Related Experiment Video For Foxp3
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Author Spotlight: A Model to Study the Systemic and Local Dynamics of CD8+ T Cells During LN Metastasis
Published on: January 26, 2024
Different metabolic paradigms and distribution of regulatory T cells between primary and lymph node metastasis
Wangli Mei1,2, Shuai Liu3, Mengyu Wei1
1Department of Urology, Putuo People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Objective:
The objectives of the study are to investigate the differential metabolic paradigms and distribution of regulatory T (Tregs) cells between primary prostate cancer (PCa) and lymph node (LN) metastases.
Material And Methods:
Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of primary PCa and LN metastases was employed to reveal the immune infiltration, identify Treg cell clusters, and analyze their metabolic regulation. Immunohistochemical (IHC) for FOXP3 and cluster of differentiation antigen 45 was used to verify different distribution and infiltration of Treg cells.
Results:
Immune cell infiltration was prominent around PCa cells, with Tregs significantly enriched in node-positive samples, suggesting an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Three Treg subsets were identified: Inhibitory Tregs, effector Tregs, and double-positive Tregs, each exhibiting distinct metabolic profiles. IHC confirmed higher Treg infiltration in LN metastases compared to primary tumors, particularly within tumor stroma.
Conclusion:
Tregs promote lymphatic metastasis in PCa through metabolic reprogramming, with their infiltration levels serving as a potential biomarker for metastatic risk.
