Identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic models

Abstract Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold potential as therapeutic agents in cancer, but their mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify biomarkers associated with MSC proliferation and differentiation (MSCPD) and investigate their r...

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Main Authors: Xin-Xin Zeng, Ke-Xin Xian, Jie-Lun Wen, Qi-Zhe Wang, Xin-Yu Wang, Li-Yue Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Hereditas
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00492-7
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author Xin-Xin Zeng
Ke-Xin Xian
Jie-Lun Wen
Qi-Zhe Wang
Xin-Yu Wang
Li-Yue Sun
author_facet Xin-Xin Zeng
Ke-Xin Xian
Jie-Lun Wen
Qi-Zhe Wang
Xin-Yu Wang
Li-Yue Sun
author_sort Xin-Xin Zeng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold potential as therapeutic agents in cancer, but their mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify biomarkers associated with MSC proliferation and differentiation (MSCPD) and investigate their regulatory roles in LUAD. Methods Using the TCGA-LUAD and GSE72094 datasets, MSCPD-related gene (MSCPD-RG) scores were calculated, and samples were divided into high and low subgroups. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs1: between subgroups; DEGs2: tumor vs. normal) and module genes derived from weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were examined. Overlapping genes were subjected to Cox and LASSO regression to identify potential biomarkers. A prognostic risk model was developed and validated, followed by functional, immune, and drug sensitivity analyses. Results Four biomarkers (MS4A2, IGSF10, NTRK3, MFAP3L) were identified from 1,061 DEGs1, 6,604 DEGs2, and 610 module genes. The risk model based on these biomarkers accurately stratified prognosis. Both T stage and risk score were independent prognostic factors, and a nomogram integrating these factors demonstrated high predictive accuracy. These biomarkers were notably enriched in pathways related to ribosome function, cell cycle regulation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Immune cell analysis revealed significant differences in nine immune cell types (e.g., plasma cells, CD4 memory T cells) between LUAD and normal tissues. Conclusion In this study, four key biomarkers closely related to mesenchymal stem cell proliferation/differentiation (MSCPD) were identified in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), namely MS4A2, IGSF10, NTRK3, and MFAP3L. Through multi-omics integrated analysis and independent cohort validation, it was confirmed that these markers not only affect disease progression by regulating mesenchymal - epithelial transition (MET) and tumor microenvironment remodeling but can also effectively predict patient prognosis and response to immunotherapy.
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spelling doaj-art-eba9c4810e7e468aae5fa515f5be4f8f2025-08-20T03:03:37ZengBMCHereditas1601-52232025-07-01162111910.1186/s41065-025-00492-7Identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic modelsXin-Xin Zeng0Ke-Xin Xian1Jie-Lun Wen2Qi-Zhe Wang3Xin-Yu Wang4Li-Yue Sun5Second Department of Oncology, Guangdong Second Provincial General HospitalDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Guangdong Medical UniversitySchool of Medicine, Jinan UniversityDepartment of Health Management Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Health Management Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Health Management Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityAbstract Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold potential as therapeutic agents in cancer, but their mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify biomarkers associated with MSC proliferation and differentiation (MSCPD) and investigate their regulatory roles in LUAD. Methods Using the TCGA-LUAD and GSE72094 datasets, MSCPD-related gene (MSCPD-RG) scores were calculated, and samples were divided into high and low subgroups. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs1: between subgroups; DEGs2: tumor vs. normal) and module genes derived from weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were examined. Overlapping genes were subjected to Cox and LASSO regression to identify potential biomarkers. A prognostic risk model was developed and validated, followed by functional, immune, and drug sensitivity analyses. Results Four biomarkers (MS4A2, IGSF10, NTRK3, MFAP3L) were identified from 1,061 DEGs1, 6,604 DEGs2, and 610 module genes. The risk model based on these biomarkers accurately stratified prognosis. Both T stage and risk score were independent prognostic factors, and a nomogram integrating these factors demonstrated high predictive accuracy. These biomarkers were notably enriched in pathways related to ribosome function, cell cycle regulation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Immune cell analysis revealed significant differences in nine immune cell types (e.g., plasma cells, CD4 memory T cells) between LUAD and normal tissues. Conclusion In this study, four key biomarkers closely related to mesenchymal stem cell proliferation/differentiation (MSCPD) were identified in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), namely MS4A2, IGSF10, NTRK3, and MFAP3L. Through multi-omics integrated analysis and independent cohort validation, it was confirmed that these markers not only affect disease progression by regulating mesenchymal - epithelial transition (MET) and tumor microenvironment remodeling but can also effectively predict patient prognosis and response to immunotherapy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00492-7Lung adenocarcinomaMesenchymal stem cellsPrognosisTCGAImmune infiltration
spellingShingle Xin-Xin Zeng
Ke-Xin Xian
Jie-Lun Wen
Qi-Zhe Wang
Xin-Yu Wang
Li-Yue Sun
Identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic models
Hereditas
Lung adenocarcinoma
Mesenchymal stem cells
Prognosis
TCGA
Immune infiltration
title Identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic models
title_full Identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic models
title_fullStr Identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic models
title_full_unstemmed Identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic models
title_short Identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic models
title_sort identification of biomarkers associated with proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and establishment of prognostic models
topic Lung adenocarcinoma
Mesenchymal stem cells
Prognosis
TCGA
Immune infiltration
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00492-7
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