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SCIN: A Key Driver in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis-Gastric Cancer Cascade with Implications for Immunity and Prognosis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: -dependent actin-regulating protein, scinderin (SCIN) has been implicated in tumor progression across multiple malignancies, including gastric cancer. This study investigated SCIN expression dynamics during CAG-to-GC progression, its association with the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and clinical prognosis, and validated its role via integrated bioinformatics and experiments. Methods: Transcriptomic data from TCGA and GEO were analyzed using R. WGCNA and ceRNA networks identified SCIN as the core RNA and its interacting miRNAs/lncRNAs. GSVA, GSEA, immune infiltration, and checkpoint analyses explored SCIN's immunological relevance. Prognostic value was assessed via Cox models and ROC curves. SCIN expression was validated in 28 human gastric tissues by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Functional assays (CCK-8, Transwell, flow cytometry) investigated its role in GC cells. Results: SCIN expression significantly increased along normal mucosa→CAG→GC, with high diagnostic performance (AUC). Elevated SCIN correlated with poor survival and served as an independent prognostic factor. It was involved in immune-related pathways, modulated the TIME, and correlated with immune checkpoint markers. SCIN knockdown inhibited GC cell migration, enhanced apoptosis, and altered cell cycle. Conclusion: This study is the first to identify SCIN as a key molecular driver in the CAG-to-GC transition. SCIN represents a robust prognostic biomarker and a potential target for immunotherapeutic intervention in GC.

Source: Journal of Inflammation Research

DOI: 10.2147/jir.s545499