Biological implications and clinical potential of invasion and migration related miRNAs in glioma

Abstract

Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors and are highly aggressive. Invasion and migration are the main causes of poor prognosis and treatment resistance in gliomas. As migration and invasion occur, patient survival and prognosis decline dramatically. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding 21-23 nucleotides involved in regulating the malignant phenotype of gliomas, including migration and invasion. Numerous studies have demonstrated the mechanism and function of some miRNAs in glioma migration and invasion. However, the biological and clinical significance (including diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy) of glioma migration and invasion-related miRNAs have not been systematically discussed. This paper reviews the progress of miRNAs-mediated migration and invasion studies in glioma and discusses the clinical value of migration and invasion-related miRNAs as potential biomarkers or targeted therapies for glioma. In addition, these findings are expected to translate into future directions and challenges for clinical applications. Although many biomarkers and their biological roles in glioma invasion and migration have been identified, none have been specific so far, and further exploration of clinical treatment is still in progress; therefore, we aimed to further identify specific markers that may guide clinical treatment and improve the quality of patient survival.

Keywords: biological implications; clinical potential; glioma; miRNAs; migration and invasion.

Figure 1

The role of miRNAs in the invasion and migration of glioma. The role of miRNAs in glioma migration and invasion is shown. The black lines indicate suppression while purple lines indicate promotion of downstream targets or processes. The green lines indicate interaction with corresponding processes or molecules. EMT, epithelial-mesenchymal transition; TME, tumor microenvironment; TAMS, tumor-associated macrophages; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.

Figure 2

The role and targets of miRNA in cellular processes of glioma. Purple arrow indicates promotion; Blue arrows indicate suppression; Red arrows indicate positive feedback; Yellow arrows indicate negative feedback; Water green arrow indicates adjustment; ZEB1, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1;ZEB2, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2; F-box, F-box-containing; FBXW7, F-box-containing and WD repeat domain 7; DKK3, Dickkopf Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor 3; YBX1, Y box binding protein 1; HIF-1α, Hypoxia-inducible factor 1a; IGF-1R, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor; HGS, hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate; TGF-β, transforming growth factor; PTEN, Phosphatase and tensin homolog; RORA, Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor A; HOTAIRM1, HOXA transcript antisense RNA, myeloid-specific 1; ECM, extracellular matrix; Red and yellow arrows: Feedback.