Decoding hepatocarcinogenesis from a noncoding RNAs perspective

Abstract

Being a leading lethal malignancy worldwide, the pathophysiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has gained a lot of interest. Yet, underlying mechanistic basis of the liver tumorigenesis is poorly understood. The role of some coding genes and their respective translated proteins, then later on, some noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs have been extensively studied in context of HCC pathophysiology; however, the implication of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in HCC is indeed less investigated. As a subclass of the ncRNAs which has been elusive for long time ago, lncRNAs was found to be involved in plentiful cellular functions such as DNA, RNA, and proteins regulation. Hence, it is undisputed that lncRNAs dysregulation profoundly contributes to HCC via diverse etiologies. Accordingly, lncRNAs represent a hot research topic that requires prime focus in HCC. In this review, the authors discuss breakthrough discoveries involving lncRNAs and circRNAs dysregulation that have contributed to the contemporary concepts of HCC pathophysiology and how these concepts could be leveraged as potential novel diagnostic and prognostic HCC biomarkers. Further, this review article sheds light on future trends, thereby discussing the pathological roles of lncRNAs and circRNAs in HCC proliferation, migration, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. Along this line of reasoning, future recommendations of how these targets could be exploited to achieve effective HCC‐related drug development is highlighted.

Puzzling out the role of MIAT LncRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Alternatively, lncRNAs can be classified according to their functional role [ 17 ]. As already indicated, lncRNAs have a significant regulatory function, modulating the activity of genes, RNAs, proteins, organelles, and nuclear condensates [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Members of this class have transcripts larger than 200 nucleotides and are important regulators [ 15 , 16 ]. LncRNAs can also be divided into subclasses [ 17 , 18 ]. According to one of these classifications, the genomic location of ncRNAs can result in intergenic, intronic, sense, and antisense lncRNAs [ 9 , 19 , 20 ], as shown in Fig.…”

Long non‐coding RNAFOXD1‐AS1 modulated CTCs epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and immune escape in hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro by sponging miR‐615‐3p

“…8 LncRNAs have emerged as one of the most interesting components of the transcriptome 8 and hence, decoding HCC from a ncRNAs perspective is mandatory emerging. 9 Increasing evidence suggests that lncRNAs are not only involved in gene expression regulations but also implicated in several biological and pathological processes, such as tumor development and its progression. 10 New research findings have revealed that the dysregulation of lncRNA expression contributes to the developing HCC and the subsequent formation of metastasis.…”

A Novel Epigenetic Strategy to Concurrently Block Immune Checkpoints PD-1/PD-L1 and CD155/TIGIT in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Immune cells at the TME have a fundamental role in the development and progression of HCC [13] . Immune escape phenomena of HCC have recently been associated with a lot of obstacles and failures when it comes to the incorporation of the novel immune therapeutic approach in the treatment protocols of HCC patients [14] . Tumor cells dodge the normal immune screening and killing capacities through intricate genetic and epigenetic manipulations [ 15 , 16 ].…”