MicroRNA‑320a suppresses tumour cell proliferation and invasion of renal cancer cells by targeting FoxM1

A comprehensive analysis of the FOX family for predicting kidney renal clear cell carcinoma prognosis and the oncogenic role of FOXG1

Previous studies have confirmed that the forkhead box (FOX) superfamily of transcription factors regulates tumor progression and metastasis in multiple cancer. The purpose of this study was to develop a model based on FOX family genes for predicting kidney renal clear cell carcinom (KIRC) prognosis. We downloaded the transcriptional profiles and clinical data of KIRC patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) datasets. To build a new prognosis model, we screened prognosis-related FOX family genes using Lasso regression and Multivariate Cox regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate model performance. Additionally, a prognostic nomogram was developed using clinical information and selected genes to improve the accuracy of prognostic prediction. We also investigated whether prognosis-related FOX family genes are related to the immune response in KIRC. Finally, we validated the oncogenic role of FOXG1 in KIRC using an in vitro tumor function assay. Six prognosis-related FOX family genes were screened: FOXO1, FOXM1, FOXK2, FOXG1, FOXA1, and FOXD1. The ROC curves indicated that our model was capable of making accurate predictions for 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS). The nomogram further improved the accuracy of prognostic predictions. In addition, compared to those in patients with low-risk scores, high-risk scores predicted a decreased level of immune cell infiltration and a lower immune response rate. Moreover, the results of in vitro studies confirmed that FOXG1 supports the proliferation and invasion of KIRC.

HIF-1α Induces HECTD2 Up-Regulation and Aggravates the Malignant Progression of Renal Cell Cancer via Repressing miR-320a

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a frequent malignancy of the urinary system. It has been found that hypoxia mediates the malignant evolvement of RCC. Here, we probe the impact and potential mechanism of HECT domain E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase 2 (HECTD2) and HIF-1α on regulating RCC evolvement. RCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected, and the association between the expression profiles of HECTD2 and HIF-1α and the clinicopathological features was analyzed. Additionally, we constructed HECTD2/HIF-1α overexpression and knockdown models in RCC cell lines to ascertain the impacts of HECTD2 and HIF-1α on RCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and growth in vivo. We applied bioinformatics to predict the upstream miRNA targets of HECTD2. Meanwhile, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and the dual-luciferase reporter assays were employed to clarify the targeting association between HECTD2 and miR-320a. The effect of miR-320a on HECTD2-mediated RCC progression was investigated. The results suggested that both HIF-1α and HECTD2 were up-regulated in RCC (compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues), and they had positive relationship. Moreover, higher level of HECTD2 and HIF-1α is associated with poorer overall survival of RCC patients. HECTD2 overexpression heightened RCC cell proliferation and migration, and weakened cell apoptosis. On the other hand, the malignant phenotypes of RCC cells were signally impeded by HECTD2 or HIF-1α knockdown. Moreover, miR-320a targeted the 3'-untranslated region of HECTD2 and suppressed HECTD2 expression. The rescue experiments showed that miR-320a restrained HECTD2-mediated malignant progression in RCC, while up-regulation of HIF-1α hampered miR-320a expression. Collectively, HIF-1α mediated HECTD2 up-regulation and aggravated RCC progression by attenuating miR-320a.

Investigating differential miRNA expression profiling using serum and urine specimens for detecting potential biomarkers for early prostate cancer diagnosis

Background/aim

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known up-to-date candidate biomarkers for several diseases. In addition, obtaining miRNA from different body fluids such as serum, plasma, saliva, and urine is relatively easy to handle. Herein we aimed to detect miRNAs as biomarkers for early stage prostate cancer (PC). For this purpose, we used urine and serum samples to detect any significant differences in miRNA profiles between patients and healthy controls.

Materials and methods

Total ribonucleic acid (RNA) in urine and serum samples were isolated from eight untreated PC patients, thirty healthy individuals were screened for miRNA profile, and candidate miRNAs were validated. Whole urinary and serum miRNA profile was analyzed using Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 4.0 Arrays. Candidate miRNAs were investigated by stem-loop reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction.

Results

When we analyzed the urinary samples of PC patients, 49 miRNAs were detected to be upregulated and 14 miRNAs were found to be downregulated when compared with healthy controls. According to the serum samples, 19 miRNAs were found to be upregulated, and 21 miRNAs were found to be downregulated when compared with healthy individuals as well. Interestingly, we detected only four overlapping miRNAs (MIR320A, MIR4535, MIR4706, MIR6750) that commonly increase or decrease in both serum and urine samples. Among them, MIR320A was found to be downregulated, and MIR4535, MIR4706, and MIR6750 were found to be upregulated for urine samples. However, only MIR6750 was upregulated and the other three miRNAs were downregulated for serum samples.

Conclusion

Notably, the expression profile of MIR320A was significantly altered in urine specimens of prostate cancer patients. We considered that MIR320A has been evaluated as a valuable biomarker that can be used in the early diagnosis of PC.

MicroRNA-based signatures impacting clinical course and biology of ovarian cancer: a miRNOmics study

Background

In Western countries, ovarian cancer (OC) still represents the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths, despite the remarkable gains in therapeutical options. Novel biomarkers of early diagnosis, prognosis definition and prediction of treatment outcomes are of pivotal importance. Prior studies have shown the potentials of micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) as biomarkers for OC and other cancers.

Methods

We focused on the prognostic and/or predictive potential of miRNAs in OC by conducting a comprehensive array profiling of miRNA expression levels in ovarian tissue samples from 17 non-neoplastic controls, and 60 tumor samples from OC patients treated at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRE). A set of 54 miRNAs with differential expression in tumor versus normal samples (T/N-deregulated) was identified in the IRE cohort and validated against data from the Cancer Genoma Atlas (TCGA) related to 563 OC patients and 8 non-neoplastic controls. The prognostic/predictive role of the selected 54 biomarkers was tested in reference to survival endpoints and platinum resistance (P-res).

Results

In the IRE cohort, downregulation of the 2 miRNA-signature including miR-99a-5p and miR-320a held a negative prognostic relevance, while upregulation of miR-224-5p was predictive of less favorable event free survival (EFS) and P-res. Data from the TCGA showed that downregulation of 5 miRNAs, i.e., miR-150, miR-30d, miR-342, miR-424, and miR-502, was associated with more favorable EFS and overall survival outcomes, while miR-200a upregulation was predictive of P-res. The 9 miRNAs globally identified were all included into a single biologic signature, which was tested in enrichment analysis using predicted/validated miRNA target genes, followed by network representation of the miRNA-mRNA interactions.

Conclusions

Specific dysregulated microRNA sets in tumor tissue showed predictive/prognostic value in OC, and resulted in a promising biological signature for this disease.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40364-021-00289-6.

A Review of Recent Research on the Role of MicroRNAs in Renal Cancer

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a most common type of urologic neoplasms; it accounts for 3% of malignant tumors, with high rates of relapse and mortality. The most common types of renal cancer are clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC), papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC), and chromophobe renal carcinoma (chRCC), which account for 90%, 6–15%, and 2–5%, respectively, of all renal malignancies. Although surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the most common treatment method for those diseases, their effects remain dissatisfactory. Furthermore, recent research shows that the treatment efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors in advanced RCC patients is widely variable. Hence, patients urgently need a new molecular biomarker for early diagnosis and evaluating the prognosis of RCC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a family of short, non-coding RNAs that are highly conserved, have long half-life evolution, and post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression; they have been predicted to play crucial roles in tumor metastasis, invasion, angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, differentiation, metabolism, cancer occurrence, and treatment resistance. Although some previous papers demonstrated that miRNAs play vital roles in renal cancer, such as pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis, the roles of miRNAs in kidney cancer are still unclear. Therefore, we reviewed studies indexed in PubMed from 2017 to 2020, and found several studies suggesting that there are more than 82 miRNAs involved in renal cancers. The present review describes the current status of miRNAs in RCC and their roles in progression, diagnosis, therapy targeting, and prognosis of RCC.

FOXM1 and Cancer: Faulty Cellular Signaling Derails Homeostasis

Forkhead box transcription factor, FOXM1 is implicated in several cellular processes such as proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell differentiation, DNA damage repair, tissue homeostasis, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and redox signaling. In addition to being a boon for the normal functioning of a cell, FOXM1 turns out to be a bane by manifesting in several disease scenarios including cancer. It has been given an oncogenic status based on several evidences indicating its role in tumor development and progression. FOXM1 is highly expressed in several cancers and has also been implicated in poor prognosis. A comprehensive understanding of various aspects of this molecule has revealed its role in angiogenesis, invasion, migration, self- renewal and drug resistance. In this review, we attempt to understand various mechanisms underlying FOXM1 gene and protein regulation in cancer including the different signaling pathways, post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications. Identifying crucial molecules associated with these processes can aid in the development of potential pharmacological approaches to curb FOXM1 mediated tumorigenesis.

FOXM1 functions collaboratively with PLAU to promote gastric cancer progression

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the main mortality cause worldwide. Previously, we found Forkhead box protein (FOXM1) or Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (PLAU) are independent prognostic markers of GC. This study aims to explore the combining prognostic efficacy and the potential insights underlying additive effect of FOXM1 to PLAU in GC progression through in-silico analyses. Method: The expression of FOXM1 and PLAU were profiled in 33 cancer types using public data. A merged GC expression dataset containing 598 samples was used for evaluating prognostic significance of FOXM1/PLAU. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying FOXM1/PLAU promoted GC progression. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used for analyzing the association between FOXM1/PLAU and tumor immune infiltration. Genomic and proteomic differences between FOXM1+PLAU+ and FOXM1-PLAU- groups were also computed using TCGA GC data. Drugs targeting FOXM1/PLAU associated gene expression pattern was analyzed using LINCs database. Results: FOXM1 and PLAU are overexpressed in 17/33 cancer types including GC. Kaplan-Meier analyses indicate that the FOXM1+PLAU+ subgroup have the worst prognosis, while FOXM1-PLAU- subgroup have the best survival. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that FOXM1+PLAU+ associated genes are enriched in TGF-beta, DNA repair and drug resistance signaling pathways; FOXM1 and PLAU expression are negatively correlated with tumor immune infiltration. Genomic and proteomic differences between FOXM1+PLAU+ and FOXM1-PLAU- groups were presented. Data mining from LINCs suggested several chemicals or drugs that could target the gene expression pattern of FOXM1+PLAU+ patients. Conclusion: FOXM1+PLAU+ can serve as effective prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for GC. Due to the additive effect of these two genes, screening for drugs or chemicals that targeting the expression patterns PLAU+FOXM1+ subgroup may exert important clinical impact on GC management.

MiR-216b inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting Forkhead Box M1

Osteosarcoma (OS) is considered the most common type of primary malignant bone tumor, which has a high rate of mortality in children and adolescents. However, the current treatment methods for OS are ineffective. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to identify the critical targets. This study aimed to identify the roles and significance of microRNA-216b (miR-216b) in OS. To explore the cellular and molecular functions of miR-216b and Forkhead Box M1 (FoxM1) in OS, the expression of miR-216b and FoxM1 at the transcriptional level was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Wound healing assay, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, and transwell invasion assay were conducted to study the function of miR-216b and FoxM1 in OS cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the relationships between miR-216b and FoxM1. qRT-PCR results revealed that miR-216b expression was significantly downregulated, and FoxM1 was observed to be significantly upregulated in human OS cell lines (MG-63) and tissues. MTT data showed that upregulation of miR-216b expression led to cell growth inhibition in MG-63 cells. The results of the invasion assay and wound healing assay illustrated that miR-216b upregulation or FoxM1 downregulation could inhibit the invasion and migration in MG-63 cells. In vivo, the tumor volume was significantly decreased by miR-194 mimic treatment compared with the control group. Furthermore, the results of the luciferase assay indicated that FoxM1 is a direct target of miR-216b. These findings may provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism of miR-216b and FoxM1 in the progression of OS, and suggested that miR-216b may serve as a potential tumor inhibitor of OS by targeting FoxM1.