Hypoxia-induced secretory autophagy in cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes ECM remodelling through serglycin secretion in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The worst pattern of invasion (WPOI) is a critical histological prognostic indicator in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), yet the underlying mechanisms driving high WPOI remain poorly understood. While cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their secreted factor serglycin (SRGN) are implicated in tumour progression, the regulation of SRGN secretion within the hypoxic tumour microenvironment is unknown.

Methods

We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on 6 OSCC samples (3 each of WPOI 1-3 and 4-5) to identify subgroups of CAFs and their characteristic gene expression profiles. Using Western blot, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence, we investigated hypoxia-induced SRGN secretion pathways. Complementary CRISPR-Cas9 knockout, Co-IP assays, and xenograft m

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12712735 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature