Let-7 miRNA’s Expression Profile and Its Potential Prognostic Role in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

Abstract

The lethal-7 (let-7) family is an important microRNA (miRNA) group that usually exerts functions as a tumor suppressor. We aimed to evaluate the expression profile of let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, let-7d, let-7e, let-7f, let-7g, and let-7i and to assess their value as prognostic markers in uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) patients. The miRNAs expression profile was assessed in 34 LMS and 13 normal myometrium (MM) paraffin-embedded samples. All let-7 family members showed downregulation in LMS. Our findings showed that patients with let-7e downregulation had worse overall survival (OS) and is an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.24). In addition, almost half the patients had distant metastasis. LMS patients with downregulated let-7b and let-7d had worse disease-free survival (DFS); they are not independent prognostic factors (HR = 2.65). Patients’ ages were associated with let-7d, let-7e and let-7f (p = 0.0160) downregulation. In conclusion, all the let-7 family members were downregulated in LMS patients, and the greater the loss of expression of these molecules, the greater their relationship with worse prognosis of patients. Let-7e expression might influence the OS, while let-7b and le-7d might influence the DFS. The lowest expression levels of let-7d, let-7e, and let-7f were associated with the oldest patients. Our findings indicate strong evidence of let-7’s role as a potential prognostic biomarker in LMS.

The Role of microRNA Let-7d in Female Malignancies and Diseases of the Female Reproductive Tract

“…Notably, the expression of let-7d in cervical carcinoma cells depends on the expression of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 oncogene, suggesting a possible partial contribution of this miRNA to HPV-induced cervical carcinoma [ 98 ]. Moreover, a study on 34 leiomyosarcomas and 13 normal myometrium paraffin-embedded samples revealed that low levels of let-7d in leiomyosarcoma were associated with shorter disease-free survival [ 99 ].…”

Application of green tea catechins, polysaccharides, and flavonol prevent fine dust induced bronchial damage by modulating inflammation and airway cilia

“…Cilia are specialized microtubule-based cellular organelles that beat in metachronal waves to facilitate the expulsion of inhaled particles and pathogens trapped in the mucus layer from the airway 33 . To detect cilia, immunofluorescence was performed for acetylated α-tubulin and the ARL13B protein 34 . Ciliated cells are defined by their multiple motile apical cilia and by the presence of motor proteins that mediate directional beating, which is critical for MCC 35 .…”

Assessment of TSPAN Expression Profile and Their Role in the VSCC Prognosis

“…To evaluate the statistical differences among frequencies of each variable, the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used. The mean and SD (mean ± SD) were used to represent the patient’s age, as previously described [ 87 ]. The Kaplan–Meier method evaluated patient outcome, and the differences between each group were analyzed using the log-rank test (Mantel-Cox) and multivariate analysis with Cox’s regression test by the Cox proportional hazard model.…”

“…DFS was determined from the date of surgery to the date of relapse or the last follow-up. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of the linear relationship between two non-parametric variables, as described elsewhere [ 87 , 88 ]. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS (v21, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and Graph Pad Prism 5.0 (v3, GraphPad Software Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) software [ 87 ].…”