Overexpression of miR-216b sensitizes NSCLC cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis by targeting c-Jun

MicroRNAs as Predictors of Lung-Cancer Resistance and Sensitivity to Cisplatin

Background: Platinum-based chemotherapy, cisplatin (DDP) specifically, is the main strategy for treating lung cancer (LC). However, currently, there is a lack of predictive drug-resistance markers, and there is increased interest in the development of a reliable and sensitive panels of markers for DDP chemotherapy-effectiveness prediction. MicroRNAs represent a perspective pool of markers for chemotherapy effectiveness. Objectives: Data on miRNAs associated with LC DDP chemotherapy response are summarized and analyzed. Materials and methods: A comprehensive review of the data in the literature and an analysis of bioinformatics resources were performed. The gene targets of miRNAs, as well as their reciprocal relationships with miRNAs, were studied using several databases. Results and Discussion: The complex analysis of bioinformatics resources and the literature indicated that the expressions of 12 miRNAs have a high predictive potential for LC DDP chemotherapy responses. The obtained information was discussed from the point of view of the main mechanisms of LC chemoresistance. Conclusions: An overview of the published data and bioinformatics resources, with respect to the predictive microRNA markers of chemotherapy response, is presented in this review. The selected microRNAs and gene panel have a high potential for predicting LC DDP sensitiveness or DDP resistance as well as for the development of a DDP co-therapy.

Daemonorops draco Blume Induces Apoptosis Against Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells via Regulation of the miR-216b/c-Jun

Daemonorops draco Blume (DD), also called dragon’s blood, has been used as a traditional Korean medicine, especially for relieving pain caused by wound infection. Recently, it has been described that DD has antibacterial and analgesic effects. In this study, the underlying anticancer effect of DD associated with apoptosis was investigated in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines U937 and THP-1. DD exhibited cytotoxic effects and induced apoptosis in U937 and THP-1 cells. Moreover, DD treatment significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ). The protein expression of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, cleaved caspase-3, p-H2A.X, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (CHOP), and activating transcription factor 4 was upregulated by DD treatment. Consistently, DD-treated cells had increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in a concentration-dependent manner via miR-216b activation in association with c-Jun inhibition. N-acetyl-L-cysteine pretreatment reversed the cytotoxic effect of DD treatment as well as prevented ROS accumulation. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that the anticancer effect of DD in AML was mediated by CHOP-dependent apoptosis along with ROS accumulation and included upregulation of miR-216b followed by a decrease in c-Jun.

miR-129-2 upregulation induces apoptosis and promotes NSCLC chemosensitivity by targeting SOX4

Background

As one of the main causes of death worldwide, the treatment of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unsatisfactory. This study aimed to explore the role of miR‐129‐2 in cell apoptosis and NSCLC chemosensitivity.

Methods

The effect of miR‐129‐2 on NSCLC was investigated using lung cancer cell lines (A549, NCl‐H23, and HCC827), a normal lung cell line (BEAS‐2B), and NSCLC tissues and adjacent healthy tissues. The oncogene SOX4 was verified as the target gene of miR‐129‐2 by luciferase reporter assay and real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

miR‐129‐2 expression was downregulated in NSCLC tissues, NCl‐H23 cells, and A549 cells. miR‐129‐2 upregulation induced apoptosis in NCl‐H23 and A549 cells. miR‐129‐2 upregulation also inhibited NSCLC in a xenograft mouse model, which was related to downregulation of SOX4 expression. Furthermore, miR‐129‐2 and SOX4 were aberrantly expressed in the cisplatin‐resistant lung cancer cell line A549/DDP, and upregulation of miR‐129‐2 expression promoted cisplatin sensitivity in A549/DDP cells.

Conclusions

In conclusion, miR‐129‐2 expression was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and its upregulation induced cell apoptosis and promoted NSCLC chemosensitivity by regulating SOX4. Therefore, miR‐129‐2 can serve as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in NSCLC.

Cytokine storm in the pathophysiology of COVID-19: Possible functional disturbances of miRNAs

SARS-CoV-2, as the causative agent of COVID-19, is an enveloped positives-sense single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Beta-CoVs sub-family. A sophisticated hyper-inflammatory reaction named cytokine storm is occurred in patients with severe/critical COVID-19, following an imbalance in immune-inflammatory processes and inhibition of antiviral responses by SARS-CoV-2, which leads to pulmonary failure, ARDS, and death. The miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs with an average length of 22 nucleotides which play various roles as one of the main modulators of genes expression and maintenance of immune system homeostasis. Recent evidence has shown that Homo sapiens (hsa)-miRNAs have the potential to work in three pivotal areas including targeting the virus genome, regulating the inflammatory signaling pathways, and reinforcing the production/signaling of IFNs-I. However, it seems that several SARS-CoV-2-induced interfering agents such as viral (v)-miRNAs, cytokine content, competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), etc. preclude efficient function of hsa-miRNAs in severe/critical COVID-19. This subsequently leads to increased virus replication, intense inflammatory processes, and secondary complications development. In this review article, we provide an overview of hsa-miRNAs roles in viral genome targeting, inflammatory pathways modulation, and IFNs responses amplification in severe/critical COVID-19 accompanied by probable interventional factors and their function. Identification and monitoring of these interventional elements can help us in designing the miRNAs-based therapy for the reduction of complications/mortality rate in patients with severe/critical forms of the disease.

miR‑383 increases the cisplatin sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells through inhibition of the RBM24‑mediated NF‑κB signaling pathway

The expression of microRNA-383 (miR-383) is downregulated in a variety of tumor tissues, and it exhibits antiproliferative activity in non-small cell lung cancer cells. In the present study, an association between the downregulation of miR-383 expression and the deletion of chr8p22 in patients with lung adenocarcinoma was identified. The promoting effect of miR-383 on cisplatin sensitivity was verified both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, it was revealed that the expression of RNA binding motif protein 24 (RBM24) protein was regulated by and negatively correlated with miR-383 expression. Ectopic expression of RBM24 or inhibition of miR-383 decreased the chemosensitivity of parental A549 cells, whereas knockdown of RBM24 in cisplatin-resistant A549 cells increased chemosensitivity. Mechanistically, miR-383 interfered with the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling through repression of RBM24-mediated phosphorylation of Rel-like domain-containing protein A and inhibitor α of NF-κB. Taken together, the downregulation of miR-383 induced RBM24 expression, which was mediated through the activation of NF-κB signaling, to contribute to chemotherapy resistance in lung adenocarcinoma cells. The results of the present study highlight potential therapeutic targets for the clinical reversal of the chemotherapy resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.

The expression of miRNA-216b is negatively correlated with 18F-FDG uptake in non-small cell lung cancer

Background

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between miRNA-216b expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake by PET/CT and to explore the clinical application value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in miRNA-216b based on therapy for NSCLC.

Methods

Eighty patients with NSCLC and 40 healthy subjects were enrolled in our study. The SUVmax of the lesion area by PET/CT imaging was calculated. SUVmax represented the highest concentration of 18F-FDG in the lesion. The expression of miRNA-216b in the plasma and fiber bronchoscopic puncture of NSCLC patients was detected by RT qPCR. Then Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between miRNA-216b expression and 18F-FDG uptake in patients with different types of NSCLC.

Results

Compared with healthy subjects, SUVmax of early adenocarcinoma and advanced adenocarcinoma were increased. Compared with healthy subjects, SUVmax of early squamous and advanced squamous were increased. And the SUVmax content of advanced adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma was higher than that of early adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Compared with healthy subjects, the expression of miRNA-216b in the plasma of patients with early and advanced adenocarcinoma was reduced, and the expression of miRNA-216b in the plasma of patients with early and advanced squamous cell carcinoma was reduced. Compared with adjacent tissues, the expression of miRNA-216b in early adenocarcinoma tissues and advanced adenocarcinoma tissues was reduced, and the expression in early squamous cell carcinoma and advanced squamous cell carcinoma was reduced. Pearson correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between SUVmax and miRNA-216b (plasma and tissue) in patients with four types of NSCLC.

Conclusion

miRNA-216b expression was negatively correlated with ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in NSCLC. miRNA-216b could be used for the classification and staging of non-small cell lung cancer. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT may be used to evaluate the therapeutic response in application of miRNA-216b-based cancer treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-021-02376-2.

MicroRNA-216b targets HK2 to potentiate autophagy and apoptosis of breast cancer cells via the mTOR signaling pathway

Patients suffering from breast cancer (BC) still have a poor response to treatments, even though early detection and improved therapy have contributed to a reduced mortality. Recent studies have been inspired on the association between microRNAs (miRs) and therapies of BC. The current study set out to investigate the role of miR-216b in BC, and further analyze the underlining mechanism. Firstly, hexokinase 2 (HK2) and miR-216b were characterized in BC tissues and cells by RT-qPCR and Western blot assay. In addition, the interaction between HK2 and miR-216b was analyzed using dual luciferase reporter assay. BC cells were further transfected with a series of miR-126b mimic or inhibitor, or siRNA targeting HK2, so as to analyze the regulatory mechanism of miR-216b, HK2 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and to further explore their regulation in BC cellular behaviors. The results demonstrated that HK2 was highly expressed and miR-216b was poorly expressed in BC cells and tissues. HK2 was also verified as a target of miR-216b with online databases and dual luciferase reporter assay. Functionally, miR-216b was found to be closely associated with BC progression via inactivating mTOR signaling pathway by targeting HK2. Moreover, cell viability, migration and invasion were reduced as a result of miR-216b upregulation or HK2 silencing, while autophagy, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were induced. Taken together, our findings indicated that miR-216 down-regulates HK2 to inactivate the mTOR signaling pathway, thus inhibiting the progression of BC. Hence, this study highlighted a novel target for BC treatment.

MicroRNA-216b regulates cell proliferation, invasion and cycle progression via interaction with cyclin T2 in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer has become the second most common malignant tumor in the world, revealing the molecular mechanism of gastric cancer development is essential for the treatment of gastric cancer and improvement of prognosis. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs may play a carcinogenic or tumor-suppressive role in many types of cancer. It has been detected that miR-216b is down-regulated in many cancer types, indicating that miR-216b can be used as a prognostic marker for these particular types of cancer. However, the effect of miR-216b on gastric cancer remains unclear. In the present study, miR-216 was observed to be significantly down-regulated in cancer tissues compared to normal tissues, and the level of miR-216b in various gastric cancer cell lines was decreased. In addition, miR-216b overexpression inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. We further verified that the inhibitory effect of miR-216b on proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells is mediated by cyclin T2. Overexpression of cyclin T2 can reverse the anti-cancer effect of miR-216b mimics. The results further enriched the mechanism of miR-216b in the development and progression of gastric cancer.

Lung cancer cells and their sensitivity/resistance to cisplatin chemotherapy: Role of microRNAs and upstream mediators

Cisplatin (CP) is a well-known chemotherapeutic agent with excellent clinical effects. The anti-tumor activity of CP has been demonstrated in different cancers such as breast, cervical, reproductive, lung, brain, and prostate cancers. However, resistance of cancer cells to CP chemotherapy has led to its failure in eradication of cancer cells, and subsequent death of patients with cancer. Fortunately, much effort has been put to identify molecular pathways and mechanisms involved in CP resistance/sensitivity. It seems that microRNAs (miRs) are promising candidates in mediating CP resistance/sensitivity, since they participate in different biological aspects of cells such as proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and differentiation. In this review, we focus on miRs and their regulation in CP chemotherapy of lung cancer, as the most malignant tumor worldwide. Oncogenic miRs trigger CP resistance in lung cancer cells via targeting various pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Rab6, CASP2, PTEN, and Apaf-1. In contrast, onco-suppressor miRs inhibit oncogene pathways such as STAT3 to suppress CP resistance. These topics are discussed to determine the role of miRs in CP resistance/sensitivity. We also describe the upstream modulators of miRs such as lncRNAs, circRNAs, NF-κB, SOX2 and TRIM65 and their association with CP resistance/sensitivity in lung cancer cells. Finally, the effect of anti-tumor plant-derived natural compounds on miR expression during CP sensitivity of lung cancer cells is discussed.

microRNA-216b enhances cisplatin-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma MG63 and SaOS-2 cells by binding to JMJD2C and regulating the HIF1α/HES1 signaling axis

Background

Although cisplatin-based chemotherapy represents the standard regimen for osteosarcoma (OS), OS patients often exhibit treatment failure and poor prognosis due to chemoresistance to cisplatin. Emerging research has highlighted the tumor suppressive properties of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in various human cancers via the inhibition of the histone demethylase jumonji domain containing protein 2C (JMJD2C). As a coactivator for hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), JMJD2C targets hairy and enhancer of split-1 (HES1) gene. Hence, the current study aimed to elucidate the role of miR-216b in OS cell cisplatin resistance to identify the underlying mechanism of miR-216b regulating the JMJD2C//HIF1α/HES1 signaling.

Methods

Tumor and paracancerous tissues were collected from OS patients to determine the expression patterns of miR-216b and JMJD2C. After ectopic expression and knockdown experiments in the OS cells, CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were employed to determine cell viability and apoptosis. The interaction of miR-216b, JMJD2C, HIF1α and HES1 was subsequently determined by dual luciferase reporter, co-immunoprecipitation (IP) and ChIP-qPCR assays. In vivo experiments were conducted to further verify the role of the miR-216b in the resistance of OS cells to cisplatin.

Results

miR-216b expression was reduced in the OS tissues, as well as the MG63 and SaOS-2 cells. Heightened miR-216b expression was found to be positively correlated with patient survival, and miR-216b further enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis of MG63 and SaOS-2 cells. Mechanistically, miR-216b inhibited JMJD2C expression by binding to its 3’UTR. Through interaction with HIF1α, JMJD2C removed the H3K9 methylation modification at the HES1 promoter region, leading to upregulation of HES1 in vitro. Furthermore, miR-216b was observed to increase the tumor growth in nude mice in the presence of cisplatin treatment. HES1 overexpression weakened the effects of miR-216b in MG63 and SaOS-2 cells and in nude mouse xenografts.

Conclusion

Overall, miR-216b enhanced the sensitivity of OS cells to cisplatin via downregulation of the JMJD2C/HIF1α/HES1 signaling axis, highlighting the capacity of miR-216b as an adjunct to cisplatin chemotherapy in the treatment of OS.

The Role of Non-Coding RNAs as Prognostic Factor, Predictor of Drug Response or Resistance and Pharmacological Targets, in the Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the most common keratinocyte-derived skin cancer in the Caucasian population. Exposure to UV radiations (UVRs) represents the main risk carcinogenesis, causing a considerable accumulation of DNA damage in epidermal keratinocytes with an uncontrolled hyperproliferation and tumor development. The limited and rarely durable response of CSCC to the current therapeutic options has led researchers to look for new therapeutic strategies. Recently, the multi-omics approaches have contributed to the identification and prediction of the key role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), circularRNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of several cellular processes in different tumor types, including CSCC. ncRNAs can modulate transcriptional and post-transcriptional events by interacting either with each other or with DNA and proteins, such as transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins. In this review, the implication of ncRNAs in tumorigenesis and their potential role as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human CSCC are reported.

The activating transcription factor 2: an influencer of cancer progression

In contrast to the continuous increase in survival rates for many cancer entities, colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic cancer are predicted to be ranked among the top 3 cancer-related deaths in the European Union by 2025. Especially, fighting metastasis still constitutes an obstacle to be overcome in CRC and pancreatic cancer. As described by Fearon and Vogelstein, the development of CRC is based on sequential mutations leading to the activation of proto-oncogenes and the inactivation of tumour suppressor genes. In pancreatic cancer, genetic alterations also attribute to tumour development and progression. Recent findings have identified new potentially important transcription factors in CRC, among those the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2). ATF2 is a basic leucine zipper protein and is involved in physiological and developmental processes, as well as in tumorigenesis. The mutation burden of ATF2 in CRC and pancreatic cancer is rather negligible; however, previous studies in other tumours indicated that ATF2 expression level and subcellular localisation impact tumour progression and patient prognosis. In a tissue- and stimulus-dependent manner, ATF2 is activated by upstream kinases, dimerises and induces target gene expression. Dependent on its dimerisation partner, ATF2 homodimers or heterodimers bind to cAMP-response elements or activator protein 1 consensus motifs. Pioneering work has been performed in melanoma in which the dual role of ATF2 is best understood. Even though there is increasing interest in ATF2 recently, only little is known about its involvement in CRC and pancreatic cancer. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of the underestimated ‘cancer gene chameleon’ ATF2 in apoptosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and microRNA regulation and highlight its functions in CRC and pancreatic cancer. We further provide a novel ATF2 3D structure with key phosphorylation sites and an updated overview of all so-far available mouse models to study ATF2 in vivo.

How microRNAs affect the PD-L1 and its synthetic pathway in cancer

Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a glycoprotein that is expressed on the cell surface of both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. PD-L1 play a role in the immune tolerance and protect self-tissues from immune system attack. Dysfunction of this molecule has been highlighted in the pathogenesis of tumors, autoimmunity, and infectious disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous molecules that are classified as small non-coding RNA with approximately 20-22 nucleotides (nt) length. The function of miRNAs is based on complementary interactions with target mRNA via matching completely or incompletely. The result of this function is decay of the target mRNA or preventing mRNA translation. In the past decades, several miRNAs have been discovered which play an important role in the regulation of PD-L1 in various malignancies. In this review, we discuss the effect of miRNAs on PD-L1 expression and consider the effect of miRNAs on the synthetic pathway of PD-L1, especially during cancers.

Inhibition of TRIM32 Induced by miR-519d Increases the Sensitivity of Colorectal Cancer Cells to Cisplatin

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Despite cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for the colorectal cancer treatment, resistance of cancer cells to cisplatin restricts its clinical efficacy. It is important to explore the potential mechanisms and take strategies to sensitize colorectal cancer cells to cisplatin treatment.

METHODS

Differences of TRIM32 and miR-519d expression between colorectal cancer cells and human normal colon epithelial cells were evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot assays. Cytotoxicity of cisplatin against colorectal cancer cells was tested by CCK-8 assay. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the association between miR-519d and TRIM32.

RESULTS

Significant increase of TRIM32 expression in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines was observed. TRIM32 negatively regulated the cisplatin sensitivity in colorectal cancer cells. Mechanically, overexpression of TRIM32 was induced by decrease of miR-519d. Exogenous miR-519d can inhibit the expression of TRIM32 and thus promoted the cisplatin-induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of TRIM32 was induced by the absence of miR-519d in colorectal cancer. MiR-519d can be used as a sensitizer during the cisplatin-based chemotherapy of colorectal cancer.

miR-361 enhances sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil by targeting the FOXM1-ABCC5/10 signaling pathway in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of most common malignancies worldwide. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a mainstay of CRC treatment, particularly in patients with advanced stages of the disease; however, 5-FU-based chemotherapy is not always effective and may result in progression of the disease. The present study investigated several candidate microRNAs (miRs) in parental and 5-FU-resistant HCT116 and HT29 cells, and identified miR-361 as a novel regulator of chemosensitivity. Overexpression of miR-361 enhanced the 5-FU susceptibility of parental and resistant HCT116 and HT29 cells in vitro. Impaired colony formation capacity and increased cell apoptosis (as determined via flow cytometry) was observed in resistant HCT116 and HT29 cells. Furthermore, forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) was identified as a target gene of miR-361 using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Additionally, FOXM1 knockdown improved the cytotoxicity of 5-FU in resistant CRC. ATP binding cassette subfamily C members 5 and 10 (ABCC5/10) were found to be downstream effectors of miR-361. In conclusion, miR-361 increased chemosensitivity, at least in part, via modulation of FOXM1-ABCC5/10. miR-361 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for patients with CRC.

MiR-125b-1-3p Exerts Antitumor Functions in Lung Carcinoma Cells by Targeting S1PR1

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been extensively studied over the decades and have been identified as potential molecular targets for cancer therapy. To date, many miRNAs have been found participating in the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study was designed to evaluate the functions of miR-125b-1-3p in NSCLC cells.

Methods

MiR-125b-1-3p expression was detected in tissue samples from 21 NSCLC patients and in NSCLC cell lines using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. A549 cell lines were transfected with a miR-125b-1-3p mimic or miR-125b-1-3p antisense. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing, Matrigel invasion assays, and flow cytometry were used to assess the effects of these transfections on cell growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, respectively. Western blotting was used to detect apoptosis-related proteins, expression of S1PR1, and the phosphorylation status of STAT3. Significant differences between groups were estimated using Student's t-test or a one-way analysis of variance.

Results

MiR-125b-1-3p was downregulated in NSCLC samples and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-125b-1-3p inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation (37.8 ± 9.1%, t = 3.191, P = 0.013), migration (42.3 ± 6.7%, t = 6.321, P = 0.003), and invasion (57.6 ± 11.3%, t = 4.112, P = 0.001) and simultaneously induced more NSCLC cell apoptosis (2.76 ± 0.78 folds, t = 3.772, P = 0.001). MiR-125b-1-3p antisense resulted in completely opposite results. S1PR1 was found as the target gene of miR-125b-1-3p. Overexpression of miR-125b-1-3p inhibited S1PR1 protein expression (27.4 ± 6.1% of control, t = 4.083, P = 0.007). In addition, S1PR1 siRNA decreased STAT3 phosphorylation (16.4 ± 0.14% of control, t = 3.023, P = 0.015), as in cells overexpressing miR-125b-1-3p (16.7 ± 0.17% of control, t = 4.162, P = 0.026).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that miR-125b-1-3p exerts antitumor functions in NSCLC cells by targeting S1PR1.

Bionic 3D spheroids biosensor chips for high-throughput and dynamic drug screening

To perform the drug screening, planar cultured cell models are commonly applied to test efficacy and toxicity of drugs. However, planar cultured cells are different from the human 3D organs or tissues in vivo. To simulate the human 3D organs or tissues, 3D spheroids are developed by culturing a small aggregate of cells which reside around the extracellular matrix and interact with other cells in liquid media. Here we apply lung carcinoma cell lines to engineer the 3D lung cancer spheroid-based biosensor using the interdigitated electrodes for drug efficacy evaluation. The results show 3D spheroid had higher drug resistance than the planar cell model. The anticarcinogen inhibition on different 3D lung cancer spheroid models (A549, H1299, H460) can be quantitatively evaluated by electric impedance sensing. Besides, we delivered combination of anticarcinogens treatments to A549 spheroids which is commonly used in clinic treatment, and found the synergistic effect of cisplatin plus etoposide had higher drug response. To simultaneously test the drug efficacy and side effects on multi-organ model with circulatory system, a connected multiwell interdigitated electrode arraywas applied to culture different organoid spheroids. Overall, the organization of 3D cancer spheroids-based biosensor, which has higher predictive value for drug discovery and personalized medicine screening, is expected to be well applied in the area of pharmacy and clinical medicine.

Hsa-miRNA-143-3p Reverses Multidrug Resistance of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Inhibiting the Expression of Its Target Protein Cytokine-Induced Apoptosis Inhibitor 1 In Vivo

PURPOSE

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a major obstacle in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. A previous study demonstrated that hsa-miRNA-143-3p plays a vital role in drug resistance of TNBC. Downregulation of hsa-miRNA-143-3p upregulated the expression of its target protein cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1) in order to activate MDR, while upregulation of hsa-miRNA-143-3p effectively enhances the sensitivity of drug-resistant TNBC cells to chemotherapeutics. The present study aimed to further verify these findings in vivo.

METHODS

We established a hypodermic tumor nude mice model using paclitaxel-resistant TNBC cells. We expressed ectopic hsa-miRNA-143-3p under the control of a breast cancer-specific human mammaglobin promoter that guided the efficient expression of exogenous hsa-miRNA-143-3p only in breast cancer cells. Thereafter, we overexpressed hsa-miRNA-143-3p in xenografts using a recombinant virus system and quantified the expression of hsa-miRNA-143-3p, CIAPIN1 protein, and proteins encoded by related functional genes by western blot.

RESULTS

We successfully completed the prospective exploration of the intravenous virus injection pattern from extensive expression to targeted expression. The overexpression of hsa-miRNA-143-3p significantly alleviated chemoresistance of TNBC by inhibiting viability. In addition, we observed that the expression of CIAPIN1 as a hsa-miRNA-143-3p target protein was remarkably decreased.

CONCLUSION

We partly illustrated the mechanism underlying the hsa-miRNA-143-3p/CIAPIN1 drug resistance pathway. HsamiRNA-143-3p as a tumor suppressive microRNA may be a novel target to effectively reverse MDR of TNBC in vivo.

miR‑590‑5p suppresses osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion via targeting KLF5

Recently, microRNA (miR)‑590‑5p has been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis in colorectal and breast cancer; however, its function in osteosarcoma (OS) requires further investigation. In the present study miR‑590‑5p expression was poorly expressed in OS samples and cell lines when compared with that observed in normal cells. In addition, overexpression of miR‑590‑5p significantly reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of SAOS2 and U2OS cells in vitro, as well as inhibiting tumor sizes in vivo. The results revealed that miR‑590‑5p directly targeted Kruppel‑like factor 5 (KLF5) in SAOS2 and U2OS cells. Their expression was inversely correlated with OS tissues. Finally, it was demonstrated that overexpression of KLF5 rescued the inhibitory effects of miR‑590‑5p on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Overall, the results of the present study suggested that the miR‑590‑5p/KLF5 axis may regulate OS progression and thus, may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with OS.

Downregulation of microRNA-216b contributes to glioma cell growth and migration by promoting AEG-1-mediated signaling

Accumulating evidence indicates microRNA-216b (miR-216b) plays an important role in the development and progression of various cancers. However, little is known about the function of miR-216b in gliomas. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression level and functional significance of miR-216b in gliomas. We found that miR-216b was significantly downregulated in glioma specimens and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-216b suppressed the growth and migration of glioma cells, while miR-216b inhibition showed the opposite effects. Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) was predicted as a potential target gene of miR-216b by bioinformatics analysis. A dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-216b could directly target the 3'-untranslated region of AEG-1. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis showed that miR-216 negatively regulated AEG-1 expression in glioma cells. Correlation analysis revealed an inverse correlation between miR-216b and AEG-1 in clinical glioma specimens. miR-216b also regulated the activation of nuclear factor-κB and Wnt signaling in glioma cells. Moreover, restoration of AEG-1 expression partially reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-216b overexpression on glioma cell growth and migration. Overall, these results revealed a tumor suppressive role of miR-216b in glioma tumorigenesis, and identified AEG-1 as a target gene of miR-216b action. Our study suggests that miR-216b can be potentially targeted for the development of novel therapies for gliomas.

MicroRNA-215 suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of non-small cell lung carcinoma cells through the downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-16 expression

The present study investigated the expression of microRNA (miR)-215 in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) at tissue and cellular levels, as well as its biological functions and mechanism of action. A total of 56 patients with NSCLC were included in the present study. NSCLC tissues and tumor-adjacent normal tissues were resected and collected. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of miR-215. Following transfection with miR-215 mimics, A549 cell proliferation, migration and invasion were determined using a Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assay. Western blotting was employed to measure the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-16 protein. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to determine the existence of a direct interaction between miR-215 and the MMP-16 gene. Reduced expression of miR-215 in NSCLC was closely associated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM staging. Overexpression of miR-215 inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells in vitro. Upregulated expression of miR-215 inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 cells in vitro. miR-215 exerted its biological functions possibly by regulating the expression of MMP-16. Elevated expression of MMP-16 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 cells. miR-215 regulated the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 cells by binding with the seed 3′-untranslated region of MMP-16 mRNA. The present study demonstrates that reduced expression of miR-215 in NSCLC is negatively associated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM staging. In addition, miR-215 acts as a tumor suppressor gene by inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells via the downregulation of MMP-16 expression.