LINC00963 Functions as an Oncogene in Bladder Cancer by Regulating the miR-766-3p/MTA1 Axis

Identification of metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) as a new molecular marker for canine urothelial carcinoma

Background

Although metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) is known to play a role in cancer invasion and metastasis of various cancers, the clinical significance of its expression in canine urothelial carcinoma (UC) has not been explored. We sought to evaluate the expression of MTA1, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and E-cadherin (E-cad) in association with clinicopathological parameters in clinical samples of canine UC.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed UC tissues from 28 canine patients using immunohistochemistry for Ki67, CD31, MTA1, COX2, and E-cad staining. Statistical significance for marker staining intensities was evaluated by ANOVA or Student's t-test. The correlation between molecular markers in canine UC samples detected by IHC and clinicopathological features was calculated by the Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Western blot analysis was performed for detection of EMT markers in canine cell lines.

Results

We show that MTA1 and COX2 are overexpressed in canine UC samples compared to normal canine bladder samples, whereas E-cad levels are higher in normal bladder. The results demonstrated that MTA1 expression correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features such as high tumor-grade, muscular/vascular invasion, and metastasis. The expression of MTA1 differed in tumors depending on their localization, with the highest being in the urethra adjoining the prostate. Unexpectedly, higher E-cad levels were detected in metastatic tumor cells compared to primary tumor cells.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that MTA1 may represent a key upstream effector tightly associated with COX2 and E-cad-mediated events in canine UC. Accordingly, MTA1 may be considered a feasible interceptive and therapeutic target for canine UC treatment.

MiR-766-3p Inhibit the Proliferation, Stemness, and Cell Cycle of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Through the MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

As a commonly identified cancer in clinics, pancreatic cancer (PC) has poor prognostic outcomes. This work focused on clarifying the association between MIR-766-3P expression and PC development and progression, as well as the possible role as a biomarker in PC.

METHODS

MIR-766-3P expression within the human PC cells and samples was measured through miRNA RT-PCR. The gene levels regulated by MIR-766-3P were analyzed through western blot (WB) and qRT-PCR. To analyze whether MIR-766-3P was of certain significance in in vitro and in vivo PC cell proliferation, stemness, and cell cycle progression, the gain/loss-of-function assays were performed. Bioinformatics, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and luciferase reporter assay were conducted for exploring regulatory role of MIR-766-3P/MAPK1/MAPK/ERK signal axis in PC.

RESULT

In comparison with the normal controls, MIR-766-3P expression markedly decreased the tissues and cells of PC. Furthermore, MIR-766-3P could remarkably inhibit the proliferation, stemness, cell cycle progression, and development of PC. The analyses using RNA-seq, and dual-luciferase examination showed that MIR-766-3P could directly target mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1). According to Gene Ontology (GO) as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, MIR-766-3P could affect PC malignant phenotype by MAPK1 and the regulation of the MAPK/ERK-related pathway.

CONCLUSION

MIR-766-3P has a certain impact on PC malignant phenotype through combining with MAPK1 while regulating MAPK/ERK-related pathway in vitro and in vivo.

MetaLnc9 facilitates osteogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by activating the AKT pathway

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the role of MetaLnc9 in the osteogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used lentiviruses to knockdown or overexpress MetaLnc9 in hBMSCs. qRT-PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of osteogenic-related genes in transfected cells. ALP staining and activity assay, ARS staining and quantification were used to identify the degree of osteogenic differentiation. Ectopic bone formation was conducted to examine the osteogenesis of transfected cells in vivo. AKT pathway activator SC-79 and inhibitor LY294002 were used to validate the relationship between MetaLnc9 and AKT signaling pathway.

RESULTS

The expression of MetaLnc9 was significantly upregulated in the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. MetaLnc9 knockdown inhibited the osteogenesis of hBMSCs, whereas overexpression of it promoted the osteogenic differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. Taking a deeper insight, we found that MetaLnc9 enhanced the osteogenic differentiation by activating AKT signaling. The inhibitor of AKT signaling LY294002 could reverse the positive effect on osteogenesis brought by MetaLnc9 overexpression, whereas the activator of AKT signaling SC-79 could reverse the negative effect caused by MetaLnc9 knockdown.

CONCLUSION

Our works uncovered a vital role of MetaLnc9 in osteogenesis via regulating the AKT signaling pathway. [Figure: see text].

Mutual Regulation of ncRNAs and Chromatin Remodeling Complexes in Normal and Pathological Conditions

Chromatin remodeling is the one of the main epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression regulation both in normal cells and in pathological conditions. In recent years, a growing number of investigations have confirmed that epigenetic regulators are tightly connected and form a comprehensive network of regulatory pathways and feedback loops. Genes encoding protein subunits of chromatin remodeling complexes are often mutated and change their expression in diseases, as well as non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Moreover, different mechanisms of their mutual regulation have already been described. Further understanding of these processes may help apply their clinical potential for establishment of the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the diseases. The therapeutic targeting of the chromatin structure has many limitations because of the complexity of its regulation, with the involvement of a large number of genes, proteins, non-coding transcripts, and other intermediary molecules. However, several successful strategies have been proposed to target subunits of chromatin remodeling complexes and genes encoding them, as well as the ncRNAs that regulate the operation of these complexes and direct them to the target gene regions. In our review, we focus on chromatin remodeling complexes and ncRNAs, their mutual regulation, role in cellular processes and potential clinical application.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of long noncoding RNA 00963 expression and prognosis and clinicopathological characteristic in human cancers

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have indicated that the aberrant expression of LINC00963 is extensively present in various human tumors, and that dysregulation of LINC00963 is implicated in the initiation and progression of human cancers. In this meta-analysis, data from diverse malignancies were analyzed to determine whether LINC00963 expression levels were associated with clinical prognosis and immune infiltration in pan-cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The eligible studies were identified from several electronic databases from the inception to July 2022 through systematic research. LINC00963 expression and survival were estimated using pooled odds ratios and hazard ratios with 95% CI. We used the Kaplan-Meier method and COX analysis for survival analysis. In addition, Spearman's correlation analysis was used to uncover any correlation between LINC00963 and microsatellites instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), immune checkpoint biomarkers, and the related genes of mismatch repair (MMR).

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that overexpression of LINC00963 was related to poor overall survival (OS) (HR =1.32, 95% CI, 1.09-1.59, P = 0.004). The TCGA database also found that abnormal expression of LINC00963 was linked to overall survival in various cancers. Moreover, there is an association between LINC00963 expression and MSI, TMB, and MMR in malignancies of various types.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that LINC00963 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for cancer. By using it, cancer diagnoses can be improved, treatment targets discovered, and prognostic questions improved.

LINC00963 promotes the malignancy and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma by stabilizing Zeb1 and exosomes-induced M2 macrophage polarization

BACKGROUND

Long intergenic non-coding RNA 00963 (LINC00963) is an oncogenic lncRNA in human cancers. However, little is known on how it impacts the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

METHODS

Biological effects on proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were examined by CCK-8, colony formation, EdU incorporation, transwell, and immunofluorescence assays, respectively. Macrophage polarization was evaluated by flow cytometry. Ubiquitination of Zeb1 was examined by co-immunoprecipitation. The location of LINC00963 in LUAD tissues and cell lines was tested by FISH assay. The LINC00963/HNRNPA2B1/Siah1 mRNA complex interaction was verified using RNA pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays. The exact roles of LINC00963 were further validated in metastasis and xenograft models.

RESULTS

Higher LINC00963 expression in LUAD patients positively correlated with shorter overall survival, higher stages, and metastasis. LINC00963 mainly localized in the cytoplasm and aggravated malignant phenotypes of LUAD cells in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC00963 directly interacted HNRNPA2B1 protein to trigger the degradation of Siah1 mRNA, which inhibited the ubiquitination and degradation of Zeb1. Moreover, exosomal LINC00963 derived from LUAD cells induced M2 macrophage polarization and promoted LUAD growth and metastasis.

CONCLUSION

By stabilizing Zeb1 in cancer cells and delivering exosomes to induce M2 macrophage polarization, LINC00963 promoted the malignancy and metastasis of LUAD. Targeting LINC00963 may become a valuable therapeutic target for LUAD.

The key role of microRNA-766 in the cancer development

Cancer is caused by defects in coding and non-coding RNAs. In addition, duplicated biological pathways diminish the efficacy of mono target cancer drugs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, endogenous, non-coding RNAs that regulate many target genes and play a crucial role in physiological processes such as cell division, differentiation, cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis, which are frequently disrupted in diseases such as cancer. MiR-766, one of the most adaptable and highly conserved microRNAs, is notably overexpressed in several diseases, including malignant tumors. Variations in miR-766 expression are linked to various pathological and physiological processes. Additionally, miR-766 promotes therapeutic resistance pathways in various types of tumors. Here, we present and discuss evidence implicating miR-766 in the development of cancer and treatment resistance. In addition, we discuss the potential applications of miR-766 as a therapeutic cancer target, diagnostic biomarker, and prognostic indicator. This may shed light on the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer therapy.

LINC00963: A potential cancer diagnostic and therapeutic target

Long intergenic noncoding RNA 00963 (LINC00963) is located on human chromosome 9q34.11. Aberrantly expressed LINC00963 often exerts oncogenic effects by regulating various cellular processes including proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, and apoptosis. Overexpressed LINC00963 is associated with cancer clinicopathological features and poor cancer prognosis, and can be used in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. LINC00963 can build a complex ceRNA network by competitively binding to 22 miRNAs in 14 cancers. LINC00963 can also directly regulate four downstream protein-coding genes. Specifically, LINC00963 promotes the transition of prostate cancer from an androgen-dependent mode to an androgen-independent mode by participating in the transactivation of EGFR. LINC00963 can bind EZH2 and inhibit p21 expression, thereby promoting glioma cell proliferation and invasion. In non-small cell lung cancer, LINC00963 can recruit NONO and CRTC, forming a positive feedback loop of LINC00963/NONO/CRTC/CREB/LINC00963, thereby promoting cancer cell metastasis. LINC00963 is involved in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, LINC00963 is associated with drug resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma (cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) and gastric cancer (oxaliplatin) and predicts neoadjuvant efficacy of taxane-anthracyclines in breast cancer. This work systematically reviewed the clinical value of abnormal expression of LINC00963 in various tumors, demonstrated the complex molecular mechanism of LINC00963, and provided directions for future related research.

Circ_0059354 aggravates the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma by elevating ARFGEF1 through sponging miR-766-3p

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as vital players in tumors, including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The purpose of this study is to explore the functions of circ_0059354 on PTC development.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to examine the levels of circ_0059354, microRNA-766-3p (miR-766-3p) and ADP ribosylation factor guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (ARFGEF1). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay were proceeded for cell proliferation ability. Transwell assay was conducted for cell migration and invasion. Tube formation assay was employed to examine the angiogenesis ability. Flow cytometry analysis was adopted for cell apoptosis. Western blot assay was conducted for protein levels. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were utilized to verify the relationships among circ_0059354, miR-766-3p and ARFGEF1. The murine xenograft model was constructed to analyze the function of circ_0059354 in vivo.

RESULTS

Circ_0059354 level was abnormally increased in PTC tissues and cells. Functionally, circ_0059354 silencing suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis and facilitated apoptosis in PTC cells. Circ_0059354 was identified to sponge miR-766-3p, which directly targeted ARFGEF1. Moreover, circ_0059354 directly targeted miR-766-3p to positively regulated ARFGEF1 expression. MiR-766-3p inhibition reversed circ_0059354 knockdown-mediated effect of PTC cell malignant behaviors. Overexpression of miR-766-3p restrained the malignant behaviors of PTC cells, whereas ARFGEF1 elevation reversed the effects. Additionally, circ_0059354 deficiency blocked tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0059354 served as an oncogene in PTC progression through regulating miR-766-3p/ARFGEF1 axis.

Decrease in LINC00963 attenuates the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension via microRNA-328-3p/profilin 1 axis

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe cardiopulmonary disease characterized by vascular hyperplasia and remodeling. Long noncoding RNA LINC00963 can regulate cell proliferation and metastasis in nonsmall cell lung cancer. However, the function of LINC00963 on PAH progression is rarely reported.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to determine the expression levels of LINC00963, microRNA (miRNA)‐328‐3p, and profilin 1 (PFN1), as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2), and hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐α. The protein level of PFN1 was measured by western blotting. The viability and migration of hypoxia‐induced pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were assessed by 3‐(4, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2, 5‐diphenyl‐2‐h‐tetrazolium bromide, and transwell assays, respectively. The target relationships between miR‐328‐3p and LINC00963/PFN1 were confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. A PAH mouse model was conducted to explore the effects of hypoxia on cardiopulmonary functions.

Results

In hypoxia‐induced PASMCs and PAH mouse model, high expression levels of LINC00963 and PFN1, and low expression of miR‐328‐3p, were determined. The viability, migration of hypoxia‐induced PASMCs, the expression of VEGF, FGF‐2, and HIF‐α were significantly repressed by transfection of si‐LINC00963 or miR‐328‐3p mimics. The inhibitory effects of LINC00963 silencing on cell viability, migration, and the levels of VEGF, FGF‐2, and HIF‐α were partly eliminated by miR‐328‐3p inhibitor or increasing the expression of PFN1. Hypoxia treatment increased the levels of RVSP, mPAP, and RV/(LV+S), as well as the thickness of pulmonary artery wall.

Conclusions

Silencing of LINC00963 ameliorates PAH via modulating miR‐328‐3p/PFN1.

UPF1 contributes to the maintenance of endometrial cancer stem cell phenotype by stabilizing LINC00963

Endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) play a vital role in endometrial cancer (EC) metastasis, relapse, and chemoresistance. However, the molecular mechanisms that sustain ECSCs remain elusive. Here, we showed that the expression of UPF1 was upregulated in EC tissues and ECSCs and correlated with poor clinicopathological characteristics. UPF1 silencing suppressed ECSC hallmarks, such as sphere formation ability, carboplatin resistance, migration and invasion, and cell cycle progression. UPF1 regulated the behavior and fate of ECSCs by stabilizing LINC00963. LINC00963 further shares the same miRNA response element with the core transcription factor SOX2 and relieved the suppression of SOX2 by miR-508-5p in self-renewing ECSCs. Notably, inhibition of UPF1 and LINC00963 in combination severely impaired the in vivo tumorigenic potential of ECSCs. We demonstrate that the UPF1/LINC00963/miR-508-5p/SOX2 axis has potential value in modulating ECSC maintenance, chemoresistance, and tumorigenesis in EC, which highlights a novel promising target for EC treatment.

LncRNA RMRP knockdown promotes proliferation and migration of Schwann cells by mediating the miR-766-5p/CAND1 axis

The proliferation and migration of Schwann cells (SCs) promote nerve regeneration after facial nerve injury. In recent years, the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulating SC proliferation and migration has been gradually uncovered. However, there is little evidence on the function of lncRNA RMRP (lnc-RMRP) in SC growth. In the present study, we performed loss-of-function and overexpression assays to explore the function of lnc-RMRP in SCs. The relationships between lnc-RMRP, miR-766-5p and CAND1 (cullin-associated and neddylation-dissociated 1) were analyzed using bioinformatics analysis, luciferase detection, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation and RNA pulldown methods. CCK-8, EdU, Transwell and wound healing assays were utilized for the detections of cell proliferation and migration. We found that lnc-RMRP silencing enhanced cell proliferation and migration of SCs, while lnc-RMRP overexpression showed the opposite effect. Mechanistically, lnc-RMRP directly bound to and negatively modulated the expression of miR-766-5p. MiR-766-5p knockdown decreased cell viability, proliferation and migration of SCs, and also reversed the effects of lnc-RMRP silencing. In addition, lnc-RMRP positively regulated CAND1 expression by sponging miR-766-5p. Upregulation of CAND1 rescued the function of lnc-RMRP knockdown in regulating SC proliferation and migration. These data suggested that lnc-RMRP played a significant role in SC proliferation and migration, indicating that lnc-RMRP might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of facial nerve injury.

LINC00963 silencing inhibits the proliferation and migration of high glucose-induced retinal endothelial cells via targeting miR-27b

The association between long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA 963 (LINC00963) and diabetes has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of the long non-coding RNA LINC00963 on diabetic retinopathy (DR), in order to provide a new therapeutic target for this condition. Human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRECs) were induced with high concentrations of glucose to establish a DR model. The expression levels of LINC00963, cell viability, the protein expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67, and the migratory capacity of HRECs were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, western blot analysis, and wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Furthermore, the Encyclopedia of RNA Interactomes database was used to predict the binding targets of LINC00963, and luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the direct binding of microRNA (miR)-27b to LINC00963. RT-qPCR was also utilized to measure the expression levels of miR-27b, PCNA and Ki67. The results demonstrated that LINC00963 silencing inhibited glucose-induced HREC proliferation and migration, and downregulated PCNA and Ki67 expression. Following transfection with miR-27b inhibitor, cell proliferation and migration were notably enhanced, and the protein expression levels of PCNA and Ki67 were increased. Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that the LINC00963/miR-27b axis may regulate the proliferation and migration of glucose-induced HRECs. Therefore, LINC00963 may be considered as a potential therapeutic target for DR.

Corylin suppresses metastasis of breast cancer cells by modulating miR-34c/LINC00963 target

Breast cancer is one of the cancers leading to most death cases among women and metastasis is the major cause of breast cancer mortality. In this study, Corylin, the flavonoid compound which is extracted and purified from Psoralea corylifolia L., the effect on breast cancer metastasis was investigated. Corylin showed inhibitory effect on migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells. Meanwhile, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition was also regulated by corylin. The long non-coding RNA LINC00963 was found to have a significantly high expression level in breast cancer while it can be down-regulated by corylin. In addition, both wound-healing assay and transwell assay showed that LINC00963 induced breast cancer cells metastasis. MiR-34c was increased by corylin treatment depending on p53, and it was firstly identified that the LINC00963 was a direct target of miR-34c. Corylin was verified here that it prohibited MCF-7 migration and invasion depending on miR-34c/LINC00963 target. In conclusion, corylin suppresses metastasis of breast cancer cells via increasing miR-34c expression, which was dependent on p53. LINC00963 was a direct target of miR-34c and the target axis was necessary for corylin function. Therefore, corylin is a promising drug candidate and LINC00963 can be seen as a promising target in breast cancer treatment.

miR-766-3p Targeting BCL9L Suppressed Tumorigenesis, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, and Metastasis Through the β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Osteosarcoma Cells

Accumulating evidence has indicated that abnormal microRNAs (miRNAs) serve critical roles in carcinogenesis and development of osteosarcoma (OS). The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the relationship between miR-766-3p and development of osteosarcoma and explore the potential mechanism. In this study, we found that miR-766-3p was the most downregulated miRNA by analyzing GSE65071 from the GEO database. miR-766-3p was lowly expressed in OS tissue samples and cells, and high miR-766-3p expression repressed the malignant level of OS, including cell proliferation, EMT, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. B-Cell Lymphoma 9-Like Protein (BCL9L) was negatively associated with miR-766-3p expression in OS cells and tissue samples and was validated as the downstream target by luciferase reporter assay and western blotting. Rescue experiment indicated that BCL9L could restore the influence of miR-766-3p on OS cells. In addition, the β-Catenin/TCF-4 signal pathway was demonstrated to be related to the miR-766-3p/BCL9L axis. In summary, miR-766-3p, a negative regulator of BCL9L, plays the role of tumor metastasis suppressor via the β-catenin signaling pathway in the progression of OS.