MicroRNA-216b targets HK2 to potentiate autophagy and apoptosis of breast cancer cells via the mTOR signaling pathway

TNF-α-licensed exosome-integrated titaniumaccelerated T2D osseointegration by promoting autophagy-regulated M2 macrophage polarization

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is on a notable rise worldwide, which leads to unfavorable outcomes during implant treatments. Surface modification of implants and exosome treatment have been utilized to enhance osseointegration. However, there has been insufficient approach to improve adverse osseointegration in T2D conditions. In this study, we successfully loaded TNF-α-treated mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes onto micro/nano-network titanium (Ti) surfaces. TNF-α-licensed exosome-integrated titanium (TNF-exo-Ti) effectively enhanced M2 macrophage polarization in hyperglycemic conditions, with increased secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, TNF-exo-Ti pretreated macrophage further enhanced angiogenesis and osteogenesis of endothelial cells and bone marrow MSCs. More importantly, TNF-exo-Ti markedly promoted osseointegration in T2D mice. Mechanistically, TNF-exo-Ti activated macrophage autophagy to promote M2 polarization through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which could be abolished by PI3K agonist. Thus, this study established TNF-α-licensed exosome-immobilized titanium surfaces that could rectify macrophage immune states and accelerate osseointegration in T2D conditions.

miRNAs that regulate apoptosis in breast cancer and cervical cancer

In today's world, one of the main problems is cancer, which still has a long way to go to cure it, and it brings a lot of financial and emotional costs to the people of society and governments. Breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC), two of the most common cancers, are caused by several genetic and environmental factors in women. These two cancers' involvement rate is higher than other cancers in women. microRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules with a length of 18 to 24 nucleotides, which play an important role in post-translational changes. miRNAs themselves are divided into two categories, oncomiRs and tumor suppressors. OncomiRs have a part in tumor expansion and tumor suppressors prevent tumor development and progress. miRNAs can control cellular processes by regulating various pathways including autophagy, apoptosis, and signaling. Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death that includes intrinsic and extrinsic pathways and is different from other cell death pathways such as necrosis and ferroptosis. Apoptosis controls the growth, differentiation, and death of cells by regulating the death of damaged and old cells, and since miRNAs are one of the factors that regulate apoptosis, and divided into two categories: pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic. We decided in this study to investigate the relationship between miRNAs and apoptosis in the most common women's cancers, BC and CC.

Autophagy Modulation in Therapeutic Strategy of Breast Cancer Drug Resistance

Breast cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignancy globally. Autophagy plays a pivotal role in all stages of this disease, including development, metastasis, and onset. Therefore, it is envisaged that targeting cell autophagy through appropriate tactics would evolve into a novel breast cancer prevention and therapy strategy. A multitude of chemotherapeutic medications can stimulate autophagy in tumor cells. It has led to divergent opinions on the function of autophagy in cancer treatment, as both stimulating and blocking autophagy can improve the effectiveness of anticancer medications. Consequently, the decision of whether to stimulate or inhibit autophagy during breast cancer treatment has become crucial. Understanding the distinctive mechanisms of autophagy in BC and its significance in medication therapy might facilitate the creation of targeted treatment plans based on the roles particular to autophagy. This review summarizes recent studies on the autophagy mechanism in breast cancer and provides insights into autophagy-based BC therapeutic techniques, giving fresh avenues for future BC treatment.

MiR-125a-5p regulates the radiosensitivity of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma via HK2 targeting through the DDR pathway

Objective

To determine the function of miR-125a-5p in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), its correlation with radiation sensitivity, and the underlying regulatory mechanism.

Materials and methods

We conducted the analysis on the correlation between miR-125a-5p and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The putative gene targeted by miR-125a-5p has been identified as HK2, while the expression levels of miR-125a-5p and HK2 were measured in laryngeal cancer tissues and cells using RT-PCR. MiR-125a-5p and HK2 were introduced into the lentiviral vector and the vector was used to transfect AMC-HN-8 cells. The roles of miR-125a-5p and HK2 in LSCC and on radiosensitivity were determined by evaluating cell growth, examining colony formation, analyzing flow cytometry, and utilizing the single hit multi-target model. Western blotting was used to measure H2AX and rH2AX levels in the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway. The validation of the interaction between miR-125a-5p and HK2 was conducted through the dual-luciferase assay. To further confirm the association between miR-125a-5p and HK2, as well as its influence on radiosensitivity, rescue experiments were performed.

Results

The expression of miR-125a-5p is downregulated in LSCC, while upregulating its expression could suppress cell growth, induce apoptosis, and enhance radiosensitivity. Additionally, HK2 exhibited high expression in LSCC and the biological function was opposite to miR-125a-5p. Western blotting analysis revealed that miR-125a-5p increased rH2AX levels and decreased H2AX levels, conversely, HK2 had the opposite effect on miR-125a-5p. These findings suggested that HK2 may serve as the target gene of miR-125a-5p. The double luciferase assay confirmed the binding of HK2 to miR-125a-5p, and rescue trials confirmed the role of miR-125a-5p in regulating the effects and radiation sensitivity of LSCC by targeting HK2 via the DDR pathway.

Conclusion

By targeting HK2 and impacting the DDR pathway, miR-125a-5p has been found to inhibit cellular proliferation, enhance apoptosis, and heighten radiosensitivity in LSCC.

Transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications in the glycolytic pathway for targeted cancer therapy

Cancer cells largely rely on aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect to generate essential biomolecules and energy for their rapid growth. The key modulators in glycolysis including glucose transporters and enzymes, e.g. hexokinase 2, enolase 1, pyruvate kinase M2, lactate dehydrogenase A, play indispensable roles in glucose uptake, glucose consumption, ATP generation, lactate production, etc. Transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications (PTMs) of these critical modulators are important for signal transduction and metabolic reprogramming in the glycolytic pathway, which can provide energy advantages to cancer cell growth. In this review we recapitulate the recent advances in research on glycolytic modulators of cancer cells and analyze the strategies targeting these vital modulators including small-molecule inhibitors and microRNAs (miRNAs) for targeted cancer therapy. We focus on the regulation of the glycolytic pathway at the transcription level (e.g., hypoxia-inducible factor 1, c-MYC, p53, sine oculis homeobox homolog 1, N6-methyladenosine modification) and PTMs (including phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, etc.) of the key regulators in these processes. This review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the regulation of the key modulators in the glycolytic pathway and might shed light on the targeted cancer therapy at different molecular levels.

MicroRNA-based interventions in aberrant cell cycle diseases: Therapeutic strategies for cancers, central nervous system disorders and comorbidities

Malignant tumors and central nervous system (CNS) disorders are intricately linked to a process known as "aberrant cell cycle re-entry," which plays a critical role in the progression of these diseases. Addressing the dysregulation in cell cycles offers a promising therapeutic approach for cancers and CNS disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role as regulators of gene expression in cell cycle transitions, presenting a promising therapeutic avenue for treating these disorders and their comorbidities. This review consolidates the progress made in the last three years regarding miRNA-based treatments for diseases associated with aberrant cell cycle re-entry. It encompasses exploring fundamental mechanisms and signaling pathways influenced by miRNAs in cancers and CNS disorders, particularly focusing on the therapeutic effects of exosome-derived miRNAs. The review also identifies specific miRNAs implicated in comorbidity of cancers and CNS disorders, discusses the future potential of miRNA reagents in managing cell cycle-related diseases.

The crosstalk between glucose metabolism and telomerase regulation in cancer

Accumulated alterations in metabolic control provide energy and anabolic demands for enhanced cancer cell proliferation. Exemplified by the Warburg effect, changes in glucose metabolism during cancer progression are widely recognized as a characteristic of metabolic disorders. Since telomerases are a vital factor in maintaining DNA integrity and stability, any damage threatening telomerases could have a severe impact on DNA and, subsequently, whole-cell homeostasis. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of glucose metabolism in cancer is connected to the regulation of telomerase. In this review, we present the latest insights into the crosstalk between telomerase function and glucose metabolism in cancer cells. However, at this moment this subject is not well investigated that the association is mostly indirectly regulations and few explicit regulating pathways were identified between telomerase and glucose metabolism. Therefore, the information presented in this review can provide a scientific basis for further research on the detail mechanism and the clinical application of cancer therapy, which could be valuable in improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

MiR-103a-3p Promotes Tumorigenesis of Breast Cancer by Targeting ETNK1

Background

We aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of miR-103a-3p regulating breast cancer progression.

Methods

Firstly, clinical tissues was obtained from 2019-2023 at Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China. miR-103a-3p or ETNK1 expression in clinical tissues or breast cancer cell lines was analyzed with qRTPCR. MDA-MB-231 cells were performed with miR-103a-3p inhibitor or mimic, and OE-ETNK1. The proliferation and apoptosis ability were detected by CCK-8 and TUNEL assay. The xenograft models were established by inoculating transfected MDA-MB-231 cells to BALB/c mice.

Results

miR-103a-3p showed an overexpression and was related to poor prognosis in breast cancer. miR-103a-3p-deprived MDA-MB-231 cells displayed weaker levels of cell proliferation and higher rates of apoptosis. In contrast, ETNK1 was downregulated in breast cancer and proved to be a downstream target of miR-103a-3p. Xenograft models subjected to either miR-103a-3p antagomir treatment or ETNK1-knockdown resulted in tumor growth suppression.

Conclusion

miR-103a-3p might promote breast cancer progression by inhibiting ETNK1.

PVT1 lncRNA in lung cancer: A key player in tumorigenesis and therapeutic opportunities

The lncRNA PVT1 has emerged as a pivotal component in the intricate landscape of cancer pathogenesis, particularly in lung cancer. PVT1, situated in the 8q24 chromosomal region, has garnered attention for its aberrant expression patterns in lung cancer, correlating with tumor progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis. Numerous studies have unveiled the diverse mechanisms PVT1 contributes to lung cancer pathogenesis. It modulates critical pathways, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis evasion, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. PVT1's interactions with other molecules, including microRNAs and proteins, amplify its oncogenic influence. Recent advancements in genomic and epigenetic analyses have also illuminated the intricate regulatory networks that govern PVT1 expression. Understanding PVT1's complex involvement in lung cancer holds substantial clinical implications. Targeting PVT1 presents a promising avenue for developing novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic interventions. This abstract encapsulates the expanding knowledge regarding the oncogenic role of PVT1 in lung cancer, underscoring the significance of further research to unravel its complete mechanistic landscape and exploit its potential for improved patient outcomes.

The Promoting Role of HK II in Tumor Development and the Research Progress of Its Inhibitors

Increased glycolysis is a key characteristic of malignant cells that contributes to their high proliferation rates and ability to develop drug resistance. The glycolysis rate-limiting enzyme hexokinase II (HK II) is overexpressed in most tumor cells and significantly affects tumor development. This paper examines the structure of HK II and the specific biological factors that influence its role in tumor development, as well as the potential of HK II inhibitors in antitumor therapy. Furthermore, we identify and discuss the inhibitors of HK II that have been reported in the literature.

LncRNA-SNHG1 promotes paclitaxel resistance of gastric cancer cells through modulating the miR-216b-5p-hexokianse 2 axis

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most malignant tumors with high incidence and poor prognosis. Currently, the combination of surgery with chemo- or radiotherapy is widely applied therapeutic strategy against GC. However, development of drug resistance severely limited the clinical application of chemotherapy. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) has been reported to be frequently overexpressed in diverse human tumors. Yet, the biological roles and mechanisms of SNHG1 in chemoresistant GC remain unclear. Expressions of lncRNA and miRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. Responses of GC cells to Taxol treatments were evaluated by cell viability assay and apoptosis assay. Glucose metabolism rate was examined by glucose uptake and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). The lncRNA-miRNA interaction was validated by RNA pull-down assay and luciferase assays. This study reports that expressions of SNHG1 were significantly elevated in patients with GC and gastric cancer cell lines. Silencing SNHG1 effectively suppressed GC cells migration and increased the Taxol sensitivity of GC cells. Moreover, we detected remarkedly upregulated SNHG1 expression and increased glucose metabolism in Taxol resistant cell line, MKN-45 TXR. Low glucose supply rendered Taxol resistant cells more susceptible to Taxol treatment compared with that from MKN-45 parental cells. Bioinformatical analysis, RNA pull-down and luciferase assays verified that SNHG1 functioned as a ceRNA of miR-216b-5p in GC cells. Consistently, we detected miR-216b-5p was significantly downregulated in GC tumor specimens and Taxol resistant GC cells. The hexokinase 2 (HK2), a glucose metabolism key enzyme, was predicted and validated as a direct target of miR-216b-5p in GC cells. Finally, restoration of miR-216b-5p in SNHG1-overexpressing MKN-45 TXR cells successfully overrode the SNHG1-promoted Taxol resistance through targeting the HK2-glycolysis axis. This study uncovered new biological roles and molecular mechanisms of the lncRNA-SNHG1-mediated Taxol resistance of gastric cancer, suggesting targeting the SNHG1-miR-216b-5p-HK2 axis could be a potentially therapeutic approach against chemoresistant gastric cancer.

SPI1 involvement in malignant melanoma pathogenesis by regulation of HK2 through the AKT1/mTOR pathway

Spi-1 proto-oncogene (SPI1) plays a vital role in carcinogenesis. Our work aimed to investigate the potential regulatory mechanism of SPI1 in melanoma. The mRNA and protein levels were measured via qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. The target relationship between SPI1 and hexokinase 2 (HK2) was determined using dual-luciferase reporter detection. ChIP was conducted to confirm the targeted relationship between SPI1 and the HK2 promoter. Immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted to measure the positive cell number of SPI1 and HK2 in melanoma tissues. The cell migration abilities were determined using a wound healing assay. Glucose consumption, pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, lactate production and ATP levels were measured to assess glycolysis. SPI1 transcription in melanoma cells and tissues was dramatically higher than that in adjacent normal tissues and epidermal melanocyte HEMa-LP, respectively. Knockdown of SPI1 restrained cell viability, metastasis and glycolysis in melanoma cells. SPI1 directly targeted HK2, and knockdown of SPI1 repressed HK2 expression. Overexpression of HK2 weakened the inhibitory effects of SPI1 knockdown on the viability, metastasis and glycolysis of melanoma cells. The serine-threonine kinase 1 (AKT1)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis is involved in melanoma progression. SPI1 knockdown restrained melanoma cell proliferation, metastasis and glycolysis by regulating the AKT1/mTOR pathway.

Decoding the regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs in cellular metabolism and disease

Non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are being studied extensively in a variety of fields. Their roles in metabolism have received increasing attention in recent years but are not yet clear. The regulation of glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism is an imperative physiological process that occurs in living organisms and takes part in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Here, we summarize the important roles played by non-coding RNAs in glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, as well as the mechanisms involved. We also summarize the therapeutic advances for non-coding RNAs in diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and some metabolic diseases. Overall, non-coding RNAs are indispensable factors in metabolism and have a significant role in the three major metabolisms, which may be exploited as therapeutic targets in the future.

Non-coding RNAs in breast cancer: with a focus on glucose metabolism reprogramming

Breast cancer is the tumor with the highest incidence in women worldwide. According to research, the poor prognosis of breast cancer is closely related to abnormal glucose metabolism in tumor cells. Changes in glucose metabolism in tumor cells are an important feature. When sufficient oxygen is available, cancer cells tend to undergo glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation, which promotes rapid proliferation and invasion of tumor cells. As research deepens, targeting the glucose metabolism pathway of tumor cells is seen as a promising treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), a recent focus of research, are involved in the regulation of enzymes of glucose metabolism and related cancer signaling pathways in breast cancer cells. This article reviews the regulatory effect and mechanism of ncRNAs on glucose metabolism in breast cancer cells and provides new ideas for the treatment of breast cancer.

Let-7b-5p inhibits breast cancer cell growth and metastasis via repression of hexokinase 2-mediated aerobic glycolysis

Hexokinase 2 (HK2), a critical rate-limiting enzyme in the glycolytic pathway catalyzing hexose phosphorylation, is overexpressed in multiple human cancers and associated with poor clinicopathological features. Drugs targeting aerobic glycolysis regulators, including HK2, are in development. However, the physiological significance of HK2 inhibitors and mechanisms of HK2 inhibition in cancer cells remain largely unclear. Herein, we show that microRNA-let-7b-5p (let-7b-5p) represses HK2 expression by targeting its 3'-untranslated region. By suppressing HK2-mediated aerobic glycolysis, let-7b-5p restrains breast tumor growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In patients with breast cancer, let-7b-5p expression is significantly downregulated and is negatively correlated with HK2 expression. Our findings indicate that the let-7b-5p/HK2 axis plays a key role in aerobic glycolysis as well as breast tumor proliferation and metastasis, and targeting this axis is a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.

Towards dual function of autophagy in breast cancer: A potent regulator of tumor progression and therapy response

As a devastating disease, breast cancer has been responsible for decrease in life expectancy of females and its morbidity and mortality are high. Breast cancer is the most common tumor in females and its treatment has been based on employment of surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The changes in biological behavior of breast tumor relies on genomic and epigenetic mutations and depletions as well as dysregulation of molecular mechanisms that autophagy is among them. Autophagy function can be oncogenic in increasing tumorigenesis, and when it has pro-death function, it causes reduction in viability of tumor cells. The carcinogenic function of autophagy in breast tumor is an impediment towards effective therapy of patients, as it can cause drug resistance and radio-resistance. The important hallmarks of breast tumor such as glucose metabolism, proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis can be regulated by autophagy. Oncogenic autophagy can inhibit apoptosis, while it promotes stemness of breast tumor. Moreover, autophagy demonstrates interaction with tumor microenvironment components such as macrophages and its level can be regulated by anti-tumor compounds in breast tumor therapy. The reasons of considering autophagy in breast cancer therapy is its pleiotropic function, dual role (pro-survival and pro-death) and crosstalk with important molecular mechanisms such as apoptosis. Moreover, current review provides a pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of autophagy in breast tumor.

Autophagy as a self-digestion signal in human cancers: Regulation by microRNAs in affecting carcinogenesis and therapy response

Autophagy is defined as a "self-digestion" signal, and it is a cell death mechanism its primary function is degrading toxic agents and aged organelles to ensure homeostasis in cells. The basic leve ls of autophagy are found in cells, and when its levels exceed to standard threshold, cell death induction is observed. Autophagy dysregulation in cancer has been well-documented, and regulation of this pathway by epigenetic factors, especially microRNAs (miRNAs), is interesting and noteworthy. miRNAs are considered short endogenous RNAs that do not encode functional proteins, and they are essential regulators of cell death pathways such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy. Accumulating data has revealed miRNA dysregulation (upregulation or downregulation) during tumor progression, and their therapeutic manipulation provides new insight into cancer therapy. miRNA/autophagy axis in human cancers has been investigated an exciting point is the dual function of both autophagy and miRNAs as oncogenic and onco-suppressor factors. The stimulation of pro-survival autophagy by miRNAs can increase the survival rate of tumor cells and mediates cancer metastasis via EMT inductionFurthermore, pro-death autophagy induction by miRNAs has a negative impact on the viability of tumor cells and decreases their survival rate. The miRNA/autophagy axis functions beyond regulating the growth and invasion of tumor cells, and they can also affect drug resistance and radio-resistance. These subjects are covered in the current review regarding the new updates provided by recent experiments.

Hexokinases in cancer and other pathologies

Glucose metabolism is indispensable for cell growth and survival. Hexokinases play pivotal roles in glucose metabolism through canonical functions of hexokinases as well as in immune response, cell stemness, autophagy, and other cellular activities through noncanonical functions. The aberrant regulation of hexokinases contributes to the development and progression of pathologies, including cancer and immune diseases.

Study on differentially expressed genes between stage M and stage MS neuroblastoma

Objective

To search for the DEGs between stage MS NB and stage M NB and speculate the possible mechanism of spontaneous regression of stage MS NB.

Materials and methods

The NB datasets GSE49710 and GSE45547 in the GEO database were selected to screen the DEGs between children with NB stage MS vs. stage M, < 18 months. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis of DEGs was performed using DAVID. The intersecting genes among DEGs and RCD-related genes were selected, and their survival roles and functions were assessed. We then used the collected clinical samples to validate the expression of these genes at the protein level using IHC methods and further analysis to explore their role.

Results

BIRC5, SLCO4A1, POPDC3, and HK2 were found to be downregulated in stage MS NB and related to apoptosis. BIRC5 and HK2 also participate in autophagy. The TF gene is upregulated in stage MS NB and related to ferroptosis. The above five genes are closely related to the survival of children with NB. And the expression levels of all five genes at the protein level were verified by IHC to be consistent with the results of the preliminary screening described above.

Conclusion

BIRC5, SLCO4A1, POPDC3, HK2 and TF are expected to become new important indicators to predict the prognosis of NB and can be used as the basis for further explored the benign prognosis and spontaneous regression mechanism of stage MS NB.

New insights into autophagy in inflammatory subtypes of asthma

Asthma is a heterogeneous airway disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. Autophagy is a self-degrading process that helps maintain cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. In the context of asthma, autophagy has been shown to be associated with inflammation, airway remodeling, and responsiveness to drug therapy. In-depth characterization of the role of autophagy in asthma can enhance the understanding of the pathogenesis, and provide a theoretical basis for the development of new biomarkers and targeted therapy for asthma. In this article, we focus on the relationship of autophagy and asthma, and discuss its implications for asthma pathogenesis and treatment.

DNA repair/recombination protein 54L promotes the progression of lung adenocarcinoma by activating mTORC1 pathway

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most prevalent form of lung cancer and has a poor prognosis. RAD54L is a DNA repair protein upregulated in several cancer types, but its role in LUAD progression remains unclear. The objective of this study was to characterise the molecular pathways that oncogenic RAD54L modulates to drive LUAD progression. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)‒LUAD dataset was analysed to compare the RAD54L mRNA expression in LUAD tumours to that in normal lung tissue. RAD54L and E2F7 mRNA expression was confirmed in human cancer cell lines using RT-qPCR. Bioinformatics tools were used to predict the target genes and downstream signalling pathways of RAD54L. Proteins related to RAD54L, apoptosis, migration, and the mTORC1 pathway were assessed by Western blotting. Using the TCGA‒LUAD dataset, we found that RAD54L was higher in LUAD tumours compared to that in non-cancerous lung tissue, and RAD54L levels were significantly correlated with pathological TNM stage and unfavourable prognosis in patients with LUAD. RAD54L was ubiquitously upregulated in LUAD cells (NCI-H1975, H1299, H23 and A549). Furthermore, RAD54L silencing decreased cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and induced cell apoptosis and G1 cell cycle phase arrest in H1299 and H23 human lung cancer cell lines. E2F7 was predicted as a target gene of RAD54L. E2F7 overexpression restored malignant cell behaviour in si-RAD54L-treated H1299 cells. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the mTORC1 signalling pathway is downstream of RAD54L. Rapamycin treatment impaired RAD54L-mediated malignant cell behaviour in H1299 cells. Additionally, RAD54L promoted the progression of xenograft tumours and metastasis in vivo. In conclusion, the E2F7-RAD54L axis promotes the progression of LUAD through the mTORC1 signalling pathway.

Hexokinase inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose coordinates citrullination of vimentin and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes by inhibiting HK2 /mTORC1-induced autophagy

High hexokinase 2 (HK2) expression is associated with aberrant activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the mechanism by which this occurs has not been fully elucidated. To investigate the role of HK2 and its underlying mechanism, adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats were treated with the HK2 inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG). In conjunction with HK2 knockdown experiments in FLSs, we evaluated the effect of HK2 on the citrullination of vimentin (cVIM), autophagy and apoptosis-associated protein expression, including that of cVIM, LC3, p62, Beclin1, Bax, Bcl2, and caspase 3. We further investigated the interaction of HK2 with downstream mTORC1 signaling effectors. Correlation analysis revealed that 2-DG treatment and HK2 knockdown upregulated the expression levels of caspase3, Bax, and p62 and downregulated the expression levels of LC3, Bcl2, and Beclin1, as well as decreasing vimentin citrullination. Furthermore, interactions between HK2 and mTOR decreased, coinciding with mTORC1 pathway activation. These findings suggest that the regulation of apoptosis and cVIM by HK2/mTORC1-dependent autophagy involves the inhibition of aberrant FLSs activation in the rat model of arthritis.

Targeting mTOR as a Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds and Immunotherapy

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a highly conserved serine/threonine-protein kinase, which regulates many biological processes related to metabolism, cancer, immune function, and aging. It is an essential protein kinase that belongs to the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) family and has two known signaling complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). Even though mTOR signaling plays a critical role in promoting mitochondria-related protein synthesis, suppressing the catabolic process of autophagy, contributing to lipid metabolism, engaging in ribosome formation, and acting as a critical regulator of mRNA translation, it remains one of the significant signaling systems involved in the tumor process, particularly in apoptosis, cell cycle, and cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, the mTOR signaling system could be suggested as a cancer biomarker, and its targeting is important in anti-tumor therapy research. Indeed, its dysregulation is involved in different types of cancers such as colon, neck, cervical, head, lung, breast, reproductive, and bone cancers, as well as nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Moreover, recent investigations showed that targeting mTOR could be considered as cancer therapy. Accordingly, this review presents an overview of recent developments associated with the mTOR signaling pathway and its molecular involvement in various human cancer types. It also summarizes the research progress of different mTOR inhibitors, including natural and synthetised compounds and their main mechanisms, as well as the rational combinations with immunotherapies.

Metabolic Pathways in Breast Cancer Reprograming: An Insight to Non-Coding RNAs

Cancer cells reprogram their metabolisms to achieve high energetic requirements and produce precursors that facilitate uncontrolled cell proliferation. Metabolic reprograming involves not only the dysregulation in glucose-metabolizing regulatory enzymes, but also the enzymes engaging in the lipid and amino acid metabolisms. Nevertheless, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of reprograming are not fully understood. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as functional RNA molecules cannot translate into proteins, but they do play a regulatory role in gene expression. Moreover, ncRNAs have been demonstrated to be implicated in the metabolic modulations in breast cancer (BC) by regulating the metabolic-related enzymes. Here, we will focus on the regulatory involvement of ncRNAs (microRNA, circular RNA and long ncRNA) in BC metabolism, including glucose, lipid and glutamine metabolism. Investigation of this aspect may not only alter the approaches of BC diagnosis and prognosis, but may also open a new avenue in using ncRNA-based therapeutics for BC treatment by targeting different metabolic pathways.

Signaling pathways modulated by miRNAs in breast cancer angiogenesis and new therapeutics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors by suppressing the expression of target genes, some of which are engaged in angiogenic signaling pathways directly or indirectly. Tumor development and metastasis are dependent on angiogenesis, and it is the main reason for the poor prognosis of cancer patients. New blood vessels are formed from pre-existing vessels when angiogenesis occurs. Thus, it is essential to develop primary tumors and the spread of cancer to surrounding tissues. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs involved in various biological processes. They can bind to the 3'-UTR of their target genes and prevent them from expressing. MiRNAs control the activity of endothelial cells (ECs) through altering many biological pathways, which plays a key role in cancer progression and angiogenesis. Recent findings revealed that tumor-derived extracellular vesicles participated directly in the control of tumor angiogenesis by delivering miRNAs to ECs. miRNAs recently show great promise in cancer therapies to inhibit angiogenesis. In this study, we showed the miRNA-regulated signaling pathways in tumor angiogenesis with highlighting the anti-angiogenic therapy response and miRNA delivery methods that have been used to inhibit angiogenesis in both in vivo and in vitro studies.