Qu Xin-Yang, Xu Yong, Wu Rui-Min, Xiao Gao-Chun, Wang Ping-Feng, Xie Jin, Liu Xu-Sheng
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
Department of Neurological Rehabilitation Area 3, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
Funct Integr Genomics. 2025 Jun 23;25(1):134. doi: 10.1007/s10142-025-01646-6.
UL16-binding protein 2 (ULBP2) is an important immune regulatory molecule involved in natural killer cell activation and tumor immune surveillance, although the specific role and clinical significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) require further exploration.
ULBP2 expression in CRC vs. normal tissues was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus databases, along with potential associations with clinicopathological features, while the diagnostic value was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the prognostic impact by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Additionally, the regulatory mechanisms of ULBP2 were explored by investigations of promoter DNA methylation, m6A regulation, and immune cell infiltration. Finally, cellular experiments were conducted to evaluate ULBP2 as a potential biomarker to predict CRC progression.
ULBP2 upregulation was significantly correlated with an advanced pathological stage of CRC. ROC curve analysis indicated that ULBP2 has strong diagnostic value. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high ULBP2 expression was predictive of a poorer prognosis. Cox regression analysis highlighted ULBP2 as an independent prognostic factor. ULBP2 expression was linked to promoter methylation, m6A regulation, and immune cell infiltration. Cellular experiments showed that ULBP2 knockdown suppressed CRC progression.
ULBP2 has potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target of CRC. These findings provide valuable insights for future studies of tumorigenic mechanisms and clinical applications.
UL16结合蛋白2（ULBP2）是一种重要的免疫调节分子，参与自然杀伤细胞激活和肿瘤免疫监视，尽管其在结直肠癌（CRC）中的具体作用和临床意义仍需进一步探索。
利用癌症基因组图谱（The Cancer Genome Atlas）和基因表达综合数据库（Gene Expression Omnibus）分析ULBP2在结直肠癌组织与正常组织中的表达情况，以及与临床病理特征的潜在关联，同时通过受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评估其诊断价值，并采用Kaplan-Meier法和Cox回归分析评估其预后影响。此外，通过研究启动子DNA甲基化、m6A调控和免疫细胞浸润来探索ULBP2的调控机制。最后，进行细胞实验以评估ULBP2作为预测结直肠癌进展的潜在生物标志物。
ULBP2上调与结直肠癌的晚期病理分期显著相关。ROC曲线分析表明，ULBP2具有较强的诊断价值。Kaplan-Meier生存分析显示，高ULBP2表达预示着较差的预后。Cox回归分析强调ULBP2是一个独立的预后因素。ULBP2表达与启动子甲基化、m6A调控和免疫细胞浸润有关。细胞实验表明，敲低ULBP2可抑制结直肠癌进展。
ULBP2有潜力作为结直肠癌的预后生物标志物和治疗靶点。这些发现为未来肿瘤发生机制研究和临床应用提供了有价值的见解。
