Project description:Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) liver biopsies were analyzed using spatial single-cell transcriptomics (CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager, NanoString) to elucidate molecular alterations associated with hepatic fibrosis morphology, as quantified by the artificial intelligence-based FibroNest algorithm (PharmaNest). This analysis identified distinct morphological fiber phenotypes (FibroPCs), among which FibroPC4, characterized by reticular fiber structures, was associated with a hepatic stellate cell (HSC) phenotype that promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This HCC-promoting HSC phenotype was driven by insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) secreted from senescent periportal endothelial cells.
Project description:CosMx SMI is a high-plex in situ analysis platform to provide spatial multiomics with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh frozen (FF) tissue samples at cellular and subcellular resolution. CosMx SMI is an integrated system with mature cyclic fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) chemistry, high-resolution imaging readout, interactive data analysis and visualization software. Herein we used the CosMx SMI with the CosMxTM Human Universal Cell Characterization RNA Panel (1000-plex) supplemented with 14 custom genes of interest to probe different disease stages of MASLD/MASH, previously known as NAFLD.
Project description:Animal models are essential to understand the mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a rapidly growing form of chronic liver disease driven largely by the global rise in metabolic syndrome. However, existing animal models for MASLD often fail to accurately reproduce advanced human liver disease, and have varying degrees of clinical relevance. To address this, we have undertaken efforts to create a dietary translational model of MASLD in rats that closely replicates the full MASLD phenotype observed in humans, including advanced fibrosis, portal hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Three MASLD rat models were developed by sequentially combining a high-fat glucose-fructose diet (HFGFD) with additional factors: lipopolysaccharide, increased cholesterol (Chol), and cholic acid (CA) at different concentrations. Of these, two diets—D4-MASLD (HFGFD + 2% Chol) and D5-MASLD (HFGFD + 2% Chol + 0.1% CA)—effectively replicated MASLD characteristics. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that while both diets significantly altered gene expression compared to controls, D5-MASLD had a greater impact on the activation of inflammation and immune response pathways. The inclusion of CA in D5-MASLD exacerbated pathways related to microbiota changes, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and bacterial translocation. Additionally, comparison of the transcriptomic profiles of these diet-induced rat models with data from MASLD/MASH patients further validated the relevance of these models, establishing a robust platform for studying MASLD pathogenesis and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions.
Project description:These data were used in the spatial transcriptomics analysis of the article titled \\"Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics Analysis of Human Adrenal Aging\\".
Project description:These samples are part of a study investigating cancer cell plasticity in colorectal cancer metastasis. Spatial transcriptomics was performed using 10x Genomics Visium on colorectal cancer liver metastatic patient samples.
Project description:This study aimed to establish and characterize an in vitro model of human intestinal organoids isolated from duodenal samples of patients with non-fibrotic MASLD and those with MASLD-cirrhosis. Whole transcriptome analysis and the energetic and redox status of the organoids were assessed to characterize intestinal functional impairment in the context of MASLD. We used microarrays to detail the whole transcriptome dysregulation underlying intestinal dysfunction in organoids isolated from chirrotic versus non-fibrotic MASLD patients.
Project description:Hepatic fibrosis is the strongest contributor to hepatocarcinogenesis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); however, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. In 94 human MASLD biopsy samples, artificial intelligence-based morphological phenotyping of hepatic fiber and multi-omics analyses revealed that insulin growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) secreted from senescent periportal endothelial cells might transform stellate cells into a hepatocarcinogenesis-promoting phenotype. To test the effect of IGFBP-7 on HSC, a hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2, was cultured with recombinant IGFBP-7 (100ng/mL), resulting in their transformation to a more activated form than the control.
Project description:To investigate spatial heterogeneities in the axolotl forebrain, a coronal section of it was obtained for spatial transcriptomics using Visium V1.
Project description:Spatial organization of different cell types within prenatal skin across various anatomical sites is not well understood. To address this, here we have generated spatial transcriptomics data from prenatal facial and abdominal skin obtained from a donor at 10 post conception weeks. This in combination with our prenatal skin scRNA-seq dataset has helped us map the location of various identified cell types.
Project description:Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification plays a crucial role in various biological events and is implicated in various metabolic-related diseases. However, its role in MASLD remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of Mettl3 on MASLD through multi-omics analysis, with a focus on exploring its potential mechanisms of action. Methods: MASLD mouse models were established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks, and Mettl3 stable overexpression AML12 cell models were constructed via lentiviral transfection. Subsequent transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, as well as integrated analysis between different omics datasets, were conducted. Results: Mettl3 expression significantly increased in MASLD mouse models. In the transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we identified 848 genes with significant inconsistencies between transcriptomic and proteomic datasets. GO/KEGG enrichment terms may involve post-transcriptional modifications, particularly Mettl3-mediated m6A modification. Subsequently, through integrated proteomic analysis of Mettl3-overexpressed AML12 cell models and MASLD mouse models, we selected the top 20 co-upregulated and co-downregulated GO/KEGG terms as the main biological processes influenced by Mettl3 in MASLD. By intersecting with pathways obtained from previous integrated analyses, we identified GO/KEGG terms affected by Mettl3-induced m6A modification. Protein-protein interaction analysis of proteins involved in these pathways highlighted GAPDH, ENO1, and TPI1 as three key hub genes. Conclusion: In MASLD, Mettl3 regulates the glycolytic pathway through m6A modification, influencing the occurrence and development of the disease via the key hub genes GAPDH, ENO1, and TPI1. These findings expand our understanding of MASLD and provide strong evidence for potential therapeutic targets and drug development.