microRNA-628 inhibits the proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia cells by directly targeting IGF-1R

Lipoic acid alters the microRNA signature in breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer, the deadliest disease affecting women globally, exhibits heterogeneity with distinct molecular subtypes. Despite advances in cancer therapy, the persistence of high mortality rates due to chemotherapy resistance remains a major challenge. Lipoic acid (LA), a natural antioxidant, has proven potent anticancer properties. Yet, the impact of LA on microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in breast cancer remains unexplored.

AIM

The aim of this study was to unravel the effect of LA on miRNA expression profiles in different breast cancer cell lines.

METHODS

The MiRCURY LNA miRNA miRNome qPCR Panel was used to compare the miRNA signature in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells treated or not with LA.

RESULTS

We identified six upregulated and six downregulated miRNAs in LA-treated MDA-MB-231 cells and 14 upregulated and four downregulated miRNAs in LA-treated MCF-7 cells compared to control cells. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway analysis revealed that the deregulated miRNAs could alter different signaling cascades including FoxO, P53 and Hippo pathways.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of this study provides further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic benefit of LA. This in turn could assist the amelioration of LA-based anticancer therapies.

The Promising Role of Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Leukemia

Early-stage leukemia identification is crucial for effective disease management and leads to an improvement in the survival of leukemia patients. Approaches based on cutting-edge biomarkers with excellent accuracy in body liquids provide patients with the possibility of early diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Non-coding RNAs have recently received a great deal of interest as possible biomarkers in leukemia due to their participation in crucial oncogenic processes such as proliferation, differentiation, invasion, apoptosis, and their availability in body fluids. Recent studies have revealed a strong correlation between leukemia and the deregulated non-coding RNAs. On this basis, these RNAs are also great therapeutic targets. Based on these advantages, we tried to review the role of non-coding RNAs in leukemia. Here, the significance of several non-coding RNA types in leukemia is highlighted, and their potential roles as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets are covered.

Homo sapiens circular RNA 0003602 (Hsa_circ_0003602) accelerates the tumorigenicity of acute myeloid leukemia by modulating miR-502-5p/IGF1R axis

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has become a worldwide malignant cancer. We intended to investigate the critical roles and mechanism underlying homo sapiens circular RNA 0003602 (hsa_circ_0003602) in AML progression, especially in tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Real-time PCR was applied to identify the differential expression of hsa_circ_0003602 and miR-502-5p in AML bone marrow tissues and cell lines. In addition, western blot analysis was employed to determine the levels insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) protein. The biological behaviors were assessed by CCK-8 cell viability assay, flow cytometry assay for apoptosis detection, and Transwell migration and invasion assay. The relationships between target miRNA and downstream mRNA were investigated by bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assay, and biotin-labeled RNA pull-down assay. Hsa_circ_0003602 was upregulated and predicted poor survival in AML. Knockdown of hsa_circ_0003602 in AML cell lines induced the inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion and caused apoptosis. Hsa_circ_0003602 sequestered miR-502-5p by functioning as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), thereby regulating IGF1R expression. Hsa_circ_0003602 acted as a tumor promoter in AML via miR-502-5p/IGF1R axis. Our study provides evidence that hsa_circ_0003602, miR-502-5p, and IGF1R might form a regulatory axis to affect the carcinogenicity of AML cells and provide potential targets for the treatment of AML.

Small molecules with huge impacts: the role of miRNA-regulated PI3K pathway in human malignancies

Along with evolution, a considerable number of signaling cascades have evolved within cells to meet their multifaceted needs. Among transmitting molecules, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) have teamed up to build a signaling axis that effectively regulates various cellular processes including cell proliferation and migration. Given the extensive output of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling axis, its aberrancy could subsequently lead to the formation of a wide range of human cancers spanning from hematologic malignancies to different types of solid tumors. Despite the high frequency of the PI3K pathway over-activation in most malignancies, mutations in the DNA sequence are not equally common. Such incompatibility sheds light on the possible effects of post-translational modification mechanisms that may take control of this pathway, some of the most important ones of which are through microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). The present review is designed to take off the veil from the regulatory role of these small non-coding RNAs on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling axis in carcinogenesis.

LncRNA CD27-AS1 promotes acute myeloid leukemia progression through the miR-224-5p/PBX3 signaling circuit

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy with a low cure rate, especially in the elderly. Previous studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the biological roles and clinical significances of most lncRNAs in AML are not fully understood. LncRNA CD27 Antisense RNA 1 (CD27-AS1), as a member of lncRNA family, has rare reports on its function. In present study, we found that the expression of CD27-AS1 examined by quantitative real-time PCR was markedly increased in the AML patients (N = 40) compared with healthy volunteers (N = 40). The overall survival time was significantly shorter in patients with higher CD27-AS1 expression than that in patients with lower CD27-AS1 (P < 0.01). Furthermore, downregulation of CD27-AS1 in AML cells suppressed proliferative ability, arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, and induced apoptosis. However, CD27-AS1 overexpression further enhanced the malignant phenotype of AML cells. Additionally, CD27-AS1 was proved to increase PBX3 expression through sponging miR-224-5p. CD27-AS1 knockdown blocked the MAPK signaling through PBX3 silencing and further inhibited the cell growth of AML cells. Taken together, we demonstrate that CD27-AS1 may be a potential prognostic biomarker of AML, and our finding also provides a new insight for non-coding RNA-based therapeutic intervention of AML.

Tumor suppressors in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a very heterogeneous type of blood cancer, which presents with a high rate of mortality especially in elderly patients. Better understanding of critical players, such as molecules with tumor suppressive properties, may help to fine-tune disease classification and thereby treatment modalities for this detrimental disease. Here, we summarize well-known and established tumor suppressors as well as emerging tumor suppressors, including transcription factors (TCFs) and other transcriptional regulators, such as epigenetic modulators. In addition, we look into the versatile field of miRNAs also interfering with tumorigenesis and progression, which offer new possibilities in AML diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.

PI3 kinase signaling pathway in hematopoietic cancers: A glance in miRNA's role

Hematopoietic cancers are among the most common malignancies worldwide, which are divided into different types depending on the origin of tumor cells. In recent years, the pivotal role of different signaling pathways in the onset and progression of these cancer types has been well established. One of these pathways, whose role in blood malignancies has been well-defined, is PI3K/mTOR/AKT axis. The signaling pathway involves in a wide variety of important biological events in cells. It is clear that dysregulation of mediators involved in PI3 kinase signaling takes a pivotal role in cancer development. Considering the undeniable role of miRNAs, as one of the well-known families of non-coding RNAs, in gene regulation, we aimed to review the role of miRNAs in regulation of PI3 kinase signaling effectors in hematopoietic cancers.

miRNA signature associated with R-CHOP refractoriness in patients diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Refractoriness remains as one of the challenges in patients with lymphoma under chemotherapy, and among biological regulators in cells driving this type of response are microRNAs (miRNAs). Different genes are constantly turned on or off according to the miRNAs expression profiles affecting the drug response in patients and their stability in serum and plasma makes them potential prognostic biomarkers in several diseases. Here we described a profile of miRNAs in plasma of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. miRNA expression arrays were carried using pre-treatment plasma samples of sixteen patients, followed by a comparison between the responder and the non-responders. After six cycles of R–CHOP treatment, twelve out of sixteen patients were clinically diagnosed with complete response while in four patients no clinical response was observed. Between these groups, a signature of fifteen differential expressed miRNAs was found. The circulating miRNAs in plasma of patients with no response were related to the drug resistance in other types of cancer, by targeting genes involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis, among other cell processes.

Comparison of microRNA Expression Profile in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Newly Diagnosed and Treated by Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) results from a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, which generates the Philadelphia chromosome. This forms BCR/ABL1, an active tyrosine kinase protein that promotes cell growth and replication. Despite great progress in CML treatment in the form of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, allogeneic-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is currently used as an important treatment alternative for patients resistant to these inhibitors. Studies have shown that unregulated expression of microRNAs, which act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, is associated with human cancers. This contributes to tumor formation and development by stimulating proliferation, angiogenesis, and invasion. Research has demonstrated the potential of microRNAs as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets. In the present study, we compared the circulating microRNA expression profiles of 14 newly diagnosed patients with chronic phase-CML and 14 Philadelphia chromosome-negative patients after allo-HSCT. For each patient, we tested 758 microRNAs by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. The global expression profile of microRNAs revealed 16 upregulated and 30 downregulated microRNAs. Target genes were analyzed, and key pathways were extracted and compared. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze data. Among the downregulated miRNA target genes, some genes related to cell proliferation pathways were identified. These results reveal the comprehensive microRNA profile of CML patients and the main pathways related to the target genes of these miRNAs in cytogenetic remission after allo-HSCT. These results provide new resources for exploring stem cell transplantation-based CML treatment strategies.

Role of PI3K/AKT pathway in cancer: the framework of malignant behavior

Given that the PI3K/AKT pathway has manifested its compelling influence on multiple cellular process, we further review the roles of hyperactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway in various human cancers. We state the abnormalities of PI3K/AKT pathway in different cancers, which are closely related with tumorigenesis, proliferation, growth, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stem-like phenotype, immune microenvironment and drug resistance of cancer cells. In addition, we investigated the current clinical trials of inhibitors against PI3K/AKT pathway in cancers and found that the clinical efficacy of these inhibitors as monotherapy has so far been limited despite of the promising preclinical activity, which means combinations of targeted therapy may achieve better efficacies in cancers. In short, we hope to feature PI3K/AKT pathway in cancers to the clinic and bring the new promising to patients for targeted therapies.

LINC01128 resisted acute myeloid leukemia through regulating miR-4260/NR3C2

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a prevalent class of blood disease with a high occurrence rate and relapse rate. The role of dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) in AML is emerging. MiR-4260 was identified to be a carcinogenic miRNA in colorectal cancer, but never has it been reported in AML. We aimed to study the function and mechanism of miR-4260 in AML. The miR-4260 level was higher in AML cell lines than the normal cell lines. Inhibition of miR-4260 hindered proliferation and increased apoptosis of AML cells. Mechanistically, long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1128 (LINC01128) competed with nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2 (NR3C2) for miR-4260 so as to upregulate NR3C2. We identified the reduced levels of LINC01128 and NR3C2 in AML and it was suggested through rescue assays that LINC01128 repressed AML progression through regulating miR-4260/NR3C2 axis. In conclusion, we firstly uncovered that LINC01128 resisted acute myeloid leukemia through regulating miR-4260/NR3C2, providing novel clues for the treatment improvement of AML.

miR-4792 Inhibits Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Proliferation and Invasion and Promotes Cell Apoptosis by Targeting Kindlin-3

It has been reported that kindlin-3 expression is closely associated with progression of many cancers and microRNA (miRNA) processing. However, the effects and precise mechanisms of kindlin-3 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have not been well clarified. Our study aimed to explore the interaction between kindlin-3 and miR-4792 in AML. In our study, we found that the expression of kindlin-3 was dramatically increased in AML samples and cell lines, and the miR-4792 level was significantly downregulated. Interestingly, the low miR-4792 level was closely associated with upregulated kindlin-3 expression in AML samples. Moreover, introduction of miR-4792 dramatically suppressed proliferation and invasion and induced apoptosis of AML cells. We demonstrated that miR-4792 could directly target kindlin-3 by using both bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay. In addition, kindlin-3 silencing had similar effects with miR-4792 overexpression on AML cells. Overexpression of kindlin-3 in AML cells partially reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-4792 mimic. miR-4792 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion and induced apoptosis of AML cells by directly downregulating kindlin-3 expression, and miR-4792 targeting kindlin-3 was responsible for the regulation of the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of AML cells.

MicroRNA‑628‑5p inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer through downregulating CCND1 expression levels

MicroRNA (miR)-628-5p serves as an antitumor gene in a variety of cancers; however, the role of miR-628-5p in colorectal cancer remains largely unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of miR-628-5p in colorectal cancer. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), colony formation assays and flow cytometric analysis were used to determine the expression levels of miR-628-5p in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines, and the proliferative ability of colorectal cancer cells. TargetScan version 7.2 and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to predict and confirm miR-628-5p target genes. The expression levels of cyclin D1 (CCND1) and related genes were determined using RT-qPCR or/and western blotting analysis. miR-628-5p mimics and CCND1 plasmids were used to overexpress miR-628-5p and CCND1; it was demonstrated that the expression levels of miR-628-5p were significantly downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. miR-628-5p mimic-transfected cells inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells. CCND1, a downstream effector of miR-628-5p, promoted the proliferation and suppressed apoptosis of HT-29 cells, and the effects were reversed by miR-628-5p mimics. In conclusion, the present study suggested that colorectal cancer progression may be regulated through the miR-628-5p/CCND1 axis, and miR-628-5p could be used as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer.

MicroRNAs: pivotal regulators in acute myeloid leukemia

MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are 19-22 nucleotides in length and regulate a variety of biological processes at the post-transcriptional level. MicroRNA dysregulation disrupts normal biological processes, resulting in tumorigenesis. Acute myeloid leukemia is an invasive hematological malignancy characterized by the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of immature myeloid cells. Due to the low 5-year survival rate, there is an urgent need to discover novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. In recent years, microRNAs have been shown to play important roles in hematological malignancies by acting as tumor suppressors and oncogenes. MicroRNAs have the potential to be a breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. In this review, we summarize the biology of microRNAs and discuss the relationships between microRNA dysregulation and acute myeloid leukemia in the following aspects: signaling pathways, the abnormal biological behavior of acute myeloid leukemia cells, the clinical application of microRNAs and competing endogenous RNA regulatory networks.

MicroRNA-939-5p directly targets IGF-1R to inhibit the aggressive phenotypes of osteosarcoma through deactivating the PI3K/Akt pathway

The dysregulation of microRNA‑939‑5p (miR‑939) is involved in the development of multiple types of human cancer. However, the expression and roles of miR‑939 in osteosarcoma (OS) have yet to be clarified. The expression level of miR‑939 in OS was measured using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR). A Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and a tumor xenograft assay were employed to explore the effects of miR‑939 in OS cells. Bioinformatics analysis, RT‑qPCR, western blot analysis and luciferase reporter assays were performed to explore its underlying mechanism. Expression of miR‑939 was decreased in both OS tissues and cell lines. The decreased miR‑939 expression was notably correlated with clinical stage and distant metastasis in patients with OS, where low miR‑939 levels were correlated with lower overall survival. miR‑939 overexpression decreased OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro; induced cell apoptosis, and impaired tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, insulin‑like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‑1R) was characterized as direct target gene of miR‑939 in OS. The tumor‑suppressing effects of miR‑939 in OS cells were imitated by IGF‑1R knockdown. In addition, exogenous IGF‑1R expression abolished the tumor suppressive roles of miR‑939 in OS cells. miR‑939 was implicated in the deactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in OS in vitro and in vivo through regulating IGF‑1R expression. The present study demonstrated that miR‑939 exerted tumor‑suppressing roles in the malignancy of OS cells by directly targeting IGF‑1R and inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Therefore, this miRNA may be a promising target for anticancer therapy in patients with OS.

Long noncoding RNA SNHG16 silencing inhibits the aggressiveness of gastric cancer via upregulation of microRNA-628-3p and consequent decrease of NRP1

Background

MicroRNA-628-3p (miR-628) has been reported to play important roles in the progression of multiple human cancer types. Nonetheless, whether the expression profile of miR-628 is altered in gastric cancer remains unclear and whether its aberrant expression plays a crucial part in the aggressiveness of gastric cancer is yet to be determined. Therefore, in this study, we systematically investigated the involvement of miR-628 in gastric cancer progression.

Materials and methods

MiR-628 expression in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines were determined via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A CCK-8 assay, flow-cytometric analysis, Transwell assays, and a xenograft model experiment were performed to evaluate the influence of miR-628 overexpression on gastric cancer cells. Notably, the mechanisms underlying the tumor-suppressive activity of miR-628 in gastric cancer cells were explored by bioinformatics analysis, a luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting.

Results

MiR-628 expression was low in gastric cancer tissue samples and cell lines. The low expression of miR-628 was closely associated with the lymph node metastasis, invasive depth and TNM stage among patients with gastric cancer. Further clinical analysis indicated that patients with gastric cancer underexpressing miR-628 had a worse prognosis than did the patients with high miR-628 expression in the tumor. Overexpressed miR-628 restrained proliferation, migration, and invasion; induced apoptosis; and impaired tumor growth of gastric cancer cells. In addition, neuropilin 1 (NRP1) mRNA was validated as the direct target of miR-628 in gastric cancer. Long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) was demonstrated to sponge miR-628 in gastric cancer. Moreover, miR-628 knockdown abrogated the influence of SNHG16 silencing on gastric cancer cells.

Conclusion

Our findings elucidate how the SNHG16–miR-628–NRP1 pathway serves as a regulatory network playing crucial roles in gastric cancer progression, suggesting that this pathway may be a novel target of anticancer therapy.