Overexpression of miR-1290 contributes to cell proliferation and invasion of non small cell lung cancer by targeting interferon regulatory factor 2

Plasma exosomal miR-1290 and miR-29c-3p as diagnostic biomarkers for lung cancer

Background

Enhancing the diagnostic efficacy of early-stage lung cancer is crucial for improving prognosis. The objective of this study was to ascertain dependable exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Methods

Exosomal miRNA candidates were identified through miRNA sequencing and subsequently validated in various case-control sets using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The correlation between the expression of exosomal miRNAs and the clinicopathological features of lung cancer was investigated. To assess the diagnostic efficacy of exosomal miRNAs for lung cancer, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted. The optimal cutoff value of exosomal miRNAs was determined in the testing cohort and subsequently confirmed in the validation cohort.

Results

The results showed that the expression of exosomal miR-1290 was significantly elevated, while that of miR-29c-3p was significantly decreased in the plasma of lung cancer patients, especially in those with early-stage lung cancer, compared to individuals with benign lung conditions (P < 0.01). Exosomal miR-1290 and miR-29c-3p demonstrated superior diagnostic efficacy compared to conventional tumor biomarkers in distinguishing between lung cancer and benign lung diseases, as evidenced by their respective area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.934 and 0.868. Furthermore, exosomal miR-1290 and miR-29c-3p exhibited higher diagnostic efficiency in early-stage lung cancer than traditional tumor markers, with AUC values of 0.947 and 0.895, respectively. Notably, both exosomal miR-1290 and miR-29c-3p displayed substantial discriminatory capacity in distinguishing between non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), as indicated by their respective AUC values of 0.810 and 0.842.

Conclusions

The findings of this study provided evidence that exosomal miR-1290 and miR-29c-3p hold significant potential as biomarkers for the early detection of lung cancer, as well as for differentiating between NSCLC and SCLC.

CircSCN8A suppresses malignant progression and induces ferroptosis in non-small cell lung cancer by regulating miR-1290/ACSL4 axis

Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) are reported to exert vital regulatory roles in the occurrence and development of various human malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Bioinformatics methods identified the down-regulation of circSCN8A (circBase ID: hsa_circ_0026337) in NSCLC tissues. However, its biological functions and molecular mechanisms in NSCLC remain unknown. In this study, we found that circSCN8A expression was down-regulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Low circSCN8A expression was positively associated with aggressive clinicopathological characteristics and poor prognosis in NSCLC patients. CircSCN8A suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and blocked tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, circSCN8A promoted cell ferroptosis in NSCLC. Mechanistically, circSCN8A acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-1290 to enhance the expression of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase-4 (ACSL4). Furthermore, the knockdown of ACSL4 or overexpression of miR-1290 reversed the effect of circSCN8A on facilitating ferroptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation and metastasis. In summary, circSCN8A represses cell proliferation and metastasis in NSCLC by regulating the miR-1290/ACSL4 axis to induce ferroptosis. Thus, circSCN8A may represent a promising therapeutic target against NSCLC.

Recent strategies for electrochemical sensing detection of miRNAs in lung cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) associated with lung cancer are diversifying. MiR-21, Let-7, and miR-141 are common diagnostic targets. Some new lung cancer miRNAs, such as miR-25, miR-145, and miR-126, have received increasing attention. Although various techniques are available for the analysis of lung cancer miRNAs, electrochemistry has been recognized for its high sensitivity, low cost, and rapid response. However, how to realize the signal amplification is one of the most important contents in the design of electrochemical biosensors. Herein, we mainly introduce the amplification strategy based on enzyme-free amplification and signal conversion, including non-linear HCR, catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA), electrochemiluminescence (ECL), and Faraday cage. Furthermore, new progress has emerged in the fields of nanomaterials, low oxidation potential, and simultaneous detection of multiple targets. Finally, we summarize some new challenges that electrochemical techniques may encounter in the future, such as improving single-base discrimination ability, shortening electrochemical detection time, and providing real body fluid samples assay.

A review on the role of cyclin dependent kinases in cancers

The Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) class of serine/threonine kinases has crucial roles in the regulation of cell cycle transition and is mainly involved in the pathogenesis of cancers. The expression of CDKs is controlled by a complex regulatory network comprised of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, which are dysregulated during the progression of cancer. The abnormal activation of CDKs results in uncontrolled cancer cell proliferation and the induction of cancer stem cell characteristics. The levels of CDKs can be utilized to predict the prognosis and treatment response of cancer patients, and further understanding of the function and underlying mechanisms of CDKs in human tumors would pave the way for future cancer therapies that effectively target CDKs. Defects in the regulation of cell cycle and mutations in the genes coding cell-cycle regulatory proteins lead to unrestrained proliferation of cells leading to formation of tumors. A number of treatment modalities have been designed to combat dysregulation of cell cycle through affecting expression or activity of CDKs. However, effective application of these methods in the clinical settings requires recognition of the role of CDKs in the progression of each type of cancer, their partners, their interactions with signaling pathways and the effects of suppression of these kinases on malignant features. Thus, we designed this literature search to summarize these findings at cellular level, as well as in vivo and clinical levels.

Cancer associated fibroblasts secreted exosomal miR-1290 contributes to prostate cancer cell growth and metastasis via targeting GSK3β

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play crucial roles in mediating tumor growth and metastasis via transferring exosomes to neighboring cells, whereas the mechanisms by which CAFs regulate the tumorgenesis of prostate cancer (PC) remain largely unknown. In this study, CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from PC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, respectively. Exosomes (NFs-Exo and CAFs-Exo) were then isolated from the supernatant of NFs and CAFs. Next, the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between NFs-Exo and CAFs-Exo were identified using RNA-sequencing. Cell viability, migration and invasion were detected with CCK-8 and Transwell assays. Protein expression was measured with western blot. We found that CAFs-Exo remarkably enhanced PC cell migration, invasion, stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. Significantly, miR-1290 level was upregulated in CAFs-Exo compared to NFs-Exo. In addition, CAFs could transfer exosomes to PC cells, resulting in a marked increase of miR-1290 level in cells. Moreover, exosomal miR-1290 could inhibit GSK3β/β-catenin signaling by binding with the downstream target GSK3β mRNA. Meanwhile, miR-1290 antagomir notably reversed the effects of CAFs-Exo on PC cells through activating GSK3β/β-catenin signaling. Collectively, exosomal miR-1290 from CAFs could promote PC cell growth and metastasis via inhibiting GSK3β/β-catenin signaling, suggesting that miR-1290 may serve as potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PC.

Breast cancer extracellular vesicles-derived miR-1290 activates astrocytes in the brain metastatic microenvironment via the FOXA2→CNTF axis to promote progression of brain metastases

Mechanisms underlying breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) are still unclear. In this study, we observed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from breast cancer cells with increased expression of tGLI1, a BCBM-promoting transcription factor, strongly activated astrocytes. EV-derived microRNA/miRNA microarray revealed tGLI1-positive breast cancer cells highly secreted miR-1290 and miR-1246 encapsulated in EVs. Genetic knockin/knockout studies established a direct link between tGLI1 and both miRNAs. Datamining and analysis of patient samples revealed that BCBM patients had more circulating EV-miRs-1290/1246 than those without metastasis. Ectopic expression of miR-1290 or miR-1246 strongly activated astrocytes whereas their inhibitors abrogated the effect. Conditioned media from miR-1290- or miR-1246-overexpressing astrocytes promoted mammospheres. Furthermore, miRs-1290/1246 suppressed expression of FOXA2 transcription repressor, leading to CNTF cytokine secretion and subsequent activation of astrocytes. Finally, we conducted a mouse study to demonstrate that astrocytes overexpressing miR-1290, but not miR-1246, enhanced intracranial colonization and growth of breast cancer cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that breast cancer EV-derived miR-1290 and miR-1246 activate astrocytes in the brain metastatic microenvironment and that EV-derived miR-1290 promotes progression of brain metastases through the novel EV-miR-1290→FOXA2→CNTF signaling axis.

Three-Dimensional Organotypic Cultures Reshape the microRNAs Transcriptional Program in Breast Cancer Cells

The 3D organotypic cultures, which depend on the growth of cells over the extracellular matrix (ECM) used as a scaffold, can better mimic several characteristics of solid cancers that influence tumor biology and the response to drug therapies. Most of our current knowledge on cancer is derived from studies in 2D cultures, which lack the ECM-mediated microenvironment. Moreover, the role of miRNAs that is critical for fine-tuning of gene expression is poorly understood in 3D cultures. The aim of this study was to compare the miRNA expression profiles of breast cancer cells grown in 2D and 3D conditions. On an on-top 3D cell culture model using a basement membrane matrix enriched with laminin, collagen IV, entactin, and heparin-sulfate proteoglycans, the basal B (Hs578T) and luminal (T47D) breast cancer cells formed 3D spheroid-like stellate and rounded mass structures, respectively. Morphological changes in 3D cultures were observed as cell stretching, cell–cell, and cell–ECM interactions associated with a loss of polarity and reorganization on bulk structures. Interestingly, we found prolongations of the cytoplasmic membrane of Hs578T cells similar to tunneled nanotubes contacting between neighboring cells, suggesting the existence of cellular intercommunication processes and the possibility of fusion between spheroids. Expression profiling data revealed that 354 miRNAs were differentially expressed in 3D relative to 2D cultures in Hs578T cells. Downregulated miRNAs may contribute to a positive regulation of genes involved in hypoxia, catabolic processes, and focal adhesion, whereas overexpressed miRNAs modulate genes involved in negative regulation of the cell cycle. Target genes of the top ten modulated miRNAs were selected to construct miRNA/mRNA coregulation networks. Around 502 interactions were identified for downregulated miRNAs, including miR-935/HIF1A and miR-5189-3p/AKT that could contribute to cell migration and the response to hypoxia. Furthermore, the expression levels of miR-935 and its target HIF1A correlated with the expression found in clinical tumors and predicted poor outcomes. On the other hand, 416 interactions were identified for overexpressed miRNAs, including miR-6780b-5p/ANKRD45 and miR-7641/CDK4 that may result in cell proliferation inhibition and cell cycle arrest in quiescent layers of 3D cultures. In conclusion, 3D cultures could represent a suitable model that better resembles the miRNA transcriptional programs operating in tumors, with implications not only in the understanding of basic cancer biology in 3D microenvironments, but also in the identification of novel biomarkers of disease and potential targets for personalized therapies in cancer.

Interaction Between Non-Coding RNAs and Interferons: With an Especial Focus on Type I Interferons

Interferons (IFNs) are a group of cellular proteins with critical roles in the regulation of immune responses in the course of microbial infections. Moreover, expressions of IFNs are dysregulated in autoimmune disorders. IFNs are also a part of immune responses in malignant conditions. The expression of these proteins and activities of related signaling can be influenced by a number of non-coding RNAs. IFN regulatory factors (IRFs) are the most investigated molecules in the field of effects of non-coding RNAs on IFN signaling. These interactions have been best assessed in the context of cancer, revealing the importance of immune function in the pathoetiology of cancer. In addition, IFN-related non-coding RNAs may contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric conditions, systemic sclerosis, Newcastle disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, lupus nephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the current review, we describe the role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in the regulation of IFN signaling.

An Insight into miR-1290: An Oncogenic miRNA with Diagnostic Potential

For more than two decades, the view of the roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has been radically changing. These RNA molecules that are transcribed from our genome do not have the capacity to encode proteins, but are critical regulators of gene expression at different levels. Our knowledge is constantly enriched by new reports revealing the role of these new molecular players in the development of many pathological conditions, including cancer. One of the ncRNA classes includes short RNA molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs), which are involved in the post-transcriptional control of gene expression affecting various cellular processes. The aberrant expression of miRNAs with oncogenic and tumor-suppressive function is associated with cancer initiation, promotion, malignant transformation, progression and metastasis. Oncogenic miRNAs, also known as oncomirs, mediate the downregulation of tumor-suppressor genes and their expression is upregulated in cancer. Nowadays, miRNAs show promising application in diagnosis, prediction, disease monitoring and therapy response. Our review presents a current view of the oncogenic role of miR-1290 with emphasis on its properties as a cancer biomarker in clinical medicine.

The potential role of miR-1290 in cancer progression, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment: An oncomiR or onco-suppressor microRNA?

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in humans because of the lack of early diagnosis, distant metastases, and the resistance to adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In addition to playing an essential role in tumor progression and development, microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as a robust biomarker in the early detection of cancer. MiR-1290 was discovered for the first time in human embryonic stem cells, and under typical physiological situations, plays an essential role in neuronal differentiation and neural stem cell proliferation. Its coding sequence is located at the 1p36.13 regions in the first intron of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 4 gene member A1. miR-1290 is out of control in many cancers such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and plays a vital role in their development. Therefore, it is suggested that miR-1290 can be considered as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in many cancers. In addition to the importance of miR-1290 in the noninvasive diagnosis of various cancers, this systematic review study discussed the role of miR-1290 in altering the expression of different genes involved in cancer development and chemo-radiation resistance. Moreover, it considered the regulatory effect of natural products on miR-1290 expression and the interaction of lncRNAs by miR-1290.

Sevoflurane blocks glioma malignant development by upregulating circRELN through circRELN-mediated miR-1290/RORA axis

Background

Sevoflurane (Sev) has been reported to inhibit cancer development, and sevoflurane treatment in cancers is implicated with the deregulation of specific non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sevoflurane and circular RNA reelin (circRELN) in glioma.

Methods

The expression of circRELN, microRNA-1290 (miR-1290) and RAR-related orphan receptor A (RORA) was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Cell proliferative capacity was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were monitored by flow cytometry assay. Cell migration was assessed by wound healing assay and transwell assay, and cell invasion was assessed by transwell assay. The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), MMP9 and RORA were quantified by western blot. Tumor growth in vivo was assessed by Xenograft models. The binding relationship between miR-1290 and circRELN or RORA was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay.

Results

We found that circRELN expression was declined in glioma tissues and cells, while Sev treatment enhanced circRELN expression. In function, Sev notably inhibited glioma cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, while circRELN knockdown reversed these effects. MiR-1290 served as a target of circRELN, and glioma cell malignant phenotypes recovered by circRELN knockdown were partly repressed by miR-1290 deficiency. In addition, RORA was a target of miR-1290, and glioma cell malignant phenotypes promoted by miR-1290 restoration were partly blocked by RORA overexpression. CircRELN regulated RORA expression by targeting miR-1290. In Xenograft models, Sev inhibited tumor growth by upregulating circRELN.

Conclusion

Sev blocked the progression of glioma by increasing circRELN expression, and circRELN played roles in glioma partly by regulating the miR-1290/RORA network.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-021-01427-1.

The potential diagnostic value of extracellular vesicle miRNA for human non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of extracellular vesicles (EV) miRNAs for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods: All eligible studies were searched in an online database. Stata 15.0, Meta-disc 14.0 and Review Manager 5.2 software packages were used to perform all statistical analysis.Results: The analysis included 16 articles and 70 studies. Pooled sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPE), positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.77 (95% CI: 0.72-0.80), 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78-0.86), 0.88 (95% CI: 0.86-0.90) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.58-0.68), respectively. The overall diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 16 (95% CI: 11-21) and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.83-0.89). 3 EV miRNAs could identify metastatic NSCLC from healthy, and 10 distinguish early-stage NSCLC. The respective targets of EV miR-21, miR-210, and miR-1290 could activate PI3K/AKT-related pathway.Conclusion: EV miRNAs had high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.86) for NSCLC, especially metastatic NSCLC (AUC = 0.90), and early-stage NSCLC (AUC = 0.88). Besides, multitudinous EV miRNAs combined showed higher diagnostic value than alone. EV miR-21, miR-210, and miR-1290 might be associated with PI3K/AKT-related pathway and the valuable diagnostic biomarkers for NSCLC.

Role of Exosomal Non-coding RNAs in Gastric Cancer: Biological Functions and Potential Clinical Applications

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common fatal cancers worldwide. The communication between GC and other cells in the GC microenvironment directly affects GC progression. Recently, exosomes have been revealed as new players in intercellular communication. They play an important role in human health and diseases, including cancer, owing to their ability to carry various bioactive molecules, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). NcRNAs, including micro RNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, play a significant role in various pathophysiological processes, especially cancer. Increasing evidence has shown that exosomal ncRNAs are involved in the regulation of tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, immune regulation, and treatment resistance in GC. In addition, exosomal ncRNAs have promising potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers for GC. Considering the biocompatibility of exosomes, they can also be used as biological carriers for targeted therapy. This review summarizes the current research progress on exosomal ncRNAs in gastric cancer, focusing on their biological role in GC and their potential as new biomarkers for GC and therapeutics. Our review provides insight into the mechanisms involved in GC progression, which may provide a new point cut for the discovery of new diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies.

LncRNA GAS5 modulates the progression of non-small cell lung cancer through repressing miR-221-3p and up-regulating IRF2

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNA growth arrest specific 5 (GAS5) is a regulator in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression. Nonetheless, the mechanism by which GAS5 exerts its biological function in NSCLC cells remains unclear.

METHODS

GAS5, miR-221-3p relative expression levels in NSCLC tissues and cells were examined by qPCR. After gain-of-function and loss-of-function models were established, the viability of H1299 and A549 cells were examined by CCK-8 and EdU assays. Cell migration and invasion were examined by the Transwell experiment. The binding sequence of GAS5 for miR-221-3p was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment. The regulatory function of GAS5 and miR-221-3p on IRF2 was investigated by Western blot.

RESULTS

GAS5 expression was down-modulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. GAS5 overexpression restrained the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, while miR-221-3p, which was targeted and negatively modulated by GAS5, worked oppositely. Restoration of miR-221-3p markedly reversed the effects of GAS5 on NSCLC cells. Additionally, GAS5 increased IRF2 expression in NSCLC cells by repressing miR-221-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

GAS5 blocks the progression of NSCLC partly via increasing IRF2 expression level via repressing miR-221-3p.

Gain of circBRAF Represses Glioma Progression by Regulating miR-1290/FBXW7 Axis

Dysregulated circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to partake in the modulation of the glioma progression. Here, we intended to explore the role of circBRAF in glioma and the possible action mechanism. The expression levels of circBRAF, microRNA (miR)-1290 and F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (FBXW7) were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4, 5)-dimethylthiazole-2-y1)-2, 5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated through Trans-well assay. Related protein levels were detected by western blot. Targeted relation among circBRAF, miR-1290 and FBXW7 was validated by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and pull-down assays. Xenograft model was constructed to explore the function of circBRAF in vivo. Expression of circBRAF and FBXW7 was decreased in glioma tissues and cells. Upregulation of circBRAF inhibited glioma cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro. MiR-1290 was upregulated in glioma, which was sponged by circBRAF. Besides, circBRAF elevated FBXW7 expression by targeting miR-1290. Introduction of miR-1290 or FBXW7 knockdown could counteract the inhibitory effects of circBRAF upregulation on the malignant phenotypes of glioma cells. Overexpression of circBRAF repressed the tumor growth in vivo. Upregulation of circBRAF suppressed glioma evolvement in vitro and in vivo by regulating miR-1290/FBXW7 axis, broadening the cognition of glioma progression.

MiR-1290 promotes myoblast differentiation and protects against myotube atrophy via Akt/p70/FoxO3 pathway regulation

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is a common skeletal disease related to myogenic disorders and muscle atrophy. Current clinical management has limited effectiveness. We sought to investigate the role of miR-1290 in myoblast differentiation and muscle atrophy.

METHODS

By transfecting miR-1290 into C2C12 cells, we investigated whether miR-1290 regulates myogenesis and myotube atrophy via AKT/P70 signaling pathway. MHC staining was performed to assess myoblast differentiation. Differentiation-related MHC, Myod, and Myog protein levels, and atrophy-related MuRF1 and atrogin-1 were explored by western blot. An LPS-induced muscle atrophy rat model was developed. RT-PCR was conducted to analyze miR-1290 serum levels in muscle atrophy patients and normal controls (NCs).

RESULTS

The miR-1290 transfection increased MHC-positive cells and MHC, Myod, and Myog protein levels in the miR-1290 transfection group, demonstrating that miR-1290 promoted C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Myotube diameter in the miR-1290 transfection group was higher than in the TNF-α-induced model group. Western blot analysis showed decreased MuRF1 and atrogin-1 levels in the miR-1290 transfection group compared with the model group, demonstrating that miR-1290 protected against myoblast cellular atrophy. Luciferase assay and western blot analysis showed that miR-1290 regulation was likely caused by AKT/p70/FOXO3 phosphorylation activation. In the LPS-induced muscle atrophy rat model, miR-1290 mimics ameliorated gastrocnemius muscle loss and increased muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Clinically, miR-1290 serum level was significantly decreased in muscle atrophy patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that miR-1290 enhances myoblast differentiation and inhibits myotube atrophy through Akt/p70/FoxO3 signaling in vitro and in vivo. In addition, miR-1290 may be a potential therapeutic target for sarcopenia treatment.

Bioglass enhances the production of exosomes and improves their capability of promoting vascularization

Recently, exosomes have been extensively applied in tissue regeneration. However, their practical applications are severely restricted by the limited exosome secretion capability of cells. Therefore, developing strategies to enhance the production of exosomes and improve their biological function attracts great interest. Studies have shown that biomaterials can significantly enhance the paracrine effects of cells and exosomes are the main signal carriers of intercellular paracrine communication, thus biomaterials are considered to affect the exosome secretion of cells and their biological function. In this study, a widely recognized biomaterial, 45S5 Bioglass® (BG), is used to create a mild and cell-friendly microenvironment for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with its ion products. Results showed that BG ion products can significantly improve exosome production of MSCs by upregulating the expression of neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2) and Rab27a which enhanced the nSMases and Rab GTPases pathways, respectively. Besides, microRNA analysis indicates that BG ion products can modulate the cargoes of MSCs-derived exosomes by decreasing microRNA-342-5p level while increasing microRNA-1290 level. Subsequently, the function of exosomes is modified as their capabilities of promoting the vascularization of endothelial cells and facilitating the intradermal angiogenesis are enhanced. Taken together, BG ion products are confirmed to enhance exosome production and simultaneously improve exosome function, suggesting a feasible approach to improve the practical application of exosomes in regenerative medicine.

LncRNA-NONHSAT024778 promote the proliferation and invasion of chordoma cell by regulating miR-1290/Robo1 axis

Chordoma is a malignant bone tumor originating from the embryonic remnants of the notochord. lncRNAs act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and play a critical role in tumor pathology. However, the biological role of lncRNA-NONHSAT024778 and the underlying molecular mechanism in chordoma remains unknown. qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression changes of NONHSAT024778 and miR-1290 in chordoma tissues and cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay were applied to detect the targeting binding effect between NONHSAT024778 and miR-1290, and between Robo1 and miR-1290. The effect of NONHSAT024778 on chordoma cell proliferation and invasion and its regulation of miR-1290 by acting as a ceRNA were also investigated. An increased NONHSAT024778 expression was correlated with a decreased miR-1290 level in chordoma tissues. NONHSAT024778 knockdown suppressed the proliferation and invasion of chordoma cells. miR-1290 restored expression rescued the carcinogenic function of NONHSAT024778. Bioinformatics analysis showed that NONHSAT024778 acted as ceRNA to regulate Robo1 via sponging miR-1290 in chordoma cells, thereby promoting chordoma cell malignant progression. In vivo results confirmed the anti-tumor effects of NONHSAT024778 knockdown activating miR-1290 to inhibit the oncogene Robo1. NONHSAT024778 is substantially overexpressed, whereas miR-1290 is decreased in chordoma tissue. NONHSAT024778-miR-1290-Robo1 axis plays a critical role in chordoma tumorigenesis and might be a potential predictive biomarker for the diagnosis and therapeutic target among patients with chordoma.

Serum Exosomal miR-1290 is a Potential Biomarker for Lung Adenocarcinoma

Purpose

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) representing the most common subtype. Recently, exosome-based biomarkers have provided new diagnostic approaches for malignancies. We aimed to identify specific exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) as noninvasive biomarkers for LUAD.

Patients and Methods

A total of 110 participants were enrolled and randomly divided into two sets: the discovery set (n=20) and the validation set (n=90). Exosomes were isolated from serum, and miRNAs were subsequently extracted. Candidate miRNAs (miR-21, miR-221-3p, miR-222-3p, miR-223, miR-638 and miR-1290) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in the discovery set. The upregulated miR-1290 was then selected for further analysis in the validation set along with three tumor markers (CEA, CYFRA21-1 and NSE). The diagnostic and prognostic value of exosomal miR-1290 were estimated through receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and survival analysis.

Results

Serum exosomal miR-1290 was significantly upregulated in LUAD patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.001) and decreased after resection (P=0.0029). Its expression level was associated with tumor stage, tumor size, lymph node and distant metastasis (all P <0.05). Exosomal miR-1290 had a higher diagnostic efficacy than CEA, CYFRA21-1 and NSE, with a sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 96.7% (AUC: 0.937, 95% CI: 0.890-0.985; P<0.001). Moreover, LUAD patients with a high level of exosomal miR-1290 had significantly poorer progression-free survival (PFS) than those with a low level of exosomal miR-1290 (mean PFS: 14 months vs 37 months, P<0.001). Cox proportional hazards model analysis demonstrated that exosomal miR-1290 could be an independent risk factor for the prognosis of LUAD (HR=7.80, P=0.017).

Conclusion

Serum exosomal miR-1290 could be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for LUAD.

Global microRNA profiling of metastatic conjunctival melanoma

This study aimed to investigate the microRNA (miRNA) profile in primary tumors from conjunctival melanoma with and without subsequent metastatic spread along with their coupled distant metastases to identify miRNAs likely to be involved in metastatic progression. This observational study included 13 patients with metastatic conjunctival melanoma (follow-up: 1-39 years) treated at a Danish referral center. Twenty-five patients with nonmetastatic conjunctival melanoma (follow-up: 5-17 years) were included for comparison. Global miRNA profiling was performed with the Affymetrix GeneChip 4.1 microarray. Taqman qPCR arrays were used for validation. Significant differentially expressed miRNAs were defined as having a false discovery rate of less than 0.05. Primary conjunctival melanoma with and without subsequent metastatic spread clustered separately according to miRNA expression, and 15 miRNAs were found to have significant differential expression. Six miRNAs (hsa-miR-4528, hsa-miR-1270, hsa-miR-1290, hsa-mir-548f-4, hsa-mir-4278, and hsa-miR-34a-3p) were downregulated and nine miRNAs were upregulated (hsa-mir-575, hsa-miR-527, hsa-miR-518a-5p, hsa-miR-6759-5p, hsa-miR-8078, hsa-mir-4501, hsa-mir-622, hsa-mir-4698, and hsa-mir-4654) in primary conjunctival melanoma with subsequent metastatic spread. A comparison of primary conjunctival melanoma with their pair-matched metastases identified six significant differentially expressed miRNAs (hsa-miR-1246 and hsa-miR-302d-5p, hsa-mir-6084, hsa-miR-184, hsa-mir-658, and hsa-mir-4427). qPCR confirmed downregulation of hsa-miR-184 in the distant metastases when compared with the corresponding primary tumor. Primary conjunctival melanoma with and without subsequent metastatic spread separated clearly on the miRNA level when profiled with microarray-based methods. qPCR was able to replicate expression levels of one miRNA (hsa-miR-184) that was downregulated in metastases when compared with corresponding primary tumors.

LncRNA ZNF667-AS1 Promotes ABLIM1 Expression by Adsorbing micro RNA-1290 to Suppress Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Progression

Background

Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been elucidated to play essential roles in cancers, and the recognition of lncRNA expression patterns in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) may be helpful for indicating novel mechanisms underlying NPC carcinogenesis. Herein, we conducted this study to probe into the function of lncRNA ZNF667-AS1 in NPC progression with the involvement of microRNA-1290 (miR-1290) and actin-binding LIM protein 1 (ABLIM1).

Materials and Methods

In silico analysis screened differentially expressed genes and miRNAs in NPC and predicted potential mechanisms. ZNF667-AS1 expression was detected in NPC tissues and cells. The gain-and-loss function assays were performed to explore the effects of lncRNA ZNF667-AS1 and miR-1290 in NPC cell biological behaviors. In vivo experiments were further conducted to confirm the in vitro results.

Results

In silico analysis predicted that ZNF667-AS1 was diminished in NPC, which may downregulate ABLIM1 through sponging miR-1290. ZNF667-AS1 was poorly expressed in NPC tissues and cells, and overexpression of ZNF667-AS1 inhibited growth of NPC cells. ZNF667-AS1 competitively bound with miR-1290, thereby upregulating ABLIM1. miR-1290 resulted in the promotion of NPC cell progression by suppressing ABLIM1. Overexpression of ZNF667-AS1 or suppression of miR-1290 inhibited tumorigenicity of NPC cells in vivo.

Conclusion

This study highlights that lncRNA ZNF667-AS1 promotes ABLIM1 expression by sponging miR-1290 to suppress NPC cell progression.

TGF‑β1 induces CREB1‑mediated miR‑1290 upregulation to antagonize lung fibrosis via Napsin A

The pathologic mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), one of the most common chronic pulmonary diseases, remain unclear. Napsin A is an aspartic proteinase that has been regarded as a hallmark of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The present study aimed to investigate the specific function and molecular mechanisms of Napsin A in PF from the perspective of microRNA (miRNA or miR) regulation. In the present study, it was found that miR-1290 downregulated the expression of Napsin A by binding to its 3′-UTR. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay. The protein levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I and Napsin A were examined by western blot analysis. The predicted targeting of Napsin A by miR-1290 was validated by luciferase reporter assay. The protein content of α-SMA was examined by immunofluorescence staining. miR-1290 was found to be upregulated in blood samples from patients with PF and in TGF-β1-stimulated A549 cells. miR-1290 was found to directly target Napsin A. miR-1290 overexpression also significantly promoted A549 cell proliferation and increased the protein levels of markers of fibrosis. Napsin A knockdown exerted effects on A549 cell proliferation and TGF-β1-induced fibrosis that were similar to those induced by miR-1290 overexpression; more importantly, Napsin A knockdown significantly reversed the effects of miR-1290 inhibition, indicating that miR-1290 promotes TGF-β1-induced fibrosis by targeting Napsin A. Moreover, TGF-β1-induced CAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) overexpression promoted the transcription of miR-1290 in A549 cells. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrate that TGF-β1-induced CREB1 over-expression induces the significant upregulation of miR-1290 expression, thus aggravating TGF-β1-induced fibrotic changes in A549 cells via the miR-1290 downstream target, Napsin A.

Exosome-mediated transfer of miR-1290 promotes cell proliferation and invasion in gastric cancer via NKD1

Currently, exosomes rich in RNAs and proteins are regarded as vital mediators of intercellular communication. Here, we aimed to explore the effects of exosomal miR-1290 in gastric cancer (GC) and understand its mechanism of action on GC progression. We first isolated exosomes from serum samples of GC patients and healthy people and characterized them by transmission electron microscopy. Then, we examined the expression level of miR-1290 contained in the exosomes by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and found that exosomal miR-1290 was overexpressed in GC patients and cell lines. Promotion of proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of GC cells was noted after they were incubated with the isolated miR-1290-rich exosomes compared with incubation with a negative control. Furthermore, we predicted that naked cuticle homolog 1 (NKD1) mRNA is a direct target of miR-1290 and confirmed their interaction by a dual luciferase reporter assay. NKD1 overexpression attenuated the stimulatory effects of miR-1290 on GC cells. Collectively, our results suggest that exosomal miR-1290 enhances GC cell proliferation and invasion by targeting NKD1 mRNA and downregulating NKD1 expression. A better understanding of this process may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic agents for GC.

MicroRNA‑629 inhibition suppresses the viability and invasion of non‑small cell lung cancer cells by directly targeting RUNX3

Dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) directly modulate the biological functions of non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and contribute to the initiation and progression of NSCLC; however, the specific roles and underlying mechanisms of the dysregulated miRNAs in NSCLC require further investigation. The present study reported that miRNA‑629‑5p (miR‑629) was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. High miR‑629 expression levels were significantly associated with tumour size, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis in patients with NSCLC. Functional experiments indicated that miR‑629 inhibition suppressed the viability and invasion NSCLC cells in vitro. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction, luciferase reporter assay, reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis demonstrated that runt‑related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) was a direct target gene of miR‑629 in NSCLC. Restoration of RUNX3 expression suppressed the effects of miR‑629 inhibition in NSCLC cells. Rescue experiments revealed that RUNX3 knockdown partially abrogated the effects of miR‑629 inhibition on NSCLC cells. In summary, miR‑629 directly targeted RUNX3 to inhibit the progression of NSCLC, suggesting that this miRNA may be considered as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for patients with NSCLC.

IRF2-INPP4B-mediated autophagy suppresses apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia cells

Background

The present study aimed to investigate the underlying role of interferon-regulatory factor 2 (IRF2)–inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase, type-II (INPP4B) axis in the regulation of autophagy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.

Methods

Quantitative real time PCR (QRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to determine the expression levels of IRF2, INPP4B and autophagy-related markers in AML cell lines. Autophagy was assessed by elevated Beclin-1 expression, the conversion of light chain 3 (LC3)-I to LC3-II, downregulated p62 expression and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3 puncta formation. The colony formation and apoptosis assays were performed to determine the effects of IRF2 and INPP4B on the growth of AML cells.

Results

IRF2 and INPP4B were highly expressed in AML cell lines, and were positively correlated with autophagy-related proteins. Overexpression of IRF2 or INPP4B stimulated autophagy of AML cells, whereas inhibition of IRF2 or INPP4B resulted in the attenuation of autophagy. More importantly, IRF2 or INPP4B overexpression reversed autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA)-induced proliferation-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects, while IRF2 or INPP4B silencing overturned the proliferation-promoting and anti-apoptotic effects of autophagy activator rapamycin.

Conclusion

IRF2–INPP4B signaling axis attenuated apoptosis through induction of autophagy in AML cells.

MicroRNA in Lung Cancer Metastasis

Tumor metastasis is a hallmark of cancer, with distant metastasis frequently developing in lung cancer, even at initial diagnosis, resulting in poor prognosis and high mortality. However, available biomarkers cannot reliably predict cancer spreading sites. The metastatic cascade involves highly complicated processes including invasion, migration, angiogenesis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition that are tightly controlled by various genetic expression modalities along with interaction between cancer cells and the extracellular matrix. In particular, microRNAs (miRNAs), a group of small non-coding RNAs, can influence the transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes, with dysregulation of miRNA expression contributing to the regulation of cancer metastasis. Nevertheless, although miRNA-targeted therapy is widely studied in vitro and in vivo, this strategy currently affords limited feasibility and a few miRNA-targeted therapies for lung cancer have entered into clinical trials to date. Advances in understanding the molecular mechanism of metastasis will thus provide additional potential targets for lung cancer treatment. This review discusses the current research related to the role of miRNAs in lung cancer invasion and metastasis, with a particular focus on the different metastatic lesions and potential miRNA-targeted treatments for lung cancer with the expectation that further exploration of miRNA-targeted therapy may establish a new spectrum of lung cancer treatments.

STAT3-induced upregulation of lncRNA MEG3 regulates the growth of cardiac hypertrophy through miR-361-5p/HDAC9 axis

Cardiac hypertrophy is closely correlated with diverse cardiovascular diseases, augmenting the risk of heart failure and sudden death. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been studied in cardiac hypertrophy for their regulatory function. LncRNA MEG3 has been reported in human cancers. Whereas, it is unknown whether MEG3 regulates the growth of cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the specific role of MEG3 in the progression of cardiac hypertrophy. Here, we found that MEG3 contributed to the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. MEG3 expression was remarkably strengthened in the mice heart which undergone the transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that MEG3 was upregulated in the cardiomyocytes which were treated with Ang-II. Silenced MEG3 inhibited the increasing size of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and reversed other hypertrophic responses. Mechanically, MEG3 could affect cardiac hypertrophy by regulating gene expression. Mechanically, we found that MEG3 could be upregulated by the transcription factor STAT3 and could regulate miR-361-5p and HDAC9 by acting as a ceRNA. Finally, rescue assays were made to do further confirmation. All our findings revealed that STAT3-inducetd upregulation of lncRNA MEG3 controls cardiac hypertrophy by regulating miR-362-5p/HDAC9 axis.