N6-methyladenosine reader YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 3 or insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 knockdown protects human bronchial epithelial cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by inactivating p38 MAPK, AKT, ERK1/2, and NF-κB pathways

N6-Methyladenosine Methylation of mRNA in Cell Apoptosis

Apoptosis, a highly controlled homeostatic mechanism that eliminates single cells without destroying tissue function, occurs during growing development and senescence. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), as the most common internal modification of eukaryotic mRNA, fine-tunes gene expression by regulating many aspects of mRNA metabolism, such as splicing, nucleation, stability, translation, and degradation. Remarkably, recent reports have indicated that aberrant methylation of m6A-related RNA may directly or indirectly influence the expression of apoptosis-related genes, thus regulating the process of cell apoptosis. In this review, we summarized the relationship between m6A modification and cell apoptosis, especially its role in the nervous system, and analyzed the limitations of the current research.

IGF2BP2-Shox2 axis regulates hippocampal-neuronal senescence to alleviate microgravity-induced recognition disturbance

During space travel, microgravity leads to disturbances in cognitive function, while the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Simulated microgravity mice showed neuronal age-like changes in the hippocampus of our study. In the context of microgravity, we discovered m6A modification reshapes in the hippocampal region. When paired with RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq, Shox2 was found to be a powerful regulator in hippocampal neuron that respondes to microgravity. Decreased expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors and improved genes related to synapses led to the restoration of memory function in the hippocampus upon increased expression of Shox2. Moreover, we discovered that IGF2BP2 was required for the m6A modification of the Shox2, and overexpressed IGF2BP2 in the hippocampus protected against both neuronal senescence and learning and memory decline caused by loss of gravity. Accordingly, our research identified the hippocampal IGF2BP2-Shox2 axis as a possible therapeutic approach to maintaining cognitive function during space travel.

CaMKIIδ, Stabilized by RNA N6-Methyladenosine Reader IGF2BP2, Boosts Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Myocardial Inflammation via Interacting with TIRAP

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been demonstrated to be aberrantly activated in viral myocarditis (VMC), but the role of its subtype CaMKIIδ in VMC remains unclear.VMC mice and cardiomyocytes models were induced by Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) treatment. Mice that underwent sham surgery and saline-treated cardiomyocytes served as controls. Body weight, survival, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and fractional shortening (LVFS) were measured, and HE staining was performed to evaluate heart function in VMC mice model and sham control. Inflammation factors in serum or cell supernatant were detected by ELISA. Expressions of CaMKIIδ, Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain containing adaptor protein (TIRAP), insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2), nuclear factor NF-kappaB (NF-κB) signals, and inflammation factors were examined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. CCK-8, EdU, and flow cytometry were used to evaluate cell behaviors. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull-down were utilized to validate molecule interaction. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) was performed to measure N6-methyladenosine (m6A) level of specific molecule.CaMKIIδ was upregulated in VMC mice and CVB3-treated primary cardiomyocytes, of which knockdown improved cell viability, proliferation, and suppressed cell apoptosis in vitro, thereby alleviating myocarditis in vivo. The stability of CaMKIIδ was attributed to the presence of IGF2BP2 through m6A modification. Loss of CaMKIIδ repressed NF-κB pathway via negatively and directly regulating TIRAP to be involved in inflammatory damage.CaMKIIδ, stabilized by m6A reader IGF2BP2, modulated NF-κB pathway via interacting with TIRAP to alter cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis, thereby affecting VMC outcome.

Whole-genome resequencing of Chinese indigenous sheep provides insight into the genetic basis underlying climate adaptation

BACKGROUND

Chinese indigenous sheep are valuable resources with unique features and characteristics. They are distributed across regions with different climates in mainland China; however, few reports have analyzed the environmental adaptability of sheep based on their genome. We examined the variants and signatures of selection involved in adaptation to extreme humidity, altitude, and temperature conditions in 173 sheep genomes from 41 phenotypically and geographically representative Chinese indigenous sheep breeds to characterize the genetic basis underlying environmental adaptation in these populations.

RESULTS

Based on the analysis of population structure, we inferred that Chinese indigenous sheep are divided into four groups: Kazakh (KAZ), Mongolian (MON), Tibetan (TIB), and Yunnan (YUN). We also detected a set of candidate genes that are relevant to adaptation to extreme environmental conditions, such as drought-prone regions (TBXT, TG, and HOXA1), high-altitude regions (DYSF, EPAS1, JAZF1, PDGFD, and NF1) and warm-temperature regions (TSHR, ABCD4, and TEX11). Among all these candidate genes, eight ABCD4, CNTN4, DOCK10, LOC105608545, LOC121816479, SEM3A, SVIL, and TSHR overlap between extreme environmental conditions. The TSHR gene shows a strong signature for positive selection in the warm-temperature group and harbors a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) missense mutation located between positions 90,600,001 and 90,650,001 on chromosome 7, which leads to a change in the protein structure of TSHR and influences its stability.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of the signatures of selection uncovered genes that are likely related to environmental adaptation and a SNP missense mutation in the TSHR gene that affects the protein structure and stability. It also provides information on the evolution of the phylogeographic structure of Chinese indigenous sheep populations. These results provide important genetic resources for future breeding studies and new perspectives on how animals can adapt to climate change.

Erythropoietin alleviates lung ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating the FGF23/FGFR4/ERK signaling pathway

Background

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI).

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats and BEAS-2B cells were employed to construct an ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced model in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Afterward, I/R rats and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced cells were treated with different concentrations of EPO. Furthermore, 40 patients with LIRI and healthy controls were enrolled in the study.

Results

It was observed that lung tissue damage, cell apoptosis and the expression of BAX and caspase-3 were higher in the LIRI model in vivo and in vitro than in the control group, nevertheless, the Bcl-2, FGF23 and FGFR4 expression level was lower than in the control group. EPO administration significantly reduced lung tissue damage and cell apoptosis while also up-regulating the expression of FGF23 and FGFR4. Rescue experiments indicated that EPO exerted a protective role associated with the FGF23/FGFR4/p-ERK1/2 signal pathway. Notably, the expression of serum EPO, FGF23, FGFR4 and Bcl-2 was decreased in patients with LIRI, while the expression of caspase-3 and BAX was higher.

Conclusion

EPO could effectively improve LIRI, which might be related to the activation of the FGF23/FGFR4/p-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Cpeb4-mediated Dclk2 promotes neuronal pyroptosis induced by chronic cerebral ischemia through phosphorylation of Ehf

Chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) is a clinical syndrome characterised by brain dysfunction due to decreased chronic cerebral perfusion. CCI initiates several inflammatory pathways, including pyroptosis. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play important roles in CCI. This study aimed to explore whether the interaction between RBP-Cpeb4 and Dclk2 affected Ehf phosphorylation to regulate neuronal pyroptosis. HT22 cells and mice were used to construct oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)/CCI models. We found that Cpeb4 and Dclk2 were upregulated in OGD-treated HT22 cells and CCI-induced hippocampal CA1 tissues. Cpeb4 upregulated Dclk2 expression by increasing Dclk2 mRNA stability. Knockdown of Cpeb4 or Dclk2 inhibited neuronal pyroptosis in OGD-treated HT22 cells and CCI-induced hippocampal CA1 tissues. By binding to the promoter regions of Caspase1 and Caspase3, the transcription factor Ehf reduced their promoter activities and inhibited the transcription. Dclk2 phosphorylated Ehf and changed its nucleoplasmic distribution, resulting in the exit of p-Ehf from the nucleus and decreased Ehf levels. It promoted the expression of Caspase1 and Caspase3 and stimulated neuronal pyroptosis of HT22 cells induced by OGD. Cpeb4/Dclk2/Ehf pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal pyroptosis.

IGF2BP2 regulates the proliferation and migration of endometrial stromal cells through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in Hu sheep

Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2), a significant member of the conserved RNA-binding protein family, plays various roles in numerous physiological and pathological processes. However, the specific function of IGF2BP2 in regulating endometrial function in sheep remains largely unknown. In this study, we observed a significant upregulation in IGF2BP2 mRNA abundance in the endometrium during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase in Hu sheep. The knockdown of IGF2BP2 resulted in accelerated cell proliferation and migration of Hu sheep endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Moreover, RNA sequencing analysis revealed that genes with significantly altered expression in IGF2BP2 knockdown cells were predominantly enriched in endometrial receptivity-related signaling pathways, such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, NOD-like receptor, PI3K-AKT, and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Additionally, the knockdown of IGF2BP2 significantly increased the expression of matrix metalloprotein 9 (MMP9), vascular endothelial growth factor, and prolactin (PRL) in ESCs. The knockdown of IGF2BP2 was also observed to stimulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by upregulating integrin β4 (ITGB4) expression. Notably, the downregulation of ITGB4 attenuates IGF2BP2 knockdown-induced facilitation of proliferation and migration of Hu sheep ESCs by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Collectively, these findings highlight the important role of IGF2BP2 in regulating endometrial function, particularly through the modulation of ESC proliferation and migration via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Klf6 aggravates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by activating Acsl4-mediated ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is closely related to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage. Kruppel-like factor 6 (Klf6) can aggravate renal I/R injury. We aimed to elucidate the role of Klf6 in myocardial I/R damage as well as its potential mechanism. Myocardial I/R mice model and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-treated HL-1 cells were established. The levels of Fe2+ , MDA, lipid ROS, and ferroptosis-related proteins were measured for assessing ferroptosis. Infarct area, H&E staining, cardiac function, and cell viability were detected for evaluating myocardial injury. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blot, and RT-qPCR were applied for detecting the levels of related genes. The m6A modification of Klf6, as well as the relationships between Klf6 and Mettl3, Igf2bp2, or Acsl4 promoter, was evaluated using MeRIP, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assay accordingly.Klf6 protein and mRNA levels, as well as Klf6 m6A modification, were elevated in HL-1 cells subjected to H/R and in the heart tissues from I/R mice. In H/R-challenged HL-1 cells, the binding relationships between Klf6 mRNA and Igf2bp2 or Mettl3 were confirmed; moreover, Igf2bp2 or Mettl3 knockdown decreased the Klf6 level and inhibited Klf6 mRNA stability. Klf6 knockdown restrained H/R-triggered cell viability loss, improved I/R-induced myocardial injury, and inhibited ferroptosis in myocardial I/R damage models. Klf6 directly bound to the Acsl4 promoter and positively regulated its expression. Acsl4 overexpression compromised the Klf6 knockdown-generated protective effect in HL-1 cells.m6A modification-regulated Klf6 aggravated myocardial I/R damage through activating Acsl4-mediated ferroptosis, thereby providing one potential target for the treatment of myocardial I/R.

Comprehensive Analysis of YTH Domain-Containing Genes, Encoding m6A Reader and Their Response to Temperature Stresses and Yersinia ruckeri Infection in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

YTH domain-containing genes are important readers of N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modifications with ability to directly affect the fates of distinct RNAs in organisms. Despite their importance, little is known about YTH domain-containing genes in teleosts until now. In the present study, a total of 10 YTH domain-containing genes have been systematically identified and functionally characterized in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). According to the phylogenetic tree, gene structure and syntenic analysis, these YTH domain-containing genes could be classified into three evolutionary subclades, including YTHDF, YTHDC1 and YTHDC2. Of them, the copy number of OmDF1, OmDF2, OmDF3, and OmDC1 were duplicated or even triplicated in rainbow trout due to the salmonid-specific whole-genome duplication event. The three-dimensional protein structure analysis revealed that there were similar structures and the same amino acid residues that were associated with cage formation between humans and rainbow trout, implying their similar manners in binding to m⁶A modification. Additionally, the results of qPCR experiment indicated that the expression patterns of a few YTH domain-containing genes, especially OmDF1b, OmDF3a and OmDF3b, were significantly different in liver tissue of rainbow trout under four different temperatures (7 °C, 11 °C, 15 °C, and 19 °C). The expression levels of OmDF1a, OmDF1b and OmDC1a were obviously repressed in spleen tissue of rainbow trout at 24 h after Yersinia ruckeri infection, while increased expression was detected in OmDF3b. This study provides a systemic overview of YTH domain-containing genes in rainbow trout and reveals their biological roles in responses to temperature stress and bacterial infection.

Exploring m6A-RNA methylation as a potential therapeutic strategy for acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common methylation modification in mammalian messenger RNA (mRNA) and noncoding RNAs. m6A modification plays a role in the regulation of gene expression and deregulation of m6A methylation has been implicated in many human diseases. Recent publications suggest that exploitation of this methylation process may possess utility against acute lung injury (ALI). ALI and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are acute, inflammatory clinical syndromes characterized by poor oxygenation and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. This syndrome is associated with microvascular endothelial dysfunction, subsequent pulmonary hypertension and may ultimately lead to mortality without rigorous and acute clinical intervention. Over the years, many attempts have been made to detect novel therapeutic avenues for research without much success. The urgency for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents has become more pronounced recently given the current pandemic infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019), still ongoing at the time that this review is being written. We review the current landscape of literature regarding ALI and ARDS etiology, pathophysiology, and therapeutics and present a potential role of m6A methylation. Additionally, we will establish the axiomatic principles of m6A methylation to provide a framework. In conclusion, METTL3, or methyltransferase-like 3, the selective RNA methyltransferase for m6A, is a hub of proinflammatory gene expression regulation in ALI, and using a modern drug discovery strategy will identify new and effective ALI drug candidates targeting METTTL3.

N6-methyladenosine reader YTHDF family in biological processes: Structures, roles, and mechanisms

As the most abundant and conserved internal modification in eukaryote RNAs, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. The YT521-B homology (YTH) domain-containing family proteins (YTHDFs), including YTHDF1, YTHDF2, and YTHDF3, are a class of cytoplasmic m6A-binding proteins defined by the vertebrate YTH domain, and exert extensive functions in regulating RNA destiny. Distinct expression patterns of the YTHDF family in specific cell types or developmental stages result in prominent differences in multiple biological processes, such as embryonic development, stem cell fate, fat metabolism, neuromodulation, cardiovascular effect, infection, immunity, and tumorigenesis. The YTHDF family mediates tumor proliferation, metastasis, metabolism, drug resistance, and immunity, and possesses the potential of predictive and therapeutic biomarkers. Here, we mainly summary the structures, roles, and mechanisms of the YTHDF family in physiological and pathological processes, especially in multiple cancers, as well as their current limitations and future considerations. This will provide novel angles for deciphering m6A regulation in a biological system.

Modulation of gene expression by YTH domain family (YTHDF) proteins in human physiology and pathology

The advent of high throughput techniques in the past decade has significantly advanced the field of epitranscriptomics. The internal chemical modification of the target RNA at a specific site is a basic feature of epitranscriptomics and is critical for its structural stability and functional property. More than 170 modifications at the transcriptomic level have been reported so far, among which m6A methylation is one of the more conserved internal RNA modifications, abundantly found in eukaryotic mRNAs and frequently involved in enhancing the target messenger RNA's (mRNA) stability and translation. m6A modification of mRNAs is essential for multiple physiological processes including stem cell differentiation, nervous system development and gametogenesis. Any aberration in the m6A modification can often result in a pathological condition. The deregulation of m6A methylation has already been described in inflammation, viral infection, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The m6A modification is reversible in nature and is carried out by specialized m6A proteins including writers (m6A methyltransferases) that add methyl groups and erasers (m6A demethylases) that remove methyl groups selectively. The fate of m6A-modified mRNA is heavily reliant on the various m6A-binding proteins ("readers") which recognize and generate a functional signal from m6A-modified mRNA. In this review, we discuss the role of a family of reader proteins, "YT521-B homology domain containing family" (YTHDF) proteins, in human physiology and pathology. In addition, we critically evaluate the potential of YTHDF proteins as therapeutic targets in human diseases.

N6-methyladenosine reader YTHDF1 regulates the proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells through m6A/cyclin D1 in asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease, which is involved in multiple pathologic molecular mechanisms and presents a huge challenge to clinic nursing. Emerging evidence suggests that N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) plays critical roles in respiratory system disease. Thus, present work tried to investigate the functions of m⁶A reader YTHDF 1 in asthma. The results indicated that YTHDF1 significantly upregulated in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). Functionally, overexpression of YTHDF1 promoted the proliferation and migration of ASMCs, while YTHDF1 knockdown repressed the proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, there was a m⁶A modification site on cyclin D1 RNA (CCND1 genome) and YTHDF1 combined with cyclin D1 mRNA, thereby enhancing its mRNA stability via m6A-dependent manner. Collectively, these findings reveal a novel axis of YTHDF1/m6A/cyclin D1 in asthma's airway remodeling, which may provide novel therapeutic strategy for asthma.

Cellular senescence in ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury, a main reason of mortality and morbidity worldwide, occurs in many organs and tissues. As a result of IR injury, senescent cells can accumulate in multiple organs. Increasing evidence shows that cellular senescence is the underlying mechanism that transforms an acute organ injury into a chronic one. Several recent studies suggest senescent cells can be targeted for the prevention or elimination of acute and chronic organ injury induced by IR. In this review, we concisely introduce the underlying mechanism and the pivotal role of premature senescence in the transition from acute to chronic IR injuries. Special focus is laid on recent advances in the mechanisms as well as on the basic and clinical research, targeting cellular senescence in multi-organ IR injuries. Besides, the potential directions in this field are discussed in the end. Together, the recent advances reviewed here will act as a comprehensive overview of the roles of cellular senescence in IR injury, which could be of great significance for the design of related studies, or as a guide for potential therapeutic target.

N(6)-methyladenosine modification: A vital role of programmed cell death in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

N(6)-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification is closely associated with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI). As the most common modification among RNA modifications, the reversible m⁶A modification is processed by methylase ("writers") and demethylase ("erasers"). The biological effects of RNA modified by m⁶A are regulated under the corresponding RNA binding proteins (RBPs) ("readers"). m⁶A modification regulates the whole process of RNA, including transcription, processing, splicing, nuclear export, stability, degradation, and translation. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a regulated mechanism that maintains the internal environment's stability. PCD plays an essential role in MIRI, including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. However, the relationship between PCD modified with m⁶A and MIRI is still not clear. This review summarizes the regulators of m⁶A modification and their bioeffects on PCD in MIRI.

Crosstalk among m6A RNA methylation, hypoxia and metabolic reprogramming in TME: from immunosuppressive microenvironment to clinical application

The tumor microenvironment (TME), which is regulated by intrinsic oncogenic mechanisms and epigenetic modifications, has become a research hotspot in recent years. Characteristic features of TME include hypoxia, metabolic dysregulation, and immunosuppression. One of the most common RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) methylation, is widely involved in the regulation of physiological and pathological processes, including tumor development. Compelling evidence indicates that m⁶A methylation regulates transcription and protein expression through shearing, export, translation, and processing, thereby participating in the dynamic evolution of TME. Specifically, m⁶A methylation-mediated adaptation to hypoxia, metabolic dysregulation, and phenotypic shift of immune cells synergistically promote the formation of an immunosuppressive TME that supports tumor proliferation and metastasis. In this review, we have focused on the involvement of m⁶A methylation in the dynamic evolution of tumor-adaptive TME and described the detailed mechanisms linking m⁶A methylation to change in tumor cell biological functions. In view of the collective data, we advocate treating TME as a complete ecosystem in which components crosstalk with each other to synergistically achieve tumor adaptive changes. Finally, we describe the potential utility of m⁶A methylation-targeted therapies and tumor immunotherapy in clinical applications and the challenges faced, with the aim of advancing m⁶A methylation research.

The effect of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) factors on the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome in the mouse model

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can cause loss of alveolar-capillary membrane integrity and life-threatening immune responses. The underlying molecular mechanisms of ARDS remain unclear. N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-RNA modification plays an important part in many biological processes. However, it is not clear whether ARDS alters RNA methylation in lung tissue. We tried to investigate the changes of m6A-RNA methylation in lung tissues of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS mice. Lung tissue samples were collected to detect the expression of m6A factors through hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemical analysis and western blot. The overall m6A levels in lung tissue of ARDS in mouse were detected by UPLC-UV-MS. HE staining showed that the degree of the inflammatory response was more severe in the LPS-3 h group. The mRNA expression of YTHDF1, YTHDC1 and IGFBP3 was remarkably up-regulated at, respectively, 6, 6 and 12 h after LPS treatment. The mRNA expression of METTL16, FTO, METTL3, KIAA1429, RBM15, ALKBH5, YTHDF2, YTHDF3, YTHDC2 and IGFBP2 was significantly down-regulated at 24 h after LPS treatment. The protein expression of METTL16 and FTO increased, YTHDC1, IGFBP3 YTHDF1 and YTHDF3 showed a down-regulation trend after LPS induction. Overall m6A-RNA methylation levels were significantly increased at 6 h after LPS induction. In ARDS mice, LPS-induced m6A methylation may be involved in the expression regulation of inflammatory factors and may play important roles in the occurrence and development of lung tissue. It is suggested that m6A modification may be a promising therapeutic target for ARDS.

IGF2BP2 maybe a novel prognostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aim: The main of the present study was to investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with the overarching of providing new biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for OSCC.

Methods: We combined datasets downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and samples collected from the clinic to evaluate the expression of IGF2BP2 in OSCC. IGF2BP2 survival analysis was respectively performed based on TCGA, GEO, and clinical samples. Correlations between IGF2BP2 expression and clinicopathological parameters were then analyzed, and signaling pathways associated with IGF2BP2 expression were identified using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA 4.1.0). Moreover, an IGF2BP2 co-expressed gene network was constructed, followed by gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis on IGF2BP2 co-expressed genes. Finally, TIMER and CIBERSORT were used to analyze the correlations among IGF2BP2, IGF2BP2-coexpressed genes, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs).

Results: IGF2BP2 was highly expressed in OSCC and significantly correlated with overall survival of OSCC patients (P<0.01). High IGF2BP2 expression correlated with poor overall survival. The GSEA results showed that cell apoptosis-, tumor-, and immune-related pathways were significantly enriched in samples with high IGF2BP2 expression. Furthermore, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses results of IGF2BP2 co-expressed genes indicated that these genes are mainly associated with immunity/inflammation and tumorigenesis. In addition, IGF2BP2 and its co-expressed genes are associated with TICs (P<0.01).

Conclusion: IGF2BP2 may be a potential prognostic biomarker in OSCC and correlates with immune infiltrates.