Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics integration reveals FAM49B promotes tumor-associated macrophages polarization in colorectal cancer via the MK pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

FAM49B has been shown to promote proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) by stabilizing MYC through phosphorylation of NEK9; however, its role in shaping the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly in macrophage polarization, remains unclear.

Methods

We applied multi-omics approaches to study CRC by integrating 33 scRNA-seq samples from 16 CRC patients, 2 paired spatial transcriptomics (ST) samples, and bulk RNA data to characterize malignant epithelial cells (High_FAM49B_EP) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Functional validation of FAM49B was conducted via knockdown experiments and proteomics analysis.

Results

A High_FAM49B_EP subpopulation was identified in primary tumors (PT) and liver metastases (LM), exhibi

SUBMITTER: Liu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12615435 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature