EPHB2 as a key mediator of glioma progression: Insights from microenvironmental receptor ligand-related prognostic gene signature.

Malignant gliomas, characterized by pronounced heterogeneity, a complex microenvironment, and a propensity for relapse and drug resistaniguree, pose significant challenges in oncology. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of Ligand and Receptor related genes (LRRGs) within the glioma microenvironment. An intersection of 71 ligand-related genes (LRGs) and 2628 receptor-related genes (RRGs) yielded a total of 69 LRRGs. Utilizing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, a prognostic RiskScore model comprising 28 LRRGs was constructed. The model demonstrated robust prognostic value, further validated in the TCGA-GBMLGG dataset. Subsequent analyses included differential gene expression, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), gene set enrichment (GSEA), and gene set variation (GSVA) within RiskScore groups. Additionally, evaluations of PPI, mRNA-RBP, mRNA-TF, and mRNA-drug interaction networks were conducted. Four hub genes were identified through differential expression analysis of the 28 LRRGs across various GSE datasets. A multivariate Cox prognostic model was constructed for nomogram analysis, gene mutation analysis, and related expression distribution. This study underscores the role of LRRGs in intercellular communication within the glioma microenvironment and identifies four hub genes crucial for prognostic assessment in clinical glioma patients. These findings offer a potential evaluation framework for glioma patients, enhancing our understanding of the disease and informing future therapeutic strategies.