Identification of an Inflammatory Response-Related Gene Signature to Predict Survival and Immune Status in Glioma Patients

Construction and validation of an angiogenesis-related gene expression signature associated with clinical outcome and tumor immune microenvironment in glioma

Background: Glioma is the most prevalent malignant intracranial tumor. Many studies have shown that angiogenesis plays a crucial role in glioma tumorigenesis, metastasis, and prognosis. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of angiogenesis-related genes (ARGs) in glioma.

Methods: RNA-sequencing data of glioma patients were obtained from TCGA and CGGA databases. Via consensus clustering analysis, ARGs in the sequencing data were distinctly classified into two subgroups. We performed univariate Cox regression analysis to determine prognostic differentially expressed ARGs and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression to construct a 14-ARG risk signature. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to explore immune cell infiltration, and the ESTIMATE algorithm was applied to calculate immune and stromal scores.

Results: We found that the 14-ARG signature reflected the infiltration characteristics of different immune cells in the tumor immune microenvironment. Additionally, total tumor mutational burden increased significantly in the high-risk group. We combined the 14-ARG signature with patient clinicopathological data to construct a nomogram for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival with good accuracy. The predictive value of the prognostic model was verified in the CGGA cohort. SPP1 was a potential biomarker of glioma risk and was involved in the proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of glioma cells.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we established and validated a novel ARG risk signature that independently predicted the clinical outcomes of glioma patients and was associated with the tumor immune microenvironment.

Polysaccharides Extracted from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels Relieve the Malignant Characteristics of Glioma Cells through Regulating the MiR-373-3p-Mediated TGF-β/Smad4 Signaling Pathway

Objectives

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) is a traditional herbal medicine accompanied by antitumor potential. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of ASP on glioma, as well as the underlying mechanisms involving microRNA-373-3p (miR-373-3p) and the TGF-β/Smad4 signaling pathway.

Methods

U251 cells (a human glioma cell line) were treated with different concentrations of ASP. miR-373-3p was silenced in U251 cells by the transfection of the miR-373-3p inhibitor. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. The miR-373-3p expression was measured by RT-qPCR. The protein expressions of TGF-β and Smad4 were evaluated by both western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Results

ASP inhibited the viability, migration, and invasion, and enhanced the apoptosis of U251 cells in a dose-dependent manner. ASP increased miR-373-3p expression and decreased TGF-β and Smad4 expressions in U251 cells. Silencing of miR-373-3p weakened the effects of ASP on inhibiting cell viability, migration, and invasion, as well as promoting cell apoptosis. In addition, deleting miR-373-3p weakened the inhibiting effects of ASP on the TGF-β/Smad4 pathway in U251 cells.

Conclusions

ASP suppresses the malignant progression of glioma via regulating the miR-373-3p-mediated TGF-β/Smad4 pathway.