Table_1_A pan-cancer single-cell transcriptional analysis of antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment.xlsx

BackgroundCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the primary stromal cells found in tumor microenvironment, and display high plasticity and heterogeneity. By using single-cell RNA-seq technology, researchers have identified various subpopulations of CAFs, particularly highlighting a recently identified subpopulation termed antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs), which are largely unknown.
MethodsWe collected datasets from public databases for 9 different solid tumor types to analyze the role of apCAFs in the tumor microenvironment.
ResultsOur data revealed that apCAFs, likely originating mainly from normal fibroblast, are commonly found in different solid tumor types and generally are associated with anti-tumor effects. apCAFs may be associated with the activation of CD4+ effector T cells and potentially promote the survival of CD4+ effector T cells through the expression of C1Q molecules. Moreover, apCAFs exhibited highly enrichment of transcription factors RUNX3 and IKZF1, along with increased glycolytic metabolism.
ConclusionsTaken together, these findings offer novel insights into a deeper understanding of apCAFs and the potential therapeutic implications for apCAFs targeted immunotherapy in cancer.

背景
癌相关成纤维细胞（Cancer-associated fibroblasts, CAFs）是肿瘤微环境（tumor microenvironment）中主要的基质细胞，具有高度的可塑性与异质性。研究人员借助单细胞RNA测序（single-cell RNA-seq）技术鉴定出了多种CAFs亚群，其中新近发现的抗原呈递CAFs（antigen-presenting CAFs, apCAFs）亚群虽受到关注，但目前对其认知仍较为匮乏。
方法
本研究从公共数据库中收集了9种不同实体瘤类型的数据集，用以分析apCAFs在肿瘤微环境中的功能。
结果
本研究数据显示，apCAFs主要起源于正常成纤维细胞，广泛存在于各类实体瘤中，且通常与抗肿瘤效应相关。apCAFs可能参与CD4+效应T细胞的活化，并可通过表达C1Q分子促进CD4+效应T细胞的存活。此外，apCAFs高富集转录因子RUNX3与IKZF1，同时其糖酵解代谢水平显著升高。
结论
综上，本研究结果为深入解析apCAFs的生物学特性提供了全新视角，同时也为靶向apCAFs的癌症免疫治疗提供了潜在的临床转化思路。