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The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2018) | Viewed by 118680

Special Issue Editors

Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: precision medicine; biomarkers; liquid biopsy; brain tumours; Hedgehog-Gli signaling; colorectal cancer; thyroid cancer; melanoma; obesity; diabetes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Departments of Experimental Medicine University of Sapienza, Rome, Italy
Interests: Epstein-Barr virus; lymphoma; miRNA

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will cover the role of small non-coding microRNAs in human diseases. Since their discovery in 1993, we have come a long way in understanding the biogenesis and functions of miRNAs. Their critical role in most developmental processes like embryogenesis, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis is becoming clearer and at the same time their abberant expression is responsible for a variety of diseases. This Special Issue is an effort to cover some of the latest and salient advances involving this remarkable little players in post-transcriptional gene regulation in the diseased state. This Special Issue will encompass the role of miRNAs in cancer, neurological, cardiac and metabolic diseases. In addition, the latest advances in how miRNAs can be harnessed in therapeutic interventions of these diseases will be discussed. Some reviews will focus on the reality of RNA based medicine and how this can be achieved in a forseeable future. To this end, we have brought together talented rising stars, as well as established scientists in the field, to share their valuable experience in this burgeoning field.

Prof. Dr. Elisabetta Ferretti
Prof. Dr. Pankaj Trivedi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Non-coding RNA
  • miRNA
  • Cancer
  • Metabolic disease
  • Viruses
  • Exosomes
  • Neurodegenerative disease

Published Papers (21 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1788 KiB  
Article
HDAC-Linked “Proliferative” miRNA Expression Pattern in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
by Eckhard Klieser, Romana Urbas, Stefan Swierczynski, Stefan Stättner, Florian Primavesi, Tarkan Jäger, Christian Mayr, Tobias Kiesslich, Pietro Di Fazio, Katharina Helm and Daniel Neureiter
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(9), 2781; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19092781 - 15 Sep 2018
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3284
Abstract
Epigenetic factors are essentially involved in carcinogenesis, tumor promotion, and chemoresistance. Two epigenetic key players are miRNAs and histone deacetylases (HDACs). As previously shown by own theoretical databank analysis, the crosstalk between miRNAs and HDACs is relevant in different human chronic diseases and [...] Read more.
Epigenetic factors are essentially involved in carcinogenesis, tumor promotion, and chemoresistance. Two epigenetic key players are miRNAs and histone deacetylases (HDACs). As previously shown by own theoretical databank analysis, the crosstalk between miRNAs and HDACs is relevant in different human chronic diseases and cancerogenic pathways. We aimed to investigate a potential connection between the expression of a well-defined subset of “proliferation-associated” miRNAs and the expression of HDACs as well as clinical parameters in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). Materials and Methods: Expression levels of miRNA132-3p, miRNA145-5p, miRNA183-5p, miRNA34a-5p, and miRNA449a in 57 pNETs resected between 1997 and 2015 were measured and linked to the immunohistochemical expression pattern of members of the four HDAC classes on human tissue microarrays. All pNET cases were clinically and pathologically characterized according to published guidelines. Correlation analysis revealed a significant association between expression of specific miRNAs and two members of the HDAC family (HDAC3 and HDAC4). Additionally, a linkage between miRNA expression and clinico-pathological parameters like grading, TNM-staging, and hormone activity was found. Moreover, overall and disease-free survival is statistically correlated with the expression of the investigated miRNAs. Overall, we demonstrated that specific miRNAs could be linked to HDAC expression in pNETs. Especially miRNA449a (associated with HDAC3/4) seems to play an important role in pNET proliferation and could be a potential prognostic factor for poor survival. These first data could help, to improve our knowledge of the complex interactions of the epigenetic drivers in pNETs for further therapeutic approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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19 pages, 2639 KiB  
Article
Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma Cancer Stem Cells Mirnome and Transcriptome Highlight Novel Functional Networks
by Agnese Po, Luana Abballe, Claudia Sabato, Francesca Gianno, Martina Chiacchiarini, Giuseppina Catanzaro, Enrico De Smaele, Felice Giangaspero, Elisabetta Ferretti, Evelina Miele and Zein Mersini Besharat
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(8), 2326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19082326 - 08 Aug 2018
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3608
Abstract
Molecular classification has improved the knowledge of medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant brain tumour in children, however current treatments cause severe side effects in patients. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been described in MB and represent a sub population characterised by self-renewal [...] Read more.
Molecular classification has improved the knowledge of medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant brain tumour in children, however current treatments cause severe side effects in patients. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been described in MB and represent a sub population characterised by self-renewal and the ability to generate tumour cells, thus representing the reservoir of the tumour. To investigate molecular pathways that characterise this sub population, we isolated CSCs from Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma (SHH MB) arisen in Patched 1 (Ptch1) heterozygous mice, and performed miRNA- and mRNA-sequencing. Comparison of the miRNA-sequencing of SHH MB CSCs with that obtained from cerebellar Neural Stem Cells (NSCs), allowed us to obtain a SHH MB CSC miRNA differential signature. Pathway enrichment analysis in SHH MB CSCs mirnome and transcriptome was performed and revealed a series of enriched pathways. We focused on the putative targets of the SHH MB CSC miRNAs that were involved in the enriched pathways of interest, namely pathways in cancer, PI3k-Akt pathway and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway. In silico analysis was performed in SHH MB patients and identified several genes, whose expression was associated with worse overall survival of SHH MB patients. This study provides novel candidates whose functional role should be further investigated in SHH MB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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14 pages, 1894 KiB  
Article
Mir-34a-5p Mediates Cross-Talk between M2 Muscarinic Receptors and Notch-1/EGFR Pathways in U87MG Glioblastoma Cells: Implication in Cell Proliferation
by Maria Di Bari, Valeria Bevilacqua, Antonella De Jaco, Pietro Laneve, Roberta Piovesana, Laura Trobiani, Claudio Talora, Elisa Caffarelli and Ada Maria Tata
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(6), 1631; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19061631 - 31 May 2018
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3850
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive human brain tumor. The high growth potential and decreased susceptibility to apoptosis of the glioma cells is mainly dependent on genetic amplifications or mutations of oncogenic or pro-apoptotic genes, respectively. We have previously shown that the activation [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive human brain tumor. The high growth potential and decreased susceptibility to apoptosis of the glioma cells is mainly dependent on genetic amplifications or mutations of oncogenic or pro-apoptotic genes, respectively. We have previously shown that the activation of the M2 acetylcholine muscarinic receptors inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in two GBM cell lines and cancer stem cells. The aim of this study was to delve into the molecular mechanisms underlying the M2-mediated cell proliferation arrest. Exploiting U87MG and U251MG cell lines as model systems, we evaluated the ability of M2 receptors to interfere with Notch-1 and EGFR pathways, whose activation promotes GBM proliferation. We demonstrated that the activation of M2 receptors, by agonist treatment, counteracted Notch and EGFR signaling, through different regulatory cascades depending, at least in part, on p53 status. Only in U87MG cells, which mimic p53-wild type GBMs, did M2 activation trigger a molecular circuitry involving p53, Notch-1, and the tumor suppressor mir-34a-5p. This regulatory module negatively controls Notch-1, which affects cell proliferation mainly through the Notch-1/EGFR axis. Our data highlighted, for the first time, a molecular circuitry that is deregulated in the p53 wild type GBM, based on the cross-talk between M2 receptor and the Notch-1/EGFR pathways, mediated by mir-34a-5p. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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16 pages, 15763 KiB  
Article
MicroRNA Expression Analysis of In Vitro Dedifferentiated Human Pancreatic Islet Cells Reveals the Activation of the Pluripotency-Related MicroRNA Cluster miR-302s
by Guido Sebastiani, Giuseppina Emanuela Grieco, Noemi Brusco, Giuliana Ventriglia, Caterina Formichi, Lorella Marselli, Piero Marchetti and Francesco Dotta
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(4), 1170; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19041170 - 12 Apr 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4149
Abstract
β-cell dedifferentiation has been recently suggested as an additional mechanism contributing to type-1 and to type-2 diabetes pathogenesis. Moreover, several studies demonstrated that in vitro culture of native human pancreatic islets derived from non-diabetic donors resulted in the generation of an undifferentiated cell [...] Read more.
β-cell dedifferentiation has been recently suggested as an additional mechanism contributing to type-1 and to type-2 diabetes pathogenesis. Moreover, several studies demonstrated that in vitro culture of native human pancreatic islets derived from non-diabetic donors resulted in the generation of an undifferentiated cell population. Additional evidence from in vitro human β-cell lineage tracing experiments, demonstrated that dedifferentiated cells derive from β-cells, thus representing a potential in vitro model of β-cell dedifferentiation. Here, we report the microRNA expression profiles analysis of in vitro dedifferentiated islet cells in comparison to mature human native pancreatic islets. We identified 13 microRNAs upregulated and 110 downregulated in islet cells upon in vitro dedifferentiation. Interestingly, among upregulated microRNAs, we observed the activation of microRNA miR-302s cluster, previously defined as pluripotency-associated. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that miR-302s are predicted to target several genes involved in the control of β-cell/epithelial phenotype maintenance; accordingly, such genes were downregulated upon human islet in vitro dedifferentiation. Moreover, we uncovered that cell–cell contacts are needed to maintain low/null expression levels of miR-302. In conclusion, we showed that miR-302 microRNA cluster genes are involved in in vitro dedifferentiation of human pancreatic islet cells and inhibits the expression of multiple genes involved in the maintenance of β-cell mature phenotype. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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12 pages, 2138 KiB  
Article
MicroRNAs as Potential Mediators for Cigarette Smoking Induced Atherosclerosis
by Yuka Yokoyama, Nathan Mise, Yuka Suzuki, Saeko Tada-Oikawa, Kiyora Izuoka, Lingyi Zhang, Cai Zong, Akira Takai, Yoshiji Yamada and Sahoko Ichihara
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(4), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19041097 - 06 Apr 2018
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4694
Abstract
Smoking increases the risk of atherosclerosis-related events, such as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Recent studies have examined the expression levels of altered microRNAs (miRNAs) in various diseases. The profiles of tissue miRNAs can be potentially used in diagnosis or prognosis. However, there [...] Read more.
Smoking increases the risk of atherosclerosis-related events, such as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Recent studies have examined the expression levels of altered microRNAs (miRNAs) in various diseases. The profiles of tissue miRNAs can be potentially used in diagnosis or prognosis. However, there are limited studies on miRNAs following exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). The present study was designed to dissect the effects and cellular/molecular mechanisms of CS-induced atherosclerogenesis. Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice were exposed to CS for five days a week for two months at low (two puffs/min for 40 min/day) or high dose (two puffs/min for 120 min/day). We measured the area of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta, representing the expression of miRNAs after the exposure period. Two-month exposure to the high dose of CS significantly increased the plaque area in aortic arch, and significantly upregulated the expression of atherosclerotic markers (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP1, p22phox, and gp91phox). Exposure to the high dose of CS also significantly upregulated the miRNA-155 level in the aortic tissues of ApoE KO mice. Moreover, the expression level of miR-126 tended to be downregulated and that of miR-21 tended to be upregulated in ApoE KO mice exposed to the high dose of CS, albeit statistically insignificant. The results suggest that CS induces atherosclerosis through increased vascular inflammation and NADPH oxidase expression and also emphasize the importance of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of CS-induced atherosclerosis. Our findings provide evidence for miRNAs as potential mediators of inflammation and atherosclerosis induced by CS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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21 pages, 2066 KiB  
Article
In-Silico Integration Approach to Identify a Key miRNA Regulating a Gene Network in Aggressive Prostate Cancer
by Claudia Cava, Gloria Bertoli, Antonio Colaprico, Gianluca Bontempi, Giancarlo Mauri and Isabella Castiglioni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(3), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030910 - 19 Mar 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5739
Abstract
Like other cancer diseases, prostate cancer (PC) is caused by the accumulation of genetic alterations in the cells that drives malignant growth. These alterations are revealed by gene profiling and copy number alteration (CNA) analysis. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that also microRNAs have [...] Read more.
Like other cancer diseases, prostate cancer (PC) is caused by the accumulation of genetic alterations in the cells that drives malignant growth. These alterations are revealed by gene profiling and copy number alteration (CNA) analysis. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that also microRNAs have an important role in PC development. Despite efforts to profile PC, the alterations (gene, CNA, and miRNA) and biological processes that correlate with disease development and progression remain partially elusive. Many gene signatures proposed as diagnostic or prognostic tools in cancer poorly overlap. The identification of co-expressed genes, that are functionally related, can identify a core network of genes associated with PC with a better reproducibility. By combining different approaches, including the integration of mRNA expression profiles, CNAs, and miRNA expression levels, we identified a gene signature of four genes overlapping with other published gene signatures and able to distinguish, in silico, high Gleason-scored PC from normal human tissue, which was further enriched to 19 genes by gene co-expression analysis. From the analysis of miRNAs possibly regulating this network, we found that hsa-miR-153 was highly connected to the genes in the network. Our results identify a four-gene signature with diagnostic and prognostic value in PC and suggest an interesting gene network that could play a key regulatory role in PC development and progression. Furthermore, hsa-miR-153, controlling this network, could be a potential biomarker for theranostics in high Gleason-scored PC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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1528 KiB  
Article
NGS Reveals Molecular Pathways Affected by Obesity and Weight Loss-Related Changes in miRNA Levels in Adipose Tissue
by Alina Kuryłowicz, Zofia Wicik, Magdalena Owczarz, Marta Izabela Jonas, Marta Kotlarek, Michał Świerniak, Wojciech Lisik, Maurycy Jonas, Bartłomiej Noszczyk and Monika Puzianowska-Kuźnicka
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010066 - 27 Dec 2017
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5115
Abstract
Both obesity and weight loss may cause molecular changes in adipose tissue. This study aimed to characterize changes in adipose tissue miRNome in order to identify molecular pathways affected by obesity and weight changes. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was applied to identify microRNAs [...] Read more.
Both obesity and weight loss may cause molecular changes in adipose tissue. This study aimed to characterize changes in adipose tissue miRNome in order to identify molecular pathways affected by obesity and weight changes. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was applied to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) differentially expressed in 47 samples of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissues from normal-weight (N), obese (O) and obese after surgery-induced weight loss (PO) individuals. Subsequently miRNA expression was validated by real-time PCR in 197 adipose tissues and bioinformatics analysis performed to identify molecular pathways affected by obesity-related changes in miRNA expression. NGS identified 344 miRNAs expressed in adipose tissues with ≥5 reads per million. Using >2 and <−2 fold change as cut-offs we showed that the expression of 54 miRNAs differed significantly between VAT-O and SAT-O. Equally, between SAT-O and SAT-N, the expression of 20 miRNAs differed significantly, between SAT-PO and SAT-N the expression of 79 miRNAs differed significantly, and between SAT-PO and SAT-O, the expression of 61 miRNAs differed significantly. Ontological analyses disclosed several molecular pathways regulated by these miRNAs in adipose tissue. NGS-based miRNome analysis characterized changes of the miRNA profile of adipose tissue, which are associated with changes of weight possibly responsible for a differential regulation of molecular pathways in adipose tissue when the individual is obese and after the individual has lost weight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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Review

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30 pages, 342 KiB  
Review
MicroRNAs in Autoimmunity and Hematological Malignancies
by Mirco Di Marco, Alice Ramassone, Sara Pagotto, Eleni Anastasiadou, Angelo Veronese and Rosa Visone
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(10), 3139; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19103139 - 12 Oct 2018
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4710
Abstract
Autoimmunity and hematological malignancies are often concomitant in patients. A causal bidirectional relationship exists between them. Loss of immunological tolerance with inappropriate activation of the immune system, likely due to environmental and genetic factors, can represent a breeding ground for the appearance of [...] Read more.
Autoimmunity and hematological malignancies are often concomitant in patients. A causal bidirectional relationship exists between them. Loss of immunological tolerance with inappropriate activation of the immune system, likely due to environmental and genetic factors, can represent a breeding ground for the appearance of cancer cells and, on the other hand, blood cancers are characterized by imbalanced immune cell subsets that could support the development of the autoimmune clone. Considerable effort has been made for understanding the proteins that have a relevant role in both processes; however, literature advances demonstrate that microRNAs (miRNAs) surface as the epigenetic regulators of those proteins and control networks linked to both autoimmunity and hematological malignancies. Here we review the most up-to-date findings regarding the miRNA-based molecular mechanisms that underpin autoimmunity and hematological malignancies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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26 pages, 905 KiB  
Review
Methodological Approaches to Study Extracellular Vesicle miRNAs in Epstein–Barr Virus-Associated Cancers
by Li Sun and David G. Meckes, Jr.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(9), 2810; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19092810 - 18 Sep 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4602
Abstract
Epstein Barr-virus (EBV) was the first virus identified to be associated with human cancer in 1964 and is found ubiquitously throughout the world’s population. It is now established that EBV contributes to the development and progression of multiple human cancers of both lymphoid [...] Read more.
Epstein Barr-virus (EBV) was the first virus identified to be associated with human cancer in 1964 and is found ubiquitously throughout the world’s population. It is now established that EBV contributes to the development and progression of multiple human cancers of both lymphoid and epithelial cell origins. EBV encoded miRNAs play an important role in tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, immune escape, tissue invasion, and metastasis. Recently, EBV miRNAs have been found to be released from infected cancer cells in extracellular vesicles (EVs) and regulate gene expression in neighboring uninfected cells present in the tumor microenvironment and possibly at distal sites. As EVs are abundant in many biological fluids, the viral and cellular miRNAs present within EBV-modified EVs may serve as noninvasion markers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we discuss recent advances in EV isolation and miRNA detection, and provide a complete workflow for EV purification from plasma and deep-sequencing for biomarker discovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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15 pages, 239 KiB  
Review
The Dual Role of MicroRNAs in Colorectal Cancer Progression
by Lei Ding, Zhenwei Lan, Xianhui Xiong, Hongshun Ao, Yingting Feng, Huan Gu, Min Yu and Qinghua Cui
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(9), 2791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19092791 - 17 Sep 2018
Cited by 91 | Viewed by 5032
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is responsible for one of the major cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. It is well known that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in maintaining the cell development and other physiological processes, as well as, the aberrant expression of numerous miRNAs [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is responsible for one of the major cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. It is well known that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in maintaining the cell development and other physiological processes, as well as, the aberrant expression of numerous miRNAs involved in CRC progression. MiRNAs are a class of small, endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs that bind to the 3’-untranslated region (3′-UTR) complementary sequences of their target mRNA, resulting in mRNA degradation or inhibition of its translation as a post-transcriptional regulators. Moreover, miRNAs also can target the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) to regulate the expression of its target genes involved in proliferation and metastasis of CRC. The functions of these dysregulated miRNAs appear to be context specific, with evidence of having a dual role in both oncogenes and tumor suppression depending on the cellular environment in which they are expressed. Therefore, the unique expression profiles of miRNAs relate to the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic outcome in CRC. In this review, we focused on several oncogenic and tumor-suppressive miRNAs specific to CRC, and assess their functions to uncover the molecular mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression in CRC. These data promised that miRNAs can be used as early detection biomarkers and potential therapeutic target in CRC patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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31 pages, 2963 KiB  
Review
The Nefarious Nexus of Noncoding RNAs in Cancer
by Eleni Anastasiadou, Alberto Faggioni, Pankaj Trivedi and Frank J. Slack
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(7), 2072; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19072072 - 17 Jul 2018
Cited by 54 | Viewed by 5053
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed enormous progress, and has seen the noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) turn from the so-called dark matter RNA to critical functional molecules, influencing most physiological processes in development and disease contexts. Many ncRNAs interact with each other and are part [...] Read more.
The past decade has witnessed enormous progress, and has seen the noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) turn from the so-called dark matter RNA to critical functional molecules, influencing most physiological processes in development and disease contexts. Many ncRNAs interact with each other and are part of networks that influence the cell transcriptome and proteome and consequently the outcome of biological processes. The regulatory circuits controlled by ncRNAs have become increasingly more relevant in cancer. Further understanding of these complex network interactions and how ncRNAs are regulated, is paving the way for the identification of better therapeutic strategies in cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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18 pages, 961 KiB  
Review
Using microRNA Networks to Understand Cancer
by Mihnea Dragomir, Ana Carolina P. Mafra, Sandra M. G. Dias, Catalin Vasilescu and George A. Calin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(7), 1871; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071871 - 26 Jun 2018
Cited by 78 | Viewed by 4850
Abstract
Human cancers are characterized by deregulated expression of multiple microRNAs (miRNAs), involved in essential pathways that confer the malignant cells their tumorigenic potential. Each miRNA can regulate hundreds of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), while various miRNAs can control the same mRNA. Additionally, many miRNAs [...] Read more.
Human cancers are characterized by deregulated expression of multiple microRNAs (miRNAs), involved in essential pathways that confer the malignant cells their tumorigenic potential. Each miRNA can regulate hundreds of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), while various miRNAs can control the same mRNA. Additionally, many miRNAs regulate and are regulated by other species of non-coding RNAs, such as circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). For this reason, it is extremely difficult to predict, study, and analyze the precise role of a single miRNA involved in human cancer, considering the complexity of its connections. Focusing on a single miRNA molecule represents a limited approach. Additional information could come from network analysis, which has become a common tool in the biological field to better understand molecular interactions. In this review, we focus on the main types of networks (monopartite, association networks and bipartite) used for analyzing biological data related to miRNA function. We briefly present the important steps to take when generating networks, illustrating the theory with published examples and with future perspectives of how this approach can help to better select miRNAs that can be therapeutically targeted in cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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29 pages, 5040 KiB  
Review
Role of MicroRNAs in Renal Parenchymal Diseases—A New Dimension
by Saeed Kamran Shaffi, David Galas, Alton Etheridge and Christos Argyropoulos
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(6), 1797; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19061797 - 17 Jun 2018
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4683
Abstract
Since their discovery in 1993, numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in humans and other eukaryotic organisms, and their role as key regulators of gene expression is still being elucidated. It is now known that miRNAs not only play a central role in [...] Read more.
Since their discovery in 1993, numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in humans and other eukaryotic organisms, and their role as key regulators of gene expression is still being elucidated. It is now known that miRNAs not only play a central role in the processes that ensure normal development and physiology, but they are often dysregulated in various diseases. In this review, we present an overview of the role of miRNAs in normal renal development and physiology, in maladaptive renal repair after injury, and in the pathogenesis of renal parenchymal diseases. In addition, we describe methods used for their detection and their potential as therapeutic targets. Continued research on renal miRNAs will undoubtedly improve our understanding of diseases affecting the kidneys and may also lead to new therapeutic agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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12 pages, 461 KiB  
Review
Skeletal Muscle MicroRNAs as Key Players in the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
by Lorena Di Pietro, Wanda Lattanzi and Camilla Bernardini
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(5), 1534; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19051534 - 22 May 2018
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5941
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, for which, to date, no effective treatment to ameliorate the clinical manifestations is available. The long-standing view of ALS as affecting only motor neurons has been challenged by the finding that the skeletal muscle [...] Read more.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, for which, to date, no effective treatment to ameliorate the clinical manifestations is available. The long-standing view of ALS as affecting only motor neurons has been challenged by the finding that the skeletal muscle plays an active role in the disease pathogenesis and can be a valuable target for therapeutic strategies. In recent years, non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs, have emerged as important molecules that play key roles in several cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying various human conditions. In this review, we summarize how the expression of some microRNAs is dysregulated in the skeletal muscle of ALS mouse models and patients. Shedding light on the mechanisms underlying microRNAs dysregulation in the skeletal muscle could clarify some of the processes involved in the pathogenesis of ALS and especially identify new promising therapeutic targets in patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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26 pages, 1838 KiB  
Review
Noncoding RNA:RNA Regulatory Networks in Cancer
by Jia Jia Chan and Yvonne Tay
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(5), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19051310 - 27 Apr 2018
Cited by 819 | Viewed by 19777
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) constitute the majority of the human transcribed genome. This largest class of RNA transcripts plays diverse roles in a multitude of cellular processes, and has been implicated in many pathological conditions, especially cancer. The different subclasses of ncRNAs include microRNAs, [...] Read more.
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) constitute the majority of the human transcribed genome. This largest class of RNA transcripts plays diverse roles in a multitude of cellular processes, and has been implicated in many pathological conditions, especially cancer. The different subclasses of ncRNAs include microRNAs, a class of short ncRNAs; and a variety of long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), such as lincRNAs, antisense RNAs, pseudogenes, and circular RNAs. Many studies have demonstrated the involvement of these ncRNAs in competitive regulatory interactions, known as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, whereby lncRNAs can act as microRNA decoys to modulate gene expression. These interactions are often interconnected, thus aberrant expression of any network component could derail the complex regulatory circuitry, culminating in cancer development and progression. Recent integrative analyses have provided evidence that new computational platforms and experimental approaches can be harnessed together to distinguish key ceRNA interactions in specific cancers, which could facilitate the identification of robust biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and hence, more effective cancer therapies and better patient outcome and survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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26 pages, 1848 KiB  
Review
The Role of miRNAs in Virus-Mediated Oncogenesis
by Zuzana Vojtechova and Ruth Tachezy
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(4), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19041217 - 17 Apr 2018
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 6236
Abstract
To date, viruses are reported to be responsible for more than 15% of all tumors worldwide. The oncogenesis could be influenced directly by the activity of viral oncoproteins or by the chronic infection or inflammation. The group of human oncoviruses includes Epstein–Barr virus [...] Read more.
To date, viruses are reported to be responsible for more than 15% of all tumors worldwide. The oncogenesis could be influenced directly by the activity of viral oncoproteins or by the chronic infection or inflammation. The group of human oncoviruses includes Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) or polyomaviruses, and transregulating retroviruses such as HIV or HTLV-1. Most of these viruses express short noncoding RNAs called miRNAs to regulate their own gene expression or to influence host gene expression and thus contribute to the carcinogenic processes. In this review, we will focus on oncogenic viruses and summarize the role of both types of miRNAs, viral as well as host’s, in the oncogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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15 pages, 1039 KiB  
Review
The Double Face of Exosome-Carried MicroRNAs in Cancer Immunomodulation
by Romina Alfonsi, Ludovica Grassi, Michele Signore and Désirée Bonci
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(4), 1183; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19041183 - 13 Apr 2018
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5490
Abstract
In recent years many articles have underlined the key role of nanovesicles, i.e., exosomes, as information carriers among biological systems including cancer. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) are key players in the dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells and the microenvironment while promote immune system control [...] Read more.
In recent years many articles have underlined the key role of nanovesicles, i.e., exosomes, as information carriers among biological systems including cancer. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) are key players in the dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells and the microenvironment while promote immune system control evasion. In fact, tumors are undoubtedly capable of silencing the immune response through multiple mechanisms, including the release of exosomes. TEXs have been shown to boost tumor growth and promote progression and metastatic spreading via suppression or stimulation of the immune response towards cancer cells. The advantage of immunotherapeutic treatment alone over combining immuno- and conventional therapy is currently debated. Understanding the role of tumor exosome-cargo is of crucial importance for our full comprehension of neoplastic immonosuppression and for the construction of novel therapies and vaccines based on (nano-) vesicles. Furthermore, to devise new anti-cancer approaches, diverse groups investigated the possibility of engineering TEXs by conditioning cancer cells’ own cargo. In this review, we summarize the state of art of TEX-based immunomodulation with a particular focus on the molecular function of non-coding family genes, microRNAs. Finally, we will report on recent efforts in the study of potential applications of engineered exosomes in cancer immunotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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18 pages, 1656 KiB  
Review
Pathobiologic Roles of Epstein–Barr Virus-Encoded MicroRNAs in Human Lymphomas
by Mohsen Navari, Maryam Etebari, Mostafa Ibrahimi, Lorenzo Leoncini and Pier Paolo Piccaluga
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(4), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19041168 - 12 Apr 2018
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 6052
Abstract
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a human γ-herpesvirus implicated in several human malignancies, including a wide range of lymphomas. Several molecules encoded by EBV in its latent state are believed to be related to EBV-induced lymphomagenesis, among which microRNAs—small RNAs with a posttranscriptional regulating [...] Read more.
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a human γ-herpesvirus implicated in several human malignancies, including a wide range of lymphomas. Several molecules encoded by EBV in its latent state are believed to be related to EBV-induced lymphomagenesis, among which microRNAs—small RNAs with a posttranscriptional regulating role—are of great importance. The genome of EBV encodes 44 mature microRNAs belonging to two different classes, including BamHI-A rightward transcript (BART) and Bam HI fragment H rightward open reading frame 1 (BHRF1), with different expression levels in different EBV latency types. These microRNAs might contribute to the pathogenetic effects exerted by EBV through targeting self mRNAs and host mRNAs and interfering with several important cellular mechanisms such as immunosurveillance, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In addition, EBV microRNAs can regulate the surrounding microenvironment of the infected cells through exosomal transportation. Moreover, these small molecules could be potentially used as molecular markers. In this review, we try to present an updated and extensive view of the role of EBV-encoded miRNAs in human lymphomas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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15 pages, 7773 KiB  
Review
Micro-Economics of Apoptosis in Cancer: ncRNAs Modulation of BCL-2 Family Members
by Lidia Villanova, Silvia Careccia, Ruggero De Maria and Micol E. Fiori
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(4), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19040958 - 23 Mar 2018
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5841
Abstract
In the last few years, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been a hot topic in cancer research. Many ncRNAs were found to regulate the apoptotic process and to play a role in tumor cell resistance to treatment. The apoptotic program is on the frontline [...] Read more.
In the last few years, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been a hot topic in cancer research. Many ncRNAs were found to regulate the apoptotic process and to play a role in tumor cell resistance to treatment. The apoptotic program is on the frontline as self-defense from cancer onset, and evasion of apoptosis has been classified as one of the hallmarks of cancer responsible for therapy failure. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family members are key players in the regulation of apoptosis and mediate the activation of the mitochondrial death machinery in response to radiation, chemotherapeutic agents and many targeted therapeutics. The balance between the pro-survival and the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins is strictly controlled by ncRNAs. Here, we highlight the most common mechanisms exerted by microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs on the main mediators of the intrinsic apoptotic cascade with particular focus on their significance in cancer biology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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16 pages, 1484 KiB  
Review
The Oncogenic Relevance of miR-17-92 Cluster and Its Paralogous miR-106b-25 and miR-106a-363 Clusters in Brain Tumors
by Renata Gruszka and Magdalena Zakrzewska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(3), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030879 - 16 Mar 2018
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 5515
Abstract
The fundamental function of ribonucleic acids is to transfer genetic information from DNA to protein during translation process, however, this is not the only way connecting active RNA sequences with essential biological processes. Up until now, many RNA subclasses of different size, structure, [...] Read more.
The fundamental function of ribonucleic acids is to transfer genetic information from DNA to protein during translation process, however, this is not the only way connecting active RNA sequences with essential biological processes. Up until now, many RNA subclasses of different size, structure, and biological function were identified. Among them, there are non-coding single-stranded microRNAs (miRNAs). This subclass comprises RNAs of 19–25 nucleotides in length that modulate the activity of well-defined coding RNAs and play a crucial role in many physiological and pathological processes. miRNA genes are located both in exons, introns, and also within non-translated regions. Several miRNAs that are transcribed from the adjacent miRNA genes are called cluster. One of the largest ones is miR-17-92 cluster known as OncomiR-1 due to its strong link to oncogenesis. Six miRNAs from the OncomiR-1 have been shown to play important roles in various physiological cellular processes but also through inhibition of cell death in many cancer-relevant processes. Due to the origin and similarity of the sequence, miR-17-92 cluster and paralogs, miR-106b-25 and miR-106a-363 clusters were defined. Here we discuss the oncogenic function of those miRNA subgroups found in many types of cancers, including brain tumors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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13 pages, 581 KiB  
Review
Small Molecules in Rare Tumors: Emerging Role of MicroRNAs in GIST
by Juozas Kupcinskas
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020397 - 30 Jan 2018
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3421
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of gastrointestinal tract. GISTs have very different clinical phenotypes and underlying molecular characteristics that are not yet completely understood. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to participate in carcinogenesis pathways through post-transcriptional regulation of [...] Read more.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of gastrointestinal tract. GISTs have very different clinical phenotypes and underlying molecular characteristics that are not yet completely understood. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to participate in carcinogenesis pathways through post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in different tumors. Over the last years emerging evidence has highlighted the role of miRNAs in GISTs. This review provides an overview of original research papers that analyze miRNA deregulation patterns, functional role, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic implications in GIST as well as provides directions for further research in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases)
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