Cell-specific expression of lung disease risk-related genes in the human small airway epithelium.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The human small airway epithelium (SAE) plays a central role in the early events in the pathogenesis of most inherited and acquired lung disorders. Little is known about the molecular phenotypes of the specific cell populations comprising the SAE in humans, and the contribution of SAE specific cell populations to the risk for lung diseases.

Methods

Drop-seq single-cell RNA-sequencing was used to characterize the transcriptome of single cells from human SAE of nonsmokers and smokers by bronchoscopic brushing.

Results

Eleven distinct cell populations were identified, including major and rare epithelial cells, and immune/inflammatory cells. There was cell type-specific expression of genes relevant to the risk of the inherited pulmonary disorders, genes associa

SUBMITTER: Zuo WL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7389881 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature