linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 modulates cisplatin resistance and angiogenesis through AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA pathway in cervical cancer

Curcumin Inhibits the Development of Pancreatic Cancer by Targeting the circ_0079440/miR-522-3p/EIF4A1 Pathway

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common gastrointestinal cancer with high invasiveness and high mortality. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol with anti-tumor activity against different cancers, including PC. Curcumin has been verified to mediate the expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) to inhibit tumor development. This study aimed to explore the function and regulatory mechanism of curcumin on circ_0079440 in PC. PC cells were treated with different concentrations of curcumin (0, 5, 10 or 15 μM) for 24 h. Gene expression in PC cells and tissues was detected using RT-qPCR. Cell malignant phenotypes were determined by functional assays. The levels of EMT-related proteins were tested using western blot. RNA interaction was determined using RNA pulldown assay, luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. The results showed that curcumin suppressed cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities, and weakened epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a concentration-dependent way. Circ_0079440 was expressed at a high level in PC and its level was reduced via curcumin administration in PC cells. Rescue assays showed that circ_0079440 overexpression reversed the suppressive effects of curcumin on PC cell malignant phenotypes. Furthermore, in the xenograft mouse models, curcumin treatment inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, and circ_0079440 upregulation reversed the function of curcumin. Additionally, circ_0079440 was revealed to bind to miR-522-3p to upregulate eukaryotic initiation factor 4A1 (EIF4A1) expression in PC cells. EIF4A1 expression was also downregulated by curcumin, and EIF4A1 overexpression abolished the suppressive functions of curcumin. Moreover, EIF4A overexpression or miR-522-3p inhibition counteracted the anti-tumor effects of circ_0079440 depletion on PC development. To sum up, curcumin suppresses PC development by targeting the circ_0079440/miR-522-3p/EIF4A1 pathway, which might provide novel therapeutic targets for treatment of PC.

Caesalpinia sappan L. ethyl acetate extract regulated angiogenesis in atherosclerosis by modulating the miR-126/VEGF signalling pathway

Aims of the study

To investigate the regulatory mechanism of Caesalpinia sappan L. ethyl acetate extract (CSEAE) on angiogenesis in atherosclerosis (AS) based on the miR-126/VEGF signalling pathway.

Materials and methods

Our study first screened for differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with AS using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and R language software. Subsequently, our study verified the target-regulatory relationship between miR-126 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by using the "TargetScan" website and dual-luciferase reporter assay. In cellular experiments, Our study used cell proliferation assays and flow cytometry to assess the effects of CSEAE-Mediated serum on the proliferation and apoptosis of HUVECs. In animal experiments, our study used HE staining, Oil Red O staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to detect plaque area/lumen area (%), lipid area/plaque area (%) and microvessel density (MVD) in mouse aortas. In addition, our study performed RT‒PCR, ELISA and Western blot assays in ex vivo and in vivo experiments.

Results

A total of 39 differentially expressed miRNAs of AS were identified, among which the miR-126 expression level was significantly downregulated. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that miR-126 and VEGF have a targeting relationship, and the miR-126 mimic could inhibit the luciferase activity of the wild-type VEGF reporter gene vector (p value < 0.01). In cellular experiments, cell proliferation assays and flow cytometry results showed that CSEAE-Mediated serum significantly increased the proliferative activity after 24-72 h of treatment (p-value <0.01) and decreased the apoptotic level of HUVECs (p value < 0.01), and RT‒PCR results showed that CSEAE-Mediated serum significantly upregulated the expression of miR-126 (p value < 0.01) and downregulated the expression of VEGF mRNA in HUVECs (p value < 0.01). In vivo experiments, HE staining and IHC staining showed that CSEAE significantly reduced the MVD in the aorta and plaques of mice (p value < 0.01) and significantly reduced the aortic plaque area/lumen area (%) (p value < 0.01). Moreover, RT‒PCR assay and Western blot analysis results showed that CSEAE significantly upregulated the expression of miR-126 (p value < 0.01), downregulated the expression of VEGF mRNA (p value < 0.01), and decreased the protein expression levels of VEGF (p value < 0.01), phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) (p value < 0.01), and Ser/Thr-protein kinase (AKT1) (p value < 0.01) in mouse aortas, while ELISA showed that CSEAE significantly reduced the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR2) (p value < 0.01) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) (p value < 0.01) in mice.

Conclusion

This study emphasises CSEAE as a natural medicinal extract for the treatment of AS that can improve the migratory viability and reduce the apoptosis of HUVECs to maintain the health of the arterial endothelial microenvironment, while CSEAE also inhibits angiogenesis and delays plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice, suggesting that the therapeutic effect of CSEAE for AS may be related to its inhibition of neovascularisation and that its molecular mechanism may be related to the miR-126/VEGF signalling pathway.

Ang-1 and VEGF: central regulators of angiogenesis

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) are central regulators of angiogenesis and are often inactivated in various cardiovascular diseases. VEGF forms complexes with ETS transcription factor family and exerts its action by downregulating multiple genes. Among the target genes of the VEGF-ETS complex, there are a significant number encoding key angiogenic regulators. Phosphorylation of the VEGF-ETS complex releases transcriptional repression on these angiogenic regulators, thereby promoting their expression. Ang-1 interacts with TEK, and this phosphorylation release can be modulated by the Ang-1-TEK signaling pathway. The Ang-1-TEK pathway participates in the transcriptional activation of VEGF genes. In summary, these elements constitute the Ang-1-TEK-VEGF signaling pathway. Additionally, Ang-1 is activated under hypoxic and inflammatory conditions, leading to an upregulation in the expression of TEK. Elevated TEK levels result in the formation of the VEGF-ETS complex, which, in turn, downregulates the expression of numerous angiogenic genes. Hence, the Ang-1-dependent transcriptional repression is indirect. Reduced expression of many target genes can lead to aberrant angiogenesis. A significant overlap exists between the target genes regulated by Ang-1-TEK-VEGF and those under the control of the Ang-1-TEK-TSP-1 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, this can be explained by the replacement of the VEGF-ETS complex with the TSP-1 transcriptional repression complex at the ETS sites on target gene promoters. Furthermore, VEGF possesses non-classical functions unrelated to ETS and DNA binding. Its supportive role in TSP-1 formation may be exerted through the VEGF-CRL5-VHL-HIF-1α-VH032-TGF-β-TSP-1 axis. This review assesses the regulatory mechanisms of the Ang-1-TEK-VEGF signaling pathway and explores its significant overlap with the Ang-1-TEK-TSP-1 signaling pathway.

lncRNA WAC-AS1 promotes the progression of gastric cancer through miR-204-5p/HOXC8 axis

LncRNAs affect tumorigenesis, and although the genesis, regulation and physiological mechanism of lncRNAs in gastric cancer (GC) have been reported, the research of lncRNAs still have a lot of value. Through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, we screened the candidate lncRNA WAC-AS1(WAC-AS1). We analyzed WAC-AS1 expression in GC related tissues and cells using qRT-PCR. WAC-AS1's impact on GC growth and metastasis was investigated. LncRNA WC-AS-miR-204-5p-HOXC8 interaction was established through dual-luciferase reporter, FISH, RIP and RNA pull-down assay. We observed substantial upregulation in WAC-AS1 expression in cells and tissues of GC. WAC-AS1 through miR-204-5p/HOXC8 axis promoted GC proliferation, invasion, and migration. WAC-AS1 plays a cancer-promoting role for promoting the progression of GC.

Evaluation of Long Non-coding RNA (LncRNA) in the Pathogenesis of Chemotherapy Resistance in Cervical Cancer: Diagnostic and Prognostic Approach

Cervical cancer (CC), caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), is a leading cause of female malignancies worldwide. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms of CC development and identifying novel therapeutic targets are significantly important. Cisplatin resistance is a significant challenge in the management of CC. Recent studies highlighted the critical role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in modulation of cisplatin resistance. This comprehensive review aims to collect the current understanding roles of lncRNAs and their involvement in cisplatin resistance in CC by highlighting key processes of cancer progression, including apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We discussed the role of lncRNA in CC resistance to cisplatin through molecular pathways and examined gene expression changes. We also discussed treatment strategies and factors that reduce CC resistance to cisplatin by targeting them.

miR-185-5p rewires cisplatin resistance by restoring miR-203a-3p expression via downregulation of SOX9

Chemotherapeutic drug resistance is a challenge for the effective treatment of OSCC. There are a couple of studies on the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in chemoresistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but the exact molecular events in many cases are not clearly understood. In this work, we intend to track down key miRNA(s) and unveil their regulatory molecular mechanisms in imparting chemoresistance in this lethal cancer. We analyzed gene and miRNA array profiles of drug-resistant OSCC cells, predicted miRNA targets, performed enrichment analysis, and validated our findings in cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant SCC9 and H357 OSCC cells. We evaluated the anticancer and chemosensitivity roles of selected miRNA by adopting several molecular assays like qRT-PCR, MTT assay, wound healing assay, fluorescence imaging by DCFHDA, AO/EB staining, DAPI, and γ-H2AX accumulation assay. We also validated the miRNA-target binding by qRT-PCR and luciferase reporter assay. Among the enriched miRNAs, we found miR-185-5p downregulated in cisplatin-resistant OSCC cells as a signature miRNA modulating chemoresistance. The upregulation of miR-185-5p by mimic transfection restores cisplatin sensitivity by decreasing cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and increasing ROS-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. miR-185-5p overexpression increases miR-203a-3p expression through negative regulation of SOX9. siRNA-mediated silencing of the SOX9 also shows similar results. Mechanistically, miR-185-5p dependent miR-203a-3p expression decreases cisplatin efflux and cisplatin-induced DNA damage repair by regulating ABCC1, ABCB1, RRM2, and RAN. This study will pave the way for employing this miR-185-5p as a combination therapeutic strategy to combat cisplatin resistance in oral cancer.

MicroRNA expression profiling in tears and blood as predictive biomarkers for anti-VEGF treatment response in wet age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tears, blood, and aqueous humor as biomarkers for predicting treatment response in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy.

METHODS

In a single-center prospective cohort study, treatment-naïve wet AMD patients and age-matched controls were enrolled. Clinical data and miRNA levels (miR-199a-3p, miR-365-3p, miR-200b-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-335-5p, and miR-185-5p) in tears, blood, and aqueous humor were collected. Treatment response was categorized into responders and non-responders based on visual acuity and central subfield thickness. MiRNA levels were quantified using reverse-transcription PCR. Statistical analyses were performed, including ROC analysis, to evaluate predictive accuracy.

RESULTS

Dysregulated miRNA profiles were observed in wet AMD tears and blood compared to controls. Specifically, miR-199a-3p, miR-195-5p, and miR-185-5p were upregulated, while miR-200b-3p was downregulated in tears. All six miRNAs were elevated in wet AMD blood samples. Notably, responders showed higher tear expression of miR-195-5p and miR-185-5p. Combining these miRNAs yielded the highest predictive power (AUC = 0.878, p = 0.006) for anti-VEGF responders.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysregulated miRNA profiles in tears and blood suggest their potential as biomarkers for wet AMD. MiR-195-5p and miR-185-5p in tears demonstrate predictive value for anti-VEGF treatment responders. This study underscores the non-invasive prediction potential of miRNA tear analysis in wet AMD treatment responses.

Network pharmacology prediction to discover the potential pharmacological action mechanism of Rhizoma Dioscoreae for liver regeneration

Improving liver regeneration (LR) remains a medical issue, and there is currently a lack of safe and effective drugs for LR. Rhizoma Dioscoreae (SanYak, SY) is a traditional Chinese medicine. However, the underlying action mechanism of SY treatment for LR is yet to be fully elucidated. To explore the mechanism by which SY affects LR, we have conducted a series of methods for network pharmacological analysis, molecular docking, and in vivo experimental validation in mice. Overall, 9 compounds and 30 predicted target genes of SY were found to be associated with the therapeutic effects of LR. Compared with the model group, hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that the mice with preoperative drug intervention possessed fewer postoperative hepatocyte bubbles and relatively regular morphology. Furthermore, the serum alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were reduced, immunohistochemistry revealed elevated proliferating cell nuclear antigen positivity rate, and Western blotting demonstrated that the phospho-protein kinase B (AKT)/AKT ratio was downregulated and that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression levels were upregulated. This study explored dioscin, the main active ingredient of SY, and its potential therapeutic effects on LR. It repairs damaged liver following surgery and promotes liver cell proliferation. The action mechanism comprises reducing AKT phosphorylation levels and upregulating VEGFA expression levels. Thus, this study provides a new direction for further research on the mechanism of SY promoting LR.

LncRNA FOXD2-AS1 promotes the growth, invasion and migration of OSCC cells by regulating the MiR-185-5p/PLOD1/Akt/mTOR pathway

Although lncRNAs are recognized to contribute to the development of oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC), their exact function in invasion and cell migration is not clear. In this research, we explored the molecular and cellular mechanisms of FOXD2-AS1 in OSCC. Prognostic and bioinformatics analyses were used to test for the differential expression of FOXD2-AS1-PLOD1. Following FOXD2-AS1 suppression or overexpression, changes in cell viability were measured using the CCK-8 test; changes in cell migration and invasion abilities were measured using the migration and the Transwell assay. The expression of associated genes and proteins was found using Western blot and RT-qPCR. Analysis of luciferase reporter genes was done to look for regulatory connections between various molecules. The FOXD2-AS1-PLOD1 pair, which was highly expressed in OSCC, was analyzed and experimentally verified to be closely related to the prognosis of OSCC, and a nomogram model and correction curve were constructed. The inhibition of FOXD2-AS1 resulted in the reduction of cell activity, migration, invasion ability and changes in genes related to invasion and migration. In vivo validation showed that inhibition of FOXD2-AS1 expression slowed tumor growth, and related proteins changed accordingly. The experiments verified that FOXD2-AS1 negatively regulated miR-185-5 p and that miR-185-5 p negatively regulated PLOD1. In addition, it was found that the expression of PLOD1, p-Akt and p-mTOR proteins in OSCC cells was reduced by the inhibition of FOXD2-AS1, and FOXD2-AS1 and PLOD1 were closely related to the Akt/mTOR pathway. Increased expression of FOXD2-AS1 promotes OSCC growth, invasion and migration, which is important in part by targeting miR-185-5 p/PLOD1/Akt/mTOR pathway activity.

Synergistic promotion of angiogenesis after intracerebral hemorrhage by ginsenoside Rh2 and chrysophanol in rats

BACKGROUND

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a debilitating condition characterized by the rupture of cerebral blood vessels, resulting in profound neurological deficits. A significant challenge in the treatment of ICH lies in the brain's limited capacity to regenerate damaged blood vessels. This study explores the potential synergistic effects of Ginsenoside Rh2 and Chrysophanol in promoting angiogenesis following ICH in a rat model.

METHODS

Network pharmacology was employed to predict the potential targets and pathways of Ginsenoside Rh2 and Chrysophanol for ICH treatment. Molecular docking was utilized to assess the binding affinity between these compounds and their respective targets. Experimental ICH was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats through stereotactic injection of type VII collagenase into the right caudate putamen (CPu). The study encompassed various methodologies, including administration protocols, assessments of neurological function, magnetic resonance imaging, histological examination, observation of brain tissue ultrastructure, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence staining, Western blot analysis, and statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology analysis indicated that Ginsenoside Rh2 and Chrysophanol may exert their therapeutic effects in ICH by promoting angiogenesis. Results from animal experiments revealed that rats treated with Ginsenoside Rh2 and Chrysophanol exhibited significantly improved neurological function, reduced hematoma volume, and diminished pathological injury compared to the Model group. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and CD31, signifying augmented angiogenesis in the peri-hematomal region following combination therapy. Importantly, the addition of a VEGFR2 inhibitor reversed the increased expression of VEGFR2 and CD31. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed upregulated expression of angiogenesis-related factors, including VEGFR2, SRC, AKT1, MAPK1, and MAPK14, in the combination therapy group, but this effect was abrogated upon VEGFR2 inhibitor administration.

CONCLUSION

The synergistic effect of Ginsenoside Rh2 and Chrysophanol demonstrated a notable protective impact on ICH injury in rats, specifically attributed to their facilitation of angiogenesis. Consequently, this research offers a foundation for the utilization of Ginsenosides Rh2 and Chrysophanol in medical settings and offers direction for the advancement of novel pharmaceuticals for the clinical management of ICH.

Folate-modified liposomes mediate the co-delivery of cisplatin with miR-219a-5p for the targeted treatment of cisplatin-resistant lung cancer

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance, often leading to first-line chemotherapy failure in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), poses a significant challenge. MiR-219a-5p has been reported to enhance the sensitivity of human NSCLC to DDP. However, free miR-219a-5p is prone to degradation by nucleases in the bloodstream, rendering it unstable. In light of this, our study developed an efficient nanodrug delivery system that achieved targeted delivery of DDP and miR-219a-5p by modifying liposomes with folate (FA). Based on the results of material characterization, we successfully constructed a well-dispersed and uniformly sized (approximately 135.8 nm) Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA nanodrug. Agarose gel electrophoresis experiments demonstrated that Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA exhibited good stability in serum, effectively protecting miR-219a-5p from degradation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry experiments revealed that, due to FA modification, Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA could specifically bind to FA receptors on the surface of tumor cells (A549), thus enhancing drug internalization efficiency. Safety evaluations conducted in vitro demonstrated that Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA exhibited no significant toxicity to non-cancer cells (BEAS-2B) and displayed excellent blood compatibility. Cellular functional experiments, apoptosis assays, and western blot demonstrated that Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA effectively reversed DDP resistance in A549 cells, inhibited cell proliferation and migration, and further promoted apoptosis. In summary, the Lipo@DDP@miR-219a-5p@FA nanodrug, through specific targeting of cancer cells and reducing their resistance to DDP, significantly enhanced the anti-NSCLC effects of DDP in vitro, providing a promising therapeutic option for the clinical treatment of NSCLC.

LINC00460 knockdown sensitizes cervical cancer to cisplatin by downregulating TGFBI

The acquired resistance of cancer to cisplatin (DDP) limits the efficacy of chemotherapy. The prognostic value of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00460 has been reported in cervical cancer. However, its effect on DDP sensitivity in cervical cancer remains poorly understood. In present study, LINC00460 was screened out through bioinformatics analysis. The expression levels of mRNAs and proteins were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) or western blot analysis. The sensitivity to DDP was investigated using an CCK8 assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The differentially expressed genes that were associated with the poor prognosis of cervical cancer were screened, and their correlations with LINC00460 expression were explored using Pearson's correlation analysis. Tumor xenograft model was used to assess the effect of LINC00460 knockdown on DDP sensitivity in vivo. The interaction between miR-338-3p and LINC00460 or transforming growth factor β-induced protein (TGFBI) was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and luciferase reporter assays. LINC00460 expression was increased in cervical cancer tissues and cells. High expression of LINC00460 was associated with dismal prognosis in cervical cancer patients. Silencing of LINC00460 increased drug sensitivity and induced apoptosis in DDP-resistant-cervical cancer cells. LINC00460 knockdown enhanced DDP sensitivity in cervical cancer cells largely by downregulating TGFBI expression. LINC00460 knockdown enhanced the sensitivity of cervical cancer to DDP in vivo, and this effect was partly mediated by the downregulation of TGFBI. LINC00460 positively regulated TGFBI expression, possibly by acting as a sponge of miR-338-3p. LINC00460 knockdown contributed to DDP sensitivity of cervical cancer by downregulating TGFBI, providing a novel mechanism underlying the acquisition of DDP sensitivity.

Regeneration and anti-inflammatory effects of stem cells and their extracellular vesicles in gynecological diseases

There are many gynecological diseases, among which breast cancer (BC), cervical cancer (CC), endometriosis (EMs), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are common and difficult to cure. Stem cells (SCs) are a focus of regenerative medicine. They are commonly used to treat organ damage and difficult diseases because of their potential for self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation. SCs are also commonly used for difficult-to-treat gynecological diseases because of their strong directional differentiation ability with unlimited possibilities, their tendency to adhere to the diseased tissue site, and their use as carriers for drug delivery. SCs can produce exosomes in a paracrine manner. Exosomes can be produced in large quantities and have the advantage of easy storage. Their safety and efficacy are superior to those of SCs, which have considerable potential in gynecological treatment, such as inhibiting endometrial senescence, promoting vascular reconstruction, and improving anti-inflammatory and immune functions. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of the regenerative and anti-inflammatory capacity of SCs and exosomes in incurable gynecological diseases and the current progress in their application in genetic engineering to provide a foundation for further research.

A state-of-art of underlying molecular mechanisms and pharmacological interventions/nanotherapeutics for cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer

The fourth common reason of death among patients is gastric cancer (GC) and it is a dominant tumor type in Ease Asia. One of the problems in GC therapy is chemoresistance. Cisplatin (CP) is a platinum compound that causes DNA damage in reducing tumor progression and viability of cancer cells. However, due to hyperactivation of drug efflux pumps, dysregulation of genes and interactions in tumor microenvironment, tumor cells can develop resistance to CP chemotherapy. The current review focuses on the CP resistance emergence in GC cells with emphasizing on molecular pathways, pharmacological compounds for reversing chemoresistance and the role of nanostructures. Changes in cell death mechanisms such as upregulation of pro-survival autophagy can prevent CP-mediated apoptosis that results in drug resistance. Moreover, increase in metastasis via EMT induction induces CP resistance. Dysregulation of molecular pathways such as PTEN, PI3K/Akt, Nrf2 and others result in changes in CP response of GC cells. Non-coding RNAs determine CP response of GC cells and application of pharmacological compounds with activity distinct of CP can result in sensitivity in tumor cells. Due to efficacy of exosomes in transferring bioactive molecules such as RNA and DNA molecules among GC cells, exosomes can also result in CP resistance. One of the newest progresses in overcoming CP resistance in GC is application of nanoplatforms for delivery of CP in GC therapy that they can increase accumulation of CP at tumor site and by suppressing carcinogenic factors and overcoming biological barriers, they increase CP toxicity on cancer cells.

Deciphering key genes involved in cisplatin resistance in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma through a combined in silico and in vitro approach

The low survival rate of Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patients is largely attributed to cisplatin resistance. Rather than focusing solely on individual proteins, exploring protein-protein interactions could offer greater insight into drug resistance. To this end, a series of in silico and in vitro experiments were conducted to identify hub genes in the intricate network of cisplatin resistance-related genes in KIRC chemotherapy. The genes involved in cisplatin resistance across KIRC were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database using search terms as "Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma" and "Cisplatin resistance". The genes retrieved were analyzed for hub gene identification using the STRING database and Cytoscape tool. Expression and promoter methylation profiling of the hub genes was done using UALCAN, GEPIA, OncoDB, and HPA databases. Mutational, survival, functional enrichment, immune cell infiltration, and drug prediction analyses of the hub genes were performed using the cBioPortal, GEPIA, GSEA, TIMER, and DrugBank databases. Lastly, expression and methylation levels of the hub genes were validated on two cisplatin-resistant RCC cell lines (786-O and A-498) and a normal renal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2) using two high throughput techniques, including targeted bisulfite sequencing (bisulfite-seq) and RT-qPCR. A total of 124 genes were identified as being associated with cisplatin resistance in KIRC. Out of these genes, MCL1, IGF1R, CCND1, and PTEN were identified as hub genes and were found to have significant (p < 0.05) variations in their mRNA and protein expressions and effects on the overall survival (OS) of the KIRC patients. Moreover, an aberrant promoter methylation pattern was found to be associated with the dysregulation of the hub genes. In addition to this, hub genes were also linked with different cisplatin resistance-causing pathways. Thus, hub genes can be targeted with Alvocidib, Estradiol, Tretinoin, Capsaicin, Dronabinol, Metribolone, Calcitriol, Acetaminophen, Acitretin, Cyclosporine, Azacitidine, Genistein, and Resveratrol drugs. As the pathogenesis of KIRC is complex, targeting hub genes and associated pathways involved in cisplatin resistance could bring a milestone change in the drug discovery and management of drug resistance, which might uplift overall survival among KIRC patients.

The role of microRNA-185 in the pathogenesis of human diseases: A focus on cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a widely-studied class of non-coding RNAs characterized by their short length (18-25 nucleotides). The precise functions of miRNAs are not well-elucidated; however, an increasing number of studies suggest their involvement in various physiologic processes and deregulation in pathologic conditions. miRNA-185 (miR-185) is among the mostly-studied miRNAs in human diseases, which is found to play putative roles in conditions like metabolic disorders, asthma, frailty, schizophrenia, and hepatitis. Notably, many cancer studies report the downregulation of miR-185 in cell lines, tumor tissues, and plasma specimens of patients, while it demonstrates a suppressing role on the malignant properties of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, miR-185 can be considered a tumor suppressor miRNA in human malignancies, while a few studies also report inconsistent findings. Being suggested as a prognostic/diagnostic biomarker, mi-185 is also found to offer clinical potentials, particularly for early diagnosis and prediction of the prognosis of cancer patients. In this review, we have outlined the studies that have evaluated the functions and clinical significance of miR-185 in different human diseases with a particular focus on cancer.

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) in Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Cervical Cancer and Its Impact on Disease Progression: Single Institution Experience

Background and Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the difference in VEGF-A expression in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell cervical cancer and to show the influence of VEGF-A expression on clinical, pathological, and therapeutic prognostic factors on the outcome of treatment and the survival of patients. Materials and Methods: The study included patients with cervical cancer who were treated in the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2021 at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre, Osijek. The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of data from patients' medical history, along with the pathohistological findings and oncologist findings. The study included 66 patients with cervical cancer (divided into two subgroups of 33 with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell cervical cancer). Diagnosis was based on the pathohistological status and FIGO staging. VEGF-A expression was significantly higher in adenocarcinoma. Subjects with a higher expression of VEGF-A had a significantly higher rate of disease progression and a higher possibility for lethal outcome. Results: Statistically significant prognostic factors in bivariate analysis in predicting a negative treatment outcome were: older age, greater depth of stromal invasion, FIGO IIB stage, chemotherapy, and positive lymph nodes. In the multivariate analysis, age and positive lymph nodes were shown to be significant predictors for a negative treatment outcome. Conclusions: VEGF-A has shown to be statistically more expressed in adenocarcinoma, which correlates with disease progression, but not statistically significant in multivariate regression analysis as an independent prognostic factor for poor survival of the subjects.

Long non-coding RNAs as critical regulators and novel targets in cervical cancer: current status and future perspectives

Cervical cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-associated mortality in women. In spite of vaccine availability, improved screening procedures, and chemoradiation therapy, cervical cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 23 countries and the leading cause of cancer deaths in 36 countries. There is, therefore, a need to come up with novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a remarkable role in genome regulation and contribute significantly to several developmental and disease pathways. The deregulation of lncRNAs is often observed in cancer patients, where they are shown to affect multiple cellular processes, including cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and invasion. Many lncRNAs are found to be involved in the pathogenesis as well as progression of cervical cancer and have shown potency to track metastatic events. This review provides an overview of lncRNA mediated regulation of cervical carcinogenesis and highlights their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for cervical cancer. In addition, it also discusses the challenges associated with the clinical implication of lncRNAs in cervical cancer.

ITGB3 promotes cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma tumors

OBJECTIVE

Osteosarcoma is the most malignant and common primary bone tumor with a high rate of recurrence that mainly occurs in children and young adults. Therefore, it is vital to facilitate the development of novel effective therapeutic means and improve the overall prognosis of osteosarcoma patients via a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of chemoresistance in osteosarcoma progression.

METHODS

In this research, the relationship between ITGB3 and the clinical characteristics of patients was detected through analysis of publicly available clinical datasets. The expression of ITGB3 was analysis in collected human osteosarcoma tissues. In addition, the potential functions of ITGB3 in the cisplatin resistance of osteosarcoma cells were investigated in vitro and in tumor xenotransplantation. Finally, the molecular mechanism of ITGB3 in the progression and recurrence of osteosarcoma were explored via transcriptome analysis.

RESULTS

ITGB3 was identified as a potential regulator of tumorigenicity and cisplatin resistance in relapsed osteosarcoma. Furthermore, the decreased osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration ability in ITGB3 knockout osteosarcoma cells were related to increased apoptosis and slowing cell cycle progression. In addition, ITGB3 had a positive correlation with cisplatin resistance in cells and tumor xenografts in mice. Accordingly, ITGB3 performed the functions of proliferation and cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma through the MAPK and VEGF signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our results will contribute to a better understanding of the function and mechanism of ITGB3 in osteosarcoma cisplatin resistance and provide a novel therapeutic target to decrease cisplatin resistance and tumor recurrence in osteosarcoma patients.

The role of long noncoding RNAs in therapeutic resistance in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the common tumors and often causes cancer-related death in women. Chemotherapy is a common cancer therapy, which displays a pivotal clinical benefit for cancer patients. However, chemoresistance becomes a big obstacle for failure of treatment in cancer patients. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified to regulate drug resistance in human cancers, including cervical cancer. In this review, we describe the role of lncRNAs in regulation of chemotherapeutic resistance in cervical cancer. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms of lncRNA-mediated drug resistance in cervical cancer. Moreover, we describe that targeting lncRNAs could reverse drug resistance in cervical cancer. Therefore, lncRNAs could become effective therapeutic targets and chemotherapeutic sensitizers for cervical cancer patients.