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Yang L, Huang K, Cao L, Ma Y, Li S, Zhou J, Zhao Z, Wang S. Molecular profiling of core immune-escape genes highlights TNFAIP3 as an immune-related prognostic biomarker in neuroblastoma. Inflamm Res 2024; 73:1529-1545. [PMID: 39028490 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-024-01914-4] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most prevalent and deadliest pediatric solid tumor. With of over 50% of high-risk neuroblastoma cases relapse, the imperative for novel drug targets and therapeutic strategies is accentuated. In neuroblastoma, the existence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) correlates with an unfavorable patient prognosis. However, the clinical relevance and prognostic implications of regulatory genes linked to TAMs infiltration in neuroblastoma remain unclear, and further study is required. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive analysis utilizing transcriptome expression profiles from three primary datasets associated with neuroblastoma (GSE45547, GSE49710, TARGET) to identify hub genes implicated in immune evasion within neuroblastoma. Subsequently, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing analysis on 17 clinical neuroblastoma samples to investigate the expression and distribution of these hub genes, leading to the identification of TNFAIP3. The above three public databases were merged to allowed for the validation of TNFAIP3's molecular functions through GO and KEGG analysis. Furthermore, we assessed TNFAIP3's correlation with immune infiltration and its potential immunotherapeutic impact by multiple algorithms. Our single-cell transcriptome data revealed the role of TNFAIP3 in macrophage polarization. Finally, preliminary experimental verifications to confirm the biological functions of TNFAIP3-mediated TAMs in NB. RESULTS A total of 6 genes related to immune evasion were screened and we found that TNFAIP3 exhibited notably higher expression in macrophages than other immune cell types, based on the scRNA-sequencing data. GO and KEGG analysis showed that low expression of TNFAIP3 significantly correlated with the activation of multiple oncogenic pathways as well as immune-related pathways. Then validation affirmed that individuals within the TNFAIP3 high-expression cohort could potentially derive greater advantages from immunotherapeutic interventions, alongside exhibiting heightened immune responsiveness. Deciphering the pseudotime trajectory of macrophages, we revealed the potential of TNFAIP3 in inducing the polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype. Finally, we confirmed that patients in the TNFAIP3 high expression group might benefit more from immunotherapy or chemotherapy as substantiated by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence examinations. Moreover, the role of TNFAIP3 in macrophage polarization was validated. Preliminary experiment showed that TNFAIP3-mediated TAMs inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion capabilities of NB cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that TNFAIP3 was first identified as a promising biomarker for immunotherapy and potential molecular target in NB. Besides, the presence of TNFAIP3 within TAMs may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyu Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology Children's Hospitial of Chongqinng Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology Children's Hospitial of Chongqinng Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lijian Cao
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology Children's Hospitial of Chongqinng Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology Children's Hospitial of Chongqinng Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Suwen Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology Children's Hospitial of Chongqinng Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianwu Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology Children's Hospitial of Chongqinng Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology Children's Hospitial of Chongqinng Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology Children's Hospitial of Chongqinng Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Sha Y, Han L, Sun B, Zhao Q. Identification of a Glycosyltransferase Signature for Predicting Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment in Neuroblastoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:769580. [PMID: 35071226 PMCID: PMC8773256 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.769580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common solid tumors in children. Glycosyltransferases (GTs) play a crucial role in tumor development and immune escape and have been used as prognostic biomarkers in various tumors. However, the biological functions and prognostic significance of GTs in NB remain poorly understood. The expression data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) were collected as training and testing data. Based on a progression status, differentially expressed GTs were identified. We constructed a GTscore through support vector machine, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and Cox regression in NB, which included four prognostic GTs and was an independent prognostic risk factor for NB. Patients in the high GTscore group had an older age, MYCN amplification, advanced International Neuroblastoma Staging System stage, and high risk. Samples with high GTscores revealed high disialoganglioside (GD2) and neuron-specific enolase expression levels. In addition, a lack of immune cell infiltration was observed in the high GTscore group. This GTscore was also associated with the expression of chemokines (CCL2, CXCL9, and CXCL10) and immune checkpoint genes (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4, granzyme H, and granzyme K). A low GTscore was also linked to an enhanced response to anti–PD-1 immunotherapy in melanoma patients, and one type of tumor was also derived from neuroectodermal cells such as NB. In conclusion, the constructed GTscore revealed the relationship between GT expression and the NB outcome, GD2 phenotype, and immune infiltration and provided novel clues for the prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy response in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Sha
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Han
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Bei Sun
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Department of Outpatient Office, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
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