A pan-cancer characterization of immune-related NFIL3 identifies potential predictive biomarker

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Nuclear factor interleukin 3 (NFIL3) is known for regulating circadian rhythms and immune responses.
• Its role in human cancers remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression, prognostic value, and potential functions of NFIL3 across various human cancers.
• To explore the association of NFIL3 with tumor microenvironment factors and the p53 signaling pathway.

Main Methods:

• Utilized TCGA, TARGET, and GTEx datasets for pan-cancer analysis of NFIL3 expression.
• Assessed prognostic implications using GEPIA, KM Plotter, and PrognoScan.
• Investigated correlations with genomic heterogeneity, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor purity, neoantigens, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoint genes.
• Validated findings in ovarian cancer cell lines using proliferation, migration, and molecular assays (qRT-PCR, Western blot, Co-IP).

Main Results:

• NFIL3 expression was generally decreased in cancerous tissues compared to normal tissues.
• NFIL3 expression correlated significantly with prognosis, immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, TMB, MSI, tumor purity, and neoantigens.
• Experimental data suggested NFIL3 influences ovarian cancer cell migration and proliferation.
• A strong association between NFIL3 and the p53 signaling pathway was identified and validated.

Conclusions:

• NFIL3 may function as a potential pan-cancer biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy.
• NFIL3's role in cancer progression and its interaction with the p53 pathway warrant further investigation.