miR-874-3p mitigates cisplatin resistance through modulating NF-κB/inhibitor of apoptosis protein signaling pathway in epithelial ovarian cancer cells

Prognostic Value of hsa_circ_0007615 in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and its Regulatory Effect on Tumor Progression

This study aimed to interrogate the functional and clinical significance of hsa_circ_0007615 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). GSE192410 was screened for upregulated circRNAs in ovarian cancer. The expression levels of hsa_circ_0007615 were evaluated in a patient cohort comprising 113 EOC tissues and matched normal tissues. Subsequently, the prognostic value was confirmed by the relevance of hsa_circ_0007615 with clinical parameters, Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional risk model. Cell functional analyses were performed in EOC cell lines using a cell proliferation kit, transwell and cell death kit. Our data revealed that hsa_circ_0007615 was significantly upregulated in EOC tissues and cell lines, compared with normal ones. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that hsa_circ_0007615 emerged as an independent risk factor for overall survival and recurrence of EOC patients. Knockdown of hsa_circ_0007615 in EOC cells led to the blocking of cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but an increase of cell death presenting as ferroptosis. Tumor suppressive effects of hsa_circ_0007615 knockdown can be abolished by miR-874-3p inhibition. TUBB3 was a targeting gene of miR-874-3p. Hsa_circ_0007615 has the functional and clinical significance of EOC. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0007615 may contribute to EOC by sponging miR-874-3p and moderating TUBB3.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosome-derived miR-874-3p targeting RIPK1/PGAM5 attenuates kidney tubular epithelial cell damage

BACKGROUND

Kidney insults due to various pathogenic factors, such as trauma, infection, and inflammation, can cause tubular epithelial cell injury and death, leading to acute kidney injury and the transformation of acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease. There is no definitive treatment available. In previous studies, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to promote kidney injury. In this preclinical study, we investigate the role and mechanism of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (HucMSC-Exos) on the repair of renal tubular epithelial cells after injury.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction, and epithelial cell injury was induced in HK-2 cells by cisplatin. HucMSC-Exos were assessed in vivo and in vitro. The extent of renal cell injury, activation of necroptosis pathway, and mitochondrial quality-control-related factors were determined in different groups. We also analyzed the possible regulatory effector molecules in HucMSC-Exos by transcriptomics.

RESULTS

HucMSC-Exo inhibited necroptosis after renal tubular epithelial cell injury and promoted the dephosphorylation of the S637 site of the Drp1 gene by reducing the expression of PGAM5. This subsequently inhibited mitochondrial fission and maintained mitochondrial functional homeostasis, mitigating renal injury and promoting repair. In addition, HucMSC-Exo displayed a regulatory role by targeting RIPK1 through miR-874-3p.

CONCLUSION

The collective findings of the present study demonstrate that HucMSC-Exos can regulate necroptosis through miR-874-3p to attenuate renal tubular epithelial cell injury and enhance repair, providing new therapeutic modalities and ideas for the treatment of AKI and the process of AKI to CKD transformation to mitigate renal damage.

Modulating multidrug resistance to drug-based antitumor therapies through NF-κB signaling pathway: mechanisms and perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Despite the advances made in cancer treatment in the past decades, therapeutic efficacy is still quite challenging, partially due to the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR). It is crucial to decipher the underlying mechanisms of resistance in order to develop new therapeutic strategies for cancer patients. Previous studies have shown that activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays key roles in various cellular processes including proliferation, anti-apoptosis, metastasis, invasion, and chemoresistance.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we conduct an integrated analysis of the evidence suggesting the vital roles of the NF-κB signaling pathway in MDR during chemotherapy, immunotherapy, endocrine, and targeted therapy. A literature search was performed on NF-κB and drug resistance in PubMed up to February 2023.

EXPERT OPINION

This review summarizes that the NF-κB signaling pathway exhibits a crucial role in enhancing drug resistance in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, endocrine, and targeted therapy. The application of combination therapy with existing antineoplastic drugs and a safe NF-κB inhibitor could become a promising strategy in cancer treatment. A better understanding of the pathway and mechanisms of drug resistance may help exploit safer and more effective NF-κB-targeting agents for clinical use in the future.

M6A-mediated upregulation of circMDK promotes tumorigenesis and acts as a nanotherapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Emerging evidence suggest the critical role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in disease development especially in various cancers. However, the oncogenic role of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still largely unknown.

Methods

RNA sequencing was performed to identify significantly upregulated circRNAs in paired HCC tissues and non-tumor tissues. CCK-8 assay, colony formation, transwell, and xenograft mouse models were used to investigate the role of circRNAs in HCC proliferation and metastasis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to silence gene expression. RNA immunoprecipitation, biotin pull-down, RNA pull-down, luciferase reporter assay and western blot were used to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Results

Hsa_circ_0095868, derived from exon 5 of the MDK gene (named circMDK), was identified as a new oncogenic circRNA that was significantly upregulated in HCC. The upregulation of circMDK was associated with the modification of N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) and poor survival in HCC patients. Mechanistically, circMDK sponged miR-346 and miR-874-3p to upregulate ATG16L1 (Autophagy Related 16 Like 1), resulting to the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to promote cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Poly (β-amino esters) (PAEs) were synthesized to assist the delivery of circMDK siRNA (PAE-siRNA), which effectively inhibited tumor progression without obvious adverse effects in four liver tumor models including subcutaneous, metastatic, orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models.

Conclusions

CircMDK could serve as a potential tumor biomarker that promotes the progression of HCC via the miR-346/874-3p-ATG16L1 axis. The PAE-based delivery of siRNA improved the stability and efficiency of siRNA targeting circMDK. The PAE-siRNA nanoparticles effectively inhibited HCC proliferation and metastasis in vivo. Our current findings offer a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-022-01575-z.