MicroRNA-375 Suppresses the Tumor Aggressive Phenotypes of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinomas through Regulating YWHAZ

microRNA-141-3p Suppressed the Progression of the Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Targeting Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 Gene Expression

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a malignant tumor of kidney epithelial cells, one of the most common tumors in the world. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)1 is a crucial factor that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells. microRNA-141-3p (miR-141-3p) is a microRNA that is considered a tumor suppressor. However, the role and mechanism of miR-141-3p in TGFβ1-induced ccRCC cells are not fully understood. This study investigated the roles of miR-141-3p and its target gene in regulating EMT in ccRCC development. 786-0 and Caki-1cells were treated with TGFβ1 to induce EMT. The levels of miR-141-3p and TGFβ2 were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The progression of EMT was evaluated by E-cadherin detection by immunofluorescence, and E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin detection by Western blotting. Furthermore, migration and invasion capacities were assessed using a Transwell system. The direct binding of miR-141-3p with the target gene TGFβ2 was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Results indicated that TGFβ1 treatment decreased the protein abundance of E-cadherin while increasing the protein expression of N-cadherin and vimentin, indicating TGFβ1-induced EMT was constructed successfully. Moreover, TGFβ1 treatment repressed the expression of miR-141-3p. miR-141-3p mimics reversed the effect of TGFβ1 on the migration, invasion, and expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin. The miR-141-3p directly binds with the 3' untranslated region of TGFβ2 mRNA and suppresses its expression. Furthermore, TGFβ2 overexpression abrogated the above changes regulated by miR-141-3p mimics. Taken together, miR-141-3p inhibited TGFβ1-induced EMT by suppressing the migration and invasion of ccRCC cells via directly targeting TGFβ2 gene expression.

FCGR2A as one novel potential target for poor survival prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of renal cell carcinoma. Immunoglobulin FcγRIIa receptor (FCGR2A) has been implicated in various cancers, however, its role on ccRCC is not well studied. A total of 151 patients with ccRCC were recruited for the study. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to calculate the hazard radios of FCGR2A expression and tumor characteristics. Pathological changes associated with ccRCC in tumor tissue sections were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the protein expression of FCGR2A in the tissue sections. Correlation between the expression of FCGR2A and the overall survival (OS) of ccRCC patients was analyzed by biological process neural network and support vector machine. The expression of FCGR2A was significantly correlated with the TNM of tumor, family history of ccRCC and Fuhrman stage of ccRCC. Patients with high FCGR2A expression in the tumor tissue, had poorer OS than the patients with low and moderate FCGR2A expression. The Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that FCGR2A can be used as a sensitive and specific biomarker for the diagnosis of ccRCC. Western blotting revealed that the FCGR2A was expressed at higher levels in the ccRCC tissues. Biological process neural network and support vector machine fitting showed that the R2 between FCGR2A and survival time of ccRCC patients was 0.8429 and 0.7669, respectively. FCGR2A is highly expressed in ccRCC, higher expression of FCGR2A is associated with poorer OS of ccRCC.

miRNA-296-5p functions as a potential tumor suppressor in human osteosarcoma by targeting SND1

Background:

The pathogenesis of osteosarcoma (OS) is still unclear, and it is still necessary to find new targets and drugs for anti-OS. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of the anti-OS effects of miR-296-5p.

Methods:

We measured the expression of miR-296-5p in human OS cell lines and tissues. The effect of miR-296-5p and its target gene staphylococcal nuclease and tudor domain containing 1 on proliferation, migration, and invasion of human OS lines was examined. The Student's t test was used for statistical analysis.

Results:

We found that microRNA (miR)-296-5p was significantly downregulated in OS cell lines and tissues (control vs. OS, 1.802 ± 0.313 vs. 0.618 ± 0.235, t = 6.402, P < 0.01). Overexpression of miR-296-5p suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of OA cells. SND1 was identified as a target of miR-296-5p by bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of SND1 abrogated the effects induced by miR-296-5p upregulation (miRNA-296-5p vs. miRNA-296-5p + SND1, 0.294 ± 0.159 vs. 2.300 ± 0.277, t = 12.68, P = 0.003).

Conclusion:

Our study indicates that miR-296-5p may function as a tumor suppressor by targeting SND1 in OS.

MiRNA-1225 Inhibits Osteosarcoma Tumor Growth and Progression by Targeting YWHAZ

Introduction

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor and is characterized by the presence of malignant mesenchymal cells produced in the bone stroma. MiRNAs are known to function as post-transcriptional negative regulators of gene expression. Emerging evidence showed that miR-1225-5P functions as a tumor suppressor in several types of cancers. The detailed mechanisms of which miR-1225-5P suppresses tumor growth are not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that miR-1225-5P inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo by targeting YWHAZ expression.

Methods

Real-time PCR and Western blot were carried out to test the expression of miR-1225-5P and YWHAZ in osteosarcoma cell lines. Luciferase assay was used to demonstrate whether miR-1225-5P targets YWHAZ 3ʹ UTR. To assess the function of miR-1225-5P in human osteosarcoma cell lines, gain-of-function and loss-of-function of miR-1225-5P were performed by transfecting miR-1225-5P mimic or miR-1225-5P inhibitor into osteosarcoma cell lines. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis was performed to elucidate the possible mechanisms of the action of miR-1225-5P and YWHAZ in human osteosarcoma cells. The potential therapeutic effect of miR-1225-5p was tested in human osteosarcoma xenograft mouse model, by intravenous injection of miR-1225-5P into nude mice. Tumor sizes were measured and lung metastasis was counted after the mice were sacrificed.

Results

The expression of miR-1225-5P was inversely correlated with the expression of YWHAZ in human osteosarcoma cell lines. Database search revealed that miR-1225-5P targeted YWHAZ 3ʹ UTR. Transfection of miR-1225-5P mimic downregulated YWHAZ expression, which was demonstrated by real-time PCR, Western blot and luciferase assay. Over-expression of miR-1225-5P reduced human osteosarcoma cell growth, migration and invasion by downregulating YWHAZ expression. Cell growth, migration and invasion were increased by inhibiting miR-1225-5P in human osteosarcoma cells. The inhibition of cell growth, migration and invasion was rescued by over-expression of YWHAZ in osteosarcoma cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that miR-1225-5P inhibited G1/G0 phase exit. In vivo xenograft model demonstrated that miR-1225-5P inhibited in vivo osteosarcoma tumor growth and lung metastasis.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that miR-1225-5P inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo by targeting YWHAZ. This study suggested that miR-1225-5P can serve as a potential therapeutic method for treating osteosarcoma.

MicroRNA Signature in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) includes 2.2% of all diagnosed cancers and 1.8% of cancer-related mortalities. The available biomarkers or screening methods for RCC suffer from lack of sensitivity or high cost, necessitating identification of novel biomarkers that facilitate early diagnosis of this cancer especially in the susceptible individuals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have several advantageous properties that potentiate them as biomarkers for cancer detection. Expression profile of miRNAs has been assessed in biological samples from RCC patients. Circulatory or urinary levels of certain miRNAs have been proposed as markers for RCC diagnosis or follow-up. Moreover, expression profile of some miRNAs has been correlated with response to chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapeutic options such as sunitinib. In the current study, we summarize the results of studies that assessed the application of miRNAs as biomarkers, therapeutic targets or modulators of response to treatment modalities in RCC patients.

Long Non-coding RNA LINC01094 Promotes the Development of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Upregulating SLC2A3 via MicroRNA-184

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of RCC. Compelling evidence has highlighted the crucial role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in ccRCC. Our current study aims to explore the regulatory mechanism of LINC01094 in the development of ccRCC. Dual-luciferase reporter experiment verified the targeting relationship among miR-184, LINC01094, and SLC2A3. Furthermore, the interaction between LINC01094 and miR-184 was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down. Biological behaviors of ccRCC cells were investigated through cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), scratch test, Transwell, and flow cytometry. The effect of SLC2A3 on the tumorigenicity of nude mice was evaluated in vivo. In ccRCC cells and clinical tissues, LINC01094 and SLC2A3 were highly expressed while miR-184 was lowly expressed. Besides, miR-184 was verified to be a direct target of LINC01094. Silencing LINC01094, up-regulating miR-184, or reducing SLC2A3 inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of ccRCC cells. Tumor growth was suppressed by silenced LINC01215 via reducing the expression of SLC2A3 via miR-184. Taken together, silencing LINC01094 inhibited SLC2A3 expression by up-regulating miR-184, thereby inhibiting the development of ccRCC.

miR-375 Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by Suppressing PDK1

Purpose

In patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the expression of PDK1 is remarkably improved in NPC tissue and correlated with the clinicopathological severity of NPC. We expressed miR-375 in NPC cells to study the effects on PDK1 gene expression. We also investigated the mechanism by which miR-375 affects the biological behavior of NPC cells through effects on PDK1.

Methods

qRT-PCR was carried out to analyze miR-375 and PDK1 levels in NPC cells. NPC cells were transfected with miR-375 inhibitor or miR-375 mimic. CCK-8 testing, colony formation testing, transwell testing, and flow cytometry analysis were carried out to quantify the cells' biological behavior. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the recovery of PDK1 expression was able to reverse the influence of miR-375 inhibition on NPC diffusion and intrusion. The interaction between miR-375 and PDK1 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene testing.

Results

The results revealed that miR-375 has a negative regulatory effect on PDK1 expression in NPC cells. Furthermore, PDK1 is a target gene for miR-375. The empirical results obtained demonstrated a negative correlation between tumor development and the level of miR-375 expression in NPC tissues. The excessive expression of miR-375 and the downregulation of PDK1 facilitated the diffusion and invasion of NPC cells.

Conclusion

The diffusion and incursion of NPC cells may be inhibited by direct targeting of PDK1 and decreasing the expression of miR-375. Our study highlights efforts to target PDK1 and miR-375 as potential therapeutic strategies for use in the treatment of NPC.

Long noncoding RNA LINC00958 promotes the oral squamous cell carcinoma by sponging miR-185-5p/YWHAZ

AIM

Increasing evidence has indicated the essential roles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, there are still numerous uncertain mechanisms for the pathophysiological process of OSCC. In this work, we tried to identify the biological function and potential mechanism of lncRNA LINC00958 in the OSCC.

MAIN METHODS

The expressions of RNA and protein were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. The tumor behavior was detected using the CCK-8 assay, transwell assay, flow cytometry assay and xenograft in vivo assay. The interaction within LINC00958/miR-185-5p/YWHAZ was identified using the luciferase reporter assay.

KEY FINDINGS

LINC00958 expression was remarkably up-regulated in the OSCC tissue and cell lines. Clinical investigation showed that LINC00958 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis, acting as an independent prognostic factor for OSCC. Loss- and gain-of-function assays indicated that LINC00958 promoted the proliferation, invasion and reduced the apoptosis of OSCC cells in vitro. In vivo, knockdown of LINC00958 repressed the tumor growth. Mechanistically, bioinformatic tools and luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-185-5p both targeted the 3'-UTR of LINC00958 and YWHAZ, constructing the LINC00958/miR-185-5p/YWHAZ regulatory axis.

SIGNIFICANCE

Taken together, the findings in this research reveal the modulation of LINC00958 for the OSCC tumorigenesis through the miR-185-5p/YWHAZ axis, which might be useful for the mechanical investigation associated with OSCC therapeutic target.

Circ-SERPINE2 promotes the development of gastric carcinoma by sponging miR-375 and modulating YWHAZ

Objectives

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) exist extensively in the eukaryotic genome. The study aimed to identify the role of hsa_circ_0008365 (Circ‐SERPINE2) in gastric carcinoma (GC) cells and its downstream mechanisms.

Materials and methods

Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was applied to screen differentially expressed circRNAs. CircInteractome, TargetScan and miRecords websites were used to predict target relationships. qRT‐PCR and RNase R treatment were utilised to detect molecule expression and confirm the existence of circ‐SERPINE2. RNA pull‐down assay and dual‐luciferase reporter assay were performed for interaction between circRNA and miRNA or mRNA. EdU assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry for apoptosis and cell cycle detections were utilised to assess cell function. Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were applied for detection of proteins in tissues or cells.

Results

Circ‐SERPINE2 and YWHAZ were upregulated, and miR‐375 was downregulated in GC tissues and cells. Circ‐SERPINE2 and YWHAZ targetedly bound to miR‐375. Circ‐SERPINE2 promoted cell proliferation and cell cycle progress and inhibited cell apoptosis by sponging miR‐375 and regulating YWHAZ expression in vitro. Circ‐SERPINE2 repressed solid tumour growth through enhancing miR‐375 expression and reducing YWHAZ expression in vivo.

Conclusions

Circ‐SERPINE2 is a novel proliferative promoter through the regulation of miR‐375/YWHAZ. Circ‐SERPINE2/miR‐375/YWHAZ axis might provide a novel therapeutic target of GC.

Molecular Mechanisms in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Role of miRNAs and Hypermethylated miRNA Genes in Crucial Oncogenic Pathways and Processes

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the third most common urological cancer, and it has the highest mortality rate. The increasing drug resistance of metastatic ccRCC has resulted in the search for new biomarkers. Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, such as genome-wide DNA methylation and inhibition of protein translation by interaction of microRNA (miRNA) with its target messenger RNA (mRNA), are deeply involved in the pathogenesis of human cancers, including ccRCC, and may be used in its diagnosis and prognosis. Here, we review oncogenic and oncosuppressive miRNAs, their putative target genes, and the crucial pathways they are involved in. The contradictory behavior of a number of miRNAs, such as suppressive and anti-metastatic miRNAs with oncogenic potential (for example, miR-99a, miR-106a, miR-125b, miR-144, miR-203, miR-378), is examined. miRNAs that contribute mostly to important pathways and processes in ccRCC, for instance, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Wnt-β, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling, are discussed in detail. We also separately consider their participation in crucial oncogenic processes, such as hypoxia and angiogenesis, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The review also considers the interactions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs of significance in ccRCC. Recent advances in the understanding of the role of hypermethylated miRNA genes in ccRCC and their usefulness as biomarkers are reviewed based on our own data and those available in the literature. Finally, new data and perspectives concerning the clinical applications of miRNAs in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of ccRCC are discussed.