CBX3 promotes clear cell renal carcinoma through PI3K/AKT activation and aberrant immunity

Abstract

Abstract Background: A chromobox homologue 3(CBX3) is elevated in various cancers and significantly contributes to the promotion of malignant behavior; despite this, its exact involvement in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is yet unknown. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas database served to evaluate CBX3 production and its connection to survival in patients with ccRCC. Our team evaluated the effects of knockdown of CBX3 levels in ccRCC cell populations using in vitro together with in vivo models. CBX3, proteins related to death, and EMT-related proteins were measured in ccRCC cells using western blotting and immunohistochemical assays. Through the analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and GeneOntology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), the biological processes and signal pathways related to CBX3 expression were identified. Immune-related activity reduced by CBX3 was assessed using various online tools. Results: Both genomic and protein expression showed that CBX3 was upregulated in ccRCC. Further functional analyses revealed that CBX3 played a crucial role in enhancing cell growth, migration, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro along with in vivo. Moreover, we provide distinct mechanistic evidence that CBX3 achieves all its pathological functions in ccRCC by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Finally, immunoassays revealed that CBX3, a possible biomarker of ccRCC, was significantly associated with immunity. Conclusions: Our results suggest that CBX3 is overexpressed and promotes ccRCC advancement through PI3K/AKT activation and even immunological dysregulation, making it a potentially viable and beneficial target.