LncRNA TIALD contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis via inducing AURKA lysosomal degradation

Emerging importance of m6A modification in liver cancer and its potential therapeutic role

Liver cancer refers to malignant tumors that form in the liver and is usually divided into several types, the most common of which is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which originates in liver cells. Other rare types of liver cancer include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). m6A modification is a chemical modification of RNA that usually manifests as the addition of a methyl group to adenine in the RNA molecule to form N6-methyladenosine. This modification exerts a critical role in various biological processes by regulating the metabolism of RNA, affecting gene expression. Recent studies have shown that m6A modification is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver cancer, and m6A regulators can further participate in the pathogenesis of liver cancer by regulating the expression of key genes and the function of specific cells. In this review, we provided an overview of the latest advances in m6A modification in liver cancer research and explored in detail the specific functions of different m6A regulators. Meanwhile, we deeply analyzed the mechanisms and roles of m6A modification in liver cancer, aiming to provide novel insights and references for the search for potential therapeutic targets. Finally, we discussed the prospects and challenges of targeting m6A regulators in liver cancer therapy.

High-Throughput Proteomics Reveals a Novel Small Open Reading Frame-Encoded Peptide That Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Invasion and Migration

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely associated with tumor development, and increasing evidence suggests that small open reading frame (smORF) within lncRNAs also have the capability to encode smORF-encoded peptides (SEPs). Here, we thoroughly uncovered the SEP expression profile of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from tumor and adjacent nontumor tissues of 154 HCC patients using high-throughput mass spectrometry (MS). A total of 208 SEPs were identified, with no significant difference in abundance and stability compared with coding region proteins. Notably, the peptide encoded by LINC01007 (LINC01007-33AA) was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues (p < 0.05) and could serve as an independent risk factor affecting prognosis (HR [95% CI]: 1.31[1.01-1.7]). This endogenous peptide was further confirmed at both the mRNA and protein levels, and its overexpression significantly enhances the invasion and migration of HCC cells. These findings highlight the potential of MS-based methods to identify novel noncoding sequence encoded functional peptides associated with tumor progression.

Key oncogenes and candidate drugs for hepatitis-B-driven hepatocellular carcinoma progression

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to uncover the key hepatitis-B (HB)-related liver cancer (LC) promoting genes, and clarity their interrelationships, enrichments, impacts on LC immune infiltration, and potential drugs targeting these genes.

METHODS

The LC-survival associated genes were acquired from the LIHC samples of the TCGA-database; and HB related genes from the DisGeNET database. The intersection was used to screen the key genes. Using the 8 HB-LC genes, we constructed prognostic models for survival prediction of HBV positive patients with LIHC and performed enrichment analysis, interaction analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and potential drug digging from the GTRP and GDSC databases.

RESULTS

In the core intersection of different sets. Based on these genes, prognostic cox regression models for OS and DFS were constructed. Overall, HB-LC genes were significantly negatively correlated with Th17, MAIT, monocytes, and CD4 Naive cells, while they were positively correlated with B cells, nTreg cells, and Tr1 cells. Among 8 genes, MKI67, EZH2, and CDCA5 were hub ones. Finally, 7 drugs target at least three HB-LC genes and can be used as novel drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, eight key HB-LC genes play important cancer-promoting roles in LC, which may be the molecular mechanism by which HBV drives the development of LC.

Revealing the active ingredients and mechanisms of Xiatianwu against hepatocellular carcinoma: a study based on network pharmacology and bioinformatics

Xiatianwu is a traditional Chinese medicine. This study investigates the function of Xiatianwu in treating HCC through database analyses and in vitro experiments. The active ingredients of Xiatianwu were identified from TCMSP and HERB databases and their targets were predicted by Swiss TargetPrediction. The HCC dataset was screened using the GEO database, and the differentially expressed genes between HCC and non-tumor liver tissues were analyzed to identify overlapping targets with Xiatianwu. The intersecting targets underwent enrichment analysis using R software to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Xiatianwu against HCC. Core targets were identified using the PPI network and MCODE algorithm. Clinical relevance and disease prognosis in HCC were verified using the TCGA database. Meanwhile, binding affinities among components and targets were validated with molecular docking. Finally, the anti-HCC efficacy of the active ingredient was validated in vitro. Our findings revealed that eight active ingredients of Xiatianwu interacted with 11 key targets, providing anti-HCC efficacy. Molecular docking indicated that bicuculline and fumarine exhibited superior binding abilities. Bicuculline, a representative ingredient of Xiatianwu, was chosen for in vitro validation. Results demonstrated that bicuculline, in a dose-dependent manner inhibited HCC cell viability, reduced migration, suppressed the G0/M cell cycle, and decreased core protein expression. Xiatianwu demonstrates significant potential for clinical application in treating HCC. Bicuculline, a key active ingredient of Xiatianwu, exerts anti-HCC effects by inhibiting the cell cycle.

Targeting AURKA with multifunctional nanoparticles in CRPC therapy

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Targeting Aurora-A kinase (AURKA) has shown promise in cancer treatment. This study investigates the efficacy of ART-T cell membrane-encapsulated AMS@AD (CM-AMS@AD) nanoparticles (NPs) in a photothermal-chemotherapy-immunotherapy combination for CRPC. Bioinformatics analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas-prostate adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) dataset revealed overexpression of AURKA in PCa, correlating with poor clinical outcomes. Single-cell RNA sequencing data from the GEO database showed a significant reduction in immune cells in CRPC. Experimentally, T cell membrane-biomimetic NPs loaded with the AURKA inhibitor Alisertib and chemotherapy drug DTX were synthesized and characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, showing good stability and uniformity (average diameter: 158 nm). In vitro studies demonstrated that these NPs inhibited CRPC cell proliferation, increased the G2/M cell population, and elevated apoptosis, confirmed by γH2AX expression. In vivo, CM-AMS@AD NPs accumulated in tumor tissues, significantly slowed tumor growth, decreased proliferation, increased apoptosis, and improved the immune environment, enhancing dendritic cell (DC) maturation and increasing CD8 + /CD4 + ratios. These findings suggest that CM-AMS@AD NPs offer a promising triple-combination therapy for CRPC, integrating photothermal, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, with significant potential for future clinical applications.

The ncRNA-AURKA Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Insights into Oncogenic Pathways, Therapeutic Opportunities, and Future Challenges

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major public health concern and ranks among the leading cancer-related mortalities globally. Due to the frequent late-stage diagnosis of HCC, therapeutic options remain limited. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the regulation of Aurora kinase A (AURKA), one of the key hub genes involved in several key cancer pathways. Indeed, the dysregulated interaction between ncRNAs and AURKA contributes to tumor development, progression, and therapeutic resistance. This review delves into the interplay between ncRNAs and AURKA and their role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Recent findings underscore the involvement of the ncRNAs and AURKA axis in tumor development and progression. Furthermore, this review also discusses the clinical significance of targeting ncRNA-AURKA axes, offering new perspectives that could lead to innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at improving outcomes for HCC patients.

Multifaceted bioinformatic analysis of m6A-related ferroptosis and its link with gene signatures and tumour-infiltrating immune cells in gliomas

Whether N6-Methyladenosine (m6A)- and ferroptosis-related genes act on immune responses to regulate glioma progression remains unanswered. Data of glioma and corresponding normal brain tissues were fetched from the TCGA database and GTEx. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified for GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. The FerrDb database was based to yield ferroptosis-related DEGs. Hub genes were then screened out using the cytoHubba database and validated in clinical samples. Immune cells infiltrating into the glioma tissues were analysed using the CIBERSORT R script. The association of gene signature underlying the m6A-related ferroptosis with tumour-infiltrating immune cells and immune checkpoints in low-grade gliomas was analysed. Of 6298 DEGs enriched in mRNA modifications, 144 were ferroptosis-related; NFE2L2 and METTL16 showed the strongest positive correlation. METTL16 knockdown inhibited the migrative and invasive abilities of glioma cells and induced ferroptosis in vitro. NFE2L2 was enriched in the anti-m6A antibody. Moreover, METTL16 knockdown reduced the mRNA stability and level of NFE2L2 (both p < 0.05). Proportions of CD8+ T lymphocytes, activated mast cells and M2 macrophages differed between low-grade gliomas and normal tissues. METTL16 expression was negatively correlated with CD8+ T lymphocytes, while that of NFE2L2 was positively correlated with M2 macrophages and immune checkpoints in low-grade gliomas. Gene signatures involved in the m6A-related ferroptosis in gliomas were identified via bioinformatic analyses. NFE2L2 interacted with METTL16 to regulate the immune response in low-grade gliomas, and both molecules may be novel therapeutic targets for gliomas.

Non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis: Remarkable indicators and potential oncogenic mechanism

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), as key regulators involving in intercellular biological processes, are more prominent in many malignancies, especially for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we conduct a comprehensive review to summarize diverse ncRNAs roles in HCC metastatic mechanism. We focus on four signaling pathways that predominate in HCC metastatic process, including Wnt/β-catenin, HIF-1α, IL-6, and TGF-β pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) employed different mechanisms to participate in the regulation of the key genes in these pathways, typical as interaction with DNA to control transcription, with RNA to control translation, and with protein to control stability. Therefore, ncRNAs may become potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC metastasis.

Insight into the regulatory mechanism of m6A modification: From MAFLD to hepatocellular carcinoma

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which has been attributed to the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. MAFLD affects more than one-third of adults worldwide, making it the most prevalent liver disease globally. Moreover, MAFLD is considered a significant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with MAFLD-related HCC cases increasing. Approximately 1 in 6 HCC patients are believed to have MAFLD, and nearly 40 % of these HCC patients do not progress to cirrhosis, indicating direct transformation from MAFLD to HCC. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is commonly distributed in eukaryotic mRNA and plays a crucial role in normal development and disease progression, particularly in tumors. Numerous studies have highlighted the close association between abnormal m6A modification and cellular metabolic alterations, underscoring its importance in the onset and progression of MAFLD. However, the specific impact of m6A modification on the progression of MAFLD to HCC remains unclear. Can targeting m6A effectively halt the progression of MAFLD-related HCC? In this review, we investigated the pivotal role of abnormal m6A modification in the transition from MAFLD to HCC, explored the potential of m6A modification as a therapeutic target for MAFLD-related HCC, and proposed possible directions for future investigations.

Crosstalk between m6A modification and non-coding RNAs in HCC

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with high morbidity and occurrence. Although various therapeutic approaches have been rapidly developed in recent years, the underlying molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of HCC remain enigmatic. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is believed to regulate RNA metabolism and further gene expression. This process is intricately regulated by multiple regulators, such as methylases and demethylases. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of the epigenetic modification, mRNA transcription and other biological processes, exhibiting crucial roles in tumor occurrence and development. The m6A-ncRNA interaction has been implicated in the malignant phenotypes of HCC and plays an important role in drug resistance. This review summarizes the effect of m6A-ncRNA crosstalk on HCC progression and their clinical implications as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in this disease.