The E3 ubiquitin ligase RBCK1: Implications in the tumor immune microenvironment and antiangiogenic therapy of glioma

Abstract

E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) play a pivotal role in regulating the specificity of protein ubiquitination, and their significant functions as regulators of immune responses against tumors are attracting considerable interest. RBCK1—an RBR E3 ligase—is involved in immune regulation and tumor development. However, the potential effect of RBCK1 on glioma remains enigmatic. In the present study, we performed comprehensive analyses of multilevel data, which disclosed distribution characteristics of RBCK1 in pan-cancer, especially in glioma. Functional roles of RBCK1 were further confirmed using immunohistochemistry, cell biological assays, and xenograft experiments. Aberrant ascending of RBCK1 in multiple types of cancer was found to remodel the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma by regulating immunomodulators, cancer immunity cycles, and immune cell infiltration. Notably, the MES-like/RBCK1High cell population, a unique subset of cells in the microenvironment, suppressed T cell-mediated cell killing in glioma. Elevated expression levels of RBCK1 suggested a glioma subtype characterized by immunosuppression and hypo-responsiveness to immunotherapy but manifesting surprisingly increased responses to anti-angiogenic therapy. In conclusion, anti-RBCK1 target therapy might be beneficial for glioma treatment. Moreover, RBCK1 assisted in predicting molecular subtypes of glioma and response rates of patients to different clinical treatments, which could guide personalized therapy.