MicroRNA-23a inhibits endometrial cancer cell development by targeting SIX1

Immunological Roles of CCL18 in Pan‑Cancer and Its Potential Value in Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the female reproductive system. However, the potential functions and mechanisms of immune-related genes in the onset and progression of EC remain unclear. The immune-related gene CCL18 has been implicated in apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance in various types of tumors. Nevertheless, its role in pan-cancer has been poorly investigated, and its expression value and prognostic significance in endometrial cancer (EC) have not been explored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify potential immune-related prognostic biomarkers for EC by utilizing the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), immunology database and analysis portal (ImmPort) database, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Immunohistochemistry staining results from EC tissue chips demonstrated elevated expression levels of inflammatory chemokine protein 18 (CCL18) in EC compared to normal endometrium. This study offers a potential therapeutic strategy for EC treatment by identifying regulatory targets through microRNA sequencing data. Additionally, drug prediction was based on CCL18 targets. Furthermore, an analysis of CCL18 expression in pan-cancer was conducted, and the results revealed its high expression in various types of cancer, including EC and bladder cancer. Through analysis of the ATAC-seq data, we found that SIX1, SOX3, and TWIST2 may regulate CCL18 transcription by binding to the gene promoter of CCL18 in EC. This study indicated that CCL18 could be a potential biomarker in pan-cancer and EC.

The interplay of sex steroid hormones and microRNAs in endometrial cancer: current understanding and future directions

Introduction

Endometrial cancer is a hormone-dependent malignancy, and sex steroid hormones play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate the expression of sex steroid hormone receptors and modulate hormone signaling pathways. Our aim is to provide an overview of the current understanding of the role of miRNAs in endometrial cancer regulated by sex steroid hormone pathways.

Methods

A thorough literature search was carried out in the PubMed database. The articles published from 2018 to the present were included. Keywords related to miRNAs, endometrial cancer, and sex steroid hormones were used in the search.

Results

Dysregulation of miRNAs has been linked to abnormal sex steroid hormone signaling and the development of endometrial cancer. Various miRNAs have been identified as modulators of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression, and the miRNA expression profile has been shown to be a predictor of response to hormone therapy. Additionally, specific miRNAs have been implicated in the regulation of genes involved in hormone-related signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK/ERK pathways.

Conclusion

The regulation of sex steroid hormones by miRNAs is a promising area of research in endometrial cancer. Future studies should focus on elucidating the functional roles of specific miRNAs in sex steroid hormone signaling and identifying novel miRNA targets for hormone therapy in endometrial cancer management.

The SIX Family of Transcription Factors: Common Themes Integrating Developmental and Cancer Biology

The sine oculis (SIX) family of transcription factors are key regulators of developmental processes during embryogenesis. Members of this family control gene expression to promote self-renewal of progenitor cell populations and govern mechanisms of cell differentiation. When the function of SIX genes becomes disrupted, distinct congenital defects develops both in animal models and humans. In addition to the embryonic setting, members of the SIX family have been found to be critical regulators of tumorigenesis, promoting cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Research in both the fields of developmental biology and cancer research have provided an extensive understanding of SIX family transcription factor functions. Here we review recent progress in elucidating the role of SIX family genes in congenital disease as well as in the promotion of cancer. Common themes arise when comparing SIX transcription factor function during embryonic and cancer development. We highlight the complementary nature of these two fields and how knowledge in one area can open new aspects of experimentation in the other.

miR-29a-3p inhibits endometrial cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting VEGFA/CD C42/PAK1

Background

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of miR-29a-3p in regulating endometrial cancer (EC) progression.

Methods

A total of 72 EC patients were enrolled. EC cells were transfected. Cells proliferation, cloning ability, migration and invasion were researched by MTT assay, colony formation experiment, cell scratch test and Transwell experiment respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed. Xenograft experiment was conducted using nude mice. miR-29a-3p, VEGFA, CDC42, PAK1 and p-PAK1 expression in cells/tissues was investigated by qRT-PCR and Western blot.

Results

miR-29a-3p expression was aberrantly reduced in EC patients, which was associated with poor outcome. miR-29a-3p inhibited EC cells proliferation, cloning formation, migration and invasion (P <  0.05 or P <  0.01 or P <  0.001). miR-29a-3p inhibited CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway activity in EC cells (P <  0.01). VEGFA expression was directly inhibited by miR-29a-3p. miR-29a-3p suppressed EC cells malignant phenotype in vitro and growth in vivo by targeting VEGFA/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

Conclusion

miR-29a-3p inhibits EC cells proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting VEGFA/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08506-z.

The Role of miRNAs in the Regulation of Endometrial Cancer Invasiveness and Metastasis-A Systematic Review

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common genital cancer in women with increasing death rates. MiRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression on the post-transcriptional levels. Multiple studies demonstrated a fundamental role of miRNAs in the regulation of carcinogenesis. This systematic review is a comprehensive overview of the role of miRNAs in the regulation of cancer cell invasiveness and metastasis in EC. The literature was searched for studies investigating the role of miRNAs in the regulation of invasiveness and metastasis in EC. We explored PubMed, Embase, and Scopus using the following keywords: miRNA, metastasis, invasiveness, endometrial cancer. Data were collected from 163 articles that described the expression and role of 106 miRNAs in the regulation of EC invasiveness and metastasis out of which 63 were tumor suppressor miRNAs, and 38 were oncomiRNAs. Five miRNAs had a discordant role in different studies. Moreover, we identified 66 miRNAs whose expression in tumor tissue or concentration in serum correlated with at least one clinical parameter. These findings suggest a crucial role of miRNAs in the regulation of EC invasiveness and metastasis and present them as potential prognostic factors for patients with EC.

Diagnostic Value of MicroRNA 21 in Endometrial Cancer and Benign Lesions and its Differential Expression in Relation to Clinicopathological Parameters

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women worldwide. Although this cancer is often diagnosed at early stages, the need for biomarkers of diagnosis remains a necessity to overcome conventional invasive procedures of diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

In our study, we aim to investigate the diagnostic value of microRNA-21 in endometrial cancer and its relation to clinicopathological features.

METHODS

We used RT-qPCR to measure the expression of microRNA-21 in 71 tumor tissues, 53 adjacent tissues, and 54 benign lesions.

RESULTS

Our results show that microRNA-21 is a potential biomarker for endometrial cancer with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.925 (95% CI = 0.863 - 0.964, P<0.0001). The sensitivity was 84.51% (95% CI = 74.0 - 92.0) and specificity was 86.79% (95% CI = 74.7 - 94.5). For discrimination between benign lesions and controls the AUC was 0,881 with a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI = 93.4 - 100.0) and specificity of 66.04 % (95% CI = 51.7 - 78.5), and for discriminating benign lesions from tumors the AUC was 0,750 with a sensitivity of 54.93% (95% CI = 42.7 - 66.8) and specificity of 90.74% (95% CI = 79.7 - 96.9). We also found that tumors with elevated microRNA-21 expression are of advanced FIGO stage, high histological grades, and have cervical invasion, myometrial invasion and distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the important role of miR-21 as a biomarker for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Further studies on minimally invasive/noninvasive samples such as serum, blood, and urine are necessary to provide a better alternative to current diagnosis methods.

miR-20a-5p inhibits endometrial cancer progression by targeting janus kinase 1

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a multi-factorial disease of which pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. The function and underlying mechanism of microRNA-20a-5p (miR-20a-5p) in EC remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to analyze the association between miR-20a-5p expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with EC. Whether miR-20a-5p could inhibit EC progression by targeting janus kinase 1 (Jak1) was subsequently investigated. To do so, human EC tissues and paracancerous tissues were collected from 47 patients with EC. miR-20a-5p and Jak1 mRNA and protein expression was determined by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation, invasive ability and adhesion were investigated by MTT, Matrigel invasion and cell adhesion assays, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify whether miR-20a-5p could directly target Jak1. The results demonstrated that miR-20a-5p was downregulated and that Jak1 was upregulated in EC tissues compared with paracancerous tissues. In addition, miR-20a-5p expression and Jak1 expression level were negatively correlated in EC tissues. miR-20a-5p expression was also significantly associated with the depth of myometrial invasion, FIGO stage, histologic grade and lymph node metastasis in patients with EC. Furthermore, Jak1 was identified as a new direct target of miR-20a-5p, and Jak1 overexpression was demonstrated to reverse the effects of miR-20a-5p-mimic on EC cell proliferation, invasive ability and adhesion. Taken together, the results from this study revealed for the first time that miR-20a-5p expression was significantly associated with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with EC. These findings suggested that miR-20a-5p may act as a tumor suppressor in EC, in part through decreasing Jak1 expression. miR-20a-5p and Jak1 may therefore serve as potential therapeutic targets in EC.

MicroRNA as Epigenetic Modifiers in Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the 2nd most common gynecologic cancer worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that contribute to epigenetic regulation. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize our current knowledge on the role of miRNAs in the epigenetic deregulation of tumor-related genes in EC. It includes all miRNAs reported to be involved in EC including their roles in DNA methylation and RNA-associated silencing. This systematic review should be useful for development of novel strategies to improve diagnosis and risk assessment as well as for new treatments aimed at miRNAs, their target genes or DNA methylation.

Abstract

The objective of this systematic review is to summarize our current knowledge on the influence of miRNAs in the epigenetic deregulation of tumor-related genes in endometrial cancer (EC). We conducted a literature search on the role of miRNAs in the epigenetic regulation of EC applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following terms were used: microRNA, miRNA, miR, endometrial cancer, endometrium, epigenetic, epimutation, hypermethylation, lynch, deacetylase, DICER, novel biomarker, histone, chromatin. The miRNAs were classified and are presented according to their function (tumor suppressor or onco-miRNA), their targets (when known), their expression levels in EC tissue vs the normal surrounding tissue, and the degree of DNA methylation in miRNA loci and CpG sites. Data were collected from 201 articles, including 190 original articles, published between November 1, 2008 and September 30, 2020 identifying 313 different miRNAs implicated in epigenetic regulation of EC. Overall, we identified a total of 148 miRNAs with decreased expression in EC, 140 miRNAs with increased expression in EC, and 22 miRNAs with discordant expression levels. The literature implicated different epigenetic phenomena including altered miRNA expression levels (miR-182, -230), changes in the methylation of miRNA loci (miR-34b, -129-2, -130a/b, -152, -200b, -625) and increased/decreased methylation of target genes (miR-30d,-191). This work provides an overview of all miRNAs reported to be involved in epigenetic regulation in EC including DNA methylation and RNA-associated silencing. These findings may contribute to novel strategies in diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatments aimed at miRNAs, their target genes or DNA methylation.

Small Non-Coding-RNA in Gynecological Malignancies

Gynecologic malignancies, which include cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, vagina, and fallopian tube, are among the leading causes of female mortality worldwide, with the most prevalent being endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. Gynecologic malignancies are complex, heterogeneous diseases, and despite extensive research efforts, the molecular mechanisms underlying their development and pathology remain largely unclear. Currently, mechanistic and therapeutic research in cancer is largely focused on protein targets that are encoded by about 1% of the human genome. Our current understanding of 99% of the genome, which includes noncoding RNA, is limited. The discovery of tens of thousands of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), possessing either structural or regulatory functions, has fundamentally altered our understanding of genetics, physiology, pathophysiology, and disease treatment as they relate to gynecologic malignancies. In recent years, it has become clear that ncRNAs are relatively stable, and can serve as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as guide therapy choices. Here we discuss the role of small non-coding RNAs, i.e., microRNAs (miRs), P-Element induced wimpy testis interacting (PIWI) RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA-derived small RNAs in gynecological malignancies, specifically focusing on ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer.

Metapristone (RU486-derivative) inhibits endometrial cancer cell progress through regulating miR-492/Klf5/Nrf1 axis

Background

Endometrial cancer is an invasive gynecological cancer prevalent in the world. The pathogenesis of endometrial cancer is related to multiple levels of regulation, referring to oestrogen, tumor-suppressor gene (e.g. PTEN) or microRNAs (e.g. miR-23a and miR-29b). Metapristone is a hormone-related drug, which is widely used in clinical treatment of endometrial cancer. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism of metapristone on endometrial cancer is still unclear, especially the regulatory effect on microRNAs. The aim of this study is to investigate the specific molecular mechanism of metapristone regulating microRNAs in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

Methods

RL95-2 cells and Ishikawa cells were used as the endometrial cancer models. MiR-492 or si-miR-492 was transfected into RL95-2 cells and Ishikawa cells to explore the role of miR-492 in endometrial cancer. The cell cancer model and mice cancer model were used to confirm the function and mechanism of metapristone affected on endometrial cancer in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, cell proliferation was monitored using MTT assay, cell colony formation assay and EdU assay. Luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the downstream target gene of miR-492. The protein expression and RNA expression were respectively measured by western blot and qRT-PCR for cell signaling pathway research, subsequently, were verified in the mice tumor model via immunohistochemistry.

Results

Metapristone as a kind of hormone-related drug significantly inhibited the endometrial cancer cell growth through regulating cell apoptosis-related gene expression. Mechanically, miR-492 and its target genes Klf5 and Nrf1 were highly expressed in the endometrial cancer cell lines, which promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis. Metapristone decreased the expression of miR-492 and its target genes Klf5 and Nrf1, leading to endometrial cancer cell growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

Metapristone inhibited the endometrial cancer cell growth through regulating the cell apoptosis-related signaling pathway and decreasing the expression of miR-492 and its downstream target genes (Klf5 and Nrf1), which provided the theoretical basis in clinical treatment of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer-is our knowledge changing?

In developed countries, endometrial cancer (EC) is the most frequent gynecologic malignancy in postmenopausal women. At the same time, EC has become one of the most common cancers in numerous developing countries, probably influenced by global epidemic of obesity. The majority of patients have low-grade endometrioid cancer with a high 5-year survival rate, but with high-risk EC, the survival rates are still rather low. However, despite intensive research in last decades, our knowledge of the mechanisms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment have not significantly improved. The standard treatment of all types of EC is still a traditional combination of surgery, irradiation and/or chemotherapy, despite the fact that each of these options is not without having some negative side effects. Despite the fact that on the molecular level, EC is relatively well-studied, but the efforts to transform these findings into either diagnosis or therapies of EC remain elusive. In addition, some research into risk factors involved in the development or progression of EC seems to be more a fishing expedition than a well thought-out approach. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent developments in the search for biomarkers and prognostic markers and to discuss the progress in EC treatment.

Overexpression of miR-331 Indicates Poor Prognosis and Promotes Progression of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

With the increasing number of cases of breast cancer every year, the exploration of novel biomarkers has drawn attention. miR-331 has been demonstrated to play a role in various cancers, but its role in breast cancer is still unknown.

METHODS

In this study, we included 121 patients with breast cancer treated at Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University. Breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected during the surgery. The expression of miR-331 in breast cancer tissues and cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR assay. Then, with the help of Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses, the role of miR-331 in the prognosis of breast cancer was analyzed. Finally, the effect of miR-331 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was investigated with CCK-8 assay and transwell assay.

RESULTS

miR-331 was significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. The overexpression of miR-331 was associated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and poor prognosis. From the results of Cox regression analyses, it was found that miR-331 served as an independent indicator in the prognosis of breast cancer. In addition, miR-331 was also found to be upregulated in breast cancer cells, which promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

As shown from our data, miR-331 may be a potential prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. Moreover, the development and progression of breast cancer may involve miR-331. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.

Seminal Plasma Modulates miRNA Expression by Sow Genital Tract Lining Explants

The seminal plasma (SP) modulates the female reproductive immune environment after mating, and microRNAs (miRNAs) could participate in the process. Considering that the boar ejaculate is built by fractions differing in SP-composition, this study evaluated whether exposure of mucosal explants of the sow internal genital tract (uterus, utero-tubal junction and isthmus) to different SP-fractions changed the profile of explant-secreted miRNAs. Mucosal explants retrieved from oestrus sows (n = 3) were in vitro exposed to: Medium 199 (M199, Control) or M199 supplemented (1:40 v/v) with SP from the sperm-rich fraction (SRF), the post-SRF or the entire recomposed ejaculate, for 16 h. After, the explants were cultured in M199 for 24 h to finally collect the media for miRNA analyses using GeneChip miRNA 4.0 Array (Affymetrix). Fifteen differentially expressed (False Discovery Rate (FDR) < 0.05 and Fold-change ≥ 2) miRNAs (11 down- versus 4 up-regulated) were identified (the most in the media of uterine explants incubated with SP from post-SRF). Bioinformatics analysis identified that predicted target genes of dysregulated miRNAs, mainly miR-34b, miR-205, miR-4776-3p and miR-574-5p, were involved in functions and pathways related to immune response. In conclusion, SP is able to elicit changes in the miRNAs profile secreted by female genital tract, ultimately depending SP-composition.

MicroRNA-448 modulates the progression of neuropathic pain by targeting sirtuin 1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. The present study investigated the effects of miR-448 on the progression of neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the gene expression. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were used to assess the pain threshold. The protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. The target of miR-448 was predicted by TargetScan software. The Student's t-test or one-way ANOVA were used to identify statistical differences among groups. miR-448 was persistently upregulated in CCI rats, and both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in CCI rats were decreased following miR-448 downregulation. The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased in CCI rats compared with controls, and these effects were reversed following treatment with a miR-448 inhibitor. A luciferase reporter assay revealed that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) was a target gene of miR-448. SIRT1 was found to abrogate the effect of miR-448 on neuropathic pain development. Collectively, the results of the present study revealed that miR-448 promoted neuropathic pain in CCI rats by regulating neuroinflammation via SIRT1. Therefore, SIRT1 may be considered as a novel biomarker for neuropathic pain.