Comprehensive analysis of lncRNA-associated ceRNA network reveals the novel potential of lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA biomarkers in human rectosigmoid junction cancer

Long non-coding RNAs in cancer: multifaceted roles and potential targets for immunotherapy

Cancer remains a major global health concern with high mortality rates mainly due to late diagnosis and poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of gene expression in human cancer, functioning through various mechanisms including as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and indirectly regulating miRNA expression. LncRNAs have been found to have both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles in cancer, with the former promoting cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and poor prognosis. Recent research has shown that lncRNAs are expressed in various immune cells and are involved in cancer cell immune escape and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment, thus highlighting their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy. Targeting lncRNAs in cancer or immune cells could enhance the anti-tumor immune response and improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes. However, further research is required to fully understand the functional roles of lncRNAs in cancer and the immune system and their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted roles of lncRNAs in human cancers, with a focus on their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy. By exploring the intricate mechanisms underlying lncRNA-mediated regulation of cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and immune evasion, we provide insights into the diverse therapeutic applications of these molecules.

Integrating molecular pathway with genome-wide association data for causality identification in breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

The study purpose was to explore the causal association between pyruvate metabolism and breast cancer (BC), as well as the molecular role of key metabolic genes, by using bioinformatics and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

METHODS

We retrieved and examined diverse datasets from the GEO database to ascertain differentially acting genes (DAGs) in BC via differential expression analysis. Following this, we performed functional and pathway enrichment analyses to ascertain noteworthy molecular functions and metabolic pathways in BC. Employing MR analysis, we established a causal association between pyruvate metabolism and the susceptibility to BC. Additionally, utilizing the DGIdb database, we identified potential targeted medications that act on genes implicated in the pyruvate metabolic pathway and formulated a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network in BC.

RESULTS

We collected the datasets GSE54002, GSE70947, and GSE22820, and identified a total of 1127 DEGs between the BC and NC groups. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the molecular functions of these DEGs mainly included mitotic nuclear division, extracellular matrix, signaling receptor activator activity, etc. Metabolic pathways were mainly concentrated in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Cytokine-cytokine receptor binding and Pyruvate, Tyrosine, Propanoate and Phenylalanine metabolism, etc. In addition, MR analysis demonstrated a causal relationship between pyruvate metabolism and BC risk. Finally, we constructed a regulatory network between pathway genes (ADH1B, ACSS2, ACACB, ADH1A, ALDH2, and ADH1C) and targeted drugs, as well as a ceRNA (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA) regulatory network for BC, further revealing their interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research revealed a causal association between pyruvate metabolism and BC risk, found that ADH1B, ACSS2, ACACB, ADH1A, ALDH2, and ADH1C takes place an important part in the development of BC in the molecular mechanisms related to pyruvate metabolism, and identified some potential targeted small molecule drugs.

Long Non-Coding RNA Mir17hg Positively Regulates Melanogenesis by Inhibiting TGFβ Receptor 2 under Psychological Stress

Vitiligo is a common skin depigmentation disorder characterized by the patchy loss of skin color. Nowadays, it is recognized as being correlated with multiple genetic factors as well as the psychological conditions of individuals. Long noncoding RNAs have been reported to underlie the pathogenesis of vitiligo; however, the role of long noncoding RNAs in the stress-related depigmentation process remains largely unknown. In this study, the inhibition of melanocyte function was observed in C57BL/6J mice modeled through chronic restraint stress. Furthermore, downregulation of the expression of the long noncoding RNAs Mir17hg was identified using RNA sequencing. The regulatory role of Mir17hg in melanogenesis was also investigated in melanocytes and zebrafish embryos through overexpression or knockdown. Finally, TGFβ receptor 2 was shown to be a downstream target in Mir17hg-mediated melanogenesis regulation, in which the classical TGFβ/SMAD signaling cascade and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade play important roles. In conclusion, our results revealed an important regulatory role of Mir17hg in melanogenesis through inhibition of TGFβR2, which can provide a potential therapeutic target for treating skin depigmentation disorders.

The ceRNA network regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process that transforms epithelial cells into a mesenchymal phenotype, conferring cell migration and invasion capabilities. EMT is involved in the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, emerging evidence has shown dysregulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) was linked to EMT. ncRNAs, including long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), regulate the transcription of downstream target genes (mRNA) through interaction with microRNAs (miRNAs); these are termed competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. CeRNA dysregulation-induced EMT, which is linked to the progression and prognosis of CRC, has attracted wide attention. However, understanding the role of the regulation of the ceRNA network in the EMT of CRC remains limited. We discuss the molecular functions of lncRNA, the ceRNA networks related to miRNAs and mRNAs in EMT, as well as EMT transcription factors, such as the zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/2), SNAIL, SLUG, and TWIST1/2. In addition, miRNAs and lncRNAs that directly target genes, thereby initiating different signaling pathways to promote EMT in CRC, were summarized. Clarifying the role of these molecules in EMT is critical for understanding molecular mechanisms and exploring the potential therapeutic targets of CRC.