Int J Med Sci
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The role of HOXA family genes in the occurrence and progression of a variety of human cancers has been scatteredly reported. However, there is no systematic study on the differential expression, prognostic significance and potential molecular mechanism of HOXA4 and HOXA5 in LUAD. ⋯ In conclusion, the identified downexpressed HOXA4 and HOXA5 had significant distinguishing ability for LUAD samples and affected the cellular functions of LUAD cells. The low expression of HOXA5 indicated worse overall survival of LUAD patients. Therefore, the two HOXA family genes especially HOXA5 may serve as potential biomarkers for LUAD.
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COVID-19 clinically manifests from asymptomatic to the critical range. Immune response provokes the pro-inflammatory interactions, which lead to the cytokines, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, peptidases, and arachidonic acid metabolites enlargement and activation of coagulation components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to tissue destruction in the development of COVID-19. ⋯ Testing the capability of this ratio to predict the COVID-19 stage by ROC curves, we found the MMP-9/BDNF could be a suitable marker for differentiating stages I/II (AUC 0.7597), stage I/III (AUC 0.9011), and stage I/IV (AUC 0.7727). Presented data describe for the first time the high-level systemic MMP-9/BDNF ratio in patients with COVID-19. This parameter could contribute to a more precise determination of the phase of the disease.
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Objective: To determine the effect and mechanism of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ncRuPAR (non-protein coding RNA, upstream of coagulation factor II thrombin receptor [F2R]/protease-activated receptor-1 [PAR-1]) in human gastric cancer. Methods: HGC-27-ncRuPAR overexpression and MGC-803-ncRuPAR-RNAi knockdown gastric cancer cell lines were established. We assessed the effect of ncRuPAR on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion using Cell Counting Kit 8, flow cytometry, scratch and transwell assays, respectively. ⋯ The downstream targets of PI3K/Akt, cyclin D1 was downregulated, but there was no change in expression level of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Conclusions: We showed that lncRNA-ncRuPAR could inhibit tumor cell proliferation and promote apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells, potentially by inhibiting PAR-1, PI3K/Akt signaling, and cyclin D1. The results suggest a potential role for lncRNAs as key regulatory hubs in GC progression.
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Objectives: IL-17 modulates the synthesis of several molecules involved in the pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) shows anti-fibrotic properties and it is able to affect the IL-17 production in several experimental conditions. The aim of this study is to assess the production of IL-17A and pro-fibrotic cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from subjects with SSc in basal conditions and after treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 and IL-17A neutralizing antibodies. ⋯ IL17, TGFβ, CTGF and FGF2 levels were higher in SSc patients with interstitial lung disease and digital ulcers, whereas IL-17A production was lower in patients with PAH. IL- 17A inhibition reduced the production of FGF2, whereas enhanced the synthesis of TGFβ and CTGF. 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased the production of IL17A and pro-fibrotic cytokines in a dose- dependent manner. Conclusions: IL-17A is involved in the regulation of fibrogenesis in SSc, and could represent an intriguing potential therapeutic target, even if its role remains controversial. 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits both IL-17A and pro-fibrotic cytokines, confirming its potential anti-fibrotic effect.
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Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor in adolescent bone malignancies. It has the characteristics of a high metastasis rate, high mortality and poor prognosis. As a subclass of endogenous noncoding RNAs, circRNAs have been identified to be related to the occurrence, development and prognosis of different kinds of cancers, but the mechanism of their effect on osteosarcoma is not clear. ⋯ Furthermore, Western blotting experiments demonstrated that hsa_circ_0087302 affected the expression of cell cycle- and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins. For the first time, we identified that hsa_circ_0087302 may affect the malignant biological behavior of osteosarcoma cells through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In summary, hsa_circ_0087302 may provide a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma.