Noncoding RNA-mediated macrophage and cancer cell crosstalk in hepatocellular carcinoma

Zhixia Zhou; Zhan Wang; Jie Gao; Zhijuan Lin; Yin Wang; Peipei Shan; Mengkun Li; Tingting Zhou; Peifeng Li

doi:10.1016/j.omto.2022.03.002

Noncoding RNA-mediated macrophage and cancer cell crosstalk in hepatocellular carcinoma

Mol Ther Oncolytics. 2022 Mar 16:25:98-120. doi: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.03.002. eCollection 2022 Jun 16.

Authors

Zhixia Zhou¹, Zhan Wang², Jie Gao¹, Zhijuan Lin³, Yin Wang¹, Peipei Shan¹, Mengkun Li¹, Tingting Zhou¹, Peifeng Li¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China.
² Departments of Pediatrics, Second Clinical Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266042, China.
³ Key Laboratory for Immunology in Universities of Shandong Province, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China.

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a well-recognized system that plays an essential role in tumor initiation, development, and progression. Intense intercellular communication between tumor cells and other cells (especially macrophages) occurs in the TME and is mediated by cell-to-cell contact and/or soluble messengers. Emerging evidence indicates that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are critical regulators of the relationship between cells within the TME. In this review, we provide an update on the regulation of ncRNAs (primarily micro RNAs [miRNAs], long ncRNAs [lncRNAs], and circular RNAs [circRNAs]) in the crosstalk between macrophages and tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These ncRNAs are derived from macrophages or tumor cells and act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, contributing to tumor progression not only by regulating the physiological and pathological processes of tumor cells but also by controlling macrophage infiltration, activation, polarization, and function. Herein, we also explore the options available for clinical therapeutic strategies targeting crosstalk-related ncRNAs to treat HCC. A better understanding of the relationship between macrophages and tumor cells mediated by ncRNAs will uncover new diagnostic biomarkers and pharmacological targets in cancer.

Keywords: circular RNA (circRNA); hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); long noncoding RNA (lncRNA); microRNA (miRNA); noncoding RNA (ncRNA); tumor microenvironment (TME); tumor-associated macrophage (TAM).

Publication types

Review