Single-cell RNA Sequencing Of Neurofibromas

Single-cell RNA Sequencing Of Neurofibromas Reveals A Tumor Microenvironment Favorable For Neural Regeneration And Immune Suppression In A Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Porcine Model

Guest Speaker: Dalton McLean, UWBC Biotech Fellow, Advanced Genome Editing Laboratory Facilitator: Dustin Rubinstein, Director of the UWBC Advanced Genome Editing (AGE) Core

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common genetically inherited disorders that affects 1 in 3000 children annually. Clinical manifestations vary widely but nearly always include the development of cutaneous, plexiform and diffuse neurofibromas that are managed over many years. Recent single-cell transcriptomics profiling efforts of neurofibromas have begun to reveal cell signaling processes. However, the cell signaling networks in mature, non-cutaneous neurofibromas remain unexplored. Through collaboration with the DNA Sequencing Facility, Gene Expression Center, and Bioinformatics Core Facility, we have generated novel porcine NF1 capable of developing neurofibromas similar to the human form molecularly and histologically. This analysis revealed novel populations of cells and a complex tumor microenvironment similar to the microenvironment of regenerating nerves.