scholarly journals The SOX9-Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Axis Determines Resistance to Chemotherapy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Voronkova ◽  
Liying W. Rojanasakul ◽  
Chayanin Kiratipaiboon ◽  
Yon Rojanasakul

ABSTRACT Chemotherapy resistance and tumor relapse are the major contributors to low patient survival, and both have been largely attributed to cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Moreover, most conventional therapies are not effective against CSCs, which necessitates the discovery of CSC-specific biomarkers and drug targets. Here, we demonstrated that the embryonic transcription factor SOX9 is an important regulator of acquired chemoresistance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our results show that SOX9 expression is elevated in NSCLC cells after treatment with the chemotherapeutic cisplatin and that overexpression of SOX9 correlates with worse overall survival in lung cancer patients. We further demonstrated that SOX9 knockdown increases cellular sensitivity to cisplatin, whereas its overexpression promotes drug resistance. Moreover, this transcription factor promotes the stem-like properties of NSCLC cells and increases their aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, which was identified to be the key mechanism of SOX9-induced chemoresistance. Finally, we showed that ALDH1A1 is a direct transcriptional target of SOX9, based on chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. Taken together, our novel findings on the role of the SOX9-ALDH axis support the use of this CSC regulator as a prognostic marker of cancer chemoresistance and as a potential drug target for CSC therapy.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Ma ◽  
Yangchun Xie ◽  
Yiyu Lei ◽  
Zengshuyu Kuang ◽  
Xianling Liu

Abstract Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a huge health burden for human health and life worldwide. Our study here was to illuminate the relevance of microRNA-130a-5p (miR-130a-5p) on growth and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NSCLC cells as along with metastasis in vivo, and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods RT-qPCR was carried out for miR-130a-5p expression determination in NSCLC cells and tissue samples. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay, RT-qPCR and western blot were carried out to study the potential targets of miR-130a-3p. Effects of miR-130a-5p, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and encoding serine/threonine kinase 32A (STK32A) on NSCLC proliferation, migration, invasion as well as EMT processes were assessed by cell counting kits-8, colony formation, Transwell and western blot assays.Results miR-130a-5p was diminished in NSCLC tissues and cells versus their counterparts. miR-130a-5p exerted its repressive role in NSCLC by curtailing cell viability, migration, invasion as well as EMT, while facilitating apoptosis. miR-130a-5p directly targeted RUNX2, a transcription factor, and conversely regulated its expression. RUNX2 was found to interacted with STK32A to promote its expression. Following the validation of the tumor-supporting role of STK32A in NSCLC cells, RUNX2 overexpression was monitored to reverse miR-130a-5p-inhibited NSCLC tumor volume and weight through enhancing STK32A expression in vivo.Conclusions miR-130a-5p diminished the growth and EMT of NSCLC cells by regulating the RUNX2/STK32A axis, offering possible targets for the treatment for NSCLC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Sun ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Xuechao Sun ◽  
Guonian Wang

Abstract Backgrounds As previously reported, midazolam anesthesia exerts tumor-suppressing effects in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the regulating effects of this drug on cisplatin-resistance in NSCLC have not been studied. Thus, we designed this study to investigate this issue and preliminarily delineate the potential molecular mechanisms. Methods We performed MTT assay and trypan blue staining assay to measure cell proliferation and viability. Cell apoptosis was examined by FCM. qRT-PCR and immunoblotting were performed to determine the expression levels of genes. The targeting sites between genes were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and were validated by dual-luciferase reporter gene system assay. Mice tumor-bearing models were established and the tumorigenesis was evaluated by measuring tumor weight and volume. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine the pro-proliferative Ki67 protein expressions in mice tumor tissues. Results The cisplatin-resistant NSCLC (CR-NSCLC) cells were treated with high-dose cisplatin (50 μg/ml) and low-dose midazolam (10 μg/ml), and the results showed that midazolam suppressed cell proliferation and viability, and promoted cell apoptosis in cisplatin-treated CR-NSCLC cells. In addition, midazolam enhanced cisplatin-sensitivity in CR-NSCLC cell via modulating the miR-194-5p/hook microtubule-tethering protein 3 (HOOK3) axis. Specifically, midazolam upregulated miR-194-5p, but downregulated HOOK3 in the CR-NSCLC cells, and further results validated that miR-194-5p bound to the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of HOOK3 mRNA for its inhibition. Also, midazolam downregulated HOOK3 in CR-NSCLC cells by upregulating miR-194-5p. Functional experiments validated that both miR-194-5p downregulation and HOOK3 upregulation abrogated the promoting effects of midazolam on cisplatin-sensitivity in CR-NSCLC cells. Conclusions Taken together, this study found that midazolam anesthesia reduced cisplatin-resistance in CR-NSCLC cells by regulating the miR-194-5p/HOOK3 axis, implying that midazolam could be used as adjuvant drug for NSCLC treatment in clinical practices.


Author(s):  
Dandan Li ◽  
Changjun He ◽  
Junfeng Wang ◽  
Yanbo Wang ◽  
Jianlong Bu ◽  
...  

Many studies have shown that downregulation of miR-138 occurs in a variety of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the precise mechanisms of miR-138 in NSCLC have not been well clarified. In this study, we investigated the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of miR-138 in NSCLC cell lines, discussing whether it could turn out to be a therapeutic biomarker of NSCLC in the future. In our study, we found that miR-138 is downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, the low level of miR-138 was associated with increased expression of SOX4 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Upregulation of miR-138 significantly inhibited proliferation of NSCLC cells. In addition, invasion and EMT of NSCLC cells were suppressed by overexpression of miR-138. However, downregulation of miR-138 promoted cell growth and metastasis of NSCLC cells. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that SOX4 was a potential target gene of miR-138. Next, luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-138 could directly target SOX4. Consistent with the effect of miR-138, downregulation of SOX4 by siRNA inhibited proliferation, invasion, and EMT of NSCLC cells. Overexpression of SOX4 in NSCLC cells partially reversed the effect of miR-138 mimic. In addition, decreased SOX4 expression could increase the level of miR-138 via upregulation of p53. Introduction of miR-138 dramatically inhibited growth, invasion, and EMT of NSCLC cells through a SOX4/p53 feedback loop.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingyun Dong ◽  
Jiangnan Zheng ◽  
Zhiyu Bai ◽  
Yanfang Lu ◽  
Weizhen Song ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80% of lung cancer and has a high incidence and mortality rate. The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is used widely to treat locally advanced NSCLC, but the clinical efficacy is limited. MiRNA-483-5p has been connected to the improvement of an assortment of malignancies. Notwithstanding, its capacity in NSCLC stays obscure. Methods: Here we utilized benefit- or loss-of-miRNA-483-5p expression to investigate the effect of miRNA-483-5p on NSCLC. Results: The results showed that MiRNA-483-5p is entirely up-regulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. MiRNA-483-5p inhibitor blocked cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion but promoted apoptosis, suggesting miRNA-483-5p acts as an oncogene in NSCLC. TargetScan predicted that HIPK2 was an objective gene of miRNA-483-5p. Then, luciferase reporter assay further confirmed that miRNA-483-5p specifically attacked HIPK2’s 3’UTR, suggesting the targeted relationship between miRNA-483-5p and HIPK2. Moreover, HIPK2 acted as a redox signal modulator and was associated with a variety of malignant tumors. The current examination affirmed the low HIPK2 expression in the NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, overexpression of HIPK2 inhibited NSCLC cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, but enhanced apoptosis. More importantly, co-transfection with HIPK2 and miRNA-483-5p reversed these effects, suggesting that miRNA-483-5p facilitated tumor progression by inhibiting HIPK2. Conclusions: Hence, our findings indicated that miRNA-483-5p might be a promising remedial target in NSCLC and give major premise to clinical therapeutics.


Author(s):  
Ming Li ◽  
Wulin Shan ◽  
Yan Hua ◽  
Fengmei Chao ◽  
Yayun Cui ◽  
...  

Resistance to first-line chemotherapy drugs has become an obstacle to improving the clinical prognosis of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Exosomal microRNAs have been shown to play pro- and anti-chemoresistant roles in various cancers, but their role in SCLC chemoresistance has never been explored. In this study, we observed that the expression of exosomal miR-92b-3p was significantly increased in patients who developed chemoresistance. Luciferase reporter analysis confirmed that PTEN was a target gene of miR-92b-3p. The PTEN/AKT regulatory network was related to miR-92b-3p-mediated cell migration and chemoresistance in vitro and in vivo in SCLC. Importantly, exosomes isolated from the conditioned medium of SBC-3 cells overexpressing miR-92b-3p could promote SCLC chemoresistance and cell migration. Furthermore, we found that plasma miR-92b-3p levels were significantly higher in patients with chemoresistant SCLC than in those with chemosensitive SCLC, but the levels were down-regulated in patients who achieved remission. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that SCLC patients with high miR-92b-3p expression were associated with shorter progression-free survival. Overall, our results suggested that exosomal miR-92b-3p is a potential dynamic biomarker to monitor chemoresistance in SCLC and represents a promising therapeutic target for chemoresistant SCLC.


Author(s):  
Haiping Xiao

Abstract Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Distant metastasis is thought to be one of the most important factors responsible for the failure of NSCLC therapy. MicroRNA-7-5p (miR-7-5p) has been demonstrated to be a tumor suppressor in breast cancer, hepatocarcinoma, prostate cancer and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, its role in NSCLC is still not fully understood. This study evaluated the role of miR-7-5p in the progression of NSCLC and explored the underlying mechanism. Materials & methods The quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), MTT, migration and invasion assays were used to evaluate the effects of miR-7-5p on the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and SPCA-1 cells. A tumor xenograft model was created to determine the effects of miR-7-5p on metastasis in vivo. The dual-luciferase reporter gene, neuro-oncological ventral antigen 2 (NOVA2) overexpression and western blotting assays were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. Results MiR-7-5p is downregulated in NSCLC tissues and lung cancer cell lines. It suppresses proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT marker expression in vitro and in vivo. Further study showed that miR-7-5p suppresses tumor metastasis of NSCLC by targeting NOVA2. Overexpression of NOVA2 attenuates the miR-7-5p-mediated inhibitory effect on lung cancer cells. Conclusion MiR-7-5p suppresses NSCLC metastasis. Targeting miR-7-5p may contribute to the success of NSCLC therapy.


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