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Spatial Transcriptomics to define transcriptional patterns of zonation and structural components in the mouse liver
Franziska Hildebrandt1, Alma Andersson2, Sami Saarenpää2
1Department of Molecular Biosciences, the Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden. franziska.hildebrandt@su.se.
Nature Communications
|December 3, 2021
Summary
Spatial Transcriptomics reveals liver tissue heterogeneity is driven by lobular zonation. This study maps gene expression gradients and identifies novel structures, advancing liver research.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Single-cell transcriptional profiling advanced liver transcriptome understanding.
- Global transcriptional differences across liver lobular units remain spatially elusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply Spatial Transcriptomics for comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of sectioned liver tissue.
- To delineate spatial gene expression patterns and understand liver heterogeneity.
- To identify novel transcriptionally uncharacterized structures in the liver.
Main Methods:
- Spatial Transcriptomics applied to sectioned liver tissue.
- Novel computational approaches for transcriptional gradient measurements.
- Analysis of gene expression across multiple lobules and orientations.
Main Results:
- Confirmed lobular zonation as the primary determinant of liver tissue heterogeneity.
- Enabled measurement of transcriptional gradients between tissue structures.
- Identified previously uncharacterized transcriptionally active structures within the liver.
Conclusions:
- Spatial Transcriptomics effectively delineates extensive spatial gene expression patterns in the liver.
- This technology will impact studies of liver function, development, and regeneration.
- Findings have potential applications in pre-clinical and clinical liver pathology.
