[PDF][PDF] Single-cell analyses inform mechanisms of myeloid-targeted therapies in colon cancer

L Zhang, Z Li, KM Skrzypczynska, Q Fang, W Zhang… - Cell, 2020 - cell.com
L Zhang, Z Li, KM Skrzypczynska, Q Fang, W Zhang, SA O'Brien, Y He, L Wang, Q Zhang
Cell, 2020cell.com
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a powerful tool for defining cellular diversity in
tumors, but its application toward dissecting mechanisms underlying immune-modulating
therapies is scarce. We performed scRNA-seq analyses on immune and stromal populations
from colorectal cancer patients, identifying specific macrophage and conventional dendritic
cell (cDC) subsets as key mediators of cellular cross-talk in the tumor microenvironment.
Defining comparable myeloid populations in mouse tumors enabled characterization of their …
Summary
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a powerful tool for defining cellular diversity in tumors, but its application toward dissecting mechanisms underlying immune-modulating therapies is scarce. We performed scRNA-seq analyses on immune and stromal populations from colorectal cancer patients, identifying specific macrophage and conventional dendritic cell (cDC) subsets as key mediators of cellular cross-talk in the tumor microenvironment. Defining comparable myeloid populations in mouse tumors enabled characterization of their response to myeloid-targeted immunotherapy. Treatment with anti-CSF1R preferentially depleted macrophages with an inflammatory signature but spared macrophage populations that in mouse and human expresses pro-angiogenic/tumorigenic genes. Treatment with a CD40 agonist antibody preferentially activated a cDC population and increased Bhlhe40+ Th1-like cells and CD8+ memory T cells. Our comprehensive analysis of key myeloid subsets in human and mouse identifies critical cellular interactions regulating tumor immunity and defines mechanisms underlying myeloid-targeted immunotherapies currently undergoing clinical testing.
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