ArticleFrontiers in immunology2026
Single cell transcriptomics analyses reveal functional heterogeneity and anti-tumor role of mast cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Article in Frontiers in immunology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Introduction: Mast cells (MCs) play important roles in allergic reactions and tissue homeostasis; however, their functions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain controversial. Understanding the heterogeneity and functional states of MCs in ESCC is essential for elucidating their roles in tumor progression and immune regulation. Methods: single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from 84 ESCC samples across four independent cohorts were analyzed to identify MC subtypes, which were further validated using bulk RNA-seq and immunofluorescence staining. Functional assays were performed to assess the effects of stem cell factor (SCF)-stimulated MCs on ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Spatial transcriptomics were used to investigate MC interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Results: MC abundance was significantly reduced in ESCC tissues compared with normal esophageal tissues, as confirmed by bulk RNA-seq and IHC analyses. scRNA-seq revealed five distinct MC subtypes in ESCC: T-type-activated MC, T-type-resting MC, TC-type-activated MC, TC-type-resting MC and proliferating MC. Resting MCs localized to normal and stromal regions, whereas activated MCs were enriched in stromal and tumor regions, with their proportion significantly elevated in tumor tissues. SCF activated MCs via the c-Kit pathway, promoting TNF-α release and tumor cell apoptosis. Spatial and cell-cell communication analyses revealed extensive MC interactions with stromal and immune cells. Activated MC abundance positively correlated with T-cell infiltration and favorable ESCC prognosis. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that MCs exhibit distinct functional states in ESCC and regulate tumor progression. T-type-activated MCs, characterized by enhanced TNF-α expression, may contribute to anti-tumor immunity. These findings provide new insights into MC heterogeneity in ESCC and support their potential relevance in immunotherapy.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.