WISP1 and miR-29c-3p are novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for bladder cancer

Abstract

\n Background: Aberrant expression of WISP1 is associated with carcinogenesis; however, the expression and prognostic values of WISP1 in bladder cancer (BC) remain elusive. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the WISP1 expression in BC and explore the possible mechanisms and clinical value of WISP1 in BC. Methods: The in silico analysis based on oncomine and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases were to reveal WISP1 expression and prognosis in BC. Besides, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot assays were used to detect WISP1 expression both in BC tissues and BC cell lines. TargetScan database was used to predict miRNAs that putatively regulate the expression of WISP1. COX regression and the Kaplan-Meier method were applied to evaluate the prognostic value of WISP1 and miRNAs in BC.Results: WISP1 was up-regulated in BC and associated with poor survival in patients with BC through in silico analysis. Besides, WISP1 expression was identified to be up-regulated both in BC tissues and cell lines. We identified 13 miRNAs that putatively regulate the expression of WISP1. Of these miRNAs, only miR-29c-3p was found to be significantly negatively correlated with WISP1 in BC tissues. The correlation of in situ expressions of WISP1 and miR-29c-3p by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and clinical characteristics revealed that WISP1 was significantly associated with tumor size and hsa-miR-23b-3p expression, and miR-29c-3p was associated with tumor size, M stage, and WISP1 expression. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that TNM stage and WISP1 expression were predictors of unfavorable prognosis, while hsa-miR-29c-3p was a predictor of favorable prognosis in patients with BC. Conclusions: Collectively, the findings indicated that WISP1 and miR-29c-3p might serve as novel prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for BC.