OBJECTIVE: miR-34c-3p is down-regulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The biological role of miR-34c-3p in NPC and its underlying mechanisms are unknown and were explored in this study. METHODS: Flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining were employed to detect cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86) and cluster of differentiation 206 (CD206) expression; quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were employed to examine mRNA expression and protein levels; cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and transwell assays were employed to assess cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to assess pathological changes in tumor tissues. RESULTS: Our results revealed that the miR-34c-3p mimic markedly inhibited M2 polarization of macrophages by targeting SLC7A11, and M2 macrophages transfected with the miR-34c-3p mimic inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells. The in vivo experiments further confirmed that miR-34c-3p mimics blocked tumor growth and reduced inflammatory infiltration in tumor tissues. CONCLUSION This study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of NPC and a new treatment strategy.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/genetics* ; Humans ; Animals ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Macrophages/physiology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Cell Movement ; Male ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Mice, Nude ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic genes associated with lysosome-dependent cell death (LDCD) in patients with gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using The Cancer Genome Atlas - Stomach Adenocarcinoma. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify the key module genes associated with LDCD score. Candidate genes were identified by DEGs and key module genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for the selection of prognostic genes, and risk module was established. Subsequently, key cells were identified in the single-cell dataset (GSE183904), and prognostic gene expression was analyzed. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the wound healing assay. RESULTS: A total of 4,465 DEGs, 95 candidate genes, and 4 prognostic genes, including C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18, were identified in the analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated the excellent predictive power of the risk model. Three key cell types (B cells, chief cells, and endothelial/pericyte cells) were identified in the GSE183904 dataset. C19orf59 and TNFAIP2 exhibited predominant expression in macrophage species, whereas TNFAIP2 evolved over time in endothelial/pericyte cells and chief cells. Functional experiments confirmed that interfering with C19orf59 inhibited proliferation and migration in GC cells. CONCLUSION C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18 are prognostic genes associated with LDCD in GC. Furthermore, the risk model established in this study showed robust predictive power.
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Lysosomes/physiology* ; RNA-Seq ; Cell Death ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Cell Proliferation ; Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis

OBJECTIVES: Ovarian cancer is a common gynecologic malignancy, with poor prognosis in advanced stages. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) associated with ovarian cancer prognosis and to explore the effects of lncRNA RP11-499E18.1 on the malignant biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells. METHODS: Ovarian cancer-related lncRNA datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed and prognostically relevant tumor-suppressive lncRNAs were screened using lncRNA sequencing combined with clinical data. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of lncRNA RP11-499E18.1 in ovarian cancer tissues, adjacent normal tissues, the IOSE80 normal ovarian epithelial cell line, and various ovarian cancer cell lines. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to determine its subcellular localization. Ovarian cancer cell lines CaOV3 and SKOV3 were divided into 3 groups: a negative control (NC) group, a knockdown (si-RP11-499E18.1) group, and a overexpression (pcDNA-RP11-499E18.1) group. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and Transwell assays were used to assess the effects of lncRNA RP11-499E18.1 on cell proliferation and migration. Western blotting was used to evaluate its effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related molecules. BALB/c nude mice were injected with CaOV3 cells transfected with pcDNA-RP11-499E18.1 (experimental group) or empty vector (control group), and tumor growth was monitored. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of Caspase 3 and Ki67 in tumor tissues. RESULTS: LncRNA sequencing identified RP11-499E18.1 as a differentially expressed and associated with prognosis. GEO data analysis showed that low RP11-499E18.1 expression was correlated with shorter overall and progression-free survival (both P<0.05). Its expression was significantly lower in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines compared to normal controls (P<0.05 or P<0.001), and it was localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. In CaOV3 and SKOV3 cells, proliferation rates increased significantly in the si-RP11-499E18.1 group and decreased in the pcDNA-RP11-499E18.1 group (P<0.05 or P<0.001). Cell migration was enhanced in the si-RP11-499E18.1 group and suppressed in the pcDNA-RP11-499E18.1 group. Overexpression increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin expression, while knockdown had the opposite effect. Tumor volume in the mouse model was significantly smaller in the experimental group (P<0.001), with increased Caspase 3 and decreased Ki67 expression in tumor tissues (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS LncRNA RP11-499E18.1 inhibits proliferation, migration, and EMT of ovarian cancer cells, and its low expression is associated with poor prognosis.
Female ; Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Proliferation ; Prognosis ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Cell Movement ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

OBJECTIVES: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is characterized by complex pathogenesis and poor prognosis. In recent years, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor initiation and progression has attracted increasing attention. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which is aberrantly expressed in various tumors, may be closely related to the EMT process. This study aims to examine the expression and correlation of EZH2 and EMT markers in ESCC cells and tissues, evaluate the effects of EZH2 knockdown on ESCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and explore how EZH2 contributes to the malignant biological behavior of ESCC. METHODS: Bioinformatics analyses were used to assess EZH2 expression levels in ESCC. Small interfering RNA was used to knock down EZH2 in ESCC cell lines EC109 and EC9706. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, and Transwell assays. Protein and mRNA expression levels of EZH2, E-cadherin (E-cad), and vimentin (Vim) were detected by Western blotting and real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), respectively. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed on 70 ESCC tissue samples and 40 paired adjacent normal tissues collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University between 2010 and 2016 to assess the expression of EZH2, E-cad, and Vim, and to analyze their associations with clinicopathological feature and patient prognosis. RESULTS: Bioinformatics analysis showed that EZH2 was highly expressed in ESCC (P<0.001), and high EZH2 expression was associated with worse prognosis (P<0.001). CCK-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays demonstrated that EZH2 knockdown significantly suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration of ESCC cells (P<0.001). In addition, Vim expression was significantly reduced, while E-cad expression was significantly increased at both protein and mRNA levels in EZH2-silenced cells (all P<0.05). IHC staining analysis revealed higher expression of EZH2 and Vim and lower expression of E-cad in ESCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that low expression of EZH2 and Vim and high expression of E-cad were associated with longer survival (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS EZH2 promotes malignant biological behavior in ESCC by mediating EMT. Elevated EZH2 expression is associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients.
Humans ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/physiology* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/pathology* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cadherins/genetics* ; Vimentin/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prognosis ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

OBJECTIVES: Pyroptosis plays a critical role in tubulointerstitial lesions of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and adhesion and may be closely related to DKD, but its specific mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of ANXA2 in high glucose-induced pyroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, providing new targets for DKD prevention and treatment. METHODS: Human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells were divided into a normal glucose group (5.5 mmol/L), a high glucose group (30.0 mmol/L), and a osmotic control group (24.5 mmol/L mannitol+5.5 mmol/L glucose). ANXA2 expression was modulated by overexpression of plasmids and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Cell proliferation was measured by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and ANXA2, p50, and p65 subcellular localization by immunofluorescence. Western blotting was employed to detect α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), and collagen type IV (Col-IV). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were used to analyze nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) subunits p50/p65 and the pyroptosis pathway factors NLR family Pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, inferleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18. Protein interactions between ANXA2 and p50/p65 were examined by co-immunoprecipitation, while chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to examine NF-κB binding to the ANXA2 promoter. RESULTS: High glucose upregulated ANXA2 expression and promoted its nuclear translocation (P<0.01). High glucose reduced cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and elevated α-SMA, FN, and Col-IV expression (all P<0.05); ANXA2 overexpression aggravated these effects (all P<0.05), while ANXA2 knockdown reversed them (all P<0.05). High glucose activated NF-κB and increased NLRP3, caspase-1, L-1β, and IL-18 mRNA and protein expression (all P<0.05); ANXA2 overexpression further enhanced this, whereas knockdown suppressed NF-κB activation and downstream factors (all P<0.05). Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed ANXA2 directly binds the NF-κB subunit p65. ChIP assays revealed p65 binds specifically to ANXA2 promoter regions (ChIP-2, ChIP-4, and ChIP-6), and luciferase activity in corresponding mutant constructs (M2, M4, and M6) was significantly increased versus controls (all P<0.05), confirming positive transcriptional regulation of ANXA2 by p65. CONCLUSIONS ANXA2 and NF-κB form a positive feedback loop that sustains NLRP3 inflammasome activation, promotes pyroptosis pathway activation, and aggravates high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury. Targeting ANXA2 or blocking its interaction with p65 may be a novel strategy to slow DKD progression.
Humans ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Annexin A2/physiology* ; Epithelial Cells/cytology* ; Kidney Tubules/cytology* ; Glucose/pharmacology* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Feedback, Physiological

Meniscus injuries are widespread and the available treatments do not offer enough healing potential. Here, we provide critical support for using pigs as a biological model for meniscal degeneration and the development of cutting-edge therapies in orthopedics. We present a single-cell transcriptome atlas of the meniscus, consisting of cell clusters corresponding to four major cell types: chondrocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and immune cells. Five distinct chondrocyte subclusters (CH0‒CH4) were annotated, of which only one was widespread in both the red and white zones, indicating a major difference in the cellular makeup of the zones. Subclusters distinct to the white zone appear responsible for cartilage-specific matrix deposition and protection against adverse microenvironmental factors, while those in the red zone exhibit characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and are more likely to proliferate and migrate. Additionally, they induce remodeling actions in other chondrocyte subclusters and promote the proliferation and maturation of endothelial cells, inducing healing and vascularization processes. Considering that they have substantial remodeling capabilities, these subclusters should be of great interest for tissue engineering studies. We also show that the cellular makeup of the pig meniscus is comparable to that of humans, which supports the use of pigs as a model in orthopedic therapy development.
Animals ; Swine ; Chondrocytes/physiology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Meniscus/blood supply* ; Endothelial Cells/cytology* ; Transcriptome ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Cell Proliferation

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role and mechanism of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) in regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) model. METHODS: Wild-type C57BL/6 and Brg1^f1/f1 mice were randomly divided into four groups: wild-type control, wild-type BPD, Brg1^f1/f1 control, and Brg1^f1/f1 BPD (n=5 each). Immortalized mouse pulmonary alveolar type 2 cells (imPAC2) were cultured, and Brg1 gene was knocked down using lentivirus transfection technology. Cells were divided into three groups: control, empty vector, and Brg1 knockdown. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence were used to detect pathological changes in mouse lung tissue. Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR were used to measure Brg1 protein and mRNA expression levels in mouse lung tissue. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of homeodomain-containing protein homeobox (HOPX), surfactant protein C (SPC), and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway proteins in mouse lung tissue and imPAC2 cells. The CCK8 assay was used to assess the proliferation of imPAC2 cells, and co-immunoprecipitation was performed to verify the interaction between Brg1 and β-catenin proteins in imPAC2 cells. RESULTS: Compared to the Brg1^f1/f1 control group and wild-type BPD group, the Brg1^f1/f1 BPD group showed increased alveolar diameter and SPC protein expression, and decreased relative density of pulmonary vasculature and HOPX protein expression (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the Brg1 knockdown group showed increased cell proliferation ability, protein expression levels of SPC, Wnt5a and β-catenin, and β-catenin protein fluorescence intensity, along with decreased HOPX protein expression (P<0.05). An interaction between Brg1 and β-catenin proteins was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS The Brg1 gene may promote the proliferation of alveolar type 2 epithelial cells by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus influencing the occurrence and development of BPD.
Animals ; DNA Helicases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/physiology* ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Mice ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/etiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; beta Catenin/physiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cell Proliferation ; Lung/pathology* ; Male

Perineural invasion (PNI) by tumor cells is a key phenotype of highly-invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Since Schwann cells (SCs) and fibroblasts maintain the physiological homeostasis of the peripheral nervous system, and we have focused on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) for decades, it's imperative to elucidate the impact of CAFs on SCs in PNI⁺ OSCCs. We describe a disease progression-driven shift of PNI^- towards PNI⁺ during the progression of early-stage OSCC (31%, n = 125) to late-stage OSCC (53%, n = 97), characterized by abundant CAFs and nerve demyelination. CAFs inhibited SC proliferation/migration and reduced neurotrophic factors and myelin in vitro, and this involved up-regulated ER stress and decreased MAPK signals. Moreover, CAFs also aggravated the paralysis of the hind limb and PNI in vivo. Unexpectedly, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) was exclusively expressed on CAFs and up-regulated in metastatic OSCC. The LIF inhibitor EC330 restored CAF-induced SC inactivation. Thus, OSCC-derived CAFs inactivate SCs to aggravate nerve injury and PNI development.
Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Mice ; Cell Movement/physiology* ; Cell Proliferation/physiology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor/metabolism* ; Middle Aged

Tissue interactions play a crucial role in tooth development. Notably, extracellular vesicle-mediated interactions between the mandible and tooth germ are considered essential. Here, we revealed that mandible extracellular vesicles could modulate the proliferation and differentiation of dental mesenchymal cells by regulating the histone demethylase KDM2B. Further investigation showed that mandible derived extracellular vesicles could deliver miR-206 to KDM2B, thereby regulating tooth development. An animal study demonstrated that the miR-206/KDM2B pathway affected tooth morphogenesis and mineralization after eight weeks of subcutaneous transplantation in nude mice. In conclusion, this study suggested that the mandible played a critical role in tooth morphogenesis and mineralization, which could be a potential therapeutic target for abnormal tooth development and an alternative model for tooth regeneration.
Animals ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Swine ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mandible ; Mice, Nude ; Odontogenesis/physiology* ; Swine, Miniature ; Mice ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation

Trophoblast cells serve as the foundation for placental development. We analyzed published multiomics sequencing data and found that trophoblast cells highly expressed RRS1 compared to primitive endoderm and epiblast. We used HTR-8/SVneo cells for further investigation, and Western blot and immunofluorescence staining confirmed that HTR-8/SVneo cells highly expressed RRS1. RRS1 was successfully knocked down in HTR-8/SVneo cells using siRNA. Using IncuCyte S3 live-cell analysis system based on continuous live-cell imaging and real-time data, we observed that proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were all significantly decreased in RRS1-knockdown cells. RNA-seq revealed that knockdown of RRS1 affected the gene transcription, and upregulated pathways in extracellular matrix organization, DNA damage response, and intrinsic apoptotic signaling, downregulated pathways in embryo implantation, trophoblast cell migration, and wound healing. Differentially expressed genes were enriched in diseases related to placental development. Consistent with these findings, human chorionic villus samples collected from spontaneous abortion cases exhibited significantly reduced RRS1 expression compared to normal controls. Our results highlight the functional importance of RRS1 in human trophoblasts and suggest that its deficiency contributes to early pregnancy loss.
Humans ; Trophoblasts/physiology* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Abortion, Spontaneous/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Placentation/genetics*