Multi-omics analyses reveal interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in gastric cancer

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most lethal human malignancies with limited treatment options. Cell-cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) can promote tumor growth, yet their therapeutic value has not been fully explored. Here, bulk RNA-seq, single-cell RNA sequencing (s...

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Main Authors: Lupeng Qiu, Xiao Zhao, Sheng Yao, Yang Fei, Yixin Gong, Zishan Zhou, Shunchang Jiao, Jianming Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Precision Oncology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41698-025-00967-w
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author Lupeng Qiu
Xiao Zhao
Sheng Yao
Yang Fei
Yixin Gong
Zishan Zhou
Shunchang Jiao
Jianming Xu
author_facet Lupeng Qiu
Xiao Zhao
Sheng Yao
Yang Fei
Yixin Gong
Zishan Zhou
Shunchang Jiao
Jianming Xu
author_sort Lupeng Qiu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most lethal human malignancies with limited treatment options. Cell-cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) can promote tumor growth, yet their therapeutic value has not been fully explored. Here, bulk RNA-seq, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and spatial transcriptomics (ST) were integrated to analyze the heterogeneity of GC microenvironment. Tumor-specific GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages were significantly enriched in GC tissues and were involved in immunosuppression, inflammation regulation, and tumor progression. We then indicated that GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages were positively correlated in 12 independent GC datasets and validated their close localization by multiplex immunohistochemistry staining and spatial transcriptomics. Patients with both high GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages exhibited significantly shorter OS and showed enrichment of tumor-associated pathways. Our results demonstrated the complex interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target for future treatment of GC.
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issn 2397-768X
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series npj Precision Oncology
spelling doaj-art-29688f96fa6b40ce84463d8d04b559ea2025-08-20T03:10:38ZengNature Portfolionpj Precision Oncology2397-768X2025-06-019111310.1038/s41698-025-00967-wMulti-omics analyses reveal interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in gastric cancerLupeng Qiu0Xiao Zhao1Sheng Yao2Yang Fei3Yixin Gong4Zishan Zhou5Shunchang Jiao6Jianming Xu7Department of Medical Oncology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of Medical Oncology, The Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of General Surgery, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of General Surgery, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General HospitalResearch and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co., Ltd.Research and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co., Ltd.Department of Medical Oncology, The Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of Medical Oncology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General HospitalAbstract Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most lethal human malignancies with limited treatment options. Cell-cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) can promote tumor growth, yet their therapeutic value has not been fully explored. Here, bulk RNA-seq, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and spatial transcriptomics (ST) were integrated to analyze the heterogeneity of GC microenvironment. Tumor-specific GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages were significantly enriched in GC tissues and were involved in immunosuppression, inflammation regulation, and tumor progression. We then indicated that GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages were positively correlated in 12 independent GC datasets and validated their close localization by multiplex immunohistochemistry staining and spatial transcriptomics. Patients with both high GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages exhibited significantly shorter OS and showed enrichment of tumor-associated pathways. Our results demonstrated the complex interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target for future treatment of GC.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41698-025-00967-w
spellingShingle Lupeng Qiu
Xiao Zhao
Sheng Yao
Yang Fei
Yixin Gong
Zishan Zhou
Shunchang Jiao
Jianming Xu
Multi-omics analyses reveal interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in gastric cancer
npj Precision Oncology
title Multi-omics analyses reveal interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in gastric cancer
title_full Multi-omics analyses reveal interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in gastric cancer
title_fullStr Multi-omics analyses reveal interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in gastric cancer
title_full_unstemmed Multi-omics analyses reveal interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in gastric cancer
title_short Multi-omics analyses reveal interactions between GREM1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in gastric cancer
title_sort multi omics analyses reveal interactions between grem1 fibroblasts and spp1 macrophages in gastric cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41698-025-00967-w
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