Zhang Xuezhong, Sun Peng, Chu Tingting, Feng Yuling, Zhang Xuebin
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China.
Department of Gastroenterology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 May 15;15(1):16971. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-02057-0.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal malignancy associated with poor prognosis due to late-stage diagnosis and high recurrence rates. The MEX3 family genes has been implicated in various cancers; however, their roles in HCC remain largely unexplored. This study aims to systematically analyze the expression patterns, prognostic significance, and immune-related functions of MEX3A, MEX3B, MEX3C, and MEX3D in HCC using comprehensive bioinformatics approaches. We conducted a multi-level bioinformatics analysis to investigate the expression, prognostic significance, clinicopathological correlations, genetic alterations, immune associations, and functional mechanisms of MEX3 family members in HCC. Transcriptomic data from TCGA and GEO databases, along with experimental validation via qRT-PCR and Western blotting, were used to assess expression profiles. Kaplan-Meier, ROC curve, and Cox regression analyses were employed for prognostic evaluation. Co-expression, enrichment, and immune infiltration analyses further elucidated the functional and immunological relevance of MEX3 family genes. A prognostic model based on co-expressed genes was constructed and validated using LASSO and time-dependent ROC analyses. MEX3A, MEX3B, MEX3C, and MEX3D were significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal liver tissues (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, particularly for MEX3A (AUC = 0.915). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that elevated MEX3A and MEX3C expression was associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (P < 0.05). Mutation analysis revealed that MEX3A exhibited the highest alteration frequency (11%), primarily through gene amplifications. Immune infiltration analysis demonstrated significant correlations between MEX3 expression and multiple immune cell populations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), cytotoxic T cells, and macrophages. Moreover, MEX3B, MEX3C, and MEX3D expression correlated with key immune checkpoint genes, including PDCD1, CD274, and CTLA4. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that MEX3 co-expressed genes were significantly involved in RNA metabolism, immune response regulation, and oncogenic signaling pathways. A 17-gene MEX3 co-expression-based prognostic model stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different survival outcomes (AUC = 0.791 at 1 year). This study highlights the oncogenic potential of MEX3 family members in HCC and their associations with immune regulation. The findings suggest that MEX3 family genes could serve as potential biomarkers for HCC prognosis and immunotherapy responsiveness. Further experimental validation is warranted to elucidate the mechanistic roles of MEX3 family genes in HCC progression and immune evasion.
肝细胞癌(HCC)是一种高度致命的恶性肿瘤,由于诊断较晚和复发率高,其预后较差。MEX3家族基因已被证明与多种癌症有关;然而,它们在HCC中的作用在很大程度上仍未得到探索。本研究旨在使用综合生物信息学方法系统分析MEX3A、MEX3B、MEX3C和MEX3D在HCC中的表达模式、预后意义和免疫相关功能。我们进行了多层次的生物信息学分析,以研究MEX3家族成员在HCC中的表达、预后意义、临床病理相关性、基因改变、免疫关联和功能机制。来自TCGA和GEO数据库的转录组数据,以及通过qRT-PCR和蛋白质免疫印迹法进行的实验验证,用于评估表达谱。采用Kaplan-Meier法、ROC曲线和Cox回归分析进行预后评估。共表达、富集和免疫浸润分析进一步阐明了MEX3家族基因的功能和免疫学相关性。构建了基于共表达基因的预后模型,并使用LASSO和时间依赖性ROC分析进行验证。与正常肝组织相比,MEX3A、MEX3B、MEX3C和MEX3D在HCC组织中显著上调(P < 0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示诊断准确性高,尤其是MEX3A(AUC = 0.915)。Kaplan-Meier生存分析表明,MEX3A和MEX3C表达升高与较差的总生存期(OS)和疾病特异性生存期(DSS)相关(P < 0.05)。突变分析显示,MEX3A的改变频率最高(11%),主要通过基因扩增。免疫浸润分析表明,MEX3表达与多种免疫细胞群体之间存在显著相关性,包括调节性T细胞(Tregs)、细胞毒性T细胞和巨噬细胞。此外,MEX3B、MEX3C和MEX3D表达与关键免疫检查点基因相关,包括PDCD1、CD274和CTLA4。功能富集分析显示,MEX3共表达基因显著参与RNA代谢、免疫反应调节和致癌信号通路。基于17个基因的MEX3共表达预后模型将患者分为高风险和低风险组,生存结果有显著差异(1年时AUC = 0.791)。本研究突出了MEX3家族成员在HCC中的致癌潜力及其与免疫调节的关联。研究结果表明,MEX3家族基因可作为HCC预后和免疫治疗反应性的潜在生物标志物。有必要进行进一步的实验验证,以阐明MEX3家族基因在HCC进展和免疫逃逸中的机制作用。
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