Crosstalk between SPP1+ macrophages and ITGA5+ fibroblasts promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops from chronic inflammatory conditions to malignancy, with the immune microenvironment playing a significant role in this progression. However, the changes in the dynamic immune microenvironment during the transition from hepatitis to HCC remain poorly understood. Systematic analysis of stage-specific immune microenvironment alterations is essential for identifying therapeutic targets and creating precision strategies for HCC.

Methods

Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we created dynamic transcriptome maps of the immune microenvironment across healthy liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC stages. Cell-cell communication, trajectory, and enrichment analyses were utilized to characterize relationships between clusters.

SUBMITTER: Tang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12948000 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature