Potential crosstalk between SPP1 + TAMs and CD8 + exhausted T cells promotes an immunosuppressive environment in gastric metastatic cancer

Abstract Background Immunotherapy brings new hope to patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, liver metastases can reduce the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) may be the cause of this reduction in efficacy. SPP1 + TAMs are considered to have immunosuppressive properties. We aimed to investigate the involvement of SPP1 + TAMs in the metastasis of gastric cancer. Methods The single-cell transcriptome was combined with batched BULK datasets for analysis. Animal models were used to verify the analysis results. Results We reveal the interaction of SPP1 + TAMs with CD8 + exhausted T cells in metastatic cancer. Among these interactions, GDF15-TGFBR2 may play a key immunosuppressive role. We constructed an LR score to quantify interactions based on ligands and receptors. The LR score is highly correlated with various immune features and clinical molecular subtypes. The LR score may also guide the prediction of the efficacy of immunotherapy and prognosis. Conclusions The crosstalk between SPP1 + TAMs and CD8 + exhausted T cells plays a key immunosuppressive role in the gastric metastatic cancer microenvironment. Graphical Abstract