Background <p>Among breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stands out for its aggressiveness and high frequency of brain metastases. However, the mechanisms driving BrM remain poorly understood.</p> Methods <p>We performed integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of TNBC among 15 patients (8 with metastases, 7 without) and combined these data with transcriptomic profiles of BrM from public datasets. B cell heterogeneity was characterized, and the prognostic value of cycling B cells (CD19<sup>+</sup>Ki67<sup>+</sup>) was validated in two independent RNA-seq cohorts (TCGA, GSE65194) and a Xiangya real-world cohort. Functional assays were performed using TNBC-derived organoids co-cultured with CD19<sup>+</sup>Ki67<sup>+/−</sup> B cells, and multiplex immunofluorescence was used to evaluate activation of signaling pathways.</p> Results <p>scRNA-seq revealed significant enrichment of cycling B cells in metastatic TNBC. High abundance of CD19<sup>+</sup>Ki67<sup>+</sup> B cells correlated with poor overall survival across cohorts. Functional experiments demonstrated that CD19<sup>+</sup>Ki67<sup>+</sup>B cells enhanced TNBC organoid proliferation, invasion, and metastatic potential compared to CD19<sup>+</sup>Ki67<sup>−</sup> B cells. Cell-cell communication analysis revealed that activation of the NAMPT/ITGA5/ITGB1 signaling pathway served as a critical mechanism by which B cells regulated crosstalk with cancer cells, which was further validated by multiplex immunofluorescence and a cohort of 74 patient samples.</p> Conclusions <p>CD19<sup>+</sup>Ki67<sup>+</sup> B cells drive TNBC progression and brain metastasis by activating the NAMPT/ITGA5/ITGB1 pathway. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the immune regulation of TNBC BrM and identify potential therapeutic targets to improve clinical outcomes.</p>

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CD19+Ki67+B cells regulated by NAMPT as key modulators in triple-negative breast cancer with brain metastasis

  • Qiyi Zhou,
  • Zhimin zhu,
  • Yuxin Zhao,
  • Di Jing,
  • Liyuan Zhang

摘要

Background

Among breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stands out for its aggressiveness and high frequency of brain metastases. However, the mechanisms driving BrM remain poorly understood.

Methods

We performed integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of TNBC among 15 patients (8 with metastases, 7 without) and combined these data with transcriptomic profiles of BrM from public datasets. B cell heterogeneity was characterized, and the prognostic value of cycling B cells (CD19+Ki67+) was validated in two independent RNA-seq cohorts (TCGA, GSE65194) and a Xiangya real-world cohort. Functional assays were performed using TNBC-derived organoids co-cultured with CD19+Ki67+/− B cells, and multiplex immunofluorescence was used to evaluate activation of signaling pathways.

Results

scRNA-seq revealed significant enrichment of cycling B cells in metastatic TNBC. High abundance of CD19+Ki67+ B cells correlated with poor overall survival across cohorts. Functional experiments demonstrated that CD19+Ki67+B cells enhanced TNBC organoid proliferation, invasion, and metastatic potential compared to CD19+Ki67 B cells. Cell-cell communication analysis revealed that activation of the NAMPT/ITGA5/ITGB1 signaling pathway served as a critical mechanism by which B cells regulated crosstalk with cancer cells, which was further validated by multiplex immunofluorescence and a cohort of 74 patient samples.

Conclusions

CD19+Ki67+ B cells drive TNBC progression and brain metastasis by activating the NAMPT/ITGA5/ITGB1 pathway. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the immune regulation of TNBC BrM and identify potential therapeutic targets to improve clinical outcomes.