MiR-760 inhibits the progression of non-small cell lung cancer through blocking ROS1/Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway

Current treatment and novel insights regarding ROS1-targeted therapy in malignant tumors

BACKGROUND

The proto-oncogene ROS1 encodes an intrinsic type I membrane protein of the tyrosine kinase/insulin receptor family. ROS1 facilitates the progression of various malignancies via self-mutations or rearrangements. Studies on ROS1-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been conducted, and some have been approved by the FDA for clinical use. However, the adverse effects and mechanisms of resistance associated with ROS1 inhibitors remain unknown. In addition, next-generation ROS1 inhibitors, which have the advantage of treating central nervous system metastases and alleviating endogenous drug resistance, are still in the clinical trial stage.

METHOD

In this study, we searched relevant articles reporting the mechanism and clinical application of ROS1 in recent years; systematically reviewed the biological mechanisms, diagnostic methods, and research progress on ROS1 inhibitors; and provided perspectives for the future of ROS1-targeted therapy.

RESULTS

ROS1 is most expressed in malignant tumours. Only a few ROS1 kinase inhibitors are currently approved for use in NSCLC, the efficacy of other TKIs for NSCLC and other malignancies has not been ascertained. There is no effective standard treatment for adverse events or resistance to ROS1-targeted therapy. Next-generation TKIs appear capable of overcoming resistance and delaying central nervous system metastasis, but with a greater incidence of adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research on next-generation TKIs regarding the localization of ROS1 and its fusion partners, binding sites for targeted drugs, and coadministration with other drugs is required. The correlation between TKIs and chemotherapy or immunotherapy in clinical practice requires further study.

[Plasma miRNA expression in patients with genetically confirmed multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome and its phenocopies]

BACKGROUND

MEN-1 is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in MEN1 gene encoding the menin protein. This syndrome is characterized by the occurrence of parathyroid tumors, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, pituitary adenomas, as well as other endocrine and non-endocrine tumors. If a patient with the MEN-1 phenotype carry no mutations in the MEN1 gene, the condition considers a phenocopy of syndrome (phMEN1). The possible cause of this changes could be changes in epigenetic regulation, particularly in microRNA expression that might affect menin signaling pathways.

AIM

to identify differently expressed circulating miRNAs in plasma in patients with genetically confirmed MEN-1 syndrome, its phenocopies and healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

single-center, case-control study was conducted. We assessed plasma microRNA expression in patients with genetically confirmed MEN-1 (gMEN1), phMEN1 and healthy controls. Morning plasma samples were collected from fasting patients and stored at -80°C. Total RNA isolation was performed using miRNeasy Mini Kit with QIAcube. The libraries were prepared by the QIAseq miRNA Library Kit following the manufacturer. Circulating miRNA sequencing was done on Illumina NextSeq 500 (Illumina). Subsequent data processing was performed using the DESeq2 bioinformatics algorithm.

RESULTS

we enrolled 21 consecutive patients with gMEN1 and 11 patients with phMEN1, along with 12 gender matched controls. Median age of gMEN1 was 38,0 [34,0; 41,0]; in phMEN1 - 59,0 [51,0; 60,0]; control - 59,5 [51,5; 62,5]. The gMEN1 group differed in age (p<0.01) but not gender (р=0.739) or BMI (р=0.116) compared to phMEN1 and controls group, the last two groups did not differ by these parameters (p>0.05). 25 microRNA were differently expressed in groups gMEN1 and phMEN1 (21 upregulated microRNAs, 4 - downregulated). Comparison of samples from the phMEN-1 group and relatively healthy controls revealed 10 differently expressed microRNAs: 5 - upregulated; 5 - downregulated. In the gMEN-1 and control groups, 26 differently expressed microRNAs were found: 24 - upregulated; 2 - downregulated. The miRNAs most differing in expression among the groups were selected for further validation by RT-qPCR (in the groups of gMEN1 vs phMEN1 - miR-3613-5p, miR-335-5p, miR-32-5p, miR-425-3p, miR-25-5p, miR-576-5p, miR-215-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-141-3p, miR-760, miR-501-3p; gMEN1 vs control - miR-1976, miR-144-5p miR-532-3p, miR-375; as well as in phMEN1 vs control - miR-944, miR-191-5p, miR-98-5p).

CONCLUSION

In a pilot study, we detected microRNAs that may be expressed differently between patients with gMEN-1 and phMEN-1. The results need to be validated using different measurement method with larger sample size.

Curcumin suppresses lung cancer progression via circRUNX1 mediated miR-760/RAB3D axis

BACKGROUND

Curcumin is a natural chemical component that has an anticancer effect. The aim of this study was to explore the potential molecular mechanism of curcumin regulating lung cancer (LC) progression.

METHODS

The expression of circRUNX1, miR-760 and Ras-like GTPase 3D (RAB3D) was detected by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation were determined by CCK8 assay and colony formation assay. Cell apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected by flow cytometry, wound healing and transwell assays. Protein levels were examined by western blot (WB) analysis. RNA interaction was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. LC xenograft tumors were constructed using BALB/c nude mice.

RESULTS

CircRUNX1 was upregulated in LC and its expression could be inhibited by curcumin. Curcumin reduced LC cell proliferation, metastasis, and accelerate apoptosis, while circRUNX1 overexpression reversed these effects. MiR-760 was confirmed to be a target of circRUNX1, which could reverse the effects of circRUNX1 on curcumin-treated LC cell functions. RAB3D was a target of miR-760, and its knockdown reversed the promotion effect of miR-760 inhibitor on the progression of curcumin-treated LC cells.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin suppressed LC progression via circRUNX1/miR-760/RAB3D axis.

lncRNA SLC9A3-AS1 Promotes Oncogenesis of NSCLC via Sponging microRNA-760 and May Serve as a Prognosis Predictor of NSCLC Patients

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a prevalent type of lung cancer worldwide. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SLC9A3-AS1 is reported to play a carcinogenic role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but its full-scale role in NSCLC remains elusive.

Methods

SLC9A3-AS1 expression was detected in serum and tissue of NSLCC patients and NSCLC cell lines. The effects of SLC9A3-AS1 on NSCLC proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated using CCK-8 and transwell assays. In addition, the potential downstream molecules of SLC9A3-AS1 were searched and explored by bioinformatics analysis, RT-qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter, and rescue experiments.

Results

SLC9A3-AS1 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. SLC9A3-AS1 possessed a favorable ability in diagnosing NSCLC. A high level of SLC9A3-AS1 was associated with poor prognosis in NSCLC patients. Functionally, SLC9A3-AS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, SLC9A3-AS1 acted as competing endogenous RNA for miR-760 to regulate NSCLC progression. In addition, rescue assay showed that downregulation of miR-760 could reverse the modulatory activity of SLC9A3-AS1 knockdown on NSCLC cells.

Conclusion

SLC9A3-AS1 was upregulated in NSCLC, and SLC9A3-AS1 knockdown hindered NSCLC progression through targeting miR-760, suggesting that it may prove to be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Microarray Identifies a Key Carcinogenic Circular RNA 0008594 That Is Related to Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Development and Lymph Node Metastasis and Promotes NSCLC Progression by Regulating the miR-760-Mediated PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK Pathways

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the circular RNA (circRNA/circ) profile engaged in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development and metastasis and to investigate potentially key carcinogenic circRNAs related to NSCLC.

Methods

CircRNA profiles between 10 NSCLC tissues and 10 adjacent tissues and between five NSCLC tissues with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and five NSCLC tissues without LNM were detected by Arraystar Human circRNA Array followed by bioinformatics. Circ_0008594 knockdown, circ_0004293 overexpression, and circ_0003832 overexpression plasmids were transfected into H23 and H460 cells to sort potential oncogenic circRNA. Then circ_0008594 overexpression and knockdown plasmids were transfected, followed by that circ_0008594 knockdown plus miR-760 knockdown plasmids were transfected into these cells. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, stemness, and pathways were detected. In addition, xenograft mice models were constructed via injecting H23 cells with circ_0008594 overexpression or knockdown to validate the findings.

Results

A total of 455 dysregulated circRNAs in NSCLC tissues versus adjacent tissues and 353 dysregulated circRNAs in NSCLC tissues with LNM versus those without LNM were discovered. Via cross-analysis, 19 accordant circRNAs were uncovered, among which three candidate circRNAs (circ_0008594, circ_0004293, circ_0003832) were chosen for functional experiments, during which it was observed that circ_0008549 affected H23 and H460 cell proliferation and apoptosis more obviously than circ_0004293 and circ_0003832. Subsequent experiments showed that circ_0008594 promoted H23 and H460 cell proliferation and invasion but affected stemness less and negatively regulated miR-760 via direct binding. Furthermore, miR-760 attenuated the effect of circ_0008549 on regulating H23 and H460 cell functions and the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways. In vivo experiments further confirmed that circ_0008549 increased tumor volume, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways while reducing tumor apoptosis and miR-760 NSCLC xenograft models.

Conclusion

Our study identifies several valuable circRNAs related to NSCLC development and LNM. Furthermore, as a key functional circRNA, circ_0008594 was observed to promote NSCLC progression by regulating the miR-760-mediated PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways.

miR-34a-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in head and neck squamous cell cancer progression by targeting Flotillin-2

While a number of therapeutic advances have been made in recent years, the overall survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) remains poor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key drivers of oncogenic progression, with miR-34a-5p downregulation having been observed in many different tumor types. Here, we assessed the link between miR-34a-5p and HNSCC progression and the mechanistic basis for this relationship. Levels of miR-34a-5p in HNSCC tumors and cell lines were assessed via qPCR, after which we explored the functional importance of this miRNA in this oncogenic setting. Through luciferase reporter assays, the ability of miR-34a-5p to regulate flotillin-2 (FLOT-2) was further clarified. Overall, these analyses revealed that HNSCC tumors and cells exhibited marked miR-34a-5p downregulation that was linked to the progression of this tumor type. At a functional level, miR-34a-5p constrained the proliferation, migratory/invasive activity, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition induction in HNSCC cells. At the mechanistic level, miR-34a-5p was found to suppress FLOT-2 expression and to activate the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway. Overall, these results suggest that miR-34a-5p can function as a tumor suppressor miRNA in HNSCC owing to its ability to target FLOT-2, highlighting the promise of targeting this regulatory axis to treat HNSCC.

Overexpression of hsa_circ_0001445 reverses oxLDL‑induced inhibition of HUVEC proliferation via SRSF1

Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of multiple types of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction. In addition, injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) can lead to the development of atherosclerosis. Circular (circ)RNAs participate in atherosclerosis. It has previously been shown that circRNA cSMARCA5 (hsa_circ_0001445) expression is downregulated in atherosclerosis. However, the effects of hsa_circ_0001445 on the proliferation of HUVECs remain unclear. In order to mimic atherosclerosis in vitro, HUVECs were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). The expression levels of specific genes and proteins were detected in HUVECs by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Cell proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 and 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine staining. Cell apoptosis and 5,5′,6,6′-Tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine staining were examined by flow cytometry. In addition, the association between hsa_circ_0001445 and serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) was investigated by RNA pull-down assay. hsa_circ_0001445 expression was downregulated in oxLDL-treated HUVECs. Moreover, oxLDL-induced inhibition of HUVEC proliferation was significantly reversed by overexpression of hsa_circ_0001445. oxLDL notably inhibited tube formation and mitochondrial membrane potential in HUVECs, while these effects were markedly reversed by hsa_circ_0001445 overexpression. Furthermore, overexpression of hsa_circ_0001445 reversed oxLDL-induced activation of β-catenin by binding to SRSF1. Collectively, these data demonstrated that overexpression of hsa_circ_0001445 reversed oxLDL-induced inhibition of HUVEC proliferation via activation of the SRSF1/β-catenin axis. These findings may provide novel targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

MicroRNAs and Their Influence on the ZEB Family: Mechanistic Aspects and Therapeutic Applications in Cancer Therapy

Molecular signaling pathways involved in cancer have been intensively studied due to their crucial role in cancer cell growth and dissemination. Among them, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox-1 (ZEB1) and -2 (ZEB2) are molecules that play vital roles in signaling pathways to ensure the survival of tumor cells, particularly through enhancing cell proliferation, promoting cell migration and invasion, and triggering drug resistance. Importantly, ZEB proteins are regulated by microRNAs (miRs). In this review, we demonstrate the impact that miRs have on cancer therapy, through their targeting of ZEB proteins. MiRs are able to act as onco-suppressor factors and inhibit the malignancy of tumor cells through ZEB1/2 down-regulation. This can lead to an inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism, therefore reducing metastasis. Additionally, miRs are able to inhibit ZEB1/2-mediated drug resistance and immunosuppression. Additionally, we explore the upstream modulators of miRs such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), as these regulators can influence the inhibitory effect of miRs on ZEB proteins and cancer progression.