Unveiling the role of Pleckstrin-2 in tumor progression and immune modulation: insights from a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis with focus on lung cancer

揭示 Pleckstrin-2 在肿瘤进展和免疫调节中的作用:以肺癌为重点的全面泛癌分析的见解

阅读:2
作者:Enzhi Yin #, Chengming Liu #, Yuxin Yao #, Yuejun Luo #, Yaning Yang, Xiaoya Tang, Sufei Zheng, Linyan Tian, Jie He

Abstract

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality globally, highlighting the need for novel biomarkers to enhance prognosis and therapeutic strategies. Pleckstrin-2 (PLEK2), a member of the pleckstrin family, has been implicated in processes critical to tumor progression, but its role across cancers remains underexplored. This study systematically examined the expression patterns, prognostic relevance, and functional impact of PLEK2 across multiple cancer types. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype Tissue Expression Project (GTEx), and the Human Protein Atlas, we analyzed PLEK2 expression in both cancerous and normal tissues, revealing significant overexpression of PLEK2 in various cancers at the mRNA and protein levels. Single-cell RNA sequencing further indicated predominant expression of PLEK2 in tumor cells and macrophages within the tumor microenvironment. Survival analysis demonstrated that elevated PLEK2 expression correlated with poor prognosis in specific cancers, though its impact varied across cancer types. Functional assays showed that PLEK2 knockdown inhibited proliferation and migration in human cancer cell lines. In vivo studies using a Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) model confirmed that PLEK2 knockdown suppressed tumor growth and enhanced the efficacy of PD-1 immunotherapy. Mechanistically, PLEK2 knockdown was associated with reduced AKT pathway activation, diminished tumor-associated macrophage infiltration, and increased CD8 T cell presence. Compounds like Navitoclax were also identified as potential PLEK2 inhibitors. In conclusion, PLEK2 played a multifaceted role in cancer progression and immune response modulation. Targeting PLEK2 might suppress tumor growth and overcome immunotherapy resistance, offering a promising biomarker and therapeutic target to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

特别声明

1、本文转载旨在传播信息,不代表本网站观点,亦不对其内容的真实性承担责任。

2、其他媒体、网站或个人若从本网站转载使用,必须保留本网站注明的“来源”,并自行承担包括版权在内的相关法律责任。

3、如作者不希望本文被转载,或需洽谈转载稿费等事宜,请及时与本网站联系。

4、此外,如需投稿,也可通过邮箱info@biocloudy.com与我们取得联系。