Diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of exosomal microRNAs in renal cancer

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) arises from the tubular epithelial cells of the nephron. It has the highest mortality rate among urological cancers. There are no effective therapeutic approaches and no non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and follow-up. Thus, suitable novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets are essential for improving RCC diagnosis/prognosis and treatment. Circulating exosomes such as exosomal microRNAs (Exo-miRs) provide non-invasive prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers and valuable therapeutic targets, as they can be easily isolated and quantified and show high sensitivity and specificity. Exosomes secreted by an RCC can exhibit alterations in the miRs' profile that may reflect the cellular origin and (patho)physiological state, as a ''signature'' or ''fingerprint'' of the donor cell. It has been shown that the transportation of renal-specific miRs in exosomes can be rapidly detected and measured, holding great potential as biomarkers in RCC. The present review highlights the studies reporting tumor microenvironment-derived Exo-miRs with therapeutic potential as well as circulating Exo-miRs as potential diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in patients with RCC.

Long Noncoding RNA NEAT1 Aggravates Aβ-Induced Neuronal Damage by Targeting miR-107 in Alzheimer's Disease

PURPOSE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, with a rising prevalence worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to play important roles in the development and treatment of AD. However, the exact role of lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in neuronal damage in AD is largely unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The AD model was established in SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells via treatment with amyloid β_1-42 (Aβ). The expression of NEAT1 and microRNA-107 (miR-107) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry. The expression of phosphorylated tau protein (p-Tau) was measured by Western blot. The interaction between NEAT1 and miR-107 was explored by bioinformatics analysis, luciferase activity, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays.

RESULTS

NEAT1 expression was enhanced in Aβ-treated SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells, and its knockdown attenuated Aβ-induced inhibition of viability and promotion of apoptosis and p-Tau levels. NEAT1 was indicated as a decoy of miR-107. miR-107 abundance was reduced in Aβ-treated cells, and its overexpression reversed Aβ-induced injury. Moreover, interference of miR-107 abated silencing of NEAT1-mediated inhibition of neuronal damage in Aβ-treated SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells.

CONCLUSION

LncRNA NEAT1 aggravated Aβ-induced neuronal damage by sponging miR-107, indicating a novel avenue for treatment of AD.