Organoid modeling reveals the tumorigenic potential of the alveolar progenitor cell state
Cancers display cellular, genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity, complicating disease modeling. Multiple cell states defined by gene expression have been described in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the functional contributions of cell state and the regulatory programs that control chromatin and gene expression in the early stages of tumor initiation are not well understood. Using single-cell RNA and ATAC sequencing in Kras/p53-driven tumor organoids, we identified two major cellular states: one more closely resembling alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells (SPC-high), and the other with epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)-associated gene expression (Hmga2-high). Each state exhibited distinct transcription factor networks, with SPC-high cells associated with TFs regulating AT2 fate and Hmga2-high cells enriched in Wnt- and NFκB-related TFs. CD44 was identified as a marker for the Hmga2-high state, enabling functional comparison of the two populations. Organoid assays and orthotopic transplantation revealed that SPC-high, CD44-negative cells exhibited higher tumorigenic potential within the lung microenvironment. These findings highlight the utility of organoids in understanding chromatin regulation in early tumorigenesis and identifying novel early-stage therapeutic targets in Kras-driven LUAD.
Authors
- Jingyun Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4328-574X)
- Peter Schürmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6678-540X)
- Shreoshi Sengupta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9391-7173)
- Margherita Paschini
- Roderick T. Bronson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3725-2511)
- María F. Trovero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9257-6979)
- Carla F. Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2366-9538)
- Antonella F. M. Dost (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8705-2409)
- Preetida J. Bhetariya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1988-3830)
- Syed Mukhtar Ahmed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9183-9957)
- Susanna M. Dang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5768-0535)
- Shannan J. Ho Sui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6191-4709)
- Aaron L Moye
Institutions
- Boston Children's Hospital (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (NL)
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (CN)
- Cancer Research And Biostatistics (US)
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The EMBO Journal
- Published
- 2025-02-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-025-00376-6
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Cancer Cells and Metastasis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.14
Funders
- American Cancer Society
- Burroughs Wellcome Fund
- Ellison Medical Foundation
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
- V Foundation for Cancer Research
- LUNGevity Foundation
- American Lung Association
- G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation
- Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute