Altered expression of lncRNA NCK1-AS1 distinguished patients with prostate cancer from those with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Osthole mitigates the myofibroblast properties in oral submucous fibrosis by suppressing the TGF-β/smad2 signaling pathway and NCK-AS1 expression

Background/purpose

Natural products are gaining increasing recognition as an alternative source for alleviating fibrosis as they can regulate various mediators or pathways against fibrosis by targeting non-coding RNAs. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of osthole in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a precancerous condition of the oral cavity.

Materials and methods

The cytotoxicity of osthole to normal and fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs) derived from OSF tissues was assessed using MTT assay. Collagen gel contraction and transwell migration assays were conducted to examine the myofibroblast activities. Besides, the expression of TGF-β/Smad2 signaling as well as α-SMA and type I collagen were measured. Additionally, RNA sequencing was used to identify a potential target involved in the anti-fibrotic effect of osthole.

Results

Osthole exhibited a higher cytotoxic effect on fBMFs compared to normal BMFs and dose-dependently reduced several myofibroblast activities, including collagen gel contractility and transwell migration ability. In addition, the expression of the TGF-β/Smad2 pathway was inhibited along with a lower expression of α-SMA and type I collagen in osthole-receiving cells. Moreover, the administration of osthole downregulated the expression of NCK1-AS1 in fBMFs, which was proven to mediate the anti-fibrosis property of osthole.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that osthole may be a promising compound to inhibit the progression of OSF.

Exploring TGF-β signaling in benign prostatic hyperplasia: from cellular senescence to fibrosis and therapeutic implications

As men get older, they often develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate that is not cancerous or dangerous. Although the etiology of BPH is unknown, increasing evidence indicates that the TGF-β signaling pathway might be a key player in its pathogenesis. TGF-β is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix re-modeling, which are all dysregulated in BPH. Cellular senescence is primarily initiated by TGF-β--induced, irreversible growth arrest and usually limits the prostate gland's hyperplastic growth. Moreover, senescent cells generate a Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP), which consists of numerous proinflammatory and profibrotic factors that can worsen disease ontogeny. In addition, TGF-β is among the most fibrogenic factors. At the same time, fibrosis involves a massive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, which can increase tissue stiffness and a loss of normal organ functions. TGF-β-mediated fibrosis in BPH changes the mechanical properties of the prostate and surrounding tissues to contribute to lower urinary tract symptoms. This review discusses the complicated molecular signaling of TGF-β underlying changes in cellular senescence and fibrosis during BPH concerning its therapeutic potential.

NCK1 antisense RNA 1 (NCK1-AS1) exerts pro-fibrosis property in oral mucosa through modulation of miR-137/NCK1 axis

Background/Purpose

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a premalignant condition of the oral cavity, and its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. A multitude of non-coding RNAs are aberrantly expressed in OSF, and their implication for the development of OSF is a matter meriting investigation.

Materials and methods

The functional role of long non-coding RNA NCK1-AS1 in myofibroblast activation of fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs) derived from OSF tissues was assessed. Wound healing, collagen gel contraction and transwell migration assays have been employed to assess the myofibroblast activities. In addition, a luciferase-based reporter assay was used to illustrate the potential mechanism underlying the regulation of NCK1-AS1 in myofibroblast activation.

Results

Silencing of NCK1-AS1 markedly downregulated myofibroblast activation and the expression of fibrosis markers in fBMFs. Besides, we demonstrated that NCK1-AS1 directly interacted with microRNA-137 (miR-137) and was negatively correlated with it. Moreover, we found that NCK1 was a target of miR-137 and positively related to NCK1-AS1. Our results demonstrated that NCK1-AS1 may regulate myofibroblast activation by suppressing miR-137 and upregulating NCK1.

Conclusion

We showed that NCK1-AS1 acted as a sponge of miR-137 and titrated the suppressive effect of miR-137 on NCK1 to modulate myofibroblast activation in OSF condition.

Unboxing the network among long non-coding RNAs and TGF-β signaling in cancer

Deeper analysis of molecular mechanisms arising in tumor cells is an unmet need to provide new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat tumors. The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling has been steadily featured in tumor biology and linked to poor prognosis of cancer patients. One pro-tumorigenic mechanism induced by TGF-β is the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which can initiate cancer dissemination, enrich the tumor stem cell population, and increase chemoresistance. TGF-β signals via SMAD proteins, ubiquitin ligases, and protein kinases and modulates the expression of protein-coding and non-coding RNA genes, including those encoding larger than 500 nt transcripts, defined as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Several reports have shown lncRNAs regulating malignant phenotypes by directly affecting epigenetic processes, transcription, and post-transcriptional regulation. Thus, this review aims to update and summarize the impact of TGF-β signaling on the expression of lncRNAs and the function of such lncRNAs as regulators of TGF-β signaling, and how these networks might impact specific hallmarks of cancer.

NCK1-AS1 promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating the miR-361-5p/ADAM10 axis

Lung cancer, one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers, causes a huge number of mortalities globally. Among lung cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most recorded. Despite accumulating research, the molecular basis of NSCLC progression remains poorly known. Therefore, we aim to assess the function of NCK1-AS1 in NSCLC and elucidate the molecular mechanism. Firstly, we quantified the NCK1-AS1 level in tumors and adjacent healthy tissues. NCK1-AS1 was significantly upregulated in NSCLC tumors, which was associated with poor prognosis in patients. Silencing NCK1-AS1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as the EMT of NSCLC cell lines. Starbase bioinformatic prediction revealed that NCK1-AS1 targets miR-361-5p which acts to regulate ADAM10 gene expression. Our result showed that NCK1-AS1 upregulation markedly reduced miR-361-5p mRNA expression, while increasing ADAM10 expression. For the first time, we demonstrated that NCK1-AS1 regulates the miR-361-5p/ADAM10 axis, thereby promoting NSCLC progression. NCK1-AS1 might be developed as a therapeutic target for treating NSCLC.

Emerging role of transforming growth factor-β-regulated long non-coding RNAs in prostate cancer pathogenesis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy in men. Despite aggressive therapy involving surgery and hormonal treatments, the recurrence and emergence of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPCa) remain a major challenge. Dysregulation of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway is crucial to PCa development and progression. This also contributes to androgen receptor activation and the emergence of CRPC. In addition, TGF-β signaling regulates long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression in multiple cancers, including PCa. Here, we discuss the complex regulatory network of lncRNAs and TGF-β signaling in PCa and their potential applications in diagnosing, prognosis, and treating PCa. Further investigations on the role of lncRNAs in the TGF-β pathway will help to better understand PCa pathogenesis.

Importance of long non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulatory transcripts with essential roles in the pathogenesis of almost all types of cancers, including prostate cancer. They can act as either oncogenic lncRNAs or tumor suppressor ones in prostate cancer. Small nucleolar RNA host genes are among the mostly assessed oncogenic lncRNAs in this cancer. PCA3 is an example of oncogenic lncRNAs that has been approved as a diagnostic marker in prostate cancer. A number of well-known oncogenic lncRNAs in other cancers such as DANCR, MALAT1, CCAT1, PVT1, TUG1 and NEAT1 have also been shown to act as oncogenes in prostate cancer. On the other hand, LINC00893, LINC01679, MIR22HG, RP1-59D14.5, MAGI2-AS3, NXTAR, FGF14-AS2 and ADAMTS9-AS1 are among lncRNAs that act as tumor suppressors in prostate cancer. LncRNAs can contribute to the pathogenesis of prostate cancer via modulation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling, ubiquitin-proteasome degradation process of AR or other important signaling pathways. The current review summarizes the role of lncRNAs in the evolution of prostate cancer with an especial focus on their importance in design of novel biomarker panels and therapeutic targets.

Molecular Landscape of LncRNAs in Prostate Cancer: A focus on pathways and therapeutic targets for intervention

Background

One of the most malignant tumors in men is prostate cancer that is still incurable due to its heterogenous and progressive natures. Genetic and epigenetic changes play significant roles in its development. The RNA molecules with more than 200 nucleotides in length are known as lncRNAs and these epigenetic factors do not encode protein. They regulate gene expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional and epigenetic levels. LncRNAs play vital biological functions in cells and in pathological events, hence their expression undergoes dysregulation.

Aim of review

The role of epigenetic alterations in prostate cancer development are emphasized here. Therefore, lncRNAs were chosen for this purpose and their expression level and interaction with other signaling networks in prostate cancer progression were examined.

Key scientific concepts of review

The aberrant expression of lncRNAs in prostate cancer has been well-documented and progression rate of tumor cells are regulated via affecting STAT3, NF-κB, Wnt, PI3K/Akt and PTEN, among other molecular pathways. Furthermore, lncRNAs regulate radio-resistance and chemo-resistance features of prostate tumor cells. Overexpression of tumor-promoting lncRNAs such as HOXD-AS1 and CCAT1 can result in drug resistance. Besides, lncRNAs can induce immune evasion of prostate cancer via upregulating PD-1. Pharmacological compounds such as quercetin and curcumin have been applied for targeting lncRNAs. Furthermore, siRNA tool can reduce expression of lncRNAs thereby suppressing prostate cancer progression. Prognosis and diagnosis of prostate tumor at clinical course can be evaluated by lncRNAs. The expression level of exosomal lncRNAs such as lncRNA-p21 can be investigated in serum of prostate cancer patients as a reliable biomarker.

NCK1-AS1 promotes the progression of melanoma by accelerating cell proliferation and migration via targeting miR-526b-5p/ADAM15 axis

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are vital regulators of gene expression and cellular processes in multiple cancers, including melanoma. Nevertheless, the function of lncRNA NCK1-antisense 1 (NCK1-AS1) in melanoma remains unknown.

Methods

RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of NCK1-AS1, microRNA-526b-5p (miR-526b-5p) and ADAM metallopeptidase domain 15 (ADAM15). Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8, colony formation and EdU assays. Cell migration was assessed by transwell migration and wound healing assays. Mechanism experiments including luciferase reporter, RIP and RNA pull down assays were conducted to demonstrate the interactions between RNAs. Xenograft model was established to verify the function of NCK1-AS1 and miR-526b-5p in melanoma in vivo.

Results

NCK1-AS1 was overexpressed in melanoma cell lines and NCK1-AS1 knockdown hampers the proliferation and migration of melanoma cells. Besides, miR-526b-5p binds to NCK1-AS1 in melanoma and ADAM15 was validated as its downstream target. Further, the inhibitory effects of NCK1-AS1 knockdown on cell proliferation and migration in melanoma were reversed by the depletion of miR-526b-5p and further counteracted by ADAM15 knockdown. The growth of melanoma tumors was hindered by the down-regulation of NCK1-AS1 or up-regulation of miR-526b-5p.

Conclusion

NCK1-AS1 facilitates cell proliferation and migration in melanoma via targeting miR-526b-5p/ADAM15 axis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02055-y.

Long non-coding RNA NCK1-AS1 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer cells by acting as a ceRNA of miR-137

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in carcinogenesis and progression. In this study, we mainly investigate the potential influence of lncRNA NCK1 antisense RNA 1 (NCK1-AS1) on the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RT-PCR was performed to determine the expression of NCK1-AS1 and miR-137 in NSCLC specimens and cell lines. The clinical significance of NCK1-AS1 in 148 patients was analyzed statistically. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to estimate the diagnostic value of NCK1-AS1 and miR-137. Regulatory effects of NCK1-AS1 on proliferative, colony formation abilities, metastasis and apoptosis of SK-MES-1 and H1299 cells were assessed through a series of functional experiments. RNA-pull down and Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the sponge effect of NCK1-AS1 on miR-137. We observed that NCK1-AS1 expression was upregulated, while miR-137 expression was down-regulated in NSCLC specimens and cell lines. Increased NCK1-AS1 expression was positively correlated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis and poor clinical outcome. The diagnostic value of NCK1-AS1 and miR-137 expression was also confirmed. Functionally, knockdown of NCK1-AS1 suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, NCK1-AS1 was able to adsorb miR-137 via a sponge effect. Overall, our findings suggested that NCK1-AS1 may be a candidate biomarker and a target for new therapies in NSCLC patients.

LncRNA NCK1-AS1 Promotes Cancer Cell Proliferation and Increase Cell Stemness in Urinary Bladder Cancer Patients by Downregulating miR-143

BACKGROUND

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical and complex roles in regulating various biological processes of cancers. Our study aimed to investigate the involvement of lncRNA NCK1-AS1 in urinary bladder cancer (UBC).

METHODS

qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of lncRNA NCK1-AS1 and miR-143 in UBC tissues and cells. The dual-luciferase reporter system assays were used to confirm the interaction between NCK1-AS1 and miR-143, and flow cytometry assays were applied to examine the behavioral changes in HT-1376 and HT-1197 cell lines.

RESULTS

It was observed that NCK1-AS1 was up-regulated, while miR-143 was down-regulated in tumor tissues than in adjacent healthy tissues of urinary bladder cancer (UBC) patients. A 5-year survival analysis showed that the survival rate of patients with high NCK1-AS1 level or low miR-143 level in tumor tissues appears relatively low. Correlation analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between NCK1-AS1 and miR-143 in tumor tissues. Over-expression NCK1-AS1 reduced the expression level of miR-143, while elevating the level of miR-143 failed to affect NCK1-AS1 expression. NCK1-AS1 over-expression led to promoted proliferation and increased percentage of CD133+ (stemness) cells.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, NCK1-AS1 promotes cancer cell proliferation and increases cell stemness in UBC patients by down-regulating miR-143.