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

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. Herein, single-cell RNA-sequencing was performed on clinically surgically isolated VS samples and their cellular composition, including the heterogeneous SC subtypes, was determined. Advanced bioinformatics analysis revealed the associated biological functions, pseudotime trajectory, and transcriptional network of the SC subgroups. A tight intercellular communication between SCs and tumor-associated fibroblasts via integrin and growth factor signaling was observed and the gene expression differences in SCs and fibroblasts were shown to determine the heterogeneity of cellular communication in different individuals. These findings suggest a microenvironmental mechanism underlying the development of VS.