Single-cell RNA-seq unveils fibroblast-t cell interplay in muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is characterized by a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) that drives aggressive progression and treatment resistance. Previous studies have highlighted the roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and exhausted T (Tex) cells in MIBC, but their interactive mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing of 19 tissue samples from 12 patients—7 MIBC, 3 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), and 9 normal tissue samples—identified 13 transcriptionally distinct fibroblast clusters and 10 functionally heterogeneous T-cell subsets. Two interferon (IFN)-responsive fibroblast populations, F-ISG15 (inflammatory CAFs) and F-POSTN (myofibroblastic CAFs), were shown to predominate in the MIBC TME. In vivo experiments demonstrated that IFN-γ secreted by Tex cells polarizes CAFs to secrete CXCL12, which recruits CXCR4-expressing T cells via the CXCL12-CXCR4 chemotactic axis. Spatial analysis revealed a bidirectional loop: Tex-deriv..., , , # Single - cell RNA sequencing dataset for muscle - invasive bladder cancer research

Summary of experimental efforts underlying this dataset

This dataset was generated to explore the complex interactions between cancer - associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and exhausted T (Tex) cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of muscle - invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Tissue samples were collected from 12 patients, consisting of 7 MIBC, 3 non - muscle - invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), and 9 normal tissue samples. Single - cell RNA sequencing (scRNA - seq) was performed on a total of 127,391 cells isolated from these samples. The data was then comprehensively analyzed to identify different cell types, fibroblast and T - cell subtypes, and to uncover the molecular mechanisms governing their interactions. Additionally, experimental validation was carried out through immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and other assays to support the findings from the scRNA - seq analysis.

[https:/..., I hereby declare that explicit consent has been obtained from all participants in this study to publish the de-identified data in the public domain. During the sample collection phase, each participant was provided with a detailed explanation of the research objectives, data processing methods, and potential implications of data publication. This ensured that they fully understood the study and voluntarily signed an informed consent form.

Regarding data de-identification, a series of stringent measures were implemented. At the time of sample collection, all samples were labeled with unique codes, and no directly identifiable personal information, such as names, ID numbers, or medical record numbers, was recorded on the samples. During the data processing and storage stages, the codes used to identify the sample sources and the participants' personal information were stored in separate systems with strict access controls. Only authorized researchers had access to this information. Addit...