Highlighting immune features of the tumor ecosystem and prognostic value of Tfh and Th17 cell infiltration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by single-cell RNA-seq

作者：Yan Tian, Chao Liu, Wenhui Yang, Xiaohui Li, Min Zhang, Yan Xiong, Xueying Ren, Zhiguo Ma, Xuan Jin, Yanping Wu, Xin Dong, Nanlin Hu, Zhijun Xie, Yong Qin, Shikai Wu · 发表于：Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1007/s00262-024-03767-6 · 被引用次数：13 · 研究领域：Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics、Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers、Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics

Abstract Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) typically present with a complex anatomical distribution, often accompanied by insidious symptoms. This combination contributes to its high incidence and poor prognosis. It is now understood that the immune features of cellular components within the tumor ecosystem and their complex interactions are critical factors influencing both tumor progression and the effective immune response. Methods We obtained single-cell RNA sequencing data of 26,496 cells from three tumor tissues and five normal tissues and performed subsequent analyses. Immunohistochemical staining on tumor sections was used to validate the presence of malignant cells. Additionally, we included bulk RNA sequencing data from 502 HNSCC patients. Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test were employed to assess predictors of patient outcomes. Results We identified three epithelial subclusters exhibiting immune-related features. These subclusters promoted the infiltration of T cells, dendritic cells, and monocytes into the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, cancer-associated fibroblasts displayed tumor-promoting and angiogenesis characteristics, contrasting with the predominant antigen-presenting and inflammatory roles observed in fibroblasts from normal tissues. Furthermore, tumor endothelial subsets exhibited a double-sided effect, promoting tumor progression and enhancing the effectiveness of immune response. Finally, follicular helper T cells...