Serum exosomal miR-638 is a prognostic marker of HCC via downregulation of VE-cadherin and ZO-1 of endothelial cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. High recurrence rates after curative resection and the lack of specific biomarkers for intrahepatic metastases are major clinical problems. Recently, exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to have a role in the formation of the pre-metastatic niche and as promising biomarkers in patients with malignancy. Here we aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of intrahepatic metastasis and to identify a novel biomarker miRNA in patients with HCC. A highly intrahepatic metastatic cell line (HuH-7M) was established by in vivo selection. HuH-7M showed increased proliferative ability and suppression of apoptosis and anoikis. HuH-7M and the parental cell (HuH-7P) showed the similar expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and cancer stem cell markers. In vivo, mice treated with exosomes derived from HuH-7M showed increased tumorigenesis of liver metastases. Exosomes from HuH-7M downregulated endothelial cell expression of vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in non-cancerous regions of liver and increased the permeability of FITC-dextran through the monolayer of endothelial cells. The miRNAs (miR-638, miR-663a, miR-3648, and miR-4258) could attenuate endothelial junction integrity by inhibiting VE-cadherin and ZO-1 expression. In patients with HCC, higher serum exosomal miR-638 expression was associated with tumor recurrence. In conclusion, the miRNAs secreted from a highly metastatic cancer cell can promote vascular permeability via downregulation of endothelial expression of VE-cadherin and ZO-1. Serum exosomal miR-638 expression holds potential for serving as a significant and independent prognostic marker in HCC.     

miR-33a functions as a tumor suppressor in melanoma by targeting HIF-1α

Background: Our previous findings showed that miR-33 expressed abnormally in clinical specimens of melanoma, but the exact molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. Object: To determine miR-33''s roles in melanoma and confirm whether HIF-1α is a direct target gene of miR-33a. Methods: First miR-33a/b expression levels were detected in HM, WM35, WM451, A375 and SK-MEL-1. Then lentiviral vectors were constructed to intervene miR-33a expression in melanoma cells. Cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis were detected. A375 cells mice model was performed to test the tumorigenesis of melanoma in vivo. Finally the dual reporter gene assay was carried out to confirm whether HIF-1α is a direct target gene of miR-33a. Results: MiR-33a/b exhibited a lower expression in WM35, WM451, A375 and SK-MEL-1 of the metastatic skin melanoma cell lines than that in HM. Then inhibition of miR-33a expression in WM35 and WM451 cell lines could promote cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Conversely, increased expression of miR-33a in A375 cells could inhibit cellproliferation, invasion and metastasis. In vivo tests also confirmed that overexpression of miR-33a in A375 cells significantly inhibited melanoma tumorigenesis. Finally, we confirmed that HIF-1α is a direct target gene of miR-33a. Conclusion: The newly identified miR-33a/HIF-1α axis might provide a new strategy for the treatment of melanoma.     

骨肉瘤外泌体miR-21通过调控PI3K/AKT通路促进骨肉瘤细胞侵袭及血管生成北大核心

目的:探讨骨肉瘤外泌体miR-21对骨肉瘤细胞侵袭能力的影响以及对血管生成的作用机制。方法:qRT-PCR法检测人正常骨细胞hFOB1.19与人骨肉瘤细胞系U2OS、Saos-2和MG-63中miR-21的表达,并确定表达水平高的作为本研究细胞系。通过差速离心提取细胞外泌体,并采用透射电镜和Western blot鉴定该外泌体;通过免疫荧光染色检测外泌体能否进入人血管内皮细胞(human vascular endothelial cells,HUVEC)发挥作用;利用脂质体2000分别转染Control、miR-21-inhibitor以及miR-21-mimic,通过Transwell实验检测外泌体miR-21对U2OS细胞侵袭能力的影响,并进一步采用Western blot检测miR-21对血管相关蛋白VEGF、HIF-1α以及PI3K/AKT通路蛋白的影响。结果:人骨肉瘤细胞系Saos-2、MG-63和U2OS中miR-21均呈高表达。透射电镜观察到,外泌体呈圆形或椭圆形泡状结构,且其特征蛋白CD9、CD63和CD81蛋白在外泌体中较U2OS细胞中表达高。免疫荧光结果显示,U2OS外泌体能成功进入HUVEC细胞中发挥作用。Transwell实验结果表明,外泌体miR-21可以促进骨肉瘤细胞侵袭。Western blot结果表明,与Control组相比,miR-21-mimic组血管生成蛋白VEGF和HIF-1α表达水平显著上升,PI3K/AKT通路蛋白表达水平亦显著升高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:U2OS外泌体miR-21可以促进骨肉瘤细胞侵袭和血管生成,其作用机制可能与miR-21进入细胞激活PI3K/AKT信号通路有关。     

MicroRNA-100 shuttled by mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes suppresses in vitro angiogenesis through modulating the mTOR/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling axis in breast cancer cells

Background

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to be involved in the formation and modulation of tumor stroma and in interacting with tumor cells, partly through their secretome. Exosomes are nano-sized intraluminal multi-vesicular bodies secreted by most types of cells and have been found to mediate intercellular communication through the transfer of genetic information via coding and non-coding RNAs to recipient cells. Since exosomes are considered as protective and enriched sources of shuttle microRNAs (miRNAs), we hypothesized that exosomal transfer of miRNAs from MSCs may affect tumor cell behavior, particularly angiogenesis.

Methods

Exosomes derived from MSCs were isolated and characterized by scanning electron microscopy analyses, dynamic light scattering measurements, and Western blotting. Fold changes in miR-100 expression levels were calculated in exosomes and their corresponding donor cells by qRT-PCR. The effects of exosomal transfer of miR-100 from MSCs were assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting of the mTOR/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling axis in breast cancer cells. The quantification of secreted VEGF protein was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The putative paracrine effects of MSC-derived exosomes on tumor angiogenesis were explored by in vitro angiogenesis assays including endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation assays.

Results

We found that MSC-derived exosomes induce a significant and dose-dependent decrease in the expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) through modulating the mTOR/HIF-1α signaling axis in breast cancer-derived cells. We also found that miR-100 is enriched in MSC-derived exosomes and that its transfer to breast cancer-derived cells is associated with the down-regulation of VEGF in a time-dependent manner. The putative role of exosomal miR-100 transfer in regulating VEGF expression was substantiated by the ability of anti-miR-100 to rescue the inhibitory effects of MSC-derived exosomes on the expression of VEGF in breast cancer-derived cells. In addition, we found that down-regulation of VEGF mediated by MSC-derived exosomes can affect the vascular behavior of endothelial cells in vitro.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings suggest that exosomal transfer of miR-100 may be a novel mechanism underlying the paracrine effects of MSC-derived exosomes and may provide a means by which these vesicles can modulate vascular responses within the microenvironment of breast cancer cells.

     

MiR-29c suppresses invasion and metastasis by targeting TIAM1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Based on microarray analysis, we previously reported that miR-29c is significantly downregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, little is known about the effect and molecular mechanisms of action of miR-29c deregulation during the development and progression of NPC. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that miR-29c was significantly downregulated in NPC cell lines and clinical specimens. Wound healing, Transwell migration and lung metastasis assays demonstrated that ectopic expression of miR-29c inhibited NPC cell migration and invasion in vitro and suppressed the formation of lung metastases in vivo. T cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (TIAM1) was confirmed as a miR-29c target gene using luciferase reporter assays, quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Ectopic expression of TIAM1 significantly promoted the migration and invasion of SUNE-1 cell line stably overexpressing miR-29c. The prognostic value of TIAM1 was analyzed in 217 NPC patients using immunohistochemistry. Strikingly, patients with high TIAM1 expression had poorer overall, disease-free and distant metastasis-free survival than patients with low TIAM1 expression. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that TIAM1 could serve as an independent prognostic factor in NPC. The newly identified miR-29c/TIAM1 pathway further elucidates the molecular mechanisms regulating invasion and metastasis in NPC, and may provide novel prognostic and treatment strategies for NPC patients.     

miR-143对肾癌GRC-1细胞增殖与凋亡及其靶点HIF-1α的影响

目的 探讨miR-143对肾癌GRC-1细胞增殖凋亡及其靶点缺氧诱导因子1α（HIF-1α）的影响。方法 转染miR-143的模拟物于肾癌细胞株GRC-1细胞,采用实时定量PCR（qPCR）法检测转染的效果,根据实验将GRC-1细胞分为3组：未转染组、miR-143对照组和miR-143转染组,采用MTT法检测各组细胞的增殖情况,流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡情况;qPCR及Western blotting检测各组细胞的HIF-1α mRNA和蛋白水平;双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-143与HIF-1α基因间的靶向关系。结果 miR-143转染组的miR-143水平高于未转染组和miR-143对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;与其余两组比较,miR-143转染组的增殖率降低而凋亡率升高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;瞬时过表达miR-143可降低GRC-1细胞的HIF-1α mRNA和蛋白水平（P＜0.01）,双荧光素酶报告基因实验证明HIF-1α是miR-143的直接作用靶点。结论 miR-143可以调控肾癌GRC-1细胞的增殖凋亡,而HIF-1α是miR-143的直接靶点。     

Exosomal miR-30a and miR-222 derived from colon cancer mesenchymal stem cells promote the tumorigenicity of colon cancer through targeting MIA3

BackgroundMultipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from virus tumors have been reported to contribute to malignant cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. However, the mechanism of communication between MSCs and colon cancer cells is poorly understood. Recent studies have suggested that exosomes are an important player in crosstalk between cells and could significantly suppress the invasion ability of human cancer cells (hCCs) when transfected with a microRNA inhibitor. However, to date, no study has illuminated the miRNA changes in exosomes derived from hCC-MSCs.MethodsColon cancer stem cells were cultured in medium and passaged to develop fibroblast-like morphology. Exosomes were collected using ExoQuick precipitation and exosome morphology was visualized by transmission electron microscopy. Small RNA sequencing was analyzed using an Illumina HiSeq4000 analyzer, and the expression of MIA3 was assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot. The functional roles of miR-30a and miR-222 in colon cancer cells were evaluated through cell and animal experiments.ResultsOur results showed that the characteristics of MSC-like cells (hCC-MSCs) derived from human colon cancer stem cells were comparable to those of bone marrow-derived MSCs, including surface antigens and the ability to multi-differentiate to osteocytes and adipocytes. Furthermore, we screened the microRNA (miRNA) profiles of exosomes derived from hCC-MSCs and the corresponding parent hCC-MSCs. We found a significant enrichment in the miR-30a and miR-222 level in hCC-MSC-derived exosomes. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that miR-30a and miR-222 bound to their shared downstream target, MIA3, to promote the ability of colon cells to proliferate, migrate, and metastasize, thus evidencing their functional roles as oncogenic miRNAs.ConclusionsThese data suggest that hCC-MSC-secreted exosomes promote colon cancer cell proliferation and metastasis through delivering miR-30a and miR-222. Subsequently, exosomal miR-30a and miR-222 simultaneously target MIA3, suppress its expression, and promote colon cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis.     

Omental cancer-associated fibroblast-derived exosomes with low microRNA-29c-3p promote ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis

Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by frequent widespread peritoneal metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent a critical stromal component of metastatic niche and promote omentum metastasis in OC patients. However, the role of exosomes derived from omental CAFs in metastasis remains unclear. We isolated exosomes from primary omental normal fibroblasts (NFs) and CAFs from OC patients (NF-Exo and CAF-Exo, respectively) and assessed their effect on metastasis. In mice bearing orthotopic OC xenografts, CAF-Exo treatment led to more rapid intraperitoneal tumor dissemination and shorter animal survival. Similar results were observed in mice undergoing intraperitoneal injection of tumor cells. Among the miRNAs downregulated in CAF-Exo, miR-29c-3p in OC tissues was associated with metastasis and survival in patients. Moreover, increasing miR-29c-3p in CAF-Exo significantly weakened the metastasis-promoting effect of CAF-Exo. Based on RNA sequencing, expression assays, and luciferase assays, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) was identified as a direct target of miR-29c-3p. These results verify the significant contribution of exosomes from omental CAFs to OC peritoneal metastasis, which could be partially due to the relief of MMP2 expression inhibition mediated by low exosomal miR-29c-3p.     

miR-26b-3p对乳腺癌细胞生物学行为的影响及作用机制研究

背景与目的：miRNA是一类长度为21~23个核苷酸的单链非编码RNA分子,其作用机制主要为靶向于mRNA的3’非翻译区（3’ untranslated region,3’UTR）从而抑制其靶基因的表达。miRNA在肿瘤的发生、发展过程中发挥着关键作用,探讨miR-26b-3p对乳腺癌生物学行为的影响及作用机制。方法：通过实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RTFQ-PCR）检测miR-26b-3p在三种乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7、MDA-MB-231和MDA-MB-453中的表达,选取miR-26b-3p表达水平最低的乳腺癌细胞转染miR-26b-3p mimics后,采用细胞计数试剂盒（cell counting kit-8,CCK-8）法检测细胞的增殖,采用transwell迁移和侵袭实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力,通过小动物活体成像及裸鼠移植瘤模型检测miR-26b-3p对乳腺癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长和转移的影响,采用双荧光素酶报告基因分析检测miR-26b-3p与锌指E盒结合同源盒基因1（zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1,ZEB1）的相互作用,采用RTFQ-PCR和蛋白质印迹法（Western blot）检测ZEB1的表达。结果：乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-453中miR-26b-3p表达最低,在MDA-MB-453细胞中转染miR-26b-3p mimics后,miR-26b-3p的表达水平显著升高（P<0.05）,细胞的增殖能力显著降低（P<0.05）,细胞的迁移（P<0.001）和侵袭能力（P<0.01）显著降低。过表达miR-26b-3p可抑制裸鼠体内乳腺癌移植瘤的生长和转移。miR-26b-3p可与ZEB1的3’UTR结合,抑制ZEB1的表达。结论：miR-26b-3p可靶向于ZEB1,抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,抑制乳腺癌的生长和转移。     

Methylation-associated silencing of miR-9-1 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression and glycolysis via HK2

Characteristically, cancer cells metabolize glucose through aerobic glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect. Accumulating evidence suggest that during cancer formation, microRNAs (miRNAs) could regulate such metabolic reprogramming. In the present study, miR-9-1 was identified as significantly hypermethylated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines and clinical tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-9-1 inhibited NPC cell growth and glycolytic metabolism, including reduced glycolysis, by reducing lactate production, glucose uptake, cellular glucose-6-phosphate levels, and ATP generation in vitro and tumor proliferation in vivo. HK2 (encoding hexokinase 2) was identified as a direct target of miR-9-1 using luciferase reporter assays and Western blotting. In NPC cells, hypermethylation regulates miR-9-1 expression and inhibits HK2 translation by directly targeting its 3' untranslated region. MiR-9-1 overexpression markedly reduced HK2 protein levels. Restoration of HK2 expression attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-9-1 on NPC cell proliferation and glycolysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization results indicated that miR-9-1 expression was an independent prognostic factor in NPC. Our findings revealed the role of the miR-9-1/HK2 axis in the metabolic reprogramming of NPC, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for NPC.     

食管鳞癌细胞外泌体中miR-130a对血管新生的作用及其机制

目的 探讨食管鳞癌细胞外泌体中的miR-130a对血管新生的作用及其机制.方法 提取食管上皮细胞HEEC、食管鳞癌细胞TE-13和Eca-109所分泌的外泌体及转染miR-130a mimic、miR-130a inhibitor及其阴性对照(NC)后的Eca-109细胞外泌体,并与人脐静脉血管内皮细胞HUVEC共孵育...     

MiR-21 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression in third-sphere forming breast cancer stem cell-like cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are predicted to be critical drivers of tumor progression due to their "stemness", but the molecular mechanism of CSCs in regulating metastasis remains to be elucidated. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and miR-21, all of which contribute to cell migration for metastasis, are interrelated with CSCs. In the present study, third-sphere forming (3-S) CSC-like cells, which showed elevated CSC surface markers (ALDH1(+) and CD44(+)/CD24(-/low)) and sphereforming capacity as well as migration and invasion capacities, were cultured and isolated from breast cancer MCF-7 parental cells, to evaluate the role of miR-21 in regulating the CSC-like cell biological features, especially EMT. EMT, which was assessed by overexpression of mesenchymal cell markers (N-cadherin, Vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) and suppression of epithelial cell marker (E-cadherin), was induced in 3-S CSC-like cells. Moreover, both of HIF-1α and miR-21 were upregulated in the CSC-like cells. Interestingly, antagonism of miR-21 by antagomir led to reversal of EMT, downexpression of HIF-1α, as well as suppression of invasion and migration, which indicates a key role of miR-21 involved in regulate CSC-associated features. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the formation of CSC-like cells undergoing process of EMT-like associated with overexpression of HIF-1α, both of which are regulated by miR-21.     

外泌体来源的miR-181a促进胶质瘤的血管生成

目的:探讨外泌体来源的miR-181a对胶质瘤血管生成和肿瘤进展的影响.方法:选用2017年8月至2019年12月海南医学院第二附属医院手术切除的83例胶质瘤和13例瘤旁组织标本,以及胶质瘤细胞U87、A172、U251、LN229、U373和小神经胶质细胞HM,用qPCR法检测瘤组织和细胞中miR-181a的表达水平...     

MicroRNA-19b-3p regulates nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiosensitivity by targeting TNFAIP3/NF-κB axis

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is among the most common squamous cell carcinoma in South China and Southeast Asia. Radiotherapy is the primary treatment for NPC. However, radioresistance acts as a significant factor that limits the efficacy of radiotherapy for NPC patients. Growing evidence supports that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in radiation response.

Methods

Real-time quantitative PCR was used to analyze the expression of miR-19b-3p in NPC cell lines and NP69. miR-19b-3p expression profiles in NPC tissues were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The effect of miR-19b-3p on radiosensitivity was evaluated by cell viability assays, colony formation assays and in vivo experiment. Apoptosis and cell cycle were examined by flow cytometry. Luciferase reporter assay was used to assess the target genes of miR-19b-3p. Expression of target proteins and downstream molecules were analyzed by Western blot.

Results

miR-19b-3p was upregulated in NPC and served as an independent predictor for reduced patient survival. Radioresponse assays showed that miR-19b-3p overexpression resulted in decreased sensitivity to irradiation, whereas miR-19b-3p downregulation resulted in increased sensitivity to irradiation in vitro. Moreover, miR-19b-3p decreased the sensitivity of NPC cells to irradiation in vivo. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that TNFAIP3 was a direct target gene of miR-19b-3p. Knockdown of TNFAIP3 reduced sensitivity to irradiation, whereas upregulation of TNFAIP3 expression reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-19b-3p on NPC cell radiosensitivity. Mechanistically, we found that miR-19b-3p increased NPC cell radioresistance by activating the TNFAIP3/ NF-κB axis.

Conclusions

miR-19b-3p contributes to the radioresistance of NPC by activating the TNFAIP3/ NF-κB axis. miR-19b-3p is a determinant of NPC radioresponse and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in NPC treatment.

     

MicroRNA-10b induced by Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein-1 promotes the metastasis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

MicroRNA-10b (miR-10b) has been reported to facilitate the metastasis of breast cancer. However, little is known about the role of miR-10b in the metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we show that high levels of miR-10b expression in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1)-expressing NPC cells, and its expression is down-regulated by silencing LMP1 or Twist. Induction of miR-10b over-expression in LMP1-silent C666-1 cells promoted significant wound healing and transmembrane invasiveness in vitro. More importantly, miR-10b over-expression promoted the metastasis of NPC and accelerated the death of tumor-bearing nude mice. These findings strongly suggest that miR-10b positively regulates the metastasis of NPC.     

MicroRNA-183 upregulates HIF-1α by targeting isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) in glioma cells

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and contribute to cell proliferation, differentiation and metabolism. Our previous study revealed the extensive modulation of a set of miRs in malignant glioma. In that study, miR microarray analysis demonstrated the upregulation of microRNA-183 (miR-183) in glioblastomas. Therefore, we examined the expression levels of miR-183 in various types of gliomas and the association of miR-183 with isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2), which has complementary sequences to miR-183 in its 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR). In present study, we used real-time PCR analysis to demonstrate that miR-183 is upregulated in the majority of high-grade gliomas and glioma cell lines compared with peripheral, non-tumorous brain tissue. The mRNA and protein expression levels of IDH2 are downregulated via the overexpression of miR-183 mimic RNA in glioma cells. Additionally, IDH2 mRNA expression is upregulated in glioma cells expressing anti-miR-183. We verified that miR-183 directly affects IDH2 mRNA levels in glioma cells using luciferase assays. In malignant glioma specimens, the expression levels of IDH2 were lower in tumors than in the peripheral, non-tumorous brain tissues. HIF-1α levels were upregulated in glioma cells following transfection with miR-183 mimic RNA or IDH2 siRNA. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor and glucose transporter 1, which are downstream molecules of HIF-1α, were upregulated in cells transfected with miR-183 mimic RNA. These results suggest that miR-183 upregulation in malignant gliomas induces HIF-1α expression by targeting IDH2 and may play a role in glioma biology.