Systemic lupus erythematosus promotes HCC by promoting cell cycle C2/M transition

Abstract

Abstract Objective To investigate whether there is an association between immune abnormalities and hepatocellular carcinogenesis in patients with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to explore the possible mechanisms of the association. Methods Based on the mRNA-Seq data of SLE and hepatocellular carcinoma in the public database, we screened the differentially expressed genes using GEO2R, R "Limm" package, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), respectively, and used random forest tree algorithm to screen out the common genes in both diseases. A random forest(RF) tree algorithm was used to screen out the common genes in the two diseases, to investigate the biological functions of the genes in hepatocellular carcinoma, to construct a nomogram risk prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma, and to evaluate the predictive efficiency of the model. The immune profile in hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated based on CIBERSORT and ssGSEA algorithms, and the association of signature genes with the level of tumor immune cell infiltration and the correlation of immune checkpoints in hepatocellular carcinoma were also explored. Results The expression levels of 2 SLE signature genes, CCNB2 and TOP2A, were significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, and showed good diagnostic efficacy and clinical prognostic efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that they may be potential biological targets for hepatocellular carcinoma, and the hepatocellular carcinoma risk prediction model based on the expression levels of CCNB2 and TOP2A showed good risk prediction for hepatocellular carcinoma and has good potential for clinical application. In addition, it was found that the up-regulation of CCNB2 expression may accelerate the G2/M transition of the hepatocellular carcinoma cell cycle, inhibit the apoptotic process, and promote the rate of tumor cell appreciation through the mediation of the p53 signaling pathway, thus contributing to the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion The SLE signature genes CCNB2 and TOP2A are potential predictive targets for new-onset hepatocellular carcinoma in SLE patients, and the upregulation of CCNB2 expression may promote hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression through the mediation of the p53 signaling pathway.