Suppression of renal cell carcinoma growth in vivo by forced expression of vascular endothelial growth inhibitor

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) Genes and Aging in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC): Clinical and Genomic Study

Background: It is anticipated that there will be a large rise in the number of tumor diagnoses and mortality in those aged 65 and older over the course of upcoming decades. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, often known as ICIs, boost immune system activity by selectively targeting ICI genes. On the other hand, old age may be connected with unfavorable results. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provided gene expression data from ccRCC tissue and key clinical variables. ICI gene databases were applied and verified using the GEO database. Results: We identified 14 ICI genes as risk gene signatures among 528 ccRCC patients using univariate and multivariable cox hazard models, and the elderly group was linked with poor survival. Then, by utilizing a new nomogram method, the TNFSF15 gene and age predicting values were estimated at one, three, and five years (85%, 81%, and 81%), respectively, and our age-related risk score was significant even after multivariable analysis (HR = 1.518, p = 0.009, CI = 1.1102.076). TNFSF15 gene expression was lower in elderly ccRCC patients (p = 0.0001). A negative connection between age and the TNFSF15 gene expression was discovered by correlation analysis (p = 0.0001). The verification of the gene by utilizing GEO (GSE167093) with 604 patients was obtained as external validation that showed significant differences in the TNFSF15 gene between young and elderly patients (p = 0.007). Additionally, the protein-protein interactions of the TNFSF15 gene with other ICI genes and aging-related genes was determined. In addition, the TNFSF15 expression was significantly correlated with pathological stages (p = 0.018). Furthermore, it was discovered that the biological processes of senescence, cellular senescence, the immune system, and many immune cell infiltration and immune function types are all closely tied. Conclusions: Along with the risk score evaluation, the ICI gene TNFSF15 was identified as a tumor suppressor gene related to inequalities in age survival and is associated with pathological stages and different immunity statuses. The aging responses of ccRCC patients and related gene expression need further investigation in order to identify potential therapeutic targets.

A novel 10-gene immune-related lncRNA signature model for the prognosis of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The tumor immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC) affects tumor development, prognosis and immunotherapy strategies. Recently, immune-related lncRNA were shown to play vital roles in the tumor immune microenvironment. The objective of this study was to identify lncRNAs involved in the immune response, tumorigenesis and progression of CRC and to establish an immune-related lncRNA signature for predicting the prognosis of CRC.

METHODS

We used data retrieved from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) dataset to construct a 10-gene immune-related lncRNA pair (IRLP) signature model using a method based on the ranking and comparison of paired gene expression in CRC. The clinical prognosis, immune checkpoints and lncRNA-protein networks were analyzed to evaluate the signature.

RESULTS

The signature was closely associated with overall survival of CRC patients (p < 0.001 in both of the training and validating cohorts) and the 3-year AUC values for the training and validating cohorts were 0.884 and 0.739, respectively. And, there were positive correlations between the signature and age (p = 0.048), clinical stage (p < 0.01), T stage (p < 0.01), N stage (p < 0.001) and M stage (p < 0.01). In addition, the signature model appeared to be highly relevant to some checkpoints, including CD160, TNFSF15, HHLA2, IDO2 and KIR3DL1. Further, molecular functional analysis and lncRNA-protein networks were applied to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the carcinogenic effect and progression.

CONCLUSION

The 10-gene IRLP signature model is an independent prognostic factor for CRC patient and can be utilized for the development of immunotherapy.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Inhibitor, a Cytokine of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Family, is Associated With Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Previous studies have revealed that the activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) endows metastatic properties upon cancer cells to promote invasion and migration. In this study, immunohistochemical analysis was performed in 50 cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and paired normal kidney tissues. We detected the expression of vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI) and EMT markers (E-cadherin, fibronectin, and Slug) and recorded the clinical, pathologic, and follow-up (median follow-up: 79.0 mo) information. The expression of VEGI and E-cadherin was significantly lower in RCC tissues compared with normal kidney tissues (P<0.001). However, the expression of fibronectin and Slug was higher in RCC tissues (P<0.05). VEGI and EMT marker expression marginally differed in tumor size and stage. Significant differences were found in the pathologic grade (P<0.05). The Spearman correlation analysis suggested a positive correlation between VEGI and E-cadherin (r=0.451, P<0.01). A negative correlation was shown between VEGI and fibronectin (r=-0.465, P<0.01). There was also a negative correlation between VEGI and Slug (r=-0.758, P<0.01). During the 79.0 months (range, 7 to 119 mo) of follow-up, 6 patients died due to RCC, and the tumor-free survival rate was 88% (44/50). We did not find a significant correlation between VEGI/EMT markers (E-cadherin, fibronectin, and Slug) and overall survival (P>0.05). Our findings indicate that VEGI plays an important role in EMT in RCC. It suggests that VEGI may be investigated as a disease biomarker and therapeutic target in RCC.

TNFSF15 promoter polymorphisms increase the susceptibility to small cell lung cancer: a case-control study

Background

Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15) is closely related to tumorigenesis and development. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between TNFSF15 polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility to lung cancer.

Methods

This case-control study included 209 small cell lung cancer patients (SCLC), 340 non- small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) and 460 health controls. TNFSF15–638 A > G and − 358 T > C polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression.

Results

Our results showed that subjects carrying the TNFSF15–638GG genotype or -358CC genotype were more likely to develop SCLC (−638GG, OR = 1.84, 95%CI = 1.13–2.99; -358CC, OR = 2.44, 95%CI = 1.46–4.06), but not NSCLC (P > 0.05). In stratified analysis, −638GG genotype was related to SCLC among males (OR = 1.95, 95%CI = 1.09–3.45, P = 0.023) and older patients (OR = 2.93, 95%CI = 1.44–8.68, P = 0.006). However, -358CC genotype was associated with SCLC among females (OR = 8.42, 95%CI = 2.22–31.89, P = 0.002) and older subjects with OR (95%CI) of 11.04 (3.57–34.15) (P < 0.001). Moreover, TNFSF15 -358CC was linked with a higher risk of SCLC among non-smokers (OR = 2.54, 95%CI = 1.20–5.35, P = 0.015) but not among smokers (OR = 1.88, 95%CI = 0.92–3.84, P = 0.086).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of TNFSF15 polymorphisms in the development of SCLC.

VEGI174 protein and its functional domain peptides exert antitumour effects on renal cell carcinoma

Vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI) has been identified as an anti‑angiogenic cytokine. However, the effects of VEGI174 protein, and its functional domain peptides V7 and V8, on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain unknown. In the present study, the protein and peptides were biosynthesised as experimental agents. The A498 and 786‑O RCC cell lines, and an established mouse xenograft model, were separately treated with VEGI174, V7 or V8. Cellular functions, including proliferation, migration and invasion, were subsequently detected. Cell migration and invasion were monitored using the xCELLigence system. Furthermore, tumour growth and mouse behaviours, including mobility, appetite and body weight, were assessed. The results demonstrated that VEGI174, V7 and V8 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of A498 and 786‑O cell lines when administered at concentrations of 1 and 100 pM, 10 nM and 1 µM. The inhibitory effects exhibited dose‑ and time‑dependent antitumour activity. Furthermore, VEGI174, V7 and V8 inhibited tumour growth in A498 and 786‑O xenograft mice. In the A498 xenografts, the tumour growth inhibition (TGI) rates in the VEGI174‑, V7‑ and V8‑treated groups were 71, 20 and 31%, respectively. In the 786‑O xenografts, the TGI rates in the VEGI174‑, V7‑ and V8‑treated groups were 34, 26 and 31%, respectively. There was no significant loss in body weight and no cases of mortality were observed for all treated mice. In conclusion, VEGI174, V7 and V8 exhibited potential antitumour effects and were well tolerated in vivo. V7 and V8, as functional domain peptides of the VEGI174 protein, may be studied for the future treatment of RCC.

Vascular endothelial growth inhibitor 174 and its functional domains inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition in renal cell carcinoma cells in vitro

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth inhibitor 174 (VEGI174) and its functional domains (V7 and V8) on epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells in vitro. The RCC cell lines A498 and 786‑O were used in this study. Based on our preliminary study, we selected full‑length VEGI174 and its functional domains (V7 and V8) as the target genes in this study. Plasmids containing VEGI174, V7 or V8 transgenes were constructed and transfected into A498 and 786‑O cell lines. Cytological activity was tested during cell culture. Quantitative PCR and western blot analysis were performed to determine the expression levels of EMT markers (E‑cadherin, vimentin, β‑catenin and Slug). Overexpression of VEGI174, V7 or V8 did not have a significant influence on cell viability (P>0.05). The mRNA level of E‑cadherin was significantly upregulated, while that of vimentin was downregulated in A498VEGIexp, A498V7exp, A498V8exp, 786‑OVEGIexp, 786‑OV7exp and 786‑OV8exp cells compared with the cells containing the empty plasmid controls (P<0.05). The western blot results showed that changes in protein expression levels were consistent with the changes in mRNA expression. Both the mRNA and protein expression levels of β‑catenin and Slug were downregulated in the A498VEGIexp, A498V7exp, A498V8exp, 786‑OVEGIexp, 786‑OV7exp and 786‑OV8exp cells. In conclusion, overexpression of VEGI174, V7 or V8 inhibited EMT in A498 and 786‑O cells. Notably, V7 and V8 are two effective functional domains of VEGI174 that have the potential to be studied for peptide synthesis and the treatment of RCC.