Prognostic value of miR-142 in solid tumors: a meta-analysis

Several studies on the prognostic value of microRNA 142 (miR-142) in solid tumors have reported conflicting results. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between the miR-142 and prognosis in solid tumors. A comprehensive search for relevant studies was conducted until 10 November 2020. Studies that investigated the prognostic significance of the miR-142 in solid tumors were included. The hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a random-effects model. All data analyses were performed using the STATA 12.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, U.S.A.). Twenty articles involving 2451 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that high miR-142 expression was a better predictor of overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47–0.93) and disease-free/progression-free/recurrence-free survival (DFS/PFS/RFS) (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55–0.91) compared with low miR-142 expression. MiR-142 can be used as an effective prognostic marker for patients with solid tumors. Future large prospective studies are warranted to further confirm the present findings.     

The clinical significance of circulating miR-21, miR-142, miR-143, and miR-146a in patients with prostate cancer

BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) is the most common type of solid tissue cancer among men in western countries. In this study, we determined the levels of circulating miR-21, miR-142, miR-143, miR-146a, and RNU 44 levels as controls for early diagnosis of PCa.MethodsThe circulating miRNA levels in peripheral blood samples from 43 localized PCa patients, 12 metastatic PCa (MET) patients, and a control group of, 42 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients with a total of 97 volunteers were determined the by PCR method.ResultsNo differences in the DCT values were found among the groups. In PCa and PCaMet groups the expression of miR21 and miR142 were higher compared to the BHP group. No other differences were observed among the other groups. miR21 expression in the PCa group was 6.29 folds upregulated whereas in the PCaMet group 10.84 folds up-regulated. When the total expression of miR142 is evaluated, it showed a positive correlation with mir21 and mir 146 (both p<0.001). Also, the expression of miR146 shows a positive correlation with both miR21 and miR143 (both p<0.001). Expression of miRNAs was found to be an independent diagnostic factor in patients with Gleason score, PSA, and free PSA levels.ConclusionsOur study showed that co-expression of miR21, miR-142, miR-143, and miR-146a and the upregulation of miR-21 resulted in increased prostate carcinoma cell growth. In the PCaMet group, miR21 is the most upregulated of all miRNAs. These markers may provide a novel diagnostic tool to help diagnose PCa with aggressive behavior.     

miR-142-3p/5p role in cancer: From epigenetic regulation to immunomodulation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in cancer pathobiology, acting as regulators of gene expression and pivotal drivers of tumorigenesis. It is believed that miRNAs act through canonical mechanisms, involving the binding of mature miRNAs to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and subsequent repression of protein translation or degradation of target mRNAs. miR-142-3p/5p has been extensively studied and established as a key regulator in various malignancies. Recent discoveries have revealed miR-142-3p/5p serve as either oncogene or tumor suppressor in cancer. By targeting epigenetic factor and cancer-related signaling pathway, miR-142-3p/5p can regulate wide range of downstream genes. The immune modulatory role of miR-142-3p/5p has been shown in various cancers, which provides significant insight into immunosuppression and tumor escape from the immune response. Exosomes with miR-142-3p/5p facilitate cell communication and can affect cancer cell behavior, offering potential therapeutic, and diagnosis applications in cancer therapy. In this review, for the first time, we comprehensively summarize the current knowledge regarding mentioned functions of miR-142-3p/5p in cancer pathobiology.     

Prospects for the involvement of cancer stem cells in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common bone tumors in children and adolescents that cause a high rate of mortality in this age group and tends to be metastatic, in spite of chemotherapy and surgery. The main reason for this can be returned to a small group of malignant cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). OS-CSCs play a key role in the resistance to treatment and relapse and metastasis through self-renewal and differentiation abilities. In this review, we intend to go through the different aspects of this malignant disease, including the cancer stem cell-phenotype, methods for isolating CSCs, signaling pathways, and molecular markers in this disease, and drugs showing resistance in treatment efforts of OS.     

miR-9: From function to therapeutic potential in cancer

Malignant neoplasms are regarded as the main cause of death around the world; hence, many research studies were conducted to further perceive molecular mechanisms, treatment, and cancer prognosis. Cancer is known as a major factor for health-related problems in the world. The main challenges associated with these diseases are prompt diagnosis, disease remission classification and treatment status forecast. Therefore, progressing in such areas by developing new and optimized methods with the help of minimally invasive biological markers such as circular microRNAs (miRNAs) can be considered important. miRNA interactions with target genes have specified their role in development, apoptosis, differentiation, and proliferation and also, confirm direct miRNA function in cancer. Different miRNAs expression levels in various types of malignant neoplasms have been observed to be associated with prognosis of various carcinomas. miR-9 seems to implement opposite practices in different tissues or under various cancer incidences by influencing different genes. Aberrant miR-9 levels have been observed in many cancer types. Therefore, we intended to investigate the precise role of miR-9 in patients with malignant neoplasms. To this end, in this study, we attempted to examine different studies to clarify the overall role of miR-9 as a prognostic marker in several human tumors. The presented data in this study can help us to find the novel therapeutic avenues for treatment of human cancers.     

miR-142通过靶向HMGB1对宫颈癌细胞生物学行为影响的实验研究

摘要 目的：通过实验探究miR-142靶向高迁移率族蛋白1（high-mobility group box 1 protein,HMGB1）对宫颈癌（cervical cancer,CC）细胞生物学行为的影响及其潜在的作用机制。方法：采用实时荧光定量PCR（RT-PCR）和蛋白质免疫印迹法（Western Blot）检测CC组织和正常组织中miR-142和HMGB1 mRNA及蛋白表达水平,采用荧光素酶报告实验分析miR-142与HMGB1的靶向关系,CCK-8法检测CC细胞生存能力,克隆形成实验检测CC细胞增殖能力,划痕修复实验检测CC细胞迁移能力,基质胶侵袭实验检测CC细胞侵袭能力。结果：CC组miR-142 mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著低于正常组（P<0.05）,HMGB1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著高于正常组（P<0.05）,且CC癌组织中miR-142和HMGB1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平均呈显著负相关（r=-0.399,P=0.002;r=-0.429,P=0.001）;miR-142与HMGB1存在靶向关系;CCK-8法实验、克隆形成实验、划痕修复实验和基质胶侵袭实验结果显示,miR-142 mimic组细胞生存、增殖、迁移和侵袭能力显著低于miR-NC组（P<0.05）,miR-142 inhibitor组细胞生存、增殖、迁移和侵袭能力显著高于miR-NC组;Western Blot实验结果显示,HMGB1过表达时miR-142 mimic+plasmid组HMGB1蛋白表达水平显著高于miR-142 mimic+control plasmid组（P<0.05）,显著低于miR-NC+plasmid组（P<0.05）;CCK-8法实验、克隆形成实验、划痕修复实验和基质胶侵袭实验结果显示,HMGB1过表达时miR-142 mimic+plasmid组细胞生存、增殖、迁移和侵袭能力显著高于miR-142 mimic+control plasmid组（P<0.05）,显著低于miR-NC+plasmid组（P<0.05）。结论：miR-142可通过靶向负调控HMGB1表达,进而抑制CC细胞生存、增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

miR-142-3p is a tumor suppressor that inhibits estrogen receptor expression in ER-positive breast cancer

Estrogen receptors (ERs) are involved in the development of many types of malignant tumors, in particular, breast cancer. Among others, ERs affect cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. The microRNA (miRNA) miR-142-3p has been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis by regulating various cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, cell migration, apoptosis, and invasion. It does so via targeting molecules involved in a range of signaling pathways. We surgically collected 20 ER-positive breast cancer samples, each with matched adjacent normal breast tissue, and measured the expression of miR-142-3p via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics methods, luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis were used to assess whether miR-142-3p could target ESR1, which encodes the estrogen receptor, in ER-positive breast cancer cells and patient samples. We also restored miRNA expression and performed cell viability, cytotoxicity, and colony formation assays. Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR were used to study the expression of apoptosis and stemness markers. We found that miR-142-3p is downregulated in ER-positive breast cancers. Restoration of miR-142-3p expression in ER-positive breast cancer cells reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway and decreased both colony formation and the expression of stem cell markers. Bioinformatic analysis predicted miR-142-3p could bind to 3′-untranslated region ESR1 messenger RNA (mRNA). Consistently, we demonstrated that miR-142-3p reduced luciferase activity in ER-positive breast cancer cells, and decreased ESR1 expression in both mRNA and protein levels. The results revealed miR-142-3p and ESR1 expression correlated negatively in ER-positive breast cancer samples. The results suggest miR-142-3p acts as a tumor suppressor via multiple mechanisms. Thus, restoration of miR-142-3p expression, for example, via miRNA replacement therapy, may represent an effective strategy for the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer patients.     

Prognostic scoring system for osteosarcoma using network-regularized high-dimensional Cox-regression analysis and potential therapeutic targets

With the recent emphasis on the importance of personalized genomic medicine, studies have performed prognostic stratification using gene signatures in cancers. However, these studies have not considered gene networks with clinical data. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel prognostic score using grouped variable selection for patients with osteosarcoma. We assessed messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and clinical data from Gene Expression Omnibus to develop a novel prognostic scoring system for patients with osteosarcoma. Variable selection using Network-Regularized high-dimensional Cox-regression analysis with information regarding gene networks obtained from six large pathway databases was performed. We determined the risk score on the linear combination of regression coefficients and mRNA expression values. Log-rank test, UNO's c-index, and area under the curve (AUC) values were determined to evaluate the discriminatory power between the low- and high-risk groups. A recently reported next-generation Connectivity Map was used to identify future therapeutic targets for osteosarcoma. Our novel model had significantly high discriminatory power in predicting overall survival. An optimal c-index of 0.967 was obtained and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an acceptable predictive value of AUC between 0.953 and 1.000. Knockdown of BACE2 or ING2 and linifanib treatment may improve the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. Herein, this novel prognostic scoring system would not only facilitate a more accurate prediction of patient prognosis, but also contribute to the selection of suitable therapeutic alternatives for osteosarcoma patients.     

Development and characterization of cancer stem cell-based tumoroids as an osteosarcoma model

Three-dimensional (3D) cancer tumor models are becoming vital approaches for high-throughput drug screening, drug targeting, development of novel theranostic systems, and personalized medicine. Yet, it is becoming more evident that the tumor progression and metastasis is fueled by a subpopulation of stem-like cells within the tumor that are also called cancer stem cells (CSCs). This study aimed to develop a tumoroid model using CSCs. For this purpose CD133⁺ cells were isolated from SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cell line with magnetic-activated cell sorting. To evaluate tumoroid formation ability, the cells were incubated in different cell numbers in agar gels produced by 3D Petri Dish® method. Subsequently, CD133⁺ cells and CD133⁻ cells were co-cultured to investigate CD133⁺ cell localization in tumoroids. The characterization of tumoroids was performed using Live&Dead staining, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results showed that, CD133⁺, CD133⁻ and SaOS-2 cells were all able to form 3D tumoroids regardless of the initial cell number, but, while 72 hr were needed for CD133⁺ cells to self-assemble, 24 hr were enough for CD133⁻ and SaOS-2 cells. CD133⁺ cells were located within tumoroids randomly with high cell viability. Finally, when compared to two-dimensional (2D) cultures, there were 5.88, 4.14, 6.95, and 1.68-fold higher messenger RNA expressions for Sox2, OCT3/4, Nanog, and Nestin, respectively, in CD133⁺ cells that were cultured within 3D tumoroids, showing longer maintenance of stem cell phenotype in 3D, that can allow more relevant screening and targeting efficiency in pharmaceutical testing. It was concluded that CSC-based tumoroids are propitious as 3D tumor models to fill the gap between conventional 2D in vitro culture and in vivo animal experiments for cancer research.     

The survivin molecule as a double-edged sword in cellular physiologic and pathologic conditions and its role as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in cancer

Survivin is a member of the family of apoptosis inhibitory proteins with increased expression level in most cancerous tissues. Evidence shows that survivin plays regulatory roles in proliferation or survival of normal adult cells, principally vascular endothelial cells, T lymphocytes, primitive hematopoietic cells, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Survivin antiapoptotic role is, directly and indirectly, related to caspase proteins and shows its role in cell division through the chromosomal passenger complex. Survivin contains many genetic polymorphisms that the role of some variations has been proven in several cancers. The −31G/C polymorphism is one of the most important survivin mutations which is located in the promoter region on a CDE/CHR motif. This polymorphism can upregulate the survivin messenger RNA. In addition, its allele C can increase the risk of cancers in 1.27-fold than allele G. Considering the fundamental role of survivin in different cancers, this protein could be considered as a new therapeutic target in cancer treatment. For this purpose, various strategies have been designed including the prevention of survivin expression through inhibition of mRNA translation using antagonistic molecules, inhibition of survivin gene function through small inhibitory molecules, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. In this study, we describe the structure, played roles in physiological and pathological states and genetic polymorphisms of survivin. Finally, the role of survivin as a potential target in cancer therapy given challenges ahead has been discussed.     

miR-142-3p通过调控ELAVL1表达影响过氧化氢诱导的心肌细胞损伤的分子机制

目的探讨微小RNA-142-3p（miR-142-3p）对过氧化氢诱导的心肌细胞损伤的影响及其作用机制。 方法构建氧化应激损伤模型,以H9C2心肌细胞为研究对象,实验将心肌细胞转染后分为正常对照组、H₂O₂组、H₂O₂+miR-142-3p组、H₂O₂+miR阴性对照组、H₂O₂+?si-?ELAVL1组、H₂O₂+siRNA对照组、H₂O₂+miR-142-3p+pcDNA-ELAVL1组、H₂O₂+miR-?142-3p+pcDNA组。分别采用qRT-PCR与Western Blot检测细胞中miR-142-3p与ELAVL1表达;检测各组活性氧（ROS）生成水平;MTT检测细胞存活率,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡。双荧光素酶报告实验验证miR-142-3p与ELAVL1的靶向作用。Western Blot检测细胞中Cleaved Caspase-3、STAT3、Caspase-3、p-STAT3蛋白表达。两组间比较采用两样本t检验;多组间比较采用单因素方差分析,两两比较采用LSD-t检验。 结果H₂O₂组心肌细胞中miR-142-?3p（0.26±0.06）、p-STAT3表达水平（0.36±0.04）、细胞存活率（61.73±6.48）﹪与正常对照组相比下降（P均< 0.01）,而ROS水平（1?566.38±121.57）、细胞凋亡率（27.46±1.73）﹪、Cleaved Caspase-3（0.68±0.08）及ELAVL1表达水平（4.23±0.31）均升高（P均< 0.01）;双荧光素酶报告实验证实ELAVL1是miR-142-3p的靶基因;miR-142-3p过表达或沉默ELAVL1表达可明显促进心肌细胞存活、上调p-STAT3表达,而抑制细胞凋亡及Cleaved Caspase-3表达;ELAVL1过表达可逆转miR-142-3p对过氧化氢处理H9C2细胞的保护作用。 结论miR-142-?3p可通过抑制ELAVL1表达进而减轻过氧化氢诱导的心肌细胞损伤,其可能通过影响STAT3信号通路而保护心肌细胞。     

应用活细胞RNA检测纳米技术检测乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A及乳腺癌细胞MCF-7中miR-142-3p的表达

传统的核酸检测技术如放射性核素、荧光、化学修饰的探针以及核酸扩增等技术无法检测活细胞中核酸的表达量。而活细胞RNA纳米检测技术和传统的检测技术相比,利用纳米金颗粒为探针能对活细胞进行检测,实验步骤更为简单,可以在自然的、无扩增的条件下观察RNA,这可真实地反应基因表达与表型之间的关系。miRNA是一类非编码RNA,其长度为20～24个碱基,在生命活动中起重要的作用。本文应用活细胞RNA检测纳米技术结合荧光定量PCR分别检测正常的乳腺上皮细胞系及乳腺上皮癌细胞系中内源性miR-142-3p的表达,发现乳腺癌细胞系内源性miR-142-3p的表达显著高于正常乳腺上皮细胞系中miR-142-3p的表达,结果提示miR-142-3p可能在乳腺癌细胞发生发展中起到调控作用。