lncRNA CERS6-AS1 upregulates the expression of ANLN by sponging miR-424-5p to promote the progression and drug resistance of lung adenocarcinoma

Development of an alkaliptosis-related lncRNA risk model and immunotherapy target analysis in lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among all cancers worldwide. Alkaliptosis is characterized by a pH-dependent form of regulated cell death. In this study, we constructed a model related to alkaliptosis-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and developed a prognosis-related framework, followed by the identification of potential therapeutic drugs.

Methods

The TCGA database was utilized to obtain RNA-seq-based transcriptome profiling data, clinical information, and mutation data. We conducted multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify alkaliptosis-related lncRNAs. Subsequently, we employed the training group to construct the prognostic model and utilized the testing group to validate the model's accuracy. Calibration curves were generated to illustrate the discrepancies between predicted and observed outcomes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to investigate the distribution of LUAD patients across high- and low-risk groups. Additionally, Gene Ontology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were conducted. Immune cell infiltration and Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) analyses were carried out using the CIBERSORT and maftools algorithms. Finally, the "oncoPredict" package was employed to predict immunotherapy sensitivity and to further forecast potential anti-tumor immune drugs. qPCR was used for experimental verification.

Results

We identified 155 alkaliptosis-related lncRNAs and determined that 5 of these lncRNAs serve as independent prognostic factors. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of the low-risk group were significantly higher than those of the high-risk group. The risk signature functions as a prognostic factor that is independent of other variables. Different stages (I-II and III-IV) effectively predict the survival rates of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients, and these lncRNAs can reliably forecast these signatures. GSEA revealed that processes related to chromosome segregation and immune response activation were significantly enriched in both the high- and low-risk groups. The high-risk group exhibited a lower fraction of plasma cells and a higher proportion of activated CD4 memory T cells. Additionally, the OS of the low TMB group was significantly lower compared to the high TMB group. Furthermore, drug sensitivity was significantly greater in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group. These lncRNAs may serve as biomarkers for treating LUAD patients.

Conclusion

In summary, the construction of an alkaliptosis-related lncRNA prognostic model and drug sensitivity analysis in LUAD patients provides new insights into the clinical diagnosis and treatment of advanced LUAD patients.

The TEAD4-DYNLL1 axis accelerates cell cycle progression and augments malignant properties of lung adenocarcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major contributor to global mortality. Grounded onto bioinformatics insights, this study probes the functions of dynein light chain LC8-type 1 (DYNLL1) in LUAD progression.

METHODS

DYNLL1 levels in LUAD and normal cells were determined using qPCR and western blotting analyses. Lentiviral plasmids-mediated DYNLL1 silencing was induced in LUAD cells, followed by functional assays to investigate DYNLL1's impacts on proliferation, mobility, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution. KY19382, a Wnt/β-catenin agonist, was employed to analyze the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in DYNLL1's effects. Upstream regulator of DYNLL1 was queried using bioinformatics. Mouse LUAD cells LA795 were implanted into BALB/c nude mice to establish animal tumor models.

RESULTS

DYNLL1 exhibited heightened expression in LUAD cells. Its artificial silencing reduced proliferation and dissemination of cancer cells, promoted cell apoptosis, and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. DYNLL1 silencing reduced β-catenin levels in cancer cells, and KY19382 treatment diminished the effects induced by DYNLL1 silencing. TEA domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4), upregulated in LUAD cells, binds to the DUNLL1 promoter for transcriptional activation. TEAD4 silencing in LUAD cells reduced DYNLL1 transcription and β-catenin levels, thus suppressing proliferation while promoting apoptosis, senescence, and cell cycle arrest. In vivo, TEAD4 silencing weakened tumorigenesis of LA795 cells. Nevertheless, these phenomena were counteracted by the artificial DYNLL1 restoration in LUAD cells.

CONCLUSION

This investigation demonstrates a TEAD4-DYNLL1 axis that accelerates cell cycle progression and augments malignant properties of LUAD cells via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Mechanisms of primary resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) redefined the therapeutics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), leading to significant survival benefits and unprecedented durable responses. However, the majority of the patients develop resistance to ICIs, either primary or acquired. Establishing a definition of primary resistance to ICIs in different clinical scenarios is challenging and remains a work in progress due to the changing landscape of ICI-based regimens, mainly in the setting of early-stage NSCLC. The mechanisms of primary resistance to ICIs in patients with NSCLC include a plethora of pathways involving a cross-talk of the tumor cells, the tumor microenvironment and the host, leading to the development of an immunosuppressive phenotype. The optimal management of patients with NSCLC following primary resistance to ICIs represents a significant challenge in current thoracic oncology. Research in this field includes exploring other immunotherapeutic approaches, such as cancer vaccines, and investigating novel antibody-drug conjugates in patients with NSCLC.

Identification of a Plasma Exosomal lncRNA- and circRNA-Based ceRNA Regulatory Network in Patients With Lung Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Exosomes have been established to be enriched with various long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) that exert various biological effects. However, the lncRNA- and circRNA-mediated coexpression competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network in exosomes derived from the plasma of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains elusive.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study enrolled nine patients with lung adenocarcinoma and three healthy individuals, and the differential expression of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), lncRNAs, and circRNAs was detected using microarray analysis, while microRNAs (miRNAs) were detected through RNA sequencing. Additionally, bioinformatics algorithms were applied to evaluate the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNAs/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. Differentially expressed cicRNAs were identified via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A total of 1016 lncRNAs, 1396 circRNAs, 45 miRNAs, and 699 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the plasma exosomes of patients with LUAD compared with healthy controls. Among them, 881 lncRNAs were upregulated and 135 were downregulated, 916 circRNAs were upregulated while 480 were downregulated, 45 miRNAs were upregulated while none were downregulated, and 591 mRNAs were upregulated while 108 were downregulated (p ≤ 0.05, and fold change ≥ 2). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed the biological functions of differentially expressed RNAs. Meanwhile, the RNA networks displayed the regulatory relationship between dysregulated RNAs. Finally, RT-qPCR validated that the expression of circ-0033861, circ-0043273, and circ-0011959 was upregulated in the plasma exosome of patients with LUAD compared to healthy controls (p = 0.0327, p = 0.0002, p = 0.0437, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study proposed a newly discovered ncRNA-miRNA-mRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network and identified that the expression of circulating circ-0033861, circ-0043273, and circ-0011959 was up-regulated in the plasma exosomes of patients with LUAD, offering valuable insights for exploring the potential function of exosomal noncoding RNA and identifying potential biomarkers for LUAD.

Silencing ANLN hinders the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The actin-binding protein anillin (ANLN) functions as an oncogene in various cancers but has not been fully studied in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to investigate the expression of ANLN in OSCC tissues and cell lines, to better understand its role in mediating proliferative, angiogenic, invasive, and metastatic capabilities in this type of cancer.

METHODS

ANLN mRNA and protein levels were assessed using qPCR and western immunoblotting. The expression intensity of ANLN was evaluated using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Biological functional assays were employed to characterize the behavior of OSCC cells influenced by ANLN. Additionally, comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, including GO analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis, was performed on differentially expressed genes in ANLN-mediated pathways.

RESULTS

OSCC tumors and cell lines exhibited higher ANLN expression. Silencing of ANLN significantly suppressed OSCC cell proliferation, as evidenced by a significant reduction in the Ki-67 index both in vitro and in vivo. The migration and invasive ability of OSCC cells were markedly diminished, coinciding with a decrease in epithelial-mesenchymal transition activity. ANLN was also found to promote angiogenic activity in OSCC cells, partly through synergistic effects mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Downregulation of ANLN expression led to decreased VEGFA levels, resulting in reduced angiogenesis characterized by fewer vascular branches.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the promising role of ANLN as a biomarker for both diagnostic and prognostic in OSCC. Targeting ANLN with inhibitory strategies could impede the oncogenesis processes at the core of OSCC development, presenting significant opportunities for advancing therapeutic interventions.