Single-cell identification of an endothelial cell proximal SPP1⁺ macrophage population defines the metastatic vascular niche in lymph nodes.

ABSTRACT: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly prevalent malignancy with poor prognosis, largely driven by lymph node metastasis (LNM). Despite its clinical significance, the underlying mechanisms of LNM remain elusive. In this study, we used single-cell transcriptomic data to dissect the cellular and molecular interactions within metastatic lymph nodes (MET). Specifically, we analyzed Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from GSE195655, GSE140042, GSE227156, and GSE159929 (n = 41) to delineate cellular heterogeneity, intercellular communication networks, and functional enrichment in primary tumors (PT), MET, and non-metastatic lymph nodes (LN). Our analysis identified a subpopulation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) distinctly enriched in MET, characterized by high

SUBMITTER: Lao Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12708747 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature