MiR-622 acts as a tumor suppressor to induce cell apoptosis and inhibit metastasis in human prostate cancer

Thymoquinone Increases the Sensitivity of SW-480 Colon Cancer Cells to 5-Fluorouracil

Background: Studies have concentrated on the therapeutic potential of thymoquinone (TQ), a natural polyphenol, in diverse malignancies, such as colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms of TQ-mediated anticancer properties are not yet fully elucidated. Objective: The present study has been designed to scrutinize the impact of TQ on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-mediated apoptosis in SW-480 cells. Materials and Methods: SW-480 cells were treated with TQ, 5-FU, and a combination of TQ + 5-FU. MTT assay was employed to assess cell viability. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to evaluate apoptotic markers comprising Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-9 expression levels. The γ-H2AX protein expression was assessed by western blotting, and Annexin V flow cytometry was implemented to determine the apoptosis rate. Results: 5-FU significantly reversed the cell proliferation in a dose-dependent circumstance. The concurrent administration of TQ and 5-FU led to a substantial inhibition of cell growth in comparison to single treatments (p < 0.05). TQ also facilitated apoptosis via upregulating Bax and caspase-9 proapoptotic markers and suppressing antiapoptotic mediators, like Bcl-2. In addition, TQ augmented 5-FU-induced apoptosis in SW-480 cells. 5-FU, combined with TQ, increased the protein expression of γ-H2AX in SW-480 cells compared with groups treated with TQ and 5-FU alone. Conclusion: The present study's findings unveil the significance of TQ as a potential therapeutic substance in colorectal cancer, particularly through enhancing 5-FU-induced apoptosis.

Associations between KCNQ1OT1 genetic variation rs10766212 and susceptibility to colorectal cancer and clinical stage in a Chinese Han population

KCNQ1OT1 has been linked to the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). As a result, functional polymorphisms in the KCNQ1OT1 gene may have a role in CRC formation and progression. The goal of this study was to see if the rs10766212 polymorphism on the KCNQ1OT1 gene was linked to CRC susceptibility and clinical stage in a Chinese Han population. The case-control research comprised a total of 576 CRC patients and 606 healthy controls. The genotype of the rs10766212 polymorphic locus was determined using the Sanger sequencing technique. We found that the KCNQ1OT1 rs10766212 polymorphism was not related to CRC susceptibility; however, it was connected with the clinical stage of CRC. Patients with CRC who had the rs10766212 T allele had a lower risk of stage III/IV tumors than those who had the rs10766212 C allele. Furthermore, CRC tissues with the rs10766212 CC genotype showed a significant negative connection between KCNQ1OT1 and hsa-miR-622 expression. The luciferase assay showed that the rs10766212 C allele might contribute to the adsorption of KCNQ1OT1 on hsa-miR-622. In conclusion, the rs10766212 polymorphism altering hsa-miR-622 binding is linked to the clinical stage of CRC and may serve as a biomarker for predicting CRC progression in the Chinese Han population. However, better-designed studies are still needed to confirm the current findings.

circ-0000512 inhibits PD-L1 ubiquitination through sponging miR-622/CMTM6 axis to promote triple-negative breast cancer and immune escape

BACKGROUND

This study reported the function and mechanism of circ-0000512 in the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

METHODS

circ-0000512 expression in TNBC tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues and cells was examined by qRT-PCR. Moreover, circ-0000512 expression in TNBC cells was modulated by transfection. Thereafter, colony formation assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry were conducted to observe cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. TNBC cells were treated with cycloheximide and the protease inhibitor MG132. Later, ubiquitination assay was performed to detect programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) ubiquitination in TNBC cells. The T cell killing ability was assessed by the T cell-mediated tumor cell killing assay. IFNγ and IL-2 levels were detected by ELISA. The percentage of activated T cells was detected with a flow cytometer. In addition, dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were carried out to evaluate the binding between two genes. In vivo study was conducted on mice. CD8+ T cells in xenograft tumors were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

circ-0000512 was upregulated in patients with TNBC. circ-0000512 knockdown attenuated the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells and enhanced their apoptosis. circ-0000512 overexpression had opposite effects. circ-0000512 knockdown enhanced the PD-L1 protein ubiquitination in TNBC cells by inhibiting CMTM6. Meanwhile, circ-0000512 promoted CMTM6 expression by sponging miR-622. circ-0000512 knockdown increased the ratio of CD8+T cells and the lethality of T cells against TNBC cells. Besides, circ-0000512 knockdown inhibited the growth of TNBC cells in immunodeficient nude mice and normal immune mice and increased the ratio of CD8+T cells in xenograft tumors of normal immune mice.

CONCLUSIONS

circ-0000512 inhibited PD-L1 ubiquitination by sponging the miR-622/CMTM6 axis, thus promoting TNBC progression and immune escape.

Hsa-circ-0006091 modulates the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma via the miR-622/CCNB1 axis

Background/aim

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of cancer. We hypothesize that circular RNA-0006091 (circ-0006091) affects the progression of HCC. The study aims to investigate the effect of circ-0006091 in HCC cells.

Materials and methods

The levels of circ-0006091, microRNA-622 (miR-622), and cyclin B1 (CCNB1) were assayed using qRT-PCR and western blotting. The metastasis of the HCC cells was measured with wound healing and transwell assays. The protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were assayed with western blotting. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA-pulldown assays were used to determine the link between miR-622 and circ-0006091 or CCNB1. Mice-based tests were used to determine the effect of circ-0006091 on the proliferation of HCC cells.

Results

The levels of circ-0006091 and CCNB1 were increased in the HCC cells, but miR-622 was down-regulated. Deficiency of circ-0006091 reduced the metastasis of the HCC cells, and silencing of circ-0006091 decreased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the same cells. Circ-0006091 modulated the CCNB1 level in the HCC cells via miR-622. Silencing of circ-0006091 suppressed the proliferation of the HCC cells in vivo.

Conclusion

Circ-0006091 regulated HCC cell metastasis via the miR-622/CCNB1 axis, a possible therapeutic target in managing HCC.

Prostate Cancer and microRNAs: New insights into Apoptosis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is known as one of the most prevalent malignancies globally and is not yet curable owing to its progressive nature. It has been well documented that Genetic and epigenetic alterations maintain mandatory roles in PCa development. Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, has been shown to be involved in a number of physiological processes. Apoptosis disruption is considered as one of the main mechanism involved in lots of pathological conditions, especially malignancy. There is ample of evidence in support of the fact that microRNAs (miRNAs) have crucial roles in several cellular biological processes, including apoptosis. Escaping from apoptosis is a common event in malignancy progression. Emerging evidence revealed miRNAs capabilities to act as apoptotic or anti-apoptotic factors by altering the expression levels of tumor inhibitor or oncogene genes. In the present narrative review, we described in detail how apoptosis dysfunction could be involved in PCa processes and additionally, the mechanisms behind miRNAs affect the apoptosis pathways in PCa. Identifying the mechanisms behind the effects of miRNAs and their targets on apoptosis can provide scientists new targets for PCa treatment.

MicroRNA-32 Suppression: its Effects on Prostate Cancer Cells' Capability to Proliferate and Migrate

INTRODUCTION

This paper sought to scrutinize the role of microRNA-32 (miR-32) on the growth and migration as well as on the expression of metastatic genes in PC3 cells of prostate cancer in vitro.

METHODS

Subsequent transfection of cells with miR-32 mimics, miR-32 inhibitor, negative control (NC), cell proliferation using MTT, and apoptosis by ELISA were performed. Furthermore, qRT-PCR was directed to measure the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) as metastatic and angiogenesis genes in the progression of PC3.

RESULTS

miR-32 was overexpressed in PC3 cells compared to normal cells (P<0.001). Down-regulation of miR-32 obstructs in vitro proliferation and migration while intensifying the apoptosis rate in PC3 cells. Also, we found that miR-32 negatively modulates the expression of VEGF and MMP2 in PC3 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the suppression of miR-32 might offer an auxiliary treatment procedure for addressing the invasion, progression, and metastasis in PCa patients by improving cell apoptosis.