Systematic Analysis Identifies a Specific RNA-Binding Protein-Related Gene Model for Prognostication and Risk-Adjustment in HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

ObjectiveIncreasing evidence shows that dysregulated RNA binding proteins (RBPs) modulate the progression of several malignancies. Nevertheless, their clinical implications of RBPs in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely undefined. Here, this study systematically analyzed the associations of RBPs with HBV-related HCC prognosis.MethodsBased on differentially expressed RBPs between HBV-related HCC and control specimens, prognosis-related RBPs were screened by univariate analyses. A LASSO model was then created. Kaplan-Meier curves, ROCs, multivariate analyses, subgroup analyses and external verification were separately applied to assess the efficacy of this model in predicting prognosis and recurrence of patients. A nomogram was created by incorporating the model and clinical indicators, which was verified by ROCs, calibration curves and decision curve analyses. By CIBERSORT algorithm, the association between the risk score and immune cell infiltrations was evaluated.ResultsTotally, 54 RBPs were distinctly correlated to prognosis of HBV-related HCC. An 11-RBP model was created, containing POLR2L, MRPS12, DYNLL1, ZFP36, PPIH, RARS, SRP14, DDX41, EIF2B4, and NOL12. This risk score sensitively and accurately predicted one-, three- and five-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and progression-free interval. Compared to other clinical parameters, this risk score had the best predictive efficacy. Also, the clinical generalizability of the model was externally verified in the GSE14520 dataset. The nomogram may predict patients’ survival probabilities. Also, the risk score was related to the components in the immune microenvironment.ConclusionCollectively, RBPs may act as critical elements in the malignant progression of HBV-related HCC and possess potential implications on prognostication and therapy decision.

Single-cell RNA Sequencing Analysis Reveals New Immune Disorder Complexities in Hypersplenism

“…Among those highly expressed genes screened in B cells, only POLR2L was highly expressed in the healthy sample ( Figure 3K ), which was reported as a part of the core element for RNA polymerases ( 32 ). Among the B cells, POLR2L was mainly expressed in B cell-1, CCL5 + B cells and plasma cells ( Figures 3K, I ).…”

Potential of Mitochondrial Ribosomal Genes as Cancer Biomarkers Demonstrated by Bioinformatics Results

“…Based on the differentially expressed genes between HBV-related HCC and control specimens, screened by univariate analyses, a signature model based on 11 genes, including MRPS12, was finally developed. This gene signature showed high sensitivity and accuracy for the prediction of 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and progression-free interval, with predictive power superior to those of other clinical parameters (88).…”

Signal Recognition Particle in Human Diseases

“…SRP9 has been discovered as an aberrant fusion gene with epoxide hydrolase 1 in Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma ( Matsumoto et al, 2021 ). SRP14 is a diagnostic marker in hepatocellular cancer ( Li et al, 2021 ).…”