methods

The propofol-related GSE101724 dataset was analyzed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to identify overlapping genes. Key genes were selected from The Cancer Genome Atlas-liver hepatocellular carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC)-DEGs for prognostic analysis. The impact of POLR2L on LIHC patient survival was assessed, followed by in vitro experiments to validated its effects on HCC cell behavior and signaling pathways.

Results

Fourteen overlapping genes were identified in the turquoise module (highest correlation) of up-regulated DEGs and GSE101724. Further analysis obtained 11 key overlapping genes from 14 overlapping genes and TCGA-LIHC-DEGs, among which HSPE1 and POLR2L showed significant prognostic correlation. Patients with LIHC have a worse chance of surviving when their POLR2L expression is elevated. Knockdown POLR2L significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCC cell lines. Downregulation of POLR2L was accompanied by induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and modulation of the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Propofol was found to downregulate POLR2L expression, inhibiting cell proliferation and growth. Further, it was shown that propofol controlled the development of HCC by influencing the POLR2L/TGF-β signaling loop.

Conclusions

The results validated the predictive relevance of POLR2L in HCC and emphasized that propofol can regulate HCC progression through the POLR2L/TGF-β signaling pathway.

Pan-Cancer Analysis of ART1 and its Potential Value in Gastric Cancer

Objective: To comprehensively explore the impact of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression on both prognosis and the intricate landscape of the tumor immune microenvironment across diverse cancer types, our study seeks to delve into the multifaceted interplay between Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression levels and their implications for clinical outcomes and the dynamic milieu of immune responses within tumors. Methods: Genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical datasets spanning diverse cancer types were meticulously curated from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotypic Tissue Expression repositories. Initially, our inquiry focused on discerning the prognostic significance and immunological implications of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression across this heterogeneous spectrum of malignancies. Subsequently, we scrutinized the relationships between Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression levels and a spectrum of factors including RNA modification genes, genetic mutations, and the emergent concept of tumor stemness. Employing functional enrichment analyses, we endeavored to unravel the underlying mechanistic pathways modulated by Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1. Leveraging Bayesian co-localization analysis, we sought to discern the spatial convergence of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression particularly within the context of digestive tract tumors. Lastly, to corroborate our findings, we conducted in vitro experiments, specifically focusing on Gastric Cancer, thus corroborating the putative oncogenic role attributed to Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 in this malignancy. Results: Across diverse tumor types, Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression exhibits distinctive patterns compared to normal and adjacent tissues, thereby intertwining with the prognostic outcomes of numerous cancer patients. Noteworthy findings from our immune role identification underscore the pivotal involvement of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 in the landscape of tumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis elucidates the enrichment of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1-associated genes predominantly within the NF-kB, Foxo, and PI3K-Akt signaling cascades, shedding light on potential mechanistic pathways underlying its influence. Bayesian co-localization analysis unveils a compelling genetic correlation between Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 and digestive tract tumors, accentuating its relevance within this specific oncological domain. Importantly, experimental validation attests to the therapeutic promise of targeting Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 in the treatment paradigm of gastric cancer, thereby underscoring its potential as a viable therapeutic target deserving of further exploration and clinical translation. Conclusion: This comprehensive pan-cancer analysis unveils crucial insights into the intricate role played by Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 in the tumorigenesis of diverse malignancies, thereby establishing a robust theoretical framework for subsequent in-depth investigations. Leveraging these insights, targeting Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1-related signaling pathways within the dynamic tumor microenvironment emerges as a promising avenue for novel therapeutic interventions in the realm of tumor immunotherapy. By delineating the interplay between Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression and tumorigenic processes across various cancer types, this study paves the way for innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting oncogenic signaling cascades and bolstering immune-mediated antitumor responses.

MicroRNA let-7c-5p Alleviates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2: A Study Intersecting Bioinformatic Analysis and Validated Experiments

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)gene has a prognostic role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to identify the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) let-7c-5p by targeting EZH2 in HCC. We downloaded gene and miRNA RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differences in EZH2 expression between different groups were analyzed and the association of EZH2 expression with HCC prognosis was detected using Cox regression analysis. The miRNA-EZH2-pathway network was constructed. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to detect the hsa-let-7c-5p-EZH2. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8, Wound healing, Transwell, and Flow cytometry, respectively. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of let-7c-5p and EZH2. EZH2 was upregulated in HCC tumors (P < 0.0001). Cox regression analysis showed that TCGA HCC patients with high EZH2 expression levels showed a short survival time [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.677, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.316-2.137; P < 0.0001]. Seven miRNAs were negatively correlated with EZH2 expression and were significantly downregulated in HCC tumor samples (P < 0.0001), in which hsa-let-7c-5p was associated with prognosis in HCC (HR = 0.849 95% CI 0.739-0.975; P = 0.021). We identified 14 immune cells that showed significant differences in EZH2 high- and low-expression groups. Additionally, let-7c-5p inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and reversed the promoted effects of EZH2 on HCC cell malignant characteristics. hsa-let-7c-5p-EZH2 significantly suppressed HCC malignant characteristics, which can be used for HCC prognosis.

Integrin β4 promotes DNA damage-related drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer via TNFAIP2/IQGAP1/RAC1

Anti-tumor drug resistance is a challenge for human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment. Our previous work demonstrated that TNFAIP2 activates RAC1 to promote TNBC cell proliferation and migration. However, the mechanism by which TNFAIP2 activates RAC1 is unknown. In this study, we found that TNFAIP2 interacts with IQGAP1 and Integrin β4. Integrin β4 activates RAC1 through TNFAIP2 and IQGAP1 and confers DNA damage-related drug resistance in TNBC. These results indicate that the Integrin β4/TNFAIP2/IQGAP1/RAC1 axis provides potential therapeutic targets to overcome DNA damage-related drug resistance in TNBC.

Molecular subtypes and scoring tools related to Foxo signaling pathway for assessing hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis and treatment responsiveness

Background: Transcription factors in Foxo signaling pathway influence hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through epithelial mesenchymal transition-related pathways. Prognostic factors in the Foxo signaling pathway are feasible for HCC prognosis and therapeutic management. Methods: Based on the differentially expressed genes and Foxo signaling pathway genes in HCC, the ConsensusClusterPlus package was conducted to identify Foxo signaling pathway-related molecular subtypes in HCC. Based on the DEGs in the FMSs, the optimal prognostic factors in HCC were screened by cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) cox analysis to form the Foxo prognosis score (FPS). The prognostic predictive effectiveness of FPS was assessed by Kaplan Meier (K-M) analysis and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Additionally, tumor microenvironment (TME) score, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and treatment sensitivity differences in FMSs and FPS groups were also evaluated. Results: There were low, medium and high Foxo signaling pathway activity molecular subtypes in HCC named FMS 1, FMS 2 and FMS 3, respectively. FMS 1 with lowest Foxo signaling pathway activity presented an excellent survival advantage, while FMS 3 with highest Foxo signaling pathway activity exhibited an inhibitory TME status. According to FPS grouping, low FPS exhibited favorable survival, low TMB and anti-tumor activity. Patients in the low FPS group were mostly in the early stage of cancer. Moreover, we found that patients with high and low FPS exhibited different sensitivity to chemotherapy, and patients with low FPS were more sensitive to immunotherapy. Conclusion: We revealed a novel molecular subtype and prognostic tool based on Foxo signaling pathway signature, which could potentially provide a direction for accurate and effective assessment of potential personalized treatment options and prognostic management for HCC patients.

Research progress of circulating non-coding RNA in diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor that carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. This type of cancer is prevalent in Asia due to the widespread presence of risk factors. Unfortunately, HCC often goes undetected until it has reached an advanced stage, making early detection and treatment critical for better outcomes. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is commonly used in clinical practice for diagnosing HCC, but its sensitivity and specificity are limited. While surgery and liver transplantation are the main radical treatments, drug therapy and local interventions are better options for patients with advanced HCC. Accurately assessing treatment efficacy and adjusting plans in a timely manner can significantly improve the prognosis of HCC. Non-coding RNA gene transcription products cannot participate in protein production, but they can regulate gene expression and protein function through the regulation of transcription and translation processes. These non-coding RNAs have been found to be associated with tumor development in various types of tumors. Noncoding RNA released by tumor or blood cells can circulate in the blood and serve as a biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and efficacy assessment. This article explores the unique role of circulating noncoding RNA in HCC from various perspectives.

Molecular and biochemical investigations of the anti-fatigue effects of tea polyphenols and fruit extracts of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. on mice with exercise-induced fatigue

Background: The molecular mechanisms regulating the therapeutic effects of plant-based ingredients on the exercise-induced fatigue (EIF) remain unclear. The therapeutic effects of both tea polyphenols (TP) and fruit extracts of Lycium ruthenicum (LR) on mouse model of EIF were investigated. Methods: The variations in the fatigue-related biochemical factors, i.e., lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), in mouse models of EIF treated with TP and LR were determined. The microRNAs involved in the therapeutic effects of TP and LR on the treatment of mice with EIF were identified using the next-generation sequencing technology. Results: Our results revealed that both TP and LR showed evident anti-inflammatory effect and reduced oxidative stress. In comparison with the control groups, the contents of LDH, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-2 were significantly decreased and the contents of SOD were significantly increased in the experimental groups treated with either TP or LR. A total of 23 microRNAs (21 upregulated and 2 downregulated) identified for the first time by the high-throughput RNA sequencing were involved in the molecular response to EIF in mice treated with TP and LR. The regulatory functions of these microRNAs in the pathogenesis of EIF in mice were further explored based on Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses with a total of over 20,000-30,000 target genes annotated and 44 metabolic pathways enriched in the experimental groups based on GO and KEGG databases, respectively. Conclusion: Our study revealed the therapeutic effects of TP and LR and identified the microRNAs involved in the molecular mechanisms regulating the EIF in mice, providing strong experimental evidence to support further agricultural development of LR as well as the investigations and applications of TP and LR in the treatment of EIF in humans, including the professional athletes.

Let-7c-5p Represses Cisplatin Resistance of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells by Targeting CDC25A

Cisplatin broadly functions as a routine treatment for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. However, primary and acquired cisplatin resistances frequently occur in the treatment of LUAD patients, seriously affecting the therapeutic effect of cisplatin in patients. We intended to illustrate the impact of let-7c-5p/cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A) axis on cisplatin resistance in LUAD. Expression of let-7c-5p and CDC25A was analyzed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The interaction between the two was verified by dual-luciferase reporter detection. For detecting half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of cisplatin in LUAD cells and cell proliferation, we separately applied Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. Furthermore, we measured cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution via flow cytometry, as well as cell cycle-related protein expression via Western blot. Let-7c-5p was evidently downregulated in LUAD, while CDC25A was remarkably upregulated. Let-7c-5p upregulation arrested LUAD cells to proliferate, stimulated cell apoptosis, and arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, thus enhancing sensitivity of LUAD cells to cisplatin. In terms of mechanism, CDC25A was directly targeted by let-7c-5p, and the influence of let-7c-5p overexpression on LUAD proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and cisplatin resistance could be reversed by CDC25A upregulation. Let-7c-5p improved sensitivity of LUAD cells to cisplatin by modulating CDC25A, and let-7c-5p/CDC25A axis was an underlying target for the intervention of LUAD cisplatin resistance.

Genomic landscape of Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using next-generation sequencing and its association with the prognosis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not entirely clear at present. This study comprehensively described the landscape of genetic aberrations in Chinese HCC patients using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and investigated the association of genetic aberrations with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinicopathological data of 78 HCC patients undergoing surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The genomic DNA extracted from tumor samples was detected using a NGS-based gene panel.

RESULTS

Mutations in TP53 (55%), TERT (37%), MUC16 (29%) and CTNNB1 (27%) were most common in HCC. The co-occurrences between frequently mutated genes occurring ≥10% were relatively common in HCC. Forty-eight (61.5%) cases harbored DNA damage repair gene mutations, mainly including PRKDC (11.5%), SLX4 (9.0%), ATM (7.7%), MSH6 (7.7%), and PTEN (6.4%), and 39 (50.0%) patients had at least one actionable mutation. FH amplification (odds ratio: 3.752, 95% confidence interval: 1.170-12.028, p=0.026) and RB1 mutations (odds ratio: 13.185, 95% confidence interval: 1.214-143.198, p=0.034) were identified as the independent risk factors for early postoperative recurrence in HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides a novel insight into the genomic profiling of Chinese HCC patients. FH amplification and RB1 mutations may be associated with an increased risk of early postoperative recurrence in HCC.

TP53I13 promotes metastasis in glioma via macrophages, neutrophils, and fibroblasts and is a potential prognostic biomarker

Background

TP53I13 is a protein coding tumor suppression gene encoded by the tumor protein p53. Overexpression of TP53I13 impedes tumor cell proliferation. Nevertheless, TP53I13 role and expression in the emergence and progression of glioma (low-grade glioma and glioblastoma) are yet to be identified. Thus, we aim to use comprehensive bioinformatics analyses to investigate TP53I13 and its prognostic value in gliomas.

Methods

Multiple databases were consulted to evaluate and assess the expression of TP53I13, such as the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), GeneMANIA, and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive. TP53I13 expression was further explored using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC). Through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), the biological functions of TP53I13 and metastatic processes associated with it were studied.

Results

The expression of TP53I13 was higher in tumor samples compared to normal samples. In samples retrieved from the TCGA and CGGA databases, high TP53I13 expression was associated with poor survival outcomes. The analysis of multivariate Cox showed that TP53I13 might be an independent prognostic marker of glioma. It was also found that increased expression of TP53I13 was significantly correlated with PRS type, status, 1p/19q codeletion status, IDH mutation status, chemotherapy, age, and tumor grade. According to CIBERSORT (Cell-type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcript), the expression of TP53I13 correlates with macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. GSEA shows a close correlation between TP53I13 and p53 signaling pathways, DNA replication, and the pentose phosphate pathway.

Conclusion

Our results reveal a close correlation between TP53I13 and gliomas. Further, TP53I13 expression could affect the survival outcomes in glioma patients. In addition, TP53I13 was an independent marker that was crucial in regulating the infiltration of immune cells into tumors. As a result of these findings, TP53I13 might represent a new biomarker of immune infiltration and prognosis in patients with gliomas.

Investigation of Anti-Liver Cancer Activity of the Herbal Drug FDY003 Using Network Pharmacology

Globally, liver cancer (LC) is the sixth-most frequently occurring and the second-most fatal malignancy, responsible for 0.83 million deaths annually. Although the application of herbal drugs in cancer therapies has increased, their anti-LC activity and relevant mechanisms have not been fully studied from a systems perspective. To address these issues, we conducted a system-perspective network pharmacological investigation into the activity and mechanisms underlying the action of the herbal drug. FDY003 reduced the viability of human LC treatment. FDY003 reduced the viability of human LC cells and elevated their chemosensitivity. There were a total of 16 potential bioactive chemical components in FDY003 and they had 91 corresponding targets responsible for the pathological processes in LC. These FDY003 targets were functionally involved in regulating the survival, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of LC cells. Additionally, we found that FDY003 may target key signaling cascades connected to diverse LC pathological mechanisms, namely, PI3K-Akt, focal adhesion, IL-17, FoxO, MAPK, and TNF pathways. Overall, this study contributed to integrative mechanistic insights into the anti-LC potential of FDY003.

Curcumin Sensitises Cancerous Kidney Cells to TRAIL Induced Apoptosis via Let-7C Mediated Deregulation of Cell Cycle Proteins and Cellular Metabolism

Targeted therapies are the most attractive options in the treatment of different tumours, including kidney cancers. Such therapies have entered a golden era due to advancements in research, breakthroughs in scientific knowledge, and a better understanding of cancer therapy mechanisms, which significantly improve the survival rates and life expectancy of patients. The use of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) as an anticancer therapy has attracted the attention of the scientific community and created great excitement due to its selectivity in targeting cancerous cells with no toxic impacts on normal tissues. However, clinical studies disappointingly showed the emergence of resistance against TRAIL. This study aimed to employ curcumin to sensitise TRAIL-resistant kidney cancerous ACHN cells, as well as to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of TRAIL sensitization. Curcumin deregulated the expression of apoptosis-regulating micro Ribonucleic Acid (miRNAs), most notably, let-7C. Transfecting ACHN cells with a let-7C antagomir significantly increased the expression of several cell cycle protein, namely beta (β)-catenin, cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)1/2/4/6 and cyclin B/D. Further, it overexpressed the expression of the two key glycolysis regulating proteins including hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1). Curcumin also suppressed the expression of the overexpressed proteins when added to the antagomir transfected cells. Overall, curcumin targeted ACHN cell cycle and cellular metabolism by promoting the differential expression of let-7C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to mechanistically report the cancer chemosensitisation potential of curcumin in kidney cancer cells via induction of let-7C.

The FOXO family of transcription factors: key molecular players in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death with an oncological origin. Despite its decline in incidence and mortality in recent years, GC remains a global public problem that seriously threatens patients' health and lives. The forkhead box O proteins (FOXOs) are a family of evolutionarily conserved transcription factors (TFs) with crucial roles in cell fate decisions. In mammals, the FOXO family consists of four members FOXO1, 3a, 4, and 6. FOXOs play crucial roles in a variety of biological processes, such as development, metabolism, and stem cell maintenance, by regulating the expression of their target genes in space and time. An accumulating amount of evidence has shown that the dysregulation of FOXOs is involved in GC progression by affecting multiple cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, cell cycle progression, carcinogenesis, and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent findings on the regulatory mechanisms of FOXO family expression and activity and elucidate its roles in GC progression. Moreover, we also highlight the clinical implications of FOXOs in GC treatment.

Circulating microRNAs (miR-16, miR-22, miR-122) expression and early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose

Circulating microRNA (miRNA) has been reported to have diagnostic value in multiple tumors. To identify serum miRNAs for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we analyzed the differential miRNA expression between HCC patients and controls.

Methods

Real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was carried out to detect serum miR‐16, miR‐22, and miR‐122 expression in 100 HCC patients and 100 controls (including hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, liver metastases, hepatic hemangioma, health group, and each of them had 20 subjects). The miRNA expression results were combined with alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy in HCC through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. And the target genes were predicted through bioinformatics methods.

Results

Compared with controls, the expression of miR‐16 and miR‐122 significantly increased in early‐stage HCC patients, while no significant changes were detected in miR‐22. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that miR‐16 and miR‐122 had a high diagnostic efficacy (AUC 0.798 and 0.759), and it was improved when combined with AFP (AUC 0.862). When compared with each of the five groups in the controls, the results showed that miR‐16 of HCC was significantly higher than liver cirrhosis (AUC 0.936), liver metastases, and health; miR‐122 was significantly higher than liver metastases, hepatitis B, and health. Moreover, 175 and 101 potential target genes were regulated by miR‐16 and miR‐122, respectively. And most of the target genes were enriched in the PI3K, MAPK, FoxO signaling pathways, and pathways in cancer.

Conclusion

Our findings illustrate that both circulating miR‐16 and miR‐122 can provide value for early diagnosis of HCC and they are potential biomarkers for the early‐stage HCC.

Developmental venous anomalies are a genetic primer for cerebral cavernous malformations

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) are a neurovascular anomaly that may occur sporadically, or be inherited due to autosomal dominant mutations in KRIT1 , CCM2 , or PDCD10 . Individual lesions are caused by somatic mutations which have been identified in KRIT1, CCM2, PDCD10, MAP3K3, and PIK3CA . However, the interactions between mutations, and their relative contributions to sporadic versus familial cases remain unclear. We show that mutations in KRIT1, CCM2, PDCD10, and MAP3K3 are mutually exclusive, but may co-occur with mutations in PIK3CA. We also find that MAP3K3 mutations may cause sporadic, but not familial CCM. Furthermore, we find identical PIK3CA mutations in CCMs and adjacent developmental venous anomalies (DVA), a common vascular malformation frequently found in the vicinity of sporadic CCMs. However, somatic mutations in MAP3K3 are found only in the CCM. This suggests that sporadic CCMs are derived from cells of the DVA which have acquired an additional mutation in MAP3K3 .

Role of miR-498 Combined with CREB1 in Apoptosis and Invasion of Hepatoma Cell Line

Objective

To detect the expression levels of miR-498 in the hepatoma cells and to clarify the biological roles of miR-498 in hepatoma by investigating CREB1, which is the target of miR-498. This study provides a new biomarker for the early diagnosis and targeted therapies for hepatoma.

Methods

The expression of miR-498 between hepatoma cells and hepatocytes was detected by qRT-PCR. miR-498 was overexpressed in hepatoma cells, and then, flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell apoptosis rate. Cell migration and invasion ability were evaluated by Transwell migration assay and Matrigel invasion assay. The downstream targets of miR-498 were searched in the biological database or related software, and the result can be verified by luciferase reporter assay. The knockdown of the downstream target using RNA interference detected its biological functions in hepatoma cells and was confirmed by cotransfection experiments.

Results

miR-498 was downregulated in hepatoma cell lines compared with hepatocytes. The overexpression of miR-498 significantly promoted apoptosis. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-498 could target CREB1 3′UTR and CREB1 was one of the targets of miR-498. Knockdown of CREB1 also inhibited hepatoma cells' malignant potential and increased the apoptosis rate of hepatoma cells. CREB1 was able to alleviate the changes caused by miR-498 overexpression.

Conclusions

miR-498 is downregulated in hepatoma cell lines. Therefore, miR-498 can be one of the potential molecular markers for hepatoma diagnosis. miR-498 plays a role in tumor suppression through regulating CREB1.

Role of circulating microRNAs to predict hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in patients treated with radiofrequency ablation or surgery

BACKGROUND

Loco-regional treatments have improved the survival of patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but tumor relapse is a frequent event and survival rates remain low. Moreover, conflicting evidences address early HCC patients to surgery or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), with the clinical need to find predictive non-invasive biomarkers able to guide treatment choice and define patients survival.

METHODS

Two independent case series of treatment-naïve HCC patients treated with local RFA, and a cohort of 30 HCC patients treated with liver surgery were enrolled. On the basis of literature evidence, we customized a panel of 21 miRNAs correlated with relapse and prognosis after local curative treatment of HCC.

RESULTS

Expression levels of let-7c predict tumor relapse after RFA; we also investigated the same panel in a small cohort of HCC patients undergoing surgery, finding no statistically significance in predicting tumor relapse or survival. Moreover, interaction test indicated that let-7c expression levels are predictive for identifying a subset of patients that should be addressed to surgery.

CONCLUSION

Results from this study could predict prognosis of early HCC patients, helping to address early HCC patients to surgery or RFA treatment.

Advances in the application of Let-7 microRNAs in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of leukemia

The lethal-7 (Let-7) family of microRNAs (miRNAs) controls the process of development and differentiation, but is also related to the occurrence of tumors and a poor prognosis of patients with tumors. Thus, a more comprehensive exploration of its functions will provide further insights into these processes, and may promote the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Leukemia is a type of progressive malignant disease, and its pathogenesis involves a variety of epigenetic factors. Amongst the several related epigenetic factors, the Let-7 miRNAs are an important family of molecules that play a crucial role in maintaining a variety of critical biological processes, including development, differentiation and proliferation. In the present study, the role of Let-7 as a tumor suppressor gene and oncogene is reviewed, and the complex regulatory functions of several Let-7 family members in different subtypes of leukemia are described. The current body of knowledge thus far indicates that Let-7 is not only a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker of leukemia, but also a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of affected patients, with particular potential when targeted by adjuvant treatments alongside traditional treatment to improve their survival rate.

Application of Bioinformatics Analysis to Identify Important Pathways and Hub Genes in Ovarian Cancer Affected by WT1

Wilms tumor gene (WT1) is used as a marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms involving WT1 in ovarian cancer require further study. Herein, we used bioinformatics and other methods to identify important pathways and hub genes in ovarian cancer affected by WT1. The results showed that WT1 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer and is closely related to the overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) of ovarian cancer. In ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3, WT1 downregulation increased the mRNA expression of 638 genes and decreased the mRNA expression of 512 genes, which were enriched in the FoxO, AMPK, and the Hippo signaling pathways. The STRING online tool and Cytoscape software were used to construct a Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and for Module analysis, and 18 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected. Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis revealed that 16 of 18 genes were related to prognosis. Analysis of GEPIA datasets indicated that 7 of 16 genes were differentially expressed in ovarian cancer tissues and in normal tissues. The expression of IGFBP1 and FBN1 genes increased significantly after WT1 interference, while the expression of the SERPINA1 gene decreased significantly. The correlation between WT1 expression and that of these three genes was consistent with that of ovarian cancer tissues and normal tissues. According to the GeneMANIA online website analysis, there were complex interactions between WT1, IGFBP1, FBN1, SERPINA1, and 20 other genes. In conclusion, we have identified important signaling pathways involving WT1 that affect ovarian cancer, and distinguished three differentially expressed genes regulated by WT1 associated with the prognosis of ovarian cancer. Our findings provide evidence outlining mechanisms involving WT1 gene expression in ovarian cancer and provides a rational for novel treatment of ovarian cancer.

Construction on of a Ferroptosis-Related lncRNA-Based Model to Improve the Prognostic Evaluation of Gastric Cancer Patients Based on Bioinformatics

Background

Gastric cancer is one of the most serious gastrointestinal malignancies with bad prognosis. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, which may affect the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can affect the prognosis of cancer through regulating the ferroptosis process, which could be potential overall survival (OS) prediction factors for gastric cancer.

Methods

Ferroptosis-related lncRNA expression profiles and the clinicopathological and OS information were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the FerrDb database. The differentially expressed ferroptosis-related lncRNAs were screened with the DESeq2 method. Through co-expression analysis and functional annotation, we then identified the associations between ferroptosis-related lncRNAs and the OS rates for gastric cancer patients. Using Cox regression analysis with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm, we constructed a prognostic model based on 17 ferroptosis-related lncRNAs. We also evaluated the prognostic power of this model using Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival curve analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

A ferroptosis-related “lncRNA–mRNA” co-expression network was constructed. Functional annotation revealed that the FOXO and HIF-1 signaling pathways were dysregulated, which might control the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Then, a ferroptosis-related gastric cancer prognostic signature model including 17 lncRNAs was constructed. Based on the RiskScore calculated using this model, the patients were divided into a High-Risk group and a low-risk group. The K-M survival curve analysis revealed that the higher the RiskScore, the worse is the obtained prognosis. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of our model is 0.751, which was better than those of other published models. The multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that the lncRNA signature is an independent risk factor for the OS rates. Finally, using nomogram and DCA, we also observed a preferable clinical practicality potential for prognosis prediction of gastric cancer patients.

Conclusion

Our prognostic signature model based on 17 ferroptosis-related lncRNAs may improve the overall survival prediction in gastric cancer.