Biology subjects

Teichmann, S. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Teichmann, S. A..

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

A rapid method for generating transplantable and biologically responsive colonic tissue from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

BackgroundThe colonic mucosa consists of cell populations derived from multiple lineages. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are capable of generating large numbers of differentiated cells from any lineage. Thus, iPSCs are highly versatile for derivation of intestinal cells for generation of colonic mucosal tissue for clinical and biological applications. ObjectiveWe set out to create a human iPSC (hiPSC) multi-lineage co-differentiation platform capable of generating colonic mucosal tissue in vitro. DesignWe used hiPSCs and designed a differentiation protocol consisting of small molecules and recombinant growth factors to generate multiple cell lineages. Cells were seeded onto collagen hydrogels (forming colonic patches - CoPs) and modulated with multiple growth factors important in intestinal biology. CoPs were transplanted into immunosuppressed mice. Generated cells and tissues were profiled with transcriptomic analysis. ResultshiPSC co-differentiation led to multiple intestinal epithelial, mesenchymal and endothelial cell populations. Seeded onto collagen scaffolds these cells created CoPs, which were transplanted into mouse subcutis. Engrafted CoPs developed into normal-looking colonic mucosa containing epithelial crypts (with enterocytes, goblet cells and neuroendocrine cells), multiple lamina propria-resident stromal populations and muscularis mucosae smooth muscle. They anastomosed to murine vasculature and maintained in-vitro for several weeks. We demonstrated that CoPs respond to known signalling pathways important in colonic mucosal biology and fibrogenesis, showing potential to provide a complex model of colonic pathobiology. ConclusionThis platform could offer an accurate model of intestinal pathobiology, supply cells for regenerative cell therapies to treat intestinal disease, and provide therapeutic autologous grafts to repair damaged colon.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Polybacterial intracellular coinfection of epithelial stem cells in periodontitis

Periodontitis affects billions of people worldwide. To address interkingdom relationships of microbes and niche on periodontitis, we generated the first sin-gle-cell meta-atlas of human periodontium (34-sample, 105918-cell), harmo-nizing 32 annotations across 4 studies1-4. Highly multiplexed immunofluores-cence (32-antibody; 113910-cell) revealed spatial innate and adaptive immune foci segregation around tooth-adjacent epithelial cells. Sulcular and junctional keratinocytes (SK/JKs) within epithelia skewed toward proinflammatory phe-notypes; diseased JK stem/progenitors displayed altered differentiation states and chemotactic cytokines for innate immune cells. Single-cell metagenomics utilizing unmapped reads revealed 37 bacterial species. 16S and rRNA probes detected polybacterial intracellular pathogenesis ("co-infection") of 4 species within single cells for the first time in vivo. Challenging coinfected primary human SK/JKs with lipopolysaccharide revealed solitary and synergistic ef-fects. Coinfected single-cell analysis independently displayed proinflammatory phenotypes in situ. Here, we demonstrate the first evidence of polybacterial intracellular pathogenesis in human tissues and cells--potentially influencing chronic diseases at distant sites.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Multi-scale spatial mapping of cell populations across anatomical sites in healthy human skin and basal cell carcinoma

Our understanding of how human skin cells differ according to anatomical site and tumour formation is limited. To address this we have created a multi-scale spatial atlas of healthy skin and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), incorporating in vivo optical coherence tomography, single cell RNA sequencing, spatial global transcriptional profiling and in situ sequencing. Computational spatial deconvolution and projection revealed the localisation of distinct cell populations to specific tissue contexts. Although cell populations were conserved between healthy anatomical sites and in BCC, mesenchymal cell populations including fibroblasts and pericytes retained signatures of developmental origin. Spatial profiling and in silico lineage tracing support a hair follicle origin for BCC and demonstrate that cancer-associated fibroblasts are an expansion of a POSTN+ subpopulation associated with hair follicles in healthy skin. RGS5+ pericytes are also expanded in BCC suggesting a role in vascular remodelling. We propose that the identity of mesenchymal cell populations is regulated by signals emanating from adjacent structures and that these signals are repurposed to promote the expansion of skin cancer stroma. The resource we have created is publicly available in an interactive format for the research community. Significance statementSingle cells RNA sequencing has revolutionised cell biology, enabling high resolution analysis of cell types and states within human tissues. Here, we report a comprehensive spatial atlas of adult human skin across different anatomical sites and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) - the most common form of skin cancer - encompassing in vivo optical coherence tomography, single cell RNA sequencing, global spatial transcriptomic profiling and in situ sequencing. In combination these modalities have allowed us to assemble a comprehensive nuclear-resolution atlas of cellular identity in health and disease.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

CLICK-chemoproteomics and molecular dynamics simulation reveals pregnenolone targets and their binding conformations in Th2 cells

Pregnenolone (P5) is synthesized as the first bioactive steroid in the mitochondria from cholesterol. CD4+ and CD8+ immune cells synthesize P5 de novo, P5 in turn play important role in immune homeostasis and regulation. However, P5s biochemical mode of action in immune cells is still emerging. We envisage that revealing the complete spectrum of P5-target proteins in immune cells would have multifold applications, not only in basic understanding of steroids biochemistry in immune cells but also in developing new therapeutic applications. We employed a CLICK-enabled probe to capture P5-binding proteins in live Th2 cells. Subsequently, using high-throughput quantitative proteomics we identified the P5-interactome in CD4+ Th2 cells. Our study revealed P5s conserved mode of action in CD4+ and CD8+ immune cells. We identified novel proteins from mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum membranes to be the primary mediators of P5s biochemistry in CD4+ and CD8+ immune cells. Applying advanced computational algorithms, we were able to generate near-native maps of P5-protein key molecular interactions that can lead to successful designing of novel molecular therapeutics strategies.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Spatially resolved multiomics of human cardiac niches

A cells function is defined by its intrinsic characteristics and its niche: the tissue microenvironment in which it dwells. Here, we combine single-cell and spatial transcriptomic data to discover cellular niches within eight regions of the human heart. We map cells to micro-anatomic locations and integrate knowledge-based and unsupervised structural annotations. For the first time, we profile the cells of the human cardiac conduction system, revealing their distinctive repertoire of ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors, and cell interactions using a custom CellPhoneDB.org module. We show that the sinoatrial node is compartmentalised, with a core of pacemaker cells, fibroblasts and glial cells supporting paracrine glutamatergic signalling. We introduce a druggable target prediction tool, drug2cell, which leverages single-cell profiles and drug-target interactions, providing unexpected mechanistic insights into the chronotropic effects of drugs, including GLP-1 analogues. In the epicardium, we show enrichment of both IgG+ and IgA+ plasma cells forming immune niches which may contribute to infection defence. We define a ventricular myocardial-stress niche enriched for activated fibroblasts and stressed cardiomyocytes, cell states that are expanded in cardiomyopathies. Overall, we provide new clarity to cardiac electro-anatomy and immunology, and our suite of computational approaches can be deployed to other tissues and organs.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2023

The emergence of goblet inflammatory or ITGB6hi nasal progenitor cells determines age-associated SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis

Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 rarely progress to respiratory failure, but the risk of mortality in infected people over 85 years of age remains high, despite vaccination and improving treatment options. Here, we take a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to investigate differences in the cellular landscape and function of paediatric (<11y), adult (30- 50y) and elderly (>70y) nasal epithelial cells experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2. Our data reveal that nasal epithelial cell subtypes show different tropism to SARS-CoV-2, correlating with age, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression. Ciliated cells are a viral replication centre across all age groups, but a distinct goblet inflammatory subtype emerges in infected paediatric cultures, identifiable by high expression of interferon stimulated genes and truncated viral genomes. In contrast, infected elderly cultures show a proportional increase in ITGB6hi progenitors, which facilitate viral spread and are associated with dysfunctional epithelial repair pathways. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=155 SRC="FIGDIR/small/524211v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (61K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@dab12aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a57334org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12e7983org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2bbe6e_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Transcriptional signals of dedifferentiation in human cancer

As normal cells transform into cancers, their cell state changes (or "dedifferentiates"), which may drive cancer cells into a stem-like or more primordial, foetal or embryonic cell state. Here, we used single cell atlases to study dedifferentiation in transcriptional terms across a wide spectrum of adult and childhood cancers. At the level of the whole transcriptome, we find that adult cancers rarely return to an embryonic state, but rather that a foetal state is a near-universal feature of childhood cancers. We extend these bulk transcriptomic findings to a single cell resolution analysis of colorectal and liver cancers, confirming the lack of reversion to a primordial state in adult tumours and the retention of foetal signals in childhood cancers. Our findings provide a nuanced picture of dedifferentiation in these two groups of neoplasms, indicating cancer-specific rather than universal patterns of dedifferentiation pervade adult epithelial cancers.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Human skeletal muscle ageing atlas

Skeletal muscle ageing increases the incidence of age-associated frailty and sarcopenia in the elderly worldwide, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. However, our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of muscle ageing is still far from complete. Here, we generate a single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of skeletal muscle ageing from 15 donors across the adult human lifespan, accompanied by myofiber typing using imaging. Our atlas reveals ageing mechanisms acting across different compartments of the muscle, including muscle stem cells (MuSCs), myofibers and the muscle microenvironment. Firstly, we uncover two mechanisms driving MuSC ageing, namely a decrease in ribosome biogenesis and an increase in inflammation. Secondly, we identify a set of nuclei populations explaining the preferential degeneration of the fast-twitch myofibers and suggest two mechanisms acting to compensate for their loss. Importantly, we identify a neuromuscular junction accessory population, which helps myofiber to compensate for aged-related denervation. Thirdly, we reveal multiple microenvironment cell types contributing to the inflammatory milieu of ageing muscle by producing cytokines and chemokines to attract immune cells. Finally, we provide a comparable mouse muscle ageing atlas and further investigate conserved and specific ageing hallmarks across species. In summary, we present a comprehensive human skeletal muscle ageing resource by combining different data modalities, which significantly expands our understanding of muscle biology and ageing.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2022

Chromatin regulates genome-wide transcription factor binding affinities

Transcription factor binding across the genome is regulated by DNA sequence and chromatin features. However, it is not yet possible to quantify the impact of chromatin context on genome-wide transcription factor binding affinities. Here we report the establishment of a method to determine genome-wide absolute apparent binding affinities of transcription factors to native, chromatinized DNA. Our experiments revealed that DNA accessibility is the main determinant of transcription factor binding in the genome, which largely restricts nanomolar affinity binding of YY1, SP1 and MYC/MAX to promoters, while FOXA1 also interacts with non-promoter elements with high affinity. Furthermore, whereas consensus DNA binding motifs for transcription factors are important to establish very high-affinity binding sites, these motifs are not always strictly required to generate nanomolar affinity interactions in the genome. Finally, we uncovered transcription factor concentration dependent binding to specific gene classes, suggesting transcription factor concentration dependent effects on gene expression and cell fate. Importantly, our method adds a quantitative dimension to transcription factor biology which enables stratification of genomic targets based on transcription factor concentration and prediction of transcription factor binding sites under non-physiological conditions, such as disease associated overexpression of (onco)genes.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2022

An organoid CRISPRi screen revealed that SOX9 primes human fetal lung tip progenitors to receive WNT and RTK signals

The balance between self-renewal and differentiation in human fetal lung epithelial progenitors controls the size and function of the adult organ. Moreover, progenitor cell gene regulation networks are employed by both regenerating and malignant lung cells, where modulators of their effects could potentially be of therapeutic value. Details of the molecular networks controlling human lung progenitor self-renewal remain unknown. We performed the first CRISPRi screen in primary human lung organoids to identify transcription factors controlling progenitor self-renewal. We show that SOX9 promotes proliferation of lung progenitors and inhibits precocious airway differentiation. Moreover, by identifying direct transcriptional targets using Targeted DamID we place SOX9 at the centre of a transcriptional network which amplifies WNT and RTK signalling to stabilise the progenitor cell state. In addition, the proof-of-principle CRISPRi screen and Targeted DamID tools establish a new approach for using primary human organoids to elucidate detailed functional mechanisms underlying normal development and disease. HighlightsO_LIA pooled CRISPRi screen in human fetal lung organoids identified transcription factors controlling progenitor cell self-renewal. C_LIO_LISOX9 promotes tip progenitor cell proliferation and supresses precocious airway differentiation. C_LIO_LITargeted DamID (TaDa) identified SOX9 direct binding targets, revealing that SOX9 lies at the intersection of WNT and RTK signalling. C_LIO_LISOX9 and ETVs co-regulate the human fetal lung progenitor self-renewal programme. C_LI

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Obesity associated with attenuated tissue immune cell responses in COVID-19

Obesity is common and associated with more severe COVID-19, proposed to be in part related to an adipokine-driven pro-inflammatory state. Here we analysed single cell transcriptomes from bronchiolar lavage in three adult cohorts, comparing obese (Ob, body mass index (BMI) >30m2) and non-obese (N-Ob, BMI <30m2). Surprisingly, we found that Ob subjects had attenuated lung immune/inflammatory responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection, with decreased expression of interferon (IFN), IFN{gamma} and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha response gene signatures in almost all lung epithelial and immune cell subsets, and lower expression of IFNG and TNF in specific lung immune cells. Analysis of peripheral blood immune cells in an independent adult cohort showed a similar, but less marked, reduction in type I IFN and IFN{gamma} response genes, as well as decreased serum IFN, in Ob patients with SARS-CoV-2. Nasal immune cells from Ob children with COVID-19 also showed reduced enrichment of IFN and IFN{gamma} response genes. Altogether, these findings show blunted tissue immune responses in Ob COVID-19 patients, with clinical implications.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

Mapping the developing human immune system across organs

Recent advances in single cell genomics technologies have facilitated studies on the developing immune system at unprecedented scale and resolution. However, these studies have focused on one or a few organs and were thus limited in understanding the developing immune system as a distributed network across tissues. Here, we profiled prenatal haematopoietic organs, lymphoid organs and non-lymphoid tissues using a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, paired antigen-receptor sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to reconstruct the developing human immune system. Our analysis revealed the acquisition of immune effector transcriptome profiles in macrophages, mast cells and NK cells from the second trimester, and the transcriptomic changes accompanying the late-stage maturation of developing monocytes and T cells that extended from their organ of origin to peripheral tissues. We uncovered system-wide blood and immune cell development beyond the conventional primary haematopoietic organs. We further identified, extensively characterised and functionally validated the human prenatal B1 cells. Finally, we provide evidence for thymocyte-thymocyte selection origin for {beta}TCR- expressing unconventional T cells based on TCR gene usage and an in vitro artificial thymic organoid culture model. Our comprehensive atlas of the developing human immune system provides both valuable data resources and biological insights that will facilitate cell engineering, regenerative medicine and disease understanding. One-Sentence SummaryBy performing a comprehensive single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of human developing immune system together with antigen-receptor sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, we explored the cross-gestation and cross-organ variability in immune cells, discovered system-wide blood and immune cell development, identified, characterised and functionally validated the properties of human prenatal B1 cells and the origin of unconventional T cells.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

A spatial multi-omics atlas of the human lung reveals a novel immune cell survival niche

Multiple distinct cell types of the human lung and airways have been defined by single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq). Here we present a multi-omics spatial lung atlas to define novel cell types which we map back into the macro- and micro-anatomical tissue context to define functional tissue microenvironments. Firstly, we have generated single cell and nuclei RNA sequencing, VDJ-sequencing and Visium Spatial Transcriptomics data sets from 5 different locations of the human lung and airways. Secondly, we define additional cell types/states, as well as spatially map novel and known human airway cell types, such as adult lung chondrocytes, submucosal gland (SMG) duct cells, distinct pericyte and smooth muscle subtypes, immune-recruiting fibroblasts, peribronchial and perichondrial fibroblasts, peripheral nerve associated fibroblasts and Schwann cells. Finally, we define a survival niche for IgA-secreting plasma cells at the SMG, comprising the newly defined epithelial SMG-Duct cells, and B and T lineage immune cells. Using our transcriptomic data for cell-cell interaction analysis, we propose a signalling circuit that establishes and supports this niche. Overall, we provide a transcriptional and spatial lung atlas with multiple novel cell types that allows for the study of specific tissue microenvironments such as the newly defined gland-associated lymphoid niche (GALN).

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Multi-regional characterisation of renal cell carcinoma and microenvironment at single cell resolution

Tumour behaviour is dependent on the oncogenic properties of cancer cells and their multicellular interactions. These dependencies were examined through 270,000 single cell transcriptomes and 100 micro-dissected whole exomes obtained from 12 patients with kidney tumours. Tissue was sampled from multiple regions of tumour core, tumour-normal interface, normal surrounding tissues, and peripheral blood. We found the principal spatial location of CD8+ T cell clonotypes largely defined exhaustion state, with clonotypic heterogeneity not explained by somatic intra-tumoural heterogeneity. De novo mutation calling from single cell RNA sequencing data allows us to lineagetrace and infer clonality of cells. We discovered six meta-programmes that distinguish tumour cell function. An epithelial-mesenchymal transition meta-programme, enriched at the tumour-normal interface appears modulated through macrophage expressed IL1B, potentially forming a therapeutic target. Single sentence summaryKidney cancer evolution, prognosis and therapy are revealed by a single cell multi-regional study of the microenvironment.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2021

Mapping interindividual dynamics of innate immune response at single-cell resolution

Common genetic variants modulate the cellular response to viruses and are implicated in a range of immune pathologies, including infectious and autoimmune diseases. The transcriptional antiviral response is known to vary between infected cells from a single individual, yet how genetic variants across individuals modulate the antiviral response (and its cell-to-cell variability) is not well understood. Here, we triggered the antiviral response in human fibroblasts from 68 healthy donors, and profiled tens of thousands of cells using single-cell RNA-seq. We developed GASPACHO (GAuSsian Processes for Association mapping leveraging Cell HeterOgeneity), the first statistical approach designed to identify dynamic eQTLs across a transcriptional trajectory of cell populations, without aggregating single-cell data into pseudo-bulk. This allows us to uncover the underlying architecture and variability of antiviral response across responding cells, and to identify more than two thousands eQTLs modulating the dynamic changes during this response. Many of these eQTLs colocalise with risk loci identified in GWAS of infectious and autoimmune diseases. As a case study, we focus on a COVID-19 susceptibility locus, colocalised with the antiviral OAS1 splicing QTL. We validated it in blood cells from a patient cohort and in the infected nasal cells of a patient with the risk allele, demonstrating the utility of GASPACHO to fine-map and functionally characterise a genetic locus. In summary, our novel analytical approach provides a new framework for delineation of the genetic variants that shape a wide spectrum of transcriptional responses at single-cell resolution.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2021

Anatomical Structures, Cell Types, and Biomarkers Tables Plus 3D Reference Organs in Support of a Human Reference Atlas

1.This paper reviews efforts across 16 international consortia to construct human anatomical structures, cell types, and biomarkers (ASCT+B) tables and three-dimensional reference organs in support of a Human Reference Atlas. We detail the ontological descriptions and spatial three-dimensional anatomical representations together with user interfaces that support the registration and exploration of human tissue data. Four use cases are presented to demonstrate the utility of ASCT+B tables for advancing biomedical research and improving health.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Cross-tissue immune cell analysis reveals tissue-specific adaptations and clonal architecture across the human body

Despite their crucial role in health and disease, our knowledge of immune cells within human tissues remains limited. Here, we surveyed the immune compartment of 15 tissues of six deceased adult donors by single-cell RNA sequencing and paired VDJ sequencing. To systematically resolve immune cell heterogeneity across tissues, we developed CellTypist, a machine learning tool for rapid and precise cell type annotation. Using this approach, combined with detailed curation, we determined the tissue distribution of 45 finely phenotyped immune cell types and states, revealing hitherto unappreciated tissue-specific features and clonal architecture of T and B cells. In summary, our multi-tissue approach lays the foundation for identifying highly resolved immune cell types by leveraging a common reference dataset, tissue-integrated expression analysis and antigen receptor sequencing. One Sentence SummaryWe provide an immune cell atlas, including antigen receptor repertoire profiling, across lymphoid and non-lymphoid human tissues.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Cells of the human intestinal tract mapped across space and time

The cellular landscape of the human intestinal tract is dynamic throughout life, developing in utero and changing in response to functional requirements and environmental exposures. To comprehensively map cell lineages in the healthy developing, pediatric and adult human gut from ten distinct anatomical regions, as well as draining lymph nodes, we used singlecell RNA-seq and VDJ analysis of roughly one third of a million cells. This reveals the presence of BEST4+ absorptive cells throughout the human intestinal tract, demonstrating the existence of this cell type beyond the colon for the first time. Furthermore, we implicate IgG sensing as a novel function of intestinal tuft cells, and link these cells to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. We define novel glial and neuronal cell populations in the developing enteric nervous system, and predict cell-type specific expression of Hirschsprungs disease-associated genes. Finally, using a systems approach, we identify key cell players across multiple cell lineages driving secondary lymphoid tissue formation in early human development. We show that these programs are adopted in inflammatory bowel disease to recruit and retain immune cells at the site of inflammation. These data provide an unprecedented catalogue of intestinal cells, and new insights into cellular programs in development, homeostasis and disease.

cell biology↗