Multi-omics exploration of CAV1+ tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironment

Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma originating from the gingiva and buccal mucosa (OSCC-GB) is closely associated with complex molecular mechanisms and immune evasion phenomena within the tumor microenvironment. This study aims to reveal the characteristics of tumor epithelial cell sub...

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Main Authors: Yan’an Shi, Yiting Shao, Bin Xia, Wenying Yang, Yan Wang, Lifu Yu, Yonghui Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02843-2
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author Yan’an Shi
Yiting Shao
Bin Xia
Wenying Yang
Yan Wang
Lifu Yu
Yonghui Zhang
author_facet Yan’an Shi
Yiting Shao
Bin Xia
Wenying Yang
Yan Wang
Lifu Yu
Yonghui Zhang
author_sort Yan’an Shi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma originating from the gingiva and buccal mucosa (OSCC-GB) is closely associated with complex molecular mechanisms and immune evasion phenomena within the tumor microenvironment. This study aims to reveal the characteristics of tumor epithelial cell subcelltypes and their roles in tumor progression. Methods We organized and analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), categorizing tumor epithelial cells into six subcelltypes. Utilizing spatial transcriptomics, we investigated the spatial distribution of these subcelltypes. The focus was on the high malignancy tumor epithelial subcelltype, aiming to identify specific transcription factors and analyze their effects on cell status and function. Furthermore, we examined the interactions between the high malignancy tumor epithelial subcelltype and immune cells within the tumor immune microenvironment, along with the underlying mechanisms. Results Our findings indicate that the CAV1+ epithelial subcelltype (CAV1+EIP) exhibits the highest copy number variation scores, significantly correlating with poor patient prognosis. Analysis of specific transcription factors reveals that high expression of LHX1 and ATF1 is associated with malignant features, while IGF2BP1, a target gene of these transcription factors, shows a negative correlation with immune regulatory pathways. Further investigations demonstrate that CAV1+EIP interacts with T cells through the NECTIN1-CD96 signaling network, potentially leading to immune evasion and tumor progression. Conclusion This study elucidates the critical role of the CAV1+EIP in the development of OSCC and its interplay with the immune microenvironment. These findings provide new insights into how tumor cells evade immune surveillance and guide future immunotherapeutic strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-b75fe85f9c854fab98d8b8d8718250312025-08-20T02:05:41ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-06-0116112210.1007/s12672-025-02843-2Multi-omics exploration of CAV1+ tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironmentYan’an Shi0Yiting Shao1Bin Xia2Wenying Yang3Yan Wang4Lifu Yu5Yonghui Zhang6Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Kunming Medical UniversityDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at MatsudoDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Kunming Medical UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of StomatologyYunnan Key Laboratory of StomatologyDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Kunming Medical UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of StomatologyAbstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma originating from the gingiva and buccal mucosa (OSCC-GB) is closely associated with complex molecular mechanisms and immune evasion phenomena within the tumor microenvironment. This study aims to reveal the characteristics of tumor epithelial cell subcelltypes and their roles in tumor progression. Methods We organized and analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), categorizing tumor epithelial cells into six subcelltypes. Utilizing spatial transcriptomics, we investigated the spatial distribution of these subcelltypes. The focus was on the high malignancy tumor epithelial subcelltype, aiming to identify specific transcription factors and analyze their effects on cell status and function. Furthermore, we examined the interactions between the high malignancy tumor epithelial subcelltype and immune cells within the tumor immune microenvironment, along with the underlying mechanisms. Results Our findings indicate that the CAV1+ epithelial subcelltype (CAV1+EIP) exhibits the highest copy number variation scores, significantly correlating with poor patient prognosis. Analysis of specific transcription factors reveals that high expression of LHX1 and ATF1 is associated with malignant features, while IGF2BP1, a target gene of these transcription factors, shows a negative correlation with immune regulatory pathways. Further investigations demonstrate that CAV1+EIP interacts with T cells through the NECTIN1-CD96 signaling network, potentially leading to immune evasion and tumor progression. Conclusion This study elucidates the critical role of the CAV1+EIP in the development of OSCC and its interplay with the immune microenvironment. These findings provide new insights into how tumor cells evade immune surveillance and guide future immunotherapeutic strategies.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02843-2OSCCCAV1Tumor immune microenvironment
spellingShingle Yan’an Shi
Yiting Shao
Bin Xia
Wenying Yang
Yan Wang
Lifu Yu
Yonghui Zhang
Multi-omics exploration of CAV1+ tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironment
Discover Oncology
OSCC
CAV1
Tumor immune microenvironment
title Multi-omics exploration of CAV1+ tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironment
title_full Multi-omics exploration of CAV1+ tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironment
title_fullStr Multi-omics exploration of CAV1+ tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironment
title_full_unstemmed Multi-omics exploration of CAV1+ tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironment
title_short Multi-omics exploration of CAV1+ tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironment
title_sort multi omics exploration of cav1 tumor epithelial subcelltype in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on the immune microenvironment
topic OSCC
CAV1
Tumor immune microenvironment
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02843-2
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