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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Visualization, Quantification, and Mapping of Immune Cell Populations in the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: March 25, 2020
Integrated spatial transcriptomic profiling to dissect the cellular characteristics of tumor-associated tertiary
Xiangjie Li1, Xiaojing Chu2, Wenbin Xu3
1National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing 100037, China; Changping Laboratory, Yard 28, Science Park Road, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China.
Tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TA-TLSs) are key to immune response and patient outcomes. This study maps TA-TLSs across 23 cancers, identifying organizer cells and mechanisms for enhanced immune cell recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Spatial Biology
Background:
- Tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TA-TLSs) play a critical role in modulating anti-tumor immunity and influencing patient prognosis.
- Understanding the cellular composition and spatial organization of TA-TLSs is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a pan-cancer atlas of TA-TLSs using spatial transcriptomics.
- To elucidate the cellular dynamics, spatial organization, and maturation states of TA-TLSs.
- To identify key cellular players and mechanisms involved in TA-TLS formation and maturation.
Main Methods:
- Integration of spatial transcriptomics data from 23 distinct cancer types.
- In silico and in vitro analyses to identify potential lymphoid tissue organizer cells.
- Investigation of arterial endothelial cell phenotype modulation in response to Notch signaling inhibition.
Main Results:
- A pan-cancer TA-TLS atlas revealing cellular dynamics and spatial organization across maturation states.
- Identification of CCL19+ perivascular cells as potential lymphoid tissue organizer cells driving TA-TLS formation.
- Demonstration that arterial endothelial cells within TA-TLSs can adopt high endothelial venule-like phenotypes, enhancing immune cell recruitment, particularly upon Notch signaling inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive cellular dissection of TA-TLSs provides insights into their formation and maturation mechanisms.
- Targeting TA-TLSs and their associated cellular components offers a promising therapeutic strategy.
- Modulating TA-TLSs has the potential to convert immunologically poor prognostic tumors into immunogenic ones, improving treatment outcomes.
