Integrated single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals heterogeneity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma microenvironment

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27599-5
• Publication Date: 2021-12-17T11:14:56Z
• Authors: Huy Q. Dinh; Feng Pan; Geng Wang; Qing-Feng Huang; Claire E. Olingy; Zhi-Yong Wu; Shao-Hong Wang; Xin Xu; Xiu-E Xu; Jian-Zhong He; Qian Yang; Sandra Orsulic; Marcela Haro; Li-Yan Li; Guo-Wei Huang; Joshua J. Breunig; H. Phillip Koeffler; Catherine C. Hedrick; Li-Yan Xu; De-Chen Lin; En-Min Li
• Keywords: Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

Abstract The tumor microenvironment is a highly complex ecosystem of diverse cell types, which shape cancer biology and impact the responsiveness to therapy. Here, we analyze esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) using single-cell transcriptome sequencing in 62,161 cells from blood, adjacent nonmalignant matched samples 11 ESCC patients. We uncover heterogeneity most types stroma, particularly fibroblast immune compartments. identify tumor-specific subset CST1 + myofibroblasts with prognostic values potential biological significance. are also other types. Additionally, antigen-presenting fibroblasts revealed validated. Analyses myeloid T lymphoid lineages highlight immunosuppressive nature microenvironment, cancer-specific expression checkpoint inhibitors. This work establishes rich resource stromal for further understanding biology.