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Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Ecosystems in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Progression
Ting Yan1,2, Wangwang Qiu1,2, Huaiyu Weng1,2
1Department of Thyroid, Parathyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Frontiers in Endocrinology
|November 18, 2021
Summary
This study reveals the cellular makeup of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) ecosystems, showing similarities between primary tumors and lymph node metastases. These findings offer new insights into PTC progression and personalized treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) ecosystems and their locoregional progression remain poorly understood.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (Sc-RNA seq) is a powerful tool for dissecting complex tumor microenvironments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the cellular landscape of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) ecosystems.
- To investigate differences in tumor ecosystems during locoregional progression.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (Sc-RNA seq) of primary tumor (Ca), lymph node (LN) metastasis, and paracancerous tissue (PCa) from one PTC patient.
- Dual-label immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry to validate cell subtypes in a separate cohort.
Main Results:
- 11,805 cell transcriptomes profiled, identifying malignant follicular epithelial cells (MFECs), T cells, B cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts (including CAFs).
- MFECs and interstitial cells showed transcriptional overlap between Ca and LN, distinct from normal follicular epithelial cells (NFECs) in PCa.
- Immune cell interactions, including inhibitory receptor-ligand expression between B cells, T cells, and MFECs, were observed. Three CAF subtypes were identified.
Conclusions:
- The study provides novel insights into the PTC ecosystem and its progression.
- Differences in tumor ecosystems highlight the complexity of PTC biology.
- Findings may contribute to improved individualized patient treatment strategies for PTC.
