Spatial transcriptomics reveals tumor-derived SPP1 induces fibroblast chemotaxis and activation in the hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The tumor microenvironment (TME) exerts profound effects on tumor progression and therapeutic efficacy. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the TME is enriched with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which secrete a plethora of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors that facilitate tumor cell proliferation and invasion. However, the intricate architecture of the TME in HCC, as well as the mechanisms driving interactions between tumor cells and CAFs, remains largely enigmatic.

Methods

We analyzed 10 spatial transcriptomics and 12 single-cell transcriptomics samples sourced from public databases, complemented by 20 tumor tissue samples from liver cancer patients obtained in a clinical setting.

Results

Our findings reveal that tumor cells exhibiting high

SUBMITTER: Tong W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11391636 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature