Nanoconjugated long non-coding RNA MEG3 as a new therapeutic approach for Hepatocellular carcinoma

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Elzallat M.; Hassan M.; Elkramani N.; Aboushousha T.; AbdelLatif A.; Helal N.; Abu-Taleb H.; El-Ahwany E.
Journal: Heliyon
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Publication Date: April 2023
Volume / Issue: Volume 9 / Issue 4
Article No.: e15288
ISSN: 24058440
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15288
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Elzallat M., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Hassan M., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Elkramani N., Biotechnology Program and Biology Department, School of Science and Engineering, American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt; Aboushousha T., Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; AbdelLatif A., Biotechnology Program and Biology Department, School of Science and Engineering, American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt; Helal N., Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Abu-Taleb H., Enviromental Research Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El-Ahwany E., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive human cancer with a poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have multiple functions: epigenomic regulation, gene transcription, protein-coding gene translation, and genome defense. The involvement of lncRNAs in therapy offers a vast step in cancer treatment. Objective: In the current study, a novel therapeutic regimen using polymer nanoparticle-mediated delivery of lncRNA was designed to control the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis. Methods: One hundred mice were divided into 5 groups. The first group served as a normal-control group and was injected with saline, whereas the pathological-control group (the second group) was injected with N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) weekly for 16 weeks. Group 3, Group 4, and Group 5 were injected intrahepatically with polymer nanoparticles (NPs) alone, lncRNA MEG3 alone, and conjugated NPs, respectively, once/week for four weeks starting on the 12th week after DEN injection. After 16 weeks, animals were euthanized, and liver specimens and blood samples were collected for pathological, molecular, and biochemical assessment. Results: Compared to the pathological-control group, nanoconjugates lncRNA MEG3 demonstrated a significant improvement in histopathology and tumour-associated biomarkers. Furthermore, the expression of the SENP1 and PCNA was downregulated. Conclusion: MEG3 conjugated nanoparticles can be considered a novel therapeutic regimen for HCC. © 2023 The Authors
Keywords
HCC; LncRNAs; MEG3; Polymer nanoparticles; Therapy
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 15
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