A cellular hierarchy in melanoma uncouples growth and metastasis.

ABSTRACT: Although melanoma is notorious for its high degree of heterogeneity and plasticity^1,2, the origin and magnitude of cell-state diversity remains poorly understood. Equally, it is unclear whether growth and metastatic dissemination are supported by overlapping or distinct melanoma subpopulations. Here, by combining mouse genetics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, lineage tracing and quantitative modelling, we provide evidence of a hierarchical model of tumour growth that mirrors the cellular and molecular logic underlying the cell-fate specification and differentiation of the embryonic neural crest. We show that tumorigenic competence is associated with a spatially localized perivascular niche, a phenotype acquired through an intercellular communication pathway established

SUBMITTER: Karras P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10439739 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature