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A proximal-to-distal survey of healthy adult human small intestine and colon epithelium by single-cell transcriptomics

ABSTRACT: Background and Aims: Single-cell transcriptomics offer unprecedented resolution of tissue function at the cellular level, yet studies analyzing healthy adult human small intestine and colon are sparse. Here, we present single-cell transcriptomics covering the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and ascending, transverse, and descending colon from 3 humans. Methods: 12,590 single epithelial cells from three independently processed organ donors were evaluated for organ-specific lineage biomarkers, differentially regulated genes, receptors, and drug targets. Analyses focused on intrinsic cell properties and capacity for response to extrinsic signals along the gut axis across different humans. Results: Cells were assigned to 25 epithelial lineage clusters. Human intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are not specifically marked by many murine ISC markers. Lysozyme expression is not unique to human Paneth cells (PCs), and PCs lack expression of expected niche-factors. BEST4+ cells express NPY and show maturational differences between SI and colon. Tuft cells possess a broad ability to interact with the innate and adaptive immune systems through previously unreported receptors. Some classes of mucins, hormones, cell-junction, and nutrient absorption genes show unappreciated regional expression differences across lineages. Differential expression of receptors and drug targets across lineages reveals biological variation and potential for variegated responses. Conclusions: Our study identifies novel lineage marker genes; covers regional differences; shows important differences between mouse and human gut epithelium; and reveals insight into how the epithelium responds to the environment and drugs. This comprehensive cell atlas of the healthy adult human intestinal epithelium resolves likely functional differences across anatomical regions along the gastrointestinal tract and advances our understanding of human intestinal physiology.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE185224 | GEO | 2022/02/21

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:The Runx1 transcription factor plays an important role in tissue homeostasis through its effects on stem/progenitor cell populations and differentiation. The effect of Runx1 on epithelial differentiation of the secretory cell lineage of the colon was recently demonstrated. This study aimed to examine the role of Runx1 in tumor development in epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Conditional knockout mice were generated that lacked Runx1 expression in epithelial cells of the GI tract. These mice were crossed onto the ApcMin background, sacrificed, and their intestinal tumor phenotypes were compared with ApcMin Runx1 wildtype control mice. Apc-wildtype Runx1-mutant mice were also examined for tumor development. Colons from Runx1 knockout and wildtype mice were used for genome-wide mRNA expression analyses followed by gene-specific quantitative RT-PCR of whole colon and colon epithelium, to identify Runx1 target genes. Runx1 deficiency in intestinal epithelial cells significantly enhanced tumorigenesis in ApcMin mice. Notably, epithelial Runx1 deficiency in Apc-wildtype mice was sufficient to cause tumor development. Absence of Runx1 was associated with global changes in expression of genes involved in inflammation and intestinal metabolism, and with gene sets indicative of metastatic phenotype and poor prognosis. Gene-specific analysis of Runx1 deficient colon epithelium revealed increased expression of genes linked to an expansion of the stem/progenitor cell population. These results identify Runx1 as a novel tumor suppressor gene for gastrointestinal tumors and support a role for Runx1 in maintaining the balance between the intestinal stem/progenitor cell population and epithelial differentiation of the GI tract. A total of 8 colon tissue RNA samples were analyzed, comprising 4 colon samples from wild-type mice (Villin-Cre negative / Runx1-floxed) and 4 colon samples from mice that lack epithelial expression of Runx1 (Villin-Cre positive/Runx1-floxed).

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A proximal-to-distal survey of healthy adult human small intestine and colon epithelium by single-cell transcriptomics

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