Intercellular communication between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in prostate cancer via multi-omics

BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) presents substantial heterogeneity and unpredictability in its progression. Despite therapeutic advancements, mortality from advanced PCa remains a significant challenge. Understanding the intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical...

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Main Authors: Tingting Wu, Xinyu Li, Fei Zheng, Hanchao Liu, Yang Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1560998/full
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author Tingting Wu
Xinyu Li
Fei Zheng
Hanchao Liu
Yang Yu
author_facet Tingting Wu
Xinyu Li
Fei Zheng
Hanchao Liu
Yang Yu
author_sort Tingting Wu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) presents substantial heterogeneity and unpredictability in its progression. Despite therapeutic advancements, mortality from advanced PCa remains a significant challenge. Understanding the intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for uncovering mechanisms driving tumorigenesis and identifying novel therapeutic targets.MethodsWe employed an integrative approach combining bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and spatial transcriptomics to investigate interactions between FAP+ fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages in PCa. Key findings were validated using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining techniques.ResultsAnalysis of 23,519 scRNA-seq data from 23 prostate samples revealed a pronounced accumulation of FAP+ fibroblasts in tumor tissues. Spatial transcriptomics and bulk RNA sequencing demonstrated strong associations between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages. Notably, tumor-specific intercellular signaling pathways, such as CSF1/CSF1R and CXCL/ACKR1, were identified, highlighting their potential role in fostering an immunosuppressive TME.ConclusionOur findings unveil a distinct pattern of crosstalk between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in PCa, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for advanced PCa.
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spelling doaj-art-b52fea93636a43a1ac98ef8df3f794372025-08-20T02:31:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15609981560998Intercellular communication between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in prostate cancer via multi-omicsTingting Wu0Xinyu Li1Fei Zheng2Hanchao Liu3Yang Yu4Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Qianhai Taikang Hospital, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaDepartment of Andrology and Urology, Sir Run Shaw Hospital, affiliated with the Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Chifeng Hospital, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, ChinaBackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) presents substantial heterogeneity and unpredictability in its progression. Despite therapeutic advancements, mortality from advanced PCa remains a significant challenge. Understanding the intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for uncovering mechanisms driving tumorigenesis and identifying novel therapeutic targets.MethodsWe employed an integrative approach combining bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and spatial transcriptomics to investigate interactions between FAP+ fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages in PCa. Key findings were validated using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining techniques.ResultsAnalysis of 23,519 scRNA-seq data from 23 prostate samples revealed a pronounced accumulation of FAP+ fibroblasts in tumor tissues. Spatial transcriptomics and bulk RNA sequencing demonstrated strong associations between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages. Notably, tumor-specific intercellular signaling pathways, such as CSF1/CSF1R and CXCL/ACKR1, were identified, highlighting their potential role in fostering an immunosuppressive TME.ConclusionOur findings unveil a distinct pattern of crosstalk between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in PCa, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for advanced PCa.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1560998/fullprostate cancertumor microenvironmentcellular crosstalksingle-cell RNA sequencingspatial transcriptomicsFAP+ fibroblasts
spellingShingle Tingting Wu
Xinyu Li
Fei Zheng
Hanchao Liu
Yang Yu
Intercellular communication between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in prostate cancer via multi-omics
Frontiers in Immunology
prostate cancer
tumor microenvironment
cellular crosstalk
single-cell RNA sequencing
spatial transcriptomics
FAP+ fibroblasts
title Intercellular communication between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in prostate cancer via multi-omics
title_full Intercellular communication between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in prostate cancer via multi-omics
title_fullStr Intercellular communication between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in prostate cancer via multi-omics
title_full_unstemmed Intercellular communication between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in prostate cancer via multi-omics
title_short Intercellular communication between FAP+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages in prostate cancer via multi-omics
title_sort intercellular communication between fap fibroblasts and spp1 macrophages in prostate cancer via multi omics
topic prostate cancer
tumor microenvironment
cellular crosstalk
single-cell RNA sequencing
spatial transcriptomics
FAP+ fibroblasts
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1560998/full
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