Transcriptomic analysis reveals dynamic progression trajectory and molecular pattern of UV-induced cSCC

In the present study, we aim to identify key genes or pathways in the progression from normal skin to actinic keratoses (AK), then to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) by transcriptomics analysis. We firstly established a UVR-induced cSCC model using SKH-1 hairless mouse successfully. Then, the transcriptome profiles among normal skin, AK and cSCC were investigated. We also constructed pseudo trajectory and deconvoluted the cell compositions among these three different tissues. A series of bioinformatics and molecular experiments analyses were carried out and we found retinoic acid receptor-related receptor alpha (Rora) was involved in this progression. Our results demonstrated Rora can be a potential therapeutic target for cSCC, which facilitates the treatment of cSCC. Overall design: Examination of mRNA profiles from normal skin, actinic keratoses and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma tissues