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Single‐Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals a Hepatic Stellate Cell–Activation Roadmap and Myofibroblast Origin During Liver Fibrosis in Mice
Author(s) -
Yang Wu,
He Hao,
Wang Tongtong,
Su Nan,
Zhang Feng,
Jiang Kai,
Zhu Jing,
Zhang Chonghe,
Niu Kongyan,
Wang Luyue,
Yuan Xiaodong,
Liu Nan,
Li Lingjie,
Wei Wu,
Hu Junhao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.31987
Subject(s) - hepatic stellate cell , myofibroblast , fibrosis , transcriptome , cancer research , biology , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , gene expression , endocrinology , gene , biochemistry
Background and Aims HSCs and portal fibroblasts (PFs) are the major sources of collagen‐producing myofibroblasts during liver fibrosis, depending on different etiologies. However, the mechanisms by which their dynamic gene expression directs the transition from the quiescent to the activated state—as well as their contributions to fibrotic myofibroblasts—remain unclear. Here, we analyze the activation of HSCs and PFs in CCL 4 ‐induced and bile duct ligation–induced fibrosis mouse models, using single‐cell RNA sequencing and lineage tracing. Approach and Results We demonstrate that HSCs, rather than PFs, undergo dramatic transcriptomic changes, with the sequential activation of inflammatory, migrative, and extracellular matrix–producing programs. The data also reveal that HSCs are the exclusive source of myofibroblasts in CCL 4 ‐treated liver, while PFs are the major source of myofibroblasts in early cholestatic liver fibrosis. Single‐cell and lineage‐tracing analysis also uncovers differential gene‐expression features between HSCs and PFs; for example, nitric oxide receptor soluble guanylate cyclase is exclusively expressed in HSCs, but not in PFs. The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator Riociguat potently reduced liver fibrosis in CCL 4 ‐treated livers but showed no therapeutic efficacy in bile duct ligation livers. Conclusions This study provides a transcriptional roadmap for the activation of HSCs during liver fibrosis and yields comprehensive evidence that the differential transcriptomic features of HSCs and PFs, along with their relative contributions to liver fibrosis of different etiologies, should be considered in developing effective antifibrotic therapeutic strategies.