A functional TNFAIP2 3'-UTR rs8126 genetic polymorphism contributes to risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms of immunomodulatory factors on treatment response and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by poor overall survival (OS). The impaired function, altered phenotype, and abnormal distribution of T cells create an immunosuppressive microenvironment in AML, affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy. Studies have shown that differentiated monocyte-like AML cells can express various immunomodulatory factors, resulting in T cell phenotypic changes and the development of an immunosuppressive AML microenvironment.

Methods

Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of four immunomodulatory factors-HMOX1, TXNIP, TNSF10/TRAIL, and TNFAIP2-were selected and analyzed in 255 non-M3 AML patients and 316 healthy controls. SNP genotyping was conducted using the MassARRAY platform. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between AML susceptibility, bone marrow (BM) blast percentage, clinical characteristics, treatment response, and prognosis with the selected SNPs.

Results

The study indicated that HMOX1 rs2071746 and TNFAIP2 rs1132339 are associated with BM blasts at the diagnosis of AML patients. TXNIP rs7211 is associated with sensitivity to cytarabine- and anthracycline-induced chemotherapy in AML, while TXNIP rs9245 is associated with AML relapse. Moreover, TRAIL/TNFSF10 rs12488654 is associated with the overall survival of AML patients, and the AA genotype of TRAIL/TNFSF10 rs12488654 may be an independent favorable factor for AML prognosis.

Conclusions

Our results on the association between AML and SNPs in HMOX1, TXNIP, TNSF10/TRAIL, and TNFAIP2 genes provide an important reference for predicting the treatment response and prognosis of AML patients.

Assessment of LINC-PINT genetic polymorphisms and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma risk in the Hainan Han population

OBJECTIVES

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between LINC-PINT polymorphisms and ESCC risk in the Hainan Han population.

METHODS

A total of 391 patients with ESCC and 452 healthy controls were enrolled to evaluate the effect of LINC-PINT SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) on ESCC susceptibility. Associations were evaluated by calculating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis was performed to explore the association between SNP-SNP interactions and ESCC susceptibility. We further determined the correlation between clinical indicators and SNP in patients with ESCC.

RESULTS

Our study showed that rs157916 (OR 0.63, p = 0.011) and rs157928 (OR 0.80, p = 0.021) were associated with a decreased risk of ESCC. Stratified analysis indicated that rs157916 could decrease the risk of ESCC in people aged >64 years, in males, and non-drinkers (OR 0.58, p = 0.042; OR 0.58, p = 0.010; OR 0.62, p = 0.025, respectively). Rs16873842 was related to a decreased risk of ESCC in males (OR 0.70, p = 0.015). Rs7801029 was associated with ESCC risk in females (OR 0.39, p = 0.033) and non-drinkers (OR 0.68, p = 0.040). Rs7781295 decreased the ESCC risk in smokers (OR 0.58, p = 0.046) and drinkers (OR 0.58, p = 0.046). In addition, rs157928 played a protective role in ESCC risk in females (OR 0.39, p = 0.033) and non-smokers (OR 0.32, p = 0.006). Additionally, the best predictive model for ESCC was a combination of rs157916, rs16873842, rs7801029, rs7781295, rs28662387, and rs157928.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that LINC-PINT polymorphisms were associated with ESCC risk.

Susceptibility of TNFAIP8, TNFAIP8L1, and TNFAIP2 Gene Polymorphisms on Cancer Risk: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Studies

Objectives: The TNFAIP8 gene family and TNFAIP2 gene are inextricably linked to an elevated risk of cancer development. This systemic review and meta-analysis seeks to establish the relationship between TNFAIP8 (rs11064, rs1045241, rs1045242, and rs3813308), TNFAIP8L1 (rs1060555), and TNFAIP2 (rs710100 and rs8126) polymorphisms with the risk of cancer. Methods and Materials: A systematic search of multiple databases from January 2022 to April 2022 was used to identify relevant studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% CI and p-value were calculated to assess the association. Bonferroni correction was performed to correct p-values. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) and in-silico messenger RNA expression were also performed. Review Manager 5.4 software was used for performing this meta-analysis. Results: This study comprised 6909 cancer patients and 7087 healthy participants from 14 studies. Four genetic models of rs11064 (codominant 2 [COD2]: OR = 2.30, p = 7.83 × 10^-5; codominant 3 [COD3]: OR = 2.10, p = .0006; recessive model [RM]: OR = 2.24, p = .0001; AC: OR = 1.47, p = .037), two genetic models of rs1045241 (codominant 1 [COD1]: OR = 1.27, p = .009; overdominant model [ODM]: OR = 1.24, p = .018), four genetic models of rs1045242 (COD1: OR = 1.52, p = .005; dominant model (DM): OR = 1.56, p = .002; OD: OR = 1.48, p = .008; AC: OR = 1.48, p = .002), and three genetic models of rs8126 (COD2: OR = 1.41, p = .0005; COD3: OR = 1.44, p = .0002; RM: OR = 1.43, p = .0001) were statistically linked to cancer risk. Only one genetic model of rs1060555 polymorphism showed a significant protective association with cancer (COD2: OR = 0.80, p = .048). The outcomes of TSA also validated the findings of the meta-analysis. Conclusion: This study summarizes that rs11064, rs1045241, and rs1045242 polymorphisms of TNFAIP8 gene and rs8126 polymorphism of TNFAIP2 gene are significantly linked with the risk of cancer development. This meta-analysis was registered at INPLASY (registration number: INPLASY202270073).

Pan-cancer analysis of oncogenic TNFAIP2 identifying its prognostic value and immunological function in acute myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 2 (TNFAIP2), a TNFα-inducible gene, appears to participate in inflammation, immune response, hematopoiesis, and carcinogenesis. However, the potential role of TNFAIP2 in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unknow yet. Therefore, we aimed to study the biological role of TNFAIP2 in leukemogenesis.

METHODS

TNFAIP2 mRNA level, prognostic value, co-expressed genes, differentially expressed genes, DNA methylation, and functional enrichment analysis in AML patients were explored via multiple public databases, including UALCAN, GTEx portal, Timer 2.0, LinkedOmics, SMART, MethSurv, Metascape, GSEA and String databases. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Beat AML database were used to determine the associations between TNFAIP2 expression and various clinical or genetic parameters of AML patients. Moreover, the biological functions of TNFAIP2 in AML were investigated through in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

By large-scale data mining, our study indicated that TNFAIP2 was differentially expressed across different normal and tumor tissues. TNFAIP2 expression was significantly increased in AML, particularly in French-American-British (FAB) classification M4/M5 patients, compared with corresponding control tissues. Overexpression of TNFAIP2 was an independent poor prognostic factor of overall survival (OS) and was associated with unfavorable cytogenetic risk and gene mutations in AML patients. DNA hypermethylation of TNFAIP2 at gene body linked to upregulation of TNFAIP2 and inferior OS in AML. Functional enrichment analysis indicated immunomodulation function and inflammation response of TNFAIP2 in leukemogenesis. Finally, the suppression of TNFAIP resulted in inhibition of proliferation by altering cell-cycle progression and increase of cell death by promoting early and late apoptosis in THP-1 and U937AML cells.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the oncogenic TNFAIP2 can function as a novel biomarker and prognostic factor in AML patients. The immunoregulation function of TNFAIP2 warrants further validation in AML.

Silencing of methyltransferase-like 3 inhibits oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is a methyltransferase responsible for N6-methyladenosine mRNA modifications, which has been demonstrated to serve oncogenic roles in various types of cancer; however, the exact function of METTL3 in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not been determined. The present study aimed to explore the regulatory role of METTL3 in ESCC. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to examine mRNA and protein expression, CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry were used to determine cellular viability and apoptosis, and wound healing and Transwell assays were conducted to study cellular migration and invasion. The expression levels of METTL3 were significantly higher in ESCC tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent non-tumour tissues and the normal oesophageal epithelial cell line HET-1A, respectively. Increased METTL3 expression was associated with an advanced clinical stage of ESCC and poorer prognosis. Furthermore, the genetic knockdown of METTL3 using small interfering RNA significantly suppressed ESCC growth, invasion and migration in vitro, and induced cellular apoptosis, in addition to reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the upregulation of METTL3 promoted ESCC progression, and that inhibition of METTL3 significantly suppressed the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells, at least in part, by downregulating PI3K/AKT signalling activity. Thus, it is suggested that METTL3 may be a promising therapeutic target for ESCC.

Upregulation of cervical carcinoma expressed PCNA regulatory long non-coding RNA promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression

Cervical carcinoma expressed PCNA regulatory long non-coding (lnc)RNA (CCEPR) has recently been reported to play oncogenic roles in some common types of human cancer. However, the clinical significance of CCEPR mRNA expression levels in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the exact function of CCEPR in regulating the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells have not been previously investigated. In the present study, CCEPR mRNA expression level was upregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines, and overexpression of CCEPR was associated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis in ESCC. In vitro experiments showed that silencing CCEPR mRNA expression levels significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells, while inducing ESCC cell apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibition of CCEPR decreased the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 and inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ESCC cells. In conclusion, the results showed that CCEPR plays an oncogenic role in ESCC and suggests that CCEPR could be used as a potential therapeutic target for ESCC treatment.

Correlation Between TNFAIP2 Gene Polymorphism and Prediction/Prognosis for Gastric Cancer and Its Effect on TNFAIP2 Protein Expression

Objective: TNFAIP2 is a novel gene induced by TNF-α and participates in inflammatory reaction and tumor angiogenesis. This study aims to understand the correlation between TNFAIP2 gene polymorphism and prediction as well as prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) in a Chinese population.

Methods: One thousand two hundred seventy-nine cases were enrolled, including 640 GC and 639 non-cancer cases. The functional tagSNPs of the TNFAIP2 gene were screened by Haploview software and NIH Snpinfo website. Human whole-blood genomic DNA was extracted by phenol chloroform method and analyzed by KASP SNP typing and sequencing method. ELISA was used to determine the expression of TNFAIP2 protein in serum samples. The miRNAs bound to TNFAIP2 3′ UTR rs8126 were predicted by MirSNP and TargetScan database. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and P < 0.05 showed statistical difference.

Results: Four functional TNFAIP2 tagSNPs were found by bioinformatics analysis. TNFAIP2 rs8126 T>C polymorphism increased GC risk, and the risk in TC genotype cases was higher than that in TT genotype cases (P = 0.001, OR = 1.557). In the dominant model, the TNFAIP2 rs8126 polymorphic carrier was 1.419 times higher (P = 0.007). TNFAIP2 rs710100 C>T polymorphism, TNFAIP2 rs3759571 G>A polymorphism, and TNFAIP2 rs3759573 A>G polymorphism were not correlated with GC risk. In the subgroup analysis, TNFAIP2 rs8126 TC genotype cases had a higher GC risk in male, aged 60 years or older, Helicobacter pylori-negative, non-smoking, and non-drinking. However, there was no correlation between TNFAIP2 SNPs and GC prognosis. The TNFAIP2 protein concentration in GC patients was significantly different from that in healthy persons (P = 0.029), but it was not associated with GC prognosis. The high or low expression of TNFAIP2 protein had no significant difference with gender, age, H. pylori infection, smoking, and drinking in GC patients. The serum TNFAIP2 protein expression in rs8126 TT genotype carriers was significantly higher than that in rs8126 CC genotype carriers (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: TNFAIP2 3′ UTR rs8126 T>C polymorphism was associated with GC risk in a Chinese population, especially in cases with males aged 60 years or older, H. pylori negative, non-smoking and non-drinking. Compared with healthy persons, serum TNFAIP2 protein expression was higher in Chinese GC patients, and TNFAIP2 3′ UTR rs8126 T>C polymorphism might affect TNFAIP2 protein expression.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Proteins in Malignant Tumors: Progress and Prospects

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is the first cytokine used in tumor biotherapy, but TNF-related drugs are limited by the lack of specific targets. Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced proteins (TNFAIPs), derived from TNF, is a protein family and participates in proliferation, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. In order to better understand biological functions and potential roles of TNFAIPs in malignant tumors, this paper in the form of “Gene–Protein–Tumor correlation” summarizes the biological characteristics, physiological functions and mechanisms of TNFAIPs by searching National Center of Biotechnology Information, GeneCards, UniProt and STRING databases. The relationship between TNFAIPs and malignant tumors is analyzed, and protein–protein interaction diagram in members of TNFAIPs is drawn based on TNF for the first time. We find that TNF as a key factor is related to TNFAIP1, TNFAIP3, TNFAIP5, TNFAIP6, TNFAIP8 and TNFAIP9, which can be directly involved in activating TNFAIP1, TNFAIP5, TNFAIP8 and TNFAIP9. We confirm that the mechanism of TNFAIP1, TNFAIP2 and TNFAIP3 inducing tumors may be related to NF-κB signaling pathway, but the mechanism of tumor induction by other members of TNFAIPs is not clear. In the future, translational studies are needed to explore the mechanisms of TNF-TNFAIPs-tumors.

The chaperone ERp29 is required for tunneling nanotube formation by stabilizing MSec

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are membrane conduits that mediate long-distance intercellular cross-talk in several organisms and play vital roles during development, pathogenic transmission, and cancer metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms of TNT formation and function remain poorly understood. The protein MSec (also known as TNFα-induced protein 2 (TNFAIP2) and B94) is essential for TNT formation in multiple cell types. Here, using affinity protein purification, mass spectrometric identification, and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy assays, we found that MSec interacts with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone ERp29. siRNA-mediated ERp29 depletion in mammalian cells significantly reduces TNT formation, whereas its overexpression induces TNT formation, but in a strictly MSec-dependent manner. ERp29 stabilized MSec protein levels, but not its mRNA levels, and the chaperone activity of ERp29 was required for maintaining MSec protein stability. Subcellular ER fractionation and subsequent limited proteolytic treatment suggested that MSec is associated with the outer surface of the ER. The ERp29-MSec interaction appeared to require the presence of other bridging protein(s), perhaps triggered by post-translational modification of ERp29. Our study implicates MSec as a target of ERp29 and reveals an indispensable role for the ER in TNT formation, suggesting new modalities for regulating TNT numbers in cells and tissues.

The roles of TNFAIP2 in cancers and infectious diseases

TNFα‐induced protein 2 (TNFAIP2) is a primary response gene of TNFα. TNFAIP2 is highly expressed in immune cells and the urinary bladder. The expression of TNFAIP2 is regulated by multiple transcription factors and signalling pathways, including NF‐κB, KLF5 and retinoic acid. Physiologically, TNFAIP2 appears to be a multiple functional mediator not only for inflammation, angiogenesis and tunneling nanotube (TNT) formation but also as a regulator of cell proliferation and migration. The expression of TNFAIP2 is frequently abnormal in human cancers and in infectious diseases. Due to its significant functions in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration and invasion, TNFAIP2 could be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer.

Variant SNPs at the microRNA complementary site in the B7‑H1 3'‑untranslated region increase the risk of non‑small cell lung cancer

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNA-binding sites located in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of target genes can have an effect on the interaction of microRNA-mediated regulation, which results in changes in the expression levels of target genes ultimately associated with cancer risk and patient prognosis. However, the role of SNPs at the 3′-UTR of B7-H1 in the susceptibility of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be fully elucidated. In the present study, SNPs with a minor allele frequency >10%, which were located at the microRNA complementary site in the PD-L1 3′-UTR, were selected via bioinformatic prediction using Ensembl and miRanda 2010. A total of three SNPs were selected, s2297136, rs4143815 and rs4742098, in the 3′-UTR of B7-H1. The rs2297136 and rs4742098 SNPs exhibited significant differences between 320 patients with NSCLC and 199 healthy individuals, respectively (P<0.001 and P=0.007). For the rs2297136 SNP, the AG genotype was significantly associated with evaluation of the risk of NSCLC, compared the AA genotype [odds ratio (OR)=2.287; 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.558–3.358]. Similarly, for the rs4742098 SNP, the AG genotype differed from the AA genotype on evaluation of the risk of NSCLC (OR=1.599; 95% CI=1.027–2.488). Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that rs2297136 and rs4742098 in the B7-H1 3′-UTR contributed to the occurrence of NSCLC through disrupting the interaction between miR-296-5p, miR-138 and B7-H1 mRNA. These results indicated that genetic polymorphisms affecting the expression of B7-H1 modified cancer susceptibility.

Downregulation of TNFAIP2 suppresses proliferation and metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays a pivotal role in malignant tumor formation in the tumor microenvironment. To investigate the role of TNF-α in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we assessed expression profiles of the downstream gene TNF-α-induced protein 2 (TNFAIP2), which e previously unknown in ESCC. TNFAIP2 mRNA and protein expression levels were examined by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis in 24 fresh and 55 paraffin‑embedded specimens, respectively. The results demonstrated that TNFAIP2 mRNA and protein levels were overexpressed in tumor cells, and TNFAIP2 overexpression was significantly associated with T stage (p=0.049), N stage (p=0.019) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stage (p=0.028). In vitro, TNFAIP2 was highly expressed in TNFα-stimulated Eca109, Kyse150, Kyse510 and TE-10 cells. Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference of TNFAIP2 inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and the cell cycle. Moreover, LV-RNAi-mediated TNFAIP2 was found to regulate the Wnt/β-catenin by decreasing expression of some genes downstream from β-catenin (i.e., C-myc, cyclin D1, MMP-7 and Snail), and upregulating expression of E-cadherin and p-GSK-3β. Taken together, these results show that TNFAIP2 may be a potential tumorigenesis gene in ESCC. Our data indicate that TNFAIP2 overexpression may facilitate proliferation and metastasis via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in ESCC.

A novel computational model based on super-disease and miRNA for potential miRNA–disease association prediction

Considering the various disadvantages of previous computational models, we proposed a novel computational model based on super-disease and miRNA for potential miRNA–disease association prediction (SDMMDA) to predict potential miRNA–disease associations by integrating known associations, disease semantic similarity, miRNA functional similarity, and Gaussian interaction profile kernel similarity for diseases and miRNAs.

Micro ribonucleic acid-93 promotes proliferation and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting disabled 2

Background

Accumulated evidence has revealed that the dysregulation of micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) may contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MiR-93, which is a member of the miRNA cluster miR-106b∼25, has been widely studied for its tumor promoting effect on different types of cancers. However, our knowledge of miR-93 function in ESCC remains unclear.

Methods

The expression levels of miR-93 in ESCC and the adjacent non-tumor tissues were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation and transwell migration assays were employed to explore the effects of miR-93 on proliferation and migration capabilities in EC109 cells. To determine the possible target gene of miR-93, cell transfection, Western blot analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays were performed.

Results

A significant upregulation of miR-93 expression in ESCC tissues was determined, combined with a downregulation of the predicted target gene, disabled 2 (DAB2). The introduction of miR-93 significantly promotes cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and the metastatic capability of EC109 cells. By cell transfection and luciferase reporter assay, DAB2 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-93. In addition, the knockdown of DAB2 by small interfering RNA displayed a consentaneous phenocopy with miR-93 overexpression in EC109 cells.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that miR-93 acts as a tumor promoter in ESCC, and its promotion effects on ESCC cell proliferation and migration depend largely upon DAB2 suppression.