1
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Sol S, Boncimino F, Todorova K, Mandinova A. Unraveling the Functional Heterogeneity of Human Skin at Single-Cell Resolution. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2024:S0889-8588(24)00050-9. [PMID: 38839486 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The skin consists of several cell populations, including epithelial, immune, and stromal cells. Recently, there has been a significant increase in single-cell RNA-sequencing studies, contributing to the development of a consensus Human Skin Cell Atlas. The aim is to understand skin biology better and identify potential therapeutic targets. The present review utilized previously published single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets to explore human skin's cellular and functional heterogeneity. Additionally, it summarizes the functional significance of newly identified cell subpopulations in processes such as wound healing and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Sol
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Fabiana Boncimino
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Kristina Todorova
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Anna Mandinova
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, 7 Cambridge Center, MA 02142, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 7 Divinity Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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2
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Cherkashina OL, Morgun EI, Rippa AL, Kosykh AV, Alekhnovich AV, Stoliarzh AB, Terskikh VV, Vorotelyak EA, Kalabusheva EP. Blank Spots in the Map of Human Skin: The Challenge for Xenotransplantation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12769. [PMID: 37628950 PMCID: PMC10454653 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612769] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of the knowledge about human skin homeostasis, development, wound healing, and diseases has been accumulated from human skin biopsy analysis by transferring from animal models and using different culture systems. Human-to-mouse xenografting is one of the fundamental approaches that allows the skin to be studied in vivo and evaluate the ongoing physiological processes in real time. Humanized animals permit the actual techniques for tracing cell fate, clonal analysis, genetic modifications, and drug discovery that could never be employed in humans. This review recapitulates the novel facts about mouse skin self-renewing, regeneration, and pathology, raises issues regarding the gaps in our understanding of the same options in human skin, and postulates the challenges for human skin xenografting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga L. Cherkashina
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena I. Morgun
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra L. Rippa
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasiya V. Kosykh
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander V. Alekhnovich
- Federal Government-Financed Institution “National Medical Research Center of High Medical Technologies n.a. A.A. Vishnevsky”, 143421 Krasnogorsk, Russia
| | - Aleksey B. Stoliarzh
- Federal Government-Financed Institution “National Medical Research Center of High Medical Technologies n.a. A.A. Vishnevsky”, 143421 Krasnogorsk, Russia
| | - Vasiliy V. Terskikh
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A. Vorotelyak
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina P. Kalabusheva
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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3
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Houser AE, Kazmi A, Nair AK, Ji AL. The Use of Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing and Spatial Transcriptomics in Understanding the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Skin Diseases. JID INNOVATIONS 2023; 3:100198. [PMID: 37205302 PMCID: PMC10186616 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2023.100198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of multiomic profiling tools has rapidly expanded in recent years, along with their use in profiling skin tissues in various contexts, including dermatologic diseases. Among these tools, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) have emerged as widely adopted and powerful assays for elucidating key cellular components and their spatial arrangement within skin disease. In this paper, we review the recent biological insights gained from the use of scRNA-seq and ST and the advantages of combining both for profiling skin diseases, including aberrant wound healing, inflammatory skin diseases, and cancer. We discuss the role of scRNA-seq and ST in improving skin disease treatments and moving toward the goal of achieving precision medicine in dermatology, whereby patients can be optimally matched to treatments that maximize therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey E. Houser
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Abiha Kazmi
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Arjun K. Nair
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew L. Ji
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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4
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Polito MP, Marini G, Palamenghi M, Enzo E. Decoding the Human Epidermal Complexity at Single-Cell Resolution. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108544. [PMID: 37239891 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidermis is one of the largest tissues in the human body, serving as a protective barrier. The basal layer of the epidermis, which consists of epithelial stem cells and transient amplifying progenitors, represents its proliferative compartment. As keratinocytes migrate from the basal layer to the skin surface, they exit the cell cycle and initiate terminal differentiation, ultimately generating the suprabasal epidermal layers. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms and pathways driving keratinocytes' organization and regeneration is essential for successful therapeutic approaches. Single-cell techniques are valuable tools for studying molecular heterogeneity. The high-resolution characterization obtained with these technologies has identified disease-specific drivers and new therapeutic targets, further promoting the advancement of personalized therapies. This review summarizes the latest findings on the transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling of human epidermal cells, analyzed from human biopsy or after in vitro cultivation, focusing on physiological, wound healing, and inflammatory skin conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Polito
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine ''Stefano Ferrari'', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Grazia Marini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine ''Stefano Ferrari'', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Michele Palamenghi
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine ''Stefano Ferrari'', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Enzo
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine ''Stefano Ferrari'', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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5
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Riedl JA, Riddle M, Xia L, Eide C, Boull C, Ebens CL, Tolar J. Interrogation of RDEB Epidermal Allografts after BMT Reveals Coexpression of Collagen VII and Keratin 15 with Proinflammatory Immune Cells and Fibroblasts. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2424-2434. [PMID: 35304249 PMCID: PMC9391265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a devastating genodermatosis characterized by dysfunctional collagen VII protein resulting in epithelial blistering of the skin, mucosa, and gastrointestinal tract. There is no cure for RDEB, but improvement of clinical phenotype has been achieved with bone marrow transplantation and subsequent epidermal allografting from the bone marrow transplant donor. Epidermal allografting of these patients has decreased wound surface area for up to 3 years after treatment. This study aimed to determine the phenotype of the epidermal allograft cells responsible for durable persistence of wound healing and skin integrity. We found that epidermal allografts provide basal keratinocytes coexpressing collagen VII and basal stem cell marker keratin 15. Characterization of RDEB full-thickness skin biopsies with single-cell RNA sequencing uncovered proinflammatory immune and fibroblast phenotypes potentially driven by the local environment of RDEB skin. This is further highlighted by the presence of a myofibroblast population, which has not been described in healthy control human skin. Finally, we found inflammatory fibroblasts expressing profibrotic gene POSTN, which may have implications in the development of squamous cell carcinoma, a common, lethal complication of RDEB that lacks curative treatment. In conclusion, this study provides insights into and targets for future RDEB studies and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Riedl
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD), Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Stem Cell Institute, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Megan Riddle
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lily Xia
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Cindy Eide
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christina Boull
- Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christen L Ebens
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Stem Cell Institute, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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6
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Liu B, Li A, Xu J, Cui Y. Single-Cell Transcriptional Analysis Deciphers the Inflammatory Response of Skin-Resident Stromal Cells. Front Surg 2022; 9:935107. [PMID: 35774389 PMCID: PMC9237500 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.935107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The skin is the outermost barrier of the body. It has developed a sophisticated system against the ever-changing environment. The application of single-cell technologies has revolutionized dermatology research and unraveled the changes and interactions across skin resident cells in the healthy and inflamed skin. Single-cell technologies have revealed the critical roles of stromal cells in an inflammatory response and explained a series of plausible previous findings concerning skin immunity. Here, we summarized the functional diversity of skin stromal cells defined by single-cell analyses and how these cells orchestrated events leading to inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyi Liu
- Department of Dermatology, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ang Li
- Department of Dermatology, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jingkai Xu
- Department of Dermatology, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Cui
- Department of Dermatology, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Correspondence: Yong Cui
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7
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Shiu J, Zhang L, Lentsch G, Flesher JL, Jin S, Polleys CM, Jo SJ, Mizzoni C, Mobasher P, Kwan J, Rius-Diaz F, Tromberg BJ, Georgakoudi I, Nie Q, Balu M, Ganesan AK. Multimodal analyses of vitiligo skin identifies tissue characteristics of stable disease. JCI Insight 2022; 7:154585. [PMID: 35653192 PMCID: PMC9310536 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.154585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by the destruction of melanocytes by autoreactive CD8+ T cells. Melanocyte destruction in active vitiligo is mediated by CD8+ T cells, but the persistence of white patches in stable disease is poorly understood. The interaction between immune cells, melanocytes, and keratinocytes in situ in human skin has been difficult to study due to the lack of proper tools. We combine noninvasive multiphoton microscopy (MPM) imaging and single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) to identify subpopulations of keratinocytes in stable vitiligo patients. We show that, compared with nonlesional skin, some keratinocyte subpopulations are enriched in lesional vitiligo skin and shift their energy utilization toward oxidative phosphorylation. Systematic investigation of cell-to-cell communication networks show that this small population of keratinocyte secrete CXCL9 and CXCL10 to potentially drive vitiligo persistence. Pseudotemporal dynamics analyses predict an alternative differentiation trajectory that generates this new population of keratinocytes in vitiligo skin. Further MPM imaging of patients undergoing punch grafting treatment showed that keratinocytes favoring oxidative phosphorylation persist in nonresponders but normalize in responders. In summary, we couple advanced imaging with transcriptomics and bioinformatics to discover cell-to-cell communication networks and keratinocyte cell states that can perpetuate inflammation and prevent repigmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Shiu
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
| | - Griffin Lentsch
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
| | - Jessica L Flesher
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States of America
| | - Suoqin Jin
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
| | - Christopher M Polleys
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, United States of America
| | - Seong Jin Jo
- Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of
| | - Craig Mizzoni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, United States of America
| | - Pezhman Mobasher
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
| | - Jasmine Kwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, United States of America
| | - Francisca Rius-Diaz
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - Bruce J Tromberg
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
| | - Irene Georgakoudi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, United States of America
| | - Qing Nie
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
| | - Mihaela Balu
- Department of Surgery, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
| | - Anand K Ganesan
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States of America
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8
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Abstract
In this review, we summarize and discuss recent advances in understanding the characteristics of tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) in the context of solid organ transplantation (SOT). We first introduce the traditionally understood noncirculating features of TRMs and the key phenotypic markers that define this population, then provide a detailed discussion of emerging concepts on the recirculation and plasticity of TRM in mice and humans. We comment on the potential heterogeneity of transient, temporary resident, and permanent resident T cells and potential interchangeable phenotypes between TRM and effector T cells in nonlymphoid tissues. We review the literature on the distribution of TRM in human nonlymphoid organs and association of clinical outcomes in different types of SOT, including intestine, lung, liver, kidney, and heart. We focus on both tissue-specific and organ-shared features of donor- and recipient-derived TRMs after transplantation whenever applicable. Studies with comprehensive sample collection, including longitudinal and cross-sectional controls, and applied advanced techniques such as multicolor flow cytometry to distinguish donor and recipient TRMs, bulk, and single-cell T-cell receptor sequencing to track clonotypes and define transcriptome profiles, and functional readouts to define alloreactivity and proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory activities are emphasized. We also discuss important findings on the tissue-resident features of regulatory αβ T cells and unconventional γδ T cells after transplantation. Understanding of TRM in SOT is a rapidly growing field that urges future studies to address unresolved questions regarding their heterogeneity, plasticity, longevity, alloreactivity, and roles in rejection and tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Fu
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Megan Sykes
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, United States
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University, New York, United States
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, United States
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9
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Burja B, Paul D, Tastanova A, Edalat SG, Gerber R, Houtman M, Elhai M, Bürki K, Staeger R, Restivo G, Lang R, Sodin-Semrl S, Lakota K, Tomšič M, Levesque MP, Distler O, Rotar Ž, Robinson MD, Frank-Bertoncelj M. An Optimized Tissue Dissociation Protocol for Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis of Fresh and Cultured Human Skin Biopsies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:872688. [PMID: 35573685 PMCID: PMC9096112 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.872688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We present an optimized dissociation protocol for preparing high-quality skin cell suspensions for in-depth single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of fresh and cultured human skin. Our protocol enabled the isolation of a consistently high number of highly viable skin cells from small freshly dissociated punch skin biopsies, which we use for scRNA-seq studies. We recapitulated not only the main cell populations of existing single-cell skin atlases, but also identified rare cell populations, such as mast cells. Furthermore, we effectively isolated highly viable single cells from ex vivo cultured skin biopsy fragments and generated a global single-cell map of the explanted human skin. The quality metrics of the generated scRNA-seq datasets were comparable between freshly dissociated and cultured skin. Overall, by enabling efficient cell isolation and comprehensive cell mapping, our skin dissociation-scRNA-seq workflow can greatly facilitate scRNA-seq discoveries across diverse human skin pathologies and ex vivo skin explant experimentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaž Burja
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dominique Paul
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aizhan Tastanova
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sam G. Edalat
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Reto Gerber
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Miranda Houtman
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Muriel Elhai
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kristina Bürki
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ramon Staeger
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Gaetana Restivo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ramon Lang
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Snezna Sodin-Semrl
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Lakota
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matija Tomšič
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mitchell P. Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Distler
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Žiga Rotar
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mark D. Robinson
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mojca Frank-Bertoncelj
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- BioMed X Institute, Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Mojca Frank-Bertoncelj,
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10
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Lachner J, Ehrlich F, Wielscher M, Farlik M, Hermann M, Tschachler E, Eckhart L. Single-cell transcriptomics defines keratinocyte differentiation in avian scutate scales. Sci Rep 2022; 12:126. [PMID: 34997067 PMCID: PMC8742010 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04082-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth of skin appendages, such as hair, feathers and scales, depends on terminal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes. Here, we investigated keratinocyte differentiation in avian scutate scales. Cells were isolated from the skin on the legs of 1-day old chicks and subjected to single-cell transcriptomics. We identified two distinct populations of differentiated keratinocytes. The first population was characterized by mRNAs encoding cysteine-rich keratins and corneous beta-proteins (CBPs), also known as beta-keratins, of the scale type, indicating that these cells form hard scales. The second population of differentiated keratinocytes contained mRNAs encoding cysteine-poor keratins and keratinocyte-type CBPs, suggesting that these cells form the soft interscale epidermis. We raised an antibody against keratin 9-like cysteine-rich 2 (KRT9LC2), which is encoded by an mRNA enriched in the first keratinocyte population. Immunostaining confirmed expression of KRT9LC2 in the suprabasal epidermal layers of scutate scales but not in interscale epidermis. Keratinocyte differentiation in chicken leg skin resembled that in human skin with regard to the transcriptional upregulation of epidermal differentiation complex genes and genes involved in lipid metabolism and transport. In conclusion, this study defines gene expression programs that build scutate scales and interscale epidermis of birds and reveals evolutionarily conserved keratinocyte differentiation genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lachner
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Ehrlich
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Wielscher
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Farlik
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcela Hermann
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erwin Tschachler
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leopold Eckhart
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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11
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Ascensión AM, Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Izeta A. Challenges and Opportunities for the Translation of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Technologies to Dermatology. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:67. [PMID: 35054460 PMCID: PMC8781146 DOI: 10.3390/life12010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin is a complex and heterogeneous organ at the cellular level. This complexity is beginning to be understood through the application of single-cell genomics and computational tools. A large number of datasets that shed light on how the different human skin cell types interact in homeostasis-and what ceases to work in diverse dermatological diseases-have been generated and are publicly available. However, translation of these novel aspects to the clinic is lacking. This review aims to summarize the state-of-the-art of skin biology using single-cell technologies, with a special focus on skin pathologies and the translation of mechanistic findings to the clinic. The main implications of this review are to summarize the benefits and limitations of single-cell analysis and thus help translate the emerging insights from these novel techniques to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M. Ascensión
- Tissue Engineering Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain;
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain;
| | - Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain;
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, 48167 Muenster, Germany
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48012 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ander Izeta
- Tissue Engineering Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain;
- School of Engineering, Tecnun-University of Navarra, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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