Highlighting immune features of the tumor ecosystem and prognostic value of Tfh and Th17 cell infiltration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by single-cell RNA-seq.

Autor: Tian Y; Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Liu C; Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Yang W; Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China., Li X; Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Zhang M; Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China., Xiong Y; Department of Pathology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Ren X; Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Ma Z; Department of Neurology, Xi' an Aerospace General Hospital, Xian, China., Jin X; Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Wu Y; Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Dong X; Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Hu N; Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Xie Z; Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Qin Y; Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China. youngcaptain@sina.com., Wu S; Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China. skywu4923@sina.com.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII [Cancer Immunol Immunother] 2024 Aug 02; Vol. 73 (10), pp. 187. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 02.
DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03767-6
Abstrakt: Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) typically present with a complex anatomical distribution, often accompanied by insidious symptoms. This combination contributes to its high incidence and poor prognosis. It is now understood that the immune features of cellular components within the tumor ecosystem and their complex interactions are critical factors influencing both tumor progression and the effective immune response.
Methods: We obtained single-cell RNA sequencing data of 26,496 cells from three tumor tissues and five normal tissues and performed subsequent analyses. Immunohistochemical staining on tumor sections was used to validate the presence of malignant cells. Additionally, we included bulk RNA sequencing data from 502 HNSCC patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test were employed to assess predictors of patient outcomes.
Results: We identified three epithelial subclusters exhibiting immune-related features. These subclusters promoted the infiltration of T cells, dendritic cells, and monocytes into the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, cancer-associated fibroblasts displayed tumor-promoting and angiogenesis characteristics, contrasting with the predominant antigen-presenting and inflammatory roles observed in fibroblasts from normal tissues. Furthermore, tumor endothelial subsets exhibited a double-sided effect, promoting tumor progression and enhancing the effectiveness of immune response. Finally, follicular helper T cells and T helper 17 cells were found to be significantly correlated with improved outcomes in HNSCC patients. These CD4 + T cell subpopulations could promote the anti-tumor immune response by recruiting and activating B and T cells.
Conclusion: Our findings provide deeper insights into the immune features of the tumor ecosystem and reveal the prognostic significance of follicular helper T cells and T helper 17 cells. These findings may pave the way for the development of therapeutic approaches.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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