Project description:We generated a high-resolution cellular atlas of the healthy human liver by profiling the transcriptome of more than 25,000 individual liver cells using droplet-based RNA-sequencing. Recently published datasets and in situ hybridization were integrated to confirm, validate and locate newly identified cell populations. We identified, annotated and characterized a total of 23 cell subpopulations that represent the degree of heterogeneity of parenchymal (i.e. hepatocytes and cholangiocytes) and non-parenchymal liver cells (i.e. endothelial cells, stellate cells, macrophages and lymphoid cells). We successfully classified human hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells along the porto-central axis and for the first time reveal the existence of functionally specialized pericentral GPC3+ and periportal HHIP+ DBH+ hepatic stellate cells in the healthy human liver. Our study provides a description of the different cell compartments that enter into the composition of a healthy human liver and currently constitutes the biggest single-cell RNA sequencing dataset available on human healthy hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. We identified subsets of hepatic stellate cells characterized by distinct localization and physiological functions.
Project description:We utilized two methods of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) isolation, which leverage distinct properties of these cells, including their vitamin A content and collagen expression. HSCs were isolated either from wild type (WT) mice in the C57BL/6 genetic background by flotation in a Nycodenz density gradient, followed by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) based on vitamin A autofluorescence, or from collagen-green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice by FACS based on GFP expression, from a GFP transgene driven by the collagen I promoter. Array analysis was conducted on the Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA).
Project description:Early during culture of primary mouse HSCs gene expression changes. These expression alterations can be affected by treating cells with histone deacetylase inhibitor, valproic acid Primary mouse Hepatic stellate cells were cultured for short periods of time (4-16-64h) in presence or absence of valproic acid. Gene expression analysis (mouse Gene 1.0 ST arrays according to manufacturerM-bM-^@M-^Ys manual 701880Rev4 (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA)), in vitro stellate cell activation and inhibition of the activation by valproic acid treatment.
Project description:Activation and migration of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) followed by matrix deposition are characteristics of liver fibrosis. Several studies have shown the importance of hepatocyte and endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in liver pathobiology. However, less is known about the role of HSC-derived EVs in liver diseases. In this study, we investigated the molecules released through HSC-derived EVs and whether these can promote fibrosis.
Project description:Hepatic stellate cells and activated myofibroblasts display a high heterogeneity in healthy and fibrotic liver characterized by differential expression of collagens and chemokines.
Project description:We identified the Hippo pathway and its effector YAP as a key pathway that controls stellate cell activation. YAP is a transcriptional co-activator and we found that it drives the earliest changes in gene expression during stellate cell activation. Activation of stellate cells in vivo by CCl4 or activation in vitro caused rapid activation of YAP as revealed by its nuclear translocation and the induction of YAP target genes.
Project description:The goal of this project is to study hepatic stellate cell sub-populations in liver fibrosis and more specifically find a sub-population which responds to stiffness. Single cells were isolated from healthy versus CCl4-treated mice utilizing accudenz gradient method and were sequenced using 10X genomics technology.
Project description:Analysis of human hepatic stellate cell line LX2 stimulated for 24h in serum-free DMEM medium containing 0 or 50 ng/ml recombinant human GDF2 protein. Results provide insight into the activation effects of GDF2 on human hepatic stellate cell. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying activation of hepatic stellate cells and identified liver-fibrosis-related genes genes during this process.
Project description:Single-Cell, Single-Nucleus and Spatial RNA Sequencing of the Human Liver Identifies Hepatic Stellate Cell and Cholangiocyte Heterogeneity