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Jia S, Zhao F. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of the neonatal oviduct and uterus reveals new insights into upper Müllerian duct regionalization. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23632. [PMID: 38686936 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400303r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The upper Müllerian duct (MD) is patterned and specified into two morphologically and functionally distinct organs, the oviduct and uterus. It is known that this regionalization process is instructed by inductive signals from the adjacent mesenchyme. However, the interaction landscape between epithelium and mesenchyme during upper MD development remains largely unknown. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptomic profiling of mouse neonatal oviducts and uteri at the initiation of MD epithelial differentiation (postnatal day 3). We identified major cell types including epithelium, mesenchyme, pericytes, mesothelium, endothelium, and immune cells in both organs with established markers. Moreover, we uncovered region-specific epithelial and mesenchymal subpopulations and then deduced region-specific ligand-receptor pairs mediating mesenchymal-epithelial interactions along the craniocaudal axis. Unexpectedly, we discovered a mesenchymal subpopulation marked by neurofilaments with specific localizations at the mesometrial pole of both the neonatal oviduct and uterus. Lastly, we analyzed and revealed organ-specific signature genes of pericytes and mesothelial cells. Taken together, our study enriches our knowledge of upper MD development, and provides a manageable list of potential genes, pathways, and region-specific cell subtypes for future functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jia
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Jia S, Zhao F. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of the neonatal oviduct and uterus reveals new insights into upper Müllerian duct regionalization. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.20.572607. [PMID: 38187777 PMCID: PMC10769252 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.572607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The upper Müllerian duct (MD) is patterned and specified into two morphologically and functionally distinct organs, the oviduct and uterus. It is known that this regionalization process is instructed by inductive signals from the adjacent mesenchyme. However, the interaction landscape between epithelium and mesenchyme during upper MD development remains largely unknown. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptomic profiling of mouse neonatal oviducts and uteri at the initiation of MD epithelial differentiation (postnatal day 3). We identified major cell types including epithelium, mesenchyme, pericytes, mesothelium, endothelium, and immune cells in both organs with established markers. Moreover, we uncovered region-specific epithelial and mesenchymal subpopulations and then deduced region-specific ligand-receptor pairs mediating mesenchymal-epithelial interactions along the craniocaudal axis. Unexpectedly, we discovered a mesenchymal subpopulation marked by neurofilaments with specific localizations at the mesometrial pole of both the neonatal oviduct and uterus. Lastly, we analyzed and revealed organ-specific signature genes of pericytes and mesothelial cells. Taken together, our study enriches our knowledge of upper Müllerian duct development, and provides a manageable list of potential genes, pathways, and region-specific cell subtypes for future functional studies.
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Zeng J, Alvarez-Yela AC, Casarez E, Jiang Y, Wang L, Kelly BE, Jenkins T, Ke E, Atkins KA, Janes KA, Slack-Davis JK, Zong H. Dichotomous ovarian cancer-initiating potential of Pax8+ cells revealed by a mouse genetic mosaic model. iScience 2023; 26:106742. [PMID: 37207276 PMCID: PMC10189502 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Different cellular compartments within a tissue present distinct cancer-initiating capacities. Current approaches to dissect such heterogeneity require cell-type-specific genetic tools based on a well-understood lineage hierarchy, which are lacking for many tissues. Here, we circumvented this hurdle and revealed the dichotomous capacity of fallopian tube Pax8+ cells in initiating ovarian cancer, utilizing a mouse genetic system that stochastically generates rare GFP-labeled mutant cells. Through clonal analysis and spatial profiling, we determined that only clones founded by rare, stem/progenitor-like Pax8+ cells can expand on acquiring oncogenic mutations whereas vast majority of clones stall immediately. Furthermore, expanded mutant clones undergo further attrition: many turn quiescent shortly after the initial expansion, whereas others sustain proliferation and manifest a bias toward Pax8+ fate, underlying early pathogenesis. Our study showcases the power of genetic mosaic system-based clonal analysis for revealing cellular heterogeneity of cancer-initiating capacity in tissues with limited prior knowledge of lineage hierarchy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhao Zeng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Eli Casarez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Lixin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Brianna E. Kelly
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Taylor Jenkins
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Eugene Ke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Kristen A. Atkins
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Kevin A. Janes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Jill K. Slack-Davis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Hui Zong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
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Han S, Chen X, Li Z. Innate Immune Program in Formation of Tumor-Initiating Cells from Cells-of-Origin of Breast, Prostate, and Ovarian Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030757. [PMID: 36765715 PMCID: PMC9913549 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells (TICs), also known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), are cancer cells that can initiate a tumor, possess self-renewal capacity, and can contribute to tumor heterogeneity. TICs/CSCs are developed from their cells-of-origin. In breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers, progenitor cells for mammary alveolar cells, prostate luminal (secretory) cells, and fallopian tube secretory cells are the preferred cellular origins for their corresponding cancer types. These luminal progenitors (LPs) express common innate immune program (e.g., Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling)-related genes. Microbes such as bacteria are now found in breast, prostate, and fallopian tube tissues and their corresponding cancer types, raising the possibility that their LPs may sense the presence of microbes and trigger their innate immune/TLR pathways, leading to an inflammatory microenvironment. Crosstalk between immune cells (e.g., macrophages) and affected epithelial cells (e.g., LPs) may eventually contribute to formation of TICs/CSCs from their corresponding LPs, in part via STAT3 and/or NFκB pathways. As such, TICs/CSCs can inherit expression of innate-immunity/TLR-pathway-related genes from their cells-of-origin; the innate immune program may also represent their unique vulnerability, which can be explored therapeutically (e.g., by enhancing immunotherapy via augmenting TLR signaling).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Han
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xueqing Chen
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhe Li
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-617-525-4740
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