Circular RNA circSATB2 promotes progression of non-small cell lung cancer cells

CircRUNX1 enhances the Warburg effect and immune evasion in non-small cell lung cancer through the miR-145/HK2 pathway

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is acknowledged as the primary subtype of lung cancer. The Warburg effect, marked by elevated glucose consumption and lactate fermentation, is a prevalent characteristic of NSCLC. The mechanisms by which circRNA mediates the regulation of the Warburg effect and immune evasion in NSCLC remain unclear. This study found an elevated circRNA, circRUNX1, whiche promotes glycolysis and lactate generation, resulting in the infiltration of regulatory T cell (Treg) in NSCLC. circRUNX1 acts as a miR-145 sponge, inhibiting its negative regulation of the target gene HK2, therefore facilitating glycolysis and lactate generation. The accumulation of lactic acid in the tumor microenvironment promotes Treg cell proliferation and aids immune evasion. Functionally, the suppression of circRUNX1 significantly impedes tumor development both in vitro and in vivo. These findings collectively clarity a previously unexamined mechanism linking the circRUNX1/miR-145/HK2 axis in regulation of the Warburg effect and immune evasion in NSCLC.

Genetic variants of FER and SULF1 in the fibroblast-related genes are associated with non-small-cell lung cancer survival

Fibroblasts are important components in the tumor microenvironment and can affect tumor progression and metastasis. However, the roles of genetic variants of the fibroblast-related genes (FRGs) in the prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have not been reported. Therefore, we investigated the associations between 26,544 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 291 FRGs and survival of NSCLC patients from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. In Cox regression multivariable analysis, we found that 661 SNPs were associated with NSCLC overall survival (OS). Then we validated these SNPs in another independent replication dataset of 984 patients from the Harvard Lung Cancer Susceptibility (HLCS) Study. Finally, we identified two independent SNPs (i.e., FER rs7716388 A>G and SULF1 rs11785839 G>C) that remained significantly associated with NSCLC survival with hazards ratios (HRs) of 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77-0.98, p = 0.018) and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.79-0.99, p = 0.033), respectively. Combined analysis for these two SNPs showed that the number of protective alleles was associated with better OS and disease-specific survival. Expression quantitative trait loci analysis indicated that the FER rs7716388 G allele was associated with the up-regulation of FER mRNA expression levels in lung tissue. Our results indicated that these two functional SNPs in the FRGs may be prognostic biomarkers for the prognosis of NSCLC patients, and the possible mechanism may be through modulating the expression of their corresponding genes.

Roles of the gut microbiota in hepatocellular carcinoma: from the gut dysbiosis to the intratumoral microbiota

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely linked to alterations in the gut microbiota. This dysbiosis is characterized by significant changes in the microbial population, which correlate with the progression of HCC. Gut dysbiosis ultimately promotes HCC development in several ways: it damages the integrity of the gut-vascular barrier (GVB), alters the tumor microenvironment (TME), and even affects the intratumoral microbiota. Subsequently, intratumoral microbiota present a characteristic profile and play an essential role in HCC progression mainly by causing DNA damage, mediating tumor-related signaling pathways, altering the TME, promoting HCC metastasis, or through other mechanisms. Both gut microbiota and intratumoral microbiota have dual effects on HCC progression; a comprehensive understanding of their complex biological roles will provide a theoretical foundation for potential clinical applications in HCC treatment.

Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the functional role of circular RNA circDCUN1D4 in HCC progression and its potential therapeutic implications. It was found that HCC patients exhibiting higher levels of circDCUN1D4 demonstrated a more favorable survival rate. Furthermore, we revealed that circDCUN1D4 suppressed HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, circDCUN1D4 was identified as a sponge for miR-590-5p, leading to the downregulation of its downstream target, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3). Importantly, circDCUN1D4 administration through In vivo jet-PEI exhibited a robust inhibitory effect on tumor progression without causing notable toxicity in mice. Overall, our findings highlight circDCUN1D4 as a promising therapeutic candidate for HCC, unraveling its intricate regulatory role through the miR-590-5p/TIMP3 axis. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential clinical applications of circRNA-based therapies for HCC.

Revolutionizing lung cancer treatment: harnessing exosomes as early diagnostic biomarkers, therapeutics and nano-delivery platforms

Lung cancer, known for its high morbidity and mortality rates, remains one of the most critical health challenges globally. Conventional treatment options, such as chemotherapy and surgery, are often limited by high costs, significant side effects, and often yield a poor prognosis. Notably, recent research has shed light on the potential therapeutic roles of exosomes, which essentially influence lung cancer's development, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Exosomes have been revealed for their exceptional properties, including natural intercellular communication, excellent biocompatibility, minimal toxicity, prolonged blood circulation ability, and biodegradability. These unique characteristics position exosomes as highly effective drug delivery systems, nanotherapeutics, and potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in lung cancer. This review provides a comprehensive review of the physiological and pathological roles of exosomes in lung cancer, emphasizing their potential as innovative diagnostic biomarkers, therapeutics, and delivery platforms. By harnessing their unique properties, exosomes are poised to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, offering a promising avenue for more personalized and effective therapies.

Functional tumor-derived exosomes in NSCLC progression and clinical implications

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The high mortality rate is primarily driven by delayed diagnosis, rapid metastasis, and frequent recurrence. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) have emerged as critical mediators in NSCLC progression, offering valuable insights into the tumor microenvironment. Exosomes are small membrane vesicles that facilitate intercellular communication and transport bioactive molecules, including proteins, RNAs, and DNAs, thereby reflecting the genetic complexity of tumors. These exosomes play a key role in promoting tumor metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), neovascularization, drug resistance, and immune evasion, all of which are pivotal in the development of NSCLC. This review explores the diverse roles of TEXs in NSCLC progression, focusing on their involvement in pre-metastatic niche formation, tissue metastasis, and immune modulation. Specifically, we discuss the roles of exosome-associated RNAs and proteins in NSCLC, and their contribute to tumor growth and metastasis. Furthermore, we explore the potential of TEXs as biomarkers for NSCLC, emphasizing their application in diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of resistance to targeted therapies and immunotherapies.

Current advances and future prospects of blood-based techniques for identifying benign and malignant pulmonary nodules

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for more accurate and minimally invasive diagnostic tools to improve early detection and patient outcomes. While low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is effective for screening in high-risk individuals, its high false-positive rate necessitates more precise diagnostic strategies. Liquid biopsy, particularly ctDNA methylation analysis, represents a promising alternative for non-invasive classification of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs). This review highlights the progress and clinical potential of liquid biopsy technologies, including traditional proteins markers, cfDNA, exosomes, metabolomics, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and platelets, in lung cancer diagnosis. We discuss the integration of ctDNA methylation analysis with traditional imaging and clinical data to enhance the early detection of IPNs, as well as potential solutions to address the challenges of low biomarker concentration and background noise. By advancing precision diagnostics, liquid biopsy technologies could transform lung cancer management, improve survival rates, and reduce the disease burden.

CRISPR/Cas13a-Programmed Cu NCs and Z-Scheme T-COF/Ag2S for Photoelectrochemical Biosensing of circRNA

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), as a class of noncoding RNA molecules with a circular structure exhibit high stability and spatiotemporal-specific expression, making them ideal cancer biomarkers for liquid biopsy. Herein, a new photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor for a highly sensitive circRNA assay in the whole blood of lung cancer patients was designed based on CRISPR/Cas13a-programmed Cu nanoclusters (Cu NCs) and a Z-scheme covalent organic framework/silver sulfide (T-COF/Ag2S) composite. This Z-scheme T-COF/Ag2S composite accelerates electron transfer and produces an excellent initial photocurrent. When CRISPR/Cas13a precisely targets circRNA, it nonspecifically cleaves the triple-helix molecular structure to release DNA fragments (C'/C"). After the C'/C" opens the DNA hairpin probe (HP) modified on the electrode, hybridization chain reactions are performed to produce abundant AT-rich double-stranded DNA with the addition of H1 and H2 probes. Upon the incubation of Cu2+, Cu NCs are in situ formed via the A-Cu2+-T bonds and can effectively quench the photocurrent of the Z-scheme T-COF/Ag2S due to the energy transfer process. This developed PEC biosensor for the circRNA assay shows a low limit of detection of 0.5 fM, and the reusability of DNA-modified magnetic beads (MB-DNA) reduces the detection cost. Moreover, the PEC biosensor can accurately quantify the circRNA level and distinguish the circRNA expression in whole blood from healthy controls and lung cancer patients, offering strong potential in clinical diagnosis.

circZNF707 promoted glycolysis and tumor progression through miR-668-3p-PFKM axis in NSCLC

BACKGROUND

Circular RNA (circRNA) plays an important regulatory role in the development of human malignancies, but the potential mechanisms of circRNA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unknown.

METHODS

Microarray analysis was used to test for circRNAs differing in expression between NSCLC tumors and healthy adjacent tissues. Using qRT-PCR, the expression of circZNF707 was determined. Through a number of loss-of-function and gain-of-function investigations, the biological behavior of NSCLC cells was evaluated. Finally, tests using Western blotting, RIP, qRT-PCR, and luciferase reporter gene detection and rescue assays revealed the potential mechanism of circZNF707.

RESULTS

Increased expression of circZNF707 was found in NSCLC tissues. Functionally, circZNF707 enhances proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, circZNF707 can upregulate PFKM by acting as a sponge for miR-668-3p, thus contributing to the progression of NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

Through the circZNF707/miR-668-3p/PFKM axis, upregulation of circZNF707 promotes tumor development. CircZNF707 may provide new insights into the treatment and diagnosis of NSCLC.

N, Huang J, Li Y, Zhao G, Liu M. Exosome tropism and various pathways in lung cancer metastasis

Lung cancer, characterized by its high morbidity and mortality rates, has the capability to metastasize to various organs, thereby amplifying its detrimental impact and fatality. The metastasis of lung cancer is a complex biological phenomenon involving numerous physiological transformations. Exosomes, small membranous vesicles enriched with biologically active components, are pivotal in mediating intercellular communication and regulating physiological functions due to their specificity and stability. Extensive research has elucidated the production and functions of exosomes in cancer contexts. Multitude of evidence demonstrates a strong association between lung cancer metastasis and exosomes. Additionally, the concept of the pre-metastatic niche is crucial in the metastatic process facilitated by exosomes. This review emphasizes the role of exosomes in mediating lung cancer metastasis and their impact on the disease's development and the progression to other tissues. Furthermore, it explores the potential of exosomes as biomarkers for lung cancer metastasis, offering significant insights for future clinical advancements.

Theoretical perspectives and clinical applications of non-coding RNA in lung cancer metastasis: a systematic review

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide, with distant metastasis being a major cause of death. However, the specific mechanisms of lung cancer metastasis remain unclear. NcRNAs, a widely present type of non-coding RNAs in the body, constitute about 98% of the human genome, lacking protein-coding capacity but involved in various cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration. Studies have shown that ncRNAs play a crucial role in the metastasis of lung cancer, although research in this area is limited. This review summarizes the biological origins and functions of ncRNAs, their specific roles and mechanisms in lung cancer metastasis, and discusses their potential for early screening and therapeutic applications in lung cancer. Furthermore, it outlines the challenges in translating basic advancements of ncRNAs in lung cancer metastasis into clinical practice.

Exosomal ncRNAs in liquid biopsies for lung cancer

Exosomal non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have become essential contributors to advancing and treating lung cancers (LCs). The development of liquid biopsies that utilize exosomal ncRNAs (exo-ncRNAs) offers an encouraging method for diagnosing, predicting, and treating LC. This thorough overview examines the dual function of exo-ncRNAs as both indicators for early diagnosis and avenues for LC treatment. Exosomes are tiny vesicles secreted by various cells, including cancerous cells, enabling connection between cells by delivering ncRNAs. These ncRNAs, which encompass circular RNAs, long ncRNAs, and microRNAs, participate in the modulation of gene expression and cellular functions. In LC, certain exo-ncRNAs are linked to tumour advancement, spread, and treatment resistance, positioning them as promising non-invasive indicators in liquid biopsies. Additionally, targeting these ncRNAs offers potential for innovative treatment approaches, whether by suppressing harmful ncRNAs or reinstating the activity of tumour-suppressing ones. This review emphasizes recent developments in the extraction and analysis of exo-ncRNAs, their practical applications in LC treatment, and the challenges and prospects for translating these discoveries into clinical usage. Through this detailed examination of the current state of the art, we aim to highlight the significant potential of exo-ncRNAs for LC diagnostics and treatments.

Circulating Extracellular Vesicles as Promising Biomarkers for Precession Diagnostics: A Perspective on Lung Cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising biomarkers in liquid biopsy, owing to their ubiquitous presence in bodily fluids and their ability to carry disease-related cargo. Recognizing their significance in disease diagnosis and treatment, substantial efforts have been dedicated to developing efficient methods for EV isolation, detection, and analysis. EVs, heterogeneous membrane-encapsulated vesicles secreted by all cells, contain bioactive substances capable of modulating recipient cell biology upon internalization, including proteins, lipids, DNA, and various RNAs. Their prevalence across bodily fluids has positioned them as pivotal mediators in physiological and pathological processes, notably in cancer, where they hold potential as straightforward tumor biomarkers. This review offers a comprehensive examination of advanced nanotechnology-based techniques for detecting lung cancer through EV analysis. It begins by providing a brief overview of exosomes and their role in lung cancer progression. Furthermore, this review explores the evolving landscape of EV isolation and cargo analysis, highlighting the importance of characterizing specific biomolecular signatures within EVs for improved diagnostic accuracy in lung cancer patients. Innovative strategies for enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of EV isolation and detection, including the integration of microfluidic platforms and multiplexed biosensing technologies are summarized. The discussion then extends to key challenges associated with EV-based liquid biopsies, such as the standardization of isolation and detection protocols and the establishment of robust analytical platforms for clinical translation. This review highlights the transformative impact of EV-based liquid biopsy in lung cancer diagnosis, heralding a new era of personalized medicine and improved patient care.

CircSATB2 modulates fear extinction memory via Robo3-driven synaptic plasticity

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel class of stable regulatory RNAs abundantly expressed in the brain. However, their role in fear extinction (EXT) memory remains largely unexplored. To investigate the mechanisms of Circular Special AT-rich Sequence Binding Protein 2 (circSatb2) in EXT memory, we constructed a lentivirus overexpressing circSatb2 and injected it into the infralimbic prefrontal cortex (ILPFC) of the mouse brain. Following extinction training and subsequent testing, we observed an essential role of circSatb2 in this dynamic process. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatics analyses revealed that circSatb2 enhances the transcription of Roundabout Guidance Receptor 3 (Robo3), a key gene implicated in axon guidance and synaptic plasticity, which was validated by RT-qPCR. Neuronal morphology was assessed using confocal microscopy to determine changes in dendritic spine density. Our results demonstrated that circSatb2 significantly enhances Robo3 transcription, leading to increased dendritic spine formation and improved synaptic plasticity. In conclusion, circSatb2 promotes the formation of EXT memory by upregulating Robo3 transcription and enhancing synaptic plasticity. These findings position circSatb2 as a potential therapeutic target for disorders associated with memory impairment.

Relationship between exosomes and cancer: formation, diagnosis, and treatment

Exosomes are a member of extracellular vesicles. However, their biological characteristics differ from those of other vesicles, and recently, their powerful functions as information molecules, biomarkers, and carriers have been demonstrated. Malignancies are the leading cause of high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The cure rate of malignancies can be improved by improving early screening rates and therapy. Moreover, a close correlation between exosomes and malignancies has been observed. An in-depth study of exosomes can provide new methods for diagnosing and treating tumors. Therefore, this study aimed to review, sort, and summarize such achievements, and present ideas and opinions on the application of exosomes in tumor treatment.

WTAP-Mediated m6A Modification of circSMOC1 Accelerates the Tumorigenesis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Regulating miR-612/CCL28 Axis

Accumulating evidence reveals that deregulated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are required for the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to uncover the underlying mechanisms by which WTAP-mediated m6A modification of circRNA contributes to NSCLC. The differentially-expressed circRNAs were identified by a circRNA profiling microarray. The association of circSMOC1 with clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with NSCLC was estimated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. WTAP-mediated m6A modification of circRNA was validated by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and methylated RIP (MeRIP) assays. The role of circSMOC1 in NSCLC cells was validated by in vitro functional experiments and in vivo tumorigenesis models. CircSMOC1-specific binding with miR-612 was verified by RIP, luciferase gene report and RT-qPCR assays. The effect of circSMOC1 and/or miR-612 on CCL28 expression was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis. We found that the expression levels of circSMOC1 were elevated in NSCLC tissues and associated with TNM stage and poor survival in patients with NSCLC. Knockdown of circSMOC1 impaired the tumorigenesis of NSCLC in vitro and in vivo, whereas restored expression of circSMOC1 displayed the opposite effect. Furthermore, WTAP was upregulated in NSCLC and mediated m6A modification of circSMOC1 and circSMOC1 abolished WTAP knockdown-caused tumour-suppressive effects. Then, circSMOC1 acted as a sponge of miR-612 to upregulate CCL28 and miR-612 inhibitors abrogated circSMOC1 knockdown-caused anti-proliferation effects and CCL28 downregulation in NSCLC cells. Knockdown of CCL28 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion and counteracted miR-612 inhibitor-caused tumour-promoting effects. Our findings unveil that WTAP-mediated m6A modification of circSMOC1 facilitates the tumorigenesis of NSCLC by regulating the miR-612/CCL28 axis.

Exosomal LncRNAs and CircRNAs in lung cancer: Emerging regulators and potential therapeutic targets

Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies globally, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates among all cancers. The delayed diagnosis of lung cancer at intermediate to advanced stages frequently leads to suboptimal treatment outcomes. To improve the management of this disease, it is imperative to identify new, highly sensitive prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles with a lipid-bilayer structure and a size range of 30-150 nm, are pivotal in intercellular communication and play significant roles in lung cancer progression. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are highly prevalent within exosomes and play a crucial role in various pathophysiological processes mediated by these extracellular vesicles. Beyond their established functions in miRNA and protein sequestration, these ncRNAs are involved in regulating translation and interactions within exosomes. Numerous studies have highlighted the importance of exosomal lncRNAs and circRNAs in influencing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis in lung cancer. Due to their unique functional characteristics, these molecules are promising therapeutic targets and biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides a succinct summary of the formation of exosomal lncRNAs and circRNAs, clarifies their biological roles, and thoroughly explains the mechanisms by which they participate in the progression of lung cancer. Finally, we discuss the potential clinical applications and challenges associated with exosomal lncRNAs and circRNAs in lung cancer.

The Circular RNA Circ_0043947 Promoted Gastric Cancer Progression by Sponging miR-384 to Regulate CREB1 Expression

Background/Aims

: The occurrence and development of circular RNAs in gastric cancer (GC) has attracted increasing attention. This study focused on investigating the biological role and molecular mechanism of circ_0043947 in GC.

Methods

: The expression levels of circ_0043947, miR-384 and CAMP response element binding protein (CREB1) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or Western blotting. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, the cell cycle and apoptosis were determined using a cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry assay. The interaction between miR-384 and circ_0043947 or CREB1 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay. The in vivo assay was conducted using a xenograft mouse model.

Results

: Circ_0043947 and CREB1 expression levels were significantly upregulated, whereas miR-384 expression levels were downregulated in GC tissues and cells. Functionally, knockdown of circ_0043947 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and induced G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in vitro. Circ_0043947 could upregulate CREB1 expression by directly sponging miR-384. Rescue experiments showed that a miR-384 inhibitor significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of si-circ_0043947 on GC progression, and CREB1 overexpression significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-384 mimics on the progression of GC cells. Furthermore, silencing of circ_0043947 inhibited tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions

: Circ_0043947 acted as an oncogenic factor in GC to mediate GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, the cell cycle and apoptosis by regulating the miR-384/CREB1 axis. Circ_0043947 may be a potential target for GC diagnosis and therapy.

Hsa_circ_0109320 Serves as a Novel Circular RNA Biomarker in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by Promoting Metastasis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, ranks among the top 10 cancers worldwide in terms of prevalence and mortality. NSCLC, a highly malignant tumor, exhibits distant invasion and migration as well as an unfavorable prognosis. As an innovative circular RNA, hsa _circ_0109320 (circ_0109320) has been recognized as a promising cancer modulator. However, our understanding of the influence of circ_0109320 in NSCLC remains insufficient. Our research explored the clinical significance and effects of circ_0109320 on oncogenic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) phenotypes. Microarray analysis and qPCR indicated that circ_0109320 expression in NSCLC specimens increased relative to that in adjacent normal tissues and was further elevated in metastatic lymph nodes. The specimens acquired from 25 patients confirmed these findings. Additionally, circ_0109320 indicated a good score (AUC = 0.688, P = 0.013) on the ROC curves, which suggests its suitability as a promising biomarker for lung cancer. Meanwhile, circ_0109320 was noticeably upregulated in lung cancer (LC) cell lines compared to human bronchial epithelial cells. Next, we performed loss- and gain-of-function experiments to examine the role of circ_0109320 in the tumor phenotypes of the cell lines. We observed that depletion or overexpression of circ_0109320 did not alter cell viability. However, the ectopic removal of circ_0109320 repressed the migration and invasion of A549 and SK-MES-1 cells, whereas circ_0109320 overexpression promoted cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, the examination of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers indicated that circ_0109320 elevates cell EMT activity. In conclusion, circ_0109320 level was highly associated with increased tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. circ_0109320 could be a promising predictor of clinical outcomes and a reliable target to treat NSCLC by inhibiting metastasis.

Exosome-transmitted circ_0004664 suppresses the migration and invasion of cadmium-transformed human bronchial epithelial cells by regulating PTEN expression via miR-942-5p

Exosomes play a crucial role in regulating extracellular communication between normal and cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment, thereby affecting tumor progression through their cargo molecules. However, the specific impact of exosomal circular RNAs (circRNAs) on the development of cadmium-induced carcinogenesis remains unclear. To address this, we investigated whether exosomes derived from normal human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B (N-B2B) cells could transmit circRNA to cadmium-transformed BEAS-2B (Cd-B2B) cells and the potential effects on Cd-B2B cells. Our findings demonstrated a significant downregulation of circ_0004664 in Cd-B2B cells compared to N-B2B cells (P < 0.01). Overexpression of circ_0004664 in Cd-B2B cells led to a significant inhibition of cell migration and invasion (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Furthermore, N-B2B cells could transfer circ_0004664 into recipient Cd-B2B cells via exosomes, subsequently inhibiting cell migration and invasion (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Mechanistic investigations revealed that exosomal circ_0004664 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA for miR-942-5p, resulting in an upregulation of PTEN (P < 0.05). Our study highlights the involvement of exosomal circ_0004664 in cell-cell communication during cadmium carcinogenesis, providing a novel insight into the role of exosomal circRNA in this process.

Exosome therapeutics for non-small cell lung cancer tumorigenesis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains an ongoing health concern, with poor treatment options and prognosis for many patients. Typically, individuals with lung cancer are detected at the middle and terminal stages, resulting in poor medical results due to lack of initial diagnosis and treatment. So, finding the initial specific and effective therapy options for lung cancer is necessary. In addition, exosomes are generally small lipid vesicles with a diameter in the nanometer range that are created and released by different cell types. Exosomes have therapeutic potential through delivering bioactive compounds including microRNAs, siRNAs, and therapeutic proteins to tumor cells, modifying the tumor microenvironment, and promoting anti-tumor immune responses. In recent years, exosome-based therapy has become known as an appropriate approach for NSCLC treatment. This review offers an overview of the possibility of exosome-based therapy for NSCLC, with an emphasis on mechanisms of action, preclinical research, and current clinical trials. Preclinical studies have shown that exosome-based therapy can decrease tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance in NSCLC models. Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are looking at the safety and efficacy of exosome-based therapies in NSCLC patients, offering important insights into their translational prospects. Despite promising preclinical evidences, significant obstacles remain, including optimizing exosome isolation and purification techniques, standardizing production strategies, and developing scalable manufacturing processes. Overall, exosome-based therapy shows significant promise as a novel and various methods for treating NSCLC, with the potential to enhance patient outcomes and evolution cancer treatment.

Harmonising cellular conversations: decoding the vital roles of extracellular vesicles in respiratory system intercellular communications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by various cells play crucial roles in intercellular communication within the respiratory system. This review explores the historical context and significance of research into extracellular vesicles. Categorised into exosomes (sized 30-150 nm), microvesicles (sized 50-1000 nm) and apoptotic bodies (sized 500-2000nm), based on their generation mechanisms, extracellular vesicles carry diverse cargoes of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Respiratory ailments are the primary contributors to both mortality and morbidity across various populations globally, significantly impacting public health. Recent studies have underscored the pivotal role of extracellular vesicles, particularly their cargo content, in mediating intercellular communication between lung cells in respiratory diseases. This comprehensive review provides insights into extracellular vesicle mechanisms and emphasises their significance in major respiratory conditions, including acute lung injury, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma and lung cancer.

Role of circular RNAs in preeclampsia (Review)

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, which affects 3-8% of pregnant individuals worldwide each year. Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of PE are some of the most important problems faced by obstetrics. There is growing evidence that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of PE. The present review summarizes the research progress of circRNAs and then describes the expression patterns of circRNAs in PE and their functional mechanisms affecting PE development. The role of circRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of PE, and the research status of circRNAs in PE are summarized in the hope of finding novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of PE.

CircLIFRSA/miR-1305/PTEN axis attenuates malignant cellular processes in non-small cell lung cancer by regulating AKT phosphorylation

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is typically diagnosed at advanced stages, which limits the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. The present study aimed to explore the role of the newly identified circLIFRSA in the PTEN/AKT signaling pathway and its involvement in the malignant processes of NSCLC.

METHODS

CircLIFRSA expression was identified through microarray analysis, and its levels in NSCLC samples were quantified by RT-qPCR. The impact of circLIFRSA on cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle were evaluated by MTT assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. Additionally, Western blotting was employed to analyze the expression of PTEN and phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) in NSCLC cells.

RESULTS

The expression of circLIFRSA was found to be significantly reduced in NSCLC cells and tissues. This downregulation correlated with various clinicopathological characteristics and indicated its potential as an early diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC. Importantly, circLIFRSA was shown to inhibit cell growth and proliferation while promoting apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Mechanically, circLIFRSA was found to attenuate the malignant processes of NSCLC cells via the miR-1305/PTEN axis and the suppression of AKT phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that circLIFRSA/miR-1305/PTEN axis attenuates malignant processes by regulating AKT phosphorylation, and provide new insights into the potential of circLIFRSA as a biomarker for early diagnosis and as a promising therapeutic target in NSCLC.

The multifaceted roles of circular RNAs in cancer hallmarks: From mechanisms to clinical implications

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a distinct class of covalently closed RNA species lacking conventional 5' to 3' polarity. Derived predominantly from pre-mRNA transcripts of protein-coding genes, circRNAs arise through back-splicing events of exon-exon or exon-intron junctions. They exhibit tissue- and cell-specific expression patterns and play crucial roles in regulating fundamental cellular processes such as cell cycle dynamics, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. CircRNAs modulate gene expression through a plethora of mechanisms at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels, and some can even undergo translation into functional proteins. Recently, aberrant expression of circRNAs has emerged as a significant molecular aberration within the intricate regulatory networks governing hallmarks of cancer. The tumor-specific expression patterns and remarkable stability of circRNAs have profound implications for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. This review comprehensively explores the multifaceted roles of circRNAs across cancer hallmarks in various tumor types, underscoring their growing significance in cancer diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. It also details strategies for leveraging circRNA-based therapies and discusses the challenges in using circRNAs for cancer management, emphasizing the need for further research to overcome these obstacles.

Differentially expressed circular RNA profiles and comprehensive analysis of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in microsatellite instability-high endometrial cancer

The clinical benefit of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)-based immunotherapy among patients with microsatellite instable (MSI) endometrial cancer (EC) precedes that of microsatellite stable (MSS) EC, the mechanisms of which have not been fully understood. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were reported to modulate immune evasion in several types of malignancies, while their roles in the immune regulation in EC remain largely unknown. Here, we conducted circRNA array analysis and mRNA-Sequencing of 10 MSI EC samples and 10 MSS EC samples and identified 1083 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) and 864 differentially expressed mRNAs, based on which we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA comprehensive network consisting of 35 DE-circRNAs, 56 predicted miRNAs and 24 differentially expressed mRNAs. Finally, we confirmed hsa_circ_0058230 being positively correlated with CD8+ T cells infiltration, suggesting that it might take a part in anti-tumor immunity in EC.

Circ_0025373 inhibits carbon black nanoparticles-induced malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells by affecting DNA damage through binding to MSH2

Carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) have been demonstrated to induce DNA damage in epithelial cells. However, the potential of the damage to initiate carcinogenesis and the underlying mechanism remain poorly understood. Therefore, we constructed an in vitro model of malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE-T) by treating 40 μg/mL CBNPs for 120 passages. We observed tumor-like transformation and sustained DNA damage. Using transcriptome sequencing and RIP-seq, we identified the overexpression of the critical DNA mismatch repair genes MutS homolog 2 (MSH2) and its related circular RNA, circ_0025373, in the 16HBE-T cells. Mechanistically, circ_0025373 was found to inhibit DNA damage by binding to MSH2, thereby modifying its expression and influencing its nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution, which lead to inhibition of CBNP-induced malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells. Our findings provide novel evidence on the carcinogenicity of CBNPs, and offer biological insights into the potential epigenetic regulation and potential therapeutic targets for lung carcinogenesis.

Circular RNAs in human diseases

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a unique class of RNA molecules formed through back-splicing rather than linear splicing. As an emerging field in molecular biology, circRNAs have garnered significant attention due to their distinct structure and potential functional implications. A comprehensive understanding of circRNAs' functions and potential clinical applications remains elusive despite accumulating evidence of their involvement in disease pathogenesis. Recent research highlights their significant roles in various human diseases, but comprehensive reviews on their functions and applications remain scarce. This review provides an in-depth examination of circRNAs, focusing first on their involvement in non-neoplastic diseases such as respiratory, endocrine, metabolic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and renal disorders. We then explore their roles in tumors, with particular emphasis on exosomal circular RNAs, which are crucial for cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to treatment. By detailing their biogenesis, functions, and impact on disease mechanisms, this review underscores the potential of circRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The review not only enhances our understanding of circRNAs' roles in specific diseases and tumor types but also highlights their potential as novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools, thereby paving the way for future clinical investigations and potential therapeutic interventions.

The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) as a prognostic factor in lung cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Among various histological types of lung cancer, majority are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which account for > 80%. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are widely expressed in various cancers including lung cancer and implicated in tumourigenesis and cancer progression. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the prognostic values of circRNAs in lung cancer.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was done in PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases to select the eligible studies which reported the association between the expression of circRNAs and overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) in histopathologically diagnosed lung cancer patients. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were assessed to determine the prognostic significance of circRNAs.

RESULTS

A total of 43 studies were eligible for this meta-analysis (MA). 39 different types of circRNAs were reported: 28 showing upregulating and 11 showing downregulating action in lung cancer. High expression of circRNAs with upregulating action in lung cancer was associated with worse prognosis and poor OS (HR 1.93, 95% CI [1.61-2.33], p < 0.00001). High expression of circRNAs with downregulating action in lung cancer was associated with favorable OS and prognosis (HR 0.73, 95% CI [0.58-0.94], p = 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant association between high and low expression of both upregulating and downregulating circRNAs and DFS (HR 1.44, 95% CI [0.92-2.24], p = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

This MA confirmed the pivotal role of circRNAs as important prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer, especially NSCLC. High expression of upregulating circRNAs is associated with poor prognosis; however, high expression of downregulating circRNAs is associated with favorable prognosis. Therefore, downregulatory action of circRNAs should be considered a promising treatment in the management of lung cancer, especially NSCLC.

Unraveling the Connection: Extracellular Vesicles and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale lipid bilayer vesicles released during cell activation, cellular damage, or apoptosis. They carry nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids facilitating intercellular communication and activate signaling pathways in target cells. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), EVs may contribute to tumor growth and metastasis by modulating immune responses, facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and promoting angiogenesis, while potentially contributing to resistance to chemotherapy drugs. EVs in liquid biopsies serve as non-invasive biomarkers for early cancer detection and diagnosis. Due to their small size, inherent molecular transport properties, and excellent biocompatibility, EVs also act as natural drug delivery vehicles in NSCLC therapy.

New insights into the potential of exosomal circular RNAs in mediating cancer chemotherapy resistance and their clinical applications

Chemotherapy resistance typically leads to tumour recurrence and is a major obstacle to cancer treatment. Increasing numbers of circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to be abnormally expressed in various tumours, where they participate in the malignant progression of tumours, and play important roles in regulating the sensitivity of tumours to chemotherapy drugs. As exosomes mediate intercellular communication, they are rich in circRNAs and exhibit a specific RNA cargo sorting mechanism. By carrying and delivering circRNAs, exosomes can promote the efflux of chemotherapeutic drugs and reduce intracellular drug concentrations in recipient cells, thus affecting the cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, invasion and migration. The mechanisms that affect the phenotype of tumour stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and DNA damage repair also mediate chemotherapy resistance in many tumours. Exosomal circRNAs are diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for reversing chemotherapy resistance in tumours. Currently, the rise of new fields, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, and new technologies such as biosensors, multimolecular diagnostic systems and platforms based on circRNAs, as well as the application of exosome-based vaccines, has provided novel ideas for precision cancer treatment. In this review, the recent progress in understanding how exosomal circRNAs mediate tumour chemotherapy resistance is reviewed, and the potential of exosomal circRNAs in tumour diagnosis, treatment and immune regulation is discussed, providing new ideas for inhibiting tumour chemotherapy resistance.

Roles and mechanisms of circular RNA in respiratory system cancers

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) constitute a class of endogenous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that lack a 5'-ended cap and 3'-ended poly (A) tail and form a closed ring structure with covalent bonds. Due to its special structure, circRNA is resistant to Exonuclease R (RNaseR), making its distribution in the cytoplasm quite rich. Advanced high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics methods have revealed that circRNA is highly conserved, stable, and disease- and tissue-specific. Furthermore, increasing research has confirmed that circRNA, as a driver or suppressor, regulates cancer onset and progression by modulating a series of pathophysiological mechanisms. As a result, circRNA has emerged as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic intervention target. This article reviews the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of circRNA in the context of respiratory cancer onset and progression.

Constructing diagnostic signature of serum microRNAs using machine learning for early pan-cancer detection

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a major public health concern and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Various studies have reported the use of serum microRNAs (miRNAs) as non-invasive biomarkers for cancer detection. However, large-scale pan-cancer studies based on serum miRNAs have been relatively scarce.

METHODS

An optimized machine learning workflow, combining least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses, recursive feature elimination (RFE), and fourteen kinds of machine learning algorithms, was use to screen out candidate miRNAs from 2540 serum miRNAs and constructed a potent diagnostic signature (Cancer-related Serum miRNA Signatures) for pan-cancer detection, based on a serum miRNA expression dataset of 38,223 samples.

RESULT

Cancer-related Serum miRNA Signatures performed well in pan-cancer detection with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.999, 94.51% sensitivity, and 99.49% specificity in the external validation cohort, and represented an acceptable diagnostic performance for identifying early-stage tumors. Furthermore, the ability of multi-classification of tumors by serum miRNAs in pancreatic, colorectal, and biliary tract cancers was lower than that in other cancers, which showed accuracies of 59%, 58.5%, and 28.9%, respectively, indicating that the difference in serum miRNA expression profiles among a small number of tumor subtypes was not as significant as that between cancer samples and non-cancer controls.

CONCLUSION

We have developed a serum miRNA signature using machine learning that may be a cost-effective risk tool for pan-cancer detection. Our findings will benefit not only the predictive diagnosis of cancer but also a preventive and more personalized screening plan.

Unveiling the intratumoral microbiota within cancer landscapes

Recent advances in cancer research have unveiled a significant yet previously underappreciated aspect of oncology: the presence and role of intratumoral microbiota. These microbial residents, encompassing bacteria, fungi, and viruses within tumor tissues, have been found to exert considerable influence on tumor development, progression, and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. This review aims to synthesize these groundbreaking discoveries, providing an integrated overview of the identification, characterization, and functional roles of intratumoral microbiota in cancer biology. We focus on elucidating the complex interactions between these microorganisms and the tumor microenvironment, highlighting their potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The purpose of this review is to offer a comprehensive understanding of the microbial dimension in cancer, paving the way for innovative approaches in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Circ6834 suppresses non-small cell lung cancer progression by destabilizing ANHAK and regulating miR-873-5p/TXNIP axis

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in cancer progression and metastasis. However, the expression profiles and biological roles of circRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we identified a novel circRNA, hsa_circ_0006834 (termed circ6834), in NSCLC by RNA-seq and investigated the biological role of circ6834 in NSCLC progression in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the molecular mechanism of circ6834 was revealed by tagged RNA affinity purification (TRAP), western blot, RNA immunoprecipitation, dual luciferase reporter gene assays and rescue experiments.

RESULTS

Our results showed that circ6834 was downregulated in NSCLC tumor tissues and cell lines. Circ6834 overexpression inhibited NSCLC cell growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo, while circ6834 knockdown had the opposite effect. We found that TGF-β treatment decreased circ6834 expression, which was associated with the QKI reduction in NSCLC cells and circ6834 antagonized TGF-β-induced EMT and metastasis in NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, circ6834 bound to AHNAK protein, a key regulator of TGF-β/Smad signaling, and inhibited its stability by enhancing TRIM25-mediated ubiquitination and degradation. In addition, circ6834 acted as a miRNA sponge for miR-873-5p and upregulated TXNIP gene expression, which together inactivated the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in NSCLC cells.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, circ6834 is a tumor-suppressive circRNA that inhibits NSCLC progression by forming a negative regulatory feedback loop with the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and represents a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Transfer of cardiomyocyte-derived extracellular vesicles to neighboring cardiac cells requires tunneling nanotubes during heart development

Rationale: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are thought to mediate intercellular communication during development and disease. Yet, biological insight to intercellular EV transfer remains elusive, also in the heart, and is technically challenging to demonstrate. Here, we aimed to investigate biological transfer of cardiomyocyte-derived EVs in the neonatal heart. Methods: We exploited CD9 as a marker of EVs, and generated two lines of cardiomyocyte specific EV reporter mice: Tnnt2-Cre; double-floxed inverted CD9/EGFP and αMHC-MerCreMer; double-floxed inverted CD9/EGFP. The two mouse lines were utilized to determine whether developing cardiomyocytes transfer EVs to other cardiac cells (non-myocytes and cardiomyocytes) in vitro and in vivo and investigate the intercellular transport pathway of cardiomyocyte-derived EVs. Results: Genetic tagging of cardiomyocytes was confirmed in both reporter mouse lines and proof of concept in the postnatal heart showed that, a fraction of EGFP+/MYH1- non-myocytes exist firmly demonstrating in vivo cardiomyocyte-derived EV transfer. However, two sets of direct and indirect EGFP +/- cardiac cell co-cultures showed that cardiomyocyte-derived EGFP+ EV transfer requires cell-cell contact and that uptake of EGFP+ EVs from the medium is limited. The same was observed when co-cultiring with mouse macrophages. Further mechanistic insight showed that cardiomyocyte EV transfer occurs through type I tunneling nanotubes. Conclusion: While the current notion assumes that EVs are transferred through secretion to the surroundings, our data show that cardiomyocyte-derived EV transfer in the developing heart occurs through nanotubes between neighboring cells. Whether these data are fundamental and relate to adult hearts and other organs remains to be determined, but they imply that the normal developmental process of EV transfer goes through cell-cell contact rather than through the extracellular compartment.

Circ_100549 promotes tumor progression in lung adenocarcinoma through upregulation of BIRC6

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a subtype of lung cancer with high incidence and mortality globally. Emerging evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) exert critical functions in human cancers, including LUAD. CircRNA_100549 (circ_100549) has been reported to be significantly upregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples, while its role in modulating LUAD progression remains to be explored. The current study aims at investigating the functional roles of circ_100549 in LUAD and its downstream molecular mechanism. First, we found that the expression of circ_100549 was higher in LUAD cell lines. Loss-of-function assays verified that depletion of circ_100549 repressed LUAD cell proliferation but accelerated cell apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrated that silencing of circ_100549 suppressed tumor growth. Subsequently, based on database analysis, we carried out a series of experiments to explore the mechanisms and effects of circ_100549 underlying LUAD progression, including RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA/DNA pull-down, luciferase reporter, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. The results indicated that circ_100549 serves as a ceRNA by sponging miR-95-5p to upregulate BPTF expression, thus upregulating BIRC6 expression at a transcriptional level in LUAD. In summary, our study demonstrated that circ_100549 facilitates LUAD progression by upregulating BIRC6 expression.

N6-methyladenosine methylation on FSCN1 mediated by METTL14/IGF2BP3 contributes to human papillomavirus type 16-infected cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been reported to be associated with N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in cancers. However, the underlying mechanism by which m6A methylation participates in HPV-related cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) remains largely unclear. In this study, we observed that m6A regulators methyltransferase like protein (METTL14) and insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) were upregulated in HPV-positive CSCC tissues and cell lines, and their high expression predicted poor prognosis for HPV-infected CSCC patients. Cellular functional experiments verified that HPV16 oncogenes E6/E7 upregulated the expression of METTL14 and IGF2BP3 to promote cell proliferation and epithelial mesenchymal transition of CSCC cells. Next, we found that E6/E7 stabilized fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (FSCN1) mRNA and elevated FSCN1 expression in CSCC cells through upregulating METTL14/IGF2BP3-mediated m6A modification, and FSCN1 expression was also validated to be positively associated with worse outcomes of HPV-positive CSCC patients. Finally, HPV16-positive CSCC cell lines SiHa and CaSki were transfected with knockdown vector for E6/E7 or METTL14/IGF2BP3 and overexpressing vector for FSCN1, and functional verification experiments were performed through using MTT assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and tumour formation assay. Results indicated that knockdown of E6/E7 or METTL14/IGF2BP3 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and tumorigenesis, and accelerated cell apoptosis of HPV-positive CSCC cells. Their tumour-suppressive effects were abolished through overexpressing FSCN1. Overall, HPV E6/E7 advanced CSCC development through upregulating METTL14/IGF2BP3-mediated FSCN1 m6A modification.

Promising predictive molecular biomarkers for cervical cancer (Review)

Cervical cancer (CC) constitutes a serious public health problem. Vaccination and screening programs have notably reduced the incidence of CC worldwide by >80%; however, the mortality rate in low‑income countries remains high. The staging of CC is a determining factor in therapeutic strategies: The clinical management of early stages of CC includes surgery and/or radiotherapy, whereas radiotherapy and/or concurrent chemotherapy are the recommended therapeutic strategies for locally advanced CC. The histopathological characteristics of tumors can effectively serve as prognostic markers of radiotherapy response; however, the efficacy rate of radiotherapy may significantly differ among cancer patients. Failure of radiotherapy is commonly associated with a higher risk of recurrence, persistence and metastasis; therefore, radioresistance remains the most important and unresolved clinical problem. This condition highlights the importance of precision medicine in searching for possible predictive biomarkers to timely identify patients at risk of treatment response failure and provide tailored therapeutic strategies according to genetic and epigenetic characteristics. The present review aimed to summarize the evidence that supports the role of several proteins, methylation markers and non‑coding RNAs as potential predictive biomarkers for CC.

Non-coding RNAs and exosomal non-coding RNAs in lung cancer: insights into their functions

Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer worldwide Research points to the pivotal role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in controlling and managing the pathology by controlling essential pathways. ncRNAs have all been identified as being either up- or downregulated among individuals suffering from lung cancer thus hinting that they may play a role in either promoting or suppressing the spread of the disease. Several ncRNAs could be effective non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose or even serve as effective treatment options for those with lung cancer, and several molecules have emerged as potential targets of interest. Given that ncRNAs are contained in exosomes and are implicated in the development and progression of the malady. Herein, we have summarized the role of ncRNAs in lung cancer. Moreover, we highlight the role of exosomal ncRNAs in lung cancer.

Extracellular vesicles in non-small cell lung cancer stemness and clinical applications

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of lung cancers, the leading cause of cancer associated deaths in the US and worldwide. Within NSCLC tumors, there is a subpopulation of cancer cells termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) which exhibit stem-like properties that drive NSCLC progression, metastasis, relapse, and therapeutic resistance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound nanoparticles secreted by cells that carry vital messages for short- and long-range intercellular communication. Numerous studies have implicated NSCLC CSC-derived EVs in the factors associated with NSCLC lethality. In this review, we have discussed mechanisms of EV-directed cross-talk between CSCs and cells of the tumor microenvironment that promote stemness, tumor progression and metastasis in NSCLC. The mechanistic studies discussed herein have provided insights for developing novel NSCLC diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and strategies to therapeutically target the NSCLC CSC niche.

Circ_0000877 accelerates proliferation and immune escape of non-small cell lung cancer cells by regulating microRNA-637/E2F2 axis

BACKGROUND

Recently, circular RNA (circRNA) has become a vital targeted therapy gene for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. CircRNA_0000877 (Circ_0000877) has been researched in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, whether circ_0000877 regulated NSCLC cell progression is still poorly investigated. The research attempted to investigate the influence of circ_0000877 in NSCLC.

METHODS

Circ_0000877 levels in NSCLC tissues and cell lines were determined applying RT-qPCR. Cell functions were evaluated by CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry, ELISA, and western blot. Gene interactions were predicted by Cirular RNA interactome database and Target Scan website and certified by dual-luciferase reporter, RIP, and RNA pull-down assays. Finally, mice experimental model was established to explore the effects of circ_0000877 on tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS

The elevated trend of circ_0000877 expression was discovered in NSCLC tissues compared to para-carcinoma tissues. The clinicopathological data uncovered that up-regulated circ_0000877 was linked to tumor size, differentiation, and TNM stages of NSCLC patients. Knockdown of circ_0000877 inhibited the proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and prohibited immune escape in NSCLC cells. It was certified that miR-637 was directly interacted with circ_0000877 and targeted by E2F2. Overexpressed E2F2 strongly overturned the functions of circ_0000877 knockdown in NSCLC cells. Mice experimental data demonstrated that circ_0000877 knockdown suppressed tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The research demonstrated that circ_0000877 exhibited the promotive effect on NSCLC cells proliferation and immune escape by regulating miR-637/E2F2 axis.

Diagnostic value of exosomal noncoding RNA in lung cancer: a meta-analysis

Background

Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers in the world. Most lung cancer patients are diagnosed in the middle and later stages, which can lead to poor survival rates. The development of lung cancer is often accompanied by abnormal expression of exosomal non-coding RNAs, which means that they have the potential to serve as noninvasive novel molecular markers for lung cancer diagnosis.

Methods

For this study, we conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Web of science, Science direct, Embase, Cochrane, and Medline databases, and by reviewing published literature, The diagnostic capacity of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs), long-chain non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) for lung cancer was evaluated. Functional enrichment analysis of miRNA target genes was performed.

Results

The study included 41 papers, a total of 68 studies. More than 60 miRNAs, 9 lncRNAs and 14 circRNAs were involved. The combined sensitivity and specificity were 0.83(95%CI, 0.80~0.86) and 0.83(95% CI,0.79~0.87); 0.71(95% CI,0.68~0.74) and 0.79(95%CI, 0.75~0.82); 0.79(95%CI,0.67~0.87) and 0.81(95%CI,0.74~0.86), and constructed overall subject operating characteristic curves with the summarized area under the curve values of 0.90, 0.82, and 0.86.

Conclusion

Our study shows that exosomes miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs are effective in the diagnosis of lung cancer, providing evidence for studies related to novel lung cancer diagnostic markers.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023457087.

Advancements and trends in exosome research in lung cancer from a bibliometric analysis (2004-2023)

Background

Lung cancer, characterized by its high morbidity and lethality, necessitates thorough research to enhance our understanding of its pathogenesis and discover novel therapeutic approaches. Recent studies increasingly demonstrate that lung cancer cells can modulate the tumor microenvironment, promoting tumor growth, and metastasis through the release of exosomes. Exosomes are small vesicles secreted by cells and contain a variety of bioactive molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. This paper presents a comprehensive review of exosome research in lung cancer and its progress through bibliometric analysis.

Methods

Publications related to exosomes in lung cancer patients were systematically searched on the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviwers, CiteSpace, and the R package "Bibliometrics". Publications were quantitatively analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel 2019. The language of publication was restricted to "English" and the search strategy employed TS=(exosomes or exosomes or exosomes) and TS=(lung cancer). The search period commenced on January 1, 2004, and concluded on November 12, 2023, at noon. The selected literature types included Articles and Reviews.

Results

The study encompassed 1699 papers from 521 journals across 71 countries and 2105 institutions. Analysis revealed a consistent upward trend in lung cancer exosome research over the years, with a notable surge in recent times. This surge indicates a growing interest and depth of inquiry into lung cancer exosomes. Major research institutions in China and the United States, including Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Chinese Academy Of Sciences, and Utmd Anderson Cancer Center, emerged as crucial research hubs. The annual publication count in this field witnessed a continuous rise, particularly in recent years. Key terms such as lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), microvesicles, intercellular communication, exosomal miRNAs, and oncology dominated the research landscape. Fields like cell biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, and oncology exhibited close relation with this research. Clotilde Théry emerged as the most cited author in the field, underlining her significant contributions. These results demonstrate the broad impact of exosome research in lung cancer, with key terms covering not only disease-specific aspects such as lung cancer and NSCLC but also basic biological concepts like microvesicles and intercellular communication. Explorations into exosomal microRNAs and oncology have opened new avenues for lung cancer exosome research. In summary, lung cancer exosome research is poised to continue receiving attention, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treatment and prevention.

Conclusion

Publications on lung cancer exosomes show a rising trend year by year, with China and the United States ranking first and second in terms of the number of publications. However, there is insufficient academic learning cooperation and exchanges between the two sides, and Chinese universities account for a large proportion of research institutions in this field. Jing Li is the most productive author, Clotilde Théry is the most co-cited author, and Cancers is the journal with the highest number of publications. The current focus in the field of lung cancer exosomes is on biomarkers, liquid biopsies, immunotherapy, and tumor microenvironment.

Liquid biopsy techniques and lung cancer: diagnosis, monitoring and evaluation

Lung cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer globally, posing a significant threat to human well-being. Due to the lack of effective and accurate early diagnostic methods, many patients are diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Although surgical resection is still a potential means of eradicating lung cancer, patients with advanced lung cancer usually miss the best chance for surgical treatment, and even after surgical resection patients may still experience tumor recurrence. Additionally, chemotherapy, the mainstay of treatment for patients with advanced lung cancer, has the potential to be chemo-resistant, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. The emergence of liquid biopsies has garnered considerable attention owing to their noninvasive nature and the ability for continuous sampling. Technological advancements have propelled circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), extracellular vesicles (EVs), tumor metabolites, tumor-educated platelets (TEPs), and tumor-associated antigens (TAA) to the forefront as key liquid biopsy biomarkers, demonstrating intriguing and encouraging results for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of lung cancer. This review provides an overview of molecular biomarkers and assays utilized in liquid biopsies for lung cancer, encompassing CTCs, ctDNA, non-coding RNA (ncRNA), EVs, tumor metabolites, TAAs and TEPs. Furthermore, we expound on the practical applications of liquid biopsies, including early diagnosis, treatment response monitoring, prognostic evaluation, and recurrence monitoring in the context of lung cancer.

Deficiency of circ_0103809 Attenuates Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Malignant Progression by Controlling miR-153-3p/HDAC1 Network

Circular RNAs are vital players in tumorigenesis. We held the purpose to investigate the role and mechanism of circ_0103809 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The expressions of circ_0103809, miR-153-3p and HDAC1 mRNA were determined using quantitative real-time PCR assay, and HDAC1 protein was quantified using western blot analysis. MTT, EdU, flow cytometry, tube-formation, wound healing and tube-formation assays were conducted for functional analysis. The predicted relationship among circ_0103809, miR-153-3p and HDAC1 was ascertained using dual-luciferase analysis, RIP assay and pull-down analysis. Animal models were further constructed to realize circ_0103809's role in vivo. Circ_0103809 was upregulated NSCLC specimens, cells and serum-derived exosomes. Serum exosomal circ_0103809 had the potency to be a diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC. Circ_0103809 silencing inhibited NSCLC cell growth, metastasis and angiogenesis and triggered cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Circ_0103809 deficiency also suppressed the growth of transplanted tumors. Circ_0103809 acted as the miR-153-3p sponge, and the biological effects of circ_0103809 knockdown were relieved by miR-153-3p inhibition. HDAC1 was directly targeted by miR-153-3p, and miR-153-3p enrichment inhibited NSCLC cell malignant phenotypes by sequestering HDAC1. Circ_0103809 knockdown repressed NSCLC malignant progression partly by regulating miR-153-3p/HDAC1 signaling.

Trans-3, 5, 4'-trimethoxystilbene restrains non-small-cell lung carcinoma progression via suppressing M2 polarization through inhibition of m6A modified circPACRGL-mediated Hippo signaling

BACKGROUND

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for ∼85% of all lung carcinomas. Trans-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (TMS) shows strong anti-tumor activity and induces tumor cell apoptosis. However, its function and mechanism in NSCLC still require investigation.

METHODS

PMA was used to treated THP-1 cells for macrophage differentiation. The abundance and m6A modification of circPACRGL were examined with qRT-PCR and MeRIP. Colony forming, transwell, wound healing, and Western blotting assays were applied to analyze proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT. Macrophage polarization was determined through flow cytometry analysis of M1 and M2 markers. The interplay between circPACRGL, IGF2BP2 and YAP1 was validated by RNA pull-down and RIP assays. Mice received subcutaneous injection of NSCLC cells as a mouse model of subcutaneous tumor.

RESULTS

CircPACRGL was upregulated in NSCLC cells, but it was reduced by TMS treatment. CircPACRGL depletion blocked proliferation, migration, and invasion in H1299 and H1975 cells. TMS suppressed these malignant behaviors, but it was abolished by circPACRGL overexpression. In addition, NSCLC-derived exosomes delivered circPACRGL into THP-1 cells to promote its M2 polarization, but TMS inhibited these effects by downregulating exosomal circPACRGL. Mechanically, exosomal circPACRGL bound to IGF2BP2 to improve the stability of YAP1 mRNA and regulate Hippo signaling in polarized THP-1 cells. TMS inhibited NSCLC growth via suppressing Hippo signaling and M2 polarization in vivo.

CONCLUSION

TMS restrains M2 polarization and NSCLC progression by reducing circPACRGL and inhibiting exosomal circPACRGL-mediated Hippo signaling. Thus, these findings provide a novel mechanism underlying NSCLC progression and potential therapeutic targets.

Effects of silencing hsa_circ_0015326 on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of epithelial ovarian cancer cells

Although the treatment of ovarian cancer has made great progress, there are still many patients who are not timely detected and given targeted therapy due to unknown pathogenesis. Recent studies have found that hsa_circ_0015326 is upregulated in ovarian cancer and is involved in the proliferation, invasion, and migration of ovarian cancer cells. However, whether hsa_circ_0015326 can be used as a new target of ovarian cancer needs further investigation. Therefore, the effect of hsa_circ_0015326 on epithelial ovarian cancer was investigated in this study. At first, si-hsa_circ_0015326 lentivirus was transfected into epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Then real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect hsa_circ_0015326 level. The proliferation of ovarian cancer cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The horizontal and vertical migration abilities of the cells were detected by wound-healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Transwell assay was also used to determine the invasion rate. As for the apoptosis rate, it was assessed by flow cytometry. As a result, the expression level of hsa_circ_0015326 in A2780 and SKOV3 was found to be higher than that in IOSE-80. However, after transfecting si-hsa_circ_0015326 and si-NC into the cells, the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of A2780 and SKOV3 cells in the si-hsa_circ_0015326 group were significantly reduced in comparison to those in the si-NC and mock groups, while their apoptosis rates were elevated. Collectively, silencing hsa_circ_0015326 bears the capability of inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells while increasing apoptosis rate. It can be concluded that hsa_circ_0015326 promotes the malignant biological activities of epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Role of circular RNAs in lung cancer

Lung cancer remains a global public health concern with significant research focus on developing better diagnosis/prognosis biomarkers and therapeutical targets. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of single-stranded RNA molecules that covalently closed and have ubiquitous expression. These molecules have been implicated in a variety of disease mechanisms, including lung cancer, as they exhibit oncogenic or tumor suppressor characteristics. Recent research has shown an important role that circRNAs play at different stages of lung cancer, particularly in lung adenocarcinoma. In this review, we summarize the latest research on circRNAs and their roles within lung cancer diagnosis, as well as on disease mechanisms. We also discuss the knowledge gaps on these topics and possible future research directions.

A comprehensive database of exosome molecular biomarkers and disease-gene associations

Exosomes play a crucial role in intercellular communication and can be used as biomarkers for diagnostic and therapeutic clinical applications. However, systematic studies in cancer-associated exosomal nucleic acids remain a big challenge. Here, we developed ExMdb, a comprehensive database of exosomal nucleic acid biomarkers and disease-gene associations curated from published literature and high-throughput datasets. We performed a comprehensive curation of exosome properties including 4,586 experimentally supported gene-disease associations, 13,768 diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers, and 312,049 nucleic acid subcellular locations. To characterize expression variation of exosomal molecules and identify causal factors of complex diseases, we have also collected 164 high-throughput datasets, including bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Based on these datasets, we performed various bioinformatics and statistical analyses to support our conclusions and advance our knowledge of exosome biology. Collectively, our dataset will serve as an essential resource for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of complex diseases and improving the development of diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.