CLEC5A expressed on myeloid cells as a M2 biomarker relates to immunosuppression and decreased survival in patients with glioma

Cancer Gene Ther. 2020 Sep;27(9):669-679. doi: 10.1038/s41417-019-0140-8. Epub 2019 Oct 8.

Abstract

Glioma is the most common tumor in the central nervous system that portends a poor prognosis. Key genes negatively related to survival may provide targets for therapy to improve the outcome of glioma. Here, we report a protein-coding gene CLEC5A, which is the top 1 gene by univariate Cox regression analysis of 524 primary GBM samples. Expression of CLEC5A is significantly correlated with decreased overall survival in patients with glioma via large-scale analysis. An analysis of 2589 patient samples showed that CLEC5A expression is higher in (1) glioblastoma than in lower-grade glioma and nontumor tissue, (2) in the mesenchymal subtype than in other subtypes, and (3) in IDH1-wild type glioblastoma than in IDH1-mutated glioblastoma. Notably, this tumor-associated biomarker is expressed preferentially on myeloid cells over glioma cells. And it shows a strong co-expression with M2 macrophage biomarker. Furthermore, CLEC5A-associated genes are enriched in immunosuppressive biological processes. The silico flow cytometry also showed CLEC5A expression related to less tumor purity and more tumor-promoting leukocytes infiltration. In conclusion, we proposed a new M2 biomarker expressed on myeloid cells that may decrease survival in patients with glioma through immunosuppressive mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Glioma / genetics*
  • Glioma / mortality
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CLEC5A protein, human
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Cell Surface