1
|
Yang R, Yang N, Yin P, Xue Z, Sun F, Fan R, Liang J, Lv X, Wu S, Sun L. PCDH8 is a novel prognostic biomarker in thyroid cancer and promotes cell proliferation and viability. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:35. [PMID: 38368303 PMCID: PMC10874333 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01312-3] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Protocadherin 8 (PCDH8), a calcium-dependent transmembrane protein in the protocadherin family, regulates cell adhesion and signal transduction. While some studies have provided indirect evidence that PCDH8 has cancer-promoting properties, this association is controversial. In particular, its involvement in thyroid cancer (THCA) remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the role of PCDH8 in THCA using bioinformatic analysis. Subsequently, the results were experimentally validated. The analysis conducted using the R programming language and online web tools explored PCDH8 expression levels, prognostic, and clinical implications, and its relationship with the tumor immune microenvironment in THCA. Furthermore, we examined the association between PCDH8 and co-expressed genes, highlighting their involvement in several biological processes relevant to THCA. The potential of PCDH8 as a therapeutic target for this pathology was also explored. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed on samples from 98 patients with THCA, and experimental validation was carried out. PCDH8 was significantly elevated in cancer tissues and associated with poor prognosis, several clinical factors, and immune cell and checkpoint abundance. Cox regression and survival analyses, together with Receiver Operating Curves (ROC) indicated that PCDH8 was an independent prognostic factor for THCA. Furthermore, PCDH8 impacts cell viability and proliferation, promoting tumorigenesis. Also, it influences tumor cell sensitivity to various drugs. Thus, PCDH8 might be a potential therapeutic target for THCA. IHC, cell culture, MTT, and colony formation experiments further confirmed our findings. This analysis provided insights into the potential carcinogenic role of PCDH8 in THCA, as it impacts cell viability and proliferation. Thus, PCDH8 might play an important role in its prognosis, immune infiltration, and diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruida Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Yang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Zihan Xue
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Feidi Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruihan Fan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - JiaFu Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinru Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaobo Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liankang Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|