Pan-cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers: a focus on HMGB2

IntroductionTumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment, regulating immune escape and promoting cancer progression. Understanding the role of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies.Meth...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaoqin Lu, Dan Ren, Panpan Zhao, Yanfang Li, Zhenhui Wang, Jingyan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1565924/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849315166120837120
author Xiaoqin Lu
Dan Ren
Panpan Zhao
Yanfang Li
Zhenhui Wang
Jingyan Zhang
author_facet Xiaoqin Lu
Dan Ren
Panpan Zhao
Yanfang Li
Zhenhui Wang
Jingyan Zhang
author_sort Xiaoqin Lu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionTumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment, regulating immune escape and promoting cancer progression. Understanding the role of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies.MethodsWe performed comprehensive analyses of public databases to evaluate the expression, somatic mutations, and copy number variations of phagocytosis regulators. DNA methylation patterns, biological pathways, survival outcomes, and drug sensitivity were assessed. Additionally, immune modulators, immune cell infiltration, and single-cell sequencing were used to explore alterations in phagocytosis and their cellular origins. The functional role of HMGB2 in tumor cell behavior was validated through in vitro assays.ResultsPhagocytosis regulators exhibited differential expression across various female-specific cancers, with key genes such as CD47 and FOXO1 playing significant roles in modulating tumor progression. High-frequency mutations were found in PTEN, ARID1A, and UBR4. Genes like COX5B and MS4A1 emerged as potential predictors of clinical outcomes and therapeutic response. HMGB2 knockdown significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in female-specific cancers. HMGB2 knockdown in macrophages led to a significant impairment in phagocytosis of breast, cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer cells. Furthermore, when HMGB2 knockdown was combined with Palbociclib treatment, a significant decrease in tumor cell proliferation was observed across multiple cancer models.ConclusionThis study highlights the pivotal role of phagocytosis regulators, particularly HMGB2, in the progression of female-specific cancers. Targeting HMGB2 offers promising therapeutic opportunities, potentially enhancing precision oncology and improving patient outcomes.
format Article
id doaj-art-d3fb8d278e804b19a8f9c76fc3364747
institution Kabale University
issn 1664-3224
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Immunology
spelling doaj-art-d3fb8d278e804b19a8f9c76fc33647472025-08-20T03:52:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15659241565924Pan-cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers: a focus on HMGB2Xiaoqin LuDan RenPanpan ZhaoYanfang LiZhenhui WangJingyan ZhangIntroductionTumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment, regulating immune escape and promoting cancer progression. Understanding the role of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies.MethodsWe performed comprehensive analyses of public databases to evaluate the expression, somatic mutations, and copy number variations of phagocytosis regulators. DNA methylation patterns, biological pathways, survival outcomes, and drug sensitivity were assessed. Additionally, immune modulators, immune cell infiltration, and single-cell sequencing were used to explore alterations in phagocytosis and their cellular origins. The functional role of HMGB2 in tumor cell behavior was validated through in vitro assays.ResultsPhagocytosis regulators exhibited differential expression across various female-specific cancers, with key genes such as CD47 and FOXO1 playing significant roles in modulating tumor progression. High-frequency mutations were found in PTEN, ARID1A, and UBR4. Genes like COX5B and MS4A1 emerged as potential predictors of clinical outcomes and therapeutic response. HMGB2 knockdown significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in female-specific cancers. HMGB2 knockdown in macrophages led to a significant impairment in phagocytosis of breast, cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer cells. Furthermore, when HMGB2 knockdown was combined with Palbociclib treatment, a significant decrease in tumor cell proliferation was observed across multiple cancer models.ConclusionThis study highlights the pivotal role of phagocytosis regulators, particularly HMGB2, in the progression of female-specific cancers. Targeting HMGB2 offers promising therapeutic opportunities, potentially enhancing precision oncology and improving patient outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1565924/fullphagocytosis regulatorsHMGB2female-specific cancerstumor microenvironmentcancer proliferation and invasiontherapeutic targets
spellingShingle Xiaoqin Lu
Dan Ren
Panpan Zhao
Yanfang Li
Zhenhui Wang
Jingyan Zhang
Pan-cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers: a focus on HMGB2
Frontiers in Immunology
phagocytosis regulators
HMGB2
female-specific cancers
tumor microenvironment
cancer proliferation and invasion
therapeutic targets
title Pan-cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers: a focus on HMGB2
title_full Pan-cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers: a focus on HMGB2
title_fullStr Pan-cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers: a focus on HMGB2
title_full_unstemmed Pan-cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers: a focus on HMGB2
title_short Pan-cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female-specific cancers: a focus on HMGB2
title_sort pan cancer analysis of phagocytosis regulators in female specific cancers a focus on hmgb2
topic phagocytosis regulators
HMGB2
female-specific cancers
tumor microenvironment
cancer proliferation and invasion
therapeutic targets
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1565924/full
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaoqinlu pancanceranalysisofphagocytosisregulatorsinfemalespecificcancersafocusonhmgb2
AT danren pancanceranalysisofphagocytosisregulatorsinfemalespecificcancersafocusonhmgb2
AT panpanzhao pancanceranalysisofphagocytosisregulatorsinfemalespecificcancersafocusonhmgb2
AT yanfangli pancanceranalysisofphagocytosisregulatorsinfemalespecificcancersafocusonhmgb2
AT zhenhuiwang pancanceranalysisofphagocytosisregulatorsinfemalespecificcancersafocusonhmgb2
AT jingyanzhang pancanceranalysisofphagocytosisregulatorsinfemalespecificcancersafocusonhmgb2