Mapping fusion-driven cell reprogramming through integrative single-cell computational frameworks.

ABSTRACT: Cell fusion generates hybrid cells with unique traits. To understand the transcriptional and signaling alterations after fusion, we analyzed a published single-cell RNA-sequencing dataset of fused murine cardiomyocytes (mHL1) and mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (mMSC). Our analysis showed that fused cells exhibit a transcriptional trajectory suggesting a rapid change that stabilizes over time. We observed asymmetric plasticity. Initially, at Day 1, fusion hybrids resembled mMSCs (mesenchymal reprogramming), but by Day 3, their gene expression shifted to resemble mHL1 cells (myogenic reprogramming). Our analysis also identified distinct transcriptional subpopulations, including a subset enriched for tenascin (extracellular matrix remodeling), accompanied by dynamic changes in cell adhesion a

SUBMITTER: Nazaryabrbekoh F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12824289 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature