Łuszczyński Krzysztof, Komorowski Michał, Soszyńska Marta, Lewandowska Paulina, Zdanowski Robert, Szafarowska Monika, Kamiński Paweł, Niemcewicz Marcin, Malejczyk Jacek, Lutyńska Anna, Ścieżyńska Aneta
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine National Research Institute, 128 Szaserów Street, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Dec 30;26(1):233. doi: 10.3390/ijms26010233.
Advancements in single-cell analyzis technologies, particularly single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), have enabled the analyzis of cellular diversity by providing resolutions that were not available previously. These methods enable the simultaneous analyzis of thousands of individual transcriptomes, facilitating the classification of cells into distinct subpopulations, based on transcriptomic differences, adding a new level of complexity to biomolecular and medical research. Fibroblasts, despite being one of the most abundant cell types in the human body and forming the structural backbone of tissues and organs, remained poorly characterized for a long time. This is largely due to the high morphological similarity between different types of fibroblasts and the lack of specific markers to identify distinct subpopulations. Once thought to be cells responsible solely for the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, fibroblasts are now recognized as active participants in diverse physiological processes, including inflammation and antimicrobial responses. However, defining the molecular profile of fibroblast subpopulations remains a significant challenge. In this comprehensive review, which is based on over two thousand research articles, we focus on the identification and characterization of fibroblast subpopulations and their specific surface markers, with an emphasis on their potential as molecular targets for selective cell isolation. By analyzing surface markers, alongside intra- and extracellular protein profiles, we identified multiple fibroblast subtypes within the female reproductive system. These subtypes exhibit distinct molecular signatures and functional attributes, shaped by their anatomical localization and the surrounding physiological or pathological conditions. Our findings underscore the heterogeneity of fibroblasts and their diverse roles in various biological contexts. This improved understanding of fibroblast subpopulations paves the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, offering the potential for precision targeting of specific fibroblast subsets in clinical applications.
单细胞分析技术的进步，特别是单细胞RNA测序（scRNA-seq）和荧光激活细胞分选（FACS），通过提供以前无法获得的分辨率，实现了对细胞多样性的分析。这些方法能够同时分析数千个个体转录组，便于根据转录组差异将细胞分类为不同的亚群，为生物分子和医学研究增添了新的复杂层面。成纤维细胞尽管是人体中最丰富的细胞类型之一，构成组织和器官的结构骨架，但长期以来其特征一直不明确。这在很大程度上是由于不同类型的成纤维细胞之间形态高度相似，且缺乏识别不同亚群的特异性标志物。成纤维细胞曾经被认为只是负责合成细胞外基质（ECM）成分的细胞，现在被认为是多种生理过程的积极参与者，包括炎症和抗菌反应。然而，确定成纤维细胞亚群的分子特征仍然是一项重大挑战。在这篇基于两千多篇研究文章的全面综述中，我们重点关注成纤维细胞亚群的鉴定和特征及其特定的表面标志物，重点是它们作为选择性细胞分离分子靶点的潜力。通过分析表面标志物以及细胞内和细胞外蛋白质谱，我们在女性生殖系统中鉴定出了多种成纤维细胞亚型。这些亚型表现出不同的分子特征和功能属性，由它们的解剖定位以及周围的生理或病理条件所塑造。我们的研究结果强调了成纤维细胞的异质性及其在各种生物学背景下的不同作用。对成纤维细胞亚群的这种更好理解为创新的诊断和治疗策略铺平了道路，为临床应用中精准靶向特定成纤维细胞亚群提供了潜力。
