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BMC Ophthalmology

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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research

Autophagy-prominent cell clusters among human lens epithelial cells: integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis

Authors: Jiasheng Liu, Mengchao Zhu, Yitong Xu, Mengdi Zhang, Haisen Sun, Yaqi Wang, Qingwen Yang, Jin Li

Published in: BMC Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Autophagy is an important process that maintains the quality of intracellular proteins and organelles. There is extensive evidence that autophagy has an important role in the lens. Human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) play a key role in the internal homeostasis of the lens. HLEC subtypes have been identified, but autophagy-prominent cell clusters among HLECs have not been characterized.

Purpose

To explore the existence of autophagy-prominent cell clusters in HLECs.

Methods

Three donated lenses (HLECs from two whole lenses and HLECs from one lens without the anterior central 6-mm zone) were used for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). AUCell and AddModuleScore analysis were used to identify potential autophagy-prominent cell clusters. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to confirm the results.

Results

High-quality transcripts from 18,120 cells were acquired by scRNA-seq of the two intact lenses. Unsupervised clustering classified the cells into four clusters. AUCell and AddModuleScore analysis revealed cluster 1 is autophagy-prominent. scRNA-seq analysis of HLECs from the lens capsule lacking the central zone confirmed the cluster 1 HLECs was located in the central capsule zone. The TEM result showed that greater autophagy activity was observed in the HLECs in central capsule zone, which further supported the above conclusions based on scRNA-seq analysis that autophagy was prominent in the central zone where the cluster 1 HLECs located.

Conclusions

We identified an autophagy-prominent cell cluster among HLECs and revealed that it was localized in the central zone of the lens capsule. Our findings will aid investigations of autophagy in HLECs and provide insights to guide related research.

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Title: Autophagy-prominent cell clusters among human lens epithelial cells: integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis
Authors: Jiasheng Liu
Mengchao Zhu
Yitong Xu
Mengdi Zhang
Haisen Sun
Yaqi Wang
Qingwen Yang
Jin Li
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2415
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-023-02910-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Autophagy-prominent cell clusters among human lens epithelial cells: integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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