Lentivirus-mediated shRNA interference targeting vascular endothelial growth factor inhibits angiogenesis and progression of human pancreatic carcinoma

Persistent Hypoxia with Intermittent Aggravation Causes Imbalance in Smad3/Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor Signaling with Consequent Endothelial Senescence and Pulmonary Arterial Remodeling

Loss of Smad3 and the consequent activation of myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) are associated with vascular pathologies. This study aimed to examine the impact of persistent hypoxia with intermittent aggravation (PI hypoxia) on cellular senescence and pulmonary arterial remodeling mediated by the Smad3/MRTF imbalance. We examined the effects of PI hypoxia on the Smad3/MRTF pathway and cellular senescence using human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) and in vivo studies in rats. The senescent degree was evaluated using β-galactosidase staining, p16 quantitation and the measurement of senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Structural data in the pathological analysis of pulmonary artery remodeling were collected. Compared to the control, HPAECs and pulmonary tissue from rats exposed to PI hypoxia showed a significantly higher senescent degree, lower expression of Smad3, and higher MRTF levels. The overexpression of Smad3 significantly mitigated HPAECs senescence in vitro. Further, treatment with CCG-203971, which inhibits MRTF, increased Smad3 levels and reduced β-galactosidase positive cells in rat lung tissue. This intervention also alleviated PI hypoxia-induced pathological changes, including remodeling indices of pulmonary arterial thickening, muscularization, and collagen formation. In conclusion, imbalanced Smad3/MRTF signaling is linked to PI hypoxia-induced senescence and pulmonary arterial remodeling, making it a potential therapeutic target for patients with sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Recent Advances in the Development of Exogenous dsRNA for the Induction of RNA Interference in Cancer Therapy

Selective regulation of gene expression by means of RNA interference has revolutionized molecular biology. This approach is not only used in fundamental studies on the roles of particular genes in the functioning of various organisms, but also possesses practical applications. A variety of methods are being developed based on gene silencing using dsRNA-for protecting agricultural plants from various pathogens, controlling insect reproduction, and therapeutic techniques related to the oncological disease treatment. One of the main problems in this research area is the successful delivery of exogenous dsRNA into cells, as this can be greatly affected by the localization or origin of tumor. This overview is dedicated to describing the latest advances in the development of various transport agents for the delivery of dsRNA fragments for gene silencing, with an emphasis on cancer treatment.

The Change of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Independently Predicts Survival of Colorectal Cancer Patients after Curative Resection

Background

The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has an important role in predicting survival in some solid tumors. However, little information is available concerning the change of the SII (∆SII) in colorectal cancer (CRC) after curative resection. This study was designed to evaluate the role of ∆SII in CRC patients who received surgery.

Methods

A total 206 patients were enrolled in this study. Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival were assessed. The relationships between overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and ∆SII were analyzed with both univariate Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression methods.

Results

Based on the patient data, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) optimal cutoff value of ∆SII was 127.7 for OS prediction. The 3-year and 5-year OS rates, respectively, were 60.4% and 36.7% in the high-∆SII group (>127.7) and 87.6% and 79.8% in the low-∆SII group (≤127.7). The 3-year and 5-year DFS rates, respectively, were 54.1% and 34.1% in the high-∆SII group and 80.3% and 78.5% in the low-∆SII group. In the univariate analysis, smoking, pathological stages III-IV, high-middle degree of differentiation, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and the high-ΔSII group were associated with poor OS. Adjuvant therapy, pathological stages III-IV, vascular invasion, and ΔSII were able to predict DFS. Multivariate analysis revealed that pathological stages III-IV (HR = 0.442, 95% CI = 0.236-0.827, p = 0.011), vascular invasion (HR = 2.182, 95% CI = 1.243-3.829, p = 0.007), and the high-ΔSII group (HR = 4.301, 95% CI = 2.517-7.350, p < 0.001) were independent predictors for OS. Adjuvant therapy (HR = 0.415, 95% CI = 0.250-0.687, p = 0.001), vascular invasion (HR = 3.305, 95% CI = 1.944-5.620, p < 0.001), and the high-ΔSII group (HR = 4.924, 95% CI = 2.992-8.102, p < 0.001) were significant prognostic factors for DFS.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that ∆SII was associated with the clinical outcome in CRC patients undergoing curative resection, supporting the role of ∆SII as a prognostic biomarker.

Preoperative to postoperative change in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict survival in colorectal cancer patients

AIM

To evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative to postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio changes (ΔNLR) in patients undergoing surgical resection for colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS & METHODS

Data of 135 such patients managed at the Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute were retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathologic factors, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, preoperative NLR (p = 0.002) and ΔNLR (p = 0.037) independently predicted OS, but preoperative NLR (p = 0.141) and ΔNLR (p = 0.297) were not significant prognosticators for DFS.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated the prognostic value of the ΔNLR in predicting OS in patients undergoing surgical resection for colorectal cancer. However, ΔNLR could not predict DFS.

Significance of baseline and change in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting prognosis: a retrospective analysis in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to be associated with prognosis in several cancers. The objective of our study was to evaluate the prognostic role of baseline NLR and change in NLR (ΔNLR) in advanced pancreatic cancer underwent chemotherapy. Between January 2010 and June 2015, 132 patients underwent chemotherapy were eligible for assessment. Based on our patients' data, the cut-off value of NLR was 2.78 according to receiver operating characteristic curve. We observed that a high level of baseline NLR (NLR > 2.78) was a poor prognostic factor for overall survival (multivariable hazard ratio [HR] = 2.648, P < 0.001). Increased NLR (ΔNLR > 0) after 2 cycles of chemotherapy was associated with higher risk compared to ΔNLR ≤ 0 (multivariable HR = 1.894, P = 0.007). Combining both NLR and ΔNLR factors, multivariate analysis showed a significant higher risk (HR = 5.817, P < 0.001) for patients with high baseline NLR and increased NLR after 2 cycles of chemotherapy compared to patients with low baseline NLR and ΔNLR ≤ 0. In conclusion, both baseline NLR and ΔNLR are independent prognostic predictors for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer underwent chemotherapy.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Cluster of Differentiation 34 for Assessment of Perioperative Bleeding Risk in Gastric Cancer Patients

Background:

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels to supply nutrients to tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) are important signaling proteins involved in angiogenesis. Many studies have demonstrated that VEGF and CD34 are related to tumor progression. This study focused on the relationship between VEGF, CD34, and perioperative hemorrhage in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods:

To observe the relationship between VEGF and CD34, we tracked 112 patients with advanced gastric cancer for 5 years to assess factors related to hemorrhage, using immunohistochemistry. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using a 2 × 2 contingency table, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test.

Results:

The concentrations of VEGF and CD34 were critically correlated with perioperative hemorrhage and neural invasion in patients with gastric cancer (P < 0.05). Expression of VEGF and CD34 was related (P < 0.05, χ² = 6.834). VEGF and CD34 co-expression strongly increased the risk of preoperative bleeding (area under the ROC curve >0.7, P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Expression of VEGF and CD34 was critically correlated with perioperative hemorrhage in gastric cancer patients. Co-expression of VEGF and CD34 could be an effective indicator for evaluating the risk of perioperative bleeding in gastric cancer patients.

Folate-Functionalized Magnetic-Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Drug/Gene Codelivery To Potentiate the Antitumor Efficacy

An appropriate codelivery system for chemotherapeutic agents and nucleic acid drugs will provide a more efficacious approach for the treatment of cancer. Combining gene therapy with chemotherapeutics in a single delivery system is more effective than individual delivery systems carrying either gene or drug. In this work, we developed folate (FA) receptor targeted magnetic-mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the codelivery of VEGF shRNA and doxorubicin (DOX) (denoted as M-MSN(DOX)/PEI-FA/VEGF shRNA). Our data showed that M-MSN(DOX)/PEI-FA could strongly condense VEGF shRNA at weight ratios of 30:1, and possesses higher stability against DNase I digestion and sodium heparin. In vitro antitumor activity assays revealed that HeLa cell growth was significantly inhibited. The intracellular accumulation of DOX by confocal microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry showed that M-MSN(DOX)/PEI-FA were more easily taken up than nontargeted M-MSN(DOX). Quantitative PCR and ELISA data revealed that M-MSN/PEI-FA/VEGF shRNA induced a significant decrease in VEGF expression as compared to cells treated with either the control or other complexes. The invasion and migration phenotypes of the HUVECs were significantly decrease after coculture with MSN/PEI-FA/VEGF shRNA nanocomplexes-treated HeLa cells. The approach provides a potential strategy to treat cancer by a singular nanoparticle delivery system.

Lentivirus-Mediated RNAi Silencing of VEGF Inhibits Angiogenesis and Growth of Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Nude Mouse Xenograft Model

To construct and screen short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and investigate potential values of VEGF-shRNA on angiogenesis and growth in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a xenograft tumor model. VEGF-shRNA fragment was designed to connect plasmid vector, and RCC cells were transfected with shRNA. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR) was used to detect interference efficiency of VEGF gene. The xenograft tumor model was established in nude mice, and mice were randomly divided into blank control (BC) group, negative control (NC) group, and experimental group. RNA interference (RNAi) effect was detected by immunohistochemistry, and tumor volume changes were observed. Tumor-bearing nude mice model was established and mice were randomly divided into BC group, NC group, and treatment group. The tumor volume changes and tumor inhibition rate were recorded, and angiogenesis status was observed. The apoptosis of tumor cells and genetic toxicity of VEGF-shRNA were detected. VEGF-shRNA can inhibit VEGF mRNA expression with an inhibition ratio of 72.3%. Compared with NC group and BC group, experimental group presents smaller tumor volume, weight, and poor growth (all p < 0.05). Positive VEGF rate in experimental group is significantly lower than that in NC group and BC group (all p < 0.05). Significantly lower tumor volume, less microvessel density (MVD) value, and higher apoptotic index (AI) are found in treatment group compared with BC group and NC group (all p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in AI between treatment group and BC group regarding adjacent normal tissues (p > 0.05). VEGF plays an important role in the occurrence and development of RCC, chemical synthesis of VEGF small interfering RNA (siRNA) can specifically inhibit VEGF expression, angiogenesis and growth in RCC, and can promote cell apoptosis without genetic toxicity to normal tissues.

Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein associated polypeptide N accelerates cell proliferation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

The spliceosome, the large RNA‑protein molecular complex, is crucial for pre‑mRNA splicing. Several antitumor drugs have been found to tightly bind to the components of the spliceosome and mutations in the spliceosome have been reported in several types of cancer. However, the involvement of the spliceosome in pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains unclear. In the present study, small nuclear ribonucleoprotein associated polypeptide N (SNRPN), a key constituent of spliceosomes, was disrupted in BxPC‑3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells using lentivirus‑mediated RNA interference (RNAi). It was found that knockdown of SNRPN reduced the proliferation ability of BxPC‑3 cells, as determined by an MTT assay. Furthermore, cell colony formation was impaired in SNRPN depleted adenocarcinoma cells and cell cycle analysis showed that depletion of SNRPN led to S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These results suggest that SNRPN is a key player in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell growth, and targeted loss of SNRPN may be a potential therapeutic method for pancreatic cancer.

Polyetherimide-grafted Fe₃O₄@SiO2₂ nanoparticles as theranostic agents for simultaneous VEGF siRNA delivery and magnetic resonance cell imaging

Engineering a safe and high-efficiency delivery system for efficient RNA interference is critical for successful gene therapy. In this study, we designed a novel nanocarrier system of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, which allows high efficient loading of VEGF small hairpin (sh)RNA to form Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/PEI/VEGF shRNA nanocomposites for VEGF gene silencing as well as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The size, morphology, particle stability, magnetic properties, and gene-binding capacity and protection were determined. Low cytotoxicity and hemolyticity against human red blood cells showed the excellent biocompatibility of the multifunctional nanocomposites, and also no significant coagulation was observed. The nanocomposites maintain their superparamagnetic property at room temperature and no appreciable change in magnetism, even after PEI modification. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of cellular internalization into MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by Prussian blue staining and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy analysis, respectively, demonstrated that the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/PEI/VEGF shRNA nanocomposites could be easily internalized by MCF-7 cells, and they exhibited significant inhibition of VEGF gene expression. Furthermore, the MR cellular images showed that the superparamagnetic iron oxide core of our Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/PEI/VEGF shRNA nanocomposites could also act as a T₂-weighted contrast agent for cancer MR imaging. Our data highlight multifunctional Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/PEI/VEGF shRNA nanocomposites as a potential platform for simultaneous gene delivery and MR cell imaging, which are promising as theranostic agents for cancer treatment and diagnosis in the future.

Validation of the pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of overall survival in a cohort of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The circulating neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to be a prognostic factor for a variety of tumors. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of NLR in a large cohort of Chinese patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs).

METHODS

A total of 381 patients with PDAC who underwent potentially curative surgery were recruited from 2 centers in Shanghai, China, between January 2004 and September 2011. Analysis of overall survival (OS) was performed using the Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests and the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS

The most optimal cutoff of NLR was NLR 2.0 or greater, and the NLR was divided into 2 groups: high (≥ 2.0) and low (< 2.0). The high NLR (≥ 2.0) was associated with advanced UICC (Union for International Cancer Control) stages, p T stage, lymphoid node invasion, and poorer tumor differentiation. Multivariate analysis identified increased NLR as an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio = 1.51; 95 % confidence interval, 1.15-1.99; P = 0.003). Furthermore, neutrophil counts rather than lymphocyte counts were associated with OS of PDAC.

CONCLUSIONS

The pretreatment NLR is a simple and useful potential biomarker for OS in patients with PDAC after curative resection.