The role of LRRC15-SCG5 in ECM protein binding as a prognostic signature for urothelial carcinoma

Membrane-bound LRRC15 facilitates communication with adjacent cells by interacting with extracellular molecules, yet its role in urothelial carcinoma remains undefined. A systematic analysis of clinicopathological transcriptome profiles of urothelial carcinoma patients reveals that dysregulated levels of LRRC15 are associated with tumor malignancy features and poor prognosis. A clinically based molecular simulation model highlights potential mechanisms whereby LRRC15 mediates urothelial carcinoma cell motility and growth, primarily through the extracellular matrix organization pathway. Further molecular interaction mapping identifies SCG5 as a novel molecule linking to LRRC15 via protein-protein interactions, positively correlating with advanced pathological features and worse prognosis in urothelial carcinoma patients. Kaplan-Meier plotter results indicate that the LRRC15/SCG5 axis can serve as a prognostic marker for low survival rates in both non-muscle invasive and muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Molecules affected by the LRRC15/SCG5 axis in bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial carcinoma contribute to signatures of poor prognosis in urothelial carcinoma. These findings support targeting the LRRC15/SCG5 axis as a potential therapeutic strategy to intervene in urothelial carcinoma progression.