scholarly journals Single-cell transcriptomic analysis identifies extensive heterogeneity in the cellular composition of mouse Achilles tendons

2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (5) ◽  
pp. C885-C894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea J. De Micheli ◽  
Jacob B. Swanson ◽  
Nathaniel P. Disser ◽  
Leandro M. Martinez ◽  
Nicholas R. Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Matrix Assembly ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
Signaling Interactions ◽  
Heterogeneity Of Cell Populations

Tendon is a dense connective tissue that stores and transmits forces between muscles and bones. Cellular heterogeneity is increasingly recognized as an important factor in the biological basis of tissue homeostasis and disease, yet little is known about the diversity of cell types that populate tendon. To address this, we determined the heterogeneity of cell populations within mouse Achilles tendons using single-cell RNA sequencing. In assembling a transcriptomic atlas of Achilles tendons, we identified 11 distinct types of cells, including three previously undescribed populations of tendon fibroblasts. Prior studies have indicated that pericytes, which are found in the vasculature of tendons, could serve as a potential source of progenitor cells for adult tendon fibroblasts. Using trajectory inference analysis, we provide additional support for the notion that pericytes are likely to be at least one of the progenitor cell populations for the fibroblasts that compose adult tendons. We also modeled cell-cell interactions and identified previously undescribed ligand-receptor signaling interactions involved in tendon homeostasis. Our novel and interactive tendon atlas highlights previously underappreciated heterogeneity between and within tendon cell populations. The atlas also serves as a resource to further the understanding of tendon extracellular matrix assembly and maintenance and in the design of therapies for tendinopathies.

scholarly journals Single-cell Transcriptomics Identify Extensive Heterogeneity in the Cellular Composition of Mouse Achilles Tendons

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea J De Micheli ◽  
Jacob B Swanson ◽  
Nathaniel P Disser ◽  
Leandro M Martinez ◽  
Nicholas R Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Tissue Homeostasis ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Cellular Composition ◽  
Matrix Assembly ◽  
Distinct Cell ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing ◽  
Additional Support

AbstractTendon is a connective tissue that transmits forces between muscles and bones. Cellular heterogeneity is increasingly recognized as an important factor in the biological basis of tissue homeostasis and disease, but little is known about the diversity of cells that populate tendon. Our objective was to explore the heterogeneity of cells in mouse Achilles tendons using single-cell RNA sequencing. We assembled a transcriptomic atlas and identified 11 distinct cell types in tendons, including 3 previously undescribed populations of fibroblasts. Using trajectory inference analysis, we provide additional support for the notion that pericytes are progenitor cells for the fibroblasts that compose adult tendons. We also modeled cell-interactions and identified ligand-receptor pairs involved in tendon homeostasis. Our findings highlight notable heterogeneity between and within tendon cell populations, which may contribute to our understanding of tendon extracellular matrix assembly and maintenance, and inform the design of therapies to treat tendinopathies.

scholarly journals The single-cell epigenetic regulatory landscape in mammalian perinatal testis development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinyue Liao ◽  
Hoi Ching Suen ◽  
Shitao Rao ◽  
Alfred Chun Shui Luk ◽  
Ruoyu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Cell Type

AbstractSpermatogenesis depends on an orchestrated series of developing events in germ cells and full maturation of the somatic microenvironment. To date, the majority of efforts to study cellular heterogeneity in testis has been focused on single-cell gene expression rather than the chromatin landscape shaping gene expression. To advance our understanding of the regulatory programs underlying testicular cell types, we analyzed single-cell chromatin accessibility profiles in more than 25,000 cells from mouse developing testis. We showed that scATAC-Seq allowed us to deconvolve distinct cell populations and identify cis-regulatory elements (CREs) underlying cell type specification. We identified sets of transcription factors associated with cell type-specific accessibility, revealing novel regulators of cell fate specification and maintenance. Pseudotime reconstruction revealed detailed regulatory dynamics coordinating the sequential developmental progressions of germ cells and somatic cells. This high-resolution data also revealed putative stem cells within the Sertoli and Leydig cell populations. Further, we defined candidate target cell types and genes of several GWAS signals, including those associated with testosterone levels and coronary artery disease. Collectively, our data provide a blueprint of the ‘regulon’ of the mouse male germline and supporting somatic cells.

scholarly journals Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Defines the Regulation of Spermatogenesis by Sertoli-Cell Androgen Signaling

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Congcong Cao ◽  
Qian Ma ◽  
Shaomei Mo ◽  
Ge Shu ◽  
Qunlong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Transcriptomic Sequencing ◽  
Transcriptional Changes

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is essential for maintaining spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AR acts between male germ cells and somatic cells during spermatogenesis have not begun to be revealed until recently. With the advances obtained from the use of transgenic mice lacking AR in Sertoli cells (SCARKO) and single-cell transcriptomic sequencing (scRNA-seq), the cell specific targets of AR action as well as the genes and signaling pathways that are regulated by AR are being identified. In this study, we collected scRNA-seq data from wild-type (WT) and SCARKO mice testes at p20 and identified four somatic cell populations and two male germ cell populations. Further analysis identified that the distribution of Sertoli cells was completely different and uncovered the cellular heterogeneity and transcriptional changes between WT and SCARKO Sertoli cells. In addition, several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SCARKO Sertoli cells, many of which have been previously implicated in cell cycle, apoptosis and male infertility, have also been identified. Together, our research explores a novel perspective on the changes in the transcription level of various cell types between WT and SCARKO mice testes, providing new insights for the investigations of the molecular and cellular processes regulated by AR signaling in Sertoli cells.

scholarly journals A single cell atlas of human teeth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierfrancesco Pagella ◽  
Laura de Vargas Roditi ◽  
Bernd Stadlinger ◽  
Andreas E. Moor ◽  
Thimios A. Mitsiadis
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Human Teeth ◽  
Functional Differences ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Stem Cell Populations ◽  
Transcriptional Landscape

Teeth exert fundamental functions related to mastication and speech. Despite their great biomedical importance, an overall picture of their cellular and molecular composition is still missing. In this study, we have mapped the transcriptional landscape of the various cell populations that compose human teeth at single-cell resolution, and we analyzed in deeper detail their stem cell populations and their microenvironment. Our study identified great cellular heterogeneity in the dental pulp and the periodontium. Unexpectedly, we found that the molecular signatures of the stem cell populations were very similar, and that their distinctive behavior could be due to substantial differences between their microenvironments. Our findings suggest that the microenvironmental specificity is the potential source for the major functional differences of the stem cells located in the various tooth compartments and open new perspectives towards cell-based dental therapeutic approaches.

scholarly journals Ureter single-cell and spatial mapping reveal cell types, architecture, and signaling networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela H. Ting ◽  
Emily E Fink ◽  
Surbhi Sona ◽  
Uyen Tran ◽  
Pierre-Emmanuel Desprez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Communication Networks ◽  
Adult Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Basal Cells ◽  
Human Ureter

Tissue engineering offers a promising treatment strategy for ureteral strictures, but its success requires an in-depth understanding of the architecture, cellular heterogeneity, and signaling pathways underlying tissue regeneration. Here we define and spatially map cell populations within the human ureter using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial gene expression, and immunofluorescence approaches. We focused on the stromal and urothelial cell populations to enumerate distinct cell types composing the human ureter and inferred potential cell-cell communication networks underpinning the bi-directional crosstalk between these compartments. Furthermore, we analyzed and experimentally validated the importance of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway in adult stem cell maintenance. The SHH-expressing basal cells supported organoid generation in vitro and accurately predicted the differentiation trajectory from basal stem cells to terminally differentiated umbrella cells. Our results highlight essential processes involved in adult ureter tissue homeostasis and provide a blueprint for guiding ureter tissue engineering.

Molecular and Cellular Dynamics of Aortic Aneurysms Revealed by Single-Cell Transcriptomics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanming Li ◽  
Scott A. LeMaire ◽  
Ying H. Shen
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing

The aorta is highly heterogeneous, containing many different types of cells that perform sophisticated functions to maintain aortic homeostasis. Recently, single-cell RNA sequencing studies have provided substantial new insight into the heterogeneity of vascular cell types, the comprehensive molecular features of each cell type, and the phenotypic interrelationship between these cell populations. This new information has significantly improved our understanding of aortic biology and aneurysms at the molecular and cellular level. Here, we summarize these findings, with a focus on what single-cell RNA sequencing analysis has revealed about cellular heterogeneity, cellular transitions, communications among cell populations, and critical transcription factors in the vascular wall. We also review the information learned from single-cell RNA sequencing that has contributed to our understanding of the pathogenesis of vascular disease, such as the identification of cell types in which aneurysm-related genes and genetic variants function. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future directions of single-cell RNA sequencing applications in studies of aortic biology and diseases.

scholarly journals Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of mIHC images via antigen mapping

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. eabc5464
Author(s):  
Kiya W. Govek ◽  
Emma C. Troisi ◽  
Zhen Miao ◽  
Rachael G. Aubin ◽  
Steven Woodhouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Murine Spleen ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing ◽  
Antibody Panel

Highly multiplexed immunohistochemistry (mIHC) enables the staining and quantification of dozens of antigens in a tissue section with single-cell resolution. However, annotating cell populations that differ little in the profiled antigens or for which the antibody panel does not include specific markers is challenging. To overcome this obstacle, we have developed an approach for enriching mIHC images with single-cell RNA sequencing data, building upon recent experimental procedures for augmenting single-cell transcriptomes with concurrent antigen measurements. Spatially-resolved Transcriptomics via Epitope Anchoring (STvEA) performs transcriptome-guided annotation of highly multiplexed cytometry datasets. It increases the level of detail in histological analyses by enabling the systematic annotation of nuanced cell populations, spatial patterns of transcription, and interactions between cell types. We demonstrate the utility of STvEA by uncovering the architecture of poorly characterized cell types in the murine spleen using published cytometry and mIHC data of this organ.

scholarly journals Single-cell transcriptomics following ischemic injury identifies a role for B2M in cardiac repair

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bas Molenaar ◽  
Louk T. Timmer ◽  
Marjolein Droog ◽  
Ilaria Perini ◽  
Danielle Versteeg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Communication Networks ◽  
Cardiac Remodeling ◽  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Ischemic Injury ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Repair Process ◽  
Cardiac Repair ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Intercellular Signaling

AbstractThe efficiency of the repair process following ischemic cardiac injury is a crucial determinant for the progression into heart failure and is controlled by both intra- and intercellular signaling within the heart. An enhanced understanding of this complex interplay will enable better exploitation of these mechanisms for therapeutic use. We used single-cell transcriptomics to collect gene expression data of all main cardiac cell types at different time-points after ischemic injury. These data unveiled cellular and transcriptional heterogeneity and changes in cellular function during cardiac remodeling. Furthermore, we established potential intercellular communication networks after ischemic injury. Follow up experiments confirmed that cardiomyocytes express and secrete elevated levels of beta-2 microglobulin in response to ischemic damage, which can activate fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. Collectively, our data indicate phase-specific changes in cellular heterogeneity during different stages of cardiac remodeling and allow for the identification of therapeutic targets relevant for cardiac repair.

scholarly journals Single-Cell Sequencing: Biological Insight and Potential Clinical Implications in Pediatric Leukemia

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5658
Author(s):  
Donát Alpár ◽  
Bálint Egyed ◽  
Csaba Bödör ◽  
Gábor T. Kovács
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Pediatric Leukemia ◽  
Single Cell Sequencing ◽  
Wide Range

Single-cell sequencing (SCS) provides high-resolution insight into the genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic landscape of oncohematological malignancies including pediatric leukemia, the most common type of childhood cancer. Besides broadening our biological understanding of cellular heterogeneity, sub-clonal architecture, and regulatory network of tumor cell populations, SCS can offer clinically relevant, detailed characterization of distinct compartments affected by leukemia and identify therapeutically exploitable vulnerabilities. In this review, we provide an overview of SCS studies focused on the high-resolution genomic and transcriptomic scrutiny of pediatric leukemia. Our aim is to investigate and summarize how different layers of single-cell omics approaches can expectedly support clinical decision making in the future. Although the clinical management of pediatric leukemia underwent a spectacular improvement during the past decades, resistant disease is a major cause of therapy failure. Currently, only a small proportion of childhood leukemia patients benefit from genomics-driven therapy, as 15–20% of them meet the indication criteria of on-label targeted agents, and their overall response rate falls in a relatively wide range (40–85%). The in-depth scrutiny of various cell populations influencing the development, progression, and treatment resistance of different disease subtypes can potentially uncover a wider range of driver mechanisms for innovative therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals Single Cell, Single Nucleus and Spatial RNA Sequencing of the Human Liver Identifies Hepatic Stellate Cell and Cholangiocyte Heterogeneity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tallulah S Andrews ◽  
Jawairia Atif ◽  
Jeff C Liu ◽  
Catia T Perciani ◽  
Xue-Zhong Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Human Liver ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Parenchymal Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Single Nucleus

The critical functions of the human liver are coordinated through the interactions of hepatic parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. Recent advances in single cell transcriptional approaches have enabled an examination of the human liver with unprecedented resolution. However, dissociation related cell perturbation can limit the ability to fully capture the human liver's parenchymal cell fraction, which limits the ability to comprehensively profile this organ. Here, we report the transcriptional landscape of 73,295 cells from the human liver using matched single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq). The addition of snRNA-seq enabled the characterization of interzonal hepatocytes at single-cell resolution, revealed the presence of rare subtypes of hepatic stellate cells previously only seen in disease, and detection of cholangiocyte progenitors that had only been observed during in vitro differentiation experiments. However, T and B lymphocytes and NK cells were only distinguishable using scRNA-seq, highlighting the importance of applying both technologies to obtain a complete map of tissue-resident cell-types. We validated the distinct spatial distribution of the hepatocyte, cholangiocyte and stellate cell populations by an independent spatial transcriptomics dataset and immunohistochemistry. Our study provides a systematic comparison of the transcriptomes captured by scRNA-seq and snRNA-seq and delivers a high-resolution map of the parenchymal cell populations in the healthy human liver.

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