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Integrative Spatial Proteomics and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Unveil Molecular Complexity in Rheumatoid Arthritis for Novel Therapeutic Targeting

ABSTRACT: Understanding the heterogeneity of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and identifying therapeutic targets remain challenging using traditional bulk transcriptomics alone, as it lacks the spatial and protein-level resolution needed to fully capture disease and tissue complexities. In this study, we applied Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) coupled with mass spectrometry-based proteomics to analyze histopathological niches of the RA synovium, enabling the identification of protein expression profiles of the diseased synovial lining and sublining microenvironments compared to their healthy counterparts. In this respect, key pathogenetic RA proteins like membrane proteins (TYROBP, AOC3, SLC16A3, TCIRG1 and NCEH1), and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (PLOD2, OGN and LUM) showed different expression patterns in diseased synovium compartments. To enhance our understanding of cellular dynamics within the dissected regions, we further integrated the proteomic dataset with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and deduced cell type enrichment including T cells, fibroblasts, NK cells, myeloid cells, B cells and synovial endothelial cells. By combining high-resolution spatial proteomics and transcriptomic analyses, we provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms driving RA and highlight potential protein targets for therapeutic intervention. This integrative approach offers a more comprehensive view of RA synovial pathology and mitigates the limitations of traditional bulk transcriptomics in target discovery.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Synovium

DISEASE(S): Rheumatoid Arthritis

SUBMITTER: Fei Wang

LAB HEAD: Yu Tian

PROVIDER: PXD062696 | Pride | 2025-06-26

REPOSITORIES: Pride

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			Action	DRS
	P1-L_Slot1-18_1_1650.d.zip	Other
	P1-S_Slot1-19_1_1651.d.zip	Other
	P10-L_Slot1-78_1_1693.d.zip	Other
	P10-S_Slot1-79_1_1694.d.zip	Other
	P2-L_Slot1-30_1_1653.d.zip	Other

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Project description:Highly specialized cells are fundamental for proper functioning of complex organs. Variations in cell-type specific gene expression and protein composition have been linked to a variety of diseases. Although single cell technologies have emerged as valuable tools to address this cellular heterogeneity, a majority of these workflows lack sufficient in situ resolution for functional classification of cells and are associated with extremely long analysis time, especially when it comes to in situ proteomics. In addition, lack of understanding of single cell dynamics within their native environment limits our ability to explore the altered physiology in disease development. This limitation is particularly relevant in the mammalian brain, where different cell types perform unique functions and exhibit varying sensitivities to insults. The hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory, is of particular interest due to its obvious involvement in various neurological disorders. Here, we present a combination of experimental and data integration approaches for investigation of cellular heterogeneity and functional disposition within the mouse brain hippocampus using MALDI Imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) and shotgun proteomics (LC-MS/MS) coupled with laser-capture microdissection (LCM) along with spatial transcriptomics. Within the dentate gyrus granule cells we identified two proteomically distinct cellular subpopulations that are characterized by a substantial number of discriminative proteins. These cellular clusters contribute to the overall functionality of the dentate gyrus by regulating redox homeostasis, mitochondrial organization, RNA processing, and microtubule organization. Importantly, most of the identified proteins matched their transcripts, verifying the in situ protein identification and supporting their functional analyses. By combining high-throughput spatial proteomics with transcriptomics, our approach enables reliable near-single-cell scale identification of proteins and profiling of inter-cellular heterogeneity within similar cell-types in tissues. This methodology has the potential to be applied to different biological conditions and tissues, providing a deeper understanding of cellular subpopulations in situ.

Project description:TNF antagonists are routinely used in severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who failed conventional DMARD therapy. According to large clinical trials, the three available drugs (adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept) display similar effects in terms of efficacy, tolerability and side effects. These studies also indicate that about 25% of RA patients treated with TNF-antagonists do not display any significant clinical improvement. The aim of this study was to investigate global molecular patterns in synovial biopsies from RA patients obtained 12 weeks after initiation of adalimumab therapy. All patients had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to the American College of rheumatology criteria for the diagnosis of RA. They had active disease at the time of initiation of adalimumab therapy and were resistant to conventional therapy. They all had erosive changes imaged on conventional x-rays of the hands and/or feet. All patients were treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD’s), 23 with methotrexate (median dose 15 mg/week, range 7.5 – 20 mg/week), and 2 with leflunomide (20 mg/day); 18 of them were treated with low-dose steroids (prednisolone ≤ 7.5 mg/day). Six patients had been included in double-blind clinical trials before inclusion in the present study (1 in a Golimumab versus placebo trial, 3 in a MapKinase inhibitor versus placebo trial and 2 in a TACE-inhibitor versus placebo trial). These trials were stopped at least 3 months prior to initiation of TNF-blocking therapy. All drug dosages were stable from at least 3 months prior to initiation of TNF blocking therapy until completion of the study. No steroid injections were allowed during the duration of the study. Adalimumab therapy was initiated at a dosage of 40 mg subcutaneously every other week. Disease activity at baseline and 12 weeks after initiation of therapy (T12) was evaluated using DAS(28)-CRP (3- and 4-variables) scores, and response to therapy was assessed according to the EULAR response criteria that categorize patients in responders (good- or moderate-) and non- (or poor-) responders based on changes in DAS activity between T0 and T12 and absolute DAS values at T12. Synovial biopsies were obtained by needle-arthroscopy of knee of the patients at T12. The aim of the study was to compare gene expression profiles in synovial tissue of RA patients who responded versus not responded to adalimumab therapy.

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Integrative Spatial Proteomics and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Unveil Molecular Complexity in Rheumatoid Arthritis for Novel Therapeutic Targeting

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