USP25 attenuates the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via the deubiquitination of TAB2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: The role of deubiquitinating enzymes in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remains understudied. Here, we sought to identify the mechanisms of USP25 modulation in the TIME of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen differentially expressed novel deubiquitinases (DUBs) in HNSCC. The importance of USP25 in clinical practice was assessed in the TCGA dataset and tissue microarrays. Single-cell RNA-sequencing was applied to profile the TIME. The function of USP25 was determined through loss-of-function assays. Reduced expression of USP25 was associated with the malignant progression of HNSCC and further indicated poor prognosis. USP25 protein levels were positively correlated with CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration in HNSCC tissue co

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12811241 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature