Single-cell RNA-Seq Reveals the Heterogeneity of Cell Communications between Schwann Cells and Fibroblasts within the Microenvironment in Vestibular Schwannoma.

Abstract

Vestibular schwannomas (VSs), which develop from Schwann cells (SCs) of the vestibular nerve, are the most prevalent benign tumors of the cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal. Despite advances in treatment, the cellular components and mechanisms of VS tumor progression remain unclear. Here, we performed single-cell RNA-seq on clinically surgically isolated VS samples and clarified their cellular composition in a sophisticated manner, including the heterogeneous Schwann cell subtypes. Advanced bioinformatics analysis also revealed the associated biological functions, pseudotime trajectory and transcriptional network of the SC subgroups. Furthermore, we also found that there was tight intercellular communication between Schwann cells and tumor-associated fibroblasts via integrin and growth factor signaling and that the gene expression differences in SCs and fibroblasts determined the heterogeneity of cellular communication in different individuals. Our findings suggested a microenvironmental mechanism underlying the development of VS.