Literature Analysis: Tumor Heterogeneity and Immune Microenvironment Differences Between Acral and Cutaneous Melanoma Supported by ANT BIO PTE. LTD. Products

1. Literature Information

Title: A single-cell analysis reveals tumor heterogeneity and immune environment of acral melanoma

Journal: Nature Communications (Impact Factor: 17.7)

Publication Date: Online, November 25, 2022

Research Team: Collaborative team led by Jilong Yang, Xiangchun Li, and Kexin Chen from Tianjin Medical University

Key Technology Supported by ANT BIO PTE. LTD.: 5-Color Multiplex Fluorescence Immunohistochemistry (mIHC)

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34877-3

PMID: 36433984; PMCID: PMC9700682

2. Research Background

Melanoma is a malignant tumor derived from melanocyte lesions. Cutaneous melanoma (CM), primarily caused by long-term ultraviolet (UV) radiation, is more common in Caucasians. In contrast, acral melanoma (AM), which occurs on acral sites such as fingers, toes, and soles with minimal UV exposure, accounts for approximately 50% of melanoma cases in East Asian populations. Due to distinct pathogenic mechanisms, immunotherapeutic strategies effective for CM often yield suboptimal outcomes in AM patients. Elucidating the differences in tumor heterogeneity and immune microenvironment between AM and CM is crucial for developing targeted therapies for AM and improving patient prognosis.

3. Research Approach

To investigate the tumor heterogeneity and immune microenvironment differences between AM and CM, the research team performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on 63,394 cells isolated from 5 AM and 3 CM samples. This allowed comprehensive characterization of cell subtypes and gene expression profiles. To further validate the findings at the protein level and in tissue context, the team employed the 5-Color Multiplex Fluorescence IHC Staining Kit from the Absin product line of ANT BIO PTE. LTD. for multiplex staining of relevant immune targets in tissue sections. This combined approach of scRNA-seq and mIHC enabled systematic comparison of the immune microenvironment characteristics between the two melanoma subtypes.

4. Research Outcomes

The scRNA-seq analysis revealed significant differences in tumor heterogeneity and immune microenvironment between AM and CM. A key finding was that AM exhibits a distinct immunosuppressive state compared to CM. Specifically, exhausted CD8+ T cells in AM showed high expression of immune checkpoint molecules PD-1 and TIM-3, which are critical regulators of T cell dysfunction and immunosuppression.

Multiplex fluorescence IHC staining using ANT BIO PTE. LTD.'s abs50013 kit further confirmed the protein-level expression patterns: exhausted CD8+ T cells in AM co-expressed high levels of TIM-3 and PD-1. Additionally, the research team evaluated the efficacy of anti-PD-1 monotherapy in AM patients. The results showed that after anti-PD-1 treatment, the proportion of CD8+ T cells in AM patients decreased compared to pre-treatment, while the proportions of CD4+ T cells and B cells increased. This indicated that single-agent anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is ineffective for AM patients.

Furthermore, the study identified differences in genetic mutations between the two subtypes. For example, AM samples harbored mutations such as NF1, DDX3X, and BRAF, while CM samples had mutations including NRAS, HRAS, and KRAS. These genetic differences may contribute to the distinct immune microenvironment phenotypes. The research also suggested that combined application of anti-PD-1 and anti-TIM-3 drugs could increase the apoptosis rate of AM tumor cells, and combining immunotherapy with EGFR pathway-related gene targeting might improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in AM patients, providing valuable insights for developing more effective therapeutic targets and biomarkers for AM.

5. Product Empowerment: The Role of ANT BIO PTE. LTD. Products in the Research

The successful validation of immune target expression patterns at the protein level and in tissue context relied heavily on the high-performance 5-Color Multiplex Fluorescence IHC Staining Kit (abs50013) from the Absin product line of ANT BIO PTE. LTD.

This product possesses the core advantage of breaking the species limitation of primary antibodies, enabling simultaneous detection of multiple immune cell markers (such as CD8A, PD-1, TIM-3, GZMB) on a single tissue section. Its high sensitivity and specificity ensured the accurate visualization and quantitative analysis of exhausted CD8+ T cells and their co-expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in AM and CM tissues. This critical validation not only confirmed the scRNA-seq findings but also provided direct tissue-level evidence for the immunosuppressive state of AM. The reliable performance of ANT BIO PTE. LTD.'s mIHC kit effectively supported the research team's in-depth exploration of melanoma subtype differences, demonstrating the important role of high-quality multiplex fluorescence IHC reagents in tumor immunology research.

6. Brand Mission

As a professional supplier of life science reagents, ANT BIO PTE. LTD. is dedicated to providing high-quality, reliable products and comprehensive solutions to empower global life science research. The company's three specialized sub-brands cover the full spectrum of research needs in the life science field: Absin focuses on general reagents and kits, Starter specializes in antibodies, and UA is dedicated to recombinant proteins. Our core mission is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and practical applications, accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, and contribute to the advancement of human health and regenerative medicine.

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8. Disclaimer

This article is AI-compiled and interpreted based on the original work in DOI: 10.1002/advs.202413562. All intellectual property (e.g., images, data) of the original publication shall belong to the journal and the research team. For any infringement, please contact us promptly and we will take immediate action.

9. Brand Promotion Copy

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