Exploring the Prognostic Value and Immunomodulatory Role of RELT in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma Based on Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation

OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the expression of receptor expressed in lymphoid tissues(RELT) in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma(KIRC) and its correlation with prognosis, and to explore its biological functions in immune regulation and tumor progression.

METHODS Obtained multiple datasets from the database of The Cancer Genome Atlas. The prognostic significance of RELT was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curve, Cox regression and ROC curve. The ESTIMATE and X cell algorithms were used to quantify immune infiltration, and the pathways regulated by RELT were identified through GSEA. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 180 pathological tissue samples to detect the expression of RELT protein and its correlation with survival period. In addition, by knocking out the RELT gene in human renal cancer cells, the effect on KIRC was verified based on biological experimental methods such as qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS The high expression of RELT in tumor tissues was closely related to the poor survival period of patients with KIRC. Bioinformatics and functional experiments revealed that RELT was a key regulatory factor for the progression of KIRC. RELT also affected immune infiltration by promoting the proliferation of M2-type macrophages, NKT cells and B cells. In addition, RELT played a key role in the apoptosis of renal carcinoma cells. Silencing RELT could inhibit cell migration, and induce apoptosis.

CONCLUSION RELT can regulate the tumor immune microenvironment and promote the malignant progression of tumors. Its high expression indicates a poor prognosis. It holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for KIRC and as a novel therapeutic target, offering a new strategy to improve survival outcomes in KIRC patients.