DENIS REIS MORAIS
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
LIM/55 - Laboratório de Urologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
7 resultados
Resultados de Busca
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- MicroRNAs 143 and 145 may be involved in benign prostatic hyperplasia pathogenesis through regulation of target genes and proteins(2014) VIANA, Nayara I.; REIS, Sabrina T.; DIP, Nelson G.; MORAIS, Denis R.; MOURA, Caio M.; SILVA, Iran A.; KATZ, Betina; SROUGI, Miguel; LEITE, Katia R. M.; ANTUNES, Alberto A.Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the roles of miR-143 and miR-145, as well as the gene and protein expression of their targets (KRAS, ERK5, MAP3K3, and MAP4K4) in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: We analyzed the specimens of 44 patients diagnosed with BPH who underwent surgical treatment. The control group consisted of prostate samples from 2 young patients who were organ donors. miRNAs and their target genes were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and protein levels were assessed by Western blotting. Results: miR-143 and miR-145 were overexpressed in, respectively, 62.5% and 73.8% of the cases. The ERK5 and MAP4K4 genes were underexpressed respectively in 59.4% and 100% of the BPH samples, whereas KRAS and MAP3K3 were overexpressed respectively in 79.4% and 61.5% of the samples. Increased protein expression was found for both KRAS (4,312.2 luminance/area) and MAP3K3 (7,461.7 luminance/area), while the ERK5 protein was more abundant in the samples from patients with prostate larger than 60 grams (p = 0.019). Conclusions: The overexpression of miR-143 and miR-145 in BPH samples suggests an association with the pathogenesis of the disease; additionally, the latter miRNA may act through the inhibition of MAP4K4. KRAS and MAP3K3 overexpression may also be associated with BPH pathogenesis. Further analyses are necessary to confirm these results.
- The role of microRNAs 371 and 34a in androgen receptor control influencing prostate cancer behavior(2015) LEITE, Katia R. M.; MORAIS, Denis Reis; FLOREZ, Manuel Garcia; REIS, Sabrina T.; ISCAIFE, Alexandre; VIANA, Nayara; MOURA, Caio M.; SILVA, Iran A.; KATZ, Betina S.; PONTES JR., Jose; NESRALLAH, Adriano; SROUGI, MiguelBackground: The molecular mechanisms involved in androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways are not completely understood, and deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression may play a role in prostate cancer (PC) development and progression. Methods: The expression levels of miRNA and AR were evaluated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using frozen tissue from the surgical specimens of 83 patients submitted to radical prostatectomy. The expression level of miRNAs was correlated with prognostic factors and biochemical recurrence during a follow-up period of 45 months. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to understand the effect of miRNAs over AR in the context of that seen in a PC model. Results: MiR-371 underexpression correlated with non-organ-confined (pT3) disease (P = 0.009). In vitro transfection of miR-371 reduced the levels of AR by 22% and 28% in LNCaP and PC3 cell lines, respectively, and in kallikrein 3, it was reduced by 51%. PC was induced in Balb/c mice using PC-3M-luc-C6 cells, and animals were treated with 3 local doses of miR-371. Tumor growth evaluated by in vivo imaging after luciferase injection was slower in animals treated with miR-371. To explore further the possible role of miRNAs in the AR pathway, LNCaP cell line was treated with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and flutamide showing alteration in miRNAs expression, especially miR-34a, which was significantly underexpressed after treatment with high doses of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Conclusion: Our data support a role for miRNAs, especially miR-371 and miR-34a, in the complex disarrangement of AR signaling pathway and in the behavior of PC.
- miR-29b enhances prostate cancer cell invasion independently of MMP-2 expression(2018) IVANOVIC, Renato F.; VIANA, Nayara I.; MORAIS, Denis R.; SILVA, Iran A.; LEITE, Katia R.; PONTES-JUNIOR, Jose; INOUE, Gustavo; NAHAS, William C.; SROUGI, Miguel; REIS, Sabrina T.Background: The ability to metastasize is one of the most important characteristics of neoplastic cells. An imbalance between the action of some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs drives the invasion process. Some studies have suggested that MMP-2 is involved in metastasis, while other studies have reported that collagen production by cancer cells might also contribute to motility. However, decreased expression of microRNA-29b (miR-29b), which may control MMP-2 and collagen gene expression, has been shown in prostate cancer (PCa). The objectives of the present study were to clarify whether MMP-2 as well as collagens I and III (encoded by COL1A1 and COL3A1, respectively) are controlled by miR-29b and to determine whether metastasis is altered by this relationship. Methods: PCa DU145 and PC-3 cells were transfected with 100 mu L of OPTI-MEM I containing 100 nmol of miR-29b (or its inhibitor) along with 1.5 mu L of lipofectamine. Positive and negative controls were prepared using the same protocol. MMP-2, COL1A1 and COL3A1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were evaluated via real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). For qRT-PCR, 6 x 10(4) cells were used. Invasion studies were conducted with Matrigel assays, which simulate invasion of the extracellular matrix by neoplastic cells. After transfection of 3 x 10(4) cells, invasion was allowed to proceed for 48 h. Invasive cells were counted under an optical microscope. Each experiment was performed in triplicate. Results: MMP-2 mRNA was not expressed in DU145 cells after transfection with miR-29b. After transfection of cells with the miR-29b inhibitor, COL1A1 (p = 0.02) and COL3A1 (p = 0.06) mRNA expression was increased in DU145 cells, and a large number of transfected DU145 and PC3 cells invaded the Matrigel membrane. Conclusions: In vitro studies showed that reducing the amount of miR-29b may lead to higher PCa cell invasion via a process that is independent of MMP-2. Collagen expression, controlled by miR-29b, may facilitate this motility process. Thus, the present study suggests that collagen production plays an active role in metastasis control and restoration of miR-29b levels may decrease metastasis. Altogether, these findings support further exploration of drug therapy targeting this aspect of the metastasis circuit.
- The involvement of miR-100 in bladder urothelial carcinogenesis changing the expression levels of mRNA and proteins of genes related to cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis and chromosomal stability(2014) MORAIS, Denis R.; REIS, Sabrina T.; VIANA, Nayara; PIANTINO, Camila Berfort; MASSOCO, Cristina; MOURA, Caio; DIP, Nelson; SILVA, Iran A.; SROUGI, Miguel; LEITE, Katia R. M.Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs that play an important role in the control of gene expression by inhibiting protein translation or promoting messenger RNA degradation. Today, miRNAs have been shown to be involved in various physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cancer, where they can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Recently, lowered expression of miR-100, resulting in upregulation of FGFR3, has been correlated with low-grade, non-invasive bladder urothelial cancer, as an alternative oncogenesis pathway to the typical FGFR3 gene mutation. Our aim is to analyze the role of miR-100 in bladder cancer cell lines in controlling the expression of some of its possible target genes, including FGFR3 and its relationship with proliferation, apoptosis and DNA ploidy. Methods: The bladder cancer cell lines RT4 and T24 were transfected with pre-miR 100, anti-miR 100 and their respective controls using a lipid-based formulation. After transfection mRNA and protein levels of its supposed target genes THAP2, BAZ2A, mTOR, SMARCA5 and FGFR3 were analyzed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and DNA ploidy were analyzed by flow cytometry. For statistical analysis, a t-test was applied, p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: After miR-100 transfection, there was a significant reduction in the mRNA of mTOR (p = 0.006), SMARCA5 (p = 0.007) and BAZ2A (p = 0.029) in RT4, mTOR (p = 0.023) and SMARCA5 (p = 0.015) in T24. There was a reduction in the expression of all proteins, variable from 22.5% to 57.1% in both cell lines. In T24 miR-100 promoted an increase in cell proliferation and anti-miR 100 promoted apoptosis characterizing miR-100 as an oncomiR in this cell line representative of a high-grade urothelial carcinoma. Conclusion: miR-100 transfection reduces expression of BAZ2A, mTOR and SMARCA5 mRNA and protein in BC cell lines. miR-100 would be classified as an oncomiR in T24 cells representative of high grade urothelial carcinoma promoting increase in cell proliferation and reduction in apoptosis. The knowledge of miRNA role in tumors will allow their use as tumor markers and targets for new therapies.
- Controlling RECK miR21 Promotes Tumor Cell Invasion and Is Related to Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer(2015) LEITE, Katia R. M.; REIS, Sabrina T.; VIANA, Nayara; MORAIS, Denis R.; MOURA, Caio M.; SILVA, Iran A.; PONTES JR., Jose; KATZ, Betina; SROUGI, MiguelThe search for biomarkers to characterize prostate cancer aggressiveness has been the objective for the majority of researchers involved with the most prevalent tumor in men. MiRNAs are important for the control of many cellular functions and their deregulation is involved with tumor development and progression. To find miRNAs differentially expressed in prostate cancer and their relation to prognostic factors and biochemical recurrence we studied 53 surgical specimens from men who underwent radical prostatectomy, through a microarray analysis using the microarray platform (GeneChip (R) miRNA Array - Affymetrix) with more than 46,000 probes and 847 mature human miRNAs and transcripts. We defined different as an expression level greater or less than 1.1 with p<0.05. The validation study using qRT-PCR had confirmed miR21 as overexpressed in tumor that have recurred with a risk of 2.5. Transfection of miR-21 using lipid based assay in DU145 cell line, showed decrease in expression of RECK resulting in increase in expression of MMP9. Invasion assay with Matrigel showed increase in tumor cell invasion after miR-21 transfection. We conclude that miR-21 overexpression is related to increased biochemical recurrence after surgical treatment of prostate cancer. And the negative control of RECK results in overexpression of MMP9 promotes increasing tumor cell invasion supporting miR-21 as an oncomiR related to aggressiveness in prostate cancer.
- miR-618: possible control over TIMP-1 and its expression in localized prostate cancer(2018) IVANOVIC, Renato F.; VIANA, Nayara I.; MORAIS, Denis R.; MOURA, Caio; SILVA, Iran A.; LEITE, Katia R.; PONTES-JUNIOR, Jose; NAHAS, William C.; SROUGI, Miguel; REIS, Sabrina T.BackgroundThe imbalance between the action of the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is one component of metastasis physiology. TIMP-1 overrides MMP-9 activity in cancer and might be regulated by miR-618. The aims of this study were to clarify whether TIMP-1 expression is modified by miR-618 and to clarify the effect of miR-618 expression on the invasion of prostate cancer cells. We also studied miR-618 expression in surgical specimens of patients with localized prostate cancer submitted to open radical prostatectomy.MethodsAfter transfection of miR-618 or its antagonist in DU145 cells, qRT-PCR for TIMP-1/MMP-9 and both ELISA and zymography for MMP-9 were performed. Total miRNA was extracted from surgical specimens of PCa, and miR-618 expression was examined for correlations with Gleason score, pathological status and biochemical recurrence.ResultsDU145 cells transfected with miR-618 had a 76% reduction in TIMP-1 expression relative to control cells (p=0.003). miR-618 inhibition reduced MMP-9 expression by 31% (p=0.032) and MMP-9 absorbance evaluated with ELISA assay (p=0.06).Zymography suggested higher MMP-9 activity in DU145 cells transfected with miR-618 than those transfected with miR-618 inhibitor, but the difference was not significant (p=0.55). However, miR-618 expression was lower in surgical specimens of patients with Gleason score>7 (p=0.08) and more advanced disease (p=0.07).ConclusionsIn vitro, miR-618 overexpression decreases TIMP-1 and miR-618 inhibition decreases MMP-9, suggesting that miR-618 might be an oncomiR. However, the analysis of clinical samples of localized prostate cancer revealed an inconsistent pattern, as increased miR-618 expression was associated with lower Gleason score and pathological status. Further studies are needed to address whether miR-618 is a context-dependent miRNA.
- Expression profile of standard and variants forms of CD44 related to prostate cancer behavior(2015) MOURA, Caio M.; PONTES JR., Jose; REIS, Sabrina T.; VIANA, Nayara I.; MORAIS, Denis R.; DIP, Nelson; KATZ, Betina; SROUGI, Miguel; LEITE, Katia R. M.CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein and is regarded as a potential marker in various tumors. The aim of our study was to analyze the expression of the standard form of CD44 (CD44s) and its isoforms in localized prostate cancer (PCa), and to correlate these data with the classical prognostic factors and biochemical recurrence. Ninety-four surgical specimens were analyzed in this study. The expression levels of CD44s and all its 9 variants were analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The control group consisted of 14 specimens from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. We correlated all the expression profiles with biochemical recurrence, as defined by a PSA > 0.4 ng/mL in a mean follow-up period of 53.3 months. In PCa, CD44s was underexpressed and all the other isoforms were overexpressed. The mean expression level of most variants was higher in patients who had not recurred, and a higher expression of CD44v2 independently correlated with a better recurrence-free survival rate (p=0.045). This variant was also underexpressed in metastatic PCa cell lines. There was no correlation between the expression levels of any of the CD44 isoforms and the classical prognostic factors. We here demonstrated that PCa cases are characterized by a change in the expression of CD44, with a loss of CD44s and an overexpression of all the other CD44 variants. However, during cancer progression we found a loss of expression of all CD44 variants, and a correlation between higher expression of CD44v2 and a better recurrence-free survival rate. The understanding of the CD44 expression patterns in PCa could contribute to its use as a new prognostic marker.