Miyamoto Atsuko Tsujii, Shimagami Hiroshi, Kumanogoh Atsushi, Nishide Masayuki
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Department of Immunopathology, World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), Immunology Frontier Research Center (Ifrec), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Inflamm Regen. 2025 Feb 20;45(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s41232-025-00369-2.
Spatial transcriptomics is a cutting-edge technology that analyzes gene expression at the cellular level within tissues while integrating spatial location information. This concept, which combines high-plex RNA sequencing with spatial data, emerged in the early 2010s. Spatial transcriptomics has rapidly expanded with the development of technologies such as in situ hybridization, in situ sequencing, in situ spatial barcoding, and microdissection-based methods. Each technique offers advanced mapping resolution and precise spatial assessments at the single-cell level. Over the past decade, the use of spatial transcriptomics on clinical samples has enabled researchers to identify gene expressions in specific diseased foci, significantly enhancing our understanding of cellular interactions and disease processes. In the field of rheumatology, the complex and elusive pathophysiology of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjögren's syndrome remains a challenge for personalized treatment. Spatial transcriptomics provides insights into how different cell populations interact within disease foci, such as the synovial tissue, kidneys, and salivary glands. This review summarizes the development of spatial transcriptomics and current insights into the pathophysiology of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, focusing on immune cell distribution and cellular interactions within tissues. We also explore the potential of spatial transcriptomics from a clinical perspective and discuss the possibilities for translating this technology to the bedside.
空间转录组学是一项前沿技术，它在整合空间位置信息的同时，在组织内的细胞水平上分析基因表达。这一将高多重RNA测序与空间数据相结合的概念在21世纪10年代初出现。随着诸如原位杂交、原位测序、原位空间条形码技术以及基于显微切割的方法等技术的发展，空间转录组学迅速发展。每种技术都在单细胞水平上提供了先进的图谱分辨率和精确的空间评估。在过去十年中，在临床样本上使用空间转录组学使研究人员能够识别特定疾病病灶中的基因表达，显著增进了我们对细胞相互作用和疾病过程的理解。在风湿病领域，类风湿关节炎、系统性红斑狼疮和干燥综合征等疾病复杂且难以捉摸的病理生理学仍然是个性化治疗的挑战。空间转录组学为不同细胞群体如何在疾病病灶（如滑膜组织、肾脏和唾液腺）内相互作用提供了见解。本综述总结了空间转录组学的发展以及目前对自身免疫性风湿病病理生理学的见解，重点关注组织内免疫细胞的分布和细胞相互作用。我们还从临床角度探讨了空间转录组学的潜力，并讨论了将这项技术转化到床边应用的可能性。
