Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41276730›Full record

ArticleDiscover oncology2025

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals the heterogeneity and functional characteristics of macrophage subpopulations in colon cancer.

Jiazheng Zhao, Baochun Wang, Xiao Li, Chunting Wei, Yi Min, Dayong Wang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Discover oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Multi-Omics Analysis IdentifiedInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2026
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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jiazheng Zhao *Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals and Molecular Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
Baochun Wang *Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), Haikou, 570311, China. drwangbaochun@163.com.
Xiao LiDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong, First Medical University, Tai'an, 271000, China.
Chunting WeiLaboratory of Biopharmaceuticals and Molecular Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
Yi MinLaboratory of Biopharmaceuticals and Molecular Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China. 992601@hainanu.edu.cn.
Dayong WangLaboratory of Biopharmaceuticals and Molecular Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China. wangdy@hainanu.edu.cn.

Funding

Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan University XTCX2022JKB07Hainan Provincial Graduate Student Innovation Research Project Qhyb2024-43National Natural Science Foundation of China 32160214Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province 821RC1053Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province 822RC651Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province 823RC562
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundColon cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality globally. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key contributors to tumor progression within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the role of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), a critical regulator of macrophage-tumor interactions, in specific macrophage subsets in colon cancer remains unclear.

methodsWe performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on tumor and adjacent normal tissues from three colon cancer patients. A comprehensive analysis integrating pseudotime trajectory, transcription factor network, cell-cell communication, and in silico SPP1 knockout modeling was conducted to characterize macrophage heterogeneity and function.

resultsFive macrophage subtypes were identified. Among them, the Macrophages_SPP1 was significantly enriched in tumors and exhibited enhanced glycolytic metabolism, lysosomal activity, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression functions. This subtype showed increased interactions with fibroblasts, particularly via FTL-SCARA5 and FTH1-SCARA5 ligand-receptor pairs, implicating roles in stromal remodeling. In silico SPP1 knockout identified 93 stable responsive genes enriched in MHC class II-related and immune regulatory pathways, highlighting the role of SPP1 in shaping an immunosuppressive TME.

conclusionsThe Macrophages_SPP1 subtype may contribute to colon cancer progression through metabolic reprogramming and stromal interactions, suggesting that SPP1 and the FTL-SCARA5 axis could represent potential therapeutic targets.

Indexed as

Colon cancerMacrophagesscRNA-seqScTenifoldKnkSPP1Tumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID41276730
PMCPMC12816490

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.