Single-cell RNA sequencing in pediatric research: Focusing on differentiation trajectories and immune microenvironment of neuroblastoma

Abstract

Recently, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a novel and high-resolution technique for identifying cell types, states, and subpopulations. This technique enables researchers to uncover cellular heterogeneity and detect rare cell populations that might be indistinguishable in bulk RNA-seq data. The primary aim of scRNA-seq analysis is to investigate cellular heterogeneity and distinguish distinct cell types or states. scRNA-seq provides a detailed understanding of intercellular differences and diversity by obtaining gene expression data for each individual cell. Moreover, clustering methods in scRNA-seq can be used to group cells bring into subpopulations based on their gene expression patterns, thereby uncovering similarities and differences that assist in identifying and defining cell types. Newly discovered cell types can be validated and named by labeling known cell marker genes. Additionally, scRNA-seq helps in identifying genes specifically expressed at different developmental stages, in various tissue types, or under various disease states. Recently, there has been a growing trend in using single-cell transcriptome sequencing technology for neuroblastoma (NB) research. Through conducting a comprehensive review of relevant articles published thus far, our understanding of NB has been significantly enriched from three critical perspectives: differentiation trajectory, tumor heterogeneity, and immune microenvironment. Firstly, in exploring the differentiation trajectory of NB, we have summarized the tumor’s origin and subsequent directions of differentiation. By elucidating a complete tumor differentiation pathway, we can enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying spontaneous tumor regression. Secondly, we have summarized the heterogeneity of tumors, which encompasses different states, cell morphologies, and characteristic genes of NB identified through single-cell sequencing technology. This consolidation of knowledge enhances our understanding of the heterogeneity of NB. Lastly, we have employed single-cell sequencing technology to analyze the immune microenvironment, focusing on the cellular components within the tumor’s surrounding environment and the diverse states of immune cells. This valuable information contributes to the advancement of NB diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. In conclusion, the application of single-cell sequencing technology in NB research has significantly advanced our understanding of the disease and carries great significance.

Keywords

differentiation trajectory / neuroblastoma / single-cell RNA sequencing

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2024 The Authors. Pediatric Discovery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.