Lack of association between miR-146a rs2910164 C/G locus and colorectal cancer: from a case–control study to a meta-analysis

Previous studies suggested that miR-146a rs2910164 (C/G) locus was predicted to influence the risk of cancer. However, the relationship of miR-146a rs2910164 locus with colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility was controversial. We recruited 1003 CRC patients and 1303 controls, and performed a case–control study to clarify the correlation of miR-146a rs2910164 locus with CRC risk. Subsequently, a comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to verify our findings. In the case–control study, we suggested that miR-146a rs2910164 variants did not alter CRC risk (CG vs. CC: adjusted P=0.465; GG vs. CC: adjusted P=0.436, CG/GG vs. CC: adjusted P=0.387 and GG vs. CC/CG: adjusted P=0.589), even in subgroup analysis. Next, we conducted a pooled-analysis to identify the correlation of miR-146a rs2910164 locus with CRC risk. In this pooled-analysis, 7947 CRC cases and 12,168 controls were included. We found that miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism did not influence the risk of CRC (G vs. C: P=0.537; GG vs. CC: P=0.517, CG/GG vs. CC: P=0.520 and GG vs. CC/CG: P=0.167). Our findings suggest that miR-146a rs2910164 C/G polymorphism is not correlated with the susceptibility of CRC. In the future, more case–control studies are needed to confirm our results.     

Bioinformatic analysis and validation of microRNA-508-3p as a protective predictor by targeting NR4A3/MEK axis in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) featured a debilitating progressive disorder. Here, we intend to determine diagnosis-valuable biomarkers for PAH and decode the fundamental mechanisms of the biological function of these markers. Two mRNA microarray profiles (GSE70456 and GSE117261) and two microRNA microarray profiles (GSE55427 and GSE67597) were mined from the Gene Expression Omnibus platform. Then, we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), respectively. Besides, we investigated online miRNA prediction tools to screen the target gene of DEMs. In this study, 185 DEGs and three common DEMs were screened as well as 1266 target genes of the three DEMs were identified. Next, 16 overlapping dysregulated genes from 185 DEGs and 1266 target gene were obtained. Meanwhile, we constructed the miRNA gene regulatory network and determined miRNA-508-3p-NR4A3 pair for deeper exploring. Experiment methods verified the functional expression of miR-508-3p in PAH and its signalling cascade. We observed that ectopic miR-508-3p expression promotes proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC). Bioinformatic, dual-luciferase assay showed NR4A3 represents directly targeted gene of miR-508-3p. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that down-regulation of miR-508-3p advances PASMC proliferation and migration via inducing NR4A3 to activate MAPK/ERK kinase signalling pathway. Altogether, our research provides a promising diagnosis of predictor and therapeutic avenues for patients in PAH.     

Circular RNA ubiquitin-associated protein 2 enhances autophagy and promotes colorectal cancer progression and metastasis via miR-582-5p/FOXO1 signaling

Numerous circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as vital regulators in various cancers. The newly reported circular RNA ubiquitin-associated protein 2 (circUBAP2) is a critical player in cell growth and metastasis in various types of cancers, although its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) has yet to be fully elucidated. We find that circUBAP2 is upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines to induce autophagy both in vitro and in vivo. The effects of circUBAP2 on migration, invasion, and proliferation may be partially related to autophagy. Mechanistically, we uncover that circUBAP2 can directly interact with miR-582-5p and subsequently act as a microRNA sponge to regulate the expression of the miR-582-5p target gene forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and downstream signaling molecules, which collectively advance the progression and metastasis of CRC. These results suggest that circUBAP2 acts as an oncogene via a novel circUBAP2/miR-582-5p/FOXO1 axis, providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC management.     

lncRNA RPL34-AS1通过靶向调控miR-575表达对卵巢癌SKOV3细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的探究RPL34-AS1对卵巢癌细胞增殖、迁移的影响及其作用机制。 方法取对数生长期SKOV3细胞用无血清培养基同步化12 h,将pcDNA、pcDNA-RPL34-AS1、si-NC、si-RPL34-AS1、anti-miR-NC、anti-miR-575转染至SKOV3细胞中,分别记为pcDNA组、pcDNA-RPL34-AS1组、si-NC组、si-RPL34-AS1组、anti-miR-NC组、anti-miR-575组;将pcDNA-RPL34-AS1与miR-NC、miR-575分别共转染至SKOV3细胞中,记为pcDNA-RPL34-AS1+miR-NC组、pcDNA-RPL34-AS1+miR-575组。实时荧光定量PCR （RT-qPCR）检测临床组织标本及转染后各组细胞中RPL34-AS1和miR-575的表达水平;双荧光素酶报告实验检测RPL34-AS1和miR-575的靶向关系;四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法（MTT）检测细胞存活率;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡;蛋白质印迹（Western blot）法检测细胞周期蛋白D1（Cyclin D1）、细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶抑制剂1A （p21）、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2 （Bcl-2）、Bcl-2相关X蛋白（Bax）蛋白表达水平。两组间比较采用独立样本t检验,多组间比较采用单因素方差分析,组间两两比较采用LSD-t检验。 结果与癌旁组织相比,卵巢癌组织中RPL34-AS1表达水平降低（1.00±0.08比0.47±0.05）,miR-575表达水平升高（1.01±0.07比3.12±0.28）（P < 0.05）。转染si-RPL34-AS1后,细胞活性升高（48 h：0.68±0.06比0.55±0.05;72 h：0.99±0.08比0.71±0.06）,G1期细胞所占比例降低（13.42±1.38比32.15±2.11）,S期细胞所占比例升高（53.75±5.22比34.69±3.41）,细胞凋亡率降低（4.31±0.42比9.25±0.91）,CyclinD1、Bcl-2表达水平升高（0.92±0.08比0.71±0.07;0.86±0.07比0.61±0.06）,p21、Bax表达水平降低（0.13±0.02比0.29±0.03;0.19±0.02比0.31±0.03） （P均< 0.05）。RPL34-AS1靶向调控miR-575,过表达RPL34-AS1或抑制miR-575后可抑制细胞活性,阻滞细胞周期和促进细胞凋亡。miR-575过表达逆转了RPL34-AS1过表达对卵巢癌SKOV3细胞增殖抑制和凋亡促进的作用。 结论过表达RPL34-AS1可抑制卵巢癌SKOV3细胞增殖,促进细胞凋亡,其机制可能与下调miR-575有关。     

miR-155靶向PTEN-PI3KAKT通路促进鼻咽癌细胞增殖并抑制其凋亡的实验研究

摘要 目的：研究miR-155靶向PTEN-PI3KAKT通路促进鼻咽癌细胞增殖并抑制其凋亡的作用机制。方法：选取105只成年健康SD雄性大鼠作为研究对象,将其以随机抽签法等分成观察组、对照组、试验组,每组35只。所有大鼠通过诱癌剂二甲硝基哌嗪腋部皮下注射以及促癌剂佛波醇酯皮下注射进行鼻咽癌大鼠模型的建立。观察组大鼠予以miR-155抑制剂干预,试验组予以PI3K抑制剂干预,对照组不予以任何干预。以实时荧光定量PCR法检测miR-155相对表达量,采用免疫组化法检测PTEN、PI3K、P-AKT表达情况,通过Western blot法检测Bcl-2、Bax、Ezrin蛋白表达水平。比较三组大鼠上述相关指标水平,并作相关性分析。结果：试验组、观察组、对照组大鼠的miR-155相对表达量分别为（34.88±1.32）、（29.72±1.23）、（35.01±1.34）,观察组显著低于试验组和对照组,差异明显（F=23.105,P=0.000）。试验组、观察组、对照组大鼠PTEN表达率逐渐升高,而PI3K、P-AKT表达率逐渐降低（均P＜0.05）。经Pearson相关性分析可得：鼻咽癌大鼠miR-155相对表达量与PTEN表达率呈正相关关系,而与PI3K、P-AKT表达率呈负相关关系（均P＜0.05）。试验组、观察组、对照组Bcl-2、Ezrin蛋白表达水平呈逐渐升高趋势,而Bax蛋白表达水平呈逐渐减低趋势,且经单因素方差分析发现：各组间对比差异显著（均P＜0.05）。结论：miR-155可能是通过靶向作用于PTEN-PI3KAKT信号通路,继而发挥促进鼻咽癌细胞增殖以及抑制鼻咽癌细胞凋亡的作用。临床工作中可能将其作为鼻咽癌治疗的新靶点。     

Retracted: MicroRNA-373 promotes the development of endometrial cancer by targeting LATS2 and activating the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway

In the female reproductive tract, endometrial cancer is the most common malignant tumor. Recently, the specific functions of many miRNAs have been identified in endometrial cancer. However, the contradictory effects of microRNA-373 (miR-373) in different human cancers draw our attention. In the present research, upregulation of miR-373 was identified in endometrial cancer which predicted poor prognosis. Moreover, upregulation of miR-373 promoted the migration, invasion, and proliferation of endometrial cancer cells. To further confirm that results, the EMT and Wnt/β-Catenin pathways were also investigated, which were promoted by overexpression of miR-373. Then, we further investigate the downstream factor, large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2) which was inhibited by miR-373. LATS2 was verified as a direct target gene of miR-373 through luciferase reporter assay. Especially, the facilitation of miR-373 for cell proliferation, migration and invasion was impaired by LATS2. Taken together, miR-373 promotes the progression of endometrial cancer through targeting LATS2 and promoting EMT and Wnt/β-Catenin pathway.     

MicroRNA‐224, negatively regulated by c‐jun,inhibits growth and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition phenotype via targeting ADAM17 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abnormal expression of miR‐224 has been reported to promote cancer progression. However, the role of miR‐224 is seldom reported in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We reported that miR‐224 expression was significantly down‐regulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Restoration of miR‐224 decreased OSCC cell growth and invasion. In addition, luciferase and Western blot assays revealed that ADAM17 protein was a downstream target of miR‐224. The overexpression of ADAM17 dismissed miR‐224’s effect on cell growth and invasion. We concluded that miR‐224 inhibited OSCC cell growth and invasion through regulating ADAM17 expression. Subsequently, we revealed that c‐jun directly bind to miR‐224 promoter and decreased miR‐224 expression. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that miR‐224 may function as a tumour‐suppressive microRNA in OSCC and suggested that miR‐224 may be a potential therapeutic target for OSCC patients.     

Contribution of fossil Lagomorpha (Mammalia) to the refinement of the late Miocene–Quaternary palaeobiogeographical setting of Italy

Fossil lagomorphs are very useful palaeogeographical indicators. In the last 15 years, several papers centered on fossil lagomorphs contributed to improve the Italian late Miocene–Quaternary palaeogeographical setting, solving palaeobiogeographical enigmas debated for decades, and providing new, challenging palaeogeographic data. The high number of endemic fossil lagomorphs of Italy is due in part to its complex tectonic history (insular endemisms), and in part to the semi-isolation and the physiography of the Peninsula (continental endemisms). In Italian lagomorphs, a direct causal relationship between dispersal and turnovers is not observed, except for the Toringian. Actually, species replacements are customarily due to archipelago effect (late Miocene), phyletic speciation (Pliocene of Sardinia and Italian mainland) or occur after the extinction of older congeneric species (early Pleistocene).