Increase in GPIHBP1 expression in advanced stage colorectal cancer indicates poor immune surveillance

Abstract

Background Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored high-density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) plays a crucial role in fatty acid metabolism, which is involved in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to determine the expressional variations of GPIHBP1 in CRC at different stages and to verify whether this protein affects the shaping of the immune microenvironment of cancer cells. Methods Variations of GPIHBP1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were first analysed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Protein levels of GPIHBP1 in cancer nest cells, stromal cells or surrounding normal tissues from 68 patients with CRC were checked by immunohistochemistry. Infiltration of immune cells such as macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), CD8 + and CD56 + cells was parallelly stained in the same tissues. Ectopic GPIHBP1 expressed colonic tumour cells were transplanted into the back of mice. Tumour growth and immune cell infiltrations were also observed. Results Compared with those in healthy tissues, GPIHBP1 mRNA and protein levels decreased in the patients with CRC at Dukes A–B stage but gradually increased in the patients at Dukes C–D stage. GPIHBP1 in foci or stroma was positively correlated with recruited macrophages or MDSCs and negatively correlated with recruited CD8 + , CD56 + or granzyme + cells. The mice injected with GPIHBP1 overexpression cells bore large tumours. Histological analysis confirmed the infiltration of many macrophages and MDSCs but less CD8 + T or CD56 + cells. Conclusions The increased expression of GPIHBP1 is involved in the progression of CRC. High GPIHBP1 level of advanced CRC indicates efficient immune evasion in tumour microenvironment.