Single-cell transcriptome profiling of the stepwise progression of head and neck cancer

Ji-Hye Choi, Bok-Soon Lee, Jeon Yeob Jang, Yun Sang Lee, Hyo Jeong Kim, Jin Roh, Yoo Seob Shin, Hyun Goo Woo () and Chul-Ho Kim ()
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Ji-Hye Choi: Ajou University School of Medicine
Bok-Soon Lee: Ajou University School of Medicine
Jeon Yeob Jang: Ajou University
Yun Sang Lee: Ajou University School of Medicine
Hyo Jeong Kim: Ajou University School of Medicine
Jin Roh: Ajou University School of Medicine
Yoo Seob Shin: Ajou University School of Medicine
Hyun Goo Woo: Ajou University School of Medicine
Chul-Ho Kim: Ajou University School of Medicine

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoes stepwise progression from normal tissues to precancerous leukoplakia, primary HNSCC, and metastasized tumors. To delineate the heterogeneity of tumor cells and their interactions during the progression of HNSCC, we employ single-cell RNA-seq profiling for normal to metastasized tumors. We can identify the carcinoma in situ cells in leukoplakia lesions that are not detected by pathological examination. In addition, we identify the cell type subsets of the Galectin 7B (LGALS7B)-expressing malignant cells and CXCL8-expressing fibroblasts, demonstrating that their abundance in tumor tissue is associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes. We also demonstrate the interdependent ligand-receptor interaction of COL1A1 and CD44 between fibroblasts and malignant cells, facilitating HNSCC progression. Furthermore, we report that the regulatory T cells in leukoplakia and HNSCC tissues express LAIR2, providing a favorable environment for tumor growth. Taken together, our results update the pathobiological insights into cell-cell interactions during the stepwise progression of HNSCCs.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36691-x

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