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Published on: June 7, 2018
Single-cell analysis of diverse immune phenotypes in malignant pleural effusion
Zhong-Yin Huang1, Ming-Ming Shao1, Jian-Chu Zhang2
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100020, Beijing, China.
Insights
This study reveals the immune cell landscape in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) from non-small cell lung cancer patients. It identifies key immune cell types and interactions, offering insights into potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for advanced lung cancer.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Genomics
Background:
- Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) involves complex immune cell interactions.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the composition, lineage, and functional states of immune cells infiltrating MPE.
- To identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in advanced NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of 62,382 cells from MPE patients.
- Transcriptional signature analysis and cell-cell interaction analysis.
Main Results:
- MPE immune cells show distinct transcriptional signatures compared to blood counterparts, enriched in regulatory T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
- Immune cells express immune checkpoints and costimulatory molecules; regulatory B cells interact more with CD4+ T cells.
- Macrophages exhibit M2 polarization, and immune cells show upregulated glycolytic pathways linked to hypoxia.
Conclusions:
- Provides a detailed atlas of immune cells in human MPE.
- Enhances understanding of immune cell roles in NSCLC-induced MPE.
- Highlights potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for advanced NSCLC.
Abstract:
The complex interactions among different immune cells have important functions in the development of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Here we perform single-cell RNA sequencing on 62,382 cells from MPE patients induced by non-small cell lung cancer to describe the composition, lineage, and functional states of infiltrating immune cells in MPE. Immune cells in MPE display a number of transcriptional signatures enriched for regulatory T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells compared to corresponding counterparts in blood. Helper T, cytotoxic T, regulatory T, and T follicular helper cells express multiple immune checkpoints or costimulatory molecules. Cell-cell interaction analysis identifies regulatory B cells with more interactions with CD4+ T cells compared to CD8+ T cells. Macrophages are transcriptionally heterogeneous and conform to M2 polarization characteristics. In addition, immune cells in MPE show the general up-regulation of glycolytic pathways associated with the hypoxic microenvironment. These findings show a detailed atlas of immune cells in human MPE and enhance the understanding of potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
