Project description:Palmoplantar skin is structurally and functionally unique, but the transcriptional programs driving this specialization are unknown. Here, we exploit bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing of human palm, sole, and hip skin to describe the distinguishing characteristics of palmoplantar and non-palmoplantar skin while also uncovering previously unappreciated differences between palmar and plantar sites. Our approach reveals downregulation of diverse immunological processes and decreased immune cell populations in palmoplantar skin, highlighting an altered immune environment in the skin of the palms and soles. Further, we identify specific palmoplantar and non-palmoplantar fibroblast populations that appear to orchestrate key differences in cell-cell communication in palm, sole, and hip. Dedicated analysis of epidermal keratinocytes highlights major differences in basal cell fraction among the three sites and validates the presence of a more differentiated, cycling basal population. Finally, our data demonstrate the existence of two spinous keratinocyte populations that constitute two parallel, site-selective epidermal differentiation trajectories. Together, these results provide a deep characterization of the highly adapted palmoplantar skin and contribute new insights into the fundamental biology of human skin.
Project description:Palmoplantar skin is structurally and functionally unique, but the transcriptional programs driving this specialization are unknown. Here, we exploit single-cell RNA-sequencing of human palm, sole, and hip skin to describe the distinguishing characteristics of palmoplantar and non-palmoplantar skin while also uncovering previously unappreciated differences between palmar and plantar sites. Our approach reveals downregulation of diverse immunological processes and decreased immune cell populations in palmoplantar skin, highlighting an altered immune environment in the skin of the palms and soles. Further, we identify specific palmoplantar and non-palmoplantar fibroblast populations that appear to orchestrate key differences in cell-cell communication in palm, sole, and hip. Dedicated analysis of epidermal keratinocytes highlights major differences in basal cell fraction among the three sites and validates the presence of a more differentiated, cycling basal population. Finally, our data demonstrate the existence of two spinous keratinocyte populations that constitute two parallel, site-selective epidermal differentiation trajectories. Together, these results provide a deep characterization of the highly adapted palmoplantar skin and contribute new insights into the fundamental biology of human skin.
Project description:The pathogenesis of necrosis of femoral head (NFH) remains elusive now. Limited studies were conducted to investigate the molecular mechanism of hip articular cartilage damage of NFH. We conducted a genome-wide gene expression profiling of hip articular cartilage with NFH.
Project description:The pathogenesis of necrosis of femoral head (NFH) remains elusive now. Limited studies were conducted to investigate the molecular mechanism of hip articular cartilage damage of NFH. We conducted a genome-wide gene expression profiling of hip articular cartilage with NFH. Hip articular cartilage specimens were collected from 12 NFH patients and 12 healthy controls. Gene expression profiling of NFH articular cartilage was carried out by Agilent Human 4x44K Gene Expression Microarray chip. Differently expressed genes were identified using the Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) software.
Project description:To determine the mechanisms of fleshy fruit abscission of the monocot oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) compared with other abscission systems, we performed multi-scale comparative transcriptome analyses on fruit targeting the developing primary AZ and adjacent tissues. Combining between-tissue developmental comparisons with exogenous ethylene treatments, and naturally occurring abscission in the field, RNAseq analysis revealed a robust core set of 168 genes with differentially regulated expression, spatially associated with the ripe fruit AZ, and temporally restricted to the abscission timing. The expression of a set of candidate genes was validated by qRT-PCR in the fruit AZ of a natural oil palm variant with blocked fruit abscission, which provides evidence for their functions during abscission. Our results substantiate the conservation of gene function between dicot dry fruit dehiscence and monocot fleshy fruit abscission. The study also revealed major metabolic transitions occur in the AZ during abscission, including key senescence marker genes and transcriptional regulators, in addition to genes involved in nutrient recycling and reallocation, alternative routes for energy supply and adaptation to oxidative stress. The study provides the first reference transcriptome of a monocot fleshy fruit abscission zone and provides insight into the mechanisms underlying abscission by identifying key genes with functional roles and processes, including metabolic transitions, cell wall modifications, signalling, stress adaptations and transcriptional regulation, that occur during ripe fruit abscission of the monocot oil palm. The transcriptome data comprises an original reference and resource useful towards understanding the evolutionary basis of this fundamental plant process.