Title:Single-cell Sequencing Data Reveals Aggressive CD68-type
Macrophages and Prognostic Models in Bladder Cancer
Volume: 31
Issue: 12
Author(s): Chenyu Mao*Nong Xu
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University,
Hangzhou, 310026, China
Keywords:
Bladder cancer, single-cell sequencing, tumor heterogeneity, macrophages, prognosis, gene expression omnibus.
Abstract:
Background: The highly heterogeneous, complex pathological histology, and
clinical phenotype in bladder cancer (BC) plague the prognostic management of BC to
the present day.
Methods: This study was conducted using single-cell sequencing data from the gene expression
omnibus (GEO) database (GSE135337). A descending, annotated analysis was
performed to identify the cell types contributing to BC aggressiveness. BC cell sequencing
data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were then combined with univariate,
least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), multivariate COX regression
analysis to identify biomarkers of BC prognosis to construct a BC. We identified
biomarkers of BC prognosis to construct a prognostic risk guidance system for BC.
The feedback of patients in different risk strata to immunotherapy was analyzed. Finally,
the regulation of prognostic genes on cancer cell activity was verified in vitro by Western
blot and cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assays.
Results: Macrophages specifically expressing CD68 in BC were the cell type with the
highest AUCell score, and CD68 was the biomarker of Tumor-associated macrophages
(TAMs). CD68 macrophages were potentially the critical cell type in the aggressive BC
subtype. Through univariate, LASSO, multivariate COX-based regression analysis.
CTSS, GMFG, ANXA5, GSN, SLC2A3, and FTL were authenticated as prognostic biomarkers
(p < 0.05) and composed the Risk Score. Patients in the low-risk group showed
an excellent survival advantage (p < 0.01) and immunotherapy feedback. Additionally, inhibition
of GSN expression decreased EMT activity to inhibit bladder cancer cell viability.
Conclusion: In conclusion, this study provided feedback on the immune cell types associated
with aggressiveness in BC. Importantly, a prognostic management system for BC
was created based on the genes involved, providing more insight into the aggressive
pathological phenotype as well as the prognosis of BC.