1
|
Yu XW, She PW, Chen FC, Chen YY, Zhou S, Wang XM, Lin XR, Liu QL, Huang ZJ, Qiu Y. Metabolic subtypes and immune landscapes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic implications and potential for personalized therapies. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:230. [PMID: 38373930 PMCID: PMC10875771 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11890-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify metabolic subtypes in ESCA, explore their relationship with immune landscapes, and establish a metabolic index for accurate prognosis assessment. METHODS Clinical, SNP, and RNA-seq data were collected from 80 ESCA patients from the TCGA database and RNA-seq data from the GSE19417 dataset. Metabolic genes associated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were selected, and k-means clustering was performed. Immune-related pathways, immune infiltration, and response to immunotherapy were predicted using bioinformatic algorithms. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to identify metabolic genes associated with co-expression modules. Lastly, cell culture and functional analysis were performed using patient tissue samples and ESCA cell lines to verify the identified genes and their roles. RESULTS Molecular subtypes were identified based on the expression profiles of metabolic genes, and univariate survival analysis revealed 163 metabolic genes associated with ESCA prognosis. Consensus clustering analysis classified ESCA samples into three distinct subtypes, with MC1 showing the poorest prognosis and MC3 having the best prognosis. The subtypes also exhibited significant differences in immune cell infiltration, with MC3 showing the highest scores. Additionally, the MC3 subtype demonstrated the poorest response to immunotherapy, while the MC1 subtype was the most sensitive. WGCNA analysis identified gene modules associated with the metabolic index, with SLC5A1, NT5DC4, and MTHFD2 emerging as prognostic markers. Gene and protein expression analysis validated the upregulation of MTHFD2 in ESCA. MTHFD2 promotes the progression of ESCA and may be a potential therapeutic target for ESCA. CONCLUSION The established metabolic index and identified metabolic genes offer potential for prognostic assessment and personalized therapeutic interventions for ESCA, underscoring the importance of targeting metabolism-immune interactions in ESCA. MTHFD2 promotes the progression of ESCA and may be a potential therapeutic target for ESCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Wan Yu
- Clinical Laboratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China.
| | - Pei-Wei She
- Shengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350001, P. R. China
- Center for Experimental Research in Clinical Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, 350001, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Fang-Chuan Chen
- Stomatology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Yu Chen
- Stomatology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Xi-Min Wang
- Clinical Laboratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Rong Lin
- Clinical Laboratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Qiao-Ling Liu
- Clinical Laboratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Jun Huang
- Esophageal Surgery Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Yu Qiu
- Reproductive Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang X, Luo X, Huang S, Chen X, Qiu L. Inhibition of FoxO1 alleviates polycystic ovarian syndrome by reducing inflammation and the immune response. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:6. [PMID: 38189995 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the role of forkhead box transcription Factor O1 (FoxO1) in chronic inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A PCOS rat model was constructed as an in vivo model by letrozole induction, and granulosa cells (GCs) from PCOS rats were isolated and cultured as an in vitro cellular model. FoxO1 was knocked down by shRNA and siRNA in the PCOS rat model and GCs model, respectively. H&E staining was conducted to evaluate the effect of FoxO1 inhibition on ovarian pathology and dysfunction in PCOS rats. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the ovaries and uterus of PCOS rats and in GCs were assessed by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the changes in the contents of neutrophils and macrophages in the peripheral blood and spleen of PCOS rats. CCK-8 assays and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were performed to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis of GCs. The expression of genes and proteins related to the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in GCs was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The results indicated that FoxO1 was highly expressed in PCOS rat model. Inhibition of FoxO1 significantly mitigated the pathological changes and dysfunction in the ovaries of PCOS rats while also suppressing inflammation and fibrosis in the ovaries and uterus. Moreover, knocking down FoxO1 facilitated the restoration of the normal ratio of neutrophils and macrophages in the peripheral blood and spleen of PCOS rats and promoted M2 polarization of macrophages. Additionally, inhibition of FoxO1 promoted the proliferation of GCs and inhibited the inflammatory response in GCs. Furthermore, FoxO1 knockdown inhibited the activation of the NF-κB pathway and the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in GCs. In conclusion, inhibition of FoxO1 can alleviate PCOS by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to reduce inflammation and the immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 34 North Zhongshan Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Xiangmin Luo
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 34 North Zhongshan Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Suzhen Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 34 North Zhongshan Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoqing Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 34 North Zhongshan Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lingling Qiu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 34 North Zhongshan Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cheng TC, Wu JH, Zhu B, Gao HY, Zheng L, Chen WX. Identification of a novel five ferroptosis-related gene signature as a promising prognostic model for breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:16779-16795. [PMID: 37728703 PMCID: PMC10645672 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05423-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BCa) is a major challenge for women's health worldwide. Ferroptosis is closely related to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, the prognostic value of ferroptosis-related genes in BCa remains unclear, and more accurate prognostic models are urgently needed. METHODS Gene expression profiles and clinical information of BCa patients were collected from public databases. LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analysis were utilized to construct the prognostic gene signature. Kaplan-Meier plotter, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and nomogram were used to validate the prognostic value of the gene signature. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to explore the molecular functions and signaling pathways. RESULTS Differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes between BCa samples and normal tissues were obtained. A novel five-gene signature including BCL2, SLC40A1, TFF1, APOOL, and PRAME was established for prognosis prediction. Patients stratified into high-risk or low-risk group displayed significantly different survival. Kaplan-Meier and ROC curves showed a good performance for survival prediction in different cohorts. Biological function analysis revealed that the five-gene signature was associated with cancer progression, immune infiltration, immune response, and drug resistance. Nomogram including the five-gene signature was established. CONCLUSION A novel five ferroptosis-related gene signature and nomogram could be used for prognostic prediction in BCa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian- Cheng Cheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 29 Xinglongxiang, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
- Graduate School, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jia-Hao Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 29 Xinglongxiang, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
- Graduate School, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Bei Zhu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 29 Xinglongxiang, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hai-Yan Gao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou Tumor Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lin Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 29 Xinglongxiang, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Wei-Xian Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 29 Xinglongxiang, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China.
- Post-Doctoral Working Station, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, ChangzhouJiangsu Province, 213000, China.
| |
Collapse
|