Fibro/Adipogenic Progenitors Are Key Effectors and Regulators of Skeletal Muscle Fibrosis in Muscular Dystrophy
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ABSTRACT: Fibrosis is a prominent pathological feature of skeletal muscle in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The commonly used disease mouse model, mdx5cv, displays progressive fibrosis in diaphragm but not limb muscles. We use single-cell RNA sequencing to determine the cellular expression of the genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) production and degradation in mdx5cv diaphragm and quadriceps. We find that fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are not only the primary source of ECM but also the predominant cells that express important ECM regulatory genes, including Ccn2, Ltbp4, Mmp2, Mmp14, Timp1, Timp2, and Loxs. The effector and regulatory functions are exerted by diverse FAP clusters which are different between diaphragm and quadriceps, indicating their activation by different tissue microenvironment. FAPs are more abundant in diaphragm than in quadriceps.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE218201 | GEO | 2023/01/03
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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