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Besaratinia A, Tommasi S. The Untapped Biomarker Potential of MicroRNAs for Health Risk-Benefit Analysis of Vaping vs. Smoking. Cells 2024; 13:1330. [PMID: 39195220 PMCID: PMC11352591 DOI: 10.3390/cells13161330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) among adolescent never-smokers and adult smokers seeking a less pernicious substitute for tobacco cigarettes, the long-term health impact of vaping is largely unknown. Like cigarette smoke, e-cig vapor contains harmful and potentially harmful compounds, although in fewer numbers and at substantially lower concentrations. Many of the same constituents of e-cig vapor and cigarette smoke induce epigenetic changes that can lead to the dysregulation of disease-related genes. MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in health and disease states. Extensive research has shown that miRNAs play a prominent role in the regulation of genes involved in the pathogenesis of smoking-related diseases. However, the use of miRNAs for investigating the disease-causing potential of vaping has not been fully explored. This review article provides an overview of e-cigs as a highly consequential electronic nicotine delivery system, describes trends in e-cig use among adolescents and adults, and discusses the ongoing debate on the public health impact of vaping. Highlighting the significance of miRNAs in cell biology and disease, it summarizes the published and ongoing research on miRNAs in relation to gene regulation and disease pathogenesis in e-cig users and in vitro experimental settings. It identifies gaps in knowledge and priorities for future research while underscoring the need for empirical evidence that can inform the regulation of tobacco products to protect youth and promote public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Besaratinia
- Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA;
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Cocchi S, Greco V, Sidarovich V, Vigna J, Broso F, Corallo D, Zasso J, Re A, Rosatti EF, Longhi S, Defant A, Ladu F, Sanna V, Adami V, D’Agostino VG, Sturlese M, Sechi M, Aveic S, Mancini I, Sighel D, Quattrone A. EGCG Disrupts the LIN28B/Let-7 Interaction and Reduces Neuroblastoma Aggressiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4795. [PMID: 38732012 PMCID: PMC11084668 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most commonly diagnosed extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Although the 5-year survival rate of patients with a high-risk disease has increased in recent decades, NB remains a challenge in pediatric oncology, and the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets and agents is an urgent clinical need. The RNA-binding protein LIN28B has been identified as an oncogene in NB and is associated with a poor prognosis. Given that LIN28B acts by negatively regulating the biogenesis of the tumor suppressor let-7 miRNAs, we reasoned that selective interference with the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction would increase let-7 miRNA levels, ultimately leading to reduced NB aggressiveness. Here, we selected (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) out of 4959 molecules screened as the molecule with the best inhibitory activity on LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction and showed that treatment with PLC/PLGA-PEG nanoparticles containing EGCG (EGCG-NPs) led to an increase in mature let-7 miRNAs and a consequent inhibition of NB cell growth. In addition, EGCG-NP pretreatment reduced the tumorigenic potential of NB cells in vivo. These experiments suggest that the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA axis is a good therapeutic target in NB and that EGCG, which can interfere with this interaction, deserves further preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cocchi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Valentina Greco
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Viktoryia Sidarovich
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Jacopo Vigna
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Francesca Broso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Diana Corallo
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Jacopo Zasso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Angela Re
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Emanuele Filiberto Rosatti
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Sara Longhi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Andrea Defant
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Federico Ladu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.L.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Valentina Adami
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Vito G. D’Agostino
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35127 Padova, Italy;
| | - Mario Sechi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Ines Mancini
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Denise Sighel
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
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Di Zanni E, Fornasari D, Ravazzolo R, Ceccherini I, Bachetti T. Identification of novel pathways and molecules able to down-regulate PHOX2B gene expression by in vitro drug screening approaches in neuroblastoma cells. Exp Cell Res 2015; 336:43-57. [PMID: 25882494 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2015.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PHOX2B is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of neurogenesis and in the correct differentiation of the autonomic nervous system. The pathogenetic role of PHOX2B in neuroblastoma (NB) is supported by mutations in familial, sporadic and syndromic cases of NB and overexpression of PHOX2B and its target ALK in tumor samples and NB cell lines. Starting from these observations, we have performed in vitro drug screening approaches targeting PHOX2B overexpression as a potential pharmacological means in NB. In particular, in order to identify molecules able to decrease PHOX2B expression, we have evaluated the effects of 70 compounds in IMR-32 cell line stably expressing the luciferase gene under the control of the PHOX2B promoter. Curcumin, SAHA and trichostatin A showed to down-regulate the PHOX2B promoter activity which resulted in a decrease of both protein and mRNA expressions. In addition, we have observed that curcumin acts by interfering with PBX-1/MEIS-1, NF-κB and AP-1 complexes, in this work demonstrated for the first time to regulate the transcription of the PHOX2B gene. Finally, combined drug treatments showed successful effects in down-regulating the expression of both PHOX2B and its target ALK genes, thus supporting the notion of the effectiveness of molecule combination in tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diego Fornasari
- Dipartimento di Farmacologia, Università degli Studi di Milano e CNR-Istituto di Neuroscienze, Italy
| | - Roberto Ravazzolo
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Italy; Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy
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Bachetti T, Di Zanni E, Ravazzolo R, Ceccherini I. miR-204 mediates post-transcriptional down-regulation of PHOX2B gene expression in neuroblastoma cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2015; 1849:1057-65. [PMID: 26145533 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a rare childhood cancer of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system and accounts for approximately 10% of all pediatric tumors. Heterozygous PHOX2B mutations have been found in association with NB development in familial, sporadic and syndromic cases. In addition, the PHOX2B gene is widely over-expressed both in tumor samples and NB cell lines. Post-transcriptional gene regulation is known to be involved in mRNA stability and, in NB, microRNAs (miRNAs) seem to be responsible for altered expression of genes driving differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. To assess the possible impact of post-transcriptional regulation in NB cell lines, we have focused on the PHOX2B mRNA stability by both in silico analysis and functional studies on its 3'untranslated region (3'UTR). PHOX2B gene expression has resulted under post-transcriptional control, as suggested by: i) instability of PHOX2B mRNA, demonstrated by short mRNA half-life levels in both IMR32 and LAN-1 cell lines, ii) role of the PHOX2B-3'UTR, confirmed by the activity of proper reporter constructs, and iii) miRNA-204, shown to enhance the PHOX2B 3'UTR mediated down-regulation of the reporter construct activity. Finally, miRNA-204 has resulted to decrease the stability of the PHOX2B mRNA at different extents in the presence of different SNP rs1063611 alleles. Therefore, post-transcriptional down-regulation of the PHOX2B gene takes place in NB cell lines and miRNA-204 participates in such a 3'UTR mediated control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Bachetti
- UOC Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy.
| | | | - Roberto Ravazzolo
- UOC Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; Dipartimento Neuroscienze, Riabilitazione, Oftalmologia, Genetica e Scienze Materno-Infantili (DiNOGMI), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16147 Genova, Italy
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Sidarovich V, Adami V, Quattrone A. High-throughput screening for chemical modulators of post-transcriptionally regulated genes. J Vis Exp 2015:52568. [PMID: 25867708 PMCID: PMC4401173 DOI: 10.3791/52568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation have a profound impact on genes expression. However, commonly adopted cell-based screening assays focus on transcriptional regulation, being essentially aimed at the identification of promoter-targeting molecules. As a result, post-transcriptional mechanisms are largely uncovered by gene expression targeted drug development. Here we describe a cell-based assay aimed at investigating the role of the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) in the modulation of the fate of its mRNA, and at identifying compounds able to modify it. The assay is based on the use of a luciferase reporter construct containing the 3' UTR of a gene of interest stably integrated into a disease-relevant cell line. The protocol is divided into two parts, with the initial focus on the primary screening aimed at the identification of molecules affecting luciferase activity after 24 hr of treatment. The second part of the protocol describes the counter-screening necessary to discriminate compounds modulating luciferase activity specifically through the 3' UTR. In addition to the detailed protocol and representative results, we provide important considerations about the assay development and the validation of the hit(s) on the endogenous target. The described cell-based reporter gene assay will allow scientists to identify molecules modulating protein levels via post-transcriptional mechanisms dependent on a 3' UTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoryia Sidarovich
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento;
| | - Valentina Adami
- High Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento
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Sidarovich V, Adami V, Gatto P, Greco V, Tebaldi T, Tonini GP, Quattrone A. Translational downregulation of HSP90 expression by iron chelators in neuroblastoma cells. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 87:513-24. [PMID: 25564462 DOI: 10.1124/mol.114.095729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential cellular nutrient, being a critical cofactor of several proteins involved in cell growth and replication. Compared with normal cells, neoplastic cells have been shown to require a greater amount of iron, thus laying the basis for the promising anticancer activity of iron chelators. In this work, we evaluated the effects of molecules with iron chelation activity on neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines. Of the 17 iron chelators tested, six reduced cell viability of two NB cell lines with an inhibition of growth of 50% below 10 µM; four of the six molecules-ciclopirox olamine (CPX), piroctone, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and deferasirox-were also shown to efficiently chelate intracellular iron within minutes after addition. Effects on cell viability of one of the compounds, CPX, were indeed dependent on chelation of intracellular iron and mediated by both G0/G1 cell cycle block and induction of apoptosis. By combined transcriptome and translatome profiling we identified early translational downregulation of several members of the heat shock protein group as a specific effect of CPX treatment. We functionally confirmed iron-dependent depletion of HSP90 and its client proteins at pharmacologically achievable concentrations of CPX, and we extended this effect to piroctone, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and deferasirox. Given the documented sensitivity of NB cells to HSP90 inhibition, we propose CPX and other iron chelators as investigational antitumor agents in NB therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoryia Sidarovich
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.S., P.G., V.G., T.T., A.Q.); High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.A.); and Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Onco/Hematology Laboratory, SDB Department, University of Padua, Pediatric Research Institute, Padua, Italy (G.P.T.)
| | - Valentina Adami
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.S., P.G., V.G., T.T., A.Q.); High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.A.); and Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Onco/Hematology Laboratory, SDB Department, University of Padua, Pediatric Research Institute, Padua, Italy (G.P.T.)
| | - Pamela Gatto
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.S., P.G., V.G., T.T., A.Q.); High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.A.); and Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Onco/Hematology Laboratory, SDB Department, University of Padua, Pediatric Research Institute, Padua, Italy (G.P.T.)
| | - Valentina Greco
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.S., P.G., V.G., T.T., A.Q.); High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.A.); and Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Onco/Hematology Laboratory, SDB Department, University of Padua, Pediatric Research Institute, Padua, Italy (G.P.T.)
| | - Toma Tebaldi
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.S., P.G., V.G., T.T., A.Q.); High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.A.); and Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Onco/Hematology Laboratory, SDB Department, University of Padua, Pediatric Research Institute, Padua, Italy (G.P.T.)
| | - Gian Paolo Tonini
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.S., P.G., V.G., T.T., A.Q.); High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.A.); and Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Onco/Hematology Laboratory, SDB Department, University of Padua, Pediatric Research Institute, Padua, Italy (G.P.T.)
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.S., P.G., V.G., T.T., A.Q.); High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy (V.A.); and Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Onco/Hematology Laboratory, SDB Department, University of Padua, Pediatric Research Institute, Padua, Italy (G.P.T.)
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