Dynamin 2 along with microRNA-199a reciprocally regulate hypoxia-inducible factors and ovarian cancer metastasis

Adaptive Significance of Non-coding RNAs: Insights from Cancer Biology

The molecular basis of adaptive evolution and cancer progression are both complex processes that share many striking similarities. The potential adaptive significance of environmentally-induced epigenetic changes is currently an area of great interest in both evolutionary and cancer biology. In the field of cancer biology intense effort has been focused on the contribution of stress-induced non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the activation of epigenetic changes associated with elevated mutation rates and the acquisition of environmentally adaptive traits. Examples of this process are presented and combined with more recent findings demonstrating that stress-induced ncRNAs are transferable from somatic to germline cells leading to cross-generational inheritance of acquired adaptive traits. The fact that ncRNAs have been implicated in the transient adaptive response of various plants and animals to environmental stress is consistent with findings in cancer biology. Based on these collective observations, a general model as well as specific and testable hypotheses are proposed on how transient ncRNA-mediated adaptive responses may facilitate the transition to long-term biological adaptation in both cancer and evolution.

Nuclear Expression of Dynamin 2 Is Associated With Tumor Aggressiveness in Bladder Cancer Patients: A Bioinformatics and Experimental Approach

BACKGROUND

Dynamin 2 (DNM2) is aberrantly expressed in different malignancies and exerts a function in tumor progression.

AIMS

This study, for the first time, aimed to evaluate the clinical and prognostic value of DNM2 in the pathophysiology of bladder cancer using bioinformatics analysis and experimental evaluation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed gene expression of DNM2 in bladder tumor by GEPIA2 and GENT2 platforms. Cluster subnetworks were recognized from the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using the MCODE plugin to screen the key genes. Subsequently, the pathway enrichment analysis was evaluated. Then, the immunohistochemical examination was conducted on 209 paraffin-embedded bladder cancer samples to determine the expression pattern and clinical importance of DNM2. Our data mining findings demonstrated dysregulation of DNM2 gene expression in bladder cancer. The results of pathway and PPI network analyses indicated that DNM2 might be involved in the development of bladder cancer by influencing various signaling pathways. Our IHC results represented remarkably higher DNM2 expression in bladder tumor samples compared to normal tissue samples adjacent to tumor. A statistically significant association was identified between DNM2 expression in the nucleus and higher histological grade (p = 0.026), advanced pT stage (p = 0.016), muscular invasion (p = 0.007), tumor recurrence (p = 0.030), and distant metastasis (p < 0.001). Moreover, the nuclear DNM2 expression was observed to have prognostic significance for disease-specific survival (DSS) using a log-rank test (p = 0.028).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that nuclear DNM2 expression could be a putative indicator of bladder tumor progression owing to its association with elevated cancer aggressiveness.

Screening of functional genes for hypoxia adaptation in Tibetan pigs by combined genome resequencing and transcriptome analysis

The high-altitude, low-oxygen environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau poses significant challenges for the introduction of superior livestock breeds. However, local plateau species have adapted to thrive and reproduce under these harsh conditions. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind plateau animals' adaptation to low-oxygen environments is essential for breeding livestock suited to high-altitude regions. Tibetan pigs, which have undergone long-term natural selection and artificial breeding, have developed the ability to survive and reproduce in hypoxic environments. In this study, we conducted whole-genome resequencing of 30 Tibetan pigs from high-altitude regions and 30 Diannan small-ear pigs from low-altitude areas, to identify candidate genes that support Tibetan pigs' adaptation to hypoxic conditions through selection signal analysis. Additionally, we performed transcriptome sequencing on five tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, and bone marrow) from both Tibetan pigs and Diannan small-ear pigs to identify genes with significant differential expression between the two breeds. We then integrated the genomic and transcriptomic data by examining the expression of candidate genes identified in selection signal analysis across different tissues. The selection signal analysis identified 10 genes-HES4, ANGPT1, HIF3A, SPHK2, PCK2, RCN3, HIGD2A, DNM2, IRF9, and SRF-that were under positive selection in the Tibetan pig population and are associated with hypoxia adaptation. When combined with transcriptome data, we found that five of these genes-HIF3A, RCN3, HIGD2A, PCK2, and IRF9-exhibited differential expression. Through an integrated approach of selection signal and transcriptome analysis, we identified five key functional genes that contribute to the adaptation of Tibetan pigs to hypoxic environments. These findings offer new insights into the adaptability of plateau animals.

Ceramide Ehux-C22 Targets the miR-199a-3p/mTOR Signaling Pathway to Regulate Melanosomal Autophagy in Mouse B16 Cells

Melanosomes are specialized membrane-bound organelles where melanin is synthesized and stored. The levels of melanin can be effectively reduced by inhibiting melanin synthesis or promoting melanosome degradation via autophagy. Ceramide, a key component in the metabolism of sphingolipids, is crucial for preserving the skin barrier, keeping it hydrated, and warding off the signs of aging. Our preliminary study indicated that a long-chain C22-ceramide compound (Ehux-C22) isolated from the marine microalga Emiliania huxleyi, reduced melanin levels via melanosomal autophagy in B16 cells. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) were shown to act as melanogenesis-regulating molecules in melanocytes. However, whether the ceramide Ehux-C22 can induce melanosome autophagy at the post-transcriptional level, and which potential autophagy-dependent mechanisms are involved, remains unknown. Here, miR-199a-3p was screened and identified as a novel upregulated miRNA in Ehux-C22-treated B16 cells. An in vitro high melanin expression model in cultured mouse melanoma cells (B16 cells) was established by using 0.2 μM alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone(α-MSH) and used for subsequent analyses. miR-199a-3p overexpression significantly enhanced melanin degradation, as indicated by a reduction in the melanin level and an increase in melanosome autophagy. Further investigation demonstrated that in B16 cells, Ehux-C22 activated miR-199a-3p and inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) level, thus activating the mTOR-ULK1 signaling pathway by promoting the expression of unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Beclin-1, autophagy-related gene 5 (ATG5), and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3-II) and degrading p62. Therefore, the roles of Ehux-C22-regulated miR-199a-3p and the mTOR pathway in melanosomal autophagy were elucidated. This research may provide novel perspectives on the post-translational regulation of melanin metabolism, which involves the coordinated control of melanosomes.

Integrated miRNA Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles from Uterine Aspirates, Malignant Ascites and Primary-Cultured Ascites Cells for Ovarian Cancer Screening

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are of growing interest in the context of screening for highly informative cancer markers. We have previously shown that uterine aspirate EVs (UA EVs) are a promising source of ovarian cancer (OC) diagnostic markers. In this study, we first conducted an integrative analysis of EV-miRNA profiles from UA, malignant ascitic fluid (AF), and a conditioned medium of cultured ascites cells (ACs). Using three software packages, we identified 79 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) in UA EVs from OC patients and healthy individuals. To narrow down this panel and select miRNAs most involved in OC pathogenesis, we aligned these molecules with the DE-miRNA sets obtained by comparing the EV-miRNA profiles from OC-related biofluids with the same control. We found that 76% of the DE-miRNAs from the identified panel are similarly altered (differentially co-expressed) in AF EVs, as are 58% in AC EVs. Interestingly, the set of miRNAs differentially co-expressed in AF and AC EVs strongly overlaps (40 out of 44 miRNAs). Finally, the application of more rigorous criteria for DE assessment, combined with the selection of miRNAs that are differentially co-expressed in all biofluids, resulted in the identification of a panel of 29 miRNAs for ovarian cancer screening.

Regulation of the HIF switch in human endothelial and cancer cells

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcription factors that reprogram the transcriptome for cells to survive hypoxic insults and oxidative stress. They are important during embryonic development and reprogram the cells to utilize glycolysis when the oxygen levels are extremely low. This metabolic change facilitates normal cell survival as well as cancer cell survival. The key feature in survival is the transition between acute hypoxia and chronic hypoxia, and this is regulated by the transition between HIF-1 expression and HIF-2/HIF-3 expression. This transition is observed in many human cancers and endothelial cells and referred to as the HIF Switch. Here we discuss the mechanisms involved in the HIF Switch in human endothelial and cancer cells which include mRNA and protein levels of the alpha chains of the HIFs. A major continuing effort in this field is directed towards determining the differences between normal and tumor cell utilization of this important pathway, and how this could lead to potential therapeutic approaches.

A positive feedback loop between miR-574-3p and HIF-1α in promoting angiogenesis under hypoxia

In our previous report, we presented evidence supporting the role of miR-574-3p in downregulating the expression of cullin 2 (CUL2) in gastric cancer (GC) cells. Expanding on those findings, the present study aims to confirm the direct interaction between miR-574-3p and the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of CUL2, which leads to the suppression of CUL2 expression and destabilization of the VCBCR complex. Based on these discoveries, we propose a novel pathway involving miR-574-3p, HIF-1α, and VEGF that contributes to angiogenesis. Through a series of meticulous experiments, we successfully validate this hypothesis. Specifically, our observations indicate that overexpression of miR-574-3p in GC cells induces an upregulation of HIF-1α and VEGF, resulting in enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation of HUVEC cells. Furthermore, employing a mouse model, we demonstrate that miR-574-3p facilitates the recruitment of endothelial cells towards matrigel xenografts. Additionally, we note a parallel increase in miR-574-3p and HIF-1α levels across multiple cell lines (including AGS, SGC-7901, Hela, and 293T cells) subjected to hypoxic conditions (2 % O2 or CoCl2 treatment), as well as in the myocardial muscles of sodium nitrite-induced hypoxic mice. Further investigations reveal that HIF-1α upregulates miR-574-3p expression by directly binding to the miR-574 promoter. Collectively, these findings strongly support the existence of a positive feedback loop between miR-574-3p and HIF-1α, which facilitates angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions.

Transition metals in angiogenesis - A narrative review

The aim of this paper is to offer a narrative review of the literature regarding the influence of transition metals on angiogenesis, excluding lanthanides and actinides. To our knowledge there are not any reviews up to date offering such a summary, which inclined us to write this paper. Angiogenesis describes the process of blood vessel formation, which is an essential requirement for human growth and development. When the complex interplay between pro- and antiangiogenic mediators falls out of balance, angiogenesis can quickly become harmful. As it is so fundamental, both its inhibition and enhancement take part in various diseases, making it a target for therapeutic treatments. Current methods come with limitations, therefore, novel agents are constantly being researched, with metal agents offering promising results. Various transition metals have already been investigated in-depth, with studies indicating both pro- and antiangiogenic properties, respectively. The transition metals are being applied in various formulations, such as nanoparticles, complexes, or scaffold materials. Albeit the increasing attention this field is receiving, there remain many unanswered questions, mostly regarding the molecular mechanisms behind the observed effects. Notably, approximately half of all the transition metals have not yet been investigated regarding potential angiogenic effects. Considering the promising results which have already been established, it should be of great interest to begin investigating the remaining elements whilst also further analyzing the established effects.

In utero delivery of miRNA induces epigenetic alterations and corrects pulmonary pathology in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Structural fetal diseases, such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can be diagnosed prenatally. Neonates with CDH are healthy in utero as gas exchange is managed by the placenta, but impaired lung function results in critical illness from the time a baby takes its first breath. MicroRNA (miR) 200b and its downstream targets in the TGF-β pathway are critically involved in lung branching morphogenesis. Here, we characterize the expression of miR200b and the TGF-β pathway at different gestational times using a rat model of CDH. Fetal rats with CDH are deficient in miR200b at gestational day 18. We demonstrate that novel polymeric nanoparticles loaded with miR200b, delivered in utero via vitelline vein injection to fetal rats with CDH results in changes in the TGF-β pathway as measured by qRT-PCR; these epigenetic changes improve lung size and lung morphology, and lead to favorable pulmonary vascular remodeling on histology. This is the first demonstration of in utero epigenetic therapy to improve lung growth and development in a pre-clinical model. With refinement, this technique could be applied to fetal cases of CDH or other forms of impaired lung development in a minimally invasive fashion.

A bionic "Trojan horse"-like gene delivery system hybridized with tumor and macrophage cell membrane for cancer therapy

MiRNA-based gene therapy as a novel targeted therapy has yielded promising results in experimental cancer treatment, however, the inefficient delivery of miRNA to target tissues has limited its application in vivo. Here a unique dual-membrane-camouflaged miRNA21 antagomir delivery nanoplatform (M@NPs/miR21) with immune escape and homologous targeting properties was constructed by cancer cell membrane and macrophage membrane. Different from the single-cell membrane camouflage strategy, the dual-membrane camouflage miRNA21 antagomir delivery nanoplatform based on modification of CD47 protein with immune escape signal and galectin-3 protein with tumor cell aggregation enables efficient, safe and targeted therapy for colon cancer and lung metastases. Camouflaged with the dual-cell membrane, the "Trojan horse" like "pseudo-tumor cell" and/or "pseudo-macrophage" (M@NPs/miR21) carried the target gene miR21 antagomir to the tumor site and showed significant anti-tumor properties at the periphery and the core of subcutaneous tumor tissues. In addition, M@NPs/miR21 was more likely to penetrate dense tumor tissues and function within the tumor mass than NPs/miR21 without membrane coating. M@NPs/miR21 can deliver miR21 antagomir into MC38 cancer cells and tumor tissues, promote tumor apoptosis, and regulate the expression of Bcl2 and Ki67. Moreover, the M@NPs/miR21 gene delivery system not only can effectively inhibit the progression of subcutaneous tumors and lung metastases, but also showed minimal toxicity and good biosafety, making this delivery system particularly attractive for future translational research.

The miR-34a-5p-c-MYC-CHK1/CHK2 Axis Counteracts Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties and Enhances Radiosensitivity in Hepatocellular Cancer Through Repression of the DNA Damage Response

Radiotherapy has become an increasingly widespread modality for treating hepatocellular cancer (HCC); however, the development of radioresistance significantly limits its effectiveness and invariably leads to tumor recurrence. Cancer stem cell (CSC) theory offers a potential explanation for tumor relapse and radioresistance, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Herein we investigate the role of miRNA in molecular regulation of stemness and radioresistance in HCC. Two HCC radiation-resistant cell lines (Huh7-RR and SMMC-7721-RR) were established by selecting the radioresistant subpopulation from HCC cells via clonogenic survival assays. MiRNA Sequencing was used to identify potential radiosensitivity involved miRNA in HCC-RR cells. Xenograft tumor mouse model was established for in vivo study. CSC properties were assessed using sphere formation assay and side population (SP) cells analysis. We found that miR-34a-5p was significantly downregulated in HCC-RR cells. Overexpression of miR-34a-5p counteracts CSC properties and enhances radiosensitivity in HCC. Mechanistic investigation revealed that c-MYC is the direct target of miR-34a-5p. Overexpression of miR-34a-5p reversed c-MYC-induced radioresistance. Moreover, we found that the specific molecular mechanism was that c-MYC activated CHK1 and CHK2, which are two key DNA damage checkpoint kinases, and facilitated the DNA damage response to radiation. Repression of the miR-34a-5p-cMYC-CHK1/CHK2 axis contributes to the acquisition of radioresistance in HCC cells. In summary, the miR-34a-5p-c-MYC-CHK1/CHK2 axis counteracts cancer stem cell-like properties and enhances radiosensitivity in hepatocellular cancer through repression of the DNA damage response.

Role of the Hypoxic-Secretome in Seed and Soil Metastatic Preparation

During tumor growth, the delivery of oxygen to cells is impaired due to aberrant or absent vasculature. This causes an adaptative response that activates the expression of genes that control several essential processes, such as glycolysis, neovascularization, immune suppression, and the cancer stemness phenotype, leading to increased metastasis and resistance to therapy. Hypoxic tumor cells also respond to an altered hypoxic microenvironment by secreting vesicles, factors, cytokines and nucleic acids that modify not only the immediate microenvironment but also organs at distant sites, allowing or facilitating the attachment and growth of tumor cells and contributing to metastasis. Hypoxia induces the release of molecules of different biochemical natures, either secreted or inside extracellular vesicles, and both tumor cells and stromal cells are involved in this process. The mechanisms by which these signals that can modify the premetastatic niche are sent from the primary tumor site include changes in the extracellular matrix, recruitment and activation of different stromal cells and immune or nonimmune cells, metabolic reprogramming, and molecular signaling network rewiring. In this review, we will discuss how hypoxia might alter the premetastatic niche through different signaling molecules.

Role of miR-199a-5p in the post-transcriptional regulation of ABCA1 in response to hypoxia in peritoneal macrophages

Hypoxia is a crucial factor contributing to maintenance of atherosclerotic lesions. The ability of ABCA1 to stimulate the efflux of cholesterol from cells in the periphery, particularly foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques, is an important anti-atherosclerotic mechanism. The posttranscriptional regulation by miRNAs represents a key regulatory mechanism of a number of signaling pathways involved in atherosclerosis. Previously, miR-199a-5p has been shown to be implicated in the endocytic and retrograde intracellular transport. Although the regulation of miR-199a-5p and ABCA1 by hypoxia has been already reported independently, the role of miR-199a-5p in macrophages and its possible role in atherogenic processes such us regulation of lipid homeostasis through ABCA1 has not been yet investigated. Here, we demonstrate that both ABCA1 and miR-199a-5p show an inverse regulation by hypoxia and Ac-LDL in primary macrophages. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR-199a-5p regulates ABCA1 mRNA and protein levels by directly binding to its 3'UTR. As a result, manipulation of cellular miR-199a-5p levels alters ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in primary mouse macrophages. Taken together, these results indicate that the correlation between ABCA1-miR-199a-5p could be exploited to control macrophage cholesterol efflux during the onset of atherosclerosis, where cholesterol alterations and hypoxia play a pathogenic role.

Molecular basis and clinical implications of HIFs in cardiovascular diseases

Oxygen maintains the homeostasis of an organism in a delicate balance in different tissues and organs. Under hypoxic conditions, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are specific and dominant factors in the spatiotemporal regulation of oxygen homeostasis. As the most basic functional unit of the heart at the cellular level, the cardiomyocyte relies on oxygen and nutrients delivered by the microvasculature to keep the heart functioning properly. Under hypoxic stress, HIFs are involved in acute and chronic myocardial pathology because of their spatiotemporal specificity, thus granting them therapeutic potential. Most adult animals lack the ability to regenerate their myocardium entirely following injury, and complete regeneration has long been a goal of clinical treatment for heart failure. The precise manipulation of HIFs (considering their dynamic balance and transformation) and the development of HIF-targeted drugs is therefore an extremely attractive cardioprotective therapy for protecting against myocardial ischemic and hypoxic injury, avoiding myocardial remodeling and heart failure, and promoting recovery of cardiac function.

Hypoxia-responsive circRNAs: A novel but important participant in non-coding RNAs ushered toward tumor hypoxia

Given the rapid developments in RNA-seq technologies and bioinformatic analyses, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have gradually become recognized as a novel class of endogenous RNAs, characterized by covalent loop structures lacking free terminals, which perform multiple biological functions in cancer genesis, progression and metastasis. Hypoxia, a common feature of the tumor microenvironments, profoundly affects several fundamental adaptive responses of tumor cells by regulating the coding and non-coding transcriptomes and renders cancer's phenotypes more aggressive. Recently, hypoxia-responsive circRNAs have been recognized as a novel player in hypoxia-induced non-coding RNA transcriptomics to modulate the hypoxic responses and promote the progression and metastasis of hypoxic tumors. Moreover, via extracellular vesicles-exosomes, these hypoxia-responsive circRNAs could transmit hypoxia responses from cancer cells to the cells of surrounding matrices, even more distant cells of other organs. Here, we have summarized what is known about hypoxia-responsive circRNAs, with a focus on their interaction with hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), regulation of hypoxic responses and relevance with malignant carcinoma's clinical features, which will offer novel insights on the non-coding RNAs' regulation of cancer cells under hypoxic stress and might aid the identification of new theranostic targets and define new therapeutic strategies for those cancer patients with resistance to radiochemotherapy, because of the ubiquity of tumoral hypoxia.

Bioactive cytomembrane@poly(citrate-peptide)-miRNA365 nanoplatform with immune escape and homologous targeting for colon cancer therapy

Colon cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal tumors in the world. Currently, the commonly used methods such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and drug treatments are often ineffective and have significant side effects. Here we developed a safe and efficient biomaterials based anti-tumor nanoplatform (M@NPs/miR365), which was formed with poly (citrate-peptide) (PCP), miRNA365 mimic and MC38 cancer cell membrane (M). PCP could efficiently deliver miR365 mimic into MC38 cancer cells, promote the apoptosis of MC38 tumor cells and regulate the expression of Bcl2 and Ki67 in vitro. Tumor cell membranes were prepared by a fast and convenient sonication method. This tumor cell membrane-coated drug delivery system M@NPs can effectively reduce macrophage uptake and increase the stability of NPs. And the MC38 tumor model mice experiment showed that M@NPs/miR365 via caudal vein injection effectively inhibit tumor development. Based on the immune escape and homologous targeting of cancer cells and efficient gene transfection ability of NPs, this "Trojan horse" like "Pseudotumor cell" carries the target gene miR365 mimic to the tumor site and realizes cancer therapy. Noteworthy, the drug delivery system has good biocompatibility. Thus, this safe drug delivery strategy mediated by cancer cell membrane and gene therapy may have a certain significance for reducing the gap between nanoplatform and tumor clinical treatment.

Exosomes in the hypoxic TME: from release, uptake and biofunctions to clinical applications

Hypoxia is a remarkable trait of the tumor microenvironment (TME). When facing selective pressure, tumor cells show various adaptive characteristics, such as changes in the expression of cancer hallmarks (increased proliferation, suppressed apoptosis, immune evasion, and so on) and more frequent cell communication. Because of the adaptation of cancer cells to hypoxia, exploring the association between cell communication mediators and hypoxia has become increasingly important. Exosomes are important information carriers in cell-to-cell communication. Abundant evidence has proven that hypoxia effects in the TME are mediated by exosomes, with the occasional formation of feedback loops. In this review, we equally focus on the biogenesis and heterogeneity of cancer-derived exosomes and their functions under hypoxia and describe the known and potential mechanism ascribed to exosomes and hypoxia. Notably, we call attention to the size change of hypoxic cancer cell-derived exosomes, a characteristic long neglected, and propose some possible effects of this size change. Finally, jointly considering recent developments in the understanding of exosomes and tumors, we describe noteworthy problems in this field that urgently need to be solved for better research and clinical application.

Non-coding RNAs as new autophagy regulators in cancer progression

Recent advances highlight that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as fundamental regulators in various physiological as well as pathological processes by regulating macro-autophagy. Studies have disclosed that macro-autophagy, which is a highly conserved process involving cellular nutrients, components, and recycling of organelles, can be either selective or non-selective and ncRNAs show their regulation on selective autophagy as well as non-selective autophagy. The abnormal expression of ncRNAs will result in the impairment of autophagy and contribute to carcinogenesis and cancer progression by regulating both selective autophagy as well as non-selective autophagy. This review focuses on the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in autophagy and their involvement in cancer which may provide valuable therapeutic targets for cancer management.

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapeutic Targeting of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the major cause of gynecologic cancer-related mortality. Regardless of outstanding advances, which have been made for improving the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian cancer, the majority of the patients will die of the disease. Late-stage diagnosis and the occurrence of recurrent cancer after treatment are the most important causes of the high mortality rate observed in ovarian cancer patients. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer may help find new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, mostly at the posttranscriptional stage, through binding to mRNA targets and inducing translational repression or degradation of target via the RNA-induced silencing complex. Over the last two decades, the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of various human cancers, including ovarian cancer, has been documented in multiple studies. Consequently, these small RNAs could be considered as reliable markers for prognosis and early diagnosis. Furthermore, given the function of miRNAs in various cellular pathways, including cell survival and differentiation, targeting miRNAs could be an interesting approach for the treatment of human cancers. Here, we review our current understanding of the most updated role of the important dysregulation of miRNAs and their roles in the progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Furthermore, we meticulously discuss the significance of miRNAs as prognostic and diagnostic markers. Lastly, we mention the opportunities and the efforts made for targeting ovarian cancer through inhibition and/or stimulation of the miRNAs.

High expression level of miR-1260 family in the peripheral blood of patients with ovarian carcinoma

The most common gynecologic cancers detected in women in Turkey are uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer. These data reported that a mean of 3800 individuals were diagnosed with uterine cancer, 2790 were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 1950 were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 400 individuals were diagnosed with other gynecologic cancers each year in Turkey. A mean of 14.270 individuals were detected to have been diagnosed with gynecologic cancers each year in the United States of America (USA). Ovarian cancer treatment is generally composed of chemotherapy, and surgery. In general, chemotherapy is administered after surgery. The identification of the molecular pathogenesis of ovarian cancer, and discovery of new moleculer biomarkers which facilitate the ovarian cancer treatment are required for an effective ovarian cancer treatment in clinics. miRNAs are reported to be the possible biologic indicators for various cancer types. We aimed to investigate 2 miRNAs which were suggested to have effect in ovarian cancer in our (previous) monozygotic twin study from miR-1260 microRNA family whose association with ovarian cancer yet has not been reported in the literature. We investigated the expression levels of miR-1260a, and miR-1260b miRNAs, in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 150 familial and sporadic ovarian cancer patients, and of 100 healthy individuals of the control group who were matched for age, sex, and ethnicity with the patient group, and investigated their possible property of being a biologic indicator for ovarian cancer. The expression results of ovarian cancer patients were evaluated by comparison of the results of the control group in the study. The expression levels of miR-1260a, and miR-1260b in ovarian cancer patients were found highly increased compared with the levels in the control group. miR-1260a expression level in ovarian cancer patients was detected to have increased approximately 17 fold compared with the control group, and miR-1260b expression level in ovarian cancer patients was detected to have increased approximately 33 fold compared with the levels in the control group. The String Analyses showed that the miR-1260a was associated with the ribosomal protein family which was known to be effective in the translation stage of cell and that miR-1260b was associated with CHEK2 protein which was a member of the serine/threonine-protein kinase family. It should be investigated for larger cohorts in benign ovarian diseases and in different stages of patients receiving ovarian cancer treatment whether these two molecules are a noninvasive biomarker and therapeutic target to be used especially in the early diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer in future.

A review of Dynamin 2 involvement in cancers highlights a promising therapeutic target

Dynamin 2 (DNM2) is an ubiquitously expressed large GTPase well known for its role in vesicle formation in endocytosis and intracellular membrane trafficking also acting as a regulator of cytoskeletons. During the last two decades, DNM2 involvement, through mutations or overexpression, emerged in an increasing number of cancers and often associated with poor prognosis. A wide panel of DNM2-dependent processes was described in cancer cells which explains DNM2 contribution to cancer pathomechanisms. First, DNM2 dysfunction may promote cell migration, invasion and metastasis. Second, DNM2 acts on intracellular signaling pathways fostering tumor cell proliferation and survival. Relative to these roles, DNM2 was demonstrated as a therapeutic target able to reduce cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and reduce the invasive phenotype in a wide range of cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, proofs of concept of therapy by modulation of DNM2 expression was also achieved in vivo in several animal models. Consequently, DNM2 appears as a promising molecular target for the development of anti-invasive agents and the already provided proofs of concept in animal models represent an important step of preclinical development.

Comprehensive Profiling of Hypoxia-Related miRNAs Identifies miR-23a-3p Overexpression as a Marker of Platinum Resistance and Poor Prognosis in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Simple Summary

In the present paper, we identified miR-23a-3p, a hypoxia regulated-microRNA (miRNA), as a potential biomarker of chemoresistance and poor outcome in two independent cohorts of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) patients. Then, we predicted the involvement of miR-23a-3p in the platinum resistance pathway, together with its target APAF-1 gene, and validated their anticorrelation and association with platinum response in HGSOC patients and cell lines. We propose that the evaluation of miR-23a-3p expression may provide important clinical indications on patients not responding to platinum treatment and that the miR23a-3p/APAF1 axis could be considered a possible target for personalized medicine in HGSOC patients.

Abstract

The onset of chemo-resistant recurrence represents the principal cause of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) death. HGSOC masses are characterized by a hypoxic microenvironment, which contributes to the development of this chemo-resistant phenotype. Hypoxia regulated-miRNAs (HRMs) represent a molecular response of cancer cells to hypoxia and are involved in tumor progression. We investigated the expression of HRMs using miRNA expression data from a total of 273 advanced-stage HGSOC samples. The miRNAs associated with chemoresistance and survival were validated by RT-qPCR and target prediction, and comparative pathway analysis was conducted for target gene identification. Analysis of miRNA expression profiles indicated miR-23a-3p and miR-181c-5p over-expression as associated with chemoresistance and poor PFS. RT-qPCR data confirmed upregulation of miR-23a-3p in tumors from chemoresistant HGSOC patients and its significant association with shorter PFS. In silico miR-23a-3p target prediction and comparative pathway analysis identified platinum drug resistance as the pathway with the highest number of miR-23a-3p target genes. Among them, APAF-1 emerged as the most promising, being downregulated in platinum-resistant patients and in HGSOC chemo-resistant cells. These results highlight miR-23a-3p as a potential biomarker for HGSOC platinum response and prognosis and the miR23a-3p/APAF1 axis as a possible target to overcome platinum-resistance.

Targeting Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1-Mediated Metastasis for Cancer Therapy

Significance: Hypoxia is emerging as a crucial regulator of the tumor microenvironment; it governs the metastatic potential of multiple primary cancers. It is also potentially involved in the regulation of tumorigenesis, tumor metabolism, and proangiogenic activity. Recent Advances: A wealth of clinical data across a wide range of cancer types has revealed strong correlations between hypoxia or the overexpression of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors and the rates of distant metastases and poor prognoses. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, one of the key regulatory molecules of the HIF-1 signaling pathways, is involved in multiple crucial steps in the metastatic cascade. Critical Issues: Here, we present recent findings on the roles of the HIF-1 complex in tumor metastasis and highlight the potential of HIF-1α as a target for abrogating tumor metastasis. Moreover, we systematically describe the regulatory role of HIF-1 at each step of the metastatic cascade. Finally, we present the most recent advances in potential pharmacological interventions and the development of specific HIF-1 inhibitors for blocking tumor metastasis. Future Directions: Well-designed clinical trials are urgently needed to validate the anti-metastatic activity of HIF-1 inhibitors discovered in preclinical models. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 34, 1484-1497.

microRNA-199a-5p regulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in diabetic cataract by targeting SP1 gene

BACKGROUND

As a common ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, diabetic cataract is becoming a leading cause of visual impairment. The progression of diabetic cataract progression involves epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the precise role of which remains to be investigated. As microRNAs (miRNAs) are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases, identification of aberrantly expressed miRNAs in diabetic lens epithelial cells (LECs) and their targets may provide insights into our understanding of diabetic cataract and potential therapeutic targets.

METHODS

Diabetic cataract capsules and LECs exposed to high glucose (25 mmol/L, 1-5 days) were used to mimic the model. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to evaluate the differential expression of miRNA. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the binding target of miR-199a-5p. The expression of EMT-associated proteins was determined by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Our results showed the differential expression of miR-9, -16, -22, -199a and -204. MiR-199a was downregulated in diabetic cataract capsule and hyperglycemia-conditioned human LECs. Specific protein 1 could be directly targeted and regulated by miR-199a in LECs and inhibit EMT in diabetic LECs.

CONCLUSION

Our findings implied miR-199a could be a therapeutic target by regulating SP1 directly to affect EMT in diabetic cataract and provided novel insights into the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract.

MicroRNAs Regulating Cytoskeleton Dynamics, Endocytosis, and Cell Motility-A Link Between Neurodegeneration and Cancer?

The cytoskeleton is one of the most mobile and complex cell structures. It is involved in cellular transport, cell division, cell shape formation and adaptation in response to extra- and intracellular stimuli, endo- and exocytosis, migration, and invasion. These processes are crucial for normal cellular physiology and are affected in several pathological processes, including neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Some proteins, participating in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), play an important role in actin cytoskeleton reorganization, and formation of invadopodia in cancer cells and are also deregulated in neurodegenerative disorders. However, there is still limited information about the factors contributing to the regulation of their expression. MicroRNAs are potent negative regulators of gene expression mediating crosstalk between different cellular pathways in cellular homeostasis and stress responses. These molecules regulate numerous genes involved in neuronal differentiation, plasticity, and degeneration. Growing evidence suggests the role of microRNAs in the regulation of endocytosis, cell motility, and invasiveness. By modulating the levels of such microRNAs, it may be possible to interfere with CME or other processes to normalize their function. In malignancy, the role of microRNAs is undoubtful, and therefore changing their levels can attenuate the carcinogenic process. Here we review the current advances in our understanding of microRNAs regulating actin cytoskeleton dynamics, CME and cell motility with a special focus on neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. We investigate whether current literature provides an evidence that microRNA-mediated regulation of essential cellular processes, such as CME and cell motility, is conserved in neurons, and cancer cells. We argue that more research effort should be addressed to study the neuron-specific functions on microRNAs. Disease-associated microRNAs affecting essential cellular processes deserve special attention both from the view of fundamental science and as future neurorestorative or anti-cancer therapies.

The Role of microRNAs in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the deadliest gynecological cancer, and the major cause of death is mainly attributed to metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that exert important regulatory functions in many biological processes through their effects on regulating gene expression. In most cases, miRNAs interact with the 3′ UTRs of target mRNAs to induce their degradation and suppress their translation. Aberrant expression of miRNAs has been detected in EOC tumors and/or the biological fluids of EOC patients. Such dysregulation occurs as the result of alterations in DNA copy numbers, epigenetic regulation, and miRNA biogenesis. Many studies have demonstrated that miRNAs can promote or suppress events related to EOC metastasis, such as cell migration, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and interaction with the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we provide a brief overview of miRNA biogenesis and highlight some key events and regulations related to EOC metastasis. We summarize current knowledge on how miRNAs are dysregulated, focusing on those that have been reported to regulate metastasis. Furthermore, we discuss the role of miRNAs in promoting and inhibiting EOC metastasis. Finally, we point out some limitations of current findings and suggest future research directions in the field.

KAT6A amplifications are associated with shorter progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with endometrial serous carcinoma

Somatic copy number alterations (CNA) are common in endometrial serous carcinoma (ESC). We used the Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas Pan Cancer dataset (TCGA Pan Can) to explore the impact of somatic CNA and gene expression levels (mRNA) of cancer-related genes in ESC. Results were correlated with clinico-pathologic parameters such as age of onset, disease stage, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (n = 108). 1,449 genes with recurrent somatic CNA were identified, observed in 10% or more tumor samples. Somatic CNA and mRNA expression levels were highly correlated (r> = 0.6) for 383 genes. Among these, 45 genes were classified in the Tier 1 category of Cancer Genome Census-Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer. Eighteen of 45 Tier 1 genes had highly correlated somatic CNA and mRNA expression levels including ARNT, PIK3CA, TBLXR1, ASXL1, EIF4A2, HOOK3, IKBKB, KAT6A, TCEA1, KAT6B, ERBB2, BRD4, KEAP1, PRKACA, DNM2, SMARCA4, AKT2, SS18L1. Our results are in agreement with previously reported somatic CNA for ERBB2, BRD4 and PIK3C in ESC. In addition, AKT2 (p = 0.002) and KAT6A (p = 0.015) amplifications were more frequent in tumor samples from younger patients (<60), and CEBPA (p = 0.028) and MYC (p = 0.023) amplifications were more common with advanced (stage III and IV) disease stage. Patients with tumors carrying KAT6A and MYC amplifications had shorter PFS and OS. The hazard ratio (HR) of KAT6A was 2.82 [95 CI 1.12-7.07] for PFS and 3.87 [95 CI 1.28-11.68] for OS. The HR of MYC was 2.25 [95 CI 1.05-4.81] and 2.62[95 CI 1.07-6.41] for PFS and OS, respectively.

Dynamin 2 Is Correlated with Recurrence and Poor Prognosis of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Background

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common histological type of thyroid cancer. Most PTC patients have favorable outcomes, but 10% of patients still have distant metastases at presentation or during follow-up. Dynamin 2 (DNM2) is the only DNM ubiquitously expressed in human tissues, but its expression and clinical significance in PTC is still unknown.

Material/Methods

In our study, we investigated the expression of DNM2 in 112 cases of PTC and classified the patients into low and high expression of DNM2. The clinical significance of DNM2 was evaluated by assessing its correlation with the clinicopathological parameters with the chi-square method. The correlations between DNM2 expression and the disease-free survival rate or overall survival rate were assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. The independent prognostic factors of PTC were determined by the Cox-regression hazard model.

Results

Patients with low and high DNM2 expression accounted for 75% and 25% respectively in the 112 patients with PTC. High DNM2 expression was significantly associated with recurrence (P=0.014) and poor prognosis (P=0.004). In addition to tumor stage, DNM2 expression was an independent prognostic biomarker of PTC, indicating an unfavorable prognosis.

Conclusions

DNM2 was an independent PTC biomarker indicating more likely recurrence and poorer prognosis. Detecting DNM2 expression may help to select the high-risk patients for adjuvant therapy.

Roles of microRNAs in Ovarian Cancer Tumorigenesis: Two Decades Later, What Have We Learned?

Ovarian cancer is one of the top gynecological malignancies that cause deaths among females in the United States. At the molecular level, significant progress has been made in our understanding of ovarian cancer development and progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded, highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules (19–25 nucleotides) that negatively regulate target genes post-transcriptionally. Over the last two decades, mounting evidence has demonstrated the aberrant expression of miRNAs in different human malignancies, including ovarian carcinomas. Deregulated miRNAs can have profound impacts on various cancer hallmarks by repressing tumor suppressor genes. This review will discuss up-to-date knowledge of how the aberrant expression of miRNAs and their targeted genes drives ovarian cancer initiation, proliferation, survival, and resistance to chemotherapies. Understanding the mechanisms by which these miRNAs affect these hallmarks should allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat these lethal malignancies.

Germline Sequencing Identifies Rare Variants in Finnish Subjects with Familial Germ Cell Tumors

PURPOSE

Pediatric germ cell tumors are rare, representing about 3% of childhood malignancies in children less than 15 years of age, presenting in neonates or adolescents with a greater incidence noted in older adolescents. Aberrations in primordial germ cell proliferation/differentiation can lead to a variety of neoplasms, including teratomas, embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, and yolk sac tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three Finnish families with varying familial germ cell tumors were identified, and whole-genome sequencing was performed using an Illumina sequencing platform. In total, 22 unique subjects across the three families were sequenced. Family 1 proband (female) was affected by malignant ovarian teratoma, Family 2 proband (female) was affected by sacrococcygeal teratoma with yolk sac tumor in the setting of Cornelia de Lange syndrome, and Family 3 proband (male) was affected by malignant testicular teratoma. Rare variants were identified using an autosomal recessive or de novo model of inheritance.

RESULTS

For family 1 proband (female), an autosomal recessive or de novo model of inheritance identified variants of interest in the following genes: CD109, IKBKB, and CTNNA3, SUPT6H, MUC5AC, and FRG1. Family 2 proband (female) analysis identified gene variants of interest in the following genes: LONRF2, ANO7, HS6ST1, PRB2, and DNM2. Family 3 proband (male) analysis identified the following potential genes: CRIPAK, KRTAP5-7, and CACNA1B.

CONCLUSION

Leveraging deep pedigrees and next-generation sequencing, rare germline variants were identified that were enriched in three families from Finland with a history of familial germ cell tumors. The data presented support the importance of germline mutations when analyzing complex cancers with a low somatic mutation landscape.

Disruption of the Golgi apparatus mediates zinc deficiency-induced impairment of cognitive function in mice

Zinc deficiency is reported to be a global problem that affects cognitive function. The mechanism underlying zinc deficiency-induced impairment of cognitive function is still obscure. In this study, we treated KM mice (Kun Ming mice) with zinc chelator TPEN (N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine) by i.p. injection. NOR (New Object Recognition) tests demonstrated that TPEN can impair the cognitive function of KM mice. Disruption of the GRASP55/Golgin45 complex, and even the Golgi apparatus, was also observed in hippocampus cells by TPEN treatment. Further investigation by IHF showed that enrichment of Aβ peptides occurs in neurons of the cerebral tissue of mice, suggesting that amyloidosis may mediate TPEN-induced impairment of cognitive function. This research not only clarifies that zinc plays an important role in Golgi organization in vivo, but also gives us a possible novel pathway underlying AD development.

microRNAs as biomarkers of ovarian cancer

Introduction: Ovarian carcinoma (OC) is the leading cause of death in women with gynecologic cancers. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage with a low five-year survival rate of 20-30%. Discovering novel biomarkers for early detection and outcome prediction of OC is an urgent medical need. miRNAs, a group of small non-coding RNAs, play critical roles in multiple biologic processes and cancer pathogenesis.Areas covered: We provide an in-depth look at the functions of miRNAs in OC, particularly focusing on their roles in chemoresistance and metastasis in OC. We also discuss the biological and clinical significance of miRNAs in exosomes and expand on long non-coding RNA which acts as ceRNA of miRNAs.Expert opinion: miRNAs participate in many biological processes including proliferation, apoptosis, chemoresistance, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cancer stem cell. They will substantially contribute to our understanding of OC pathogenesis. Given their resistance to the degradation of ribonucleases and availability in plasma exosomes, miRNAs may serve as emerging biomarkers for cancer detection, therapeutic assessment, and prognostic prediction. Being a messenger, exosomal miRNAs are crucial for the crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal cells in tumor microenvironment.

The intragenic microRNA miR199A1 in the dynamin 2 gene contributes to the pathology of X-linked centronuclear myopathy

Mutations in the myotubularin 1 (MTM1) gene can cause the fatal disease X-linked centronuclear myopathy (XLCNM), but the underlying mechanism is incompletely understood. In this report, using an Mtm1 ^-/y disease model, we found that expression of the intragenic microRNA miR-199a-1 is up-regulated along with that of its host gene, dynamin 2 (Dnm2), in XLCNM skeletal muscle. To assess the role of miR-199a-1 in XLCNM, we crossed miR-199a-1 ^-/- with Mtm1 ^-/y mice and found that the resultant miR-199a-1-Mtm1 double-knockout mice display markers of improved health, as evidenced by lifespans prolonged by 30% and improved muscle strength and histology. Mechanistic analyses showed that miR-199a-1 directly targets nonmuscle myosin IIA (NM IIA) expression and, hence, inhibits muscle postnatal development as well as muscle maturation. Further analysis revealed that increased expression and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) up-regulates Dnm2/miR-199a-1 expression in XLCNM muscle. Our results suggest that miR-199a-1 has a critical role in XLCNM pathology and imply that this microRNA could be targeted in therapies to manage XLCNM.

The interplay between HIF-1α and noncoding RNAs in cancer

Hypoxia is a classic characteristic of the tumor microenvironment with a significant impact on cancer progression and therapeutic response. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), the most important transcriptional regulator in the response to hypoxia, has been demonstrated to significantly modulate hypoxic gene expression and signaling transduction networks. In past few decades, growing numbers of studies have revealed the importance of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in hypoxic tumor regions. These hypoxia-responsive ncRNAs (HRNs) play pivotal roles in regulating hypoxic gene expression at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational and posttranslational levels. In addition, as a significant gene expression regulator, ncRNAs exhibit promising roles in regulating HIF-1α expression at multiple levels. In this review, we briefly elucidate the reciprocal regulation between HIF-1α and ncRNAs, as well as their effect on cancer cell behaviors. We also try to summarize the complex feedback loop existing between these two components. Moreover, we evaluated the biomarker potential of HRNs for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, as well as the potential clinical utility of shared regulatory mechanisms between HIF-1α and ncRNAs in cancer treatment, providing novel insights into tumorigenicity, which may lead to innovative clinical applications.

Role of microRNAs as Clinical Cancer Biomarkers for Ovarian Cancer: A Short Overview

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynecological cancers. Early clinical signs are missing and there is an urgent need to establish early diagnosis biomarkers. MicroRNAs are promising biomarkers in this respect. In this paper, we review the most recent advances regarding the alterations of microRNAs in ovarian cancer. We have briefly described the contribution of miRNAs in the mechanisms of ovarian cancer invasion, metastasis, and chemotherapy sensitivity. We have also summarized the alterations underwent by microRNAs in solid ovarian tumors, in animal models for ovarian cancer, and in various ovarian cancer cell lines as compared to previous reviews that were only focused the circulating microRNAs as biomarkers. In this context, we consider that the biomarker screening should not be limited to circulating microRNAs per se, but rather to the simultaneous detection of the same microRNA alteration in solid tumors, in order to understand the differences between the detection of nucleic acids in early vs. late stages of cancer. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo models should also validate these microRNAs, which could be very helpful as preclinical testing platforms for pharmacological and/or molecular genetic approaches targeting microRNAs. The enormous quantity of data produced by preclinical and clinical studies regarding the role of microRNAs that act synergistically in tumorigenesis mechanisms that are associated with ovarian cancer subtypes, should be gathered, integrated, and compared by adequate methods, including molecular clustering. In this respect, molecular clustering analysis should contribute to the discovery of best biomarkers-based microRNAs assays that will enable rapid, efficient, and cost-effective detection of ovarian cancer in early stages. In conclusion, identifying the appropriate microRNAs as clinical biomarkers in ovarian cancer might improve the life quality of patients.

Lipid nanocarriers for microRNA delivery

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) like microRNAs (miRNAs) or small interference RNAs (siRNAs) with their power to selectively silence any gene of interest enable the targeting of so far 'undruggable' proteins and diseases. Such RNA molecules have gained much attention from biotech and pharmaceutical companies, which led to the first Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ncRNA therapeutic in 2018. However, the main barrier in clinical practice of ncRNAs is the lack of an effective delivery system that can protect the RNA molecules from nuclease degradation, deliver them to specific tissues and cell types, and release them into the cytoplasm of the targeted cells, all without inducing adverse effects. For that reason, drug delivery approaches, formulations, technologies and systems for transporting pharmacological ncRNA compounds to achieve a diagnostic or therapeutic effect in the human body are in demand. Here, we review the development of therapeutic lipid-based nanoparticles for delivery of miRNAs, one class of endogenous ncRNAs with specific regulatory functions. We outline challenges and opportunities for advanced miRNA-based therapies, and discuss the complexity associated with the delivery of functional miRNAs. Novel strategies are addressed how to deal with the most critical points in miRNA delivery, such as toxicity, specific targeting of disease sites, proper cellular uptake and endosomal escape of miRNAs. Current fields of application and various preclinical settings involving miRNA therapeutics are discussed, providing an outlook to future clinical approaches. Following the current trends and technological developments in nanomedicine exciting new delivery systems for ncRNA-based therapeutics can be expected in upcoming years.

Mechanisms of Vasculogenic Mimicry in Ovarian Cancer

Solid tumors carry out the formation of new vessels providing blood supply for growth, tumor maintenance, and metastasis. Several processes take place during tumor vascularization. In angiogenesis, new vessels are derived from endothelial cells of pre-existing vessels; while in vasculogenesis, new vessels are formed de novo from endothelial progenitor cells, creating an abnormal, immature, and disorganized vascular network. Moreover, highly aggressive tumor cells form structures similar to vessels, providing a pathway for perfusion; this process is named vasculogenic mimicry (VM), where vessel-like channels mimic the function of vessels and transport plasma and blood cells. VM is developed by numerous types of aggressive tumors, including ovarian carcinoma which is the second most common cause of death among gynecological cancers. VM has been associated with poor patient outcome and survival in ovarian cancer, although the involved mechanisms are still under investigation. Several signaling molecules have an important role in VM in ovarian cancer, by regulating the expression of genes related to vascular, embryogenic, and hypoxic signaling pathways. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of the signaling molecules involved in the promotion and regulation of VM in ovarian cancer. The clinical implications and the potential benefit of identification and targeting of VM related molecules for ovarian cancer treatment are also discussed.

MicroRNAs as Key Regulators of Ovarian Cancers

The tumor microenvironment can be realistically viewed as an active battle ground between the host immune system and the growing tumor cells. This reactive space surrounding the tumor possesses several possibilities and facilitates the progression of a tumor from a neoplastic stage to that of metastasis. The contemporary approach of understanding the cancer biology from a “within the cell” perspective has been largely challenged with complex and intricate “outside the cell” events. Thus understanding the biology of the tumor microenvironment has been of scientific and clinical interest. Small non-coding microRNAs with a pleotropic and wide range of cellular gene targets can be reasonably hypothesized to regulate the events of carcinogenesis and progression. MicroRNAs have been investigated in different cancer models, and evidence of their involvement in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment has been of much interest. In particular, a major interest has been exploring the role of the tumor microenvironment in regulating the interaction of cancer cells with surrounding stromal components and the effect of such interactions on the cancer cells. Fine-tuned regulation by these microRNAs extends our contemporary understanding of these small biomolecules in epigenetic regulations. This review focuses on microRNAs that are dysregulated in ovarian carcinomas, their effect on the components of the tumor microenvironment, and the correlation of their heterogeneous expression profiles with disease severity and prognosis in patients. In addition, this paper also discusses the differential expression of exosomal microRNAs that are known to link the cancer cell with its microenvironment, facilitating the development of an improved prognostic/diagnostic marker and effective therapeutic regime.

Micromanaging aerobic respiration and glycolysis in cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Cancer cells possess a common metabolic phenotype, rewiring their metabolic pathways from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis and anabolic circuits, to support the energetic and biosynthetic requirements of continuous proliferation and migration. While, over the past decade, molecular and cellular studies have clearly highlighted the association of oncogenes and tumor suppressors with cancer-associated glycolysis, more recent attention has focused on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in mediating this metabolic shift. Accumulating studies have connected aberrant expression of miRNAs with direct and indirect regulation of aerobic glycolysis and associated pathways.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

This review discusses the underlying mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells and provides arguments that the earlier paradigm of cancer glycolysis needs to be updated to a broader concept, which involves interconnecting biological pathways that include miRNA-mediated regulation of metabolism. For these reasons and in light of recent knowledge, we illustrate the relationships between metabolic pathways in cancer cells. We further summarize our current understanding of the interplay between miRNAs and these metabolic pathways. This review aims to highlight important metabolism-associated molecular components in the hunt for selective preventive and therapeutic treatments.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Metabolism in cancer cells is influenced by driver mutations but is also regulated by posttranscriptional gene silencing. Understanding the nuanced regulation of gene expression in these cells and distinguishing rapid cellular responses from chronic adaptive mechanisms provides a basis for rational drug design and novel therapeutic strategies.

Molecular perspective of iron uptake, related diseases, and treatments

Iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disorders are the most common types of anemia. Disorders of iron metabolism lead to different clinical scenarios such as iron deficiency anemia, iron overload, iron overload with cataract and neurocognitive disorders. Regulation of iron in the body is a complex process and different regulatory proteins are involved in iron absorption and release from macrophages into hematopoietic tissues. Mutation in these regulatory genes is the most important cause of iron refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA). This review provides a glance into the iron regulation process, diseases related to iron metabolism, and appropriate treatments at the molecular level.

Reciprocal regulations between miRNAs and HIF-1α in human cancers

Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a central molecule involved in mediating cellular processes. Alterations of HIF-1α and hypoxically regulated microRNAs (miRNAs) are correlated with patients' outcome in various cancers, indicating their crucial roles on cancer development. Recently, an increasing number of studies have revealed the intricate regulations between miRNAs and HIF-1α in modulating a wide variety of processes, including proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, and drug resistance, etc. miRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNAs which function as negative regulators by directly targeting mRNAs. Evidence shows that miRNAs can be regulated by HIF-1α at transcriptional level. In turn, HIF-1α itself can be modulated by many miRNAs whose alterations have been implicated in tumorigenesis, thus forming a reciprocal regulation network. These findings add a new layer of complexity to our understanding of HIF-1α regulatory networks. Here, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the current advances about the bidirectional interactions between HIF-1α and miRNAs in human cancers. Besides, the review will summarize the roles of miRNAs/HIF-1α crosstalk according to various cellular processes. Finally, the potential values of miRNAs/HIF-1α loops in clinical applications are discussed.

GATA6 suppresses migration and metastasis by regulating the miR-520b/CREB1 axis in gastric cancer

Transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are tightly linked to each other in tumor development and progression, but their interactions in gastric cancer (GC) metastasis remain elusive. Here we report a novel suppressive role of GATA6 in inhibiting GC metastasis by transactivating miR-520b. We found that GATA6 expression was significantly downregulated in metastatic GC cells and tissues and that its downregulation was correlated with a poor GC prognosis. Overexpression of GATA6 suppressed GC cell migration, invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that miR-520b is a direct transcriptional target of GATA6. Moreover, miR-520b expression was positively correlated with GATA6 expression in GC tissues, and ectopic expression of miR-520b inhibited the migration and invasion of GC cells. Furthermore, cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) was identified as a direct and functional target of miR-520b, and GATA6 could suppress GC cell migration and metastasis via miR-520b-mediated repression of CREB1. Downregulation of GATA6 and miR-520b may partly account for the overexpression of CREB1 in GC. In conclusion, our results provide novel insight into the TF-miRNA regulatory network involved in GC metastasis. Targeting the GATA6/miR-520b/CREB1 axis may be an effective approach for GC treatment.

Hypoxic stress upregulates Kir2.1 expression by a pathway including hypoxic-inducible factor-1α and dynamin2 in brain capillary endothelial cells

Brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) play a central role in maintenance of blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and, therefore, are essential for central nervous system homeostasis and integrity. Although brain ischemia damages BCECs and causes disruption of BBB, the related influence of hypoxia on BCECs is not well understood. Hypoxic stress can upregulate functional expression of specific K+ currents in endothelial cells, e.g., Kir2.1 channels without any alterations in the mRNA level, in t-BBEC117, a cell line derived from bovine BCECs. The hyperpolarization of membrane potential due to Kir2.1 channel upregulation significantly facilitates cell proliferation. In the present study, the mechanisms underlying the hypoxia-induced Kir2.1 upregulation was examined. We emphasize the involvement of dynamin2, a protein known to be involved in a number of surface expression pathways. Hypoxic culture upregulated dynamin2 expression in t-BBEC117 cells. The inhibition of dynamin2 by Dynasore canceled hypoxia-induced upregulation of Kir2.1 currents by reducing surface expression. On the contrary, Kir2.1 currents and proteins in t-BBEC117 cultured under normoxia were increased by overexpression of dynamin2, but not by dominant-negative dynamin2. Molecular imaging based on bimolecular fluorescence complementation, double-immunostaining, and coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed that dynamin2 can directly bind to the Kir2.1 channel. Moreover, hypoxic culture downregulated hypoxic-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression. Knockdown of HIF-1α increased dynamin2 expression in t-BBEC117 cells, in both normoxic and hypoxic culture conditions. In summary, our results demonstrated that hypoxia downregulates HIF-1α, increases dynamin2 expression, and facilitates Kir2.1 surface expression, resulting in hyperpolarization of membrane potential and subsequent increase in Ca2+ influx in BCECs.

Distinct functions of dynamin isoforms in tumorigenesis and their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer

Dynamins and their related proteins participate in the regulation of neurotransmission, antigen presentation, receptor internalization, growth factor signalling, nutrient uptake, and pathogen infection. Recently, emerging findings have shown dynamin proteins can also contribute to the genesis of cancer. This up-to-date review herein focuses on the functionality of dynamin in cancer development. Dynamin 1 and 2 both enhance cancer cell proliferation, tumor invasion and metastasis, whereas dynamin 3 has tumor suppression role. Antisense RNAs encoded on the DNA strand opposite a dynamin gene regulate the function of dynamin, and manipulate oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Certain dynamin-related proteins are also upregulated in distinct cancer conditions, resulting in apoptotic resistance, cell migration and poor prognosis. Altogether, dynamins are potential biomarkers as well as representing promising novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. This study also summarizes the current available dynamin-targeted therapeutics and suggests the potential strategy based on signalling pathways involved, providing important information to aid the future development of novel cancer therapeutics by targeting these dynamin family members.

Tumour microenvironment on mitochondrial dynamics and chemoresistance in cancer

Mitochondria, evolutionally acquired symbionts of eukaryotic cells, are essential cytoplasmic organelles. They are structurally dynamic organelles that continually go through fission and fusion processes in response to various stimuli. Tumour tissue is composed of not just cancer cells but also various cell types like fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem and immune cells. Mitochondrial dynamics of cancer cells has been shown to be significantly affected by features of tumour microenvironment such as hypoxia, inflammation and energy deprivation. The interactions of cancer cells with tumour microenvironment like hypoxia give rise to the inter- and intratumoural heterogeneity, causing chemoresistance. In this review, we will focus on the chemoresistance by tumoural heterogeneity in relation to mitochondrial dynamics of cancer cells. Recent findings in molecular mechanisms involved in the control of mitochondrial dynamics as well as the impact of mitochondrial dynamics on drug sensitivity in cancer are highlighted in the current review.

Cell-permeable iron inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 signaling and tumor angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is important for tumor growth and metastasis. Hypoxia in tumors drives this angiogenic response by stabilizing Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIF) and target genes like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). HIF stability is regulated by Prolylhydroxylases (PHD)-mediated modification. Iron is an important cofactor in regulating the enzymatic activity of PHDs. Reducing intracellular iron, for instance, mimics hypoxia and induces a pro-angiogenic response. It is hypothesized that increasing the intracellular iron levels will have an opposite, anti-angiogenic effect. We tested this hypothesis by perturbing iron homeostasis in endothelial cells using a unique form of iron, Ferric Ammonium Citrate (FAC). FAC is a cell-permeable form of iron, which can passively enter into cells bypassing the transferrin receptor mediated uptake of transferrin-bound iron. Our studies show that FAC does not decrease the levels of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in endothelial cells but inhibits the autocrine stimulation of VEGF-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) system by blocking receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation. FAC inhibits VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tube formation and sprouting. Finally, systemic administration of FAC inhibits VEGF and tumor cell-induced angiogenesis in vivo. In conclusion, our studies show that cell-permeable iron attenuates VEGFR-2 mediated signaling and inhibits tumor angiogenesis.

Advances in Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Biology

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a central regulator for detecting and adapting to cellular oxygen levels, transcriptionally activates genes modulating oxygen homeostasis and metabolic activation. Beyond this, HIF influences many other processes. Hypoxia, in part through HIF-dependent mechanisms, influences epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation and histone acetylation, which modulate hypoxia-responsive gene expression in cells. Hypoxia profoundly affects expression of many noncoding RNAs classes that have clinicopathological implications in cancer. HIF can regulate noncoding RNAs production, while, conversely, noncoding RNAs can modulate HIF expression. There is recent evidence for crosstalk between circadian rhythms and hypoxia-induced signaling, suggesting involvement of molecular clocks in adaptation to fluxes in nutrient and oxygen sensing. HIF induces increased production of cellular vesicles facilitating intercellular communication at a distance-for example, promoting angiogenesis in hypoxic tumors. Understanding the complex networks underlying cellular and genomic regulation in response to hypoxia via HIF may identify novel and specific therapeutic targets.