Diagnostic Value of GDF10 for the Tumorigenesis and Immune Infiltration in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is associated with a low survival rate. Evidence suggests that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their receptors (BMPRs) play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and progression. However, a comprehensive analysis of their role in LUSC is lacking. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between BMPs/BMPRs expression levels and the tumorigenesis and prognosis of LUSC.

The “R/Limma” package was utilized to analyze the differential expression characteristics of BMPs/BMPRs in LUSC, using data from TCGA, GTEx, and GEO databases. Concurrently, the “survminer” packages were employed to investigate their prognostic value and correlation with clinical features in LUSC. The core gene associated with LUSC progression was further explored through weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). LASSO analysis was conducted to construct a prognostic risk model for LUSC. Clinical specimens were examined by immunohistochemical analysis to confirm the diagnostic value in LUSC. Furthermore, based on the tumor immune estimation resource database and tumor-immune system interaction database, the role of the core gene in the tumor microenvironment of LUSC was explored.

GDF10 had a significant correlation only with the pathological T stage of LUSC, and the protein expression level of GDF10 decreased with the tumorigenesis of LUSC. A prognostic risk model was constructed with GDF10 as the core gene and 5 hub genes (HRASLS, HIST1H2BH, FLRT3, CHEK2, and ALPL) for LUSC. GDF10 showed a significant positive correlation with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression.

GDF10 might serve as a diagnostic biomarker reflecting the tumorigenesis of LUSC and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment to guide more effective treatment for LUSC.