Anatomic demarcation by positional variation in fibroblast gene expression programs.

ABSTRACT: Fibroblasts are ubiquitous mesenchymal cells with many vital functions during development, tissue repair, and disease. Fibroblasts from different anatomic sites have distinct and characteristic gene expression patterns, but the principles that govern their molecular specialization are poorly understood. Spatial organization of cellular differentiation may be achieved by unique specification of each cell type; alternatively, organization may arise by cells interpreting their position along a coordinate system. Here we test these models by analyzing the genome-wide gene expression profiles of primary fibroblast populations from 43 unique anatomical sites spanning the human body. Large-scale differences in the gene expression programs were related to three anatomic divisions: anterior-posteri

SUBMITTER: Rinn JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1523235 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature