Introduction: Nod-like receptor C4 (NLRC4) is a member of the Nod-like receptor (NLR) family, and its expression mediates the activation of caspase-1 (CASP1). Abnormal expression of NLRC4 and CASP1 is associated with multiple tumors. However, the expression differences, prognostic value and immune correlation of NLRC4 and CASP1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain to be determined.
Methods: In this study, TCGA, CCLE, HPA, PrognoScan, STRING and GeneMANIA databases were used to analyze differences in expression, prognostic value, genetic alterations and immune cell infiltration of NLRC4 and CASP1 in CRC patients. Then, we further validated the expression of NLRC4 and CASP1 in CRC using immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Results: NLRC4 and CASP1 were expressed low in CRC tissues and CRC cell lines. The expression of NLRC4 was significantly related to the patient’s gender and lymph node metastasis. NLRC4 and CASP1 down-regulated expression was observably correlated with poor survival and diverse immune cells infiltration in CRC patients. NLRC4 and CASP1 have a gene mutation alteration. NLRC4 and CASP1 had a significant positive correlation in CRC.
Conclusion: This study will provide new ideas for the prognosis and treatment in CRC. NLRC4 and CASP1 are expected to be novel biomarkers and potential immunotherapy targets in CRC patients.
Keywords: Nod-like receptor C4, caspase-1, colorectal cancer, bioinformatics, immunohistochemistry