Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals the functional heterogeneity and clinical signification of pericyte subpopulations in gliomas

Abstract

Abstract Gliomas are not only among the most vascular-rich solid tumors, but also the most common primary brain tumors. The vascular morphology and molecular characteristics of gliomas are heterogeneous. Pericytes are one of the important cell components in glioma vascular structure and are highly heterogenies. However, the heterogeneity of pericytes in gliomas is not clear, and the biological characteristics and clinical significance of different subpopulations of pericytes are still unknown. An in-depth understanding of pericyte characteristics based on gene expression profiling, as well as the correlation of pericytes and the clinical prognosis of glioma are important prerequisites for the development of follow-up targeted vascular therapy. In this study, the heterogeneity of pericytes in glioma was revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing technique, the relationship between pericyte subpopulations and patient survival, prognosis and treatment response were clarified, and the MMP9+ pericytes were identified as a unique pericyte subpopulation in the core area of glioma, providing theoretical basis for analyzing the characteristics of vascular microenvironment of glioma and new targets for anti-vascular therapy of glioma.