Effects of MIR143 on rat sarcoma signaling networks in solid tumors: A brief overview

An updated patent review of antitumor macrocyclic kinase inhibitors (2019 present)

INTRODUCTION

Small molecule kinase inhibitors are crucial in the treatment of tumors, and the development of novel inhibitors is a primary approach to combat the continuous emergence of drug resistance. Macrocyclization has emerged as a cutting-edge strategy to enhance the potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties of these inhibitors by altering their biological and physicochemical characteristics compared to their acyclic counterparts.

AREAS COVERED

The present article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in macrocyclic small molecule inhibitors and their inhibitory activities against various cancer cells, which have been patented since 2019.

EXPERT OPINION

To date, small-molecule kinase inhibitors have demonstrated remarkable therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings. Recent patents have primarily focused on addressing challenges associated with resistance mutations. Despite the significant success achieved in developing selective kinase agents, the identification of new targets and emergence of novel mutations necessitate the development of novel small-molecule inhibitors. Macrocyclic compounds possess distinctive conformational constraints, enhanced inhibitor potency and selectivity, as well as favorable pharmacokinetic properties, rendering them safe, efficient, selective, low-toxicity agents with unique structural characteristic.

The role of MiR-143-3p in swimming exercise protection against osteoarthritis in mice

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of swimming exercise on cartilage, inflammatory markers, subchondral bone structure, and stride length in mice with knee osteoarthritis induced by anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection, and to explore the role of miR-143-3p in these effects.

METHODS

Thirty-six 3-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: control, exercise (swimming 30 min daily for one month), and exercise + miR-143-3p mimics (swimming exercise plus intra-articular injection of miR-143-3p mimics lentivirus once every two weeks for four weeks). Experimental groups underwent ACL transection to induce osteoarthritis. Interventions began two weeks post-modeling. Post-intervention, stride length analysis, histological analysis (including assessment of cartilage morphology and chondrocyte number), and micro-CT scanning (to assess subchondral bone structure) were performed. Inflammatory markers were measured in cartilage.

RESULTS

Swimming exercise partially alleviated joint inflammation (as evidenced by reduced levels of IL-1β), protected cartilage (maintaining chondrocyte number and extracellular matrix homeostasis, as demonstrated by improved cartilage morphology), and enhanced subchondral bone structure. However, miR-143-3p supplementation partially inhibited these beneficial effects of swimming exercise. Both exercise groups showed gait impairment (reduced stride length) compared to controls, with no significant difference between the two exercise groups.

CONCLUSION

Swimming exercise can mitigate osteoarthritis progression by protecting cartilage, improving subchondral bone structure, and reducing inflammation. However, miR-143-3p partially counteracts these protective effects.

Low fluid shear stress promotes chondrocyte proliferation and extracellular matrix secretion by downregulating mir-143-3p and activating the ERK5/KLF4 signaling pathway

Low fluid shear stress (FSS, ≤ 2 dyn/cm2) has been shown to exert protective effects on chondrocytes, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which FSS promotes chondrocyte proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) stability. We exposed SW1353 chondrocytes to low FSS (1.8 dyn/cm2, 60 min) and found that it led to a significant downregulation of microRNA-143-3p (miR-143-3p), which was associated with increased chondrocyte proliferation and ECM secretion, including type II collagen (COL2A1) and aggrecan. Further investigation revealed that miR-143-3p directly targeted ERK5, a key component of the ERK5/KLF4 signaling pathway. Overexpression of miR-143-3p suppressed ERK5/KLF4 pathway activation, resulting in reduced chondrocyte proliferation and ECM production. Our findings demonstrate that low FSS promotes chondrocyte proliferation and ECM secretion by downregulating miR-143-3p, leading to the activation of the ERK5/KLF4 signaling pathway. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which FSS regulates chondrocyte behavior and ECM secretion, highlighting the potential of FSS as a therapeutic target for cartilage-related diseases.

Low shear stress protects chondrocytes from IL-1β-induced apoptosis by activating ERK5/KLF4 signaling and negatively regulating miR-143-3p

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the protective effects of low fluid shear stress (FSS ≤ 2 dyn/cm²) against interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced chondrocyte apoptosis and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

Chondrocytes were cultured under four conditions: control, IL-1β stimulation, low FSS, and combined low FSS + IL-1β stimulation. Apoptosis was assessed using Hoechst staining and flow cytometry. Western blotting determined the expression of caspase-3 (CASP3), caspase-8 (CASP8), and NF-κB p65. Quantitative real-time PCR measured miR-143-3p expression. The roles of miR-143-3p and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5)/Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) signaling pathway were further investigated using miR-143-3p mimics and inhibitors, an ERK5 inhibitor, and a KLF4 overexpression vector.

RESULTS

IL-1β induced significant chondrocyte apoptosis, which was markedly inhibited by low FSS. Mechanistically, low FSS suppressed miR-143-3p expression, thereby enhancing ERK5 signaling. This activated ERK5 subsequently upregulated KLF4 expression, further mitigating IL-1β-induced damage. Importantly, miR-143-3p overexpression under low FSS conditions exacerbated IL-1β-induced apoptosis, while miR-143-3p inhibition attenuated it. Consistent with this, ERK5 inhibition augmented IL-1β-induced apoptosis, whereas KLF4 overexpression suppressed it.

CONCLUSION

Low FSS protects chondrocytes from IL-1β-induced apoptosis by suppressing miR-143-3p and activating the ERK5/KLF4 signaling pathway. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which mechanical stimulation protects cartilage.

Hsa-miRNA-143-3p regulates the odontogenic differentiation of human stem cells from the apical papilla by targeting NFIC

AIM

To evaluate the effects of hsa-miRNA-143-3p on the cytodifferentiation of human stem cells from the apical papilla (hSCAPs) and the post-transcriptional regulation of Nuclear factor I-C (NFIC).

METHODOLOGY

miRNA expression profiles in human immature permanent teeth and during hSCAP differentiation were examined. hSCAPs were treated with miR-143-3p overexpression or silencing viruses, and the proliferation and odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation of these stem cells, and the involvement of the NFIC pathway, were investigated. Luciferase reporter and NFIC mutant plasmids were used to confirm NFIC mRNA as a direct target of miR-143-3p. NFIC expression analysis in the miR-143-3p overexpressing hSCAPs was used to investigate whether miR-143-3p functioned by targeting NFIC. Student's t-test and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

miR-143-3p expression was screened by microarray profiling and was found to be significantly reduced during hSCAP differentiation (p < .05). Overexpression of miR-143-3p inhibited the mineralization of hSCAPs significantly (p < .05) and downregulated the levels of odontogenic differentiation markers (NFIC [p < .05], DSP [p < .01] and KLF4 [p < .01]), whereas silencing of miR-143-3p had the opposite effect. The luciferase reporter gene detection and bioinformatic approaches identified NFIC mRNA as a potential target of miR-143-3p. NFIC overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-143-3p on the odontogenic differentiation of hSCAPs.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-143-3p maintained the stemness of hSCAPs and modulated their differentiation negatively by directly targeting NFIC. Thus, inhibition of this miRNA represents a potential strategy to promote the regeneration of damaged tooth roots.

Silencing lncRNA SLC16A1-AS1 Induced Ferroptosis in Renal Cell Carcinoma Through miR-143-3p/SLC7A11 Signaling

Introduction: Renal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, but the effect of therapies on advanced renal cancer has not improved for decades. Ferroptosis is an emerging type of programmed cell death and has been proved to play a vital role in many kinds of cancers. However, the mechanisms of ferroptosis regulated by long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the context of renal cancer was still unknown. Methods: We used bioinformation analysis to identify SLC16A1-AS1 as a survival-related lncRNA in renal cancer. The expression levels of SLC16A1-AS1 and microRNA-143-3p (miR-143-3p) were detected by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine proliferation assay, and colony-formation assay were performed to evaluate cell viability and proliferation. Wound-healing assay and transwell assay were used to examine cell invasive and migration capacity. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation were used to identify the interaction among SLC16A1-AS1, miR-143-3p, and the target protein solute carrier family 7 membrane 11 (SLC7A11). Reduced glutathione and glutathione and lipid peroxidation measurements were carried out to evaluate the level of ferroptosis, and the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins were analyzed by western blot. Results: Our study revealed that SLC16A1-AS1 has high expression and was associated with overall survival in renal cancer. Knockdown SLC16A1-AS1 inhibited cell viability, proliferation, and migration of renal cancer cells. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that SLC16A1-AS1 served as a sponge of miR-143-3p, and knockdown SLC16A1-AS1 significantly increased the enrichment of miR-143-3p. And then, SLC7A11 was identified as the target protein of miR-143-3p, and overexpression miR-143-3p remarkably inhibited the expression of SLC7A11. Moreover, knockdown SLC16A1-AS1 could aggravate this effect. Finally, through inhibiting SLC7A11 expression, silencing SLC16A1-AS1 induced ferroptosis via increasing miR-143-3p. Conclusion: The present results suggest that silencing lncRNA SLC16A1-AS1 can induce ferroptosis through miR-143-3p/SLC7A11 signaling in renal cancer. Our study provided a novel view into the pathogenesis and treatment strategy of RCC.

MiR-552-3p facilitated cell proliferation, migration and invasion by sponging Fibulin 5 in non-small cell lung cancer via activation of ERK/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway

Apart from the fact that miR-552-3p is known to promote cell progression among various cancers, its function on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown which therefore emerges as the purpose of this research. TargetScan, Starbase, miRWalk, miRDB and the Cancer Genome Atlas Lung Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-LUAD) were utilized to analyze the target genes of miR-552-3p. NSCLC cells were transfected with miR-552-3p mimic, miR-552-3p inhibitor, Fibulin 5 (FBLN5) overexpression plasmid, and small interfering FBLN5 (siFBLN5) and treated with extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) pathway inhibitor PD98059. MiR-552-3p, FBLN5, p-ERK, ERK, p-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and β-catenin levels were detected through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot. The binding sites between miR-552-3p and FBLN5 were predicted by TargetScan, which was tested through dual luciferase reporter analysis. Cell viability, migration and invasion were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. MiR-552-3p expression was upregulated in NSCLC and FBLN5 functioned as its target. MiR-552-3p mimic promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, p-ERK, p-GSK3β and β-catenin expressions in NSCLC cells while miR-552-3p inhibitor did the opposite. Overexpressed FBLN5 suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, p-ERK, p-GSK3β and β-catenin expressions in NSCLC cells whereas siFBLN5 exerted the effects opposite to overexpressed FBLN5. PD98059 enhanced the effect of overexpressed FBLN5 on NSCLC cell migration and invasion while reversing the effect of siFBLN5. MiR-552-3p facilitated cell proliferation, migration and invasion in NSCLC through sponging FBLN5 via activation of ERK/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway.

Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer: Epigenetic Homeostasis

A large number of studies have revealed that epigenetics plays an important role in cancer development. However, the currently-developed epigenetic drugs cannot achieve a stable curative effect. Thus, it may be necessary to redefine the role of epigenetics in cancer development. It has been shown that embryonic development and tumor development share significant similarities in terms of biological behavior and molecular expression patterns, and epigenetics may be the link between them. Cell differentiation is likely a manifestation of epigenetic homeostasis at the cellular level. In this article, we introduced the importance of epigenetic homeostasis in cancer development and analyzed the shortcomings of current epigenetic treatment regimens. Understanding the dynamic process of epigenetic homeostasis in organ development can help us characterize cancer according to its differentiation stages, explore new targets for cancer treatment, and improve the clinical prognosis of patients with cancer.

Low expression of miR-29a is associated with aggressive biology and worse survival in gastric cancer

Advanced gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most lethal cancer types, thus a better understanding of its biology in patients is urgently needed. MicroRNA (miR)-29a is a known tumor suppressive miR that is related to metastasis, but its clinical relevance in GC remains ambiguous. Here, using a large GC patient cohort we hypothesized that low expression of miR-29a in GC is associated with aggressive cancer biology and worse survival. We demonstrated that low miR-29a GC enriched cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and angiogenesis related gene sets, as well as the higher expression of related genes. Low miR-29a GC was associated with less anti-cancer immune cell infiltration as well as immune related scoring. Low miR-29a GC demonstrated a worse overall survival (OS) as well as disease specific survival (DSS) compared with high expressing miR-29a GC. Notably, low miR-29a expression was the only factor, other than residual tumor status, to be an independent prognostic biomarker of worse OS and DSS. In conclusion, low miR-29a GC was associated with aggressive cancer biology and worse OS as well as DSS. Additionally, low expression of miR-29a was an independent prognostic biomarker of OS and DSS in gastric cancer patients.

Low expression of miR-195 is associated with cell proliferation, glycolysis and poor survival in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive but not in triple negative breast cancer

MiR-195 is a tumor suppressive microRNA in breast cancer. Its clinical relevance remains debatable as it has only been studied via in vitro experiments or small cohort studies. We analyzed a total of 2,038 patients in the TCGA and METABRIC cohorts to assess whether low miR-195 expressing tumors are associated with aggressive cancer characteristics and poor prognostic outcomes. The median cutoff of miR-195 expression was used to split the groups into miR-195 high and low groups. Low miR-19 expressing tumors demonstrated high cell proliferating features by enriching the gene sets associated with cell proliferation, MKI67 expression and pathological grade. One-third of the top target miR-195 genes were related to cell proliferation. Low miR-195 expressing tumors were associated with both pro-cancerous and anti-cancerous immune cells. Low miR-195 expressing tumors were associated with enhanced glycolysis and poor survival in ER-positive tumors, but not other subtypes of breast cancer. In conclusion, low expression of miR-195 in ER-positive breast cancer was associated with enhanced cancer cell proliferation, glycolysis, and worse overall survival.

Urine as a Source of Liquid Biopsy for Cancer

Simple Summary

Tissue biopsy is essential for diagnosis and characterization of a tumor. Recently circulating tumor cells and other tumor-derived nucleic acid can be detected from blood, which is called liquid biopsy. Now this concept has been expanded to many other body fluids including urine. Urine is the least invasive method to obtain a liquid biopsy and can be done anywhere, which allows longitudinal repeated sampling. Here, we review the latest update on urine liquid biopsy in urological and non-urological cancers.

Abstract

Tissue biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis and morphological and immunohistochemical analyses to characterize cancer. However, tissue biopsy usually requires an invasive procedure, and it can be challenging depending on the condition of the patient and the location of the tumor. Even liquid biopsy analysis of body fluids such as blood, saliva, gastric juice, sweat, tears and cerebrospinal fluid may require invasive procedures to obtain samples. Liquid biopsy can be applied to circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or nucleic acids (NAs) in blood. Recently, urine has gained popularity due to its less invasive sampling, ability to easily repeat samples, and ability to follow tumor evolution in real-time, making it a powerful tool for diagnosis and treatment monitoring in cancer patients. With the development and advancements in extraction methods of urinary substances, urinary NAs have been found to be closely related to carcinogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic response, not only in urological cancers but also in non-urological cancers. This review mainly highlights the components of urine liquid biopsy and their utility and limitations in oncology, especially in non-urological cancers.

Natural Products Attenuating Biosynthesis, Processing, and Activity of Ras Oncoproteins: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

RAS genes encode signaling proteins, which, in mammalian cells, act as molecular switches regulating critical cellular processes as proliferation, growth, differentiation, survival, motility, and metabolism in response to specific stimuli. Deregulation of Ras functions has a high impact on human health: gain-of-function point mutations in RAS genes are found in some developmental disorders and thirty percent of all human cancers, including the deadliest. For this reason, the pathogenic Ras variants represent important clinical targets against which to develop novel, effective, and possibly selective pharmacological inhibitors. Natural products represent a virtually unlimited resource of structurally different compounds from which one could draw on for this purpose, given the improvements in isolation and screening of active molecules from complex sources. After a summary of Ras proteins molecular and regulatory features and Ras-dependent pathways relevant for drug development, we point out the most promising inhibitory approaches, the known druggable sites of wild-type and oncogenic Ras mutants, and describe the known natural compounds capable of attenuating Ras signaling. Finally, we highlight critical issues and perspectives for the future selection of potential Ras inhibitors from natural sources.

High Expression of microRNA-143 is Associated with Favorable Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Better Survival in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

microRNA-143 (miR-143) is a well-known tumor suppressive microRNA that exhibits anti-tumoral function by targeting KRAS signaling pathways in various malignancies. We hypothesized that miR-143 suppresses breast cancer progression by targeting KRAS and its effector molecules. We further hypothesized that high expression of miR-143 is associated with a favorable tumor immune microenvironment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients which result in improved survival. Two major publicly available breast cancer cohorts; The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) were used. The miR-143 high expression group was associated with increased infiltration of anti-cancer immune cells and decreased pro-cancer immune cells, as well as enrichment of the genes relating to T helper (Th1) cells resulting in improved overall survival (OS) in ER-positive breast cancer patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that high expression of miR-143 in cancer cells associates with a favorable tumor immune microenvironment, upregulation of anti-cancer immune cells, and suppression of the pro-cancer immune cells, associating with better survival of the breast cancer patients.

High Expression of miR-34a Associated with Less Aggressive Cancer Biology but Not with Survival in Breast Cancer

Most breast cancer (BC) patients succumb to metastatic disease. MiR-34a is a well-known tumor suppressive microRNA which exerts its anti-cancer functions by playing a role in p53, apoptosis induction, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) suppression. Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohorts were used to test our hypothesis that miR-34a high BCs translate to less aggressive cancer biology and better survival in large cohorts. There was no association between miR-34a expression levels and clinicopathological features of BC patients except for HER2 positivity. MiR-34a high expressing tumors were associated with lower Nottingham pathological grades and lower MKI67 expression. In agreement, high miR-34a tumors demonstrated lower GSVA scores of cell cycle and cell proliferation-related gene sets. High miR-34a tumors enriched the p53 pathway and apoptosis gene sets. Unexpectedly, high miR-34a tumors also associated with elevated EMT pathway score and ZEB1 and two expressions. MiR-34a expression did not associate with any distant metastasis. Further, high miR-34a tumors did not associate with better survival compared with miR-34a low tumors. In conclusion, the clinical relevance of miR-34a high expressing tumors was associated with suppressed cell proliferation, enhanced p53 pathway and apoptosis, but enhanced EMT and these findings did not reflect better survival outcomes in large BC patient cohorts.

Effects of MIR143 on rat sarcoma signaling networks in solid tumors: A brief overview

Rat sarcoma (RAS) is a well-known oncogene that plays important roles in cancer proliferation, cell survival and cell invasion. RAS exists as three major isoforms, Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS), Harvey rat sarcoma (HRAS) and neuroblastoma rat sarcoma (NRAS). Mutations of these genes account for approximately 30% of all cancers. Among them, KRAS mutations are the most common, responsible for 85%, followed by NRAS (12%) and HRAS (3%). Although the development of RAS inhibitors has been explored for over the past decade, so far, no effective inhibitor has been found. MicroRNA (miRNA) are a class of small non-coding RNA that control the gene expression of pleural target genes at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNA play critical roles in the physiological and pathological processes at work in cancers, such as cell proliferation, cell death, cell invasion and metastasis. MicroRNA-143 (MIR143) is known to function as a tumor suppressor in a variety of cancers. One of its known mechanisms is suppression of RAS expression and its effector signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK. Within the last five years, we developed a potent chemically modified MIR143-3p that enabled us to elucidate the details of the KRAS signaling networks at play in colon and other cancer cells. In this review, we will discuss the role of MIR143-3p in those RAS signaling networks that are related to various biological processes of cancer cells. In addition, we will discuss the possibility of the use of MIR143 as a therapeutic drug for targeting RAS signaling networks.