The Impact of lncRNAs and miRNAs in Regulation of Function of Cancer Stem Cells and Progression of Cancer.

Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard,Hamed Shoorei,Zahra Bahroudi,Guive Sharifi,Mohammadreza Hajiesmaeili,Mohammad Taheri

doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.696820

Abstract

Stem cells have two important features, namely the ability for self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate into some cell kinds with specialized functions. These two features are also present in cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells have been detected in almost all kinds of cancers facilitating their tumorigenicity. Molecular cascades that control self-renewal of stem cells, namely the Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog pathways have been suggested to influence CSCs functions as well. Moreover, non-coding RNAs can regulate function of CSCs. Function of miRNAs in the regulation of CSCs has been mostly assessed in breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. miR-130a-3p, miR-600, miR-590-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-221, miR-222, miR-638, miR-375, miR-31, and miR-210 are among those regulating this feature in breast cancer. Moreover, miR-206, miR-192-5p, miR-500a-3p, miR-125, miR-125b, miR-613, miR-217, miR-194, and miR-494 regulate function of CSCs in hepatocellular carcinoma. DILC, lncTCF7, MUF, HAND2-AS1, MALAT1, DLX6-AS1, HOTAIR, and XIST are among lncRNAs that regulate function of CSCs. In the present paper, we explain the effects of these two classes of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of activity of CSCs.

Highlights

Stem cells have two important features, namely the ability for self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate into some cell kinds with specialized functions
Cancer stem cells have especial properties that potentiate them for anti-cancer treatment, since it is expected that treatments targeting these cells preclude cancer metatstasis and recurrence
Identification of molecules that regulate their function has practical significance. miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to influence activity and expansion of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The impact of these regulatory ranscripts on CSCs has been mostly assessed in breast cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Summary

Introduction

Stem cells have two important features, namely the ability for self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate into some cell kinds with specialized functions. MiR-590-5p by targeting SOX2 could inhibit breast cancer cell stemness and metastasis. MiR-221/222 by targeting PTEN via activating the AKT/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway could promote tumor growth and cancer stem-like cell properties.

Results

Conclusion