Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a core concept in tumor biology that describes the interactions between tumor cells and their surrounding environment. This environment not only includes tumor cells themselves, but also various cellular components (such as immune cells, stromal cells, etc.), non cellular components (such as extracellular matrix, growth factors, chemokines, etc.), and their complex interaction networks. In recent years, with the rapid development of oncology, molecular biology, immunology, and bioinformatics, the study of tumor microenvironment has become an important way to reveal the mechanisms of tumor occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis, and provide new ideas and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis evaluation of tumors.

1、Composition of tumor microenvironment

The cellular components in the tumor microenvironment are diverse, mainly including the following categories: tumor cells, as the main body of the microenvironment, release various signaling molecules such as growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines through autocrine and paracrine pathways. These molecules not only affect the growth, proliferation, and apoptosis of tumor cells, but also participate in regulating other cellular components in the microenvironment; Immune cells play an important role in the tumor microenvironment. They include adaptive immune cells (such as CD8+T cells, CD4+T cells, B cells, etc.) and myeloid immune cells (such as macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, etc.). These cells maintain the body's immune homeostasis by recognizing and clearing tumor cells. However, in the tumor microenvironment, immune cells are often suppressed or depleted, leading to immune escape and tumor progression; Stromal cells include fibroblasts, adipocytes, smooth muscle cells, etc. They participate in the construction and regulation of the tumor microenvironment by secreting extracellular matrix components (such as collagen, proteoglycans, etc.) and growth factors. Vascular cells include endothelial cells (EC) and lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC), which provide necessary oxygen and nutrients for tumors and participate in tumor immune escape and metastasis. Tumor induced angiogenesis is one of the important conditions for tumor growth and metastasis; The non cellular components mainly include extracellular matrix (ECM), growth factors, chemokines, cytokines, and metabolites. These components affect the dynamic changes of the tumor microenvironment by regulating the growth, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells.

2、Factors affecting the tumor microenvironment

1. Genetic and epigenetic changes: Genetic and epigenetic changes in tumor cells are important driving forces for the formation and transformation of the tumor microenvironment. Genetic changes such as gene mutations, gene amplification or deletion not only affect the growth and proliferation of tumor cells, but also alter the microenvironment through the secretion of signaling molecules. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non coding RNA regulation, participate in the construction and regulation of the tumor microenvironment by influencing gene expression patterns.

2. Metabolic reprogramming: Tumor cells change their energy metabolism patterns through metabolic reprogramming to adapt to harsh conditions such as low oxygen and low nutrition in the microenvironment. This metabolic reprogramming not only provides necessary energy and biosynthetic materials for tumor cells, but also affects other cellular components in the microenvironment by releasing metabolites. For example, tumor cells produce metabolites such as lactate through the glycolytic pathway, leading to microenvironmental acidosis and inhibiting the function of immune cells.

3. Signal release: Tumor cells interact with other cells in the microenvironment by secreting signaling molecules, forming a complex signaling network. These signaling molecules include growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines, which regulate the growth, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells, as well as the recruitment and function of immune cells, affecting the dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment.

4. Functional status of the immune system: The functional status of the immune system has a significant impact on the tumor microenvironment. In a healthy state, the immune system is able to recognize and eliminate tumor cells, maintaining the body's immune homeostasis. However, in the tumor microenvironment, immune cells are often suppressed or depleted, leading to immune escape and tumor progression. In addition, the activation and function of immune cells are also regulated by other cellular and non cellular components in the microenvironment.

3、Dynamic changes in tumor microenvironment

1. Initial stage: In the initial stage of tumors, normal cells gradually transform into malignant cells under the influence of genetic and epigenetic changes. These malignant cells recruit immune cells and other stromal cells by secreting signaling molecules, forming the initial tumor microenvironment. At this point, immune cells can still exert a certain anti-tumor effect, but as malignant cells continue to proliferate and mutate, immune escape gradually becomes apparent.

2. Progression stage: As the tumor progresses, the tumor microenvironment undergoes significant changes. Immune cells gradually deplete or transform into an immunosuppressive state, leading to intensified immune escape. Meanwhile, tumor cells promote angiogenesis, stromal cell activation, and ECM remodeling by secreting signaling molecules such as growth factors and chemokines, providing a more favorable environment for tumor growth and invasion. In addition, the interactions between tumor cells, stromal cells, and immune cells have become more complex and dynamic, forming a highly collaborative and adaptive ecosystem.

3. Invasion and metastasis stage: In the invasion and metastasis stage, tumor cells acquire invasion and migration ability through processes such as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), penetrate the basement membrane, and enter surrounding tissues or vascular/lymphatic systems. EMT is a complex biological process involving the regulation of multiple signaling pathways and transcription factors. During the EMT process, tumor cells lose the characteristics of epithelial cells (such as tight intercellular connections, obvious polarity, etc.) and acquire the characteristics of mesenchymal cells (such as circular shape, enhanced migration ability, etc.). These changes make it easier for tumor cells to penetrate the basement membrane and blood vessel walls, enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and thus achieve long-distance metastasis.

4、Research progress and application of tumor microenvironment

1. Research progress: In recent years, with the rapid development of technologies such as high-throughput sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and bioinformatics, significant progress has been made in the study of tumor microenvironment. Researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the interactions between various cellular and non cellular components in the tumor microenvironment, as well as their impact on tumor occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis. At the same time, researchers have also discovered many molecular markers and signaling pathways closely related to the tumor microenvironment, providing new targets and strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis evaluation of tumors.

2. Application prospects: Based on the research results of the tumor microenvironment, researchers have developed various treatment strategies for the tumor microenvironment. These strategies include immunotherapy (such as CAR-T cell therapy, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, etc.), targeted therapy (such as inhibitors targeting growth factors such as VEGF and FGF), and stromal cell targeted therapy. In addition, researchers are exploring methods to influence tumor growth and spread by regulating metabolic pathways in the tumor microenvironment, altering ECM composition, or utilizing microbial communities. These strategies have broad application prospects and are expected to bring new breakthroughs in tumor treatment.

The tumor microenvironment is a complex and critical battlefield of life, containing multiple cellular and non cellular components and a complex network of interactions between them. This environment has a significant impact on the occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis of tumors. By delving into the composition, influencing factors, and dynamic changes of the tumor microenvironment, we can better understand the biological characteristics of tumors and develop more effective treatment strategies. With the launch of the Beacon device by Redbert (Beijing) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., it can save you a lot of screening time and greatly reduce production costs. The Beacon Optofluidic System can directly operate and cultivate individual target cells from the beginning of the experiment, with highly reliable and efficient results. This system combines unique optoelectronic positioning technology with innovative nanofluidic design, enabling fully automated experimental operations such as import, culture, detection, and export of single cells or monoclonal antibodies, providing an integrated and efficient research platform for all single-cell based development and applications. We have reason to believe that the Beacon Optofluidic System will play a greater role in the study of tumor microenvironment.

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