Distinct immunomodulatory pathways mediate radiotherapy response in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors [scRNA-Seq]

We used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to study the effect of ionizing radiation on the transcriptomes of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) in vivo and in the context of the innate and adaptive immune response. Overall design: We subcutaneously implanted immunocompetent C57/B6 mice with the JW23.3 MPNST cell line at Day 0. On Day 7, mice were randomized into two experimental groups based upon tumor size and one group was focally irradiated at the site of tumor implantation with 5 daily fractions of 2 Gy. At Day 21, tumors were harvested and processed for scRNA sequencing using manufacturer's instructions (Chromium Next GEM Single Cell 3' GEM, Library & Gel Bead Kit v3.1) for the Illumina 10X platform. We used these data to compare the transcriptomes of tumor and host cells in tumors that had and had not received irradiation.