FCGBP Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Associated With Immune Infiltration in Glioma

Predictive value of FCGBP expression for treatment response and survival in rectal cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy

Despite neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) being the established standard for treating advanced rectal cancer, clinical outcomes remain suboptimal, necessitating the identification of predictive biomarkers for improved treatment decisions. Previous studies have hinted at the oncogenic properties of the Fc fragment of IgG binding protein (FCGBP) in various cancers; however, its clinical significance in rectal cancer remains unclear. In this study, we first conducted an analysis of a public transcriptome comprising 46 rectal cancer patients. Focusing on cell adhesion during data mining, we identified FCGBP as the most upregulated gene associated with CRT resistance. Subsequently, we assessed FCGBP immunointensity using immunohistochemical staining on 343 rectal cancer tissue blocks. Elevated FCGBP immunointensity correlated with lymph node involvement before treatment (p = 0.001), tumor invasion, and lymph node involvement after treatment (both p < 0.001), vascular invasion (p = 0.001), perineural invasion (p = 0.041), and reduced tumor regression (p < 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between high FCGBP immunoexpression and inferior disease-specific survival, local recurrence-free survival, and metastasis-free survival (all p ≤ 0.0002). Furthermore, high FCGBP immunoexpression independently emerged as an unfavorable prognostic factor for all three survival outcomes in the multivariate analysis (all p ≤ 0.025). Enriched pathway analysis substantiated the role of FCGBP in conferring resistance to radiation. In summary, our findings suggest that elevated FCGBP immunoexpression in rectal cancer significantly correlates with a poor response to CRT and diminished patient survival. FCGBP holds promise as a valuable prognostic biomarker for rectal cancer patients undergoing CRT.

Iron Supplementation Increases Tumor Burden and Alters Protein Expression in a Mouse Model of Human Intestinal Cancer

Iron supplements are widely consumed. However, excess iron may accelerate intestinal tumorigenesis. To determine the effect of excess iron on intestinal tumor burden and protein expression changes between tumor and normal tissues, ApcMin/+ mice were fed control (adequate) and excess iron (45 and 450 mg iron/kg diet, respectively; n = 9/group) for 10 wk. Tumor burden was measured, and two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis was used to identify differentially expressed proteins in tumor and normal intestinal tissues. There was a significant increase (78.3%; p ≤ 0.05) in intestinal tumor burden (mm2/cm) with excess iron at wk 10. Of 980 analyzed protein spots, 69 differentially expressed (p ≤ 0.05) protein isoforms were identified, representing 55 genes. Of the isoforms, 56 differed (p ≤ 0.05) between tumor vs. normal tissues from the adequate iron group and 23 differed (p ≤ 0.05) between tumors from the adequate vs. excess iron. Differentially expressed proteins include those involved in cell integrity and adaptive response to reactive oxygen species (including, by gene ID: ANPEP, DPP7, ITGB1, PSMA1 HSPA5). Biochemical pathway analysis found that iron supplementation modulated four highly significant (p ≤ 0.05) functional networks. These findings enhance our understanding of interplay between dietary iron and intestinal tumorigenesis and may help develop more specific dietary guidelines regarding trace element intake.

Non-coding RNA-related FCGBP downregulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a novel biomarker for predicting paclitaxel resistance and immunosuppressive microenvironment

In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), chemoresistance is a major reason for poor prognosis. Nevertheless, there is a lack of validated biomarkers to screen for patients for categorical chemotherapy. Fc gamma binding protein (FCGBP) is a mucus protein associated with mucosal epithelial cells and has immunological functions that protect against tumors and metastasis. However, the effect of FCGBP on HNSC is unclear. In pan-cancer tissues, the expression of FCGBP and the survival status of patients were analyzed using information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Correlation analysis and Cox regression analysis were conducted to confirm the relationship and survival outcome. Bioinformatics analysis was utilized to predict the probable upstream non-coding RNA. FCGBP functioned as a potential tumor suppressor gene in HNSC. Notably, FCGBP expression was negatively correlated with enriched tumor-infiltrating macrophages and paclitaxel resistance. Cox regression with gene, clinical, and immune factors showed that FCGBP was a risk factor acting in an independent manner. In HNSC, the utmost possibly upstream non-coding RNA-related pathway of FCGBP was also discovered to be the PART1/AC007728.2/LINC00885/hsa-miR-877-5p/FCGBP axis. According to the present study, non-coding RNA-related low levels of FCGBP are a prognostic indicator and are linked to an HNSC-related immunosuppressive state.

Different Forms of TFF3 in the Human Endocervix, including a Complex with IgG Fc Binding Protein (FCGBP), and Further Aspects of the Cervico-Vaginal Innate Immune Barrier

TFF3 is a typical secretory poplypeptide of mucous epithelia belonging to the trefoil factor family (TFF) of lectins. In the intestine, respiratory tract, and saliva, TFF3 mainly exists as a high-molecular-mass complex with IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP), which is indicative of a role in mucosal innate immunity. For the first time, we identified different forms of TFF3 in the endocervix, i.e., monomeric and homodimeric TFF3, as well as a high-molecular-mass TFF3-FCGBP complex; the latter also exists in a hardly soluble form. Immunohistochemistry co-localized TFF3 and FCGBP. Expression analyses of endocervical and post-menopausal vaginal specimens revealed a lack of mucin and TFF3 transcripts in the vaginal specimens. In contrast, genes encoding other typical components of the innate immune defense were expressed in both the endocervix and vagina. Of note, FCGBP is possibly fucosylated. Endocervical specimens from transgender individuals after hormonal therapy showed diminished expression, particularly of FCGBP. Furthermore, mucus swabs from the endocervix and vagina were analyzed concerning TFF3, FCGBP, and lysozyme. It was the aim of this study to illuminate several aspects of the cervico-vaginal innate immune barrier, which is clinically relevant as bacterial and viral infections are also linked to infertility, pre-term birth and cervical cancer.

Differential Expression of MED12-Associated Coding RNA Transcripts in Uterine Leiomyomas

Recent studies have demonstrated that somatic MED12 mutations in exon 2 occur at a frequency of up to 80% and have a functional role in leiomyoma pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to elucidate the expression profile of coding RNA transcripts in leiomyomas, with and without these mutations, and their paired myometrium. Next-generation RNA sequencing (NGS) was used to systematically profile the differentially expressed RNA transcripts from paired leiomyomas (n = 19). The differential analysis indicated there are 394 genes differentially and aberrantly expressed only in the mutated tumors. These genes were predominantly involved in the regulation of extracellular constituents. Of the differentially expressed genes that overlapped in the two comparison groups, the magnitude of change in gene expression was greater for many genes in tumors bearing MED12 mutations. Although the myometrium did not express MED12 mutations, there were marked differences in the transcriptome landscape of the myometrium from mutated and non-mutated specimens, with genes regulating the response to oxygen-containing compounds being most altered. In conclusion, MED12 mutations have profound effects on the expression of genes pivotal to leiomyoma pathogenesis in the tumor and the myometrium which could alter tumor characteristics and growth potential.

A Novel Prognostic Marker and Therapeutic Target Associated with Glioma Progression in a Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Background

Immune microenvironment serves a vital role in glioma progression, and a large number of studies have found that tumor progression can be reduced to some extent by modulating the immune process in tumors.

Materials and Methods

ImmuneScore of each sample in CGGA datasets were calculated with Estimate R package, and samples were grouped by median ImmuneScore values for differential analysis to obtain immune microenvironment differential genes. We further conducted survival analysis, ROC curve analysis, independent prognostic analysis, and clinical correlation analysis on glioma sample genes in CGGA to obtain glioma prognostic genes, and then identified their intersection with immune microenvironment DEGs by Venn tool. The GEPIA and UALCAN databases were used to verify the differential expression of intersecting genes in the glioma and normal brain and to identify our target gene. After validation of their prognostic value, we constructed a nomogram to calculate the risk score and to estimate the accuracy of prognostic model. We mined co-expression genes, enriched functions and pathways, and correlations to immune cell infiltration of unigene with an online database. Finally, we verified the differential expression of FCGBP in glioma by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

We finally selected Fc fragment of IgG-binding protein (FCGBP) as our study gene. The prognostic values of FCGBP were validated by a series of analyses. Immunohistochemical staining showed that FCGBP expression increased in gliomas and was up-regulated with the progression of glioma grade.

Conclusion

As a key unigene in glioma progression, FCGBP contributes to the regulation of immune microenvironment and has the potential to be a prognostic biomarker and immune targets.

Simulated Microgravity Influences Immunity-Related Biomarkers in Lung Cancer

Microgravity is a novel strategy that may serve as a complementary tool to develop future cancer therapies. In lung cancer, the influence of microgravity on cellular processes and the migratory capacity of cells is well addressed. However, its effect on the mechanisms that drive lung cancer progression remains in their infancy. In this study, 13 differentially expressed genes were shown to be associated with the prognosis of lung cancer under simulated microgravity (SMG). Using gene set enrichment analysis, these genes are enriched in humoral immunity pathways. In lieu, alveolar basal-epithelial (A549) cells were exposed to SMG via a 2D clinostat system in vitro. In addition to morphology change and decrease in proliferation rate, SMG reverted the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype of A549, a key mechanism in cancer progression. This was evidenced by increased epithelial E-cadherin expression and decreased mesenchymal N-cadherin expression, hence exhibiting a less metastatic state. Interestingly, we observed increased expression of FCGBP, BPIFB, F5, CST1, and CFB and their correlation to EMT under SMG, rendering them potential tumor suppressor biomarkers. Together, these findings reveal new opportunities to establish novel therapeutic strategies for lung cancer treatment.

Comprehensive analysis of prognostic value, relationship to cell cycle, immune infiltration and m6A modification of ZSCAN20 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common tumor across the globe with a high mortality rate. ZSCAN20 is a ZNF transcription factor, a key determinant of gene expression. Nonetheless, the mechanism of ZSCAN20 as a potential clinical biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC is not understood. Here, TIMER, TCGA, ICGC databases and immunohistochemical (IHC) and Western Blot found ZSCAN20 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, GEPIA and TCGA databases showed high ZSCAN20 expression was related to the short survival time of HCC patients. Multivariate Cox analysis exposed that ZSCAN20 can act as an independent prognostic factor. We observed methylation level of ZSCAN20 was associated with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of HCC patients through UALCAN. Furthermore, enrichment examination exposed functional association between ZSCAN20 and cell cycle, immune infiltration. Functional experiments showed that interference with ZSCAN20 significantly reduced the invasion, migration and proliferation abilities of HCC cells. An immune infiltration analysis showed that ZSCAN20 was associated with immune cells, particularly T cells. The expression of ZSCAN20 was correlated with poor prognosis in the Regulatory T-cell. And Real-Time RT-PCR analysis found interference with ZSCAN20 significantly reduced the expression of some chemokines. Finally, the TCGA and ICGC data analysis suggested that the ZSCAN20 expression was greatly related to m6A modifier related genes. In conclusion, ZSCAN20 can serve as a prognostic biomarker for HCC and provide clues about cell cycle, immune infiltration, and m6A modification.

Role of the mucin-like glycoprotein FCGBP in mucosal immunity and cancer

IgGFc-binding protein (FCGBP) is a mucin first detected in the intestinal epithelium. It plays an important role in innate mucosal epithelial defense, tumor metastasis, and tumor immunity. FCGBP forms disulfide-linked heterodimers with mucin-2 and members of the trefoil factor family. These formed complexes inhibit bacterial attachment to mucosal surfaces, affect the motility of pathogens, and support their clearance. Altered FCGBP expression levels may be important in the pathologic processes of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. FCGBP is also involved in regulating the infiltration of immune cells into tumor microenvironments. Thus, the molecule is a valuable marker of tumor prognosis. This review summarizes the functional relevance and role of FCGBP in immune responses and disease development, and highlights the potential role in diagnosis and predicting tumor prognosis.