Pan-cancer characterization of immune-related lncRNAs identifies potential oncogenic biomarkers

Nat Commun. 2020 Feb 21;11(1):1000. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-14802-2.

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators of gene expression and they play fundamental roles in immune regulation. Here we introduce an integrated algorithm, ImmLnc, for identifying lncRNA regulators of immune-related pathways. We comprehensively chart the landscape of lncRNA regulation in the immunome across 33 cancer types and show that cancers with similar tissue origin are likely to share lncRNA immune regulators. Moreover, the immune-related lncRNAs are likely to show expression perturbation in cancer and are significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration. ImmLnc can help prioritize cancer-related lncRNAs and further identify three molecular subtypes (proliferative, intermediate, and immunological) of non-small cell lung cancer. These subtypes are characterized by differences in mutation burden, immune cell infiltration, expression of immunomodulatory genes, response to chemotherapy, and prognosis. In summary, the ImmLnc pipeline and the resulting data serve as a valuable resource for understanding lncRNA function and to advance identification of immunotherapy targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / classification
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / immunology
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / classification
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / classification
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Oncogenes / immunology*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / immunology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • RNA, Long Noncoding