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Title: Single-cell transcriptomics reveals a conserved metaplasia program in pancreatic injury
Acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM) occurs in the pancreas in response to tissue injury and is a potential precursor for adenocarcinoma. The goal of these studies was to define the populations arising from genetically wild type ADM, the associated transcriptionalchanges, and to identify markersof disease progression. Acinar cells were lineage-traced with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP)to follow their fate upon injury. Transcripts of over 13,000 EYFP+ cells were determined using single-cellRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Single-celltrajectories were generated. Data were compared to gastric metaplasia and human pancreatitis. Results were confirmed by immunostaining and electron microscopy. Surgical specimens of chronic pancreatitis from 15 patients were evaluatedby immunostaining. scRNA-seq of ADM revealed emergence of a mucin/ductal population (Muc6+, Tff2+) resembling gastric pyloric, gland-base cells. Lineage trajectories suggest that this pyloric metaplasia is an intermediate cell identity between acinar cells and the generation of metaplastic tuft and enteroendocrine cells (EECs). 3-D electron microscopy demonstrates that all identified lineages populate ADM lesions. EECs exhibit substantial heterogeneity, including emergence of enterochromaffin (5-HT+) and delta (SST+) cells. Human pancreatitis shows a similar pyloric metaplasia phenotype anda conserved transcriptional program. Under conditions of chronic injury, acinar cells undergo pyloric metaplasia to mucinous progenitor-like populations, some of which can then seed disparate tuft cell and EEC lineages. EEC subtypes are diverse with the potential to direct disease progression. This program is conserved in human pancreatitis, providing insightinto early events in pancreasdiseases.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2014862 1707356
NSF-PAR ID:
10250889
Author(s) / Creator(s):
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Date Published:
Journal Name:
bioRxiv
ISSN:
2692-8205
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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