Single‐Nucleus Multi‐Omics Reveals Hypoxia‐Driven Angiogenic Programs and Their Epigenetic Control in Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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Authors: Chaelin You, J.-H. Park, Jung Yeon Jang, Junho Noh, Jaehyun Lee, Geunho Kwon, Myeong Sang Yu, Yoo‐Sam Chung, S. H. Lee, Keunsoo Kang, Keunsoo Kang, Jihwan Park
+3 more Ji Heui Kim, Kyuho Kang, Kyuho Kang
Cited by: 2
References: 78

Abstract

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) is a rare malignancy with poorly understood molecular drivers. Consequently, its cellular composition and tumor microenvironment (TME) remain largely undefined. Here, we performed integrated bulk and single-nucleus multi-omic analyses to map the SNSCC ecosystem. Within the malignant compartment, we identified five distinct populations, with hypoxic (TC1) and proliferative (TC2) subtypes associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Functionally, TC1 cells orchestrate a hypoxia-driven angiogenic program via coordinated secretion of adrenomedullin (ADM), MIF, and VEGFA, promoting endothelial tip cell (EC1) differentiation. Integrative analysis revealed these transcriptional programs are underpinned by tumor-specific chromatin accessibility and DNA hypomethylation, particularly at AP-1-enriched regulatory elements. Mechanistically, in vitro studies confirmed that this response depends on cooperative AP-1 and HIF1A signaling. Furthermore, histological analysis of patient tissues demonstrated spatial co-localization of GLUT1-expressing TC1 cells with DLL4-positive EC1 cells. These findings elucidate the epigenetic landscape underlying tumor-stromal interactions and establish the ADM/VEGFA axis as a critical therapeutic target to disrupt epigenetically controlled angiogenesis in SNSCC.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Research Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Science
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
13
Issue
12
Pages
e10302–e10302
Publication date
7 January 2026
Language
EN