CLEC7A regulates M2 macrophages to suppress the immune microenvironment and implies poorer prognosis of glioma.

Background: Gliomas constitute a category of malignant tumors originating from brain tissue, representing the majority of intracranial malignancies. Previous research has demonstrated the pivotal role of CLEC7A in the progression of various cancers, yet its specific implications within gliomas remain elusive. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance and immune therapeutic potential of CLEC7A in gliomas through the integration of bioinformatics and clinical pathological analyses.

Methods: This investigation involved examining and validating the relationship between CLEC7A and glioma using samples from Hospital, along with data from TCGA, GEO, GTEx, and CGGA datasets. Subsequently, we explored its prognostic value, biological functions, expression location, and impact on immune cells within gliomas. Finally, we investigated its potential impact on the chemotaxis and polarization of macrophages.

Results: The expression of CLEC7A is upregulated in gliomas, and its levels escalate with the malignancy of tumors, establishing it as an independent prognostic factor. Functional enrichment analysis revealed a significant correlation between CLEC7A and immune function. Subsequent examination of immune cell differential expression demonstrated a robust association between CLEC7A and M2 macrophages. This conclusion was further substantiated through single-cell analysis, immunofluorescence, and correlation studies. Finally, the knockout of CLEC7A in M2 macrophages resulted in a noteworthy reduction in macrophage chemotaxis and polarization factors.

Conclusion: CLEC7A expression is intricately linked to the pathology and molecular characteristics of gliomas, establishing its role as an independent prognostic factor for gliomas and influencing macrophage function. It could be a promising target for immunotherapy in gliomas.