Extracellular matrix-related genes play an important role in the progression of NMIBC to MIBC: a bioinformatics analysis study

Abstract

Bladder cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the world. Bladder cancer can be roughly divided into muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The aim of the present study was to identify the key genes and pathways associated with the progression of NMIBC to MIBC and to further analyze its molecular mechanism and prognostic significance. We analyzed microarray data of NMIBC and MIBC gene expression datasets (GSE31684) listed in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After the dataset was analyzed using R software, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of NMIBC and MIBC were identified. These DEGs were analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, KOBAS-Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis. The effect of these hub genes on the survival of bladder cancer patients was analyzed in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A total of 389 DEGs were obtained, of which 270 were up-regulated and 119 down-regulated. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in the pathway of protein digestion and absorption, extracellular matrix (ECM) receiver interaction, phantom, toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, focal adhesion, NF-κB signaling pathway, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and other signaling pathways. Top five hub genes COL1A2, COL3A1, COL5A1, POSTN, and COL12A1 may be involved in the development of MIBC. These results may provide us with a further understanding of the occurrence and development of MIBC, as well as new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of MIBC in the future.

<p>Extracellular Matrix–Related Six-lncRNA Signature as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Bladder Cancer</p>

“…This further verified the hypothesis that these lncRNAs may be involved in regulation of the ECM. 66 Next, we confirmed through in vitro experiments that knockdown of these lncRNAs significantly affects the invasion and migration of BC cells.…”

Identification of an IRGP Signature to Predict Prognosis and Immunotherapeutic Efficiency in Bladder Cancer

“…Thus, when exploring for personalized and precise treatment methods using immunotherapy, we cannot consider the role of immune cells during treatment in isolation. In BLCA patients, stromal cells may affect the efficacy of immunotherapy to a greater extent (Zhang et al, 2020). Encouragingly, with the help of the TIDE algorithm, IRGP-based analysis proved to be efficient at predicting the immunotherapeutic response in the TCGA-BLCA cohort.…”

Mechanical Pressure Driving Proteoglycan Expression in Mammographic Density: a Self-perpetuating Cycle?

“…Overall, these data support the necessary integration of several mechanical cues for regulating collagen XII expression which can in turn modify the physical properties of the ECM, presumably in an effort to maintain tensional homeostasis. Collagen XII levels have also now been identified as a biomarker linked to fibrosis and breast cancer progression [45,187,202,203]. Interestingly, in addition to elevated expression in tissues with high MD, we find collagen XII and XVI expression to be increased in human patient derived breast cancers grown within a stiff ECM environment in vivo (JJN unpublished observations).…”