Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy

IntroductionGlioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by pronounced invasiveness, rapid progression, frequent recurrence, and poor clinical prognosis. Current treatment strategies remain inadequate due to the lack of effective molecular targets, underscoring the urgent need...

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Main Authors: Zhaoming Song, Fei Wang, Chen Yang, Yanao Guo, Jinfeng Li, Run Huang, Hongyi Ling, Guosheng Cheng, Zhouqing Chen, Zhanchi Zhu, Zhong Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1610683/full
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author Zhaoming Song
Fei Wang
Chen Yang
Yanao Guo
Jinfeng Li
Run Huang
Hongyi Ling
Guosheng Cheng
Zhouqing Chen
Zhanchi Zhu
Zhong Wang
author_facet Zhaoming Song
Fei Wang
Chen Yang
Yanao Guo
Jinfeng Li
Run Huang
Hongyi Ling
Guosheng Cheng
Zhouqing Chen
Zhanchi Zhu
Zhong Wang
author_sort Zhaoming Song
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionGlioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by pronounced invasiveness, rapid progression, frequent recurrence, and poor clinical prognosis. Current treatment strategies remain inadequate due to the lack of effective molecular targets, underscoring the urgent need to identify novel therapeutic avenues.MethodsIn this study, we employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis and meta-analysis, incorporating clinical immunotherapy datasets, to identify ten candidate genes associated with GBM initiation, progression, prognosis, and response to immunotherapy. Multi-omics analyses across glioma and pan-cancer datasets revealed that these genes play pivotal roles in cancer biology.ResultsPhospholipase Cb4 (PLCB4) showed a negative correlation with tumor grade in clinical samples, suggesting its potential role as a tumor suppressor. Evidence indicated that PLCB4 expression is modulated by Wnt signaling, and its overexpression may activate the calcium ion signaling pathway. Notably, PLCB4 is strongly associated with aberrant tumor proliferation, making it a compelling therapeutic target. Through structure-based virtual screening, five small molecules with high predicted affinity for PLCB4 were identified as potential drug candidates.DiscussionThis study’s integrative approach—combining target identification, pathway inference, and in silico drug screening—offers a promising framework for rational drug development in GBM. The findings may reduce unnecessary experimental screening and medical costs, and represent a significant step toward improving therapeutic outcomes and prognosis for GBM patients.
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spelling doaj-art-c7e0077d4b1c467287c247acf62332992025-08-20T03:40:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-08-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.16106831610683Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapyZhaoming Song0Fei Wang1Chen Yang2Yanao Guo3Jinfeng Li4Run Huang5Hongyi Ling6Guosheng Cheng7Zhouqing Chen8Zhanchi Zhu9Zhong Wang10Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaSuzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaSuzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaSuzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaSuzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaChinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaChinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaIntroductionGlioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by pronounced invasiveness, rapid progression, frequent recurrence, and poor clinical prognosis. Current treatment strategies remain inadequate due to the lack of effective molecular targets, underscoring the urgent need to identify novel therapeutic avenues.MethodsIn this study, we employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis and meta-analysis, incorporating clinical immunotherapy datasets, to identify ten candidate genes associated with GBM initiation, progression, prognosis, and response to immunotherapy. Multi-omics analyses across glioma and pan-cancer datasets revealed that these genes play pivotal roles in cancer biology.ResultsPhospholipase Cb4 (PLCB4) showed a negative correlation with tumor grade in clinical samples, suggesting its potential role as a tumor suppressor. Evidence indicated that PLCB4 expression is modulated by Wnt signaling, and its overexpression may activate the calcium ion signaling pathway. Notably, PLCB4 is strongly associated with aberrant tumor proliferation, making it a compelling therapeutic target. Through structure-based virtual screening, five small molecules with high predicted affinity for PLCB4 were identified as potential drug candidates.DiscussionThis study’s integrative approach—combining target identification, pathway inference, and in silico drug screening—offers a promising framework for rational drug development in GBM. The findings may reduce unnecessary experimental screening and medical costs, and represent a significant step toward improving therapeutic outcomes and prognosis for GBM patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1610683/fullglioblastomaPLCB4machine learningtumor microenvironmentmulti-omicsimmunotherapy
spellingShingle Zhaoming Song
Fei Wang
Chen Yang
Yanao Guo
Jinfeng Li
Run Huang
Hongyi Ling
Guosheng Cheng
Zhouqing Chen
Zhanchi Zhu
Zhong Wang
Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy
Frontiers in Immunology
glioblastoma
PLCB4
machine learning
tumor microenvironment
multi-omics
immunotherapy
title Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy
title_full Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy
title_fullStr Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy
title_full_unstemmed Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy
title_short Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy
title_sort meta analysis of multi center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase cβ4 as a wnt ca² signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy
topic glioblastoma
PLCB4
machine learning
tumor microenvironment
multi-omics
immunotherapy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1610683/full
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