Immune-related key gene CLDN10 correlates with lymph node metastasis but predicts favorable prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

The functions of immune cells in lymph node metastasis (LNM) have attracted considerable attention. This study aimed to screen the key immune-related and LNM-related genes in PTC. In the discovery phase, the immune-related genes in LNM were screened by using bioinformatics methods. In the validation phases, the association of the genes with LNM was first confirmed in a cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas and a cohort based on a tissue chip. Then, the relationship of the genes with immune cell infiltration was further explored. Consequently, CLDN10 was identified, and its high expression was correlated with the presence of LNM in PTC but predicted a favorable prognosis. High CLDN10 expression was positively correlated with the infiltration of several immune cells, such as B cells, CD8+T cells, and macrophages. High CLDN10 expression may improve the outcomes of patients with PTC by increasing immune cell infiltration, although it might be associated with LNM. In conclusion, although CLDN1 might be correlated with LNM, it may also increase the infiltration of immune cells, including CD8+T cells and macrophages, and improve the clinical outcomes of patients with PTC. The effects of tumor purity and immune cell infiltration need to be considered in prognosis evaluation.

Down-regulated CLDN10 Predicts Favorable Prognosis and Correlates With Immune Infiltration in Gastric Cancer

“…A previous study has con rmed that CLDN10 was an immune-related gene and could predict the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma [16]. In our analysis, the decreased expression of CLDN10 was associated with increased in ltration of several major immune cells, potentially enhancing the body's anti-tumor immune response, which partly explains why low expression of CLDN10 was associated with better prognosis in gastric cancer.…”

“…Previous reports have shown that CLDN10 is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma. Its expression is associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, but with better survival of thyroid papillary carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma [15][16][17]. In addition, down-regulated CLDN10 is correlated with poor prognosis of ovarian cancer and clear cell renal cell carcinoma [18,19].…”

Down-Regulated CLDN10 Predicts Favorable Prognosis and Correlates With Immune Infiltration in Gastric Cancer

“…Previous reports have shown that CLDN10 is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma. Its expression is associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, but with better survival of thyroid papillary carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma( Huang et al, 2011 ; Zhang et al, 2013 ; Xiang et al, 2020 ). In addition, down-regulated CLDN10 is correlated with poor prognosis of ovarian cancer and clear cell renal cell carcinoma( Li, Xuan, et al, 2020 ; Yang et al, 2020 ).…”

Association of CLDN6 and CLDN10 With Immune Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer: A Study of the Claudin Family

“…CLDN10, a glandular epithelial marker in epithelial ovarian cancer ( Seo et al, 2010 ), was reported to be a key immune-related gene in clear cell renal cell carcinoma ( Yang et al, 2021 ) and papillary thyroid carcinoma ( Xiang et al, 2020 ). Furthermore, CLDN10 expression has proved to be a prognostic marker for ovarian cancer ( Li Z. et al, 2020 ).…”