Single-cell analysis reveals immune cellular components in odontogenic keratocysts

Area of Science:

• Oral pathology and immunology
• Cell biology and molecular mechanisms
• Biomedical research

Background:

• Odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) involve diverse cell populations.
• Immune and non-immune cells communicate via cytokines, chemokines, and direct contact.
• Understanding the immune microenvironment is crucial for OKC biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the immune cell ecosystem within OKCs.
• To investigate the chemotactic role of OKC fibroblasts in immune cell migration.
• To elucidate the communication networks between OKC cells.

Main Methods:

• Mass cytometry for cell classification.
• Single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence for fibroblast analysis.
• ELISA, immunofluorescence, and chemotaxis assays for chemokine detection and cell migration studies.
• Cell communication network construction.

Main Results:

• OKCs are enriched with macrophages, neutrophils, and B cells.
• Myofibroblasts constitute a significant portion of OKC fibroblasts and are enriched in chemokine ligands.
• HIF-1α pathway activation in fibroblasts correlates with chemokine release, promoting peripheral blood mononuclear cell migration.
• Close interactions between myofibroblasts and immune cells were observed, with increased RANKL expression in fibroblasts.

Conclusions:

• OKC immune microenvironment characterized by chemokine-producing myofibroblasts.
• OKC fibroblasts exhibit chemotactic effects on immune cells.
• Interactions between immune cells and fibroblasts may contribute to OKC osteoclastogenic potential.