Fibroblast-derived PI16 enhances tumor immune-suppressive microenvironment via inducing Tregs differentiation.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is aggressive with a poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly affects tumor progression and therapy resistance. Previous work has shown that fibroblasts in metastatic lymph nodes can confer cisplatin resistance to ESCC cells via PI16 (peptidase inhibitor 16). This study investigates the role of fibroblast-derived PI16 in the ESCC TME.

Methods

Public single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data for ESCC were analyzed. A cell co-culture assay was performed to evaluate regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation from naïve CD4⁺ T cells. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry examined PI16's mechanism in Treg differentiation. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to explore fibroblast-derive

SUBMITTER: Suo D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12528301 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature