Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals Compartment-Specific Cytotoxic T cells Crosstalk with AT2 and Goblet cells in Advanced COPD

ABSTRACT: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation and structural remodelling across different anatomical structures of the lung, including airways, parenchyma, and pulmonary vessels. However, compartment specific changes in immune cells composition and their communications with underlying structural cells is under investigated. Our study sought to assess the spatially resolved cellular organization of healthy and advanced end-stage COPD lungs using Visium spatial transcriptomics. We generated spatial transcriptomic map that uncovered distinct COPD-associated niches, characterized by increased neutrophils and myofibroblast with pronounced extracellular matrix organization around vessels, and colocalization of cytotoxic T cells and their interaction with alveolar type 2 cells and goblet cells, driving stress-induced cytotoxic response in the parenchyma and epithelial differentiation in the airway, respectively. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into compartment-specific cellular microenvironments that contribute to tissue remodelling processes in COPD.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE318039 | GEO | 2026/09/16

REPOSITORIES: GEO