Single cell transcriptomics analyses reveal functional heterogeneity and anti-tumor role of mast cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

作者：Huang Y, Chen Z, Zhou B, Chen S, Chen Y, Pan Q, Zhu W, Ma C, Chen S, Shen L, Qiu J, Zheng Y · 发表于：Frontiers in immunology · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.3389/fimmu.2026.1761865 · 被引用次数：42 · 研究领域：Mast Cells、Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma、Esophageal Neoplasms、Transcriptome、Humans、Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis、Tumor Microenvironment、Single-Cell Analysis、Apoptosis、Cell Proliferation、Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic、Cell Line, Tumor

INTRODUCTION: Mast cells (MCs) play important roles in allergic reactions and tissue homeostasis; however, their functions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain controversial. Understanding the heterogeneity and functional states of MCs in ESCC is essential for elucidating their roles in tumor progression and immune regulation. METHODS: single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from 84 ESCC samples across four independent cohorts were analyzed to identify MC subtypes, which were further validated using bulk RNA-seq and immunofluorescence staining. Functional assays were performed to assess the effects of stem cell factor (SCF)-stimulated MCs on ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Spatial transcriptomics were used to investigate MC interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). RESULTS: MC abundance was significantly reduced in ESCC tissues compared with normal esophageal tissues, as confirmed by bulk RNA-seq and IHC analyses. scRNA-seq revealed five distinct MC subtypes in ESCC: T-type-activated MC, T-type-resting MC, TC-type-activated MC, TC-type-resting MC and proliferating MC. Resting MCs localized to normal and stromal regions, whereas activated MCs were enriched in stromal and tumor regions, with their proportion significantly elevated in tumor tissues. SCF activated MCs via the c-Kit pathway, promoting TNF-α release and tumor cell apoptosis. Spatial and cell-cell communication analyses revealed extensive MC interactions with strom...