Single-cell analysis of somatic mutations in human bronchial epithelial cells in relation to aging and smoking

Single-cell whole-genome sequencing of proximal bronchial basal cells shows that somatic mutations accumulate with age and at a higher level in smokers compared to never-smokers. Mutation frequencies increased with smoking dose but then plateaued, suggesting intrinsic mechanisms to limit mutation burden. Although lung cancer risk among smokers is dependent on smoking dose, it remains unknown if this increased risk reflects an increased rate of somatic mutation accumulation in normal lung cells. Here, we applied single-cell whole-genome sequencing of proximal bronchial basal cells from 33 participants aged between 11 and 86 years with smoking histories varying from never-smoking to 116 pack-years. We found an increase in the frequency of single-nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions with chronological age in never-smokers, with mutation frequencies significantly elevated among smokers. When plotted against smoking pack-years, mutations followed the linear increase in cancer risk until about 23 pack-years, after which no further increase in mutation frequency was observed, pointing toward individual selection for mutation avoidance. Known lung cancer-defined mutation signatures tracked with both age and smoking. No significant enrichment for somatic mutations in lung cancer driver genes was observed.

Automated summary

Single-cell whole-genome sequencing of proximal bronchial basal cells revealed that somatic mutation frequencies increase with age and are higher in smokers compared to never-smokers. The mutation frequencies plateaued after a certain level of smoking dose, suggesting intrinsic mechanisms to limit mutation burden. Known lung cancer-defined mutation signatures correlated with both age and smoking status.