Role of microRNAs (MiRNAs) as biomarkers of cervical carcinogenesis: a systematic review

Analysing the relevance of TGF-β and its regulators in cervical cancer to identify therapeutic and diagnostic markers

The role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is dual, such that, it inhibits tumor development in initial stage and promotes metastasis in later stage. The present study is aimed to analyse the relevance of different types of TGF-β and their receptors on the overall survival (OS) and TGF-β driven gene expression in individuals with cervical cancer (CC) using ONCODB and GEPIA databases. The in-silico gene expression analysis showed, TGF-β1 and TGFβR2 are upregulated in cells infected with human papilloma virus (HPV)16, whereas, TGF-β2, TGFβR1 and TGFβR3 expression were downregulated. In HPV 18 infected cells, TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGFβR1 were downregulated, meanwhile, TGF-β3, TGFβR2 and TGFβR3 were upregulated. OS analysis of CC patients with different TGF-β expression revealed that, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3 and TGFβR2 were associated with reduced survival rate. Further, we identified four microRNAs (miRNAs) (hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-29b-3p, hsa-miR-101-3p and hsa-miR-130a-3p) interacted favorably with TGF-β in HPV 16 and 18 positive samples using MIENTURNET. This present review further emphasizes that, targeting TGF-β could be a novel and futuristic approach for CC management and therapeutics.

Decoding impact of human papillomavirus in gynecological oncology: a narrative review

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key factor in gynecological oncology. This narrative review investigates the complex connection between HPV and various gynecological cancers. For a comprehensive exploration, we examined the association between persistent HPV infection and cervical cancer and its global prevalence. Beyond the cervix, we navigated the linkages between HPV and other gynecological malignancies, shedding light on vulvar, vaginal, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. The narrative extends to discuss the critical role of HPV vaccination in preventing these cancers and exploring challenges, controversies, and future perspectives in the field. As we have described the impact of HPV, this review underscores the significance of ongoing research and public health endeavors in shaping the trajectory of gynecological oncology.

The diagnostic accuracy of serum and plasma microRNAs in detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Studies suggest a need for new diagnostic approaches for cervical cancer including microRNA technology. In this review, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of microRNAs in detecting cervical cancer and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guideline for protocols (PRISMA-P). We searched for all articles in online databases and grey literature from 01st January 2012 to 16th August 2022. We used the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies tool (QUADAS-2) to assess the risk of bias of included studies and then conducted a Random Effects Meta-analysis. We identified 297 articles and eventually extracted data from 24 studies. Serum/plasma concentration miR-205, miR-21, miR-192, and miR-9 showed highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC of 0.750, 0.689, 0.980, and 0.900, respectively) for detecting CIN from healthy controls. MicroRNA panels (miR-21, miR-125b and miR-370) and (miR-9, miR-10a, miR-20a and miR-196a and miR-16-2) had AUC values of 0.897 and 0.886 respectively for detecting CIN from healthy controls. For detection of cervical cancer from healthy controls, the most promising microRNAs were miR-21, miR-205, miR-192 and miR-9 (AUC values of 0.723, 0.960, 1.00, and 0.99 respectively). We report higher diagnostic accuracy of upregulated microRNAs, especially miR-205, miR-9, miR-192, and miR-21. This highlights their potential as stand-alone screening or diagnostic tests, either with others, in a new algorithm, or together with other biomarkers for purposes of detecting cervical lesions. Future studies could standardize quantification methods, and also study microRNAs in higher prevalence populations like in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Our review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022313275).

miR-203, fine-tunning neuroinflammation by juggling different components of NF-κB signaling

BACKGROUND

miR-203 was first indicated in maintaining skin homeostasis and innate immunity. Aberrant expression of miR-203 was found associated with pathological progressions of immune disorders, cancers, as well as neurodegenerations. Recently, increasing data on miR-203 in regulating neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis has raised extensive concern about the biological function of this microRNA.

METHODS

Mouse model with ectopic miR-203 expression in the hippocampus was constructed by stereotactic injection of lentiviral expression vector of pre-miR-203. Association of miR-203 and mRNA of Akirin2, as well as the competition for miR-203 targeting between Akirin2 3'UTR and another recently characterized miR-203 target, 14-3-3θ, was verified using Dual-Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay and western blot. Microglia activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression in the hippocampus of mice overexpressing miR-203 was evaluated using immunohistochemistry analysis and western blot. Neuronal cell death was monitored using anti-caspase 8 in immunohistochemistry as well as TUNEL assay. Cognition of mice was assessed with a behavior test battery consisting of nesting behavior test, Barnes maze and fear conditioning test.

RESULTS

Akirin2, an activator of NF-κB signaling, was identified as a direct target of miR-203. By also targeting 14-3-3θ, a negative regulator of NF-κB signaling, miR-203 displayed an overall pro-inflammatory role both in vitro and in vivo. Promoted nuclear translocation of NF-κB and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in cultured BV2 cells transfected with miR-203 mimics. Microglia activation and upregulation of NF-κB, IL-1β and IL-6 were observed in mouse hippocampus with overexpression of miR-203. In addition, promoted neuronal cell death in the hippocampus and impaired neuronal activities resulted in cognitive dysfunction of mice with ectopic miR-203 expression in the hippocampus.

CONCLUSION

A pro-inflammatory and neurodisruptive role of miR-203 was addressed based on our data in this study. Given the identification of Akirin2 as a direct target of miR-203 and the competition with 14-3-3θ for miR-203 targeting, together with the findings of other signaling molecules in NF-κB pathway as targets of miR-203, we proposed that miR-203 was a master modulator, fine-tunning neuroinflammation by juggling different components of NF-κB signaling.

FNDC3B and BPGM Are Involved in Human Papillomavirus-Mediated Carcinogenesis of Cervical Cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated cervical carcinogenesis is a multistep progressing from persistent infection, precancerous lesion to cervical cancer (CCa). Although molecular alterations driven by viral oncoproteins are necessary in cervical carcinogenesis, the key regulators behind the multistep process remain not well understood. It is pivotal to identify the key genes involved in the process for early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Here we analyzed the mRNA expression profiles in cervical samples including normal, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and CCa. A co-expression network was constructed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to reveal the crucial modules in the dynamic process from HPV infection to CCa development. Furthermore, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that could distinguish all stages of progression of CCa were screened. The key genes involved in HPV-CCa were identified. It was found that the genes involved in DNA replication/repair and cell cycle were upregulated in CIN compared with normal control, and sustained in CCa, accompanied by substantial metabolic shifts. We found that upregulated fibronectin type III domain-containing 3B (FNDC3B) and downregulated bisphosphoglycerate mutase (BPGM) could differentiate all stages of CCa progression. In patients with CCa, a higher expression of FNDC3B or lower expression of BPGM was closely correlated with a shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of CIN and CCa showed that FNDC3B had the highest sensitivity and specificity for predicting CCa development. Taken together, the current data showed that FNDC3B and BPGM were key genes involved in HPV-mediated transformation from normal epithelium to precancerous lesions and CCa.