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European Journal of Medical Research

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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Hepatocellular Carcinoma | Research

PCMT1 is a potential target related to tumor progression and immune infiltration in liver cancer

Authors: Jiahao Liu, Baiying Liu, Yanan Li, Ze Mi, Hongpei Tan, Pengfei Rong

Published in: European Journal of Medical Research | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Liver cancer is a prevalent and deadly form of cancer with high incidence and mortality rates. The PCMT1 protein has been linked to cell anti-apoptosis and tumor metastasis, but its significance in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) remains largely unexplored.

Methods

We conducted a pan-cancer analysis to examine the expression differences of PCMT1. Kaplan–Meier curves were employed to assess the prognostic impact of PCMT1 on LIHC patients, and we investigated the association between PCMT1 and clinical features, which we validated using a GEO therapeutic dataset. Gene enrichment analysis helped identify signaling pathways associated with PCMT1 expression. Moreover, we evaluated the relationship between PCMT1 and immune cell infiltration, as well as the differences in gene mutations between high-expression and low-expression groups. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to assess the effect of PCMT1 on tumor cell lines and mouse tumor models, and potential pathways were explored through gene sequencing.

Result

PCMT1 is highly expressed in most tumors and exhibits a significant association with prognosis in LIHC patients. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that PCMT1 is involved in cell cycle regulation, immunity, and other processes. Further immune analysis demonstrated that high expression of PCMT1 could reduce tumor-killing immune cell infiltration. In vitro experiments indicated that PCMT1 knockdown could inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration while promoting apoptosis. In vivo experiments showed that PCMT1 knockdown significantly reduced tumor growth rate, enhanced CD8+T cell infiltration, and increased caspase-3 expression in the tumor area. Gene sequencing suggested that PCMT1 may function through the PI3K–AKT pathway.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that PCMT1 acts as a promoter of liver cancer progression and may serve as a novel prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for patients with LIHC.

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Title: PCMT1 is a potential target related to tumor progression and immune infiltration in liver cancer
Authors: Jiahao Liu
Baiying Liu
Yanan Li
Ze Mi
Hongpei Tan
Pengfei Rong
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01216-1

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Springer Medicine

PCMT1 is a potential target related to tumor progression and immune infiltration in liver cancer

Abstract

Background

Methods

Result

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Result

Conclusion

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