Ectopic expression of GDF15 in cancer-associated fibroblasts enhances melanoma immunosuppression via the GFRAL/RET cascade

Abstract

By integrating single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, bulk RNA-seq, molecular dynamics simulation and complete experimental design, this study comprehensively characterized that ectopic expression of CAFs-derived GDF15 can act as an accomplice in melanoma progression by inducing increased tumor cell stemness and macrophage M2 polarization, reshaping the immune landscape of melanoma, and providing new ideas and new targets for precision immunotherapy of melanoma.