Tumour-derived exosome SNHG17 induced by oestrogen contributes to ovarian cancer progression via the CCL13-CCR2-M2 macrophage axis

GBDTSVM: Combined Support Vector Machine and Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Framework for efficient snoRNA-disease association prediction

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their critical role in the pathogenesis and characterization of various human diseases. Consequently, the precise identification of snoRNA-disease associations (SDAs) is essential for the progression of diseases and the advancement of treatment strategies. However, conventional biological experimental approaches are costly, time-consuming, and resource-intensive; therefore, machine learning-based computational methods offer a promising solution to mitigate these limitations. This paper proposes a model called 'GBDTSVM', representing a novel and efficient machine learning approach for predicting snoRNA-disease associations by leveraging a Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). 'GBDTSVM' effectively extracts integrated snoRNA-disease feature representations utilizing GBDT, and SVM is subsequently utilized to classify and identify potential associations. Furthermore, the method enhances the accuracy of these predictions by incorporating Gaussian integrated profile kernel similarity for both snoRNAs and diseases. Experimental evaluation of the GBDTSVM model demonstrates superior performance compared to state-of-the-art methods in the field, achieving an AUROC of 0.96 and an AUPRC of 0.95 on the 'MDRF' dataset. Moreover, our model shows superior performance on two more datasets named 'LSGT' and 'PsnoD'. Additionally, a case study conducted on the predicted snoRNA-disease associations verified the top-ranked snoRNAs across twelve prevalent diseases, further validating the efficacy of the GBDTSVM approach. These results underscore the model's potential as a robust tool for advancing snoRNA-related disease research. Source codes and datasets for our proposed framework can be obtained from: https://github.com/mariamuna04/gbdtsvm.

Tumor-derived vesicles in immune modulation: focus on signaling pathways

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TDEVs) represent a heterogeneous population of extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, which are essential for tumor growth. EVs function as natural carriers of bioactive molecules, including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, enabling them to influence and regulate complex cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TDEVs mainly have immunosuppressive functions as a result of the inhibitory signals disrupting the immune cell anti-tumor activity. They enhance tumor progression and immune evasion by inhibiting the effector function of immune cells and by altering critical processes of immune cell recruitment, polarization, and functional suppression by different signaling pathways. In this sense, TDEVs modulate the NF-κB pathway, promoting inflammation and inducing immune evasion. The Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling is required for TDEV-mediated immune suppression and the manifestation of tumor-supporting features. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, necessary for metabolic reprogramming, is orchestrated by TDEV to abrogate immune response and drive cancer cell proliferation. Finally, exosomal cargo can modulate the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, activating pro-inflammatory responses that influence tumor development and immunomodulation. In this review, we take a deep dive into how TDEVs affect the immune cells by altering key signaling pathways. We also examine emerging therapeutic approaches aimed at disrupting EV-mediated pathways, offering promising avenues for the development of novel EV-based cancer immunotherapy.

Latest Update on lncRNA in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer-A Scoping Review

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules exceeding 200 nucleotides that do not encode proteins yet play critical roles in regulating gene expression at multiple levels, such as chromatin modification and transcription. These molecules are significantly engaged in cancer progression, development, metastasis, and chemoresistance. However, the function of lncRNAs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has not yet been thoroughly studied. EOC remains challenging due to its complex molecular pathogenesis, characterized by genetic and epigenetic alterations. Emerging evidence suggests that lncRNAs, such as XIST, H19, NEAT1, and MALAT1, are involved in EOC by modulating gene expression and signaling pathways, influencing processes like cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemoresistance. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanism of acting of lncRNAs in EOC pathogenesis and treatment resistance still needs to be fully understood, highlighting the need for further studies. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the current understanding of lncRNAs in EOC, emphasizing their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We point out the gaps in the knowledge regarding lncRNAs' influence on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), deliberating on new possible research areas.

Tumour-derived exosomal miR-205 promotes ovarian cancer cell progression through M2 macrophage polarization via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

BACKGROUND

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant immune cells in the tumour environment and are considered similar to M2 macrophages, which facilitate cancer progression. Exosomes, as important mediators of the cross-talk between tumour cells and tumour-associated macrophages, can facilitate the development and metastasis of ovarian cancer by mediating M2 macrophage polarization. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the communication between ovarian cancer (OC) cells and tumour-associated macrophages during OC progression remain unclear.

RESULTS

Here, we demonstrated that high expression of miR-205 was associated with M2 macrophage infiltration, which affected the prognosis of OC patients. Importantly, tumour-derived miR-205 could be transported from OC cells to macrophages via exosomes and promote cancer cell invasion and metastasis by inducing M2-like macrophage polarization. Animal experiments further confirmed that exosomal miR-205-induced M2 macrophages accelerated OC progression in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-205 downregulated PTEN, activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway, which is critical for M2 polarization.

CONCLUSIONS

These results reveal that exosomal miR-205 plays a pivotal role in macrophage polarization within the OC microenvironment, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for OC treatment. This study not only enhances our understanding of the interactions between tumour and immune cells but also opens new avenues for targeted therapies against exosomal miR-205 in ovarian cancer.

Exosome's role in ovarian disease pathogenesis and therapy; Focus on ovarian cancer and failure

In the eukaryotic system, exosomes are categorized as unique extracellular vesicles with dimensions ranging from 30 to 150 nm. These vesicles contain a variety of endogenous molecules, such as proteins, DNA, mRNA, microRNA, and circular RNA. They are essential for a wide range of metabolic events and have the potential to be used as therapeutic or diagnostic targets for a number of diseases, including ovarian diseases. By inducing changes in the surrounding environment, the donor exosomes transfer their contents to the receiving cells, so demonstrating the biological implications of major interactions between cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have produced exosomes have shown promise as a treatment for premature organ failure (POF or POI). Furthermore, exosomal transport has many complexities, and contributes to the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer by affecting cell growth, migration, metastastsis and etc. Owing to these facts, in this paper, we present the progress developed in the understanding of exosomes as a viable therapeutic avenue and indisputable prognostic targets in ovarian disorders.

Continued attention: The role of exosomal long non-coding RNAs in tumors over the past three years

This review summarizes the research on exosomal lncRNAs in tumors over the past three years. It highlights the significant roles of exosomal lncRNAs in modulating various cellular processes within the tumor microenvironment. Exosomal lncRNAs have been shown to influence the behavior of tumor cells, promoting proliferation, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, glycolysis, and contributing to tumor growth and metabolism. Moreover, exosomal lncRNAs have been found to interact with immune cells, such as modulating the functions of macrophages and influencing the overall immune response against tumors. Fibroblasts within the tumor microenvironment are also affected by exosomal lncRNAs, which can alter the extracellular matrix (ECM) and stromal composition. Notably, these exosomal lncRNAs hold promise in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improved clinical outcomes.

Association of Inflammatory Factors with Cervical Cancer: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization

Purpose

Persistent human papillomavirus infection is thought to be the main cause of the cervical cancer development along with inflammation. However, the potential mechanisms of action of the inflammatory factors in cervical cancer remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between inflammatory factor levels and cervical cancer risk using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR).

Patients and Methods

MR utilizes single nucleotide polymorphisms as a tool to infer potential causal relationships between exposure factors and outcomes. Datasets for 91 inflammatory factors and cervical cancer were obtained from publicly available pooled data. The inverse variance weighted method was used as the main method and MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode were used as auxiliary analyses. Results were tested for robustness using sensitivity tests. In addition, we assessed the possibility of reverse causality between cervical cancer and the derived inflammatory factors by performing a reverse MR analysis. Finally, a preliminary experimental validation was performed.

Results

We found that artemin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-4 levels were significantly correlated with elevated cervical cancer risk (β: 0.0024, P = 0.002 and β: 0.0010, P = 0.016, respectively. In contrast, interleukin-18 and interleukin-22 receptor subunit alpha-1 levels were associated with reduced risk of cervical cancer (β: -0.0010, P = 0.029 and β: -0.0021, P = 0.046, respectively). Sensitivity analyses were more robust as no significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was observed.

Conclusion

A significant causal relationship was found between the four inflammatory factors and the risk of cervical cancer, providing new evidence of their clinical implications in cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Exosomal microRNA as a key regulator of PI3K/AKT pathways in human tumors

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved non-protein-coding RNAs that are naturally present in organisms and can control gene expression by suppressing the translation of mRNA or causing the degradation of mRNA. MicroRNAs are highly concentrated in the PI3K/AKT pathway, and abnormal activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway plays a role in cancer progression. The AKT/PI3K pathway is critical for cellular functions and can be stimulated by cytokines and in normal situations. It is involved in regulating various intracellular signal transduction, including development, differentiation, transcriptional regulation, protein, and synthesis. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that miRNAs, which are abundant in exosomes released by different cells, can control cellular biological activities via modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway, hence influencing cancer progression and drug resistance. This article provides an overview of the latest research progress regarding the function and medical use of the PI3K/AKT pathway and exosomal miRNA/AKT/PI3K axis in the behaviors of cancer cells.

Tumour-derived exosome SNHG17 induced by oestrogen contributes to ovarian cancer progression via the CCL13-CCR2-M2 macrophage axis

Oestrogen is known to be strongly associated with ovarian cancer. There was much work to show the importance of lncRNA SNHG17 in ovarian cancer. However, no study has revealed the molecular regulatory mechanism and functional effects between oestrogen and SNHG17 in the development and metastasis of ovarian cancer. In this study, we found that SNHG17 expression was significantly increased in ovarian cancer and positively correlated with oestrogen treatment. Oestrogen could promote M2 macrophage polarization as well as ovarian cancer cells SKOV3 and ES2 cell exosomal SNHG17 expression. When exposure to oestrogen, exosomal SNHG17 promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, and tumour growth and lung metastasis in vivo by accelerating M2-like phenotype of macrophages. Mechanically, exosomal SNHG17 could facilitate the release of CCL13 from M2 macrophage via the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. Moreover, CCL13-CCR2 axis was identified to be involved in ovarian cancer tumour behaviours driven by oestrogen. There results demonstrate a novel mechanism that exosomal SNHG17 exerts an oncogenic effect on ovarian cancer via the CCL13-CCR2-M2 macrophage axis upon oestrogen treatment, of which SNHG17 may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer responded to oestrogen.