Down-regulation of microRNA-182 and microRNA-183 predicts progression of osteosarcoma

Application value of miRNA-182 as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Aim: This study aims to establish the potential reliability and validity of miRNA-182 as a diagnostic tool in oncology, and hence to contribute to the decision-making process in clinical settings. Materials & methods: To further evaluate the role of miRNA-182 as a cancer biomarker, we conducted a search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases of existing literature. Conclusion: These results suggest that miRNA-182 could function as a potential molecular marker for cancer detection and diagnosis. The effect of miRNA-182 on tumor development should be further studied to confirm these results and add to the current understanding of its role in cancer.

The miR-183 Cluster: Biogenesis, Functions, and Cell Communication via Exosomes in Cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death. MicroRNAs have been found to be closely associated with cancer. The miR-183 cluster, comprising miR-183, miR-96, and miR-182, is transcribed as a polycistronic miRNA cluster. Importantly, in most cases, these clusters promote cancer development through different pathways. Exosomes, as extracellular vesicles, play an important role in cellular communication and the regulation of the tissue microenvironment. Interestingly, the miR-183 cluster can be detected in exosomes and plays a functional regulatory role in tumor development. Here, the biogenesis and functions of the miR-183 cluster in highly prevalent cancers and their relationship with other non-coding RNAs are summarized. In addition, the miR-183 cluster in exosomes has also been discussed. Finally, we discuss the miR-183 cluster as a promising target for cancer therapy. This review is expected to provide a new direction for cancer treatment.

MiR-183-5p Promotes Tumor Progression of Osteosarcoma and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients

Background

Although miRNA-183-5p plays a critical role in many cancer types, including gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate cancer, renal cell cancer and breast cancer, its role in osteosarcoma remains unclear.

Methods

Expression levels of miR-183-5p were detected in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines using qRT-PCR. The effect of miR-183-5p on the survival and recurrence of osteosarcoma patients was analyzed in a cohort of 80 patients using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Effects of miR-183-5p on cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were evaluated using CCK-8, crystal violet and transwell assays.

Results

The expression of miR-183-5p was found to be upregulated in human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Moreover, miR-183-5p expression was observed to be closely associated with tumor size, TNM stage and lung metastasis. Notably, high expression of miR-183-5p was shown to be able to predict unfavorable clinical prognosis in osteosarcoma patients. Additionally, whilst overexpression of miR-183-5p was observed to significantly promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells; an inhibitory effect was observed with knockdown of miR-183-5p.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that miR-183-5p acts as an oncogene and plays a critical role in the regulation of osteosarcoma tumor progression, and our results suggest a novel potential prognostic and therapeutic value of miR-183-5p in osteosarcoma.

Knockdown of microRNA-130b improves doxorubicin sensitivity in bladder urothelial carcinoma by negatively regulating cylindromatosis expression

INTRODUCTION

Chemotherapeutic resistance reduces the sensitivity of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) to chemotherapeutic drugs and contributes a barrier leading to treatment failure. The purpose of this research project is to investigate the regulatory effects of miR-130b on chemotherapeutic drug resistance of BUC and its mechanism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The relative expression of miRNA-130b and cylindromatosis (CYLD) was examined using real-time quantitative PCR. The cell proliferation and doxorubicin sensitivity were detected with the enhanced CCK-8 assay. The specific combination of miR-130b and CYLD was verified with the luciferase reporter gene assay. Protein expression was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Our study found that miR-130b was up-regulated in doxorubicin-insensitive BUC tissues and cell lines, and its high expression was negatively related to doxorubicin sensitivity in BUC. The miR-130b knockdown reduced the IC₅₀ of doxorubicin and improved doxorubicin sensitivity of J82/Dox and T24/Dox cells. For the regulation mechanism analysis of miR-130b, bioinformatics analysis software was used to predict the potential targets of miR-130b, including the CYLD gene. The following luciferase activities assay, quantitative real time-PCR and western blot identified the CYLD gene as a target of miR-130b. Knockdown of CYLD reversed miR-130b's regulatory roles in doxorubicin sensitivity in J82/Dox and T24/Dox cells.

CONCLUSIONS

High expression of miR-130b is negatively related to doxorubicin sensitivity in BUC, and knockdown of miR-130b improves doxorubicin sensitivity in BUC by negatively regulating CYLD expression. Our findings will provide guidance for the clinical chemotherapy of BUC.

Clinical value of microRNA-19a-3p and microRNA-99a-5p in bladder cancer

INTRODUCTION

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small (approximately 17 to 25 nucleotides in length), single stranded, non-coding RNAs that play an important role in the control of gene expression at the post-transcriptional stage, by inhibiting protein translation or promoting mRNA degradation. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the tested markers (miRNAs 19a-3p and 99a-5p), which might be important in the diagnostics of non-invasive bladder cancer (BC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved a group of 60 patients suffering from BC (histopathologically confirmed), in which 20 patients were diagnosed with muscle invasive BC (INBC) and 40 patients with non-muscle invasive BC (NINBC). The control group consisted of 20 samples of normal urothelium, which did not show any cancerous changes during histopathological examination. We assessed the expression of microRNA, using real-time PCR and the miRCURY LNA Universal RT microRNA PCR Kit by Exiqon, Denmark.

RESULTS

Reduced expression of both analyzed markers was observed in most cases: miR-19a-3p in 51.8% and miR-99a-5p in 65.5% (as follows Mann-Whitney U test p < 0.000001 and Student's t test p = 0.034262). Moreover, miR-19a-3p in our tested group was useful to differentiate between low and high grade disease in non-invasive stages (t test p = 0.0315435). Furthermore, miR-19a-3p and miR-99a-5p were able to discriminate patients in low grade for groups with or without recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicated that miR-19a-3p and miR-99a-5p were significantly altered in bladder cancer samples and useful as diagnostic markers.

MicroRNAs signatures, bioinformatics analysis of miRNAs, miRNA mimics and antagonists, and miRNA therapeutics in osteosarcoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) involved in key signaling pathways and aggressive phenotypes of osteosarcoma (OS) was discussed, including PI3K/AKT/MTOR, MTOR AND RAF-1 signaling, tumor suppressor P53- linked miRNAs, NOTCH- related miRNAs, miRNA -15/16 cluster, apoptosis related miRNAs, invasion-metastasis-related miRNAs, and 14Q32-associated miRNAs cluster. Herrin, we discussed insights into the targeted therapies including miRNAs (i.e., tumor-suppressive miRNAs and oncomiRNAs). Using bioinformatics tools, the interaction network of all OS-associated miRNAs and their targets was also depicted.

Long non-coding RNA DANCR promotes cervical cancer growth via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in many pathophysiological processes, including cancers. In particular, lncRNA DANCR is regarded as a cancer-associated lncRNA exerting various regulatory mechanisms. However, the expressions, functions, and mechanisms of action of DANCR in cervical cancer are still unclear.

Methods

The expressions of DANCR in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines were evaluated using qRT-PCR. Correlations between DANCR expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis were analyzed. The roles of DANCR in cervical cancer growth were evaluated by in vitro CCK-8 and EdU assay, and in vivo xenograft assay. The regulatory effects of DANCR on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were evaluated using nuclear proteins extraction, western blot, and qRT-PCR.

Results

DANCR is increased in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. Increased expression of DANCR is associated with large tumor size, advanced FIGO stage, and poor overall survival of cervical cancer patients. Functional experiments showed that enhanced expression of DANCR promotes cervical cancer cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft growth in vivo. Conversely, DANCR knockdown inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft growth in vivo. Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that DANCR upregulates the expressions of FRAT1 and FRAT2 and activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Blocking the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway abolishes the pro-proliferative roles of DANCR overexpression and anti-proliferative roles of DANCR knockdown.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest DANCR as an oncogenic lncRNA in cervical cancer through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and imply that DANCR may be a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for cervical cancer.

MicroRNA-182-5p Modulates Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Migration and Invasion Via Targeting MTSS1 Gene

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) characterized with invasive growth, local metastasis and later stage diagnosis was a common malignancy in head and neck region. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between miR-182-5p and OSCC, which will contribute to find potential biomarker for OSCC metastasis. MiR-182-5p expression level was detected by the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell migration and invasion ability were examined by scratch and transwell assay. Loss-of function together with luciferase reporter assay were used to verify the miR-182-5p modulated OSCC cells migration and metastasis was mediated by MTSS1. The expression of MTSS1 protein was examined by western blotting. MiR-182-5p up-regulated in OSCC, was involved in the migration and invasion of OSCC and the increased miR-182-5p expression was correlated with lower OSCC differentiation grade, higher T and N stage. Bioinformatics analysis predicted MTSS1 gene was a potential target of miR-182-5p. Following co-transfection, qRT-PCR, luciferase activities assay and western blotting confirmed that MTSS1 gene was a direct target of miR-182-5p and silence of MTSS1 could reverse the effects of miR-182-5p on OSCC migration and invasion. MiR-182-5p was up-regulated in OSCC and the ability of miR-182-5p to promote MTSS1 repression may precipitate in the OSCC through bypassing cell migration and invasion control.

Association of High miR-182 Levels with Low-Risk Prostate Cancer

A subset of men with prostate cancer develops aggressive disease. We sought to determine whether miR-182, an miRNA with reported oncogenic functions in the prostate, is associated with biochemical recurrence and aggressive disease. Prostate epithelial miR-182 expression was quantified via in situ hybridization of two prostate tissue microarrays and by laser-capture microdissection of prostate epithelium. miR-182 was significantly higher in cancer epithelium than adjacent benign epithelium (P < 0.0001). The ratio of cancer to benign miR-182 expression per patient was inversely associated with recurrence in a multivariate logistic regression model (odds ratio = 0.18; 95% CI, 0.03-0.89; P = 0.044). Correlation of miR-182 with mRNA expression in laser-capture microdissected benign prostate epithelium was used to predict prostatic miR-182 targets. Genes that were negatively correlated with miR-182 were enriched for its predicted targets and for genes previously identified as up-regulated in prostate cancer metastases. miR-182 expression was also negatively correlated with genes previously identified as up-regulated in primary prostate tumors from African American patients, who are at an increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. Taken together, these results suggest that although miR-182 is expressed at higher levels in localized prostate cancer, its levels are lower in aggressive cancers, suggesting a biphasic role for this miRNA that may be exploited for prognostic and/or therapeutic purposes to reduce prostate cancer progression.

Novel molecular insights and new therapeutic strategies in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most prevalent malignant cancers with lower survival and poor overall prognosis mainly in children and adolescents. Identifying the molecular mechanisms and OS stem cells (OSCs) as new concepts involved in disease pathogenesis and progression may potentially lead to new therapeutic targets. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of OSCs can be one of the most important and effective strategies for the treatment of OS. This review describes the new molecular targets of OS as well as novel therapeutic approaches in the design of future investigations and treatment.

miR-363-3p Inhibits Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation and Invasion via Targeting SOX4

miR-363-3p has been shown to suppress tumor growth and metastasis in various human cancers. However, the function of miR-363-3p in osteosarcoma (OS) has not been determined. In our study, we found that the expression of miR-363-3p was significantly downregulated in OS tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. miR-363-3p expression was associated with the poor overall survival rate of OS patients. Moreover, we found that overexpression of miR-363-3p markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of U2OS and MG63 cells. Moreover, we found that SOX4 was a direct target of miR-363-3p in OS cells. Overexpression of miR-363-3p significantly inhibited the expression of SOX4. Expression levels of miR-363-3p and SOX4 were negatively correlated in OS tissues. Finally, we found that restoration of SOX4 attenuated the suppressive effects of miR-363-3p on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of U2OS and MG63 cells. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that miR-363-3p served as a tumor suppressor in OS tissues by targeting SOX4.

Differential expression of two genes Oct-4 and MUC5AC associates with poor outcome in patients with gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the most frequent leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide that is linked to poor prognosis due to the lack of appropriate biomarkers. Our aim was to evaluate the MUC5AC and Oct-4 expression levels in GC and to assess their association with clinical factors. Immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) and qRT-PCR were performed in GC patients to examine the MUC5AC and Oct-4 expression levels. The mRNA level of MUC5AC was significantly decreased in tumour tissues compared with non-cancerous tissues (1.11 ± 0.69 vs 3.7 ± 0.71; P = .024). On the other hand, Oct-4 mRNA level was upregulated in tumour tissues as compared to normal tissues (2. 86 ± 0.78 vs 0.87 ± 0.54; P = .0015). Decreased expression of MUC5AC was detected in 27 patients (67.5%), while high to moderate expression levels were observed in 13 cases (32.5%), but in normal tissues the expression levels of MUC5AC were increased (P = .001). The decreased expression of MUC5AC was associated with aggressive tumour characteristics, such as TNM stage (P = .023), histologic type (P = .012) and lymph node metastasis (P = .001). High expression of Oct-4 was detected in 24 tumour tissues (60%), while 16 cases (40%) showed low expression level. Increased Oct-4 expression was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics such TNM stage (P = .002), histologic type (P = .008) and lymph node metastasis (P = .001). Our results showed that high Oct-4 expression and the reduction of MUC5AC expression may be involved in the progression and an unfavorable prognosis of GC.