Elevated Expression of Gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase Is Associated With Poor Prognosis and Altered Immune Signature in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma

Multiple-omics analysis of aggrephagy-related cellular patterns and development of an aggrephagy-related signature for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Protein aggrephagy, a selected autophagy process response for degrading protein aggregates, plays a critical role in various cancers. However, its regulatory mechanisms and clinical implications in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unexplored.

METHODS

We integrated bulk RNA-seq data from TCGA and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from GEO databases to systematically analyze aggrephagy-related genes (AGGRGs) in HCC. Prognostic aggrephagy-related genes (AGGRGs) were identified through univariate Cox and LASSO regression analyses, followed by the construction of a risk prediction model. Patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. Comparative analyses were performed to assess clinical outcomes, pathway enrichment, and drug sensitivity. Independent risk factors were incorporated a nomogram using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. At the single-cell level, the AGG scores were calculated using AUCell algorithm, and cell interactions and pseudotime trajectory analyses were conducted. Finally, protein levels of key AGGRG was assessed via tissue microarray.

RESULTS

Eight AGGRGs (PFKP, TPX2, UBE2S, GOT2, ST6GALNAC4, ADAM15, G6PD, and KPNA2) were identified as prognostic markers for HCC. The high-risk group exhibited significantly worse survival outcomes, heightened drug resistance, and enrichment in cell cycle, mTORC1 signaling, and reactive oxygen species pathways. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed 11 distinct cell types within the HCC tumor microenvironment (TME), including hepatocytes, T cells, NK cells, macrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells, plasma B cells, mature B cells, mast cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Hepatocytes exhibited the highest AGGRG scores and were associated with metabolic reprograming, proliferation, and immune evasion. Further subclustering of malignant hepatocytes using inferCNV revealed eight functionally heterogeneous subpopulations with extensive intercellular crosstalk. Trajectory analysis showed G6PD- and CCNB1-expressing subpopulations in early-to-intermediate differentiation states, whereas C3 and ARGs marked terminal differentiation. Notably, G6PD was predominantly expressed in early and mid-stages, while KPNA2, PFKP, and TPX2 were upregulated in advanced tumor states. Immunohistochemical (IHC) validation confirmed significant overexpression of G6PD in HCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide a molecular framework for targeting aggrephagy pathways in HCC treatment strategies.

FOXA1-mediated transcription of MFAP2 facilitates cell growth, metastasis and cisplatin resistance in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma

Microfibril-associated protein 2 (MFAP2) has been confirmed to be an oncogene to participate in regulating the progression of many cancers. However, its role and mechanism in the development of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) are still unclear. The mRNA and protein levels of MFAP2 and forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) were determined using qRT-PCR and western blot. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and cisplatin resistance were detected by colony formation assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay and CCK8 assay. Xenograft tumor models were constructed to explore the effect of MFAP2 knockdown on UCEC tumorigenesis and cisplatin resistance in vivo. The interaction between FOXA1 and MFAP2 promoter was evaluated by ChIP assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay. MFAP2 was upregulated in UCEC tissues and cells. Silencing of MFAP2 repressed UCEC cell growth, metastasis and cisplatin resistance in vitro, as well as reduced tumorigenesis in vivo. In terms of mechanism, FOXA1 bound to MFAP2 promoter region to increase its expression. FOXA1 knockdown could inhibit UCEC cell growth, metastasis and cisplatin resistance. Moreover, FOXA1 promoted growth, metastasis and cisplatin resistance in UCEC cells via enhancing MFAP2 expression. FOXA1-activated MFAP2 might contribute to the growth, metastasis and cisplatin resistance of UCEC cells, providing a novel target for UCEC treatment.

TPD52 as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker and its Correlation with Immune Infiltrates in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma: Bioinformatic Analysis and Experimental Verification

BACKGROUND

Aberrant expression of tumor protein D52 (TPD52) is associated with some tumors. The role of TPD52 in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the involvement of TPD52 in the pathogenesis of UCEC.

METHODS

We employed bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation in our study.

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that elevated TPD52 expression in UCEC was significantly associated with various clinical factors, including clinical stage, race, weight, body mass index (BMI), histological type, histological grade, surgical approach, and age (p < 0.01). Furthermore, high TPD52 expression was a predictor of poorer overall survival (OS), progress-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) (p = 0.011, p = 0.006, and p = 0.003, respectively). TPD52 exhibited a significant correlation with DSS (HR: 2.500; 95% CI: 1.153-5.419; p = 0.02). TPD52 was involved in GPCR ligand binding and formation of the cornified envelope in UCEC. Moreover, TPD52 expression was found to be associated with immune infiltration, immune checkpoints, tumor mutation burden (TMB)/ microsatellite instability (MSI), and mRNA stemness indices (mRNAsi). The somatic mutation rate of TPD52 in UCEC was 1.9%. A ceRNA network of AC011447.7/miR-1-3p/TPD52 was constructed. There was excessive TPD52 protein expression. The upregulation of TPD52 expression in UCEC cell lines was found to be statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

TPD52 is upregulated in UCEC and may be a useful patent for prognostic biomarkers of UCEC, which may have important value for clinical treatment and supervision of UCEC patients.

Identifying signature genes and their associations with immune cell infiltration in spinal cord injury

Background

Early detection of spinal cord injury (SCI) is conducive to improving patient outcomes. In addition, many studies have revealed the role of immune cells in the progression or treatment of SCI. The objective of this study was to identify the early signature genes and clarify how they are related to immune cell infiltration in SCI.

Methods

We analysed and identified early signature genes associated with SCI via bioinformatics analysis of the GSE151371 dataset from the GEO database. These genes were subsequently verified in the GSE33886 dataset and qRT-PCR. Finally, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to examine the immune cell infiltration in SCI and its relationship with signature genes.

Results

Seven SCI-related signature genes, including ARG1, RETN, BPI, GGH, CCNB1, HIST1H2AC, and HIST1H2BJ, were identified, and their expression was verified via an external validation cohort and qRT-PCR. Moreover, the ROC curves revealed the diagnostic value of these genes. In addition, on the basis of immune cell infiltration analysis, plasma cells, M0 macrophages, activated CD4+ memory T cells, γδ T cells, naive CD4+ T cells, and resting CD4+ memory T cells may participate in the progression of SCI.

Conclusion

This study identified seven early signature genes of SCI that may serve as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of SCI and contribute to our understanding of immune changes during the pathology of SCI.

Role of Pyroptosis in Endometrial Cancer and Its Therapeutic Regulation

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory cell death induced by inflammasomes that release several pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, has recently received increased interest both as a therapeutic and immunological mechanism. Numerous studies have provided substantial evidence supporting the involvement of inflammasomes and pyroptosis in a variety of pathological conditions including cancers, nerve damage, inflammatory diseases and metabolic conditions. Researchers have demonstrated that dysregulation of pyroptosis and inflammasomes contribute to the progression of endometriosis and gynecological malignancies. Current research also indicates that inflammasome and pyroptosis-dependent signaling pathways may further induce the progression of endometrial cancer (EC). More specifically, dysregulation of NLR family pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis play a contributory role in the pathogenesis and development of EC. Therefore, pyroptosis-regulated protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) may be an independent prognostic biomarker for the detection of EC. This review presents the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis-dependent signaling pathways and their contributory role and function in advancing EC. Moreover, this review offers new insights into potential future applications and innovative approaches in utilizing pyroptosis to develop effective anti-cancer therapies.

Sex differences in brain protein expression and disease

Most complex human traits differ by sex, but we have limited insight into the underlying mechanisms. Here, we investigated the influence of biological sex on protein expression and its genetic regulation in 1,277 human brain proteomes. We found that 13.2% (1,354) of brain proteins had sex-differentiated abundance and 1.5% (150) of proteins had sex-biased protein quantitative trait loci (sb-pQTLs). Among genes with sex-biased expression, we found 67% concordance between sex-differentiated protein and transcript levels; however, sex effects on the genetic regulation of expression were more evident at the protein level. Considering 24 psychiatric, neurologic and brain morphologic traits, we found that an average of 25% of their putatively causal genes had sex-differentiated protein abundance and 12 putatively causal proteins had sb-pQTLs. Furthermore, integrating sex-specific pQTLs with sex-stratified genome-wide association studies of six psychiatric and neurologic conditions, we uncovered another 23 proteins contributing to these traits in one sex but not the other. Together, these findings begin to provide insights into mechanisms underlying sex differences in brain protein expression and disease.

A prognostic model and immune regulation analysis of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma based on cellular senescence

Background

This study aimed to explore the clinical significance of cellular senescence in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC).

Methods

Cluster analysis was performed on GEO data and TCGA data based on cellular senescence related genes, and then performed subtype analysis on differentially expressed genes between subtypes. The prognostic model was constructed using Lasso regression. Survival analysis, microenvironment analysis, immune analysis, mutation analysis, and drug susceptibility analysis were performed to evaluate the practical relevance. Ultimately, a clinical nomogram was constructed and cellular senescence-related genes expression was investigated by qRT-PCR.

Results

We ultimately identified two subtypes. The prognostic model divides patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. There were notable discrepancies in prognosis, tumor microenvironment, immunity, and mutation between the two subtypes and groups. There was a notable connection between drug-sensitive and risk scores. The nomogram has good calibration with AUC values between 0.75-0.8. In addition, cellular senescence-related genes expression was investigated qRT-PCR.

Conclusion

Our model and nomogram may effectively forecast patient prognosis and serve as a reference for patient management.

HDAC7 inhibits cell proliferation via NudCD1/GGH axis in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most malignant subtype of breast cancer. In the absence of effective molecular markers for TNBC, there is an urgent clinical need for promising therapeutic target for TNBC. Histone deacetylases (HDACs), key regulators for chromatin remodeling and gene expression, have been suggested to play critical roles in cancer development. However, little is known ~the functions and implications of HDACs in TNBC treatment in the future. By analyzing the expression and prognostic significance of HDAC family members in TNBC through TCGA and METABRIC databases, HDAC7 was found to be downregulated in TNBC samples and the survival of patients with lower expression of HDAC7 was shorter. Furthermore, HDAC7 was negatively associated with NudC domain containing 1 (NudCD1) and γ-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH). Loss of NudCD1 or GGH predicted improved overall survival time (OS) of patients with TNBC. In vitro experiments showed that silencing of HDAC7 enhanced TNBC cell proliferation, while overexpression HDAC7 inhibited TNBC cell proliferation. The results of functional experiments confirmed that HDAC7 negatively modulated GGH and NudCD1 expression. Furthermore, decrease of NudCD1 or GGH inhibited cell proliferation. Notably, the HDAC7-NudCD1/GGH axis was found to be associated with NK cell infiltration. Overall, the present study revealed a novel role of HDAC7-NudCD1/GGH axis in TNBC, which might provide a promising treatment strategy for patients with TNBC.

The Expression of Pyroptosis-Related Gene May Influence the Occurrence, Development, and Prognosis of Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that pyroptosis exerts key roles in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). However, the mechanism of pyroptosis and its predictive value for prognosis remain largely unknown.

METHODS

UCEC data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The differentially expressed genes in UCEC vs. normal cases were selected to perform a weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). Forty-two UCEC-associated pyroptosis-related genes were identified via applying differential expression analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) and gene correlation analyses were applied to explore the relationship between 21 UCEC key genes and 42 UCEC-associated pyroptosis-related genes. The expression of 42 UCEC-associated pyroptosis-related genes of different grades was also calculated. The immune environment of UCEC was evaluated. Furthermore, pyroptosis-related genes were filtered out by the co-expression. Univariate and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox analyses were implemented to yield a pyroptosis-related gene model. We also performed consensus classification to regroup UCEC samples into two clusters. A clinically relevant heatmap and survival analysis curve were implemented to explore the clinicopathological features and relationship between two clusters. Furthermore, a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was implemented to analyze the risk model.

RESULTS

Twenty-one UCEC key genes and 42 UCEC-associated pyroptosis-related genes were identified. The PPI and gene correlation analysis showed a clear relationship. The expression of 42 UCEC-associated pyroptosis-related genes of different grades was also depicted. A risk model based on pyroptosis-related genes was then developed to forecast overall survival among UCEC patients. Finally, Cox regression analysis verified this model as an independent risk factor for UCEC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of pyroptosis-related gene may influence UCEC occurrence, development, and prognosis.