p16 epimutation modulates the tumor microenvironment and promotes malignancy of Apc-mutant colon cancer (scRNA-Seq)

Methylation of p16 promoter resulting in epigenetic gene silencing- known as p16 epimutation- is common in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Using mouse models, we demonstrated that p16 epimutation cooperates with mutant Apc to promote colon cancer development. To comprehensively characterize immune function within the tumor microenvironment (TME), we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of colon tumors in these animals. Overall design: As a control, we analyzed cells from adjacent normal colonic mucosa. Colon tumors were divided into two groups: small, early-stage lesions (median diameter = 1.7 mm) and larger, late-stage larger tumors (median diameter = 4.0 mm).