Long non-coding RNA CRNDE exacerbates NPC advancement mediated by the miR-545-5p/CCND2 axis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicated CRNDE to have a pivotal part within tumorigenesis. Notwithstanding, precise details on CRNDE activities within NPC are still uncertain. The investigation described in this article served to focus in greater depth on the mechanistics regarding CRNDE, together with all associated regulatory networks, on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its treatment possibilities. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyzed CRNDE, miR-545-5p and CCND2 expression within NPCs and representative cell lineages. CCK-8 cell counting-, EdU-, wound-healing-/transwell-assays analyzed cellular proliferation, migrative, together with invasive properties. Apoptosis/cell cycle progression were scrutinized through flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter assays validated CRNDE/miR-545-5p/CCND2 interplay. Proteomic expression of apoptosis-related protein, EMT-related protein and CCND2 protein were evaluated through Western blotting. In addition, Ki67 expression was evaluated through immunohistochemical staining. The effect of CRNDE in vivo was assessed by nude murine xenograft model studies. RESULTS: This study demonstrated up-regulated expression of CRNDE and CCND2 within NPC tissues/cell lines. Meanwhile, miR-545-5p was down-regulated. CRNDE knock-down or miR-545-5p over-expression drastically reduced NPC proliferative, migrative and invasive properties, promoted apoptosis/altered cell cycle, and inhibited CCND2 expression. However, miR-545-5p down-regulation had opposing effects. All inhibiting functions generated by CRNDE down-regulation upon NPC progression could be counterbalanced or synergistically exacerbated, depending on miR-545-5p down-regulation or up-regulation, respectively. Multiple-level investigations revealed CRNDE to serve as a sponge for miR-545-5p, and can target CCND2 within NPCs. CONCLUSIONS: CRNDE increases CCND2 expression by competitive binding with miR-545-5p, thus accelerating the development of NPC. This provides potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers against NPC.

Plexiform schwannomas of cavum conchae in a young girl: report of a rare case.

OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual case describing a plexiform Schwannoma in the ear cavity of a young child. PATIENT: A 3-year-old girl. INTERVENTIONS: The tumor was entirely removed by surgery, the pathologic diagnosis of the isolated tissue was performed, and the surgical incision was routinely treated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Report the main clinical manifestations and rehabilitation status of patients before, during and after surgery. RESULTS: By surgery, we completely removed the mass. Unlike previous literature reports, we found that the surface of the mass was not encapsulated, and subsequent pathologic reports confirmed that it was indeed a plexiform schwannoma. As of now, the patient did not have adverse reactions or postoperative recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend a pathologic diagnosis of isolated tissues after they are completely removed during surgery. Furthermore, if the same ear has been operated on before, it may increase the difficulty of this operation.

MicroRNA-34a inhibits cell invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via targeting AXL/PI3K/AKT/Snail signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) has been reported to inhibit TGF-ß (transforming growth factor-ß)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Using the bioinformatics, we found that the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) is a predicted target of miR-34a. OBJECTIVE: we aimed to reveal the relationship between miR-34a and AXL, and investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-34a in NPC progression. METHODS: The expression patterns of miR-34a and AXL in 30 paired NPC tissues and the adjacent tissues were examined by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The target relationship between miR-34a and AXL was evaluated by the luciferase gene reporter assay. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and transwell chamber assays, respectively. RESULTS: miR-34a level was dramatically decreased in the NPC tissues compared to the adjacent tissues, while AXL expression was increased. Overexpression of miR-34a significantly reduced the luciferase activity of the luciferase vector of AXL (pGL3-AXL-WT), whereas this effect was abrogated when binding sites between miR-34a and AXL were mutated. In addition, ectopic expression of miR-34a dramatically inhibited Sune-1 cell migration and invasion abilities, decreased the levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin and increased E-cadherin and γ-catenin expressions, as well as induced significant reductions in the expressions of p-AKT and Snail. However, these effects were attenuated when the cells were treated with recombinant human AXL protein. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that miR-34a/AXL can inhibit NPC cell migration, invasion and EMT through inhibition of AKT/Snail signaling.

A Study on the Correlations of the miR-31 Expression with the Pathogenesis and Prognosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlations of miR-31 expression with cell proliferation, invasion, and prognosis of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: The expression of miR-31 in human laryngeal cancer TU686 cells, human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2 cells, and normal human oral keratinocyte (NHOK) epithelial cells was detected via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The effects of miR-31 on the proliferation and invasion of HNSCC cells were explored through transfecting miR-31 analogs (miR-31 mimics) and miR-31 inhibitors (anti-miR-31). qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expressions of miR-31 in 56 cases of HNSCC tumor tissues and tumor-adjacent normal tissues. The correlation of miR-31 expression with pathological parameters and survival prognosis of HNSCC patients was also analyzed. RESULTS: The expressions of miR-31 in TU686 and CNE-2 cell lines were significantly higher than that in NHOK cells (p < 0.01). Compared with those in the negative control group, the proliferation and invasion abilities of cells transfected with miR-31 mimics were notably enhanced (p < 0.01), and those of cells transfected with anti-miR-31 were significantly reduced (p < 0.01). In addition, miR-31 mimics significantly reduced ARID1A expression (p < 0.01) and anti-miR-31 increased its expression (p < 0.05). The expression of miR-31 in tumor tissues of HNSCC patients was remarkably higher than that in tumor-adjacent normal tissues (p < 0.01). This, together with clinical data analysis, revealed that the expression of miR-31 was associated with tumor differentiation, metastasis, and staging of patients, and the survival period of patients with lowly expressed miR-31 was longer. CONCLUSIONS: The highly expressed miR-31 can stimulate the proliferation and invasion of HNSCC cells, closely correlated with tumor differentiation, metastasis, and staging of patients. Patients with lowly expressed miR-31 have a longer survival period. Therefore, miR-31 expression can be taken as a crucial reference indicator for the prognosis of HNSCC patients.

[Efficacy of endoscopic nasal lateral wall dissection approach in the treatment of maxillary sinus diseases].

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective analysis of the clinical efficacy on the surgery of maxillary sinus diseases via the endoscopic lateral nasal wall incision, and a discussion on the clinical application of this approach. METHOD: Eighteen cases of the maxillary sinus diseases diagnosed on the basis of the preoperative nasal endoscopy, CT scan or MRI, and pathologic finding. Among 13 patients underwent routine lateral nasal wall incision approach, including 4 of maxillary sinus hemorrhagic and necrotic polyps, 4 of maxillary sinus cyst, and 3 of the maxillary sinus fungal infection. Five patients underwent lateral nasal wall resection approach and thorough maxillary sinus lesions resection by nasal endoscope, including 3 of inverted maxillary sinus papilloma, a nasal sinus bone giant cell tumor and a spindle cell tumor. Patients were followed up for more than half a year, and the postoperative efficacy were observed. RESULT: The surgical cavity of the lateral nasal wall incision approach have luminal epithelium, well shapes of inferior turbinate, no recurrence of the lesion, and the lateral nasal wall resection patients with well luminal epithelium, without recurrence. All patients had no complications such as numbness, tears, etc. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic incision of lateral nasal wall keep the nasolacrimal duct and inferior turbinate, help remove the entire sinus cavity lesion and retain the physiological function of the nasal cavity. Resection of the lateral nasal wall can reveal an ideal vision approach, which perform certain clinical value for the treatment of the inverted maxillary sinus papilloma and sinus cancer.