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Construction of TLS-related gene signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma

delete2026-04-01
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PRE
AI
J
Jian-Rong Li
L
Li-Xin Pan
J
Jia-Yong Su
W
Wei Tian
L
Lei-Po Lin
Z
Zhi-Hao Huang
Z
Zhen-Zhen Li
L
Liang Ma
P
Ping-Ping Guo
Y
Yi-Li Ma
J
Jian-Hong Zhong *
DOI:10.1097/HC9.0000000000000925delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Background:Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are critical components of the tumor microenvironment in HCC. However, the role of TLS-related molecules in predicting HCC outcomes and guiding immunotherapy remains unexplored. This study aimed to develop TLS-related gene signature (TLSRS) to predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients with HCC.Methods:TLS-related genes (TLSRGs) were identified through differential gene expression analysis combined with weighted correlation network analysis. TLSRGs were selected to take the intersection and LASSO regression to construct a TLSRS. Following validation of the associations between clinical prognosis and TLS-related gene features, analyses were further expanded to GSEA, HCC molecular classes, tumor microenvironment characteristics, immune-related molecular features and immunotherapy responsiveness. TLSRS was further explored using single-cell, spatial transcriptomics, immunohistochemistry, and multiplex immunofluorescence to determine their relationship with TLS.Results:TLSs are identified as a favorable prognostic factor in HCC. Three TLSRGs (ACKR1, CCR7, and IL7R), which were associated with both TLS presence and prognosis, were constructed with TLSRS. The TLSRS-high group, which was associated with inflammation-related HCC molecular subtypes, exhibited significantly improved clinical outcomes, along with enhanced immune cell infiltration, enriched immune response pathways, and a higher probability of response to immunotherapy. Results from single-cell, spatial transcriptomics, immunohistochemistry, and multiplex immunofluorescence revealed that ACKR1, CCR7, and IL7R shared similar expression patterns and spatial localization with TLS.Conclusions:The TLSRS shows a correlation with both prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients with HCC, suggesting its potential value in advancing precision medicine for HCC.
Keywords:
HCC
immunotherapy
prognostic signature
tertiary lymphoid structures
tumor microenvironment

Journal

Hepatology Communications cover
Hepatology Communications
IF:
4.6
Papers:
1.9K
Citations:
6.2K

Organization

G
GuangXi Medical University
Scholars:
2.3K
Papers: 507
Citations: 3.1K
S
southern medical university - china
Scholars:
4.5W
Papers: 2.4W
Citations: 50
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