Single-cell analysis of non-myocytes during heart regeneration reveals sequential coordinated responses from distinct cell populations [bulk RNA-seq]

ABSTRACT: Cardiac regeneration occurs primarily through proliferation of existing cardiomyocytes, yet the regenerative response also involves complex interactions between distinct cardiac cell types including not only cardiomyocytes, but also non-cardiomyocytes (nonCMs). However, the molecular features and cellular functions of the highly heterogeneous populations of nonCMs and how these populations cooperate to regenerate the injured heart remain largely unexplored. Using the newly developed LIGER algorithm that allows flexible modeling across highly diverse single-cell datasets, we analyzed the transcriptome dynamics of 61,977 individual nonCMs isolated at multiple time points during zebrafish heart regeneration. Combining single-cell analysis and in situ hybridization, we identified major nonCM cell types, including multiple novel subpopulations with unique tempo-spatial distributions and highly cooperative interactions in the regenerating heart. Interestingly, genetic perturbation of macrophage function by kit knockout led to accumulation of fibrotic deposits and severely compromised cardiomyocyte proliferation and myocardium regeneration. Our single-cell transcriptomic analysis of nonCMs during cardiac regeneration provides a blueprint for interrogating the molecular and cellular basis of cardiac regeneration.

ORGANISM(S): Danio rerio

PROVIDER: GSE145979 | GEO | 2021/09/06

REPOSITORIES: GEO