MicroRNA-7 as a potential therapeutic target for aberrant NF-κB-driven distant metastasis of gastric cancer

Tingbo Ye1, Meihua Yang2, Daochao Huang1

  • 1Chongqing key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Chongqing key Laboratory of Pediatric, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology cooperation base of Child development and Critical disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.136 Zhongshan Erd Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.

Abstract

Insights

Loss of miR-7 in gastric cancer (GC) promotes NF-κB activation, driving metastasis and poor outcomes. Restoring miR-7 shows therapeutic potential for treating GC distant metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Metastasis Research

Background:

  • Dysregulated miR-7 and NF-κB (Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) signaling are implicated in human cancers.
  • The specific roles of miR-7 and NF-κB RelA/p65 in gastric cancer (GC) metastasis and their underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression profile and clinical significance of miR-7 and NF-κB RelA/p65 in GC.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which miR-7 and NF-κB RelA/p65 influence GC metastasis.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of miR-7 in combating GC distant metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) STAD and NCBI GEO databases for expression profiling and clinical relevance.
  • Lentivirus-mediated gene delivery to assess miR-7's therapeutic effects in GC models.
  • Utilized techniques including real-time PCR, FACS, IHC, IF, reporter gene assays, and IP for mechanistic investigations.

Main Results:

  • Low miR-7 expression correlated with high RelA/p65 levels in GC, serving as poor prognostic indicators.
  • Impaired pre-miR-7 processing due to dysregulated Dicer1 contributed to reduced miR-7 levels in GC cells.
  • miR-7 delivery demonstrated therapeutic effects against lung and liver metastasis by reducing angiogenesis and inflammation, and suppressed NF-κB activity and metastasis-related genes.

Conclusions:

  • Loss of miR-7 in GC promotes p65-mediated NF-κB activation, driving metastasis and adverse clinical outcomes.
  • miR-7 presents potential as a novel prognostic biomarker for GC.
  • miR-7 emerges as a promising therapeutic target for NF-κB-driven GC distant metastasis.

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