Wang Z, Chen C, Shu J, Ai J, Liu Y, Cao H, Jia Y, Qin Y. Single-cell N
6-methyladenosine-related genes function within the tumor microenvironment to affect the prognosis and treatment sensitivity in patients with gastric cancer.
Cancer Cell Int 2024;
24:44. [PMID:
38273348 PMCID:
PMC10811812 DOI:
10.1186/s12935-024-03227-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth for morbidity and third for mortality worldwide. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA methylation is crucial in cancer biology and progression. However, the relationship between m6A methylation and gastric tumor microenvironment (TME) remains to be elucidated.
METHODS
We combined single-cell and bulk transcriptome analyses to explore the roles of m6A-related genes (MRG) in gastric TME.
RESULTS
Nine TME cell subtypes were identified from 23 samples. Fibroblasts were further grouped into four subclusters according to different cell markers. M6A-mediated fibroblasts may guide extensive intracellular communications in the gastric TME. The m6A-related genes score (MRGs) was output based on six differentially expressed single-cell m6A-related genes (SCMRDEGs), including GHRL, COL4A1, CAV1, GJA1, TIMP1, and IGFBP3. The protein expression level was assessed by immunohistochemistry. We identified the prognostic value of MRGs and constructed a nomogram model to predict GC patients' overall survival. MRGs may affect treatment sensitivity in GC patients.
CONCLUSION
Our study visualized the cellular heterogeneity of TME at the single-cell level, revealed the association between m6A mRNA modification and intracellular communication, clarified MRGs as an independent risk factor of prognosis, and provided a reference for follow-up treatment.
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