Transcription levels and prognostic significance of the NFI family members in human cancers

Oncomine database

Oncomine (http://www.oncomine.org), an online cancer microarray database and web-based data-mining platform, was used to analyze the individual mRNA levels of NFI transcription factors between cancers and respective normal tissues in multiple cancer types (Rhodes et al., 2007, 2004). In this study, the thresholds were restricted as follows: p-value: 0.01; fold change: 2; gene rank: 10%; data type: mRNA; analysis type: cancer vs. normal analysis. Cancer type, sample size, fold change, t-test and p-value were obtained from studies that showed statistically significant differences.

TCGA analysis using UCSC Xena browser

Integrin mRNA HiSeq expression data from the TCGA database involving breast, lung, melanoma, pancreatic and bladder cancers, as well as other cancers, were obtained from the UCSC Xena browser (https://xenabrowser.net) version: 2017-05-06. Student’s t-test was performed to investigate differences in the mRNA expression levels between tumors and normal tissues. The boxplots were made using the GraphPad prism software.

cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics database

The cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics (http://www.cbioportal.org/) is an open-access resource for the interactive exploration of multidimensional cancer genomics data sets. The genetic alterations in multiple cancers were examined using cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics (Cerami et al., 2012; Gao et al., 2013). The correlation between mRNA (RNA Seq V2 RSEM) and DNA methylation (HM450) in various cancers was calculated according to the cBioPortal’s online instructions.

KM plotter database

The KM plotter (http://kmplot.com/analysis/) database assesses the effects of 54,675 genes on survival in 18,674 cancer types. In this database, the survival data for breast, lung, bladder, head and neck, esophageal, and kidney cancers are available (Nagy et al., 2018). In the present study, the database was used to analyze the prognostic values of NFI genes in those cancers. For each gene symbol, the desired probe IDs were individually entered into the database to obtain KM plots. Patients were divided into high and low expression groups based on the median values of mRNA expression levels, and survival analyses were performed without follow-up restrictions. The number of cases, hazard ratios (HRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and log rank p-values were extracted from the KM plotter webpage.

SurvExpress database

The SurvExpress database was used to obtain survival data for prostate cancer, for which information was not available in the KM plotter database (Aguirre-Gamboa et al., 2013). The TCGA database was used for analysis because both the desirable probes and larger sample size were present (>200 patients). The hazard odds ratio with 95% CI having p-values ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mRNA expression patterns of the NFI family members in human cancers

The Oncomine database was used to analyze the mRNA expression differences of four NFI genes between tumors and normal tissues in various cancers. As shown in Fig. 1, the database contained a total of 312, 449, 438 and 457 unique analyses for NFIA, NFIB, NFIC and NFIX, respectively. In 69 studies, a statistically significant difference for NFIA was observed. In 53 of the 69 studies, 14 types of cancers showed decreased NFIA mRNA expression level compared with normal tissues; however, in 16 studies, the opposite results were observed. Ninety-three unique analyses revealed the NFIB mRNA expression level varied with the type of tumor. Compared with normal tissues, NFIC mRNA expression level was reduced in tumors in 18 studies involving 10 types of cancers, however, an increased level was observed in lymphomas and melanomas in only six studies. Regarding NFIX, 22 datasets revealed lower NFIX expression levels in 10 types of carcinomas with statistical significance, however, 10 analyses showed higher NFIX expression levels in brain and CNS cancer, esophageal cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer and sarcoma. Taken together, most of the analyses showed the NFI transcriptional expression levels were significantly reduced in tumors compared with normal tissues.

Transcription levels and prognostic significance of the NFI family members in breast cancer

The mRNA expression levels of the NFI family members were first analyzed in breast cancer using the Oncomine database, which utilizes differential expression analyses by comparing most major types of cancer with respective normal tissues. In a total of 13 datasets, the differences in mRNA expression levels were compared between breast cancer and normal tissues. Analyses were available for NFIA, NFIB and NFIX in all 13 datasets, and for NFIC in 12 datasets. The NFIA mRNA level was found significantly downregulated in numerous databases including Kamoub (Karnoub et al., 2007), Richardson2 (Richardson et al., 2006) Curtis (Curtis et al., 2012), TCGA and Gluck (Gluck et al., 2012). However, the NFIA mRNA level was upregulated in invasive breast carcinoma in Finak’s database (Finak et al., 2008). NFIB was significantly downregulated in 22 unique analyses across different breast cancer subtypes in 10 different databases including TCGA, Curtis (Curtis et al., 2012), Ma 4 (Ma et al., 2009), Zhao (Zhao et al., 2004), Turashvili (Turashvili et al., 2007), Sorlie (Sorlie et al., 2001), Richardson2 (Richardson et al., 2006), Sorlie2 (Sorlie et al., 2003), Perou and Gluck (Gluck et al., 2012; Perou et al., 2000). NFIC mRNA level was decreased in ductal breast carcinoma and lobular breast carcinoma in studies in which Richardson2 and Sorlie2 databases were utilized (Richardson et al., 2006; Sorlie et al., 2003). NFIX mRNA level was significantly reduced in multiple databases including Curtis (Curtis et al., 2012), Zhao (Zhao et al., 2004), Kamoub and Gluck (Gluck et al., 2012; Karnoub et al., 2007) for invasive ductal breast carcinoma, invasive ductal and invasive lobular breast carcinoma, invasive ductal breast carcinoma and invasive breast carcinoma, respectively. NFIX mRNA level was also significantly downregulated in ductal breast carcinoma compared with normal tissues in Sorlie (Sorlie et al., 2001), Perou and Sorlie2 databases (Perou et al., 2000; Sorlie et al., 2003). The statistically significant results are summarized in Table 1. Next, the mRNA HiSeq expression data from TCGA database was utilized to further determine the expression of the NFI family members in breast cancer. As shown in Fig. 2A, expression of all NFI family members was significantly downregulated in 1,104 cases of breast cancer compared with 114 normal samples. Next, the underlying mechanism of dysregulated expression of the NFI family was investigated using the cBioPortal online tool for breast invasive carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy). NFI genes were altered in 242 samples from 963 patients (25%) with breast invasive carcinoma. Specifically, genetic alteration of the NFI genes was analyzed and depicted as oncoprints representing mutation, amplification, deep deletion, mRNA high, mRNA low and multiple alterations (Figs. 2B and 2C). Survival analysis of the NFI genes with and without each gene alteration was conducted (Fig. S1). Breast invasive carcinoma patients with a NFIX gene alteration showed significantly poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) compared with breast invasive carcinoma patients without NFIX gene alteration. In addition, the correlation between NFI gene expression and its DNA methylation was calculated using the cBioPortal online tool for breast invasive carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), and Pearson’s correction was included (Figs. 2D–2G). The results indicated significant and negative correlations between NFI gene expression and corresponding DNA methylation in breast invasive carcinoma. Regression analysis confirmed a strongly negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.64) and NFIX (Pearson’s r = −0.76), a moderately negative correlation in NFIB (Pearson’s r = −0.41), and a weakly negative correlation in NFIC (Pearson’s r = −0.30).

Subsequently, the prognostic effects of the NFI family members were determined using the KM plotter database (www.kmplot.com) (Gyorffy et al., 2010). The breast oncology community currently describes breast cancer in terms of intrinsic biologic subtypes, and at least four subtypes are defined: basal-like (ER−/PR−/HER2−), luminal A (ER+/HER2−/grade 1 or 2), luminal B (ER+/HER2−/grade 3) and HER2 enriched (any HER2+ tumor). Therefore, prognosis analysis was investigated based on these four intrinsic subtypes. The results showed decreased NFIA, NFIC and NFIX expression predicted worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) in all patient subtypes. In addition, low NFIA expression was associated with poor RFS, OS and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in luminal A subtype. Decreased NFIA expression showed better RFS, OS and DMFS in the HER2-enriched subtype. Similarly, reduced NFIX expression indicated worse RFS in patients classified as luminal A but not in patients classified as HER2-enriched. In addition, downregulated NFIB expression was associated with better DMFS and post-progression survival (PPS) in basal-like patients. All the results are summarized in Table 2 and Tables S1A–S1C File.

Transcription levels and prognostic significance of the NFI family members in lung cancer

Similarly, the Oncomine database was utilized to compare the mRNA expression levels of the NFI family members in lung cancer and normal tissues. Using the same thresholds (p-value = 0.01; fold change = 2; gene rank: 10%, data type: mRNA), in Okayama and Hou’s analysis, the NFIA mRNA expression level was significantly lower in lung adenocarcinoma (Hou et al., 2010; Okayama et al., 2012). According to Garber’s database, NFIA expression was also downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma and large cell lung carcinoma (Garber et al., 2001). However, in SCLC and squamous cell lung carcinoma, opposite results were observed for NFIA in reporter IMAGE:364302 (high expression) and IMAGE:813154 (low expression). The NFIB mRNA expression level was significantly decreased in seven unique analyses, across different lung cancer subtypes, in five different databases including Stearman (Stearman et al., 2005), Bhattacharjee (Bhattacharjee et al., 2001), Garber (Garber et al., 2001), Wachi and Hou (Hou et al., 2010; Wachi, Yoneda & Wu, 2005). Two comparisons with Bhattacharjee’s database indicated the NFIC mRNA level was reduced in lung adenocarcinoma and SCLC (Bhattacharjee et al., 2001). NFIX expression was also lower in large cell lung carcinoma according to Garber’s database (Garber et al., 2001). All statistically significant results are shown in Table 3. Next, the expression differences between lung cancer and normal tissues were evaluated using the mRNA HiSeq expression data from the TCGA database. There were 110 normal samples and 1,019 lung cancer samples, including 513 lung adenocarcinomas and 506 lung squamous cell carcinomas. As shown in Fig. 3A, the expression of the NFI family members in lung cancer tissues was significantly lower than in normal tissues. Next, the underlying mechanism of dysregulated expression of the NFI family was analyzed using the cBioPortal online tool for lung adenocarcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy). NFI genes were altered in 58 samples of 230 patients (25%) with lung adenocarcinoma and 41 samples of 178 patients (23%) with lung squamous cell carcinoma. The NFI genes in lung cancer were analyzed and depicted as oncoprints representing mutation, amplification, deep deletion, mRNA high, mRNA low, and multiple alterations (Figs. 3B, 3C, 3H and 3I). Survival analysis of the NFI genes with and without each gene alteration was conducted. Lung adenocarcinoma patients with NFIB gene alteration showed better DFS compared with lung adenocarcinoma patients without NFIB gene alteration (Fig. S2). Lung squamous cell carcinoma patients with NFIA gene alteration showed worse OS compared with lung squamous cell carcinoma patients without NFIA gene alterations (Fig. S3). In addition, the correlation between NFI gene expression and its DNA methylation was calculated using the cBioPortal online tool for lung adenocarcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), and Pearson’s correction was included. The results indicated significant and negative correlation between NFI gene expression and corresponding DNA methylation in lung adenocarcinoma (Figs. 3D–3G) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (Figs. 3J–3M). Regarding lung adenocarcinoma, regression analysis confirmed a strongly negative correlation in NFIX (Pearson’s r = −0.63), a moderately negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.47) and NFIB (Pearson’s r = −0.45), and a weakly negative correlation in NFIC (Pearson’s r = −0.21). Regression analysis indicated a moderately negative correlation in NFIB (Pearson’s r = −0.53) and NFIX (Pearson’s r = −0.42) and a weakly negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.38). However, correlation between NFIC expression and methylation was not observed.

Next, the prognostic value of the NFI family members was assessed for lung cancer using the KM plotter database (Gyorffy et al., 2013). OS, first progression (FP), and PPS were analyzed for each gene. NFIC was uncorrelated with OS, FP and PPS in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell lung carcinoma. Decreased NFIA and NFIB expression predicted worse OS and FP in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Reduced NFIB expression was also associated with poor PPS. No gene showed statistical significance for squamous cell lung carcinoma patients except NFIX, which was associated with OS. All the detailed prognostic analyses are shown in Table 4 and in Tables S2A and S2B File.

Transcription levels and prognostic significance of the NFI family members in bladder cancer

For bladder cancer, all statistically significant datasets from the Oncomine database were extracted in Table 5. NFIA, NFIB and NFIC expressions were decreased in both superficial bladder cancer and infiltrating bladder urothelial carcinoma compared with normal tissues in Lee (Lee et al., 2010), Sanchez-Carbayo2 and Blaveri2’s studies (Blaveri et al., 2005; Sanchez-Carbayo et al., 2006). According to Lee’s study, NFIX expression was reduced in superficial bladder cancer (Lee et al., 2010). Based on mRNA HiSeq expression data from the TCGA database, the expression of all NFI family members was significantly downregulated in 407 bladder cancer samples compared with 19 normal samples (Fig. 4A). Next, the cBioPortal online tool was used to investigate the underlying mechanism of dysregulated expression of the NFI family for bladder urothelial carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy). NFI genes were altered in 38 samples of 127 patients (30%) with bladder urothelial carcinoma. Genetic alteration of the NFI genes was analyzed and depicted as oncoprints representing mutation, amplification, deep deletion, mRNA high, and multiple alterations (Figs. 4B and 4C). Survival analysis of the NFI genes with and without each gene alteration was conducted (Fig. S4). Bladder urothelial carcinoma patients with NFIB gene alteration showed significantly better OS compared with bladder urothelial patients without NFIB gene alteration. In addition, the correlation between NFI gene expression and its DNA methylation was calculated using the cBioPortal online tool for bladder urothelial carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), and Pearson’s correction was included (Figs. 4D–4G). The results indicated significantly negative correlation between NFI gene expression and corresponding DNA methylation in bladder urothelial carcinoma. Regression analysis confirmed a moderately negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.42) and a weakly negative correlation in NFIB (Pearson’s r = −0.37) and NFIC (Pearson’s r = −0.31). However, correlation between NFIX expression and its methylation was not observed (Pearson’s r = −0.16).

Subsequently, the association between the NFI family members and the survival outcomes of bladder cancer patients using the KM plotter database was explored (Nagy et al., 2018). High expression of NFIA, NFIC and NFIX predicted worse survival outcome in patients with bladder cancer. All the data are shown in Table 6.

Transcription levels and prognostic significance of the NFI family members in head and neck cancer

For head and neck cancer, a total of six datasets from the Oncomine database were used to investigate the mRNA expression of the NFI family members in tumors and normal tissues (Table 7). Ye’s dataset showed significantly decreased NFIA and NFIB mRNA expression level in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (Ye et al., 2008). In addition, expression of NFIB and NFIX was downregulated in tongue squamous cell carcinoma according to Estilo’s study (Estilo et al., 2009). NFIA and NFIX were reduced in tonsillar carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. In Cromer’s dataset, NFIB mRNA was significantly decreased in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Cromer et al., 2004). Nevertheless, the NFIB mRNA expression level was significantly elevated in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma in FriersonHF’s dataset (Frierson et al., 2002). Due to the limited number of cases in the Oncomine database, 522 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and 44 normal samples from the TCGA database were further used to validate the potential expression differences of the NFI family members in tumors and normal tissues. Expression of all the NFI family members was significantly downregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal tissues (Fig. 5A). Next, the underlying mechanism of dysregulated expression of the NFI family was investigated using the cBioPortal online tool for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy). NFIs were altered in 106 samples of 504 patients (21%) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Specifically, genetic alteration of the NFI genes was analyzed and depicted as oncoprints representing mutation, amplification, deep deletion, mRNA high and multiple alterations (Figs. 5B and 5C). Survival analysis of the NFI genes with and without each gene alteration was conducted (Fig. S5). Head and neck cancer patients with NFIA gene alteration showed better OS compared with head and neck cancer patients without NFIA gene alteration. In addition, the correlation between NFI gene expression and its DNA methylation was calculated using the cBioPortal online tool for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), and Pearson’s correction was included (Figs. 5D–5G). The results indicated significantly negative correlation between NFI gene expression and corresponding DNA methylation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Regression analysis confirmed a moderately negative correlation in NFIB (Pearson’s r = −0.41) and a weakly negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.33) and NFIX (Pearson’s r = −0.36). Correlation between NFIC expression and its methylation was not observed (Pearson’s r = −0.19). However, only survival data of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from the KM plotter database were analyzed (Nagy et al., 2018). The results showed all the NFI family members were associated with OS in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma except NFIX. Higher expression levels of NFIA, NFIB and NFIC implied better OS (Table 8).

Transcription levels and prognostic significance of the NFI family members in esophageal cancer

All statistically significant datasets for esophageal cancer were extracted in Table 9. NFIA was reduced in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), esophageal adenocarcinoma, and Barrett’s esophagus in Su2 and Kim’s datasets (Kim et al., 2010; Su et al., 2011). In Kim’s study, the NFIB mRNA expression level was also downregulated in esophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett’s esophagus. However, Hao’s dataset showed the opposite results for esophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett’s esophagus (Hao et al., 2006). In the TCGA database, the expression of the NFI family members was decreased in esophageal cancer evaluated using the mRNA HiSeq expression data (Fig. 6A). Next, the underlying mechanism of dysregulated expression of the NFI family was investigated using the cBioPortal online tool for esophageal carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy). NFI genes were altered in 38 samples of 184 patients (21%) with esophageal carcinoma. Genetic alteration of the NFI genes was analyzed and depicted as oncoprints representing mutation, amplification, deep deletion, mRNA high and multiple alterations (Figs. 6B and 6C). Survival analysis of the NFI genes with and without each gene alteration was conducted (Fig. S6). However, significant difference in survival was not observed. In addition, the correlation between NFI gene expression and its DNA methylation was calculated using the cBioPortal online tool for esophageal carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), and Pearson’s correction was included (Figs. 6D–6G). The results indicated significantly negative correlation between NFI gene expression and corresponding DNA methylation in esophageal carcinoma. Regression analysis confirmed a moderately negative correlation in NFIB (Pearson’s r = −0.4) and NFIX (Pearson’s r = −0.51), a weakly negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.32) and NFIC (Pearson’s r = −0.33). The correlation between expression of the NFI family members and survival outcome involving OS in esophageal cancer patients was then determined using the KM plotter database. Low expression of NFIC and NFIX revealed poor prognosis in esophageal adenocarcinoma patients. The details are shown in Tables 10A and 10B.

Transcription levels and prognostic significance of the NFI family members in kidney cancer

For kidney cancer, Higgins’s dataset showed the NFIA mRNA expression level was upregulated in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney compared with normal kidney tissues (Higgins et al., 2003). NFIB was overexpressed in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney and papillary renal cell carcinoma according to Cutcliffe and Jones’s datasets (Cutcliffe et al., 2005; Jones et al., 2005). However, in Cutcliffe’s dataset, NFIB expression was reduced in Wilms tumor. In addition, two analyses with Yusenko’s dataset showed lower NFIB mRNA levels in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and renal oncocytoma (Yusenko et al., 2009). All statistically significant results are summarized in Table 11. Furthermore, analyses were performed for kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma (Fig. 7A), kidney clear cell carcinoma (Fig. 8A), and kidney papillary cell carcinoma (Fig. 9A) using the mRNA HiSeq expression data from the TCGA database. Consistent with the trend observed in the Oncomine database, NFIA, NFIB and NFIX were significantly overexpressed in kidney clear cell carcinoma compared with normal kidney tissue. In addition, expression of NFIA and NFIB was downregulated in kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma, whereas expression of NFIC and NFIX was upregulated. Contrary to kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma, expression of NFIA and NFIB was upregulated in kidney papillary cell carcinoma and expression of NFIC and NFIX was reduced. Subsequently, the underlying mechanism of dysregulated expression of the NFI family was investigated using the cBioPortal online tool for kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy) and kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy). NFI genes were altered in 11 samples of 66 patients (11%) with kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma, 72 samples of 448 patients (16%) with kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, and 55 samples of 280 patients (20%) with kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma. The NFI genes in kidney cancer were analyzed and depicted as oncoprints representing mutation, amplification, deep deletion, mRNA high, mRNA low and multiple alterations (Figs. 7B, 7C, 8B, 8C, 9B and 9C). Survival analysis of the NFI genes with and without each gene alteration was conducted. Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma patients with NFIA gene alteration showed significantly poor OS and DFS compared with kidney renal clear cell carcinoma patients without NFIA gene alteration (Fig. S8). Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma patients with NFIX gene alteration showed worse OS compared with kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma patients without NFIX gene alteration (Fig. S9). However, significant difference in survival for kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma patients was not observed (Fig. S7). In addition, the correlation between NFI gene expression and its DNA methylation was calculated using the cBioPortal online tool for kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), and kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (TCGA, Firehose Legacy), and Pearson’s correction was included. The results indicated significantly negative correlation between NFI gene expression and corresponding DNA methylation in kidney cancer. Regarding kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma (Figs. 7D–7G), regression analysis confirmed a moderately negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.4), NFIC (Pearson’s r = −0.4) and NFIX (Pearson’s r = −0.42). Correlation between NFIB expression and its DNA methylation was not observed (Pearson’s r = −0.11). In kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (Figs. 8D–8G), regression analysis indicated a strongly negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.61), a moderately negative correlation in NFIX (Pearson’s r = −0.44), and a weakly negative correlation in NFIB (Pearson’s r = −0.39). Correlation between NFIC expression and its methylation was not observed (Pearson’s r = −0.19). In addition, regression analysis confirmed a moderately negative correlation in NFIA (Pearson’s r = −0.52) and NFIB (Pearson’s r = −0.47), a weakly negative correlation in NFIX (Pearson’s r = −0.36), and no correlation in NFIC (Pearson’s r = −0.18) for kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (Figs. 9D–9G). Next, the prognostic significance associated with the expression of the NFI family members was evaluated using the KM plotter database (Nagy et al., 2018). The results showed low expression of the NFI family members predicted worse OS in kidney clear cell carcinoma. Reduced expression of NFIA and NFIX was significantly associated with better RFS. In kidney papillary cell carcinoma, decreased NFIB mRNA level was significantly correlated with worse OS and RFS. Decreased NFIA expression was also associated with worse OS but not RFS. Conversely, low NFIX expression predicted better OS. The details are shown in Tables 12A and 12B. However, the survival data for kidney chromophobe cell carcinoma were not available in the KM plotter or SurvExpress database.

Transcription levels and prognostic significance of the NFI family members in other cancers

The Oncomine database showed significant differences in mRNA expression of NFIB and NFIC between cervical cancer and normal tissues (Fig. 1). The details are shown in Table S3. NFIB expression was downregulated in high grade cervical squamous and cervical squamous cell carcinoma analyzed according to Zhai and Scotto’s datasets, respectively (Scotto et al., 2008; Zhai et al., 2007). In Biewenga’s study (Biewenga et al., 2008), the NFIC mRNA expression was also reduced in cervical squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal tissues. However, the difference in expression of the NFI family members between tumors and normal tissues in the TCGA database could not be compared due to the lack of normal samples. Subsequently, the prognostic value associated with the expression of the NFI family members was determined using the KM plotter database. The results showed lower mRNA expression of NFIB, NFIC and NFIX predicted worse OS in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, elevated NFIA and NFIB mRNA levels were significantly associated with worse RFS (Table S4 File).

For colorectal cancer, analysis using the Oncomine database revealed significant difference only in NFIA and NFIB mRNA levels between tumor and normal samples (Table S5). Expression of NFIA and NFIB was downregulated in colorectal cancer according to the TCGA database. However, NFIA expression was increased in rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma and cecum adenocarcinoma in Kaiser’s study (Kaiser et al., 2007). NFIB mRNA level was upregulated in colon adenoma according to Skrzypczak’s dataset (Skrzypczak et al., 2010). Expression of NFIA, NFIB and NIFC was reduced in colorectal cancer tissues evaluated based on mRNA HiSeq expression data from the TCGA database (Fig. S10). Next, the prognostic significance associated with the expression of the NFI family members was evaluated using the KM plotter database. Only NFIX expression was associated with OS in colorectal cancer patients (Table S6).

For gastric cancer, NFIB and NFIX mRNA levels were not significantly different between tumor and normal tissues (Table S7). DErrico’s dataset showed overexpression of the NFIB gene. However, NFIX mRNA level was significantly downregulated in gastric mixed adenocarcinoma (D’Errico et al., 2009). Due to the limited number of cases in the Oncomine database, 380 gastric cancers and 37 normal samples from the TCGA database were further used to confirm the potential expression differences of the NFI family members between tumors and normal tissues. NFIB expression was elevated in gastric cancer. However, the NFIC mRNA level was downregulated in gastric cancer compared with normal tissues (Fig. S11). Subsequently, to ascertain the prognostic value associated with the expression of the NFI family members in gastric cancer, OS, PPS and FP were evaluated using the KM plotter database. The prognostic effects of the four genes are shown in Table S8. Low expression of NFIC and NFIX predicted poor OS in gastric cancer patients. In addition, reduced NFIX expression was significantly associated with worse FP in gastric cancer patients. Next, the prognostic ability of NFI expression was investigated in different HER2 statuses of gastric cancer. As shown in Tables S8A–S8C, only reduced NFIX mRNA expression could predict worse OS, FP and PPS in the HER2-positive group. However, in the HER2-negative group, NFIB and NFIC expression was significantly correlated with better OS and decreased NFIX expression was associated with better PPS.

For liver cancer, analysis using the Oncomine database revealed only NFIA mRNA level was significantly downregulated in tumor tissues according to Wurmbach’s dataset (Wurmbach et al., 2007). Other genes of the NFI family did not show any significant difference between tumors and normal tissues (Table S9). NFIA, NFIB and NFIC expression levels were reduced in cancer tissues evaluated using mRNA HiSeq expression data from the TCGA database (Fig. S12). In the KM plotter database, high NFIA and NFIX expression predicted better OS and disease-specific survival (DSS) in liver cancer patients. Besides, decreased NFIC expression level was associated with poor PFS and NFIB expression was uncorrelated with OS in liver cancer patients (Table S10).

For prostate cancer, the Oncomine database was used to compare the mRNA expression levels of the NFI family members between cancer and normal tissues. The results showed NFIB expression was upregulated in prostate adenocarcinoma according to Wallace’s dataset (Wallace et al., 2008), however, the opposite results were found in Tomlins’s study (Tomlins et al., 2007). NFIC mRNA levels were downregulated in prostate carcinoma according to Luo2’s dataset (Luo et al., 2002). NFIX expression was lower in prostate carcinoma in Varambally’s study (Varambally et al., 2005), but higher in benign prostate hyperplasia according to Tomlins’s dataset (Tomlins et al., 2007). The details are shown in Table S11. In the TCGA database, NFIA, NFIB and NFIC mRNA levels were significantly downregulated in prostate cancer patients. However, a significant upregulation of NFIX mRNA levels was observed in tumor tissues (Fig. S13). Alternatively, the prognostic significance associated with the expression of the NFI family members was determined using the SurvExpress database because survival data for prostate cancer was absent in the KM plotter database. The results showed no significant association between expression of the NFI family members and survival outcome in prostate cancer patients (Fig. S14).