NRF2信号通路促进非小细胞肺癌增殖的研究进展

Deciphering the Function of lncRNA XIST/miR-329-3p/TMBIM6 Axis in the Proliferation of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a major health concern due to its high incidence and mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of the long non-coding X inactivation-specific transcript (lncRNA XIST)/microRNA-329-3p (miR-329-3p)/transmembrane BAX Inhibitor Motif-6 (TMBIM6) axis in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC, and its potential as a therapeutic target.

METHODS

The expression levels of XIST, miR-329-3p, and TMBIM6 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and their correlations with clinicopathological characteristics were examined. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were used to validate the binding interactions among XIST and miR-329-3p, and TMBIM6. The malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells, including proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, were assessed using CCK-8, Transwell assays, and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Silencing XIST significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells while promoting apoptosis. Mechanistically, XIST functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), sponging miR-329-3p and thereby downregulating its expression. Overexpression of miR-329-3p counteracted the oncogenic effects of XIST in NSCLC cells. Additionally, miR-329-3p downregulated TMBIM6 expression, while TMBIM6 overexpression counteracted the tumor-suppressive effects of miR-329-3p.

CONCLUSION

Silencing XIST upregulates miR-329-3p, leading to the suppression of TMBIM6 expression and inhibition of NSCLC progression. These findings suggest that the XIST/miR-329-3p/TMBIM6 axis could serve as a promising molecular target for therapeutic strategies in NSCLC.

Hsa_circ_0096157 silencing suppresses autophagy and reduces cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer by weakening the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide, and new diagnostic markers are urgently needed. We aimed to investigate the mechanism by which hsa_circ_0096157 regulates autophagy and cisplatin (DDP) resistance in NSCLC.

METHODS

A549 cells were treated with DDP (0 μg/mL or 3 μg/mL). Then, the autophagy activator rapamycin (200 nm) was applied to the A549/DDP cells. Moreover, hsa_circ_0096157 and Nrf2 were knocked down, and Nrf2 was overexpressed in A549/DDP cells. The expression of Hsa_circ_0096157, the Nrf2/ARE pathway-related factors Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1, and the autophagy-related factors LC3, Beclin-1, and p62 was evaluated by qRT‒PCR or western blotting. Autophagosomes were detected through TEM. An MTS assay was utilized to measure cell proliferation. The associated miRNA levels were also tested by qRT‒PCR.

RESULTS

DDP (3 μg/mL) promoted hsa_circ_0096157, LC3 II/I, and Beclin-1 expression and decreased p62 expression. Knocking down hsa_circ_0096157 resulted in the downregulation of LC3 II/I and Beclin-1 expression, upregulation of p62 expression, and decreased proliferation. Rapamycin reversed the effect of interfering with hsa_circ_0096157. Keap1 expression was lower, and Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 expression was greater in the A549/DDP group than in the A549 group. HO-1 expression was repressed after Nrf2 interference. In addition, activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway promoted autophagy in A549/DDP cells. Moreover, hsa_circ_0096157 activated the Nrf2/ARE pathway. The silencing of hsa_circ_0096157 reduced Nrf2 expression by releasing miR-142-5p or miR-548n. Finally, we found that hsa_circ_0096157 promoted A549/DDP cell autophagy by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway.

CONCLUSION

Knockdown of hsa_circ_0096157 inhibits autophagy and DDP resistance in NSCLC cells by downregulating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

NRF2 promotes radiation resistance by cooperating with TOPBP1 to activate the ATR-CHK1 signaling pathway

Background: Radiation resistance is the main limitation of the application of radiotherapy. Ionizing radiation (IR) kills cancer cells mainly by causing DNA damage, particularly double-strand breaks (DSBs). Radioresistant cancer cells have developed the robust capability of DNA damage repair to survive IR. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) has been correlated with radiation resistance. We previously reported a novel function of NRF2 as an ATR activator in response to DSBs. However, little is known about the mechanism that how NRF2 regulates DNA damage repair and radiation resistance. Methods: The TCGA database and tissue microarray were used to analyze the correlation between NRF2 and the prognosis of lung cancer patients. The radioresistant lung cancer cells were constructed, and the role of NRF2 in radiation resistance was explored by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and extraction of chromatin fractions were used to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results: In this study, the TCGA database and clinical lung cancer samples showed that high expression of NRF2 was associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. We established radioresistant lung cancer cells expressing NRF2 at high levels, which showed increased antioxidant and DNA repair abilities. In addition, we found that NRF2 can be involved in the DNA damage response independently of its antioxidant function. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that NRF2 promoted the phosphorylation of replication protein A 32 (RPA32), and DNA topoisomerase 2-binding protein 1 (TOPBP1) was recruited to DSB sites in an NRF2-dependent manner. Conclusion: This study explored the novel role of NRF2 in promoting radiation resistance by cooperating with RPA32 and TOPBP1 to activate the ATR-CHK1 signaling pathway. In addition, the findings of this study not only provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the radiation resistance of lung cancer cells but also validate NRF2 as a potential target for radiotherapy.