Long Non-coding RNA SNHG12, a New Therapeutic Target, Regulates miR-199a-5p/Klotho to Promote the Growth and Metastasis of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

Coptisine prevents angiotensin II‑induced endothelial cell injury and senescence via the lncRNA SNHG12/miR‑603/NAMPT pathway

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a major health problem and targeting the associated molecular pathways is critical for developing therapies. The present study investigated the effect of coptisine on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in response to angiotensin II (Ang II) induction by focusing on cellular senescence, apoptosis and inflammation. HUVECs were treated with different Ang II concentrations and long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12), microRNA (miRNA/miR)-603 and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) expressions were assessed. Cell viability, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, senescence, apoptosis and inflammation were assessed. The interactions among SNHG12, miR-603 and NAMPT were investigated using dual-luciferase reporter gene assays and RNA pull-down experiments. Coptisine treatment increased SNHG12 expression and attenuated Ang II-induced adverse effects in HUVECs. SNHG12 silencing abrogated coptisine's protective effects, indicating that SNHG12 is a key mediator. SNHG12 targets miR-603, which then directly targets NAMPT, an age-related gene involved in NAD(+) regulation. Coptisine modulated the SNHG12/miR-603/NAMPT pathway and miR-603 inhibition enhanced the protective effects of coptisine. NAMPT overexpression reversed the negative effects of miR-603 and enhanced the protective effect of the miR-603 inhibitor. Finally, the protective mechanism of coptisine is linked to the regulation of NAD(+), sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and p53. Coptisine treatment counteracted the AngII-induced increase in SIRT3 and p53 protein levels, whereas the miR-603 inhibitor potentiated the effect of coptisine. SNHG12 knockdown partially abolished these effects, which were reversed by NAMPT overexpression. In conclusion, the present study revealed a novel protective mechanism involving the SNHG12/miR-603/NAMPT pathway in HUVECs exposed to Ang II, highlighting the potential therapeutic application of coptisine in treating atherosclerosis. These results suggested that coptisine exerts its protective effects by modulating the SNHG12/miR-603/NAMPT axis, which ultimately affects the regulation of NAD(+), SIRT3 and p53. Future studies should explore the potential of the SNHG12/miR-603/NAMPT pathway as a target for developing novel AS therapies.

A lncRNA-immune checkpoint-related gene signature predicts metastasis-free survival in prostate adenocarcinoma

Background

The 5-year overall survival rate in metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is extremely low. Genomic studies of PRAD have improved our understanding of disease biology. However, the role of immune checkpoint genes (ICGs) in PRAD remains unclear.

Methods

Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze genes associated with metastasis-free survival (MFS) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-PRAD dataset. The expressions of ADORA2A and TNFRSF18 were detected via immunohistochemical assay and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) assay in our in-house cohort. The expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) AL139287.1, SLC9A3-AS1, and SNHG12 were detected via RT-PCR assay in our in-house cohort. Stepwise regression, Cox regression, and nomogram analyses were used to evaluate the prognostic role of these genes in both the TCGA dataset and in-house cohort. The "pRRophetic" R package was used to evaluate drug sensitivity in the TCGA cohort according to the gene mRNA expression level.

Results

In our study, univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the mRNA expressions of two ICGs, ADORA2A and TNFRSF18, were independent factors affecting MFS in PRAD patients. A prognostic 2-ICG model predicted the MFS of PRAD patients with medium-to-high accuracy in the TCGA dataset and in-house cohort. The expressions of AL139287.1, SLC9A3-AS1, and SNHG12 were correlated with ADORA2A and TNFRSF18. A prognostic lncRNA-ICG model predicted the MFS of PRAD patients with medium-to-high accuracy in the TCGA dataset and in-house cohort. In addition, correlation analyses between the sensitivity of doxorubicin, erlotinib, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine and AL139287.1, SLC9A3-AS1, SNHG12, ADORA2A, and TNFRSF18 were conducted.

Conclusions

Our results provide new targets for predicting tumor metastasis in PRAD and treating patients with metastatic PRAD.

Lnc-PKD2-2-3/miR-328/GPAM ceRNA Network Induces Cholangiocarcinoma Proliferation, Invasion and 5-FU Chemoresistance

Purpose

Our previous study observed that long non-coding RNA PKD2-2-3 (lnc-PKD2-2-3) is related to advanced tumor features and worse prognosis in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Then, this study aimed to further explore the linkage between lnc-PKD2-2-3, miR-328, and GPAM, as well as their effects on regulating CCA viability, mobility, and chemosensitivity.

Methods

Lnc-PKD2-2-3, miR-328, and GPAM expression in 30 pairs of CCA tumor and adjacent tissues, as well as in CCA cell lines, were determined. Two CCA cell lines (HuCCT1 and TFK1) were transfected by lnc-PKD2-2-3 overexpression plasmid, lnc-PKD2-2-3 siRNA, miR-328 inhibitor, and GPAM siRNA alone or in combination, followed by cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and 5-FU chemosensitivity detection. Besides, xenograft mice were established for validation.

Results

Lnc-PKD2-2-3 and GPAM were higher, whereas miR-328 was lower in CCA tissues versus adjacent tissues and also in CCA cell lines versus control cells; meanwhile, they were correlated with each other (all P <0.05). Lnc-PKD2-2-3 knockdown decreased CCA cell proliferation, invasion, and increased apoptosis (all P <0.05), but lnc-PKD2-2-3 overexpression exhibited the opposite and weaker effect. MiR-328 knockdown induced CCA cell proliferation and invasion and also attenuated the effect of lnc-PKD2-2-3-knockdown in these functions (all P <0.05). Subsequently, GPAM knockdown reduced CCA cell proliferation and invasion and also weakened the effect of miR-328-knockdown in these functions (all P <0.05). Additionally, lnc-PKD2-2-3 positively regulated GPAM while negatively regulating miR-328. MiR-328 negatively modified GPAM in CCA cells. Luciferase gene reporter assays verified that lnc-PKD2-2-3 directly bound miR-328 and miR-328 directly bound GPAM. Finally, the lnc-PKD2-2-3/miR-328/GPAM network also regulated the 5-FU chemosensitivity of CCA cells. In vivo experiments further revealed that lnc-PKD2-2-3 overexpression promoted tumor volume and weight but repressed tumor apoptosis in xenograft mice; meanwhile, it increased GPAM expression but decreased miR-328 expression (all P <0.05). Conversely, lnc-PKD2-2-3 knockdown exhibited the opposite effects (all P <0.05).

Conclusion

Lnc-PKD2-2-3/miR-328/GPAM ceRNA network promotes CCA proliferation, invasion, and 5-FU chemoresistance.