MiR-425 Promotes Migration and Invasion in Bladder Cancer by Targeting Dickkopf 3

SDF-1 and NOTCH signaling in myogenic cell differentiation: the role of miRNA10a, 425, and 5100

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a complex process regulated by many cytokines and growth factors. Among the important signaling pathways regulating the myogenic cell identity are these involving SDF-1 and NOTCH. SDF-1 participates in cell mobilization and acts as an important chemoattractant. NOTCH, on the other hand, controls cell activation and myogenic determination of satellite cells. Knowledge about the interaction between SDF-1 and NOTCH signaling is limited.

METHODS

We analyzed two populations of myogenic cells isolated from mouse skeletal muscle, that is, myoblasts derived from satellite cells (SCs) and muscle interstitial progenitor cells (MIPCs). First, microRNA level changes in response to SDF-1 treatment were analyzed with next-generation sequencing (NGS). Second, myogenic cells, i.e., SC-derived myoblasts and MIPCs were transfected with miRNA mimics, selected on the basis of NGS results, or their inhibitors. Transcriptional changes, as well as proliferation, migration, and differentiation abilities of SC-derived myoblasts and MIPCs, were analyzed in vitro. Naive myogenic potential was assessed in vivo, using subcutaneous engrafts and analysis of cell contribution to regeneration of the skeletal muscles.

RESULTS

SDF-1 treatment led to down-regulation of miR10a, miR151, miR425, and miR5100 in myoblasts. Interestingly, miR10a, miR425, and miR5100 regulated the expression of factors involved in the NOTCH signaling pathway, including Dll1, Jag2, and NICD. Furthermore, miR10a, miR425, and miR5100 down-regulated the expression of factors involved in cell migration: Acta1, MMP12, and FAK, myogenic differentiation: Pax7, Myf5, Myod, Mef2c, Myog, Musk, and Myh3. However, these changes did not significantly affect myogenic cell migration or fusion either in vitro or in vivo, except when miR425 was overexpressed, or miR5100 inhibitor was used. These two molecules increased the fusion of MIPCs and myoblasts, respectively. Furthermore, miR425-transfected MIPC transplantation into injured skeletal muscle resulted in more efficient regeneration, compared to control cell transplantation. However, skeletal muscles that were injected with miR10a transfected myoblasts regenerated less efficiently.

CONCLUSIONS

SDF-1 down-regulates miR10a, miR425, and miR5100, what could affect NOTCH signaling, differentiation of myogenic cells, and their participation in skeletal muscle regeneration.

Diverse Functions of MiR-425 in Human Cancer

miRNAs are a type of small endogenous noncoding RNA composed of 20-22 nucleotides that can regulate gene expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region of mRNA. Many investigations have discovered that miRNAs have a role in the development and progression of human cancer. Several aspects of tumor development are affected by miR-425, including growth, apoptosis, invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. In this article, we discuss the properties and research development of miR-425, focusing on the regulation and function of miR-425 in various cancers. Furthermore, we discuss the clinical implications of miR-425. This review may broaden our horizon for better understanding the role of miR-425 as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human cancer.

MicroRNAs miR-584-5p and miR-425-3p Are Up-Regulated in Plasma of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Patients: Targeting with Inhibitor Peptide Nucleic Acids Is Associated with Induction of Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cell Lines

Liquid biopsy has dramatically changed cancer management in the last decade; however, despite the huge number of miRNA signatures available for diagnostic or prognostic purposes, it is still unclear if dysregulated miRNAs in the bloodstream could be used to develop miRNA-based therapeutic approaches. In one author's previous work, nine miRNAs were found to be dysregulated in early-stage colon cancer (CRC) patients by NGS analysis followed by RT-dd-PCR validation. In the present study, the biological effects of the targeting of the most relevant dysregulated miRNAs with anti-miRNA peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) were verified, and their anticancer activity in terms of apoptosis induction was evaluated. Our data demonstrate that targeting bloodstream up-regulated miRNAs using anti-miRNA PNAs leads to the down-regulation of target miRNAs associated with inhibition of the activation of the pro-apoptotic pathway in CRC cellular models. Moreover, very high percentages of apoptotic cells were found when the anti-miRNA PNAs were associated with other pro-apoptotic agents, such as sulforaphane (SFN). The presented data sustain the idea that the targeting of miRNAs up-regulated in the bloodstream with a known role in tumor pathology might be a tool for the design of protocols for anti-tumor therapy based on miRNA-targeting molecules.

miRNA-425-5p enhances diffuse large B cell lymphoma growth by targeting PTEN

BACKGROUND

At present, cancer is one of the greatest threats to mankind, and is associated with the highest rates of morbidity and comorbidity. Recently, the advancements in molecular biology have led to an in-depth understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, which may further impact the lead time in the context of early discovery and effective therapy of cancer. Therefore, the present study proposes a better understanding of the role of micro(miR)-425-5p in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBC).

METHODS

qRT-PCR was carried out to detect the relevant proteins, miRNA and mRNA RNA gene expression in DLBC cells. The effect of miR-425-5p on DLBC growth was examined by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. The binding relationship between genes was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

We demonstrated how the over-expression of miR-425-5p can lead to increased progression of DLBC by increasing the cellular proliferation rate and colony-forming ability. Additionally, we also found that the expression of miR-425-5p could be significantly inhibited on the basis of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study concludes that miR-425-5p is responsible for the oncogenic progression and relapse of DLBC tumorigenesis via PTEN/PI3K signaling, which can thus be effectively used to achieve better therapeutic outcomes.

Functional Genomic Screening During Somatic Cell Reprogramming Identifies DKK3 as a Roadblock of Organ Regeneration

Somatic cell reprogramming and tissue repair share relevant factors and molecular programs. Here, Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) is identified as novel factor for organ regeneration using combined transcription-factor-induced reprogramming and RNA-interference techniques. Loss of Dkk3 enhances the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells but does not affect de novo derivation of embryonic stem cells, three-germ-layer differentiation or colony formation capacity of liver and pancreatic organoids. However, DKK3 expression levels in wildtype animals and serum levels in human patients are elevated upon injury. Accordingly, Dkk3-null mice display less liver damage upon acute and chronic failure mediated by increased proliferation in hepatocytes and LGR5+ liver progenitor cell population, respectively. Similarly, recovery from experimental pancreatitis is accelerated. Regeneration onset occurs in the acinar compartment accompanied by virtually abolished canonical-Wnt-signaling in Dkk3-null animals. This results in reduced expression of the Hedgehog repressor Gli3 and increased Hedgehog-signaling activity upon Dkk3 loss. Collectively, these data reveal Dkk3 as a key regulator of organ regeneration via a direct, previously unacknowledged link between DKK3, canonical-Wnt-, and Hedgehog-signaling.

Regulation of Nuclear Factor-KappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway by non-coding RNAs in cancer: Inhibiting or promoting carcinogenesis?

The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway is considered as a potential therapeutic target in cancer therapy. It has been well established that transcription factor NF-κB is involved in regulating physiological and pathological events including inflammation, immune response and differentiation. Increasing evidences suggest that deregulated NF-κB signaling can enhance cancer cell proliferation, metastasis and also mediate radio-as well as chemo-resistance. On the contrary, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been found to modulate NF-κB signaling pathway under different settings. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can dually inhibit/induce NF-κB signaling thereby affecting the growth and migration of cancer cells. Furthermore, the response of cancer cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be regulated by miRNAs. Regulation of NF-κB by miRNAs may be mediated via binding to 3^/-UTR region. Interestingly, anti-tumor compounds can increase the expression of tumor-suppressor miRNAs in inhibiting NF-κB activation and the progression of cancers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) can also effectively modulate NF-κB signaling thus affecting tumorigenesis. It is noteworthy that several studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs and circRNAs can affect miRNAs in targeting NF-κB activation. They can act as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) thereby reducing miRNA expression to induce NF-κB activation that can in turn promote cancer progression and malignancy.