Hypoxia-Related lncRNA Correlates with Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment in Uveal Melanoma

Abstract

Background Genes related to hypoxia are correlated to the prognosis of a variety of solid malignant tumors. However, How hypoxia related lncRNA function in Uveal Melanoma is still rare. Methods From TCGA database, eighty UVM samples were incorporated. Prognostic HRL was screened by COX univariate analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. HRL characteristics were constructed using Lasso analysis. Gene enrichment analysis revealed the linkage of HRLs to immune features. CCK8 assay was adopted to measure the propagation of MuM2B cells, while tumor invasion and migration were appraised by Transwell and Wound-healing experiments. Inflammatory factors and macrophage polarization were evaluated by qPCR. Results 621 prognostic HRLs were screened and was constructed in 12 HRLs. Risk score showed salient correlation with survival time of UVM patients. In addition, HRL was correlated with diverse key immune checkpoints, revealing possible targets for immunotherapy. Immune-related pathways were highly enriched in high-risk group. Protective HRL, LINC02367, was saliently associated with microenvironment and survival time of UVM patients. In vitro assays demonstrated LINC02367 significantly affected the propogation and migration of MuM2B. LINC02367 modulates macrophage polarization through inflammatory factor levels thereby affecting the immune microenvironment Conclusions In our study, a novel HRL signature was developed to predict the prognosis of UVM patients. HRLs are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for UVM.