Tissue and serum microRNA profile of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Differential microRNA Expression Analysis in Patients with HPV-Infected Ovarian Neoplasms

This study aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) whose expression levels are altered by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in women with epithelial ovarian neoplasms. MiRNA expression was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction, while HR-HPV DNA was quantified using digital-droplet PCR. Analysis of 11 miRNAs demonstrated significantly lower hsa-miR-25-5p expression in HPV-infected compared to uninfected ovarian tissues (p = 0.0405), while differences in miRNA expression in corresponding serum were statistically insignificant. The expression of hsa-miR-218-5p in ovarian tumors was significantly higher in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) cases than in other neoplasms (p = 0.0166). In addition, hsa-miR-218-5p was significantly upregulated, whereas hsa-miR-191-5p was significantly downregulated in tissues with stage III/IV FIGO (p = 0.0009 and p = 0.0305, respectively). Using unsupervised clustering, we identified three unique patient groups with significantly varied frequencies of HPV16/18-positive samples and varied miRNA expression profiles. In multivariate analysis, high expression of hsa-miR-16-5p was an independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival (p = 0.0068). This preliminary analysis showed the changes in miRNA expression in ovarian neoplasms during HPV infection and those collected from HGSOCs or patients with advanced disease. This prospective study can provide new insights into the pathogenesis of ovarian neoplasms and host-virus interactions.

Identification of serum miR-1246 and miR-150-5p as novel diagnostic biomarkers for high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the leading cancers in women, with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) being the most common and lethal subtype of this disease. A vast majority of HGSOC are diagnosed at the late stage of the disease when the treatment and total recovery chances are low. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel, more sensitive and specific methods for early and routine HGSOC clinical diagnosis. In this study, we performed miRNA expression profiling using the NanoString miRNA assay in 34 serum samples from patients with HGSOC and 36 healthy women. We identified 13 miRNAs that were differentially expressed (DE). For additional exploration of expression patterns correlated with HGSOC, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). As a result, we showed that the module most correlated with tumour size, nodule and metastasis contained 8 DE miRNAs. The panel including miR-1246 and miR-150-5p was identified as a signature that could discriminate HGSOC patients with AUCs of 0.98 and 1 for the training and test sets, respectively. Furthermore, the above two-miRNA panel had an AUC = 0.946 in the verification cohorts of RT-qPCR data and an AUC = 0.895 using external data from the GEO public database. Thus, the model we developed has the potential to markedly improve the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

MiRNAs that target amyloid precursor protein processing machinery in extracellular vesicles and particles derived from oral squamous cells carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Considering that microRNAs (miRNAs), extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing have been shown to be altered in oral squamous cells carcinoma (OSCC), it is possible that miRNAs that target APP processing pathways in EVPs are impacted in tumor cells. Our aim was to evaluate miRNAs that target APP itself or disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 10 (ADAM10), which generate a trophic compound, sAPPα, in EVPs derived from OSCC cell lines, an aggressive and non-invasive, compared to normal keratinocytes.

METHODS

We used two OSCC cell lines, an aggressive human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCC09) and a less aggressive cell line (CAL27) compared with a keratinocyte lineage (HaCaT). Cells were maintained in cell media, from which we isolated EVPs. EVPs were evaluated regarding their size and concentration using Nanotracking Analysis. We measured the levels of miRNAs which had as potential downstream target APP or ADAM10, specifically miR-20a-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-424-5p, miR-92b-3p, miR-31-5p, and miR-93-5.

RESULTS

There were no differences on size distributions and concentration of isolated EVPs. OSCC cell lines-derived EVPs miR-20a-5p, miR-92b-3p, and miR-93-5p were upregulated in comparison to HaCaT-derived EVPs; while miR-31-5p was reduced in EVPs obtained from CAL27 cells.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate changes in miRNAs that target APP machinery processing in EVPs derived from OSCC cell lines of different aggressiveness, which may be involved with abnormal miRNA expression in OSCC tissue and/or releasing tumor suppressor miRNA.

A high-throughput pipeline for DNA/RNA/small RNA purification from tissue samples for sequencing

High-throughput total nucleic acid (TNA) purification methods based on solid-phase reversible immobilization (SPRI) beads produce TNA suitable for both genomic and transcriptomic applications. Even so, small RNA species, including miRNA, bind weakly to SPRI beads under standard TNA purification conditions, necessitating a separate workflow using column-based methods that are difficult to automate. Here, an SPRI-based high-throughput TNA purification protocol that recovers DNA, RNA and small RNA, called GSC-modified RLT+ Aline bead-based protocol (GRAB-ALL), which incorporates modifications to enhance small RNA recovery is presented. GRAB-ALL was benchmarked against existing nucleic acid purification workflows and GRAB-ALL efficiently purifies TNA, including small RNA, for next-generation sequencing applications in a plate-based format suitable for automated high-throughput sample preparation.

Serum and Saliva Level of miR-31-5p and miR-let 7a in EBV Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has a well-documented association with head and neck neoplasms, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In the last few years, research aimed at elucidating the role of the miRs in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer (HNC) has gained importance. The study of miRs expression has set new directions in the search for biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic value, and even in the search for new therapeutic targets for various tumors, including HNC. The aim of current study was to approximate the importance of miR-31-5p and miR-let 7a in the pathogenesis of EBV associated oropharyngeal cancer. For this purpose, experiments were carried out to determine the level of mentioned miRs in serum among patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer linked to EBV infection, depending on histological differentiation-grading (G1-G3) and TNM classification. All clinical specimens stratified by HPV status were HPV negative. The level of antibodies EBNA and EBVCA was also assessed. The obtained results showed a significantly increased serum level of miR-31-5p but decreased level of miR-let 7a in EBV positive oropharyngeal cancer patients. We demonstrated association between the level of tested miRs and clinical stage. Our findings showed that miR-31-5p and miR-let-7a may be involved in development and progression of EBV associated oropharyngeal cancer. Therefore, it seems important to further study these molecules, as well as to determine whether they could be important biomarkers in the diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer associated with EBV infection.

Circulating miRNA as a Biomarker in Oral Cancer Liquid Biopsy

Oral cancer is currently challenging the healthcare system, with a high incidence among the population and a poor survival rate. One of the main focuses related to this malignancy is the urge to implement a viable approach for improving its early diagnosis. By introducing the use of liquid biopsy and the identification of potential biomarkers, aiming for a noninvasive approach, new advancements offer promising perspectives in the diagnosis of oral cancer. The present review discusses the potential of circulating miRNAs as oral cancer biomarkers identified in body fluids such as serum, plasma, and saliva samples of oral cancer patients. Existing results reveal an important implication of different miRNA expressions involved in the initiation, development, progression, and metastasis rate of oral malignancy. Liquid biomarkers can play a crucial role in the development of the concept of personalized medicine, providing a wide range of clinical applications and future targeted therapies.

Knowledge and expectations about miRNAs as biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell cancers

Head and neck squamous cell cancer patients suffer from a high postoperative recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Thus, it is essential to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms and identify the role of new biomarkers. Recent research has shown that the dysregulation of microRNAs is a potential biomarker as a screening or prognostic tool. Moreover, the literature reveals its promising usefulness to select the best treatment strategy and monitor tumour response. The purpose of this review is to identify and synthesize the available literature on microRNAs as biomarkers that could help manage patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer. A search in scientific databases was completed, including all relevant articles related to circulating microRNAs in head and neck squamous cell cancer published in English or Spanish. We focused on articles whose main findings were related to their usefulness in diagnosis and prognosis. Conclusion: Knowledge of microRNAs opens the possibilities that these molecules offer in terms of monitoring cancer disease in a less-invasive, simple manner, allowing for serial sampling to assess the response to treatment and minimal residual disease. It is yet to be determined whether liquid biopsy will replace the traditional biopsy in the future but it represents a change in the paradigm of management of head and neck squamous cell cancer.

Salivary protein kinase C alpha and novel microRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic resistance markers for oral squamous cell carcinoma in Indian cohorts

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in India. Tobacco, alcohol, poor oral hygiene, and socio-economic factors remain causative for this high prevalence. Identification of non-invasive diagnostic markers tailored for Indian population can facilitate mass screening to reduce overall disease burden. Saliva offers non-invasive sampling and hosts a plethora of markers for OSCC diagnosis. Here, to capture the OSCC-specific salivary RNA markers suitable for Indian population, we performed RNA-sequencing of saliva from OSCC patients (n = 9) and normal controls (n = 5). Differential gene expression analysis detected an array of salivary RNAs including mRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, transfer-RNAs, and microRNAs specific to OSCC. Computational analysis and functional predictions identified protein kinase c alpha (PRKCA), miR-6087, miR-449b-5p, miR-3656, miR-326, miR-146b-5p, and miR-497-5p as potential salivary indicators of OSCC. Notably, higher expression of PRKCA, miR-6087 and miR-449b-5p were found to be associated with therapeutic resistance and poor survival, indicating their prognostic potential. In addition, sequencing reads that did not map to the human genome, showed alignments with microbial reference genomes. Metagenomic and statistical analysis of these microbial reads revealed a remarkable microbial dysbiosis between OSCC patients and normal controls. Moreover, the differentially abundant microbial taxa showed a significant association with tumor promoting pathways including inflammation and oxidative stress. Summarily, we provide an integrated landscape of OSCC-specific salivary RNAs relevant to Indian population which can be instrumental in devising non-invasive diagnostics for OSCC.

Integrating Cutting-Edge Methods to Oral Cancer Screening, Analysis, and Prognosis

Oral cancer (OC) has become a significant barrier to health worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. OC is among the most prevalent types of cancer that affect the head and neck region, and the overall survival rate at 5 years is still around 50%. Moreover, it is a multifactorial malignancy instigated by genetic and epigenetic variabilities, and molecular heterogeneity makes it a complex malignancy. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are often the first warning signs of OC, although it is challenging to predict which cases will develop into malignancies. Visual oral examination and histological examination are still the standard initial steps in diagnosing oral lesions; however, these approaches have limitations that might lead to late diagnosis of OC or missed diagnosis of OPMDs in high-risk individuals. The objective of this review is to present a comprehensive overview of the currently used novel techniques viz., liquid biopsy, next-generation sequencing (NGS), microarray, nanotechnology, lab-on-a-chip (LOC) or microfluidics, and artificial intelligence (AI) for the clinical diagnostics and management of this malignancy. The potential of these novel techniques in expanding OC diagnostics and clinical management is also reviewed.

Pharmacological impact of microRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Prevailing insights on molecular pathways, diagnosis, and nanomedicine treatment

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a disease that most commonly produce tumours from the lining of the epithelial cells of the lips, larynx, nasopharynx, mouth, or oro-pharynx. It is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. About one to two percent of all neo-plasm-related deaths are attributed to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which is responsible for about six percent of all cancers. MicroRNAs play a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, stress response, triggering apoptosis, and other physiological process. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and provide new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this work, the role of molecular signaling pathways related to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is emphasized. We also provide an overview of MicroRNA downregulation and overexpression and its role as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In recent years, MicroRNA nano-based therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have been explored. In addition, nanotechnology-based alternatives have been discussed as a promising strategy in exploring therapeutic paradigms aimed at improving the efficacy of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and attenuating their cytotoxicity. This article also provides information on ongoing and recently completed clinical trials for therapies based on nanotechnology.

Study of MicroRNA (miR-221-3p, miR-133a-3p, and miR-9-5p) Expressions in Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the common types of cancer. Its progression follows a transition from oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) such as oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Epigenetic modifiers, especially microRNAs (miRNAs), have an appreciable role in the regulation of various carcinogenic pathways which are being used as biomarkers. miRNAs may also be helpful in the differentiation of oral submucous fibrosis from oral squamous cell carcinoma. Three miRNAs, miR-221-3p, miR133a-3p, and miR-9-5p, were found differentially expressed in many cancers in the literature search supported by our preliminary database search-based screening. The literature and our functional enrichment analysis in an earlier study have reported these miRNAs to regulate carcinogenesis at various steps. In the present study, the expression of these miRNAs was examined in 34 histopathologically confirmed OSCC, 30 OSMF, and 29 control (healthy volunteers) human samples. There was a significant downregulation of miRNA-133a-3p in OSCC compared to OSMF and controls, whereas there was up-regulation in oral submucous fibrosis compared to controls. There was no significant difference in the expression of miR-221-3p between OSCC and OSMF, but an upregulation in OSCC compared to controls. miR-9-5p was also found upregulated in both OSCC and OSMF. Further, miR-133a-3p expression was negatively correlated with age, smoking, drinking status, and AJCC staging, whereas miR-9-5p expression was only positively associated with tobacco/ areca nut chewing. The ROC plots, logistic regression model generated, and the correlation between the expression of miR-9-5p and miR-133a-3p in blood and tissue suggests that these could be used as risk stratification biomarkers.

Promising Biomarkers in Head and Neck Cancer: The Most Clinically Important miRNAs

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors that extend from the oral cavity to the upper gastrointestinal tract. The principal etiologic factors for oral tumors include tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, while human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have been accused of a high incidence of pharyngeal tumors. Accordingly, HPV detection has been extensively used to categorize carcinomas of the head and neck. The diverse nature of HNC highlights the necessity for novel, sensitive, and precise biomarkers for the prompt diagnosis of the disease, its successful monitoring, and the timely prognosis of patient clinical outcomes. In this context, the identification of certain microRNAs (miRNAs) and/or the detection of alterations in their expression patterns, in a variety of somatic fluids and tissues, could serve as valuable biomarkers for precision oncology. In the present review, we summarize some of the most frequently studied miRNAs (including miR-21, -375, -99, -34a, -200, -31, -125a/b, -196a/b, -9, -181a, -155, -146a, -23a, -16, -29, and let-7), their role as biomarkers, and their implication in HNC pathogenesis. Moreover, we designate the potential of given miRNAs and miRNA signatures as novel diagnostic and prognostic tools for successful patient stratification. Finally, we discuss the currently ongoing clinical trials that aim to identify the diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic utility of miRNAs in HNC.

The meta-signature guided investigation of miRNA candidates as potential biomarkers of oral cancer

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to experimentally validate dysregulated expression of miRNA candidates selected through updated meta-analysis of most commonly deregulated miRNAs in oral cancer and to explore their diagnostic and prognostic potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five miRNAs (miR-31-3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-18a-5p, miR-30a-5p, miR-139-5p) from updated meta-signature were selected for validation by qRT-PCR method in 35 oral cancer clinical specimens and adjacent non-cancerous tissue.

RESULTS

Updated meta-analysis has identified 13 most commonly deregulated miRNAs in oral cancer. Seven miRNAs were consistently up-regulated (miR-21-5p, miR-31-3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-31-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-18a-5p, miR-21-3p), while five were down-regulated (miR-139-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-375-3p, miR-376c-3p, miR-30a-5p). Increased expression of miR-31-3p, miR-135b-5p, as well as decreased expression of miR-139-5p and miR-30a-5p were confirmed in oral cancer compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissue. A three-miRNAs combination (miR-31-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-30a-5p) gave the most promising diagnostic potential for discriminating oral cancer from non-cancerous tissue (AUC: 0.780 (95% CI: 0.673-0.886), p<0.0005, sensitivity 94.3%, specificity 51.4%). High expression of miR-135b-5p, miR-18a-5p and miR-30a-5p was associated with poor survival (p=0.003, p=0.048, p=0.016, respectively).

CONCLUSION

miR-31-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-30a-5p panel was confirmed as a potential diagnostic biomarker when distinguishing oral cancer from non-cancerous tissue. miR-135b-5p, miR-18a-5p and miR-30a-5p might serve as potential biomarkers of poor survival of oral cancer patients.

Salivary miR-31-5p, miR-345-3p, and miR-424-3p Are Reliable Biomarkers in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

If not detected early, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has very poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for reliable early diagnostics. Saliva is considered a promising surrogate biosample for OSCC detection, because it comes into contact with many cells of the tumor mass, providing a comprehensive sampling of tumor-specific biomolecules. Although several protein- and RNA-based salivary biomarkers have been proposed for the detection of OSCC, the results of the studies show large differences. Our goal was to clarify which salivary microRNAs (miRNA) show reliably high expression in the saliva of OSCC patients, to be used as cancer-specific biomarkers, and potentially as early diagnostic biomarkers. Based on a detailed literature search, we selected six miRNAs commonly overexpressed in OSCC, and analyzed their expression in saliva samples of cancer patients and controls by real-time quantitative PCR. Our results suggest that miR-345 and miR-31-5p are consistently upregulated salivary biomarkers for OSCC, and a three-miRNA panel of miR-345, miR-31-5p, and miR-424-3p can distinguish cancer and control patients with high sensitivity.

Prognosis and Biological Function of miR-3195 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

Lung cancer has the highest mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. Among the subtypes of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of cases. The present study evaluated the potential prognostic value and biological function of miR-3195 in NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 129 patients with NSCLC were enrolled in this study. The expression of miR-3195 expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to elucidate the prognostic value of miR-3195. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Transwell cell migration experiments were carried out to explore the effective effect of miR-3195 on the biological behavior of NSCLC cells.

RESULTS

The expression of miR-3195 was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, the decreased expression of miR-3195 was correlated with positive lymph node metastasis and high TNM stage. The overall survival of patients with low expression of miR-3195 was worse than those with high expression of miR-3195. Furthermore, miR-3195 was an independent prognostic indicator for overall survival in patients with NSCLC. Enhanced expression of miR-3195 restrained cell growth, migration, and invasion of NSCLC tumor cells, while attenuation of miR-3195 expression augmented cell proliferation activities, migration, and invasion potential.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that miR-3195 may be used as a prognostic biomarker for NSCLC and is likely to act as a tumor suppressor for NSCLC.

A Systematic Review of MicroRNA Signatures Associated with the Progression of Leukoplakia with and without Epithelial Dysplasia

Oral cancer is a significant public health issue, being the eighth most common cancer worldwide with over 300,000 cases diagnosed annually. Early diagnosis and adequate management of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) before transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is critical to reduce deaths, morbidity, and to improve overall prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of protein expression and implicated in the control of numerous cellular pathways and impacting physiological, developmental, and pathological processes. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been reported in many cancers and has been demonstrated to play a critical role in cancer initiation, progression, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. This systematic review provides a comprehensive summary of the prevailing literature on miRNA signatures in OPMDs, specifically leukoplakia with or without oral epithelial dysplasia, and their utility in predicting malignant transformation into OSCC. Eighteen articles describing 73 unique and differentially expressed microRNAs met the criteria for inclusion in this review. We reviewed the characteristics and methodology for each of these studies and assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the studied miRNAs in predicting malignant transformation. This systematic review highlights the significant interest in miRNAs and their tremendous potential as prognostic markers for predicting the malignant transformation of OPMDs into OSCC.

Head and Neck Cancers Are Not Alike When Tarred with the Same Brush: An Epigenetic Perspective from the Cancerization Field to Prognosis

Simple Summary

Squamous cell carcinomas affect different head and neck subsites and, although these tumors arise from the same epithelial lining and share risk factors, they differ in terms of clinical behavior and molecular carcinogenesis mechanisms. Differences between HPV-negative and HPV-positive tumors are those most frequently explored, but further data suggest that the molecular heterogeneity observed among head and neck subsites may go beyond HPV infection. In this review, we explore how alterations of DNA methylation and microRNA expression contribute to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) development and progression. The association of these epigenetic alterations with risk factor exposure, early carcinogenesis steps, transformation risk, and prognosis are described. Finally, we discuss the potential application of the use of epigenetic biomarkers in HNSCC.

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are among the ten most frequent types of cancer worldwide and, despite all efforts, are still diagnosed at late stages and show poor overall survival. Furthermore, HNSCC patients often experience relapses and the development of second primary tumors, as a consequence of the field cancerization process. Therefore, a better comprehension of the molecular mechanisms involved in HNSCC development and progression may enable diagnosis anticipation and provide valuable tools for prediction of prognosis and response to therapy. However, the different biological behavior of these tumors depending on the affected anatomical site and risk factor exposure, as well as the high genetic heterogeneity observed in HNSCC are major obstacles in this pursue. In this context, epigenetic alterations have been shown to be common in HNSCC, to discriminate the tumor anatomical subsites, to be responsive to risk factor exposure, and show promising results in biomarker development. Based on this, this review brings together the current knowledge on alterations of DNA methylation and microRNA expression in HNSCC natural history, focusing on how they contribute to each step of the process and on their applicability as biomarkers of exposure, HNSCC development, progression, and response to therapy.

MiR-32-5p promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via regulating the KLF2/CXCR4 pathway

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common carcinomas of the oral cavity. However, the regulatory mechanisms on miR-32-5p remain poorly understood in OSCC. The expression of miR-32-5p, Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins (E-cadherin, Vimentin, N-cadherin, and Snail) were evaluated were assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot. 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazolyl2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were employed to detect cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. Finally, dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the binding relationship between KLF2 and miR-32-5p. MiR-32-5p was highly expressed while KLF2 was lowly expressed in OSCC cells, and miR-32-5p knockdown or KLF2 overexpression could markedly reduce cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of OSCC cells. What is more, KLF2 was the target of miR-32-5p, and knockdown of KLF2 abolished the inhibitory effect of miR-32-5p inhibitor on progression of OSCC. Finally, CXCR4 expression was negatively regulated by KLF2, and inhibition of CXCR4 obviously alleviated the biological effects of si-KLF2 on the progression of OSCC. MiR-32-5p could enhance cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of OSCC cells, and the discovery of miR-32-5p/KLF2/CXCR4 axis might provide potential therapeutic targets for OSCC.

Profiling and Functional Analysis of microRNA Deregulation in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Depicts an Anti-Invasive Role of microRNA-204 via Regulation of Their Motility

Background: Knowledge on the role of miR changes in tumor stroma for cancer progression is limited. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR dysregulation in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methodology: CAF and normal oral fibroblasts (NOFs) were isolated from biopsies of OSCC patients and healthy individuals after informed consent and grown in 3D collagen gels. Total RNA was extracted. Global miR expression was profiled using Illumina version 2 panels. The functional impact of altered miR-204 expression in fibroblasts on their phenotype and molecular profile was investigated using mimics and inhibitors of miR-204. Further, the impact of miR-204 expression in fibroblasts on invasion of adjacent OSCC cells was assessed in 3D-organotypic co-cultures. Results: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering for global miR expression resulted in separate clusters for CAF and NOF. SAM analysis identified differential expression of twelve miRs between CAF and NOF. Modulation of miR-204 expression did not affect fibroblast cell proliferation, but resulted in changes in the motility phenotype, expression of various motility-related molecules, and invasion of the adjacent OSCC cells. 3′ UTR miR target reporter assay showed ITGA11 to be a direct target of miR-204. Conclusions: This study identifies differentially expressed miRs in stromal fibroblasts of OSCC lesions compared with normal oral mucosa and it reveals that one of the significantly downregulated miRs in CAF, miR-204, has a tumor-suppressive function through inhibition of fibroblast migration by modulating the expression of several different molecules in addition to directly targeting ITGA11.

GH Overexpression Alters Spermatic Cells MicroRNAome Profile in Transgenic Zebrafish

Overexpression of growth hormone (GH) in gh-transgenic zebrafish of a highly studied lineage F0104 has earlier been reported to cause increased muscle growth. In addition to this, GH affects a broad range of cellular processes in transgenic fish, such as morphology, physiology, and behavior. Reports show changes such as decreased sperm quality and reduced reproductive performance in transgenic males. It is hypothesized that microRNAs are directly involved in the regulation of fertility potential during spermatogenesis. The primary aim of our study was to verify whether gh overexpression disturbs the sperm miRNA profile and influences the sperm quality in transgenic zebrafish. We report a significant increase in body weight of gh-transgenic males along with associated reduced sperm motility and other kinetic parameters in comparison to the non-transgenic group. MicroRNA transcriptome sequencing of gh-transgenic zebrafish sperms revealed expressions of 186 miRNAs, among which six miRNA were up-regulated (miR-146b, miR-200a-5p, miR-146a, miR-726, miR-184, and miR-738) and sixteen were down-regulated (miR-19d-3p, miR-126a-5p, miR-126b-5p, miR-22a-5p, miR-16c-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-126b-3p, miR-107a-3p, miR-93, miR-2189, miR-202–5p, miR-221–3p, miR-125a, miR-125b-5p, miR-126a-3p, and miR-30c-5p) in comparison to non-transgenic zebrafish. Some of the dysregulated miRNAs were previously reported to be related to abnormalities in sperm quality and reduced reproduction ability in other species. In this study, an average of 134 differentially expressed miRNAs-targeted genes were predicted using the in silico approach. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the genes of affected pathways were primarily related to spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and cell apoptosis. Our results suggested that excess GH caused a detrimental effect on sperm microRNAome, consequently reducing the sperm quality and reproductive potential of zebrafish males.

Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 in Oral Malignant and Potentially Malignant Disorders: A Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis - A Comparative Study

Introduction:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) are now being increasingly associated as a cause of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of HPV in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) and OSCC using polymerase chain reaction that might help in better understanding of the role played by this virus in the oncogenic process even from its evolution stage.

Materials and Methods:

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples (n = 40) of OSCC and mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia were used for this study. DNA was quantified and checked for purity spectrophotometrically. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and statistical significance was assessed using Fischer's exact test (p < 0.05 was considered significant).

Results:

High-risk (HR)-HPV-16 was found to be positive in 35% of OSCC cases which showed a statistically significant association of HPV 16 with OSCC. Verrucous carcinoma had predominant HPV 16 infection (60%), followed by SCC with 40%. However, this association was not statistically significant. None of the OSCC samples were infected with HPV 18. Among the PMD, we found only 5% showing HR-HPV 16 infection which was not significant.

Discussion:

Although OSCC is attributed to tobacco and alcohol consumption, a significant proportion of OSCC cases have been demonstrated to contain HPV types. The high-risk HPV type 16 tends to be the most predominant type detected in cases of OSCC.

The scope of liquid biopsy in the clinical management of oral cancer

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent forms of head and neck cancer, and it remains a leading cause of death in developing countries. Failure to detect the disease at an early stage is the main reason for the lack of improvement in the overall survival rate over the decades. Even though tissue biopsy is considered as the gold standard for diagnosis and molecular workup, it is an invasive, expensive and time-consuming procedure. Besides, it may not indicate the genetic status of the entire tumour owing to the heterogeneity of the cancer. In this context, liquid biopsy could be quite useful as it provides a more representative picture of the circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA, circulating RNA, and tumour-derived exosomes obtained from all types of body fluids. This technique provides real-time assessment of variations in the molecular profile of the whole tumour and enables the serial monitoring of the disease status. The method has many advantages, such as easy accessibility, reliability, reproducibility and the possibility for early detection of the disease. However, the concept is still in its infancy, and the research on its application in various tumours including OSCC is rapidly progressing.

Circulating microRNA profile in humans and mice with congenital GH deficiency

Reduced inflammation, increased insulin sensitivity, and protection against cancer are shared between humans and mice with GH/IGF1 deficiency. Beyond hormone levels, miRNAs are important regulators of metabolic changes associated with healthy aging. We hypothesized that GH deficiency in humans alters the abundance of circulating miRNAs and that a subset of those miRNAs may overlap with those found in GH-deficient mice. In this study, subjects with untreated congenital isolated GH deficiency (IGHD; n = 23) and control subjects matched by age and sex (n = 23) were recruited and serum was collected for miRNA sequencing. Serum miRNAs from young (6 month) and old (22 month) Ames dwarf (df/df) mice with GH deficiency and their WT littermates (n = 5/age/genotype group) were used for comparison. We observed 14 miRNAs regulated with a genotype by age effect and 19 miRNAs regulated with a genotype effect independent of age in serum of IGHD subjects. These regulated miRNAs are known for targeting pathways associated with longevity such as mTOR, insulin signaling, and FoxO. The aging function was overrepresented in IGHD individuals, mediated by hsa-miR-31, hsa-miR-146b, hsa-miR-30e, hsa-miR-100, hsa-miR-181b-2, hsa-miR-195, and hsa-miR-181b-1, which target the FoxO and mTOR pathways. Intriguingly, miR-181b-5p, miR-361-3p, miR-144-3p, and miR-155-5p were commonly regulated in the serum of humans and GH-deficient mice. In vitro assays confirmed target genes for the main up-regulated miRNAs, suggesting miRNAs regulated in IGHD individuals can regulate the expression of age-related genes. These findings indicate that systemic miRNAs regulated in IGHD individuals target pathways involved in aging in both humans and mice.

Exosome-derived microRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinomas impact disease prognosis

OBJECTIVES

microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns have provided new insight as biomarkers of prognosis as well as novel therapeutic targets for several neoplasms. However, the role of exosomal miRNA in the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not yet been completely clarified. Paired primary tumor and normal oral epithelial cells from OSCC patients were obtained, and the exosomal miRNA profiles between them were compared by miRNA microarray analysis. The miRNA levels in the serum exosomes of OSCC patients were verified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Finally, the biological functions and the potential as a prognostic marker of the selected miRNA candidates were analyzed in the OSCC cells and patients, respectively.

RESULTS

Exosomal miR-155 and miR-21 were significantly upregulated, and exosomal miR-126 was dramatically downregulated in the primary OSCC cells and the serum of OSCC patients. In the analysis of oncogenic behaviors, coculture with either miR-155-rich or miR-21-rich exosomes could promote cell proliferation and invasion accompanied with downregulation of PTEN and Bcl-6 tumor suppressors. Moreover, treatment with miR-126-rich exosomes inhibited oncogenic behaviors and oncogene EGFL7 expression in OSCC cells. Finally, exosomal miR-126 was reduced in the serum of the late-staged OSCC patients, and downregulation of blood exosomal miR-126 was associated with poor survival in OSCC patients.

CONCLUSION

Exosomal miR-155 and miR-21 are oncogenic miRNAs which suppress PTEN and Bcl-6 expression, and exosomal miR-126 acts as a tumor suppressor which downregulates EGFL7 in OSCC. Furthermore, blood exosomal miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC.

MicroRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a possible challenge as biomarkers, determinants for the choice of therapy and targets for personalized molecular therapies

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are referred to a group of heterogeneous cancers that include structures of aerodigestive tract such as oral and nasal cavity, salivary glands, oropharynx, pharynx, larynx, paranasal sinuses, and local lymph nodes. HNSCC is characterized by frequent alterations of several genes such as TP53, PIK3CA, CDKN2A, NOTCH1, and MET as well as copy number increase in EGFR, CCND1, and PIK3CA. These genomic alterations play a role in terms of resistance to chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and prediction of patient outcome. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded noncoding RNAs which are about 19-25 nucleotides. They are involved in the tumorigenesis of HNSCC including dysregulation of cell survival, proliferation, cellular differentiation, adhesion, and invasion. The discovery of the stable presence of the miRNAs in all human body made them attractive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis or as targets for novel therapeutic ways, enabling personalized treatment for HNSCC. In recent times the number of papers concerning the characterization of miRNAs in the HNSCC tumorigenesis has grown a lot. In this review, we discuss the very recent studies on different aspects of miRNA dysregulation with their clinical significance and we apologize for the many past and most recent works that have not been mentioned. We also discuss miRNA-based therapy that are being tested on patients by clinical trials.

Oncogenesis and Tumor Inhibition by MicroRNAs and its Potential Therapeutic Applications: A Systematic Review

MicroRNAs appear as small molecule modifiers, which improve many new findings and mechanical illustrations for critically important biological phenomena and pathologic events. The best-characterized non-coding RNA family consists of about 2600 human microRNAs. Rich evidence has revealed their crucial importance in maintaining normal development, differentiation, growth control, aging, modulation of cell survival or apoptosis, as well as migration and metastasis as microRNAs dysregulation leads to cancer incidence and progression. By far, microRNAs have recently emerged as attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. The rationale for developing microRNA therapeutics is based on the premise that aberrantly expressed microRNAs play a significant role in the emergence of a variety of human diseases ranging from cardiovascular defects to cancer, and that repairing these microRNA deficiencies by either antagonizing or restoring microRNA function may yield a therapeutic benefit. Although microRNA antagonists are conceptually similar to other inhibitory therapies, improving the performance of microRNAs by microRNA replacement or inhibition that is a less well- described attitude. In this assay, we have condensed the last global knowledge and concepts regarding the involvement of microRNAs in cancer emergence, which has been achieved from the previous studies, consisting of the regulation of key cancer-related pathways, such as cell cycle control and the DNA damage response and the disruption of profile expression in human cancer. Here, we have reviewed the special characteristics of microRNA replacement and inhibition therapies and discussed explorations linked with the delivery of microRNA mimics in turmeric cells. Besides, the achievement of biomarkers based on microRNAs in clinics is considered as novel non-invasive biomarkers in diagnostic and prognostic assessments.

Profiling of microRNAs in actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patients

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin lesion often defined as premalignant with more evidence indicating it as early stage of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The AK may remain stable, transform towards incisive cSCC or in some cases revert spontaneously. Several different underlying conditions can increase risk of cSCC, however, advanced age represents major risk of AK and its progression towards cSCC indicating increased risk during chronological aging. Importantly, AK and cSCC are characterized by similar genetic profile, which lead researchers to search for novel biomarkers allowing early detection. As skin sampling is often invasive and causes scaring, in the current study, we investigated a novel approach to establish potential blood circulating genetic markers in patients diagnosed with AK and cSCC. Based on clinical diagnosis and dermoscopy, we recruited 13 patients with AK (divided into two groups: the first included patients with no more than three lesions, the second group included patients with at least ten lesions) and two additional individuals diagnosed with cSCC. Deep sequencing analysis of serum circulating miRNAs detected a total of 68 expressed miRNAs. Further analysis indicated 2 regulated miRNAs for AK cohort and 12 miRNAs for cSCC patients, while there were 26 miRNAs differentially regulated between cSCC and AK patients. There was also one commonly regulated miRNA between AK and cSCC patients and ten miRNAs that were regulated in cSCC when compared with both control and AK patients. We did not observe any differences between the AK groups. In conclusion, our analysis detected in circulation some miRNA that were previously recognized as important in AK, cSCC, and other type of skin cancer supporting this approach as potential non-invasive diagnosis of AK and cSCC.

MicroRNA-32-5p inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma by targeting SMAD family 3

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. MicroRNA (miRNA)-32-5p is as an important cancer-associated miRNA in different types cancer. To date, the role of miR-32-5p in the migration and invasion of NSCLC remains unknown. In the present study, a Transwell assay was performed to investigate the role of miR-32-5p in lung adenocarcinoma. miR-32-5p expression level was determined via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR in 24 pairs of NSCLC and adjacent normal tissues. SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3) was considered as a novel target gene by luciferase reporter assay and western blot in NSCLC. The present study demonstrated that miR-32-5p is frequently downregulated in NSCLC tissues. The overexpression of miR-32-5p resulted in the inhibition of migratory and invasive abilities in NSCLC cells. Thus, SMAD3 was identified as a target of miR-32-5p, and its expression was negatively correlated with miR-32-5p expression in clinical NSCLC tissues. Overall, these findings indicate that miR-32-5p serves as a tumor suppressor by targeting SMAD3. Thus, miR-32-5p may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

MiR-330-3p and miR-485-5p as biomarkers for glioblastoma: An integrated bioinformatics and experimental study

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common, invasive, and malignant primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis and a median survival of 12-15 months. This study tried to identify the most significant miRNA biomarkers in both tissue and serum samples of GBM. GSE25632 was employed from gene expression omnibus and using WGCNA package, association of miRNA networks and clinical data was explored and brown and green modules identified as the most relevant modules. Independently, Limma package was utilized to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in GSE25632 by cutoff logFC > 2 and P.value < 0.05. By merging the results of Limma and WGCNA, the miRNAs that were in brown and green modules and had mentioned cutoff were selected as hub miRNAs. Performing enrichment analysis, Pathways in cancer, Prostate cancer, Glioma, p53 signaling pathway, and Focal adhesion were identified as the most important signaling pathways. Based on miRNA- target genes, has-mir-330-3p and has-mir-485-5p were identified as core miRNAs. The expression level of core miRNAs was validated by GSE90604, GSE42657, and GSE93850. We evaluated the expression level of common target genes of two detected core genes based on GSE77043, GSE42656, GSE22891, GSE15824, and GSE122498. The ability of detected miRNAs to discriminate GBM from healthy controls was assessed by area under the curve (AUC) using the ROC curve analysis. Based on TCGA database, we tested the prognostic significance of miRNAs using overall survival analysis. We evaluated the expression level of the miRNAs in tissue of 83 GBM patients and also non-tumoral adjacent (as control) tissues. We used serum samples of 34 GBM patients to evaluate the expression levels of the hub miRNAs compare to the controls. Our results showed that has-mir-330-3p and has-mir-485-5p could be potential biomarkers in GBM.

microRNA-133a exerts tumor suppressive role in oral squamous cell carcinoma through the Notch signaling pathway via downregulation of CTBP2

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been revealed to participate in some oral cancers and are proved to be effective. In the present study, we tried to explore the biological function of miR-133a in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. The relationship that C-terminal-binding proteins 2 (CTBP2) was the putative target gene of miR-133a revealed from bioinformatics analysis was further was further validated by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. In total, 40 patients with OSCC were enrolled for characterization of miR-133a, CTBP2, and Notch signaling pathway-related gene expression in clinical OSCC tissues. Low expression of miR-133a and high expression of CTBP2, Hes1, Notch-1, and Notch-3 were determined in OSCC tissues. OSCC cell lines were transfected with miR-133a inhibitor, miR-133a mimic, or shRNA targeting CTBP2, in response to which cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle, and apoptosis were evaluated. Transfection of miR-133a mimic induced apoptosis and inhibited OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and this was demonstrated to be attributable to decreased CTBP2 expression and suppression of the Notch signaling pathway. Taken together, we concluded that miR-133a acted as a tumor suppressor in OSCC through inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway via binding to CTBP2.

Serum microRNA profiles in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease show systematic dysregulation partially reversible by hemodialysis

INTRODUCTION

The impact of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) on serum microRNAs (miRNA) is unknown.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For profiling experiment we recruited 30 patients from three equinumerous groups: controls, ADPKD and ADPKD on hemodialysis. From the last group extra samples were collected for in pre-/postdialysis analysis. Additionally, 23 healthy volunteers were used for selected biomarker verification. Real-time PCR arrays were used for quantification of 752 miRNAs. Validation of selected miRNAs was performed in total RNA extracted from the serum and the exosomal fraction in pre-/postdialysis samples.

RESULTS

In total, 37 significant circulating miRNAs were found to differ between ADPKD patients and controls. In validation, 3 miRNAs with the highest fold change in comparison of dialyzed vs non-dialyzed patients (miR-532-3p, miR-320b, miR-144-5p) were not significantly altered by hemodialysis and from the top down-regulated ones, miR-27a-3p was significantly lower after dialysis in both total and exosomal fractions, miR-20a-5p was down-regulated in the exosomal fraction and miR-16-5p was unaltered by hemodialysis. MiR-16-5p was selected as the best circulating biomarker of ADPKD. Circulating representatives of the miR-17 family sharing the same seed region (miR-20a-5p, miR-93-5p and miR-106a-5p) showed significantly lower expression among dialyzed vs. non-dialyzed patients and their exosomal fraction dropped after hemodialysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum miRNAs among ADPKD patients differ substantially depending on the stage of CKD. The exosomal fraction of miRNA was more affected by dialysis than the total one. There was a common pattern of down-regulation for circulating miR-17 family members sharing the same seed region.

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Epigenetic Landscape

Head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) constitutes the sixth most prevalent cancer worldwide. The molecular pathogenesis of HNSCC includes disorders in cell cycle, intercellular signaling, proliferation, squamous cell differentiation and apoptosis. In addition to the genetic mutations, changes in HNSCC are also characterized by the accumulation of epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNA activity and RNA methylation. In fact, some of them may promote cancer formation and progression by controlling the gene expression machinery, hence, they could be used as biomarkers in the clinical surveillance of HNSCC or as targets for therapeutic strategies. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge regarding epigenetic modifications observed in HNSCC and its predictive value for cancer development.

MicroRNA profile in the squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic and diagnostic roles

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are human malignancies associated with both genetic and environmental factors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as a group of small non-coding RNAs have prominent roles in the development of this kind of cancer. Expressions of several miRNAs have been demonstrated to be increased in HNSCC samples vs. non-malignant tissues. In silico prediction tools and functional analyses have confirmed the function of some miRNAs in the modulation of cancer-associated targets, thus indicating these miRNAs as onco-miRs. Moreover, numerous miRNAs have been down-regulated in HNSCC samples. Their targets mostly enhance cell proliferation or inhibit apoptosis. miRNAs signature has practical implications in the diagnosis, staging, and management of HNSC. Most notably, numerous miRNAs have been shown to alter response of tumor cells to anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin and doxorubicin. Circulating levels of these small transcripts have been suggested as promising biomarkers for diagnosis of HNSCC. In the present manuscript, we sum up the available literature regarding the miRNAs signature in HNSCC and their role as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers.

[Prognostic value of plasma miR-1290 expression in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prognostic value of plasma miR-1290 in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

Seventy patients with OSCC admitted to Danzhou People's Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018 were included in this study. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-1290 in these patients. The optimal cut-off value of plasma miR-1290 expression was determined by the ROC curve method, and patients with OSCC were divided into the high (n=31) and low (n=39) miR-1290-expressing groups. The clinicopathological features of the two groups were compared, and survival curves were drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors affecting the poor prognosis of patients were analyzed using univariate and multivariate COX regression models.

RESULTS

The expression level of plasma miR-1290 in the OSCC group was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.65±0.14 vs. 2.06±0.90; t=13.912, P<0.001). The low expression of plasma miR-1290 appeared to be related to the clinical stage, differentiation degree, tumor diameter, and lymph node metastasis of OSCC (P<0.05). Survival analysis showed that the overall survival rate and the progression-free survival rate of the low-miR-1290 group were significantly lower than that of the high-miR-1290 group (P<0.01). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, and plasma miR-1290<1.14 were independent risk factors for the poor prognosis of patients with OSCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression level of plasma miR-1290 in patients with OSCC significantly decreased, and the low expression of miR-1290 is related to the short survival time of OSCC patients. Thus, miR-1290 may be a potential marker predicting the poor prognosis of OSCC.

miR‑135b‑5p enhances the sensitivity of HER‑2 positive breast cancer to trastuzumab via binding to cyclin D2

Trastuzumab has led to a marked improvement in the outcomes of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-positive breast cancer. However, the effects of trastuzumab on HER-2-positive breast cancer are limited by the emergence of its cardiotoxicside effects. MicroRNA (miR)-135b-5p has been shown to inhibit tumor metastasis in breast cancer. The present study aimed to explore the effects of miR-135b-5p overexpression on the efficacy of trastuzumab in HER-2-positive breast cancer. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to detect the levels of miR-135b-5p. Cell viability was evaluated with a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Annexin V/propidium iodide staining was employed to detect the number of apoptotic cells. Flow cytometry assay was performed to investigate the cell cycle. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, cyclin D2, p27^Kip1 and cyclin E1. Cell migration and invasion were detected by Transwell assay. Luciferase assays were conducted to identify the target gene of miR-135b-5p. In addition, an in vivo tumor xenograft model was established. miR-135b-5p agomir significantly enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of trastuzumab on HER-2-positive breast cancer cells via the induction of apoptosis, whereas the anti-metastatic effect of trastuzumab was enhanced by miR-135b-5p agomir treatment. Subsequently, luciferase assays indicated that cyclin D2 was the direct target of miR-135b-5p, whereas overexpression of the latter arrested cell cycleduring the G₀/G₁ phase. Moreover, miR-135b-5p agomir notably increased the antitumor effect of trastuzumab in vivo. The data demonstrated that miR-135b-5p sensitized HER-2-positive breast cancer cells to trastuzumab in vitro and in vivo by directly binding to cyclin D2. These results suggested that the combination of miR-135b-5p with trastuzumab may be a therapeutic strategy for patients with HER-2-positive breast cancer.

Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis of mRNAs and miRNAs Identified Potential Biomarkers of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Oral cancer is a frequently encountered neoplasm of the head and neck region, being the eighth most common type of human malignancy worldwide. Despite improvement in its control, morbidity and mortality, rates have improved little in the past decades. The present investigations about gene interaction and pathways still could not clear the appearance and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), completely. The aim of this study is to investigate the key genes and microRNAs interaction in OSCC. Materials and Methods: The microarray datasets GSE13601 and GSE98463, including mRNA and miRNA profiles, were extracted from the GEO database and were analyzed using GEO2R. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed by using the DAVID database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and analyzed using STRING database and Cytoscape software, respectively. Finally, miRDB was applied to predict the targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs). Results: Totally, 97 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in OSCC, including 66 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated genes. The gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses showed that up-regulated genes were significantly enriched in movement of cell or subcellular component, cell adhesion, biological adhesion, cellular localization, apoptotic signaling pathway, while the downregulated genes were enriched in muscle system process and oxidation-reduction process. From the PPI network, the top 10 nodes with the highest degree were detected as hub genes. In addition, 18 DEMs were screened, which included 7 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated miRNAs. STAT1 was potentially targeted by three miRNAs, including has-miR- 6825-5P, has-miR-4495, and has-miR-5580-3P. Conclusion: The roles of DEMs such as hsa-mir-5580-3p in OSCC through interactions with DEGs CD44, ACLY, ACTR3, STAT1, LAMC2 and YWHAZ may offer a suitable candidate biomarker pattern for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment processes in OSCC.

Transfection of exogenous DNA complexed to cationic dendrimer induces alterations of bovine sperm microRNAome

MicroRNAs have been hypothesized to be involved in the regulation of male fertility potential. The primary aim of our study was to demonstrate the effects of transfection with dendrimer nanostructure on the parameters of bovine sperm quality and to investigate whether the microRNA profile could be disturbed after cationic dendrimer-mediated exogenous DNA transfection of bovine spermatozoa. The binding of exogenous DNA was significantly increased when dendrimer-based transfection was implemented. However, cationic dendrimer transfection induced detrimental changes in the kinetics and sperm quality parameters, such as membrane integrity, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial membrane potential, when compared to the control group. Sperm microRNA sequencing revealed 218 known and 106 novel microRNAs in the sperm samples, among which nine were dysregulated after transfection (one was upregulated and eight were downregulated), in comparison to the non-transfected sperm. All the dysregulated microRNAs were related to sperm quality and embryonic development. These results suggest that the transfection process using the dendrimer nanostructure has an impact on the quality and microRNA profile of bovine sperm.

Tumor microRNA profile and prognostic value for lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Neck lymph node metastasis (LN+) is one of the most significant prognostic factors affecting 1-in-2 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The different LN outcomes between clinico-pathologically similar primary tumors suggest underlying molecular signatures that could be associated with the risk of nodal disease development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs)are short non-coding molecules that regulate the expression of their target genes to maintain the balance of cellular processes. A plethora of evidence has indicated that aberrantly expressed miRNAs are involved in cancers with either an antitumor or oncogenic role. In this study, we characterized miRNA expression among OSCC fresh-frozen tumors with known outcomes of nodal disease (82 LN+, 76 LN0). We identified 49 differentially expressed miRNAs in tumors of the LN+ group. Using penalized lasso Cox regression, we identified a group of 10 miRNAs of which expression levels were highly associated with nodal-disease free survival. We further reported a 4-miRNA panel (miR-21-5p, miR-107, miR-1247-3p, and miR-181b-3p) with high accuracy in discriminating LN status, suggesting their potential application as prognostic biomarkers for nodal disease.

Functional Landscape of Dysregulated MicroRNAs in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Clinical Implications

MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is associated with the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and its elucidation could potentially provide information on patient outcome. A growing body of translational research on miRNA biology is focusing on precision oncology, aiming to decode the miRNA regulatory network in the development and progression of cancer. Tissue-specific expression and stable presence in all body fluids are unique features of miRNAs, which could be potentially exploited in the clinical setting. Recent understanding of miRNA properties has led them to be useful, attractive, and potential tools either as biomarkers (distinct miRNA expression signature) for diagnosis and prognostic outcomes or as targets for novel therapeutic entities, enabling personalized treatment for OSCC. In this review, we discuss recent research on different aspects of alterations in miRNA profiles along with their clinical significance and strive to identify probable potential miRNA biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC. We also discuss the current understanding and scope of development of miRNA-based therapeutics against OSCC.

Peripheral circulation miRNA expression of pediatric brain tumors and its relation to tumor miRNA expression levels

OBJECTIVE

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) in peripheral biofluids (e.g., blood, saliva, urine) have been investigated as potential sources of diagnostic and prognostic information for a variety of tumor types, including pediatric brain tumors. While significant predictive associations have been identified between unique serum miRNA concentrations and some pediatric brain tumors, it is unclear whether serum miRNA abnormalities in pediatric brain tumor patients are representative of miRNA alterations in the tumor tissue compartment or whether they represent host tissue reactions to the presence of a brain tumor. The authors sought to identify whether serum miRNA changes in pediatric brain tumor patient sera could be explained by miRNA alterations within their tumors.

METHODS

Matched serum and tissue samples were taken from a cohort of pediatric brain tumor patients (juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma [JPA] = 3, medulloblastoma = 4, ependymoma = 3), and unmatched control samples (n = 5) were acquired from control pediatric patients without oncological diagnoses. Extracted RNAs were tested within an array of 84 miRNAs previously noted to be relevant in a variety of brain tumors.

RESULTS

miR-26a-5p correlated strongly in JPA patients within both the serum and tumor tissue samples (R2 = 0.951, p = 0.046), and serum levels were highly predictive of JPA (area under the curve = 0.751, p = 0.027). No other miRNAs that were significantly correlated between biological compartments were significantly associated with brain tumor type. In total, 15 of 84 tested miRNAs in JPA patients, 14 of 84 tested miRNAs in ependymoma patients, and 4 of 84 tested miRNAs in medulloblastoma patients were significantly, positively correlated between serum and tumor tissue compartments (R2 > 0.950, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of miRNA changes in pediatric brain tumor patient sera that are significantly associated with the presence of a brain tumor do not correlate with brain tumor miRNA expression levels. This suggests that peripheral miRNA changes within pediatric brain tumor patients likely derive from tissues other than the tumors themselves.

Differential expression of circulating serum miR-1249-3p, miR-3195, and miR-3692-3p in non-small cell lung cancer

Global deregulation in miRNA expression is a hallmark of cancer cell. An estimated 2300 mature miRNAs are encoded by human genome; role of many of which in carcinogenesis and as cancer biomarkers remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the utility of miR-3692-3p, miR-3195, and miR-1249-3p as biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). For this prospective study, 115 subjects, including 75 NSCLC patients and 40 controls, were recruited. The expression of miR-3692-3p, miR-3195, and miR-1249-3p was checked using qRT-PCR. The miRNA expression was correlated with survival outcome and therapeutic response. There were no significant differences in the mean age of NSCLC patients and controls (56.2 and 55.3 years, respectively; p = 0.3242). Majority of NSCLC patients (67%) were smokers. We observed a significant upregulation of miR-3692-3p expression (p < 0.0001), while the expression of miR-3195 (p = 0.0017) and miR-1249-3p was significantly downregulated (p < 0.0001) in the serum of NSCLC patients as compared to controls. The expression of miR-1249-3p was significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma versus lung squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.0178). Interestingly, patients who responded to chemotherapy had higher expression of miR-1249-3p than non-responders (p = 0.0107). Moreover, patients with higher expression of miR-3195 had significantly longer overall survival (p = 0.0298). In multivariate analysis, miR-3195 emerged as independent prognostic factor for overall survival. We conclude that the miR-3195 may have prognostic significance, while miR-1249-3p may predict therapeutic response in NSCLC. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the role of these miRNAs in lung carcinogenesis and their utility as candidate cancer biomarkers.

Aortic valve calcification in the era of non-coding RNAs: The revolution to come in aortic stenosis management?

Aortic valve stenosis remains the most frequent structural heart disease, especially in the elderly. During the last decade, we noticed an important consideration and a huge number of publications related to the medical and surgical treatment of this disease. However, the molecular aspect of this degenerative issue has also been more widely studied recently. As evidenced in oncologic but also cardiac research fields, the emergence of microRNAs in the molecular screening and follow-up makes them potential biomarkers in the future, for the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of aortic stenosis. Herein, we present a review on the implication of microRNAs in the aortic valve disease management. After listing and describing the main miRNAs of interest in the field, we provide an outline to develop miRNAs as innovative biomarkers and innovative therapeutic strategies, and describe a groundbreaking pre-clinical study using inhibitors of miR-34a in a pre-clinical model of aortic valve stenosis.

Cell-Free microRNAs as Potential Oral Cancer Biomarkers: From Diagnosis to Therapy

Oral cavity cancer is the most frequent malignancy of the head and neck. Unfortunately, despite educational interventions for prevention and early diagnosis, oral cancer patients are often diagnosed in advanced stages associated with poor prognosis and life expectancy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find noninvasive biomarkers to improve early detection of this tumor. Liquid biopsy has emerged as a valuable tool in medical oncology which provides new horizons for improving clinical decision making. Notably, cell-free microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of short non-coding RNAs, are emerging as novel noninvasive cancer biomarkers. Here, we provide an overview of the potential clinical application of cell-free miRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers in oral cancer.

Circulating MicroRNAs as Prognostic Molecular Biomarkers in Human Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential molecular biomarkers for cancer detection; however, little is known about their prognostic role in head and neck cancer. This current study is aimed at evaluating the role of novel miRNAs in the survival of head and neck cancer patients.

Materials and Methods

We performed a systematic literature search using online databases for articles published between December 2006 and February 2019. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between miRNA expressions and overall survival (OS) among the selected head and neck cancer studies. After multilevel screening by reviewers, meta-analysis was performed using hazard ratios (HR) and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) of survival to calculate a pooled effect size.

Result

A total of 1577 patients across 13 studies were included in the literature review, with 18 miRNAs upregulated and 4 miRNAs downregulated predicting a poor overall survival. The forest plot generated using cumulated survival data resulted in a pooled HR value of 2.943 (95% CI: 2.394-3.618) indicating a strong association of dysregulated miRNA expression with a poor outcome. Only 2 miRNAs—low levels of miR-9 and high levels of miR-483-5p—were observed in two studies, both showing a significant association with overall cancer survival.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis that examines the prognostic role of circulating miRNAs from blood in head and neck cancer patients. The combined effect estimates a HR across multiple studies and also supports the previous individual findings that an alteration in miRNA expression is highly associated with poor prognosis. This has the potential to use serum and/or plasma miRNAs as biomarkers and become novel tools for predicting the prognosis of head and neck cancer patients in the near future.

Potential of Melatonin as Adjuvant Therapy of Oral Cancer in the Era of Epigenomics

The wide variety of epigenetic controls available is rapidly expanding the knowledge of molecular biology even overflowing it. At the same time, it can illuminate unsuspected ways of understanding the etiology of cancer. New emerging therapeutic horizons, then, promise to overcome the current antitumor strategies need. The translational utility of this complexity is particularly welcome in oral cancer (OC), in which natural history is alarmingly disappointing due to the invasive and mutilating surgery, the high relapsing rate, the poor quality of life and the reduced survival after diagnosis. Melatonin activates protective receptor-dependent and receptor-independent processes that prevent tissue cancerisation and inhibit progressive tumor malignancy and metastasis. Related evidence has shown that melatonin pleiotropy encompasses gene expression regulation through all the three best-characterized epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, chromatin modification, and non-coding RNA. OC has received less attention than other cancers despite prognosis is usually negative and there are no significant therapy improvements recorded in the past decade. However, a large research effort is being carried out to elucidate how melatonin´s machinery can prevent epigenetic insults that lead to cancer. In the light of recent findings, a comprehensive examination of biochemistry through which melatonin may reverse epigenetic aberrations in OC is an extraordinary opportunity to take a step forward in the clinical management of patients.

Profiling of tRNA Halves and YRNA Fragments in Serum and Tissue From Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Identify Key Role of 5' tRNA-Val-CAC-2-1 Half

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer and, as indicated by The Oral Cancer Foundation, kills at an alarming rate of roughly one person per hour. With this study, we aimed at better understanding disease mechanisms and identifying minimally invasive disease biomarkers by profiling novel small non-coding RNAs (specifically, tRNA halves and YRNA fragments) in both serum and tumor tissue from humans. Small RNA-Sequencing identified multiple 5' tRNA halves and 5' YRNA fragments that displayed significant differential expression levels in circulation and/or tumor tissue, as compared to control counterparts. In addition, by implementing a modification of weighted gene coexpression network analysis, we identified an upregulated genetic module comprised of 5' tRNA halves and miRNAs (miRNAs were described in previous study using the same samples) with significant association with the cancer trait. By consequently implementing miRNA-overtargeting network analysis, the biological function of the module (and by "guilt by association," the function of the 5' tRNA-Val-CAC-2-1 half) was found to involve the transcriptional targeting of specific genes involved in the negative regulation of the G1/S transition of the mitotic cell cycle. These findings suggest that 5' tRNA-Val-CAC-2-1 half (reduced in serum of OSCC patients and elevated in the tumor tissue) could potentially serve as an OSCC circulating biomarker and/or target for novel anticancer therapies. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the specific molecular function of a 5'-tRNA half is specifically pinpointed in OSCC.

MicroRNA regulation in colorectal cancer tissue and serum

Colorectal cancer is recognized as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Thus, there is ongoing search for potential new biomarkers allowing quicker and less invasive detection of the disease and prediction of the treatment outcome. Therefore, the aim of our study was to identify colorectal cancer specific miRNAs expressed in cancerous and healthy tissue from the same patient and to further correlate the presence of the same miRNAs in the circulation as potential biomarkers for diagnosis. In the current study we detected a set of 40 miRNAs differentially regulated in tumor tissue when comparing with healthy tissue. Additionally, we found 8 miRNAs differentially regulated in serum of colorectal cancer patients. Interestingly, there was no overlap in miRNAs regulated in tissue and serum, suggesting that serum regulated miRNAs may be not actively secreted from colorectal tumor cells. However, four of differentially expressed miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-17, miR-20a and miR-32 represent the miRNAs characteristic for different tumor types, including breast, colon, lung, pancreas, prostate and stomach cancer. This finding suggests important groups of miRNAs which can be further validated as markers for diagnosis of tumor tissue and regulation of carcinogenesis.

RALBP1 regulates oral cancer cells via Akt and is a novel target of miR-148a-3p and miR-148b-3p

BACKGROUND

Malignant tumors arising from the epithelium of the oral cavity are termed as squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). The aim of the current work was to understand the role of an isoform of RAS-like protein (RAL), RALBP1, in mediating squamous cell tumorigenesis. The study also aims to understand epigenetic modifications of RALBP1 mediated through microRNA-148a/b-3p.

METHODS

Biopsies of tumor and healthy tissues from 25 patients with OSCC were collected and subjected to RNA and protein extraction to confirm upregulation of RLBP1 in tumor tissues. Expression of RLBP1 was silenced in SCC-9, using shRNA, and HN6 was transfected with plasmid bearing genes for RLBP1 over expression. Tumorigenic traits such as increased glucose uptake, aerobic glycolysis, enhanced cellular survival, cell migration, and invasion were assessed. Probable, molecular machinery involved in the upregulation was also assessed using Western blots. Using Target Scan tool, the miRNAs targeting RLBP1 were identified. Rescue of phenotypes in presence of miRNAs were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Over expression of RLBP1 was associated with increased glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis mediated ATP synthesis. The cells divided at a faster rate with a higher rate of migration and invasion phenotype. miR-148a/b-3p were found to target RLBP1 and rescued RLBP1 mediated phenotype.

CONCLUSION

RLBP1 may mediate squamous cell tumorigenesis in oral cavity, independently of the RAS protein and through Akt. miR-148a/b-3p functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting RLBP1.