scholarly journals EZH2 promotes the expression of LPA1 by mediating microRNA-139 promoter methylation to accelerate the development of ovarian cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongbo Wu ◽  
Fanglan Wu ◽  
Birong Li ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Donglian Wang

Abstract Background It has been known that ovarian cancer (OC) is a leading cause for women mortality globally. We aimed to analyze the underlying mechanism supporting that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) affected the development of OC via the involvement of microRNA-139 (miR-139)/transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)/lysophosphatidic acid-1 (LPA1) axis. Methods High expression patterns of EZH2 and miR-139 and low LPA1 expression pattern in OC were evaluated using RT-qPCR and immunoblotting, while their correlation was assessed by the Spearman’s rank and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Subsequently, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to validate the binding relationship between miR-139 and LPA1, while H3K27me enrichment was assessed by ChIP assay. After that, the effects of altered expression of EZH2, miR-194, or LPA1 on the cell biological functions and the expression pattern of TGF-related factors were evaluated. Results We found that EZH2 repressed the miR-139 expression pattern by recruiting H3K27me3 to promote miR-139 promoter methylation, while silencing of EZH2 suppressed in vitro cancer progression by increasing miR-139. LPA1 was a target of miR-139, and could activate the TGF-β signaling pathway, which hastened the OC progression. miR-139-targeted inhibition of LPA1 and LPA1-activated TGF-β signaling pathway were evidenced to be critical mechanisms underlying the effects of EZH2 on OC cells. Lastly, silencing of EZH2 inhibited the xenograft growth in vivo. Conclusions EZH2 could down-regulate miR-139 expression pattern by recruiting H3K27me3 to promote the miR-139 promoter methylation and activate the TGF-β pathway by up-regulating LPA1, which contributed to the progression of OC. The current study may possess potentials for OC treatment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 554-562
Author(s):  
Yuke Zhang ◽  
Kun Shi ◽  
Hang Liu ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Yunhai Luo ◽  
...  

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancers in the world. MicroRNAs play a pivotal role in the progression of various cancers. To date, very little attention has been paid to miR-4458. Therefore, the aim of our study was to explore the function and underlying molecular mechanism of miR-4458 in HCC. We found that the expression of miR-4458 was reduced in HCC tissues and cell lines. Forced overexpression of miR-4458 inhibited the migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells, while downregulation of miR-4458 promoted the aggressive phenotype. Furthermore, transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1), the modulator of the TGF-β signaling pathway, was verified to be a novel target gene of miR-4458 by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Upregulated miR-4458 dramatically abolished TGFBR1 and p-Smad2/3 expression, thus blocking the TGF-β signaling pathway. Moreover, restoration of TGFBR1 partially rescued the miR-4458-mediated suppressive effect on the migration, invasion, and EMT and reactivated the TGF-β signaling pathway in HCC cells. In summary, our findings first demonstrated a mechanism of miR-4458 in HCC cell migration, invasion, and EMT by regulating the TGF-β signaling pathway via directly targeting TGFBR1.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382098011
Author(s):  
Junjun Shu ◽  
Ling Xiao ◽  
Sanhua Yan ◽  
Boqun Fan ◽  
Xia Zou ◽  
...  

Objective: Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks one of the most prevalent fatal tumors of female genital organs. Aberrant promoter methylation triggers changes of microRNA (miR)-375 in OC. Our study aimed to evaluate the mechanism of methylated miR-375 promoter region in OC cell malignancy and to seek the possible treatment for OC. Methods: miR-375 promoter methylation level in OC tissues and cells was detected. miR-375 expression in OC tissues and cell lines was compared with that in demethylated cells. Role of miR-375 in OC progression was measured. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was utilized to verify the targeting relationship between miR-375 and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). Then, Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related protein expression was tested. Moreover, xenograft transplantation was applied to confirm the in vitro experiments. Results: Highly methylated miR-375 was seen in OC tissues and cell lines, while its expression was decreased as the promoter methylation increased. Demethylation in OC cells brought miR-375 back to normal level, with obviously declined cell invasion, migration and viability and improved apoptosis. Additionally, miR-375 targeted YAP1 to regulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway protein expression. Overexpressed YAP1 reversed the protein expression, promoted cell invasion, migration and viability while reduced cell apoptosis. Overexpressed miR-375 in vivo inhibited OC progression. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that demethylated miR-375 inhibited OC growth by targeting YAP1 and downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This investigation may offer novel insight for OC treatment.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Kejing Wang ◽  
Yuhua Liao ◽  
Qiutang Zeng ◽  
Yushu Li ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Hypoxia is a basic pathological challenge that is associated with numerous cardiovascular disorders including aberrant cardiac remodeling. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in mediating cardiac fibroblast (CF) function and cardiac fibrosis. Recent data suggested that microRNA-101a (miR-101a) exerted anti-fibrotic effects in post-infarct cardiac remodeling and improved cardiac function. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between hypoxia, miR-101a and TGF-β signaling pathway in CFs. Methods and Results: Two weeks following coronary artery occlusion in rats, the expression levels of both TGFβ1 and TGFβRI were increased, but the expression of miR-101a was decreased at the site of the infarct and along its border. Cultured rat neonatal CFs treated with hypoxia were characterized by the up-regulation of TGFβ1 and TGFβRI and the down-regulation of miR-101a. Delivery of miR-101a mimics significantly suppressed the expression of TGFβRI and p-Smad 3, CF differentiation and collagen content of CFs. These anti-fibrotic effects were abrogated by co-transfection with AMO-miR-101a, an antisense inhibitor of miR-101a. The repression of TGFβRI, a target of miR-101a, was validated by luciferase reporter assays targeting the 3'UTR of TGFβRI. Additionally, we found that overexpression of miR-101a reversed the improved migration ability of CFs and further reduced CF proliferation caused by hypoxia. Conclusion: Our study illustrates that miR-101a exerts anti-fibrotic effects by targeting TGFβRI, suggesting that miR-101a plays a multi-faceted role in modulating TGF-β signaling pathway and cardiac fibrosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maogui Li ◽  
Qingyuan Liu ◽  
Junhua Yang ◽  
Pengjun Jiang ◽  
Yi Yang ◽  
...  

Background and ObjectiveDiffuse brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are mixed up with normal brain parenchyma and therefore increase the difficulty of surgical resection, leading to poor surgical prognosis. Since the mechanism underlying BAVM diffuseness remains unknown, a quantitative proteomic analysis was performed to investigate the altered expression of proteins in diffuse BAVMs compared to compact ones.MethodsWe performed proteomic analysis on five diffuse BAVMs and five compact BAVMs. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identify potential signals related to BAVM diffuseness. Candidate proteins were then investigated in BAVM specimens using immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Tube formation assays were used to investigate the effects of candidate proteins on the angiogenesis of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). Finally, Masson, Sirius red staining, and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the characteristics of extracellular matrix (ECM) in BAVM tissues.ResultsA total of 58 proteins were found to be differentially expressed between diffuse and compact BAVMs via proteomic analysis. TGF-β (transforming growth factor-beta) signaling pathway, ECM–receptor pathway, relaxin signaling pathway, and several other pathways were associated with BAVM diffuseness. The TGF-β signaling pathway is associated with angiogenesis; the role of this pathway in the formation of diffuse BAVMs was investigated, and the decorin (DCN) upregulation played an important role in this process. Immunofluorescence showed that DCN was significantly upregulated within and around the malformed vessels of diffuse BAVMs. Functional assays showed that exogenous DCN could promote the tube formation ability of HUVECs through inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway and overproducing ECM. Histological staining demonstrated the overproduction of ECM in diffuse BAVMs.ConclusionTGF-β signaling pathway inhibited by DCN in vascular endothelial cells is related to BAVM diffuseness. The metabolic disorder of ECM caused by DCN upregulation may significantly contribute to the formation of diffuse BAVMs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Li ◽  
Hongyan Xin ◽  
Lili Lu

Abstract Background Recent studies have suggested a crucial role of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in ovarian cancer treatment. We, therefore, set out to explore the mechanism through which MSC-derived EVs delivered microRNA-424 (miR-424) to influence the development of ovarian cancer. Methods Bioinformatics analyses were first performed to screen ovarian cancer-related differentially expressed genes and to predict regulatory miRNAs. Then, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was carried out to verify the relationship between miR-424 and MYB. Subsequently, the characterized MSCs and isolated EVs were co-cultured with ovarian cancer cells, followed by determination of the expression patterns of miR-424, MYB, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and VEGF receptor (VEGFR), respectively. In addition, the effects of EVs-delivered miR-424 on the proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of ovarian cancer cells were assessed using gain- and loss-of-function approaches. Lastly, tumor xenograft was induced in nude mice to illustrate the influence of EVs-loaded miR-424 on ovarian cancer in vivo. Results Our data exhibited that MYB was highly-expressed and miR-424 was poorly-expressed in ovarian cancer. More importantly, MYB was identified as a target gene of miR-424. Additionally, the transfer of miR-424 by MSC-derived EVs was found to repress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, with a reduction in the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR. Furthermore, MSC-derived EVs over-expressing miR-424 could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and also suppressed tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of ovarian tumors in vivo. Conclusion Collectively, our findings indicate that MSC-derived EVs transfer miR-424 to down-regulate MYB, which ultimately led to the inhibition of the tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of ovarian cancer. Hence, this study offers a potential prognostic marker and a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.


2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 4439-4449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Ting Yan ◽  
Jan-Jan Liu ◽  
Yi Luo ◽  
Chaosu E ◽  
Robert S. Haltiwanger ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The EGF-CFC gene Cripto encodes an extracellular protein that has been implicated in the signaling pathway for the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) ligand Nodal. Although recent findings in frog and fish embryos have suggested that EGF-CFC proteins function as coreceptors for Nodal, studies in cell culture have implicated Cripto as a growth factor-like signaling molecule. Here we reconcile these apparently disparate models of Cripto function by using a mammalian cell culture assay to investigate the signaling activities of Nodal and EGF-CFC proteins. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we found that Cripto has activities consistent with its being a coreceptor for Nodal. However, Cripto can also function as a secreted signaling factor in cell coculture assays, suggesting that it may also act as a coligand for Nodal. Furthermore, we found that the ability of Cripto to bind to Nodal and mediate Nodal signaling requires the addition of an O-linked fucose monosaccharide to a conserved site within EGF-CFC proteins. We propose a model in which Cripto has dual roles as a coreceptor as well as a coligand for Nodal and that this signaling interaction with Nodal is regulated by an unusual form of glycosylation. Our findings highlight the significance of extracellular modulation of ligand activity as an important means of regulating TGFβ signaling pathways during vertebrate development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linlin Wang ◽  
Dan Liu ◽  
Jun Wei ◽  
Liwei Yuan ◽  
Shiyun Zhao ◽  
...  

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is one of the most prevalent reproductive system diseases in females. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to be master regulators in a variety of diseases, including IUA, but the role of microRNA-543 (miR-543) in IUA remains to be elucidated. In this study, we observed that miR-543 was downregulated in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-treated endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Functionally, we observed that miR-543 suppressed the migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and inhibited expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in TGF-β-treated ESCs. Mechanistically, MAPK1 is targeted by miR-543 after prediction and screening. A luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-543 complementarily binds with the 3′ untranslated region of mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), and western blot analysis indicated that miR-543 negatively regulates MAPK1 protein levels. In addition, results from rescue assays showed that miR-543 inhibits the migration and EMT of TGF-β-treated ESCs by targeting MAPK1. In addition, we observed that miR-543 inactivates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through inhibiting the phosphorylation of MAPK1 and β-catenin. Finally, we confirmed that miR-543 represses migration, EMT and inhibits levels of ECM proteins in TGF-β-treated ESCs by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our results demonstrated that miR-543 suppresses migration and EMT of TGF-β-treated ESCs by targeting the MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways.


2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geng Li ◽  
Karam Khateeb ◽  
Erin Schaeffer ◽  
Bao Zhang ◽  
Hasan Khatib

One of the main factors affecting cattle fertility is pre-implantation development of the bovine embryo, which is a complex process regulated by various signal-transduction pathways. The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling system, which is responsible for many biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, also is involved in embryo development. We hypothesized that altered expression of TGF-β genes in pre-implantation bovine embryos is associated with morphological abnormalities of these embryos. To test this hypothesis, we produced embryos in vitro and classified them at the blastocyst stage as either normally developed blastocysts or degenerates (growth-arrested embryos). The expression patterns of 25 genes from the TGF-β pathway were assessed using quantitative real time PCR. Ten genes showed differential expression between the two embryo groups, four genes displayed similar expressional profiles, and 11 genes had no detectable expression. An altered expression profile was statistically significant for 10 of the 14 expressed genes, and all were up-regulated in degenerate embryos vs. blastocysts. Furthermore, genomic association analysis of the cows from which embryos were produced revealed a significant association of ID3 and BMP4 polymorphisms—two of the most significant differentially expressed genes—with fertilization rate and blastocyst rate, respectively. Taken together, we conclude that TGF-β pathway genes, especially BMP4 and ID3 play a vital function in the regulation of pre-implantation embryo development at both embryo and maternal levels. Hence, these genes may be suitable as genetic markers for embryo development and fertility in cattle.


Open Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 274-283
Author(s):  
Peng Yang ◽  
Jianhua Han ◽  
Shigeng Li ◽  
Shaoning Luo ◽  
Xusheng Tu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to the dysfunction of many organs. The aberrant expression of miRNAs is associated with the pathogenesis of sepsis. However, the biological functions of miR-128-3p in sepsis remain largely unknown, and its mechanism should be further investigated. This study aimed to determine the regulatory network of miR-128-3p and TGFBR2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis. Methods The expression levels of miR-128-3p and transforming growth factor beta receptors II (TGFBR2) were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The protein levels of TGFBR2, Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase 3, Smad2, and Smad3 were measured by western blot. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokine production was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The binding sites of miR-128-3p and TGFBR2 were predicted by Targetscan online software and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Results The level of miR-128-3p was decreased, and TGFBR2 expression was increased in serum samples of sepsis patients and LPS-induced HK2 cells. Overexpression of miR-128-3p or knockdown of TGFBR2 ameliorated LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis. Moreover, TGFBR2 was a direct target of miR-128-3p, and its overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-128-3p overexpression on inflammation and apoptosis in LPS-induced HK2 cells. Besides, overexpression of miR-128-3p downregulated TGFBR2 to suppress the activation of the Smad signaling pathway. Conclusion miR-128-3p could inhibit apoptosis and inflammation by targeting TGFBR2 in LPS-induced HK2 cells, which might provide therapeutic strategy for the treatment of sepsis.


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