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Jiang D, Zhang H, Yin B, He M, Lu X, He C. The Prognostic Hub Gene POLE2 Promotes BLCA Cell Growth via the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2024; 27:1984-1998. [PMID: 38963027 DOI: 10.2174/0113862073273633231113060429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BLCA is a common urothelial malignancy characterized by a high recurrence rate. Despite its prevalence, the molecular mechanisms underlying its development remain unclear. AIMS This study aimed to explore new prognostic biomarkers and investigate the underlying mechanism of bladder cancer (BLCA). OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to identify key prognostic biomarkers for BLCA and to elucidate their roles in the disease. METHODS We first collected the overlapping DEGs from GSE42089 and TCGA-BLCA samples for the subsequent weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to find a key module. Then, key module genes were analyzed by the MCODE algorithm, prognostic risk model, expression and immunohistochemical staining to identify the prognostic hub gene. Finally, the hub gene was subjected to clinical feature analysis, as well as cellular function assays. RESULTS In WGCNA on 1037 overlapping genes, the blue module was the key module. After a series of bioinformatics analyses, POLE2 was identified as a prognostic hub gene in BLCA from potential genes (TROAP, POLE2, ANLN, and E2F8). POLE2 level was increased in BLCA and related to different clinical features of BLCA patients. Cellular assays showed that si-POLE2 inhibited BLCA proliferation, and si-POLE2+ 740Y-P in BLCA cells up-regulated the PI3K and AKT protein levels. CONCLUSION In conclusion, POLE2 was identified to be a promising prognostic biomarker as an oncogene in BLCA. It was also found that POLE2 exerts a promoting function by the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in BLCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongzhen Jiang
- Department of Urology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xin-Song Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Huawei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xin-Song Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Bingde Yin
- Department of Urology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xin-Song Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Minke He
- Department of Urology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xin-Song Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Xuwei Lu
- Department of Urology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xin-Song Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Chang He
- Department of Urology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xin-Song Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
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Wang Y, Cao Y, Li Y, Yuan M, Xu J, Li J. Identification of key signaling pathways and hub genes related to immune infiltration in Kawasaki disease with resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1182512. [PMID: 37325483 PMCID: PMC10267737 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1182512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis, that is, the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children, with approximately 10%-20% of patients with KD suffering intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance. Although the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon remains unclear, recent studies have revealed that immune cell infiltration may associate with its occurrence. Methods: In this study, we downloaded the expression profiles from the GSE48498 and GSE16797 datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus database, analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and intersected the DEGs with the immune-related genes downloaded from the ImmPort database to obtain differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIGs). Then CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate the immune cell compositions, followed by the WGCNA analysis to identify the module genes associated with immune cell infiltration. Next, we took the intersection of the selected module genes and DEIGs, then performed GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Moreover, ROC curve validation, Spearman analysis with immune cells, TF, and miRNA regulation network, and potential drug prediction were implemented for the finally obtained hub genes. Results: The CIBERSORT algorithm showed that neutrophil expression was significantly higher in IVIG-resistant patients compared to IVIG-responsive patients. Next, we got differentially expressed neutrophil-related genes by intersecting DEIGs with neutrophil-related module genes obtained by WGCNA, for further analysis. Enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were associated with immune pathways, such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Then we combined the PPI network in the STRING database with the MCODE plugin in Cytoscape and identified 6 hub genes (TLR8, AQP9, CXCR1, FPR2, HCK, and IL1R2), which had good diagnostic performance in IVIG resistance according to ROC analysis. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation analysis confirmed that these genes were closely related to neutrophils. Finally, TFs, miRNAs, and potential drugs targeting the hub genes were predicted, and TF-, miRNA-, and drug-gene networks were constructed. Conclusion: This study found that the 6 hub genes (TLR8, AQP9, CXCR1, FPR2, HCK, and IL1R2) were significantly associated with neutrophil cell infiltration, which played an important role in IVIG resistance. In a word, this work rendered potential diagnostic biomarkers and prospective therapeutic targets for IVIG-resistant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinyin Cao
- Cardiovascular Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Li
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Meifen Yuan
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
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Liang Z, Sun R, Tu P, Liang Y, Liang L, Liu F, Bian Y, Yin G, Zhao F, Jiang M, Gu J, Tang D. Immune-related gene-based prognostic index for predicting survival and immunotherapy outcomes in colorectal carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:944286. [PMID: 36591255 PMCID: PMC9795839 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.944286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer shows high incidence and mortality rates. Immune checkpoint blockade can be used to treat colorectal carcinoma (CRC); however, it shows limited effectiveness in most patients. Methods To identify patients who may benefit from immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors, we constructed an immune-related gene prognostic index (IRGPI) for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with CRC. Transcriptome datasets and clinical information of patients with CRC were used to identify differential immune-related genes between tumor and para-carcinoma tissue. Using weighted correlation network analysis and Cox regression analysis, the IRGPI was constructed, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate its predictive ability. We also analyzed the molecular and immune characteristics between IRGPI high-and low-risk subgroups, performed sensitivity analysis of ICI treatment, and constructed overall survival-related receiver operating characteristic curves to validate the IRGPI. Finally, IRGPI genes and tumor immune cell infiltration in CRC model mice with orthotopic metastases were analyzed to verify the results. Results The IRGPI was constructed based on the following 11 hub genes: ADIPOQ, CD36, CCL24, INHBE, UCN, IL1RL2, TRIM58, RBCK1, MC1R, PPARGC1A, and LGALS2. Patients with CRC in the high-risk subgroup showed longer overall survival than those in the low-risk subgroup, which was confirmed by GEO database. Clinicopathological features associated with cancer progression significantly differed between the high- and low-risk subgroups. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis of immune infiltration showed that the increased infiltration of naïve B cells, macrophages M1, and regulatory T cells and reduced infiltration of resting dendritic cells and mast cells led to a worse overall survival in patients with CRC. The ORC curves revealed that IRGPI predicted patient survival more sensitive than the published tumor immune dysfunction and rejection and tumor inflammatory signature. Discussion Thus, the low-risk subgroup is more likely to benefit from ICIs than the high-risk subgroup. CRC model mice showed higher proportions of Tregs, M1 macrophages, M2 macrophages and lower proportions of B cells, memory B cell immune cell infiltration, which is consistent with the IRGPI results. The IRGPI can predict the prognosis of patients with CRC, reflect the CRC immune microenvironment, and distinguish patients who are likely to benefit from ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqing Liang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruolan Sun
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengcheng Tu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Laboratory of New Techniques of Restoration & Reconstruction of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Liang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Liang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fuyan Liu
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong Bian
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Laboratory Animal Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gang Yin
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fan Zhao
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingchen Jiang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junfei Gu
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Decai Tang, ; Junfei Gu,
| | - Decai Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Decai Tang, ; Junfei Gu,
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He L, He W, Luo J, Xu M. Upregulated ENC1 predicts unfavorable prognosis and correlates with immune infiltration in endometrial cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:919637. [PMID: 36531950 PMCID: PMC9751423 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.919637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A better knowledge of the molecular process behind uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is important for prognosis prediction and the development of innovative targeted gene therapies. The purpose of this research is to discover critical genes associated with UCEC. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of TCGA-UCEC and GSE17025, respectively, using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and differential gene expression analysis. From four sets of findings, a total of 95 overlapping genes were retrieved. On the 95 overlapping genes, KEGG pathway and GO enrichment analysis were conducted. Then, we mapped the PPI network of 95 overlapping genes using the STRING database. Twenty hub genes were evaluated using the Cytohubba plugin, including NR3C1, ATF3, KLF15, THRA, NR4A1, FOSB, PER3, HLF, NTRK3, EGR3, MAPK13, ARNTL2, PKM2, SCD, EIF5A, ADHFE1, RERGL, TUB, and ENC1. The expression levels of NR3C1, PKM2, and ENC1 were shown to be adversely linked with the survival time of UCEC patients using univariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival calculation. ENC1 were also overexpressed in UCEC tumor tissues or cell lines, as shown by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Then we looked into it further and discovered that ENC1 expression was linked to tumor microenvironment and predicted various immunological checkpoints. In conclusion, our data indicate that ENC1 may be required for the development of UCEC and may serve as a future biomarker for diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Ganzhou Hospital of Nanchang University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Wenjing He
- Department of Endocrinology, Baoji Gaoxin Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Ji Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Ganzhou Hospital of Nanchang University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Minjuan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Ganzhou Hospital of Nanchang University, Ganzhou, China
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Wang Y, Hou Y, Wang J, Zhao H. Analyzing lignin biosynthesis pathways in rattan using improved co-expression networks of NACs and MYBs. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 22:411. [PMID: 36002818 PMCID: PMC9400238 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03786-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rattan is a valuable plant resource with multiple applications in tropical forests. Calamus simplicifolius and Daemonorops jenkinsiana are the two most representative rattan species, supplying over 95% of the raw materials for the rattan industry. Hence, the wood properties of both rattans have always attracted researchers' attention. RESULTS We re-annotated the genomes, obtained 81 RNA-Seq datasets, and developed an improved pipeline to increase the reliability of co-expression networks of both rattans. Based on the data and pipeline, co-expression relationships were detected in 11 NACs, 49 MYBs, and 86 lignin biosynthesis genes in C. simplicifolius and four NACs, 59 MYBs, and 76 lignin biosynthesis genes in D. jenkinsiana, respectively. Among these co-expression pairs, several genes had a close relationship to the development of wood properties. Additionally, we detected the enzyme gene on the lignin biosynthesis pathway was regulated by either NAC or MYB, while LACCASES was regulated by both NAC and MYB. For D. jenkinsiana, the lignin biosynthesis regulatory network was characterized by positive regulation, and MYB possible negatively regulate non-expressed lignin biosynthesis genes in stem tissues. For C. simplicifolius, NAC may positively regulate highly expressed genes and negatively regulate non-expressed lignin biosynthesis genes in stem tissues. Furthermore, we established core regulatory networks of NAC and MYB for both rattans. CONCLUSIONS This work improved the accuracy of rattan gene annotation by integrating an efficient co-expression network analysis pipeline, enhancing gene coverage and accuracy of the constructed network, and facilitating an understanding of co-expression relationships among NAC, MYB, and lignin biosynthesis genes in rattan and other plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Institute of Gene Science and Industrialization for Bamboo and Rattan Resources, International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Yinguang Hou
- Institute of Gene Science and Industrialization for Bamboo and Rattan Resources, International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Jiongliang Wang
- Institute of Gene Science and Industrialization for Bamboo and Rattan Resources, International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, 100102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Hansheng Zhao
- Institute of Gene Science and Industrialization for Bamboo and Rattan Resources, International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, 100102, China.
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Chen H, Zhang J, Sun X, Wang Y, Qian Y. Mitophagy-mediated molecular subtypes depict the hallmarks of the tumour metabolism and guide precision chemotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:901207. [PMID: 35938160 PMCID: PMC9353335 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.901207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mitophagy is closely related to cancer initiation and progression. However, heterogeneity with reference to mitophagy remains unexplored in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Materials and methods: We used Reactome database to download the mitophagy-related, glycolysis-related and cholesterol biosynthesis-related signaling pathways. Unsupervised clustering using the “ConsensusClusterPlus” R package was performed to identify molecular subtypes related to mitophagy and metabolism. Prognosis-related mitophagy regulators were identified by univariate Cox regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival analyses were used to assess the diagnostic and prognostic role of the hub genes and prognosis risk model. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was utilized for screening the mitophagy subtype-related hub genes. Metascape was utilized to carry out functional enrichment analysis. The “glmnet” R package was utilised for LASSO, and the “e1071” R package was utilised for SVM. Chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity was estimated using the R package “pRRophetic” and Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database. The nomogram was established by the “rms” R package. Results: Three distinct mitophagy subtypes (low, high and intermediate) of PAAD were identified based on the landscape of mitophagy regulators. The high mitophagy subtype had the worst prognosis, highest mRNA expression-based stemness index scores and most hypoxic environment compared to the other subtypes. Additionally, glycolysis and cholesterol biosynthesis were significantly elevated. Three mitophagy subtype-specific gene signatures (CAST, CCDC6, and ERLIN1) were extracted using WGCNA and machine learning. Moreover, PAAD tumours were insensitive to Erlotinib, Sunitinib and Imatinib in the high mitophagy subtype and high CAST, CCDC6, and ERLIN1 expressed subtypes. Furthermore, CAST, CCDC6, and ERLIN1 affected immune cell infiltration (M1 and CD8Tcm), resulting in the altered prognosis of patients with PAAD. A nomogram was constructed to screen patients with the low mitophagy subtype, which showed a higher sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. Conclusion: Based on various bioinformatics tools and databases, the PAAD heterogeneity regarding mitophagy was systematically examined. Three different PAAD subtypes having different outcomes, metabolism patterns and chemosensitivity were observed. Moreover, three novel biomarkers that are closely associated with mitophagy and have the potential to guide individualised treatment regimens in PAAD were obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jianlin Zhang
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xuehu Sun
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Yeben Qian, ; Yao Wang,
| | - Yeben Qian
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Yeben Qian, ; Yao Wang,
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