Epigenetic Signatures of In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Models Employed <span aria-describedby="tippy-29">in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and the Unique miR-148b-3p/PVT1/ZBTB7A Regulatory Network Discriminating Large Cell Lung Carcinoma

Abstract

Epigenetic approaches in direct correlation with assessment of critical genetic mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are currently very intensive, as the epigenetic components in NSCLC development and progression have attained high recognition. In this level of research, established human NSCLC cell lines as well as experimental animals are widely used to detect novel biomarkers and pharmacological targets to treat NSCLC. The epigenetic background of NSCLC is highly complex and requires precise definition as these phenomena are variable between NSCLC subtypes and systems origin. We engaged an in-depth characterization of non-coding (nc)RNAs prevalent in human KRAS-mutant NSCLC cell lines A549 and H460 and mouse KRAS-mutant NSCLC tissue by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and quantitative Real Time PCRs (qPCRs). Also, the effect of transcription factor (TF) LRF, a known epigenetic silencer, was examined on the epigenome modulation. Finally, interacting networks underlying epigenetic variations in NSCLC subtypes were created. Data derived from our study highlights the divergent epigenetic profiles of NSCLC of human and mouse origin, as well as the significant contribution of 12qf1: 109,709,060-109,747,960 mouse chromosomal region to micro-RNA upregulated species. Fur-thermore, the novel epigenetic miR-148b-3p/PVT1/ZBTB7A axis was identified, which differentiates lung adenocarcinoma from large cell lung carcinoma, two characteristic NSCLC subtypes. The detailed recording of epigenetic events in NSCLC and combinational studies including networking between ncRNAs and TFs validate the identification of significant epigenetic features, prevailing in NSCLC subtypes and among experimental models. Our results enrich knowledge in the field and empower research on the epigenetic prognostic biomarkers of the disease and patient-tailored treatments.