Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Human Pseudoislet System for Synchronous Assessment of Fluorescent Biosensor Dynamics and Hormone Secretory Profiles
Published on: November 3, 2023
A Hormone Cell Atlas maps the human endocrine system at cellular resolution
Lijiang Fei1, Isabel Huang-Doran2, Katherine Lawler2
1Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
Hormones act across tissues and organs to coordinate physiological functions. Drawing inspiration from the Human Cell Atlas, we analyzed the expression of 379 hormone and receptor genes in a transcriptomic dataset comprising 14 million single cells and nuclei across 47 human tissues. Using hormone2cell, we mapped putative hormone-producing and hormone-receiving cell types, defining tissue-specific and cross-tissue endocrine signatures. We predicted nonclassical sites of hormone expression, including secretin in plasmacytoid dendritic cells, inferred convergent hormone action and endocrine feedback loops, and implicated cell populations in monogenic endocrine disorders. In a cross-tissue integration of adipocyte datasets, we uncovered dynamic endocrine programs across depots, within adipocyte subtypes and through adipogenic differentiation. Cumulatively, the Hormone Cell Atlas (hormonecellatlas.org.uk) provides a comprehensive framework for dissecting hormonal impact on health and disease.
Related Concept Videos
Structures of the Endocrine System
What is the Endocrine System?
An Overview of the Endocrine System
The endocrine system collaborates...
Endocrine Signaling
Endocrine Signaling
Intracellular Hormone Receptors

