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Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Droplet Barcoding-Based Single Cell Transcriptomics of Adult Mammalian Tissues
Published on: January 10, 2019
Integrated single-cell RNA sequencing analysis reveals distinct cellular and transcriptional modules associated with
Li Zhang1, Yiming Zhang2, Chengdi Wang1
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
Abstract:
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous carcinoma (LUSC) are two major subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer with distinct pathologic features and treatment paradigms. The heterogeneity can be attributed to genetic, transcriptional, and epigenetic parameters. Here, we established a multi-omics atlas, integrating 52 single-cell RNA sequencing and 2342 public bulk RNA sequencing. We investigated their differences in genetic amplification, cellular compositions, and expression modules. We revealed that LUAD and LUSC contained amplifications occurring selectively in subclusters of AT2 and basal cells, and had distinct cellular composition modules associated with poor survival of lung cancer. Malignant and stage-specific gene analyses further uncovered critical transcription factors and genes in tumor progression. Moreover, we identified subclusters with proliferating and differentiating properties in AT2 and basal cells. Overexpression assays of ten genes, including sub-cluster markers AQP5 and KPNA2, further indicated their functional roles, providing potential targets for early diagnosis and treatment in lung cancer.

