Frequency of MicroRNA Response Elements Identifies Pathologically Relevant Signaling Pathways in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Role of microRNAs in trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling: Implications for preeclampsia

It is now well-established that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression. The role of miRNAs in placental development and trophoblast function is constantly expanding. Trophoblast invasion and their ability to remodel uterine spiral arteries are essential for proper placental development and successful pregnancy outcome. Many miRNAs are reported to be dysregulated in pregnancy complications, especially preeclampsia and they exert various regulatory effects on trophoblasts. In this review, we provide a brief overview of miRNA biogenesis and their mechanism of action, as well as of trophoblasts differentiation, invasion and spiral artery remodeling. We then discuss the role of miRNAs in trophoblasts invasion and spiral artery remodeling, focusing on miRNAs that have been thoroughly investigated, especially using multiple model systems. We also discuss the potential role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Regulatory miRNAs in Cardiovascular and Alzheimer's Disease: A Focus on Copper

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), are key regulators of differentiation and development. In the cell, transcription factors regulate the production of miRNA in response to different external stimuli. Copper (Cu) is a heavy metal and an essential micronutrient with widespread industrial applications. It is involved in a number of vital biological processes encompassing respiration, blood cell line maturation, and immune responses. In recent years, the link between deregulation of miRNAs' functionality and the development of various pathologies as well as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been extensively studied. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly with a complex disease etiology, and its link with Cu abnormalities is being increasingly studied. A direct interaction between COMMD1, a regulator of the Cu pathway, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) HIF-1a does exist in ischemic injury, but little information has been collected on the role of Cu in hypoxia associated with AD thus far. The current review deals with this matter in an attempt to structurally discuss the link between miRNA expression and Cu dysregulation in AD and CVDs.

Construction of a lncRNA/pseudogene-hsa-miR-30d-5p-GJA1 regulatory network related to metastasis of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer, the most lethal malignant tumor, is notorious for its poor prognosis and metastatic potential. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are reported to play key roles in cancer metastasis. In this study, miRNA and gene expression profiles between metastatic pancreatic cancer cell M8 and its parental cell BxPC.3 were determined. Using differential expression analysis, survival analysis, target gene prediction, pathway enrichment analysis, intersection analysis and correlation analysis, hsa-miR-30d-5p/GJA1 axis was identified as the most potential pathway involved in metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Subsequently, two upstream lncRNAs (HELLPAR and OIP-AS1) and four upstream pseudogenes (AC093616.1, AC009951.1, TMEM183B and PABPC1P4) of hsa-miR-30d-5p/GJA1 axis were predicted and were then identified via assessment of RNA-RNA expression relationship. Furthermore, CTNNA1, CTNNB1 and CTNND1 were regarded as three crucial molecules to be participated in hsa-miR-30d-5p/GJA1-mediated metastatic potential in pancreatic cancer. In conclusion, we established a novel lncRNA/pseudogene-hsa-miR-30d-5p-GJA1 regulatory network linked to metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

The Anticancer Effects of Flavonoids through miRNAs Modulations in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple- negative breast cancer (TNBC) incidence rate has regularly risen over the last decades and is expected to increase in the future. Finding novel treatment options with minimum or no toxicity is of great importance in treating or preventing TNBC. Flavonoids are new attractive molecules that might fulfill this promising therapeutic option. Flavonoids have shown many biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. In addition to their anticancer effects by arresting the cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing cancer cell proliferation, flavonoids can modulate non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) function. Several preclinical and epidemiological studies indicate the possible therapeutic potential of these compounds. Flavonoids display a unique ability to change miRNAs' levels via different mechanisms, either by suppressing oncogenic miRNAs or activating oncosuppressor miRNAs or affecting transcriptional, epigenetic miRNA processing in TNBC. Flavonoids are not only involved in the regulation of miRNA-mediated cancer initiation, growth, proliferation, differentiation, invasion, metastasis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), but also control miRNAs-mediated biological processes that significantly impact TNBC, such as cell cycle, immune system, mitochondrial dysregulation, modulating signaling pathways, inflammation, and angiogenesis. In this review, we highlighted the role of miRNAs in TNBC cancer progression and the effect of flavonoids on miRNA regulation, emphasizing their anticipated role in the prevention and treatment of TNBC.