Molecular insights using spatial transcriptomics of the distal lung in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Krithika Lingappan, Oluyinka O. Olutoye, Abiud Cantu, Manuel Eliezer Cantu Gutierrez, Nahir Cortes-Santiago, J. D. Hammond, Jamie Gilley, Joselyn Rojas Quintero, Hui Li, Francesca Polverino, Jason P. Gleghorn, Sundeep G. Keswani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abnormal pulmonary vascular development and function in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a significant factor leading to pulmonary hypertension. The lung is a very heterogenous organ and has marked cellular diversity that is differentially responsive to injury and therapeutic agents. Spatial transcriptomics provides the unmatched capability of discerning the differences in the transcriptional signature of these distinct cell subpopulations in the lung with regional specificity. We hypothesized that the distal lung parenchyma (selected as a region of interest) would show a distinct transcriptomic profile in the CDH lung compared with control (normal lung). We subjected lung sections obtained from male and female CDH and control neonates to spatial transcriptomics using the Nanostring GeoMx platform. Spatial transcriptomic analysis of the human CDH and control lung revealed key differences in the gene expression signature. Increased expression of alveolar epithelial-related genes (SFTPA1 and SFTPC) and angiogenesis-related genes (EPAS1 and FHL1) was seen in control lungs compared with CDH lungs. Response to vitamin A was enriched in the control lungs as opposed to abnormality of the coagulation cascade and TNF-alpha signaling via NF-kappa B in the CDH lung parenchyma. In male patients with CDH, higher expression of COL1A1 (ECM remodeling) and CD163 was seen. Increased type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AT-2) and arterial and lung capillary endothelial cells were seen in control lung samples compared with CDH lung samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of spatial transcriptomics in patients with CDH that identifies the contribution of different lung cellular subpopulations in CDH pathophysiology and highlights sex-specific differences.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L477-L486
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Volume325
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • spatial transcriptomics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)
  • Cell Biology

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