SEAM is a spatial single nuclear metabolomics method for dissecting tissue microenvironment
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ABSTRACT: We report a method for analyzing spatial metabolomics at single cell level. In human fibrotic liver samples, we identified a novel hepatocyte subpopulation via SEAM and spatial transcriptomics using modified protocol of Geo-sea. For Geo-seq, we generated cDNA libraries from Hepa69-high (Proximal), Hepa69-low (Distal) and Fibrotic (FB) regions. The differential gene expression analysis between Hepa69-high and Hepa69-low indicates that genes from solute carrier transporter families were elevated in Hepa69-high group.
Project description:The composition and cellular heterogeneity of the corpus cavernosum (CC) microenvironment have been characterized, but the spatial heterogeneity at the molecular level and the evolutionary differences among species remain unexplored. In this study, we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptome sequencing to comprehensively charted the spatial cellular landscape of human and rat CC under normal and disease conditions. We partitioned CC on the basis of special structures such as cavernous arteries, septum pectiniforme, and tunica albuginea, and described the spatial heterogeneity of cell composition and signaling networks in different regions. Additionally, we observed differences in the proportion of cell subtypes and marker genes among endothelial cells (EC), smooth muscle cells (SMC), and fibroblasts (FB) between humans and rats. Although many signalings involved in the basic biological processes such as translation are relatively conserved between human and rat, they show significant species differences in the pathways such as inflammatory response. Based on the analysis of FB niche, we also found that mechanical force signaling have significant spatial heterogeneity within CC and correlated with the spatial distribution of different FB subtypes. In vitro, soft and hard extracellular matrix (ECM) induced the differentiation of FB into APO+FB or COMP+FB subtype, respectively, and reprogrammed their lipid metabolism. In summary, our study provided a cross-species and physio-pathology transcriptomic atlas of the CC at the single-cell level with high spatial resolution, contributing to further understanding of the molecular anatomy and regulation of penile erection.
Project description:The composition and cellular heterogeneity of the corpus cavernosum (CC) microenvironment have been characterized, but the spatial heterogeneity at the molecular level and the evolutionary differences among species remain unexplored. In this study, we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptome sequencing to comprehensively charted the spatial cellular landscape of human and rat CC under normal and disease conditions. We partitioned CC on the basis of special structures such as cavernous arteries, septum pectiniforme, and tunica albuginea, and described the spatial heterogeneity of cell composition and signaling networks in different regions. Additionally, we observed differences in the proportion of cell subtypes and marker genes among endothelial cells (EC), smooth muscle cells (SMC), and fibroblasts (FB) between humans and rats. Although many signalings involved in the basic biological processes such as translation are relatively conserved between human and rat, they show significant species differences in the pathways such as inflammatory response. Based on the analysis of FB niche, we also found that mechanical force signaling have significant spatial heterogeneity within CC and correlated with the spatial distribution of different FB subtypes. In vitro, soft and hard extracellular matrix (ECM) induced the differentiation of FB into APO+FB or COMP+FB subtype, respectively, and reprogrammed their lipid metabolism. In summary, our study provided a cross-species and physio-pathology transcriptomic atlas of the CC at the single-cell level with high spatial resolution, contributing to further understanding of the molecular anatomy and regulation of penile erection.
Project description:Microarray analysis was carried out on human MOH cells exposed to fb-PMT (10e-6 M tetrac equivalent) for 24 h. fb-PMT significantly downregulated electron transport chain genes ATP5A1 (ATP synthase A1), ATP51, ATP5G2, COX6B1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6B1), NDUFA8 (NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] FA8), NDUFV2 and other NDUF genes, SLC25A6 (solute carrier group 2), UCP2 ([mitochondrial] uncoupling protein 2) and COX5A. The NDUF and ATP genes are also relevant to control of oxidative phosphorylation and transcription. Six additional NDUF genes linked to oxidative phosphorylation were affected. Conclusions. fb-PMT caused downregulation of expression of a panel of genes involved in electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation, and cytoplasmic ribosomal protein generation in MOH cells. A key component of the anticancer activity of fb-PMT relates to disordering of ATP generation mechanisms in tumor cells.
Project description:Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease that causes irreversible and progressive lung scarring and respiratory failure. Activation of fibroblasts (FBs) play a central role in progression of PF. Here we report that platelet endothelial aggregation receptor 1 (Pear1) in FBs is a new molecular target for PF therapy. Pear1 deficiency spontaneously caused respiratory function decline and alveolar collagens accumulation in old mice. The degree of PF and mortality induced by bleomycin were significantly enhanced in Pear1 deficient mice. FB Mesenchyme-specific Pear1 deficiency aggravated bleomycin-induced PF, confirming that Pear1 modulates PF progression probably byvia regulation of FBs function. Single cell RNA-seq analysis of pulmonary FB and functional enrichment analysis revealed drastic expansion of Aactivated- FB clusters and enrichment of activated FB marker genes in extracellular matrix (ECM) development and pulmonary fibrosis in Pear1-/- fibrotic lungs. CD140+ bulk tissue RNA-seq analysis further confirmed that multiple mesenchyme development pathways especially epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) are enriched with up-regulated genes involving FB mediated ECM organization and development in in Pear1-/- fibrotic lungs. We further found that Pear1 associated with Protein Phosphatase 1 to suppress fibrotic factors such as TGFß, FGF or PDGF-induced intracellular signalling and FB activation. Intratracheal aerosolization of monoclonal antibody activating Pear1 greatly ameliorates PF in both wild-type mice and Pear1-humanized mice, suggesting that targeting Pear1 may serve as a new therapeutic strategy for PF.
Project description:Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease that causes irreversible and progressive lung scarring and respiratory failure. Activation of fibroblasts (FBs) play a central role in progression of PF. Here we report that platelet endothelial aggregation receptor 1 (Pear1) in FBs is a new molecular target for PF therapy. Pear1 deficiency spontaneously caused respiratory function decline and alveolar collagens accumulation in old mice. The degree of PF and mortality induced by bleomycin were significantly enhanced in Pear1 deficient mice. FB Mesenchyme-specific Pear1 deficiency aggravated bleomycin-induced PF, confirming that Pear1 modulates PF progression probably byvia regulation of FBs function. Single cell RNA-seq analysis of pulmonary FB and functional enrichment analysis revealed drastic expansion of Aactivated- FB clusters and enrichment of activated FB marker genes in extracellular matrix (ECM) development and pulmonary fibrosis in Pear1-/- fibrotic lungs. CD140+ bulk tissue RNA-seq analysis further confirmed that multiple mesenchyme development pathways especially epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) are enriched with up-regulated genes involving FB mediated ECM organization and development in in Pear1-/- fibrotic lungs. We further found that Pear1 associated with Protein Phosphatase 1 to suppress fibrotic factors such as TGFß, FGF or PDGF-induced intracellular signalling and FB activation. Intratracheal aerosolization of monoclonal antibody activating Pear1 greatly ameliorates PF in both wild-type mice and Pear1-humanized mice, suggesting that targeting Pear1 may serve as a new therapeutic strategy for PFand significantly improves their survival rate.
Project description:Microarray analysis was carried out on human SUIT2 cells, cells exposed to fb-PMT (10-6 M tetrac equivalent) for 24 h. fb-PMT significantly downregulated electron transport chain genes ATP5A1 (ATP synthase A1), ATP51, ATP5G2, COX6B1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6B1), NDUFA8 (NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] FA8), NDUFV2 and other NDUF genes, SLC25A6 (solute carrier group 2), UCP2 ([mitochondrial] uncoupling protein 2) and COX5A. The NDUF and ATP genes are also relevant to control of oxidative phosphorylation and transcription. Six additional NDUF genes linked to oxidative phosphorylation were affected. Conclusions. fb-PMT caused downregulation of expression of a panel of genes involved in electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation, and cytoplasmic ribosomal protein generation in SUIT2 cells, cells. A key component of the anticancer activity of fb-PMT relates to disordering of ATP generation mechanisms in tumor cells.
Project description:Tissue fibrosis is a common pathway to organ injury and failure. It is characterized by an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in organs. Deciphering the fibrogenic processes is of utmost importance, as there are few effective therapies in fibrotic diseases 1. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a prototypical disease where fibroblasts (Fb) are key effector cells as they differentiate into myofibroblasts in response to chronic inflammation under the influence of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) pathway 2–4. In this study, we compared the proteome of primary Fb in different culture and stimulation conditions. Primary dermal normal human Fb were cultured at passage P3, P5 and P7 with and without Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). At fifth passage, Fb were stimulated or not with different concentrations of recombinant human active TGF-β1 (0.04, 1 and 5 ng/mL) during 24, 48 and 72 hours.
Project description:Each senescent FB model exhibited different characteristics. Besides the upregulated expression of natural senescence features, FB-UVB and FB-ATV expressed high levels of senescence-related genes including SASP, and FB-P30 had the greatest similarity with FB-E. However, D-galactose-stimulated FB did not clearly present aging characteristics. It provides references for choosing senescent FB model in studying aging and related skin disease.
Project description:Aim: Differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (Fb) into myofibroblasts (MyoFb) is responsible for connective tissue buildup in myocardial remodeling. We examined reversibility of MyoFb differentiation. Methods and Results: Adult rat cardiac Fb were cultured on a plastic substratum providing mechanical stress, with conditions to obtain different Fb phenotypes. Fb spontaneously differentiated to proliferating MyoFb (p-MyoFb) with stress fiber formation decorated with alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) promoted terminal differentiation into α-SMA positive MyoFb showing near absence of proliferation i.e. non-p-MyoFb (2-fold increase in cell number after 12 days vs 11-fold for p-MyoFb). SD-208, a TGF-β-receptor-I kinase blocker, inhibited p-MyoFb differentiation as shown by stress fiber absence, low levels of α-SMA protein expression, and high levels of proliferation (32-fold increase after 12 days). Fb seeded in collagen matrices induced no contraction, whereas p-MyoFb and non-p-MyoFb induced 2.5- and 4-fold contraction. Fb produced low levels of collagen and secreted high levels of IL-10. Non-p-MyoFb showed high collagen production and high MCP-1 and TIMP-1 secretion. Transcriptome analysis indicated differential gene expression between all phenotypes. Dedifferentiation of p-MyoFb, but not of non-p-MyoFb, was induced by SD-208 despite maintained stress, shown by stress fiber de-polymerization in 30% of p-MyoFb vs in 8% of non-p-MyoFb. Stress fiber de-polymerization could be induced by mechanical strain release in p-MyoFb and non-p-MyoFb (2 day culture in unrestrained 3-D collagen matrices). Only p-MyoFb showed true dedifferentiation after long-term 3-D culture. Conclusions: Both reduction in mechanical strain and TGF-β-receptor-I kinase inhibition can reverse p-MyoFb differentiation but not in non-p-MyoFb.