Single cell transcriptomic profiling reveals a dynamic molecular landscape and the importance of ligand-receptor genes and transcription factors during the progression of colorectal cancer

By analyzing the scRNA-seq data from ten human colorectal specimens, which represent the four kinds of colorectal tissues (normal colorectal mucosa, inflammatory polyps, Adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer), in combination with validation by immunofluorescence staining using expanded clinical samples, and together with verification using large scale TCGA and Kaplan–Meier data, we reveal a dynamic molecular landscape and the importance of ligand-receptor genes and transcription factors driving the colorectal carcinogenesis. Overall design: Under informed consent and ethical review, a total of 10 colorectal specimens were collected from colon or rectum from patients who underwent endoscopy examination (non-CRC colorectal mucosa samples) or surgery (CRC samples) at Yichun People's Hospital, Jiangxi, China