Lineage-negative lymphoma with a helper innate lymphoid cell phenotype

Circulating subpopulations of non-cytotoxic ILCs in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Non-cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been added to the list of immune cells that may contribute to the tumor microenvironment. Elevated levels of total ILCs and their subgroups have been reported in peripheral blood and tissue samples from patients with solid tumors, but their frequency in non-Hodgkin lymphomas, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), has not been clearly established. This study examined frequency and subset distribution in newly diagnosed DLBCL patients (nodal and extra-nodal) and compared it with blood specimens from healthy donors. The percentage of total ILCs (Lin - CD127+) was assessed by flow cytometry, as well as the four ILC subsets, defined as ILC1 (Lin - CD127 + cKit - CRTH2-), ILC2 (Lin - CD127 + cKit+/- CRTH2+), ILCp NCR- (Lin - CD127 + cKit + CRTH2- NKp46-) and NCR + ILC3 (Lin - CD127 + cKit + NKp46+). In the studied group of patients (n = 54), significantly lower levels of circulating total ILCs, ILC1, and ILCp NCR- were observed compared to the control group (n = 43). Similarly, there was a statistically significant decrease in the median frequency of NKp46 + ILC3 cells in lymphoma patients. Analysis of the ILC2 subpopulation showed no significant differences. The correlation of the distribution of individual subpopulations of ILCs with the stage and location of the tumor was also demonstrated. Our results suggest that circulating ILCs are activated and differentiated and/or differentially recruited to the lymph nodes or tumor microenvironment where they may be involved in antitumor defense. However, our observations require confirmation in functional studies.

Identification of key genes in late-onset major depressive disorder through a co-expression network module

Late-onset major depressive disorder (LOD) increases the risk of disability and suicide in elderly patients. However, the complex pathological mechanism of LOD still remains unclear. We selected 10 LOD patients and 12 healthy control samples from the GSE76826 dataset for statistical analysis. Under the screening criteria, 811 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened. We obtained a total of two most clinically significant modules through the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Functional analysis of the genes in the most clinically significant modules was performed to explore the potential mechanism of LOD, followed by protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and hub gene identification in the core area of the PPI network. Furthermore, we identified immune infiltrating cells using the cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts (CIBERSORT) algorithm between healthy subjects and LOD patients with the GSE98793 dataset. Next, six hub genes (CD27, IL7R, CXCL1, CCR7, IGLL5, and CD79A) were obtained by intersecting hub genes with DEGs, followed by verifying the diagnostic accuracy with the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). In addition, we constructed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model for hub gene cross-validation. Finally, we found that CD27 and IGLL5 were good diagnostic indicators of LOD, and CD27 may be the key gene of immune function change in LOD. In conclusion, our research shows that the changes in the immune function may be an important mechanism in the development of LOD, which can provide some guidance for the related research of LOD in the future.

Comprehensive analysis of PPPCs family reveals the clinical significance of PPP1CA and PPP4C in breast cancer

The phosphoprotein phosphatase catalytic subunit (PPPCs) family has been shown to play an important role in the development and progression of various malignancies, but its expression patterns and biological functions in breast cancer (BC) remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance and biological functions of the PPPCs family to understand its possible significance in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. We comprehensively investigated the expression levels, diagnostic accuracy, prognostic outcomes, biological functions and effects on immune cell infiltration of the PPPCs family in breast cancer using online databases. Except for PPP1CB, PPP1CC, PPP5C and PPEF1, the mRNA expression levels of the PPPCs family in breast cancer tissues were significantly different from those in paracancerous tissues. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were associated with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of breast cancer. The DEGs were mainly associated with the WNT signaling pathway, antigen presentation and DNA repair. In addition, the DEGs significantly affected the infiltration of immune cells in breast cancer tissues. Among the PPPCs family, PPP1CA and PPP4C played a prominent role in the progression of breast cancer, and inhibition of PPP1CA and PPP4C expression by siRNA can significantly inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation and migration. In conclusion, the PPPCs family, especially PPP1CA and PPP4C, could be used as new biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy, predict prognosis and novel targets for the treatment of breast cancer.

Integrative Analysis of Immune-Related Genes in the Tumor Microenvironment of Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma and Renal Papillary Cell Carcinoma

Kidney cancer encompasses a range of primary cancers, such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC). Our knowledge about the tumor microenvironment (TME) of kidney cancer is still limited. Therefore, we comprehensively assessed the TME of kidney cancers (including ccRCC and pRCC) using the ESTIAMTE, and CIBERSORT algorithms, and conducted distinct functional and correlation analyses with data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Connectivity map and CellMiner database. Next, we identified two immune-related hub genes, IGLL5 and IL2RA, which play essential roles in the TME as well as on survival in ccRCC and pRCC. Furthermore, ccRCC and pRCC samples from our medical center were collected to verify the clinical application value of these two immune-related genes. A specific enrichment analysis of immune cells related to IGLL5 and IL2RA was also conducted in two types of renal cell cancer. Based on selected genes, we predicted the drug response and uncovered novel drug candidate for RCC treatment. Considering the unfavorable outcomes of kidney cancer and emerging interest in TME-targeted treatments, our results may offer insights into immune-related molecular mechanisms and possible targets to control the kidney cancer.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type B is a potential biomarker and facilitates cervical cancer metastasis via epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. This study analyzed the impact of protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type B (PTPRB) on malignant behavior of CC and explored its possible molecular mechanism. RT-PCR, western blot and Immunohistochemistry were applied to examine the expression of PTPRB in CC specimens and cells. Aberrant PTPRB expression in CC and survival outcomes were constructed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and tissue microarray cervical squamous cell carcinoma cohort. Cultured human CC cells were assayed for viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) assays and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) assays were used to delve into PTPRB-related pathways using TCGA datasets. The levels of proteins associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway and modulated by PTPRB were examined through Western blot. We found that the levels of PTPRB in CC tissues and cells were distinctly up-regulated. PTPRB was also an unfavorable prognostic factor for CC patients. Functionally, PTPRB knockdown exhibits tumor-suppressive function via reducing cell proliferation and metastasis and inducing cell apoptosis. KEGG assays and GSEA assays suggested PTPRB overexpression was associated with several tumor-related pathways. The results of Western blot assays suggested that N-cadherin was decreased in the PTPRB-knockdown CC cells, while E-cadherin was increased. Overall, PTPRB is highly expressed in CC and can effectively enhance the proliferation, metastasis and EMT process of tumor cells. PTPRB is expected to be a therapeutic target for CC.

IGLL5 is correlated with tumor-infiltrating immune cells in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) account for about 90% of renal tumors, and their major histological subtype is ccRCC (clear cell RCC). Increasing evidence has indicated that the tumor microenvironment plays a significant role in the occurrence and development of ccRCC. In this study, we used ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT computational methods to calculate the proportion of immune and stromal components and the rate of TICs (tumor‐infiltrating immune cells) in 539 ccRCC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. By examining the intersection of the differentially expressed genes obtained by the protein–protein interaction network and Cox regression analysis, we identified only one overlapping gene: IGLL5 (immunoglobulin lambda‐like polypeptide 5). We report that IGLL5 expression is correlated with TICs. Furthermore, our immunoinfiltration analyses revealed that three types of TIC are positively correlated with IGLL5 expression. IGLL5 may have potential as a prognostic biomarker of ccRCC.