Lonp1 在结肠腺癌中的表达及其与线粒体自噬和免疫浸润标志物的相关性

LONP1, a mitochondrial ATP-dependent protease, plays a crucial role in mitochondrial homeostasis by regulating protein turnover and mitophagy. Recent studies have highlighted its upregulation in various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC).

This study investigates the expression of LONP1 in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and its correlation with mitophagy-related proteins and immune infiltration markers. Using publicly available databases and immunohistochemical analysis of 50 COAD patient samples, we confirmed that LONP1 expression is significantly elevated in COAD compared with normal tissue.

High LONP1 levels were associated with tumor progression, TP53 mutation status, and poor prognosis. Correlation analyses revealed that LONP1 is closely linked to mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy regulators (PINK1, AMBRA1, FUNDC1), and metabolic reprogramming.

Additionally, LONP1 expression positively correlated with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, particularly CD8+ T cells, suggesting a potential role in immune evasion. Immunohistochemical analysis distinguished two patterns: high LONP1/low TOMM20 expression associated with aggressive tumors and low LONP1/high TOMM20 expression linked to better outcomes and stronger immune infiltration.

These findings suggest that LONP1 contributes to tumor progression through mitochondrial regulation and immune modulation, highlighting its potential as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in COAD.