Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Background: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an independent risk factor of poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and can be used to guide the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. The immune system serves as an integral role in the incidence and progression of HCC. However, the molecula...

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Main Authors: Hao Li, Lixue Qiao, Minyu Kong, Haoran Fang, Zhiping Yan, Ran Guo, Wenzhi Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78467-3
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author Hao Li
Lixue Qiao
Minyu Kong
Haoran Fang
Zhiping Yan
Ran Guo
Wenzhi Guo
author_facet Hao Li
Lixue Qiao
Minyu Kong
Haoran Fang
Zhiping Yan
Ran Guo
Wenzhi Guo
author_sort Hao Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an independent risk factor of poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and can be used to guide the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. The immune system serves as an integral role in the incidence and progression of HCC. However, the molecular biology correlation between MVI and tumor immunity and the value of combining the two parameters to predict patient prognosis and HCC response to treatment remain to be evaluated. Results: In this study, we used univariate Cox regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox analysis to establish the MVI and immune-related gene index (MIRGPI) including eight genes. We demonstrated that the MIRGPI was an independent risk factor in predicting the prognosis of HCC. Subsequently, our research established a nomogram model combining pathologic characteristics and verified its good clinical application value. In addition, our study found that the TP53 gene had a higher mutation frequency and a lower degree of immune infiltration in the high-risk group. The low-risk group had higher sensitivity to immunotherapy, sorafenib, and TACE treatment, and the high-risk group had higher sensitivity to common chemotherapeutic agents. Finally, SEMA3C was found to facilitate the proliferation, migration and invasive ability of HCC by in vitro and in vivo experiments, and its mechanism may be associated with the activation of the NF-Κb/EMT signaling pathway. Conclusions: In summary, the MIRGPI signature we developed is a reliable marker for the prediction of prognosis and treatment response, and is important for the prognostic assessment and individualized treatment of HCC.
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spelling doaj-art-2bd879accea346fb9182123b899406c92025-08-20T02:49:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111910.1038/s41598-024-78467-3Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinomaHao Li0Lixue Qiao1Minyu Kong2Haoran Fang3Zhiping Yan4Ran Guo5Wenzhi Guo6Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityThyroid Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityAbstract Background: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an independent risk factor of poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and can be used to guide the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. The immune system serves as an integral role in the incidence and progression of HCC. However, the molecular biology correlation between MVI and tumor immunity and the value of combining the two parameters to predict patient prognosis and HCC response to treatment remain to be evaluated. Results: In this study, we used univariate Cox regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox analysis to establish the MVI and immune-related gene index (MIRGPI) including eight genes. We demonstrated that the MIRGPI was an independent risk factor in predicting the prognosis of HCC. Subsequently, our research established a nomogram model combining pathologic characteristics and verified its good clinical application value. In addition, our study found that the TP53 gene had a higher mutation frequency and a lower degree of immune infiltration in the high-risk group. The low-risk group had higher sensitivity to immunotherapy, sorafenib, and TACE treatment, and the high-risk group had higher sensitivity to common chemotherapeutic agents. Finally, SEMA3C was found to facilitate the proliferation, migration and invasive ability of HCC by in vitro and in vivo experiments, and its mechanism may be associated with the activation of the NF-Κb/EMT signaling pathway. Conclusions: In summary, the MIRGPI signature we developed is a reliable marker for the prediction of prognosis and treatment response, and is important for the prognostic assessment and individualized treatment of HCC.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78467-3Hepatocellular carcinomaMVIImmune-related genesPrognostic biomarkerSEMA3C
spellingShingle Hao Li
Lixue Qiao
Minyu Kong
Haoran Fang
Zhiping Yan
Ran Guo
Wenzhi Guo
Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Scientific Reports
Hepatocellular carcinoma
MVI
Immune-related genes
Prognostic biomarker
SEMA3C
title Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_fullStr Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_short Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_sort construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on microvascular invasion and immune related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
topic Hepatocellular carcinoma
MVI
Immune-related genes
Prognostic biomarker
SEMA3C
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78467-3
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