Identification of LINC00482/mir-22-3p/UNC5D regulatory axis associated with diagnostic and prognostic value of colon cancer

In the present paper, we built a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in colon cancer (CC) through bioinformatics and experimental validation, and discussed the functional effect and regulatory mechanism of this network in CC, as well as their clinical application potential as biomarkers. First, we obtained DElncRNAs, DEmiRNAs and DEmRNAs by analyzing the RNA expression profiles of CRC retrieved from the TCGA database, respectively. Then, those differentially expressed genes with the same trend in expression analysis and survival analysis were used to construct the LINC00482/mir-22-3p/UNC5D axis ceRNA regulatory network by a comprehensive bioinformatics approach. In addition, the results were validated in both correlation analysis and immunohistochemical experiment. The univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses yielded that low expression of LINC00482/UNC5D may be an independent prognostic clinical factor affecting overall survival (OS) in CC patients. Finally, the regulatory mechanism of the ceRNA network affecting the occurrence and development of CC was explored through immune cell infiltration and DNA methylation analysis. In conclusion, the construction of a novel LINC00482/mir-22-3p/ UNC5D axis ceRNA regulatory network may provide new insights into CC pathogenesis and may serve as a promising target for CC therapy.