NEAT1: Culprit lncRNA linking PIG-C, MSLN, and CD80 in triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women. Despite the effectiveness of conventional therapies, they cause detrimental side effects. Glycosyl-Phosphatidyl-Inositol (GPI) pathway is a conserved pathway that culminates in the generation of GPI anchored proteins (GPI-AP). Phosphatidyl-Inositol-Glycan Biosynthesis Class C (PIG-C) is the first step in GPI pathway and upon its overexpression, Mesothelin (MSLN); an oncogenic GPI-AP, expression is induced. Therefore, blocking GPI pathway is a potential therapy through which multiple pathways can be rectified. Recombinant GPI-CD80 proved to be a potent immunostimulatory protein and currently being evaluated as tumor vaccine. In fact, CD80 is a unique immunomodulator that binds to CD28, CTLA-4 and PD-L1. Furthermore, research advancement showed that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are key epigenetic modulators. Therefore, epigenetic tuning of GPI-APs remains an unexplored area. This study aims at investigating the potential role of ncRNAs in regulating MSLN, PIG-C and CD80 in BC.

METHODS

Potential ncRNAs were filtered by bioinformatics algorithms. MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with RNA oligonucleotides. Surface CD80 and MSLN were assessed by FACS and immunofluorescence. Gene expression was tested by q-PCR.

RESULTS

PIG-C gene was overexpressed in TNBC and its manipulation altered MSLN surface level. Aligning with bioinformatics analysis, miR-2355 manipulated PIG-C and MSLN expression, while miR-455 manipulated CD80 expression. NEAT1 sponged both miRNAs. Paradoxically, NEAT1 lowered PIG-C gene expression while increased MSLN gene expression.

CONCLUSION

This study unravels novel immunotherapeutic targets for TNBC. NEAT1 is potential immunomodulator by sponging several miRNAs. Finally, this study highlights GPI pathway applications, therefore integrating epigenetics, post-translational modifications and immunomodulation.

Oleuropin controls miR-194/XIST/PD-L1 loop in triple negative breast cancer: New role of nutri-epigenetics in immune-oncology

Oleuropein, the main secoiridoid glucoside found in Olea europaea L., has attracted scientific community as a potential anticancer agent. Immunotherapy and RNA interference revolutionized cancer treatment. Success of PD-L1/PD-1 antibodies encouraged the investigation of PD-1/PD-L1 regulation by non-coding RNAs. This study aimed to verify the cytotoxic effect of oleuropein on MDA-MB-231 cell line and to unravel novel ceRNA interaction between miR-194-5p and XIST in breast cancer and their immunomodulatory effect on PD-L1 expression to propose a promising prophylactic and preventive role of Oleuropin in diet. For the first time, miR-194/Lnc-RNA XIST/PD-L1 triad was investigated in breast cancer, where miR-194 and PD-L1 levels were significantly upregulated in 21 BC-biopsies, yet XIST was downregulated. Ectopic expression of miR-194 enhanced cell function and viability with concomitant increase in PD-L1 expression yet XIST expression decreased, in contrast to miR-194 antagomirs that yielded opposite results. XIST knock-out elevated miR194-5p and PD-L1 levels. miR-194-5p mimics and XIST siRNAs co-transfection induced PD-L1 expression, while miR-194-5p mimics and TSIX siRNAs co-transfection showed opposite effect. Oleuropein showed anti-carcinogenic impact by decreasing miR-194 and PD-L1 levels while increasing XIST level. In conclusion, our study highlighted novel ceRNA interaction controlling PD-L1 expression in BC. Oleuropein is a promising nutraceutical for cancer therapy. Therefore, oleuropin represents a new nutri-epigenetic in immune-oncology that controls miR-194/XIST/PD-L1 loop in triple negative breast cancer.

GPI-AP: Unraveling a New Class of Malignancy Mediators and Potential Immunotherapy Targets

With millions of cases diagnosed annually and high economic burden to cover expensive costs, cancer is one of the most difficult diseases to treat due to late diagnosis and severe adverse effects from conventional therapy. This creates an urgent need to find new targets for early diagnosis and therapy. Progress in research revealed the key steps of carcinogenesis. They are called cancer hallmarks. Zooming in, cancer hallmarks are characterized by ligands binding to their cognate receptor and so triggering signaling cascade within cell to make response for stimulus. Accordingly, understanding membrane topology is vital. In this review, we shall discuss one type of transmembrane proteins: Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins (GPI-APs), with specific emphasis on those involved in tumor cells by evading immune surveillance and future applications for diagnosis and immune targeted therapy.

MALAT-1: LncRNA ruling miR-182/PIG-C/mesothelin triad in triple negative breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) remains a major health problem, despite the remarkable advances in cancer research setting. BC is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. In the context of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment, major obstacles include late diagnoses and detrimental side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Research effort was rewarded with the discovery of mesothelin (MSLN), an oncogenic Glycosyl-Phosphatidyl-Inositol (GPI) anchored protein, over-expressed in TNBC. GPI pathway is a post-translational modification that attaches proteins to cellular membrane. MSLN targeted therapy succeeded in early clinical trials, nevertheless, to date, the epigenetic regulation of MSLN and GPI pathway by non-coding RNAs (nc-RNAs) in BC remains an untouched area. Accordingly, our aim is to investigate-for the first time- the impact of simultaneous targeting of MSLN and its associated GPI pathway member, PIG-C, by non-coding-RNAs. Expression profiling of PIG-C, MSLN in BC was performed. Using bioinformatics tools, MALAT-1 and miR-182 were found to target MSLN and PIG-C. MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with synthetic nc-RNAs. Expression profiling of MSLN, miR-182 and MALAT-1 showed a dramatic over-expression in BC samples. MiR-182 ectopic expression and MALAT-1 silencing increased MSLN and PIG-C transcript levels. However, miR-182 inhibition and miR-182/si-MALAT-1 co-transfection lowered MSLN and PIG-C levels. Finally, si-PIG-C decreased MSLN and PIG-C levels. To conclude, our investigation unravels a new axis in TNBC, where miR-182 can manipulate MSLN and PIG-C. Meanwhile, MALAT-1 is the culprit lncRNA in this novel axis, possibly a sponge for miR-182. Altogether, this sheds light on new targets for BC immune-therapy.