Lineage Plasticity

In the first project, I found esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells have a unique molecular characteristic, termed as confused cell identity (CCI), who expressed BS, BK and DK signatures simultaneously. The CCI is the phenotype of lineage plasticity in ESCC. To broaden the application of CCI, I created the algorithm to quantify the CCI on scRNA, bulk RNA-seq and array data. Interestingly, I found the CCI scores can significantly distinguish the normal and tumor cells and has a stronger correlation with disease progression. Besides, I also identify the TPM4 was a driver to activate the Jak-SOX2 to promote the CCI formation in ESCC. Although the phenotype of lineage plasticity in multiple cancer progression are reported, we are the firstly to report a driver gene who can promote the lineage plasticity occurrence. Considering the similar phenotype and mechanisms were reported by Charles Sawyer’s preprint papers, I chose to publish my study as quick as possible. Although my paper had been published, I deeply felt the heated competition in this field and I have to be more efficient and dedicated.