Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastases.

ABSTRACT: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients often face a grim prognosis due to lymph node metastasis. However, a comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular characteristics of metastatic lymph nodes in ESCC remains elusive. In this study involving 12 metastatic ESCC patients, we employed single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics (ST), and multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) to explore the spatial and molecular attributes of primary tumor samples, adjacent tissues, metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. The analysis of 161,333 cells revealed specific subclusters of epithelial cells that were significantly enriched in metastatic lymph nodes, suggesting pro-metastatic characteristics. Furthermore, stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, including MMP3

SUBMITTER: Guo W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11799171 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature