Inhibition of MiR-10b Restrains the Migration and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Lung Cells by Targeting LATS2 via TAZ Pathway

MicroRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs and gynecological cancers: focus on metastasis

Gynecologic cancer is a significant cause of death in women worldwide, with cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer being among the most well-known types. The initiation and progression of gynecologic cancers involve a variety of biological functions, including angiogenesis and metastasis-given that death mostly occurs from metastatic tumors that have invaded the surrounding tissues. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathways underlying gynecologic cancer metastasis is critical for enhancing patient survival and outcomes. Recent research has revealed the contribution of numerous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to metastasis and invasion of gynecologic cancer by affecting specific cellular pathways. This review focuses on three types of gynecologic cancer (ovarian, endometrial, and cervical) and three kinds of ncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs). We summarize the detailed role of non-coding RNAs in the different pathways and molecular interactions involved in the invasion and metastasis of these cancers.

MicroRNA-10 Family Promotes the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Renal Fibrosis by the PTEN/Akt Pathway

Renal fibrosis (RF) is a common reason for renal failure, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a vital mechanism that promotes the development of RF. It is known that microRNA-10 (miR-10) plays an important role in cancer EMT; however, whether it takes part in the EMT process of RF remains unclear. Therefore, we established an in vivo model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), and an in vitro model using TGF-β1, to investigate whether and how miR-10a and miR-10b take part in the EMT of RF. In addition, the combinatorial effects of miR-10a and miR-10b were assessed. We discovered that miR-10a and miR-10b are overexpressed in UUO mice, and miR-10a, miR-10b, and miRs-10a/10b knockout attenuated RF and EMT in UUO-treated mouse kidneys. Moreover, miR-10a and miR-10b overexpression combinatorially promoted RF and EMT in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells. Inhibiting miR-10a and miR-10b attenuated RF and EMT induced by TGF-β1. Mechanistically, miR-10a and miR-10b suppressed PTEN expression by binding to its mRNA3'-UTR and promoting the Akt pathway. Moreover, PTEN overexpression reduced miR-10a and miR-10b effects on Akt phosphorylation (p-Akt), RF, and EMT in HK-2 cells treated with TGF-β1. Taken together, miR-10a and miR-10b act combinatorially to negatively regulate PTEN, thereby activating the Akt pathway and promoting the EMT process, which exacerbates RF progression.

Novel role of lncRNA CHRF in cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer is mediated by miR-10b induced EMT and STAT3 signaling

Ovarian Cancer (OC) is a highly lethal gynecological cancer which often progresses through acquired resistance against the administered therapy. Cisplatin is a common therapeutic for the treatment of OC patients and therefore it is critical to understand the mechanisms of resistance against this drug. We studied a paired cell line consisting of parental and cisplatin resistant (CR) derivative ES2 OC cells, and found a number of dysregulated lncRNAs, with CHRF being the most significantly upregulated lncRNA in CR ES2 cells. The findings corroborated in human patient samples and CHRF was significantly elevated in OC patients with resistant disease. CHRF was also found to be elevated in patients with liver metastasis. miR-10b was found to be mechanistically involved in CHRF mediated cisplatin resistance. It induced resistance in not only ES2 but also OVCAR and SKOV3 OC cells. Induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) and activation of STAT3 signaling were determined to be the mechanisms underlying the CHRF-miR-10b axis-mediated cisplatin resistance. Down-regulation of CHRF reversed EMT, STAT3 activation and the resulting cisplatin resistance, which could be attenuated by miR-10b. The results were also validated in an in vivo cisplatin resistance model wherein CR cells were associated with increased tumor burden, CHRF downregulation associated with decreased tumor burden and miR-10b again attenuated the CHRF downregulation effects. Our results support a novel role of lncRNA CHRF in cisplatin resistance of OC and establish CHRF-miR-10b signaling as a putative therapeutic target for sensitizing resistant OC cells.