Single-cell analysis links DCUN1D5 to immune remodeling and cisplatin resistance in recurrent osteosarcoma

Abstract Cisplatin is the primary chemotherapeutic agent for osteosarcoma. However, a significant proportion of patients develop resistance post-treatment, leading to disease recurrence and presenting profound clinical challenges. To understand the mechanisms underlying osteosarcoma recurrence and c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xin Wu, Woding Deng, Qiangqiang Zhao, Jianbin Xiong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08409-w
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Summary:Abstract Cisplatin is the primary chemotherapeutic agent for osteosarcoma. However, a significant proportion of patients develop resistance post-treatment, leading to disease recurrence and presenting profound clinical challenges. To understand the mechanisms underlying osteosarcoma recurrence and cisplatin resistance, particularly from the tumor microenvironment perspective, we consolidated numerous single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, offering an encompassing insight into the osteosarcoma microenvironment. When juxtaposing scRNA-seq with bulk RNA-seq data, we observed a strong correlation between high DCUN1D5 expression in osteosarcoma and patient survival. This gene amplifies osteosarcoma’s anti-apoptotic, invasive, stem-cell-like traits and PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway phosphorylation and fosters cisplatin resistance. Subsequent research revealed that cisplatin-resistant osteosarcoma cells excrete DCUN1D5-rich exosomes, facilitating the maturation of osteoclast precursors. Excessive osteoclast activity is a pivotal contributor to osteosarcoma recurrence and resistance. Given these insights, DCUN1D5 is a promising therapeutic target for osteosarcoma recurrence and drug resistance.
ISSN:2399-3642