Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals the Cellular Origin and Evolution of Breast Cancer in BRCA1 Mutation

The cell of origin and the development of breast cancer are not fully elucidated in BRCA1 mutation carriers, especially for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on 82,122 cells isolated from the breast cancer tissues and adjacent or prophylactic normal breast tissues from four BRCA1 mutation carriers and three noncarriers. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on breast tumors from the four BRCA1 mutation carriers; for validation, bulk RNA-seq was performed on adjacent normal breast tissues from eight additional BRCA1 mutation carriers and 14 noncarriers. Correlation analyses suggested that breast cancers in BRCA1 mutation carriers might originate from luminal cells. The aberrant luminal progenitor cells with impaired differentiation were significantly increased in normal breast tissues in BRCA1 mutation carriers compared with noncarriers. These observations were further validated by the bulk RNA-seq data from additional BRCA1 mutation carriers. These data suggest that the cell of origin of basal-like breast tumors (ERneg) in BRCA1 mutation carriers might be luminal progenitor cells. The expression of TP53 and BRCA1 was decreased in luminal progenitor cells from normal breast tissue in BRCA1 mutation carriers, which might trigger the basal/mesenchymal transition of luminal progenitors and might result in basal-like tumor development. Furthermore, ERhigh luminal tumors might originate from mature luminal cells. Our study provides in-depth evidence regarding the cells of origin of different breast cancer subtypes in BRCA1 mutation carriers. Significance: Single-cell RNA-seq data indicate that basal-like breast cancer (ERneg) might originate from luminal progenitors, and ERhigh luminal breast cancer might originate from mature luminal cells in BRCA1 mutation carriers.

Automated summary

This study reveals that breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers may originate from luminal cells and abnormal luminal progenitor cells in normal tissues may contribute to the development of basal-like tumors. Additionally, ERhigh luminal breast cancer may stem from mature luminal cells.