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Respiratory Research
Published in: Respiratory Research 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis | Research

Cell-specific expression of lung disease risk-related genes in the human small airway epithelium

Authors: Wu-lin Zuo, Mahboubeh R. Rostami, Shushila A. Shenoy, Michelle G. LeBlanc, Jacqueline Salit, Yael Strulovici-Barel, Sarah L. O’Beirne, Robert J. Kaner, Philip L. Leopold, Jason G. Mezey, Juergen Schymeinsky, Karsten Quast, Sudha Visvanathan, Jay S. Fine, Matthew J. Thomas, Ronald G. Crystal

Published in: Respiratory Research | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

The human small airway epithelium (SAE) plays a central role in the early events in the pathogenesis of most inherited and acquired lung disorders. Little is known about the molecular phenotypes of the specific cell populations comprising the SAE in humans, and the contribution of SAE specific cell populations to the risk for lung diseases.

Methods

Drop-seq single-cell RNA-sequencing was used to characterize the transcriptome of single cells from human SAE of nonsmokers and smokers by bronchoscopic brushing.

Results

Eleven distinct cell populations were identified, including major and rare epithelial cells, and immune/inflammatory cells. There was cell type-specific expression of genes relevant to the risk of the inherited pulmonary disorders, genes associated with risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (non-mutated) driver genes for lung cancers. Cigarette smoking significantly altered the cell type-specific transcriptomes and disease risk-related genes.

Conclusions

This data provides new insights into the possible contribution of specific lung cells to the pathogenesis of lung disorders.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Cell-specific expression of lung disease risk-related genes in the human small airway epithelium
Authors
Wu-lin Zuo
Mahboubeh R. Rostami
Shushila A. Shenoy
Michelle G. LeBlanc
Jacqueline Salit
Yael Strulovici-Barel
Sarah L. O’Beirne
Robert J. Kaner
Philip L. Leopold
Jason G. Mezey
Juergen Schymeinsky
Karsten Quast
Sudha Visvanathan
Jay S. Fine
Matthew J. Thomas
Ronald G. Crystal
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Respiratory Research / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1465-993X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-020-01442-9

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