WISP2/CCN5 is a prognostic biomarker influenced by tumour purity and fibroblast infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT: Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The dismal outcome is attributable to high frequency of recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, identification of effective biomarkers is a key strategy to inform prognosis and improve survival of HCC patients Methods We analysed expression of WNT-1-induced signalling protein-2 (WISP2) and the prognostic correlation in HCC patients using Oncomine, Kaplan Meier plotter, and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) . We explored the role of WISP2 in HCC using the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and gene microarrays and then assessed the correlation between WISP2 and stromal cells in tumour tissues using the Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Finally, the role of WISP2 and its relationship with tumour purity and fibroblast infiltration were examined both in vitro and in vivo. Results WISP2 was downregulated in HCC tissues, and high expression of WISP2 was associated with better prognosis in patients with certain clinicopathologic characteristics. Upregulation of WISP2 in HCC was related to inhibition of the malignant phenotype in vitro, but these alterations were not observed in vivo . WISP2 also negatively correlated with tumour purity, and increased infiltration of fibroblasts promoted malignant progression in HCC tissues. The enhanced infiltration ability of fibroblasts was related to upregulated high-mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) after overexpression of WISP2 in HCC. Conclusions The findings shed light on the anticancer role of WISP2 in HCC, suggest that WISP2 overexpression may serve as a biomarker for better prognosis, and indicate that WISP2 expression is influenced by tumour purity and fibroblast infiltration.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE134563 | GEO | 2019/07/20

REPOSITORIES: GEO