Noncoding RNA-mediated regulation of pyroptotic cell death in cancer

Regulation of Different Types of Cell Death by Noncoding RNAs: Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Implications

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial regulatory molecules in various biological processes, despite not coding for proteins. ncRNAs are further divided into long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) based on the size of their nucleotides. These ncRNAs play crucial roles in transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic regulation. The regulatory roles of noncoding RNAs, including lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs, are essential in various modalities of cellular death, such as apoptosis, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, pyroptosis, disulfidptosis, and necroptosis. These noncoding RNAs are integral to modulating gene expression and protein functionality during cellular death mechanisms. In apoptosis, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs influence the transcription of apoptotic genes. In ferroptosis, these noncoding RNAs target genes and proteins involved in iron homeostasis and oxidative stress responses. For cuproptosis, noncoding RNAs regulate pathways associated with the accumulation of copper ions, leading to cellular death. During pyroptosis, noncoding RNAs modulate inflammatory mediators and caspases, affecting the proinflammatory cell death pathway. In necroptosis, noncoding RNAs oversee the formation and functionality of necrosomes, thereby influencing the balance between cellular survival and death. Disulfidptosis is a unique type of regulated cell death caused by the excessive formation of disulfide bonds within cells, leading to cytoskeletal collapse and oxidative stress, especially under glucose-limited conditions. This investigation highlights the complex mechanisms through which noncoding RNAs coordinate cellular death, emphasizing their therapeutic promise as potential targets, particularly in the domain of cancer treatment.

Fibromodulin selectively accelerates myofibroblast apoptosis in cutaneous wounds by enhancing interleukin 1β signaling

Activated myofibroblasts deposit extracellular matrix material to facilitate rapid wound closure that can heal scarlessly during fetal development. However, adult myofibroblasts exhibit a relatively long life and persistent function, resulting in scarring. Thus, understanding how fetal and adult tissue regeneration differs may serve to identify factors that promote more optimal wound healing in adults with little or less scarring. We previously found that matricellular proteoglycan fibromodulin is one such factor promoting more optimal repair, but the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms for these effects have not been fully elucidated. Here, we find that fibromodulin induces myofibroblast apoptosis after wound closure to reduce scarring in small and large animal models. Mechanistically, fibromodulin accelerates and prolongs the formation of the interleukin 1β-interleukin 1 receptor type 1-interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein ternary complex to increase the apoptosis of myofibroblasts and keloid- and hypertrophic scar-derived cells. As the persistence of myofibroblasts during tissue regeneration is a key cause of fibrosis in most organs, fibromodulin represents a promising, broad-spectrum anti-fibrotic therapeutic.

Pyroptosis in lung cancer: The emerging role of non-coding RNAs

Lung cancer remains an intractable malignancy worldwide, prompting novel therapeutic modalities. Pyroptosis, a lethal form of programmed cell death featured by inflammation, has been involved in cancer progression and treatment response. Simultaneously, non-coding RNA has been shown to have important roles in coordinating pattern formation and oncogenic pathways, including long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs), microRNA (miRNAs), circular RNA (circRNAs), and small interfering RNA (siRNAs). Recent studies have revealed that ncRNAs can promote or inhibit pyroptosis by interacting with key molecular players such as NLRP3, GSDMD, and various transcription factors. This dual role of ncRNAs offers a unique therapeutic potential to manipulate pyroptosis pathways, providing opportunities for innovative cancer treatments. In this review, we integrate current research findings to propose novel strategies for leveraging ncRNA-mediated pyroptosis as a therapeutic intervention in lung cancer. We explore the potential of ncRNAs as biomarkers for predicting patient response to treatment and as targets for overcoming resistance to conventional therapies.

Circular RNAs in programmed cell death: Regulation mechanisms and potential clinical applications in cancer: A review

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of non-coding RNAs with covalently closed structures formed by reverse splicing of precursor mRNAs. The widespread expression of circRNAs across species has been revealed by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics approaches, indicating their unique properties and diverse functions including acting as microRNA sponges and interacting with RNA-binding proteins. Programmed cell death (PCD), encompassing various forms such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis, is an essential process for maintaining normal development and homeostasis in the human body by eliminating damaged, infected, and aging cells. Many studies have demonstrated that circRNAs play crucial roles in tumourigenesis and development by regulating PCD in tumor cells, showing that circRNAs have the potential to be biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the intricate associations between circRNAs and diverse PCD pathways in tumor cells, which play crucial roles in cancer development. Additionally, this review provides a detailed overview of the underlying mechanisms by which circRNAs modulate various forms of PCD for the first time. The ultimate objective is to offer valuable insights into the potential clinical significance of developing novel strategies based on circRNAs and PCD for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Exploring ncRNA-mediated pathways in sepsis-induced pyroptosis

Sepsis, a potentially fatal illness caused by an improper host response to infection, remains a serious problem in the world of healthcare. In recent years, the role of ncRNA has emerged as a pivotal aspect in the intricate landscape of cellular regulation. The exploration of ncRNA-mediated regulatory networks reveals their profound influence on key molecular pathways orchestrating pyroptotic responses during septic conditions. Through a comprehensive analysis of current literature, we navigate the diverse classes of ncRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, elucidating their roles as both facilitators and inhibitors in the modulation of pyroptotic processes. Furthermore, we highlight the potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications of targeting these ncRNAs in the context of sepsis, aiming to cover the method for novel and effective strategies to mitigate the devastating consequences of septic pathogenesis. As we unravel the complexities of this regulatory axis, a deeper understanding of the intricate crosstalk between ncRNAs and pyroptosis emerges, offering promising avenues for advancing our approach to sepsis intervention. The intricate pathophysiology of sepsis is examined in this review, which explores the dynamic interaction between ncRNAs and pyroptosis, a highly regulated kind of programmed cell death.

Relevance of pyroptosis-associated genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis and subtype classification

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly aggressive and metastatic malignancy originating in the nasopharyngeal tissue. Pyroptosis is a relatively newly discovered, regulated form of necrotic cell death induced by inflammatory caspases that is associated with a variety of diseases. However, the role and mechanism of pyroptosis in NPC are not fully understood.

METHODS

We analyzed the differential expression of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) between patients with and without NPC from the GSE53819 and GSE64634 datasets of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We mapped receptor operating characteristic profiles for these key PRGs to assess the accuracy of the genes for disease diagnosis and prediction of patient prognosis. In addition, we constructed a nomogram based on these key PRGs and carried out a decision curve analysis. The NPC patients were classified into different pyroptosis gene clusters by the consensus clustering method based on key PRGs, whereas the expression profiles of the key PRGs were analyzed by applying principal component analysis. We also analyzed the differences in key PRGs, immune cell infiltration and NPC-related genes between the clusters. Finally, we performed differential expression analysis for pyroptosis clusters and obtained differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and performed Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses.

RESULTS

We obtained 14 differentially expressed PRGs from GEO database. Based on these 14 differentially expressed PRGs, we applied least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis and the random forest algorithm to obtain four key PRGs (CHMP7, IL1A, TP63 and GSDMB). We completely distinguished the NPC patients into two pyroptosis gene clusters (pyroptosis clusters A and B) based on four key PRGs. Furthermore, we determined the immune cell abundance of each NPC sample, estimated the association between the four PRGs and immune cells, and determined the difference in immune cell infiltration between the two pyroptosis gene clusters. Finally, we obtained and functional enrichment analyses 259 DEGs by differential expression analysis for both pyroptosis clusters.

CONCLUSIONS

PRGs are critical in the development of NPC, and our research on the pyroptosis gene cluster may help direct future NPC therapeutic approaches.

From the Sun to the Cell: Examining Obesity through the Lens of Vitamin D and Inflammation

Obesity affects more than one billion people worldwide and often leads to cardiometabolic chronic comorbidities. It induces senescence-related alterations in adipose tissue, and senescence is closely linked to obesity. Fully elucidating the pathways through which vitamin D exerts anti-inflammatory effects may improve our understanding of local adipose tissue inflammation and the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. In this narrative review, we compiled and analyzed the literature from diverse academic sources, focusing on recent developments to provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of vitamin D on inflammation associated with obesity and senescence. The article reveals that the activation of the NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1) and NLRP3 inflammasome (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing, pyrin domain-containing-3) pathways through the toll-like receptors, which increases oxidative stress and cytokine release, is a common mechanism underlying inflammation associated with obesity and senescence, and it discusses the potential beneficial effect of vitamin D in alleviating the development of subclinical inflammation. Investigating the main target cells and pathways of vitamin D action in adipose tissue could help uncover complex mechanisms of obesity and cellular senescence. This review summarizes significant findings related to opportunities for improving metabolic health.

Non-coding RNAs in lung cancer: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications

Lung cancer (LC) is a heterogeneous disease with high malignant degree, rapid growth, and early metastasis. The clinical outcomes of LC patients are generally poor due to the insufficient elucidation of pathological mechanisms, low efficiency of detection and assessment methods, and lack of individualized therapeutic strategies. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA), are endogenous regulators that are widely involved in the modulation of almost all aspects of life activities, from organogenesis and aging to immunity and cancer. They commonly play vital roles in various biological processes by regulating gene expression via their interactions with DNA, RNA, or protein. An increasing amount of studies have demonstrated that ncRNAs are closely correlated with the initiation and development of LC. Their dysregulation promotes the progression of LC via distinct mechanisms, such as influencing protein activity, activating oncogenic signaling pathways, or altering specific gene expression. Furthermore, some ncRNAs present certain clinical values as biomarker candidates and therapeutic targets for LC patients. A complete understanding of their mechanisms in LC progression may be highly beneficial to developing ncRNA-based therapeutics for LC patients. This review mainly focuses on the intricate mechanisms of miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA involved in LC progression and discuss their underlying applications in LC treatment.

Bridging Pyroptosis and Immunity: A Comprehensive Study of the Pyroptosis-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Signature in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer continuously poses serious clinical challenges to human health due to its intrinsic heterogenicity and evolving drug resistance. Recently, increasing evidence has shown that pyroptosis, known as a programmed and inflammatory form of cell death, participates in tumorigenesis, progression, and remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). However, a comprehensive insight into pyroptosis-related signatures for breast cancer remains elusive. The current study established a pyroptosis-related lncRNA signature using transcriptome data and corresponding clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Pyroptosis-related gene clusters, the associated differential expression in breast cancer patients' subtypes, and the potential mechanisms were all discussed. This integrative analysis revealed a unique signature underpinning the dichotomy of breast cancer progression and survival outcomes. Interestingly, the pyroptosis-related lncRNA signature was revealed as closely intertwined with the TIME. A correlation was established between the pyroptosis-related LncRNA signature and the TIME, underlying the mutual effect between pyroptosis and the immune responses implicated in breast cancer. The findings in this work underline the critical role exerted by pyroptosis in breast cancer, providing new insights into disease progression, prognosis, and therapeutic potential. This work has been poised to provide new avenues for personalized, immune-based cancer therapeutics by enhancing our understanding of pyroptosis in breast cancer.

Possible therapeutic targets for NLRP3 inflammasome-induced breast cancer

Inflammation plays a major role in the development and progression of breast cancer(BC). Proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis are all linked to inflammation and tumorigenesis. Furthermore, tumor microenvironment (TME) inflammation-mediated cytokine releases play a critical role in these processes. By recruiting caspase-1 through an adaptor apoptosis-related spot protein, inflammatory caspases are activated by the triggering of pattern recognition receptors on the surface of immune cells. Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, and melanoma-like receptors are not triggered. It activates the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 and is involved in different biological processes that exert their effects. The Nod-Like Receptor Protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome regulates inflammation by mediating the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and interacting with other cellular compartments through the inflammasome's central role in innate immunity. NLRP3 inflammasome activation mechanisms have received much attention in recent years. Inflammatory diseases including enteritis, tumors, gout, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and obesity are associated with abnormal activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Different cancer diseases have been linked to NLRP3 and its role in tumorigenesis may be the opposite. Tumors can be suppressed by it, as has been seen primarily in the context of colorectal cancer associated with colitis. However, cancers such as gastric and skin can also be promoted by it. The inflammasome NLRP3 is associated with breast cancer, but there are few specific reviews. This review focuses on the structure, biological characteristics and mechanism of inflammasome, the relationship between NLRP3 in breast cancer Non-Coding RNAs, MicroRNAs and breast cancer microenvironment, especially the role of NLRP3 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). And the potential strategies of using NLRP3 inflammasome to target breast cancer, such as NLRP3-based nanoparticle technology and gene target therapy, are reviewed.

Non-coding RNA-mediated modulation of ferroptosis in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide and seriously threatens human health and life. Cardiomyocyte death is considered the pathological basis of various CVDs, including myocardial infarction, heart failure, and aortic dissection. Multiple mechanisms, such as ferroptosis, necrosis, and apoptosis, contribute to cardiomyocyte death. Among them, ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death that plays a vital role in various physiological and pathological processes, from development and aging to immunity and CVD. The dysregulation of ferroptosis has been shown to be closely associated with CVD progression, yet its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. In recent years, a growing amount of evidence suggests that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, are involved in the regulation of ferroptosis, thus affecting CVD progression. Some ncRNAs also exhibit potential value as biomarker and/or therapeutic target for patients with CVD. In this review, we systematically summarize recent findings on the underlying mechanisms of ncRNAs involved in ferroptosis regulation and their role in CVD progression. We also focus on their clinical applications as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets in CVD treatment. DATA AVAILABILITY: No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.

Non-coding RNAs regulating mitochondrial function in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of disease-related death worldwide and a significant obstacle to improving patients' health and lives. Mitochondria are core organelles for the maintenance of myocardial tissue homeostasis, and their impairment and dysfunction are considered major contributors to the pathogenesis of various CVDs, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. However, the exact roles of mitochondrial dysfunction involved in CVD pathogenesis remain not fully understood. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have been shown to be crucial regulators in the initiation and development of CVDs. They can participate in CVD progression by impacting mitochondria and regulating mitochondrial function-related genes and signaling pathways. Some ncRNAs also exhibit great potential as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for CVD patients. In this review, we mainly focus on the underlying mechanisms of ncRNAs involved in the regulation of mitochondrial functions and their role in CVD progression. We also highlight their clinical implications as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in CVD treatment. The information reviewed herein could be extremely beneficial to the development of ncRNA-based therapeutic strategies for CVD patients.

Delivery of miR-3529-3p using MnO2 -SiO2 -APTES nanoparticles combined with phototherapy suppresses lung adenocarcinoma progression by targeting HIGD1A

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the function of miR-3529-3p in lung adenocarcinoma and MnO2 -SiO2 -APTES (MSA) as a promising multifunctional delivery agent for lung adenocarcinoma therapy.

METHODS

Expression levels of miR-3529-3p were evaluated in lung carcinoma cells and tissues by qRT-PCR. The effects of miR-3529-3p on apoptosis, proliferation, metastasis and neovascularization were assessed by CCK-8, FACS, transwell and wound healing assays, tube formation and xenografts experiments. Luciferase reporter assays, western blot, qRT-PCR and mitochondrial complex assay were used to determine the targeting relationship between miR-3529-3p and hypoxia-inducible gene domain family member 1A (HIGD1A). MSA was fabricated using MnO2 nanoflowers, and its heating curves, temperature curves, IC50, and delivery efficiency were examined. The hypoxia and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was investigated by nitro reductase probing, DCFH-DA staining and FACS.

RESULTS

MiR-3529-3p expression was reduced in lung carcinoma tissues and cells. Transfection of miR-3529-3p could promote apoptosis and suppress cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. As a target of miR-3529-3p, HIGD1A expression was downregulated, through which miR-3529-3p could disrupt the activities of complexes III and IV of the respiratory chain. The multifunctional nanoparticle MSA could not only efficiently deliver miR-3529-3p into cells, but also enhance the antitumor function of miR-3529-3p. The underlying mechanism may be that MSA alleviates hypoxia and has synergistic effects in cellular ROS promotion with miR-3529-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results establish the antioncogenic role of miR-3529-3p, and demonstrate that miR-3529-3p delivered by MSA has enhanced tumor suppressive effects, probably through elevating ROS production and thermogenesis.

Regulation of Inflammasome by microRNAs in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: New Opportunities for Therapy

During the past decade, researchers have investigated the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer initiation and progression, especially triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in order to identify specific biomarkers that could serve as feasible targets for innovative therapeutic strategies development. TNBC is characterized by a dynamic and aggressive nature, due to the absence of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors. TNBC progression is associated with the dysregulation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, followed by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and caspase-1 dependent cell death, termed pyroptosis. The heterogeneity of the breast tumor microenvironment triggers the interest of non-coding RNAs' involvement in NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, TNBC progression and metastasis. Non-coding RNAs are paramount regulators of carcinogenesis and inflammasome pathways, which could help in the development of efficient treatments. This review aims to highlight the contribution of non-coding RNAs that support inflammasome activation and TNBC progression, pointing up their potential for clinical applications as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy.