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Bulk RNA-Seq datasets supporting a common precursor expression program leading to brain pericyte differentiation from neural crest and mesoderm

ABSTRACT: Brain pericytes are critical for regulating endothelial barrier function and activity, thus ensuring adequate blood flow to the brain. How the developmental acquisition of pericytes to naked endothelium is regulated, is largely unknown, but is relevant to disorders where vessels are poorly stabilized. Although pericytes are derived from neural crest and mesoderm, brain pericytes from both origins are currently indistinguishable; the genetic pathways leading to a convergent pericyte phenotype are unknown. We show here that a precursor population expressing the transcription factor nkx3.1 with origins in both NCC and mesoderm, develops into brain pericytes. We identify the gene signature of these precursors and show that an nkx3.1, foxf2a, and cxcl12b -expressing pericyte precursor population is present around the cxcr4 expressing basilar artery, and that these cells later spread throughout the brain. Cxcl12b- Cxcr4 signaling is required for pericyte attachment and differentiation but not for later pericyte development. Further, both nkx3.1 and cxcl12b are necessary and sufficient in regulating pericyte number. Thus, we have defined an undescribed population of pericyte precursors and identified genes critical for their differentiation.

ORGANISM(S): Danio rerio

PROVIDER: GSE232762 | GEO | 2024/02/25

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Pericytes are multifunctional contractile cells that reside on capillaries. Pericytes are critical regulators of cerebral blood flow and blood-brain barrier function, and pericyte dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiology of human neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived pericytes (iPericytes) are a promising tool for vascular research. However, it is unclear how iPericytes functionally compare to primary human brain vascular pericytes (HBVPs). We differentiated iPSCs into iPericytes of either the mesoderm or neural crest lineage using established protocols. We compared iPericyte and HBVP morphologies, quantified gene expression by qPCR and bulk RNA sequencing, and visualised pericyte protein markers by immunocytochemistry. To determine whether the gene expression of neural crest iPericytes, mesoderm iPericytes or HBVPs correlated with their functional characteristics in vitro, we quantified EdU incorporation following exposure to the key pericyte mitogen, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and, contraction and relaxation in response to the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 or vasodilator adenosine, respectively. iPericytes were morphologically similar to HBVPs and expressed canonical pericyte markers. Consistent with the ability of HBVPs to respond to PDGF-BB signalling, PDGF-BB enhanced and PDGF receptor (PDGFR)β inhibitors impaired iPericyte proliferation. Administration of endothelin-1 led to iPericyte contraction and adenosine led to iPericyte relaxation, of a magnitude similar to the response evoked in HBVPs. We determined that neural crest iPericytes were less susceptible to PDGFRβ inhibition, but responded most robustly to vasoactive meditators. iPericytes express pericyte-associated genes and proteins and, exhibit an appropriate physiological response upon exposure to a key endogenous mitogen or vasoactive mediators. Therefore, this protocol to generate functional iPericytes would be suitable for use in future investigations exploring pericyte function or dysfunction in neurological diseases.

Project description:Pericytes have been implicated in regulation of inflammatory, reparative, fibrogenic and angiogenic responses in several different organs and pathologic conditions. Although the adult mammalian heart contains abundant pericytes, their fate and involvement in myocardial disease remains unknown. We used NG2Dsred;PDGFRaEGFP pericyte-fibroblast dual reporter mice and inducible NG2CreER mice to study the fate and phenotypic modulation of pericytes in a model of myocardial infarction. The transcriptomic profile of pericyte-derived fibroblasts was studied using PCR arrays. The transcriptomic profile of NG2 lineage cells (pericytes) was studied in control and infarcted hearts using single cell RNA-sequencing analysis. The role of TGF-b signaling in regulation of pericyte phenotype in vivo was investigated using pericyte-specific Tgfbr2 knockout mice. In vitro, the effects of TGF-b were studied in cultured human placental pericytes.In normal mouse hearts, NG2 and PDGFRa identified distinct non-overlapping populations of pericytes and fibroblasts respectively. Following myocardial infarction, a population of cells expressing both pericyte and fibroblast markers emerged. These cells expressed large amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes. Lineage tracing demonstrated that in the infarcted region, a subpopulation of pericytes underwent fibroblast conversion. Single cell RNA-seq experiments demonstrated expansion and diversification of pericyte-derived cells in the infarct, associated with emergence of subpopulations exhibiting accentuated matrix gene synthesis. In vitro studies and the profile of pericyte-derived fibroblasts identified TGF-b as a potentially causative mediator in fibrogenic activation of infarct pericytes. However, pericyte-specific Tgfbr2 disruption had no significant effects on myofibroblast infiltration and collagen deposition in the infarct. Pericyte-specific TGF-b signaling was involved in vascular maturation, mediating formation of a mural cell coat investing infarct neovessels. These reparative effects of infarct pericytes protected the infarcted heart from dilative remodeling.

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Bulk RNA-Seq datasets supporting a common precursor expression program leading to brain pericyte differentiation from neural crest and mesoderm

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