Single-cell dissection of the multicellular ecosystem and molecular features underlying microvascular invasion in HCC

Ke Li; Rui Zhang; Fukai Wen; Yunzheng Zhao; Fanshuai Meng; Qingyu Li; Aimin Hao; Bailu Yang; Zhaoyang Lu; Yifeng Cui; Meng Zhou

doi:10.1097/HEP.0000000000000673

Single-cell dissection of the multicellular ecosystem and molecular features underlying microvascular invasion in HCC

Hepatology. 2023 Nov 16. doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000673. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ke Li^{1

2}, Rui Zhang^{1

3}, Fukai Wen^{1

3}, Yunzheng Zhao^{1

3}, Fanshuai Meng^{1

3}, Qingyu Li^{1

3}, Aimin Hao¹, Bailu Yang¹, Zhaoyang Lu^{1

3}, Yifeng Cui^{1

3}, Meng Zhou²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China.
² School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P. R. China.
³ Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China.

PMID: 37972953
DOI: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000673

Abstract

Background and aims: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a crucial pathological hallmark of HCC that is closely associated with poor outcomes, early recurrence, and intrahepatic metastasis following surgical resection and transplantation. However, the intricate tumor microenvironment and transcriptional programs underlying MVI in HCC remain poorly understood.

Approach and results: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of 46,789 individual cells from 10 samples of MVI+ (MVI present) and MVI- (MVI absent) patients with HCC. We conducted comprehensive and comparative analyses to characterize cellular and molecular features associated with MVI and validated key findings using external bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomic datasets coupled with multiplex immunofluorescence assays. The comparison identified specific subtypes of immune and stromal cells critical to the formation of the immunosuppressive and pro-metastatic microenvironment in MVI+ tumors, including cycling T cells, lysosomal associated membrane protein 3+ dendritic cells, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2+ macrophages, myofibroblasts, and arterial i endothelial cells. MVI+ malignant cells are characterized by high proliferation rates, whereas MVI- malignant cells exhibit an inflammatory milieu. Additionally, we identified the midkine-dominated interaction between triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2+ macrophages and malignant cells as a contributor to MVI formation and tumor progression. Notably, we unveiled a spatially co-located multicellular community exerting a dominant role in shaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment of MVI and correlating with unfavorable prognosis.

Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive single-cell atlas of MVI in HCC, shedding light on the complex multicellular ecosystem and molecular features associated with MVI. These findings deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving MVI and provide valuable insights for improving clinical diagnosis and developing more effective treatment strategies.