Multi-omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy-related gene AGT in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitors

Abstract Background Autophagy is a crucial mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to environmental stress, and it is closely linked to tumor drug resistance. Through multi-omics analysis, this study explores the expression patterns, functions, and potential role of the autopha...

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Main Authors: Wenjiao Cai, Tao Xiang, Xiaoli Liu, Chong Fu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-11-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-024-01545-5
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author Wenjiao Cai
Tao Xiang
Xiaoli Liu
Chong Fu
author_facet Wenjiao Cai
Tao Xiang
Xiaoli Liu
Chong Fu
author_sort Wenjiao Cai
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Autophagy is a crucial mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to environmental stress, and it is closely linked to tumor drug resistance. Through multi-omics analysis, this study explores the expression patterns, functions, and potential role of the autophagy-related gene Angiotensinogen (AGT) in colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly in relation to chemotherapy resistance. Methods This study first compared AGT expression between CRC and normal tissues using the GTEx and TCGA databases. Differences in expression were assessed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum Tests, and the prognostic impact of AGT was evaluated through univariate Cox survival analysis and meta-analysis. Functional enrichment was performed using the limma and fgsea packages. Drug sensitivity analysis was conducted based on the CTRP database, while immune infiltration was assessed using the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE methods. Spatial transcriptomic characteristics were explored through 10x Visium technology and deconvolution analysis to investigate the correlation between AGT expression levels and tumor cell content.scRNA-seq data from CRC tissues were sourced from Tumor Immune Single Cell Hub (TISCH).Functional annotation was performed with Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (SSGSEA), and pseudotime analysis using Monocle 2 mapped their developmental trajectories. The potential of AGT inhibitors in the treatment of CRC was analyzed using drug-target Mendelian randomization.Finally, Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) was conducted to evaluate genetic associations and potential side effects of AGT inhibitors. Results AGT expression was significantly higher in CRC tissues compared to normal tissues and was associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS). Autophagy signaling pathways were markedly enriched in the high AGT expression group. AGT expression was positively correlated with resistance to chemotherapeutic agents such as gemcitabine, cisplatin, paclitaxel, and 5-fluorouracil. Spatial transcriptomic analysis revealed that AGT was predominantly expressed in malignant tumor regions. Single-cell analysis identified 21 distinct cell subpopulations across 13 major types. AGT expression was significantly higher in tumor samples, especially in the fibroblast C6 subpopulation. Tumor-related pathways were enriched in C1, C5, C6, and C8 subpopulations. Pseudotime analysis revealed that these subpopulations, particularly C6, were in terminal developmental stages.Drug-target Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a negative causal relationship between AGT inhibitors and the risk of both heart failure(ORdrug = 0.950, 95% CI, 0.912–0.990; P = 0.014) and CRC(ORdrug = 0.874, 95% CI: 0.792–0.964; P = 0.007).PheWAS analysis showed no genetic associations between AGT inhibitors and other traits, indicating its specificity and low risk of side effects. Conclusion Elevated AGT expression in CRC is associated with resistance to chemotherapy, and its inhibition may offer a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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spelling doaj-art-9cd76a4110664d2daf6bf8b98a58e5242024-11-24T12:31:44ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112024-11-0115111710.1007/s12672-024-01545-5Multi-omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy-related gene AGT in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitorsWenjiao Cai0Tao Xiang1Xiaoli Liu2Chong Fu3Department of Nephrology, Anqing Municipal HospitalDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Chonggang General HospitalDepartment of Gastroenterology, Xichong People’s HospitalDepartment of Gastroenterology, Anqing Municipal HospitalAbstract Background Autophagy is a crucial mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to environmental stress, and it is closely linked to tumor drug resistance. Through multi-omics analysis, this study explores the expression patterns, functions, and potential role of the autophagy-related gene Angiotensinogen (AGT) in colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly in relation to chemotherapy resistance. Methods This study first compared AGT expression between CRC and normal tissues using the GTEx and TCGA databases. Differences in expression were assessed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum Tests, and the prognostic impact of AGT was evaluated through univariate Cox survival analysis and meta-analysis. Functional enrichment was performed using the limma and fgsea packages. Drug sensitivity analysis was conducted based on the CTRP database, while immune infiltration was assessed using the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE methods. Spatial transcriptomic characteristics were explored through 10x Visium technology and deconvolution analysis to investigate the correlation between AGT expression levels and tumor cell content.scRNA-seq data from CRC tissues were sourced from Tumor Immune Single Cell Hub (TISCH).Functional annotation was performed with Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (SSGSEA), and pseudotime analysis using Monocle 2 mapped their developmental trajectories. The potential of AGT inhibitors in the treatment of CRC was analyzed using drug-target Mendelian randomization.Finally, Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) was conducted to evaluate genetic associations and potential side effects of AGT inhibitors. Results AGT expression was significantly higher in CRC tissues compared to normal tissues and was associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS). Autophagy signaling pathways were markedly enriched in the high AGT expression group. AGT expression was positively correlated with resistance to chemotherapeutic agents such as gemcitabine, cisplatin, paclitaxel, and 5-fluorouracil. Spatial transcriptomic analysis revealed that AGT was predominantly expressed in malignant tumor regions. Single-cell analysis identified 21 distinct cell subpopulations across 13 major types. AGT expression was significantly higher in tumor samples, especially in the fibroblast C6 subpopulation. Tumor-related pathways were enriched in C1, C5, C6, and C8 subpopulations. Pseudotime analysis revealed that these subpopulations, particularly C6, were in terminal developmental stages.Drug-target Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a negative causal relationship between AGT inhibitors and the risk of both heart failure(ORdrug = 0.950, 95% CI, 0.912–0.990; P = 0.014) and CRC(ORdrug = 0.874, 95% CI: 0.792–0.964; P = 0.007).PheWAS analysis showed no genetic associations between AGT inhibitors and other traits, indicating its specificity and low risk of side effects. Conclusion Elevated AGT expression in CRC is associated with resistance to chemotherapy, and its inhibition may offer a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of colorectal cancer.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-024-01545-5AGTColorectal cancerAutophagyChemotherapy resistanceDrug-target mendelian randomization
spellingShingle Wenjiao Cai
Tao Xiang
Xiaoli Liu
Chong Fu
Multi-omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy-related gene AGT in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitors
Discover Oncology
AGT
Colorectal cancer
Autophagy
Chemotherapy resistance
Drug-target mendelian randomization
title Multi-omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy-related gene AGT in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitors
title_full Multi-omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy-related gene AGT in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitors
title_fullStr Multi-omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy-related gene AGT in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitors
title_full_unstemmed Multi-omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy-related gene AGT in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitors
title_short Multi-omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy-related gene AGT in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitors
title_sort multi omics analysis reveals the role of the autophagy related gene agt in chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer and the therapeutic potential of its inhibitors
topic AGT
Colorectal cancer
Autophagy
Chemotherapy resistance
Drug-target mendelian randomization
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-024-01545-5
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