Single-Cell Analysis Uncovers Fibroblast Heterogeneity
ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17740-1 OPEN Single-cell analysis uncovers fibroblast heterogeneity and criteria for fibroblast and mural cell identification and discrimination ✉ Lars Muhl 1,2 , Guillem Genové 1,2, Stefanos Leptidis 1,2, Jianping Liu 1,2, Liqun He3,4, Giuseppe Mocci1,2, Ying Sun4, Sonja Gustafsson1,2, Byambajav Buyandelger1,2, Indira V. Chivukula1,2, Åsa Segerstolpe1,2,5, Elisabeth Raschperger1,2, Emil M. Hansson1,2, Johan L. M. Björkegren 1,2,6, Xiao-Rong Peng7, ✉ Michael Vanlandewijck1,2,4, Urban Lendahl1,8 & Christer Betsholtz 1,2,4 1234567890():,; Many important cell types in adult vertebrates have a mesenchymal origin, including fibro- blasts and vascular mural cells. Although their biological importance is undisputed, the level of mesenchymal cell heterogeneity within and between organs, while appreciated, has not been analyzed in detail. Here, we compare single-cell transcriptional profiles of fibroblasts and vascular mural cells across four murine muscular organs: heart, skeletal muscle, intestine and bladder. We reveal gene expression signatures that demarcate fibroblasts from mural cells and provide molecular signatures for cell subtype identification. We observe striking inter- and intra-organ heterogeneity amongst the fibroblasts, primarily reflecting differences in the expression of extracellular matrix components. Fibroblast subtypes localize to discrete anatomical positions offering novel predictions about physiological function(s) and regulatory signaling circuits. Our data shed new light on the diversity of poorly defined classes of cells and provide a foundation for improved understanding of their roles in physiological and pathological processes. 1 Karolinska Institutet/AstraZeneca Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre, Blickagången 6, SE-14157 Huddinge, Sweden.
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