Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE103103: Discrete WT1-positive hepatic fibrogenic cell lineages of distinct developmental mesothelial origin are paradoxically inhibited by WT1

Bulk RNA sequencing

Activated hepatic stellate cells orchestrate scar formation during fibrotic liver injury. Recent evidence has shown limited quiescent precursor derivation from the mesoderm during development. Here, we use lineage-tracing from development, through adult homeostasis, to adult fibrotic injury, to show that discreet subpopulations of activated hepatic stellate cells are defined by expression of WT1, a transcription factor controlling morphological transitions in organogenesis and adult homeostasis. Morphologically and transcriptionally distinct subpopulations are evident in fibrotic human disease and animal models. Populations defined by WT1 expression after injury derive from a discreet population of quiescent adult precursors originating from the embryonic mesothelium. WT1-deletion permits morphological transition to an enhanced fibrotic myofibroblast phenotype. Our findings demonstrate functional heterogeneity of adult scar-forming cells that can be whole-life traced back through specific quiescent precursors in adult homeostasis to differential origin in development, and defines WT1 as a paradoxical anti-fibrotic regulator during adult injury. SOURCE: Timothy,James,Kendall (Tim.Kendall@ed.ac.uk) - University of Edinburgh