# Clinical Value of PPM1G Gene in Survival Prognosis and Immune Infiltration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Authors: Qingyu Xiao; Zhen Cheng; Wenbin Kuang; Haijun Wu; Xi Luo; Renling Wang
Journal: Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
 (2022)

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## Abstract

Objective. Liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies, but its prognosis is still poor. Exploring potential biomarkers is an important direction of tumor research. We intend to use bioinformatics methods to explore potential biomarkers related to survival and prognosis of HCC. Methods. The mRNA and protein expressions of PPM1G in liver cancer were analyzed by HPA, TIMER, and UALCAN databases, and the effects of PPM1G on the prognosis of liver cancer patients were explored by the GEPIA database. We also explored the correlation between PPM1G expression and liver cancer immune infiltration through the TIMER database and further explored the potential protein interaction network of PPM1G through the STRING database. Results. The mRNA and protein expression of PPM1G gene in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was lower than that in normal adjacent tissues. Liver cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G have a better prognosis than those with low expression of PPM1G. The expression of PPM1G is positively or negatively correlated with different immune cells of liver cancer, such as CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. Conclusion. The liver cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G have a good prognosis, and PPM1G gene may be a potential immunotherapy target and prognostic marker of liver cancer.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and imposes a huge health and economic burden on society [1]. At present, the survival rate of many different tumors is still not ideal, and liver cancer is one of the main causes of death of cancer patients in China. Large sample size, high throughput, and multitumor data are necessary to identify key genes that cause cancer [2]. Some public medical databases, such as TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas), provide rich omics data, making it possible for us to explore in different omics levels [3–5]. More studies have focused on the exploration of tumor immunity and prognostic markers. For example, Ye found that CD96 is involved in multiple immune responses, regulating immune cell infiltration and affecting the malignant properties of various cancer types. Others have reported that FOXD1 may be a potential prognostic marker and antiresistant therapeutic target for oral SCC [6]. Tumor immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy are important means of tumor therapy, but some problems arising in tumor immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy have not been fully clarified [7]. PPM1G is a Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent filament-threonine phosphatase belonging to the PP2C family that can selectively act on phosphoserine or phosphothreonine residues to dephosphorylate and alter the biologically active [8]. Phosphorylation is an important posttranslational protein. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of dephosphorylation of proteins are the most common regulation of life activity in eukaryotic cells [9].In addition, studies have suggested that PPM1G plays an important role in the growth and invasion of malignant melanoma cells [10]. However, PPM1G gene has not been reported in liver cancer. Therefore, the role of PPM1G in the cancer was investigated.In this study, we explored the expression of PPM1G in different tumor types. In addition, we explored the correlation between PPM1G expression and liver cancer prognosis and immune infiltration and provided theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Material

The following are the databases: HPA database (https://www.proteinatlas.org/), UALCAN database (http://ualcan.path.uab.edu/), GEPIA database (http://gepia2.cancer-pku.cn), and TIMER database (http://timer.cistrome.org/).


### 2.2. Gene Expression Analysis

The relative expression levels of PPM1G genes in different tumors were obtained by the HPA database. Furthermore, PPM1G expression in different cancerous and normal adjacent tissues was analyzed, and the UALCAN database was used to explore PPM1G gene expression in different pathological stages of liver cancer.


### 2.3. Analysis of Protein Expression

The HPA database was used to explore the expression levels of PPM1G protein in different digestive system tumors and normal paracancerous tissues.


### 2.4. Survival Prognostic Analysis

The effect of PPM1G mRNA expression on patients with liver cancer was analyzed using the PPM1G database (http://gepia2. cancer-pku.cn/).


### 2.5. Immune Infiltration Analysis

The correlation of PPM1G with the degree of immune infiltration in the TIMER database including CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils was explored.


### 2.6. Protein Interaction Analysis

The potential protein interaction network of PPM1G was explored using the STRING database (https://string-db.org/).


### 2.7. Statistical Analysis

The two groups compared the expression data between tumor and normal groups. The survival analysis of tumor patients was performed by COX regression analysis. Immunological analysis was performed by Spearman correlation analysis.P<0.05 was statistically significant.


## 2.1. Material

The following are the databases: HPA database (https://www.proteinatlas.org/), UALCAN database (http://ualcan.path.uab.edu/), GEPIA database (http://gepia2.cancer-pku.cn), and TIMER database (http://timer.cistrome.org/).


## 2.2. Gene Expression Analysis

The relative expression levels of PPM1G genes in different tumors were obtained by the HPA database. Furthermore, PPM1G expression in different cancerous and normal adjacent tissues was analyzed, and the UALCAN database was used to explore PPM1G gene expression in different pathological stages of liver cancer.


## 2.3. Analysis of Protein Expression

The HPA database was used to explore the expression levels of PPM1G protein in different digestive system tumors and normal paracancerous tissues.


## 2.4. Survival Prognostic Analysis

The effect of PPM1G mRNA expression on patients with liver cancer was analyzed using the PPM1G database (http://gepia2. cancer-pku.cn/).


## 2.5. Immune Infiltration Analysis

The correlation of PPM1G with the degree of immune infiltration in the TIMER database including CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils was explored.


## 2.6. Protein Interaction Analysis

The potential protein interaction network of PPM1G was explored using the STRING database (https://string-db.org/).


## 2.7. Statistical Analysis

The two groups compared the expression data between tumor and normal groups. The survival analysis of tumor patients was performed by COX regression analysis. Immunological analysis was performed by Spearman correlation analysis.P<0.05 was statistically significant.


## 3. Result

### 3.1. Expression of the PDE2A Gene in Different Tumors

We analyzed the expression of PPM1G gene in different tumor tissues through HPA datasets (Figure1). In addition, we further analyzed the expression of PPM1G in different tumor tissues and normal paracancer tissues, and the results of the TIMER database indicated that the expression of PPM1G gene in liver cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in normal paracancer tissues (Figure 2). Finally, we analyzed the expression of PPM1G gene in different pathological stages of tumors of different digestive systems through the UALCAN database (Figures 3(a)–3(e)).Figure 1
Expression of PPM1G in different tumors.Figure 2
Expression levels of PPM1G gene in different tumor types in the TIMER database.Figure 3
The expression of PPM1G gene in different pathological stages was analyzed based on the UALCAN database.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


### 3.2. PDE2A Protein Expression in Tumors of Different Digestive Systems

We explored the expression of PPM1G protein in different digestive systems by analyzing the HPA database. HPA database results indicated that PPM1G protein was negatively or low expressed in liver cancer tissues, while moderately or highly expressed in normal liver tissues (Figures4(a)–4(d)).Figure 4
Protein expression of PPM1G in HPA datasets.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


### 3.3. Survival and Prognostic Value of PPM1G in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

To further investigate the prognostic value of PPM1G in HCC, we analyzed the PPM1G database. The results suggested that liver cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G had a better prognosis than those with low expression of PPM1G (Figures5(a) and 5(c)). However, gastric cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G had a worse prognosis than patients with low expression of PPM1G (Figure 5(b)). PPM1G expression had no effect on the prognosis of colon cancer and esophageal cancer patients (Figure 5(d)).Figure 5
Relationship between PPM1G gene expression and survival prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


### 3.4. Relationship between PPM1G Gene Expression and Immune Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

To explore the correlation between PPM1G expression and the number of different immune cells of liver cancer, we analyzed the TIMER database. The results indicated that the expression of PPM1G was positively or negatively correlated with different immune cells of HCC, such as CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils (Figures 6(a)–6(e)).Figure 6
Correlation between PPM1G gene expression and immune invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma.


## 3.1. Expression of the PDE2A Gene in Different Tumors

We analyzed the expression of PPM1G gene in different tumor tissues through HPA datasets (Figure1). In addition, we further analyzed the expression of PPM1G in different tumor tissues and normal paracancer tissues, and the results of the TIMER database indicated that the expression of PPM1G gene in liver cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in normal paracancer tissues (Figure 2). Finally, we analyzed the expression of PPM1G gene in different pathological stages of tumors of different digestive systems through the UALCAN database (Figures 3(a)–3(e)).Figure 1
Expression of PPM1G in different tumors.Figure 2
Expression levels of PPM1G gene in different tumor types in the TIMER database.Figure 3
The expression of PPM1G gene in different pathological stages was analyzed based on the UALCAN database.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


## 3.2. PDE2A Protein Expression in Tumors of Different Digestive Systems

We explored the expression of PPM1G protein in different digestive systems by analyzing the HPA database. HPA database results indicated that PPM1G protein was negatively or low expressed in liver cancer tissues, while moderately or highly expressed in normal liver tissues (Figures4(a)–4(d)).Figure 4
Protein expression of PPM1G in HPA datasets.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 3.3. Survival and Prognostic Value of PPM1G in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

To further investigate the prognostic value of PPM1G in HCC, we analyzed the PPM1G database. The results suggested that liver cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G had a better prognosis than those with low expression of PPM1G (Figures5(a) and 5(c)). However, gastric cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G had a worse prognosis than patients with low expression of PPM1G (Figure 5(b)). PPM1G expression had no effect on the prognosis of colon cancer and esophageal cancer patients (Figure 5(d)).Figure 5
Relationship between PPM1G gene expression and survival prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 3.4. Relationship between PPM1G Gene Expression and Immune Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

To explore the correlation between PPM1G expression and the number of different immune cells of liver cancer, we analyzed the TIMER database. The results indicated that the expression of PPM1G was positively or negatively correlated with different immune cells of HCC, such as CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils (Figures 6(a)–6(e)).Figure 6
Correlation between PPM1G gene expression and immune invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma.


## 4. Discussion

At present, the treatment methods for liver cancer mainly include surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy [11]. The survival rate of patients with advanced liver cancer is still low, so it is necessary to find better immunotherapy markers and diagnostic markers for liver cancer from the molecular perspective. Xu et al. found that LIMK1 can promote peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer and may be a therapeutic target for gastric cancer [12]. Another study suggested that Mir-638 in serum exosomes may be an important independent prognostic marker of hepatocellular carcinoma [13]. Peng et al. found that coexpression of CMTM6 and PD-L1 was associated with activation of immune microenvironment and favorable prognosis of colorectal cancer. These studies provide strong evidence for us to clarify the immune mechanism and prognosis of liver cancer, but our research on immune and prognostic markers of liver cancer is still insufficient [14, 15].At present, several studies have found that PPM1G is involved in the pathological progression of different tumors. Different studies have found that PPM1G can be used as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis assessment of cervical adenocarcinoma. Another study reported that long noncoding RNA LINC01537 affects tumor growth and proliferation by promoting the expression of PPM1G, thus affecting energy metabolism of lung cancer. All the above studies suggest that PPM1G plays an important role in tumors, but PPM1G has not been reported in digestive system tumors such as liver cancer [16].Our study is the first to explore the expression of PPM1G in liver cancer, and gene analysis results suggest that the expression of PPM1G gene and protein in liver cancer patients is lower than that in normal adjacent tissues [17]. However, Ding et al. s study is contrary to our findings. Their results suggest that PPM1G is highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues. We believe that the reason for the differential expression of PPM1G in different tumors may be the heterogeneity among different tumors. In addition, we also found that liver cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G had a good prognosis, while gastric cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G had a poor prognosis. We believe that the reasons are as follows: first, the number of patients included in the study is not large enough; second, other factors may affect the prognosis of tumor patients [18].Immunotherapy has achieved remarkable results in digestive tumors such as liver cancer [19]. A large number of evidences show that immune cell infiltration can affect the occurrence and recurrence of tumors, and it is an important factor determining the response to immunotherapy and clinical efficacy. Therefore, more and more scholars focus on the direction of tumor immunity. Our results showed that the expression of PPM1G was positively or negatively correlated with different immune cells of liver cancer, such as CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes, suggesting that the expression level of PPM1G can reflect the immune status of digestive tract tumors. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes including T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes have antitumor function [20]. CD8+ T lymphocytes can specifically recognize the major histocompatibility complex antigens and are widely used in tumor-targeted therapy. Our results may provide a potential basis for immunotherapy of liver cancer. These results may provide potential clues for the development of targeted drugs for liver cancer.


## 5. Conclusion

The liver cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G have a good prognosis, and PPM1G gene may be a potential immunotherapy target and prognostic marker of liver cancer.



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