LncRNA THUMPD3-AS1 promotes invasion and EMT in gastric cancer by regulating the miR-1297/BCAT1 pathway

Aurora kinase A promotes epithelial‑mesenchymal transition by regulating P130 and P107 molecules in thyroid cancer cells

The mortality associated with thyroid cancer (THCA) has been increasing due to distant metastasis, yet the precise mechanisms remain unclear. The present study examined the role of Aurora kinase A (AURKA) in THCA cells. Reducing AURKA expression led to decreased cell proliferation and inhibited the transition of BHT101 and BCPAP cells from the G0 phase to active division. Interestingly, decreasing AURKA expression also enhanced the cells' ability to move, migrate and invade. It was found that AURKA regulates key molecules involved in cell proliferation. Specifically, reducing AURKA expression increased the levels of P130 and E2F4, while decreasing the level of P107. Furthermore, upregulating AURKA promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas downregulating AURKA had the opposite effect. Blocking the focal adhesion kinase signaling pathway impaired the movement, migration and invasion capabilities of THCA cells, underscoring its crucial role in metastasis. In conclusion, AURKA promotes EMT by regulating P130 and P107, thereby facilitating the metastasis of THCA.

LncRNA THUMPD3-AS1/microRNA-4465/KPNA2 axis impacts human hepatocellular carcinoma cell phenotypes

Objective

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal malignancy in the world. LncRNA THUMPD3-AS1 is implicated in tumorigenesis and progression in various tumors. Therefore, this study was applied to investigate the action of THUMPD3-AS1 in HCC by regulating microRNA (miR)-4465 and KPNA2.

Methods

The clinical specimens of HCC were collected to determine THUMPD3-AS1, KPNA2, miR-4465, E-cadherin, Vimentin, N-cadherin, ZEB1 and SNAIL levels. HCC cells were screened and transfected with sh-THUMPD3-AS1 or miR-4465 mimic to explore their roles in HCC cell phenotype and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors. The involvement of miR-4465 in THUMPD3-AS1-mediated HCC was proved. The relationship of THUMPD3-AS1, KPNA2 and miR-4465 was verified.

Results

Overexpressed THUMPD3-AS1 and KPNA2 and reduced miR-4465 were present in HCC clinical tissues. THUMPD3-AS1 bound to miR-4465 to target KPNA2. Silencing of THUMPD3-AS1 or restoration of miR-4465 repressed HCC cell phenotypes and EMT in vitro. Inhibition of miR-4465 mitigated the role of silenced THUMPD3-AS1 in HCC.

Conclusion

This study stresses that THUMPD3-AS1 induces EMT in HCC cells and ultimately promotes HCC cell growth and migration by competitively inhibiting miR-4465 expression and thus upregulating KPNA2.

Chitosan and hyaluronic acid in colorectal cancer therapy: A review on EMT regulation, metastasis, and overcoming drug resistance

Up to 90% of cancer-related fatalities could be attributed to metastasis. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that facilitate tumor cell metastasis is beneficial for improving patient survival and results. EMT is considered the main process involved in the invasion and spread of CRC. Essential molecular components like Wnt, TGF-β, and PI3K/Akt play a role in controlling EMT in CRC, frequently triggered by various factors such as Snail, Twist, and ZEB1. These factors affect not only the spread of CRC but also determine the reaction to chemotherapy. The influence of non-coding RNAs, especially miRNAs and lncRNAs, on the regulation of EMT is clear in CRC. Exosomes, involved in cell-to-cell communication, can affect the TME and metastasis of CRC. Pharmacological substances and nanoparticles demonstrate promise as efficient modulators of EMT in CRC. Chitosan and HA are two major carbohydrate polymers with considerable potential in inhibiting CRC. Chitosan and HA can be employed to modify nanoparticles to enhance cargo transport for reducing CRC. Additionally, chitosan and HA-modified nanocarriers, which can be utilized as potential approaches in suppressing EMT and reversing drug resistance in CRC, can inhibit EMT and chemoresistance, crucial components in tumorigenesis.

Construction and Bioinformatics Analysis of ceRNA Regulatory Networks in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive form of pulmonary fibrosis of unknown etiology. Despite ongoing research, there is currently no cure for this disease. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks in IPF development. Therefore, this study investigated the ceRNA network associated with IPF pathogenesis. We obtained gene expression datasets (GSE32538, GSE32537, GSE47460, and GSE24206) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed them using bioinformatics tools to identify differentially expressed messenger RNAs (DEmRNAs), microRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (DElncRNA). For DEmRNAs, we conducted an enrichment analysis, constructed protein-protein interaction networks, and identified hub genes. Additionally, we predicted the target genes of differentially expressed mRNAs and their interacting long non-coding RNAs using various databases. Subsequently, we screened RNA molecules with ceRNA regulatory relations in the lncACTdb database based on the screening results. Furthermore, we performed disease and functional enrichment analyses and pathway prediction for miRNAs in the ceRNA network. We also validated the expression levels of candidate DEmRNAs through quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and analyzed the correlation between the expression of these candidate DEmRNAs and the percent predicted pre-bronchodilator forced vital capacity [%predicted FVC (pre-bd)]. We found that three ceRNA regulatory axes, specifically KCNQ1OT1/XIST/NEAT1-miR-20a-5p-ITGB8, XIST-miR-146b-5p/miR-31-5p- MMP16, and NEAT1-miR-31-5p-MMP16, have the potential to significantly affect IPF progression. Further examination of the underlying regulatory mechanisms within this network enhances our understanding of IPF pathogenesis and may aid in the identification of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

LncRNA FOXD2-AS1 promotes the growth, invasion and migration of OSCC cells by regulating the MiR-185-5p/PLOD1/Akt/mTOR pathway

Although lncRNAs are recognized to contribute to the development of oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC), their exact function in invasion and cell migration is not clear. In this research, we explored the molecular and cellular mechanisms of FOXD2-AS1 in OSCC. Prognostic and bioinformatics analyses were used to test for the differential expression of FOXD2-AS1-PLOD1. Following FOXD2-AS1 suppression or overexpression, changes in cell viability were measured using the CCK-8 test; changes in cell migration and invasion abilities were measured using the migration and the Transwell assay. The expression of associated genes and proteins was found using Western blot and RT-qPCR. Analysis of luciferase reporter genes was done to look for regulatory connections between various molecules. The FOXD2-AS1-PLOD1 pair, which was highly expressed in OSCC, was analyzed and experimentally verified to be closely related to the prognosis of OSCC, and a nomogram model and correction curve were constructed. The inhibition of FOXD2-AS1 resulted in the reduction of cell activity, migration, invasion ability and changes in genes related to invasion and migration. In vivo validation showed that inhibition of FOXD2-AS1 expression slowed tumor growth, and related proteins changed accordingly. The experiments verified that FOXD2-AS1 negatively regulated miR-185-5 p and that miR-185-5 p negatively regulated PLOD1. In addition, it was found that the expression of PLOD1, p-Akt and p-mTOR proteins in OSCC cells was reduced by the inhibition of FOXD2-AS1, and FOXD2-AS1 and PLOD1 were closely related to the Akt/mTOR pathway. Increased expression of FOXD2-AS1 promotes OSCC growth, invasion and migration, which is important in part by targeting miR-185-5 p/PLOD1/Akt/mTOR pathway activity.

Identification of RNA methylation-related lncRNAs for prognostic assessment and immunotherapy in bladder cancer-based on single cell/Bulk RNA sequencing data

Bladder cancer is a malignancy characterized by significant heterogeneity. RNA methylation has received an increasing amount of attention in recent years. RNA data were collected from the GEO database, and cell subsets were classified according to specific cell markers. Epithelial, immunological, and fibroblast cells were clustered individually to explore the tumor heterogeneity. To distinguish between malignant and benign cells, the InferCNV R package was employed. The monocle2 R package was used for pseudotime analysis. The Decouple R package was used for transcription factor analysis of each cell subgroup, and PROGENy was used to predict the activity of pathways related to tumors. The target lncRNA was screened for model construction. In addition, the qPCR experiment was used to detect the transcription level of lncRNA. Epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and T cells significantly differ in tumor and normal tissues. The lncRNAs related to m6A/m5C/m1A were intersected to construct the model. Finally, six model lncRNAs (PSMB8-AS1, THUMPD3-AS1, U47924.27, XXbac-B135H6.15, MIR99AHG, and C14orf132) were screened. High-risk individuals were shown to have a better prognosis. qPCR experiments showed that the model lncRNA was differentially expressed between normal and tumor cells. Immunotherapy will be more effective in treating individuals with lower risk than those with higher risk using 4 candidate drugs. The prognostic m6A/m5C/m1A-related lncRNA model was constructed for evaluating the clinical outcomes of bladder cancer patients and guiding clinical medication.

An aptamer and Au/Si CCA based SERS sensor for ultra-sensitive detection of Vimentin during EMT in gastric cancer

Introduction: In this study, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor based on a functionalized Au/Si cap-cone array (Au/Si CCA) was constructed using the identity-release strategy to detect Vimentin changes during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: The periodic structure of Au/Si CCA, which can form "hot spots" with high density and regular arrangement, is a substrate with excellent performance. Au/Si CCA was functionalized with aptamers as the capture substrate, and Au nanocubes (AuNCs) were modified with 5-carboxyfluorescein (5-FAM) labelled complementary strand as SERS probe. The capture substrate and SERS probe were assembled by hybridization, and the SERS signal intensity of 5-FAM was greatly enhanced. The binding of Vimentin to the aptamer resulted in a broken connection between the SERS sensor Au/Si CCA array and AuNCs, which resulted in a decrease in the signal intensity of 5-FAM. The identity-release strategy requires only a simple step of reaction to achieve rapid detection of target proteins, which has clinical practicability. Results: Using this protocol, the concentration of Vimentin in GES-1 cells could be successfully detected, and the detection limit was as low as 4.92 pg/mL. Biological experiments of Vincristine, Oncovin (VCR)-treated GES-1 cells effectively mimicked the EMT process, and Vimentin changes during EMT could be accurately detected by this method. Discussion: This study provides a selective, ultra-sensitive and accurate assay for Vimentin detection, which may provide a means for the future detection of EMT process in GC.