Objective:To explore the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Homo sapiens longevity assur-ance homologue 2 (LASS2) gene 3′-untranslated regions (UTR) and susceptibility of bladder cancer among residents of Yunnan, China. Methods:A total of 105 bladder cancer patients (bladder cancer group) and 100 nonbladder cancer patients (control group) were se-lected. PCR method and sequence for LASS2-3′-UTR were performed to identify the SNPs correlated with bladder cancer. The relation-ships between the LASS2-3′-UTR polymorphisms and bladder cancer risk were analyzed. Results:An SNP (rs8444) was identified in LASS2-3′-UTR, and the T/C allele frequencies and genotype distributions of rs8444 largely differed between the bladder cancer and control groups (χ2=10.267, P=0.006;χ2=10.634, P=0.001). Individuals that carry the rs8444 C allele or CC genotype had a remarkably lower risk of bladder cancer compared with those that carry the T allele or TT genotype (OR=0.489, 95%CI:0.309-0.772, P=0.002;OR=0.258, 95%CI:0.081-0.827, P=0.023). No significant correlations were observed between the T/C allele frequencies and genotype distri-butions of rs8444 and TNM stage, as well as histological grade and distant metastasis in bladder cancer (P>0.05). Conclusion: The rs8444 C allele or CC genotype located within LASS2-3′-UTR can lower the susceptibility of bladder cancer among the residents of Yun-nan, China. However, it is not associated with the TNM stage, histological grade, and distant metastasis.

Objective:To investigate microRNA-20a (miRNA-20a) expression in bladder cancer and its potential mechanism. Methods:MiRNA-20a expression was examined using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in human bladder cancer tissues and the paired adjacent non-tumor bladder tissues of 96 patients. The target gene of the miRNA-20a was predicted and validated using bioinformatics analysis and reporter gene assay, respectively. The mRNA or protein expression of the target gene in bladder cancer T24 and J82 cells transfected with miRNA-20a mimic or negative control (NC) mimics was detected via qRT-PCR, West-ern blot analysis, and cell immunofluorescence. CCK-8, Transwell chamber, and wound-healing assays were applied to test the prolifer-ation, migration, and invasion of T24 cells after miRNA-20a over-expression in vitro. Results:MiRNA-20a expression significantly in-creased in bladder cancer tissues compared with those in corresponding adjacent non-tumor tissues. High miRNA-20a expression in bladder cancer tissues was closely related to aggressive tumor phenotype, such as high histological grade, poor TNM stage, lymph node invasion, distant metastasis, and tumor recurrence (all P<0.001). Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miRNA-20a can di-rectly bind to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of Homo sapiens longevity assurance homologue 2 (LASS2). Transfection with miRNA-20a mimics significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expression of LASS2 in T24 and J82 cells (all P<0.01) and promoted T24 cell prolif-eration, migration, and invasion in vitro. Conclusion:MiRNA-20a is highly expressed in bladder cancer tissues. MiRNA-20a enhances cell migration as well as proliferation and acts as an oncogene in bladder cancer because of the targeted inhibition of LASS2 expression.

COVID-19 ; Humans ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Lung ; Pneumonia ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Serologic Tests