Project description:The bone marrow microenvironment is composed of heterogeneous cell populations of non-hematopoietic cells with complex phenotypes and undefined trajectories of maturation. Among them, mesenchymal cells maintain the production of stromal, bone, fat and cartilage cells. Resolving these unique cellular subsets within the bone marrow remains challenging. Here, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing of non-hematopoietic bone marrow cells to define specific subpopulations. Furthermore, by combining computational prediction of the cell state hierarchy with known expression of key transcription factors, we mapped differentiation paths to the osteocyte, chondrocyte, and adipocyte lineages. Finally, we validated our findings using lineage-specific reporter strains and targeted knockdowns. Our analysis reveals differentiation hierarchies for maturing stromal cells, determines key transcription factors along these trajectories, and provides an understanding of the complexity of the bone marrow microenvironment.
Project description:Although multiple studies have investigated the mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSCs) that give rise to mature bone marrow, high heterogeneity in their morphologies and properties causes difficulties in molecular separation of their distinct populations. In this study, by taking advantage of the resolution of the single cell transcriptome, we analyzed Sca-1 and PDGFR-α fraction in the mouse bone marrow tissue. The single cell transcriptome enabled us to further classify the population into seven populations according to their gene expression profiles. We then separately obtained the seven populations based on candidate marker genes, and specified their gene expression properties and epigenetic landscape by ATAC-seq. Our findings will enable to elucidate the stem cell niche signal in the bone marrow microenvironment, reconstitute bone marrow in vitro, and shed light on the potentially important role of identified subpopulation in various clinical applications to the treatment of bone- and bone marrow-related diseases.
Project description:Although multiple studies have investigated the mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSCs) that give rise to mature bone marrow, high heterogeneity in their morphologies and properties causes difficulties in molecular separation of their distinct populations. In this study, by taking advantage of the resolution of the single cell transcriptome, we analyzed Sca-1 and PDGFR-α fraction in the mouse bone marrow tissue. The single cell transcriptome enabled us to further classify the population into seven populations according to their gene expression profiles. We then separately obtained the seven populations based on candidate marker genes, and specified their gene expression properties and epigenetic landscape by ATAC-seq. Our findings will enable to elucidate the stem cell niche signal in the bone marrow microenvironment, reconstitute bone marrow in vitro, and shed light on the potentially important role of identified subpopulation in various clinical applications to the treatment of bone- and bone marrow-related diseases.
Project description:Although multiple studies have investigated the mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSCs) that give rise to mature bone marrow, high heterogeneity in their morphologies and properties causes difficulties in molecular separation of their distinct populations. In this study, by taking advantage of the resolution of the single cell transcriptome, we analyzed Sca-1 and PDGFR-α fraction in the mouse bone marrow tissue. The single cell transcriptome enabled us to further classify the population into seven populations according to their gene expression profiles. We then separately obtained the seven populations based on candidate marker genes, and specified their gene expression properties and epigenetic landscape by ATAC-seq. Our findings will enable to elucidate the stem cell niche signal in the bone marrow microenvironment, reconstitute bone marrow in vitro, and shed light on the potentially important role of identified subpopulation in various clinical applications to the treatment of bone- and bone marrow-related diseases.
Project description:A subset of osteoblasts functions as a key component of the hematopoietic stem cell niche. But it is still unclear that the precise cellular and molecular contribution of endosteal cell populations on the HSC supportive microenvironment. We purified the endosteal cells and subdivided them into mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs: PDGF-Ra(+)Sca-1(+)) and two osteoblast populations (PDGF-Ra(-)Sca-1(-) and PDGF-Ra(+)Sca-1(-)). In this study, to clarify the characteristics of these fractionated cells in detail, gene expression analysis were performed using the GeneChip Mouse Genome Array 430 2.0 (Affymetrix).
Project description:A subset of osteoblasts functions as a key component of the hematopoietic stem cell niche. But it is still unclear that the precise cellular and molecular contribution of endosteal cell populations on the HSC supportive microenvironment. We purified the endosteal cells and subdivided them into mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs: ALCAM(-)Sca-1(+)) and two osteoblast populations (ALCAM(-)Sca-1(-) and ALCAM(+)Sca-1(-)). In this study, to clarify the characteristics of these fractionated cells in detail, gene expression analysis were performed using the GeneChip Mouse Genome Array 430 2.0 (Affymetrix).