Review
Immunology
Ping Jiang, Xiaopeng Li
Summary: Precise expression and regulation of genes in the immune system are crucial for generating strong immune responses and preventing autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs play a significant role in immune function by regulating immune cell differentiation, development, and function. These RNAs can control the polarization of immune cells, promote pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects, and contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Xin Qiao, Yuxiao Ding, Dasen Wu, Anle Zhang, Yan Yin, Qiuyue Wang, Wei Wang, Jian Kang
Summary: Macrophages play an essential role in maintaining the normal function of the immune system during host defence. They can be polarized into different functional phenotypes, M1 and M2, in response to microenvironmental stimuli. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of macrophage polarization and can be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for respiratory diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Sina Taghvimi, Omid Vakili, Elahe Soltani Fard, Seyyed Hossein Khatami, Neda Karami, Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh, Mahsa Salehi, Babak Negahdari, Hassan Ghasemi, Ahmad Movahedpour
Summary: Lung cancer therapeutic resistance, especially chemoresistance, remains a major challenge in treating this disease. Recent studies have shown that transfer of exosomes, specifically noncoding RNAs, plays a crucial role in lung cancer chemoresistance by modulating various proteins and genes. Understanding these molecular mechanisms can help improve lung cancer therapy.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying-Bing Zuo, Yin-Feng Zhang, Rui Zhang, Jia-Wei Tian, Xiao-Bing Lv, Rong Li, Shu-Ping Li, Meng-Die Cheng, Jing Shan, Zheng Zhao, Hui Xin
Summary: This review provides a systematic summary of the relationship between ferroptosis-associated ncRNAs and cancer progression and highlights the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in ferroptosis. It also suggests the potential of utilizing ncRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jiangning Zhao, Huanrong Lin, Kunsong Huang, Shen Li
Summary: In this study, it was found that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying SNHG3 can promote colorectal cancer (CRC) cell proliferation through the miR-34b-5p/HuR/HOXC6 axis. These findings reveal the important role of CAFs-EVs in CRC progression.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Elahe Soltani-Fard, Marzieh Asadi, Sina Taghvimi, Asma Vafadar, Parisa Vosough, Amir Tajbakhsh, Amir Savardashtaki
Summary: Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized by the growth of endometrial-like cells outside the uterus. It is difficult to diagnose noninvasively, leading to delays in treatment and increased burden on patients. Exosomes, which transport bioactive molecules, including microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, have been found to play a significant role in endometriosis development. This review focuses on the potential functions of exosomal noncoding RNAs in the therapy and diagnosis of endometriosis.
CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annika Karger, Siavash Mansouri, Matthias S. Leisegang, Andreas Weigert, Stefan Guenther, Carsten Kuenne, Ilka Wittig, Sven Zukunft, Stephan Klatt, Blerina Aliraj, Laura Klotz, Hauke Winter, Poornima Mahavadi, Ingrid Fleming, Clemens Ruppert, Biruta Witte, Ibrahim Alkoudmani, Stefan Gattenloehner, Friedrich Grimminger, Werner Seeger, Soni Savai Pullamsetti, Rajkumar Savai
Summary: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a role in gene transcription in many cells, but their function in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is not well understood. The lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 is upregulated in M2-like human macrophages, macrophages exposed to lung cancer cells, and TAMs from human lung cancer tissue. Overexpression of ADPGK-AS1 promotes an M2-like, tumor-promoting phenotype in macrophages, while its knockdown induces an M1-like, tumor-suppressive phenotype, inhibiting lung tumor growth.
Article
Oncology
Mingyue Zhou, Zehua Bian, Bingxin Liu, Yi Zhang, Yulin Cao, Kaisa Cui, Shengbai Sun, Jiuming Li, Jia Zhang, Xue Wang, Chaoqun Li, Surui Yao, Yuan Yin, Bojian Fei, Zhaohui Huang
Summary: In this study, we found that MCM3AP-AS1 expression was higher in CRC tissues than in noncancerous tissues, and increased expression was associated with poor outcomes. Functional experiments revealed that silencing MCM3AP-AS1 could inhibit the proliferation, colony formation, migratory, and invasive abilities of CRC cells. In vivo experiments confirmed that silencing MCM3AP-AS1 significantly inhibited the growth and metastasis of CRC.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hailong Chen, Mengwen Zhang, Yongchuan Deng
Summary: Breast cancer is a common and deadly disease among women. Chemotherapy, particularly taxanes, has greatly improved the prognosis of breast cancer patients. However, taxane resistance caused by various factors remains a challenge. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to play a significant role in taxane resistance. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms of taxane resistance in breast cancer and the functions of lncRNAs in this resistance. The findings suggest that lncRNAs may serve as therapeutic targets to prevent or reverse taxane resistance in breast cancer patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mehdi Alidadi, Ahmed Hjazi, Irfan Ahmad, Reza Mahmoudi, Masoud Sarrafha, Seyed Reza Hosseini-Fard, Mohammadreza Ebrahimzade
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a disease caused by LDL and inflammation, which affects the sub-endothelial space. Various factors, including inflammation, LDL oxidation, endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, and smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Crosstalk among atherosclerosis-induced cells plays an important role in modulating the disease. Exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicle, have been found to carry bioactive components like proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA, and can affect the communication between sub-endothelial cells. Noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, which are important cargo in exosomes, can regulate cellular functions. This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of exosomal ncRNAs and their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haitham G. Abo-Al-Ela
Summary: ncRNAs play crucial roles in regulating and controlling cellular processes and trafficking pathways, with lncRNAs having more diverse regulatory functions compared to microRNAs. Studies in fish have highlighted the potential of harnessing these RNA types to further understand biology and utilize technologies such as RNA interference and microRNA delivery for applications in aquaculture productivity, fish health, and overall understanding of fish biology.
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Min Xia, Xuyu Zu, Zuyao Chen, Gebo Wen, Jing Zhong
Summary: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype among breast cancers, with high recurrence partly due to chemoresistance. Studies have shown that noncoding RNAs, especially miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, play a role in TNBC resistance, suggesting that targeting ncRNAs may be a promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Connor Barrett, Anuj Budhiraja, Vijay Parashar, Mona Batish
Summary: Ewing's sarcoma is a pediatric sarcoma caused by a chromosomal translocation, with stable genomes in patients. Noncoding RNAs, especially microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, have been shown to play crucial roles in ES, although further exploration is needed to fully understand their functions in this type of cancer.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Chao Jiang, Zhe Chen, Xiaohui Wang, Yongyuan Zhang, Xinyu Guo, Zhengwei Xu, Hao Yang, Dingjun Hao
Summary: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal symptom that severely affects quality of life. Intervertebral disc degeneration is considered a major cause, and non-coding RNAs play crucial roles in its development. Their potential as therapeutic targets for IDD remain to be explored.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Wenjiao Tang, Juan Xu, Caigang Xu
Summary: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common but incurable hematological malignancy. The bone marrow microenvironment plays a crucial role in MM, and noncoding RNAs are emerging as important regulators of intercellular communication within the microenvironment. This review summarizes recent advances in the regulatory mechanisms of noncoding RNAs in MM and discusses their therapeutic potential.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gizem Tatar, Tugba Taskin Tok, Bulent Ozpolat, A. Y. Mehmet
Summary: Protein kinases are successful drug targets, and eEF-2K has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for certain aggressive solid cancers. This study used modeling, docking analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations to understand the binding mechanism of eEF-2K with inhibitors, providing insights for the development of new selective and potential eEF-2K inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Kinga Nemeth, George A. Calin
Summary: The article reviews the current knowledge about the role of circular and linear forms of PVT1 non-coding RNA in cancer and human diseases, highlighting technical challenges and potential biases in publications that researchers need to pay more attention to.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amar Balihodzic, Felix Prinz, Michael A. Dengler, George A. Calin, Philipp J. Jost, Martin Pichler
Summary: Ferroptosis is a distinct form of regulated cell death that differs from traditional programmed cell death. It is associated with various cellular signaling pathways and molecules, and alterations in the ferroptosis-regulating network can contribute to the development of diseases, including cancer. Suppression of ferroptosis is common in cancer cells, allowing them to survive and progress. However, cancer cells resistant to common chemotherapeutic drugs are highly susceptible to ferroptosis inducers, suggesting the potential of targeting ferroptosis for cancer treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating ferroptosis in cancer and hold promise as therapeutic targets.
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Prashant Dogra, Javier Ruiz Ramirez, Joseph D. Butner, Maria J. Pelaez, Caroline Chung, Anupama Hooda-Nehra, Renata Pasqualini, Wadih Arap, Vittorio Cristini, George A. Calin, Bulent Ozpolat, Zhihui Wang
Summary: The downregulation of miRNA-22 in TNBC is associated with upregulation of eEF2K protein, and miRNA-22 nanotherapy shows potential as an investigational therapeutic agent. A mechanistic model was developed to evaluate the translational potential of miRNA-22 nanotherapy, revealing dose-response relationship and optimal treatment frequency. Combining miRNA-22 nanotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and standard-of-care drugs showed promising results in improving treatment outcomes for TNBC.
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Joseph D. Butner, Prashant Dogra, Caroline Chung, Javier Ruiz-Ramirez, Sara Nizzero, Marija Plodinec, Xiaoxian Li, Ping-Ying Pan, Shu-hsia Chen, Vittorio Cristini, Bulent Ozpolat, George A. Calin, Zhihui Wang
Summary: The study presents a multiscale agent-based model to investigate the early stages of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and reveals the important role of cell dedifferentiation in the maintenance of cancer stem cell populations and disease progression.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Goknur Kara, Banu Arun, George A. Calin, Bulent Ozpolat
Summary: The discovery of microRNAs has revolutionized cancer treatment and their effective and safe delivery remains a challenge. New nanoparticle-based carriers have enabled successful tumor-targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics, accelerating the transition of miRNAs from the lab to the bedside.
Review
Oncology
Marianna Aprile, Valerio Costa, Amelia Cimmino, George Adrian Calin
Summary: The view of long noncoding RNAs as nonfunctional garbage has been outdated, as evidence suggests their role as golden junk, particularly in precision oncology. They have potential use as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers, and advancements in technology have made it easier to profile them in multiple tumors and large cohorts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Matteus Krappitz, Rishi Bhardwaj, Ke Dong, Tobias Staudner, Duygu Elif Yilmaz, Carlotta Pioppini, Parisa Westergerling, David Ruemmele, Till Hollmann, Thuy Anh Nguyen, Yiqiang Cai, Anna-Rachel Gallagher, Stefan Somlo, Sorin Fedeles
Summary: The study found that the expression of active XBP1 in a murine model with missense Pkd1 mutations can increase the levels of mutant PC1 and improve its trafficking in cells. Transgenic expression of spliced XBP1 can reduce cell proliferation and improve ADPKD progression in tubule segments destined to form cysts.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jody Vykoukal, Johannes F. Fahrmann, Nikul Patel, Masayoshi Shimizu, Edwin J. Ostrin, Jennifer B. Dennison, Cristina Ivan, Gary E. Goodman, Mark D. Thornquist, Matt J. Barnett, Ziding Feng, George A. Calin, Samir M. Hanash
Summary: Blood-based cancer biomarkers, including miRNA and four protein marker panel, have shown utility in improving the assessment and early detection of lung cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Carolina Rodrigues, Erika Pereira Zambalde, Daniel de Lima Bellan, Edvaldo da Silva Trindade, Enilze Maria de Souza Fonseca Ribeiro, George Calin, Daniela Fiori Gradia, Jaqueline Carvalho de Oliveira
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA lnc-uc.147 in different types of cancer and suggest its functional and regulation aspects. The results showed that deregulated expression of lnc-uc.147 was associated with histologic grade in hepatocellular carcinoma and tumor stage in clear cell renal and gastric adenocarcinoma. Silencing lnc-uc.147 reduced the viability and clonogenic capacity of HepG2 cell lines. Additionally, a relationship between the transcription factor TEAD4 and lnc-uc.147 was suggested in liver and breast cancer cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sergiu Chira, Cristina Ciocan, Cecilia Bica, George A. Calin, Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
Summary: miRNAs are noncoding RNAs that regulate genes and play a key role in cell homeostasis. The interaction between miRNAs and their target mRNAs is believed to depend on sequence complementarity, but some evidence suggests that miRNAs can adopt different structures that affect their function. By studying the oncogenic miR-181 family, we propose that the primary sequence and secondary structure of miRNAs may impact the number and range of targeted cellular transcripts. We also highlight that specific changes in miR-181 primary sequences may limit target gene selection and lead to the targeting of new transcripts with enhanced cancer-related functions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rares Drula, Barbara Pardini, Xiao Fu, Mireia Cruz De los Santos, Ancuta Jurj, Lan Pang, Sherien M. El-Daly, Linda Fabris, Erik Knutsen, Mihnea P. Dragomir, Recep Bayraktar, Yongfeng Li, Meng Chen, Filippo Del Vecchio, Lea Berland, Jessica Dae, Daniel Fan, Masayoshi Shimizu, Anh M. Tran, Mercedes Barzi, Carlotta Pioppini, Angelica M. Gutierrez, Cristina Ivan, Salyna Meas, Carolyn S. Hall, Suresh K. Alahari, Ioana Berindan-Neagoe, Muller Fabbri, Anthony Lucci, Banu Arun, Simone Anfossi, George A. Calin
Summary: The causes and consequences of abnormal biogenesis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in breast cancers (BCs), especially estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BCs, have been investigated. It was found that physiological doses of estrogen can promote EV secretion from ER+ BC cells by inhibiting miR-149-5p, which affects the regulatory activity of SP1 on the EV biogenesis factor nSMase2. In addition, the downregulation of miR-149-5p promotes the expression of hnRNPA1, responsible for loading let-7's miRNAs into EVs. This estrogen-driven mechanism leads to the elimination of tumor suppressor miRNAs in EVs, affecting tumor-associated macrophages in the microenvironment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppina Pisignano, David C. Michael, Tanvi H. Visal, Radu Pirlog, Michael Ladomery, George A. Calin
Summary: To date, thousands of circRNAs, which are highly abundant and conserved single-stranded RNA molecules shaped into ring structures, have been identified. CircRNAs have been shown to regulate gene expression and exhibit tissue- and development-specific expression patterns associated with normal and disease conditions, including cancer. They have drawn attention as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer due to their stability and resistance to ribonucleases. However, their circular shape limits their annotation and a complete understanding of their functions is still lacking, making their detection and biomedical application challenging.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Kinga Nemeth, Recep Bayraktar, Manuela Ferracin, George A. Calin
Summary: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of transcripts that are not translated into proteins. They play important roles in regulating biological functions and are implicated in disease. In this review, the authors summarize the roles of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in cancer and other major human diseases, and discuss their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
NATURE REVIEWS GENETICS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
BaoQing Chen, Mihnea P. Dragomir, Chen Yang, Qiaoqiao Li, David Horst, George A. Calin
Summary: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play a crucial role in regulating resistance to different cancer therapies by rewiring essential signaling pathways. ncRNAs have the potential to serve as biomarkers for predicting and detecting resistance to treatment, and targeting ncRNAs may be a strategy to overcome cancer treatment resistance.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2022)