Single-cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosis
Background/purpose: Salivary gland fibrosis (SGF) is a prevalent condition associated with various pathological states. However, a detailed understanding of the single-cell transcriptional profiles and cell–cell communication networks in this context remains elusive. Therefore, we aimed to unveil th...
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Dental Sciences |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1991790225000479 |
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| author | Dan Liang Wei Xu Yifan Wu Qicheng Ye Wanlin Xu Hao Lu |
| author_facet | Dan Liang Wei Xu Yifan Wu Qicheng Ye Wanlin Xu Hao Lu |
| author_sort | Dan Liang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/purpose: Salivary gland fibrosis (SGF) is a prevalent condition associated with various pathological states. However, a detailed understanding of the single-cell transcriptional profiles and cell–cell communication networks in this context remains elusive. Therefore, we aimed to unveil the gene expression profiles and intercellular communication patterns in SGF. Materials and methods: We established fibrosis models of the submandibular gland (SMG) and generated a detailed single-cell transcriptomic atlas to investigate cellular heterogeneity and communication patterns. Utilizing CellChat, we dissected the intercellular dialogues within these fibrotic environments. Results: The analysis distinguished fifteen distinct cellular clusters, highlighting significant heterogeneity among fibroblasts in fibrotic SMGs compared to their healthy counterparts. This heterogeneity was linked to TGF-β signaling, collagen fibril assembly, and extracellular matrix organization. CellChat analyses uncovered enhanced cell–cell interactions, notably between fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs) via the Gas6-Axl signaling axis. Additionally, our data indicated the activation of cell adhesion molecules and Rap1 pathways in ECs within the fibrotic SMG microenvironment. Conclusion: This study offers an in-depth single-cell resolution perspective on the cellular and molecular changes in SMG fibrosis, identifying new potential therapeutic targets for this condition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4fe3a791b34f47a0b07679b977eb6fe2 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1991-7902 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Journal of Dental Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-4fe3a791b34f47a0b07679b977eb6fe22025-06-26T09:52:17ZengElsevierJournal of Dental Sciences1991-79022025-07-0120314061414Single-cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosisDan Liang0Wei Xu1Yifan Wu2Qicheng Ye3Wanlin Xu4Hao Lu5Department of Stomatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China; Corresponding author. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200011, China.Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China; Corresponding author. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200011, China.Background/purpose: Salivary gland fibrosis (SGF) is a prevalent condition associated with various pathological states. However, a detailed understanding of the single-cell transcriptional profiles and cell–cell communication networks in this context remains elusive. Therefore, we aimed to unveil the gene expression profiles and intercellular communication patterns in SGF. Materials and methods: We established fibrosis models of the submandibular gland (SMG) and generated a detailed single-cell transcriptomic atlas to investigate cellular heterogeneity and communication patterns. Utilizing CellChat, we dissected the intercellular dialogues within these fibrotic environments. Results: The analysis distinguished fifteen distinct cellular clusters, highlighting significant heterogeneity among fibroblasts in fibrotic SMGs compared to their healthy counterparts. This heterogeneity was linked to TGF-β signaling, collagen fibril assembly, and extracellular matrix organization. CellChat analyses uncovered enhanced cell–cell interactions, notably between fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs) via the Gas6-Axl signaling axis. Additionally, our data indicated the activation of cell adhesion molecules and Rap1 pathways in ECs within the fibrotic SMG microenvironment. Conclusion: This study offers an in-depth single-cell resolution perspective on the cellular and molecular changes in SMG fibrosis, identifying new potential therapeutic targets for this condition.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1991790225000479Endothelial cellSalivary gland fibrosisSingle-cell transcriptomics |
| spellingShingle | Dan Liang Wei Xu Yifan Wu Qicheng Ye Wanlin Xu Hao Lu Single-cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosis Journal of Dental Sciences Endothelial cell Salivary gland fibrosis Single-cell transcriptomics |
| title | Single-cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosis |
| title_full | Single-cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosis |
| title_fullStr | Single-cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Single-cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosis |
| title_short | Single-cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosis |
| title_sort | single cell genomics reveals transcriptional heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in salivary gland fibrosis |
| topic | Endothelial cell Salivary gland fibrosis Single-cell transcriptomics |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1991790225000479 |
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