MicroRNA-196a-5p facilitates the onset and progression via targeting ITM2B in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Integrating machine learning, bioinformatics and experimental verification to identify a novel prognostic marker associated with tumor immune microenvironment in head and neck squamous carcinoma

Head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC), characterized by a high degree of malignancy, develops in close association with the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Therefore, identifying effective targets related to HNSC and TIME is of paramount importance. Here, we employed the ESTIMATE algorithm to compute immune and stromal cell scores for HNSC samples from the TCGA database and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) based on these scores. Subsequently, we utilized four machine learning algorithms to identify four key genes: ITM2A, FOXP3, WIPF1, and RSPO1 from DEGs. Through a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis, our study identified aberrant expression of ITM2A across various tumor types, with a significant association with the TIME. Specifically, ITM2A expression was markedly reduced and correlated with poor prognosis in HNSC. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that ITM2A is implicated in multiple immune-related pathways, including immune-infiltrating cells, immune checkpoints, and immunotherapeutic responses. ITM2A expression was observed in various immune cell populations through single-cell analysis. Furthermore, we showed that ITM2A overexpression inhibited the growth of HNSC cells. Our results suggest that ITM2A may be a novel prognostic marker associated with TIME.

Genetic inference and single cell expression analysis of potential targets in heart failure and breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer and heart failure are major public health issues globally, characterized by significant genetic heterogeneity and complex molecular mechanisms. This study aims to explore potential genetic targets in heart failure and breast cancer through combining genetic inference and single-cell expression analysis, and to assess the causal relationships of these targets using Mendelian randomization methods.

METHODS

We first identified genetic variants associated with heart failure and breast cancer using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. Subsequently, we analyzed the expression patterns of these genetic variants in different cell types through single-cell RNA sequencing technology. Furthermore, we utilized in vitro experiment to assess the effects of ITM2B on MCF7 using immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Our study identified multiple genetic variants associated with heart failure and breast cancer, showing specific expression patterns in heart and breast cells. The ITM2B gene is highly expressed in breast cancer. ITM2B shows the highest expression in T cells and the lowest expression in proliferating cells. Silencing the ITM2B gene can promote apoptosis and inhibit proliferation and migration of MCF7 breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

By integrating genetic inference and single-cell expression analysis, this study revealed potential genetic targets in heart failure and breast cancer, and validated the causal effects of these targets using Mendelian randomization methods.

Non‑coding RNA: A promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (Review)

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common form of malignant tumor in the digestive system that is classified into two types: Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma. ESCC is known for its early onset of symptoms, which can be difficult to identify, as well as its rapid progression and tendency to develop drug resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These factors contribute to the high incidence of disease and low cure rate. Therefore, a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target need to be identified for ESCC. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of molecules that are transcribed from DNA but do not encode proteins. Initially, ncRNAs were considered to be non-functional segments generated during transcription. However, with advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies in recent years, ncRNAs have been associated with poor prognosis, drug resistance and progression of ESCC. The present study provides a comprehensive overview of the biogenesis, characteristics and functions of ncRNAs, particularly focusing on microRNA, long ncRNAs and circular RNAs. Furthermore, the ncRNAs that could potentially be used as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ESCC are summarized to highlight their application value and prospects in ESCC.