5 signature genes revealed by single-cell profiling identified unique immune subtypes affecting the prognosis of ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks among the most prevalent gynecological malignancies, with surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy constituting primary treatment modalities. However, despite advancements, immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, has yielded suboptimal outcomes. The pressing need to identify biomarkers predictive of clinical prognosis underscores our objective. We aim to discern gene signatures and establish prognostic subgroups, specifically in the context of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, guiding clinical decision-making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the Tumor Immunotherapy Gene Expression Resource (TIGER) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases to extract signature genes of prognostic significance. Unsupervised consensus clustering was employed to classify patients based on these signature genes. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database, along with the R packages "maftools" and "ESTIMATE" facilitated immune infiltration estimation. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were implemented to probe immune-related cell signaling pathways among distinct subtypes. The Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) database was used to assess immunotherapy effects, while the R package "OncoPredict" evaluated drug sensitivity differences among subtypes. RESULTS: We identified five prognostically influential genes in ovarian cancer: IGFBP7, JCHAIN, CCDC80, VSIG4, and MS4A1. Utilizing these signature genes, we categorized TCGA-OV patients into five clusters, each associated with varying clinical prognoses. Notably, 2 clusters exhibited superior prognoses, accompanied by enhanced immune cell infiltration. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed their heightened enrichment in cellular immunity and immune cell interaction pathways. Given the elevated expression levels of multiple immune checkpoint molecules, these clusters may substantially benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Additionally, chemotherapy sensitivity analysis indicated their favorable responses to first or second-line chemotherapy regimens. CONCLUSIONS: We subclustered ovarian cancer patients by 5 signature genes obtained from the Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset, which demonstrated a good typing effect. Patients in the two molecular subtypes showed better survival, higher immune cell infiltration, and higher drug sensitivity. This meticulous typing may help clinicians to quickly assess the prognosis of patients and the response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

Effect of SERCA2a overexpression in the pericardium mediated by the AAV1 gene transfer on rapid atrial pacing in rabbits.

To study the effects of overexpression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) gene on the activity and protein expression of SERCA2a after rapid atrial pacing (RAP) in New Zealand white rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a sham-operated group (group A), adeno-associated virus 1 (AAV1)/EGFP + atrial fibrillation (AF) model group (group B), or AVV1/SERCA2a + AF group (group C). The sham-operated group was used as a negative control. Each group consisted of 10 animals. Groups B and C were injected with 500 µL of the AAV1-EGFP reporter gene and 500 µL of the AAV1-SERCA2a target gene, respectively. Four weeks after AAV1-mediated gene transfer, the rabbits underwent 24 h of RAP to the right atrium. The animals were sacrificed and protein activity and protein expression in the myocardium were measured using the westernblot method. Four weeks after AAV1-mediated gene transfer, SERCA2a protein activity and expression were significantly higher in Group C than in Groups A and B (P < 0.05). RAP of the right atrium induced atrial fibrillation in rabbits, resulting in decreases in the activity and protein expression of SERCA2a. Pericardial AAV-1 mediated SERCA2a gene transfer resulted in the overexpression of SERCA2a, restoring SERCA2a activity and protein expression.