{"title":"CD271high cancer stem cells regulate macrophage polarization in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma","authors":"Lifan Chen , Ruihua Fang , Zhimou Cai, Bixue Huang, Jinhong Zhang, Yun Li, Yi Chen, Zhenglin Xu, Wenbin Lei, Minjuan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.oraloncology.2025.107181","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered key drivers of progression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis revealed predominant expression of CD271 in CSCs, however, its role as a CSC marker in HNSCC requires further elucidation. We investigated the stemness characteristics of CD271<sup>high</sup> HNSCC cells and their interactions with the tumor immune microenvironment.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>scRNA-seq data from hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) tissues were analyzed to identify expression profile of CSCs. Overall survival was compared between CD271<sup>high</sup> and CD271<sup>low</sup> patients based on immunostaining of HPSCC samples. The stemness of CD271<sup>high</sup> HNSCC cells was evaluated via an in vivo limiting dilution assay. In a C57BL/6 mice model, the percentage of immune cells and macrophage subtypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The role of CD271 in macrophage polarization was further examined by in vitro coculture of CD271<sup>high</sup> cells with CD14<sup>+</sup> monocytes. Gene expressions were analyzed by qPCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>CD271 is predominantly expressed in CSCs identified by scRNA-seq analysis. CD271 enhances HNSCC cell proliferation and is negatively correlated with patient prognosis in HPSCC. CD271 knockdown suppressed HNSCC tumor growth and regulated macrophage polarization within the TME. CD271<sup>high</sup> cells exhibited stemness features and enhanced tumor growth in vivo.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>CD271<sup>high</sup> HNSCC cells exhibit CSC characteristics and regulate macrophage polarization. Targeting CD271 may improve the immunosuppressive TME to inhibit tumor growth. Combining CD271-targeting agents with other therapies presents a promising strategy that may enhance therapeutic efficacy and prognosis in HNSCC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19716,"journal":{"name":"Oral oncology","volume":"162 ","pages":"Article 107181"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Oral oncology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1368837525000107","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered key drivers of progression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis revealed predominant expression of CD271 in CSCs, however, its role as a CSC marker in HNSCC requires further elucidation. We investigated the stemness characteristics of CD271high HNSCC cells and their interactions with the tumor immune microenvironment.
Methods
scRNA-seq data from hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) tissues were analyzed to identify expression profile of CSCs. Overall survival was compared between CD271high and CD271low patients based on immunostaining of HPSCC samples. The stemness of CD271high HNSCC cells was evaluated via an in vivo limiting dilution assay. In a C57BL/6 mice model, the percentage of immune cells and macrophage subtypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The role of CD271 in macrophage polarization was further examined by in vitro coculture of CD271high cells with CD14+ monocytes. Gene expressions were analyzed by qPCR.
Results
CD271 is predominantly expressed in CSCs identified by scRNA-seq analysis. CD271 enhances HNSCC cell proliferation and is negatively correlated with patient prognosis in HPSCC. CD271 knockdown suppressed HNSCC tumor growth and regulated macrophage polarization within the TME. CD271high cells exhibited stemness features and enhanced tumor growth in vivo.
Conclusions
CD271high HNSCC cells exhibit CSC characteristics and regulate macrophage polarization. Targeting CD271 may improve the immunosuppressive TME to inhibit tumor growth. Combining CD271-targeting agents with other therapies presents a promising strategy that may enhance therapeutic efficacy and prognosis in HNSCC.
期刊介绍：
Oral Oncology is an international interdisciplinary journal which publishes high quality original research, clinical trials and review articles, editorials, and commentaries relating to the etiopathogenesis, epidemiology, prevention, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with neoplasms in the head and neck.
Oral Oncology is of interest to head and neck surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, maxillo-facial surgeons, oto-rhino-laryngologists, plastic surgeons, pathologists, scientists, oral medical specialists, special care dentists, dental care professionals, general dental practitioners, public health physicians, palliative care physicians, nurses, radiologists, radiographers, dieticians, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, nutritionists, clinical and health psychologists and counselors, professionals in end of life care, as well as others interested in these fields.
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