Spatial Genomics Identifies Heat Shock Proteins as Key Molecular Changes Associated to Adipose Periprostatic Space...

To identify molecular changes during PCa invasion of adipose space using Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling of PCa cells.

This study was performed on paired intraprostatic and extraprostatic samples obtained from radical prostatectomy with pT3a pathological stages.

Differential gene expression revealed upregulation of heat shock protein genes: DNAJB1, HSPA8, HSP90AA1, HSPA1B, HSPA1A in PCa PanCK+ cells from the adipose periprostatic space. Extraprostatic extension was significantly associated with overexpression of genes involved in metastatic spread (EGR1, OR51E2, SPON2), of aggressiveness ERG negative signature of enhancers of androgen receptor (HOXB13, FOXA1), and of PSMA (FOLH1). They were associated with loss at 6q, 10q, 16q, and gain at 8q24 locus.

PCa invasion of adipose EPE induces adaptative process related to heat shock proteins; PCa cells in EPE also present transcriptomics signatures for ERG independent aggressiveness, androgen receptor co-activation, and specific CNV changes.