Single-cell Multi-omics Analysis of Human Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Reveals its Molecular Features and Microenvironment

Seminoma is the most common malignant solid tumor in 14 to 44 year-old men. However, its molecular features and tumor microenvironment (TME) is largely unexplored. Here, we performed a series of studies via genomics profiling (single cell multi-omics and spatial transcriptomics) and functional examination using seminoma samples and a seminoma cell line. We identified key gene expression programs shared between seminoma and primordial germ cells, and further characterized the functions of TFAP2C in promoting tumor invasion and migration. We also identified 15 immune cell subtypes in TME, and found that subtypes with exhaustion features were located closer to the tumor region through combined spatial transcriptome analysis. Furthermore, we identified key pathways and genes that may facilitate seminoma breaking through the seminiferous tubules. These findings advanced our knowledge of seminoma tumorigenesis and produced a multi-omics atlas of in situ human seminoma microenvironment, which could help discover potential therapy targets for seminoma. Overall design: scRNA-Seq 4 samples