Fig. 3: Mechanisms underlying dysfunctional T-cell populations in ED-derived SGC subtypes.

a Heatmap of T-cell functionality against SGC subtypes, visualized using ssGSEA with the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) signatures. Expression of TIDE features significantly differs between the groups (p < 0.05). b Comparison of estimated T-cell receptor (TCR) diversity using CDR3 sequence between the two groups. c Scatter plot illustrating a positive correlation between median T-cell infiltration and TCR diversity. d Comparison of signaling molecules between the two groups. The statistical significance was confirmed using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. e Correlogram depicting the correlation between immune cell types. Colors indicate the strength of the correlation (blue – negative correlation, white – no correlation, yellow – positive correlation) and the red box highlights the malfunction of professional APCs. Comparison of (f) macrophage polarization (g) dendritic cell subtypes, and (h) immune suppressive molecules between the two groups. i Hypothetical model illustrating the formation of dysfunctional T-cell populations in ED-derived subtypes.