Huizhi Sun1,2, Danfang Zhang2, Chongbiao Huang1, Yuhong Guo1, Zhao Yang2, Nan Yao2, Xueyi Dong2, Runfen Cheng1, Nan Zhao2, Jie Meng2, Baocun Sun2, Jihui Hao1. 1. Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China. 2. Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Hypoxia is a significant feature of solid tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is associated with tumor invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, the spatial distribution of hypoxia-related heterogeneity in PDAC remains unclear. METHODS: Spatial transcriptomics (STs), a new technique, was used to investigate the ST features of engrafted human PDAC in the ischemic hind limbs of nude mice. Transcriptomes from ST spots in the hypoxic tumor and the control were clustered using differentially-expressed genes. These data were compared to determine the spatial organization of hypoxia-induced heterogeneity in PDAC. Clinical relevance was validated using the Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas and KM-plotter databases. The CMAP website was used to identify molecules that may serve as therapeutic targets for PDAC. RESULTS: ST showed that the tumor cell subgroups decreased to 7 subgroups in the hypoxia group, compared to 9 subgroups in the control group. Different subgroups showed positional characteristics and different gene signatures. Subgroup 6 located at the invasive front showed a higher proliferative ability under hypoxia. Subgroup 6 had active functions including cell proliferation, invasion, and response to stress. Expressions of hypoxia-related genes, LDHA, TPI1, and ENO1, induced changes. CMAP analysis indicated that ADZ-6482, a PI3K inhibitor, was targeted by the invasive subgroup in hypoxic tumors. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to describe hypoxic microenvironment-induced spatial transcriptome changes in PDAC, and to identify potential treatment targets for PDAC. These data will provide the basis for further investigations of the prognoses and treatments of hypoxic tumors.
OBJECTIVE:Hypoxia is a significant feature of solid tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is associated with tumor invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, the spatial distribution of hypoxia-related heterogeneity in PDAC remains unclear. METHODS: Spatial transcriptomics (STs), a new technique, was used to investigate the ST features of engrafted humanPDAC in the ischemic hind limbs of nude mice. Transcriptomes from ST spots in the hypoxic tumor and the control were clustered using differentially-expressed genes. These data were compared to determine the spatial organization of hypoxia-induced heterogeneity in PDAC. Clinical relevance was validated using the Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas and KM-plotter databases. The CMAP website was used to identify molecules that may serve as therapeutic targets for PDAC. RESULTS: ST showed that the tumor cell subgroups decreased to 7 subgroups in the hypoxia group, compared to 9 subgroups in the control group. Different subgroups showed positional characteristics and different gene signatures. Subgroup 6 located at the invasive front showed a higher proliferative ability under hypoxia. Subgroup 6 had active functions including cell proliferation, invasion, and response to stress. Expressions of hypoxia-related genes, LDHA, TPI1, and ENO1, induced changes. CMAP analysis indicated that ADZ-6482, a PI3K inhibitor, was targeted by the invasive subgroup in hypoxic tumors. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to describe hypoxic microenvironment-induced spatial transcriptome changes in PDAC, and to identify potential treatment targets for PDAC. These data will provide the basis for further investigations of the prognoses and treatments of hypoxic tumors.