The fallopian tube is the site of fertilization, where once a month for the duration of a females post-pubescent, pre-menopausal life, an egg is moved from the ovary, ready for fertilization by a sperm cell.
A new study from Michigan Medicine researchers creates a detailed "atlas" of the various cell types and their gene activities within the highly specialized fallopian tube, paving the way for new research into infertility and other diseases affecting this organ, including some cancers.
Using tissue samples from four premenopausal women,Saher Sue Hammoud, Ph.D., andJun Li, Ph.D.from the Department of Human Genetics led a team at U-M to analyze almost 60,000 cells by single-cell RNA sequencing. They used the data to characterize the diversity of cells that make up the fallopian tube, including both the lining of the tube (the epithelium) and the deeper stromal layer, consisting of immune, blood, muscle, and other cells.
Hammoud and Li are joined byAriella Shikanov, Ph.D.,of the Department of Biomedical Engineering,Erica Marsh, M.D.,of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and team membersNicole Ulrich, M.D.,Yu-chi Shen, Ph.D., andQianyi Ma, Ph.D.Their project is part of the Human Cell Atlas Seed Networks, an international effort supported by the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative to map all cells in the human body as a resource for better understanding health and disease.
Prior to their work, it was known that there are about four epithelial cell types in the fallopian tube, said Hammoud. We were able to reveal a deeper level of heterogeneity within these cells.
Specifically, they identified 10 epithelial cell subtypes, including four of the finger-like ciliated cells responsible for moving the egg through the fallopian tubes three sections before and after fertilization.
The cells within the fallopian tube are ever changing, replenishing themselves over time and varying in number depending on a womans age, hormones, menstrual cycle, and in the presence of disease. By comparing cells from women with healthy fallopian tubes to two samples from women with a fallopian tube disease known as hydrosalpinx (conventionally known as a blocked fallopian tube), the researchers were able to pinpoint which cells increased in number, and which changed characteristics, such as a high degree of inflammation.
Some of the cells are the cause of the disease state, and some others are the consequence; and now we know the patterns for individual cell types to figure out the molecular reasons for that pathology, commented Li.
The team also found that some of the cell subtypes they defined in the fallopian tube may function as precursor cells, those that can regenerate multiple cell types in response to normal tissue turnover, or for repairing a damage.
One of the most surprising findings of the study, says Hammoud, was the discovery of cells with markers for epithelial-mesenchymal transition, also known as EMT, a process not previously associated with the fallopian tube, through which a cell can, under certain circumstances, become cancerous.
Ovarian cancer, it turns out, may be a misnomer. The new study adds to accumulating evidence that the root of ovarian cancerthe fifth leading cause of cancer death in womenmay originate within the adjacent fallopian tube.
The EMT process seems to be tightly regulated in the pre-menopausal woman, she said. One possible connection to cancer is that when there is misregulation in this population of cells in some unfortunate individuals, they may develop ovarian cancer. With EMT cells in the fallopian tube, you do have the predisposition right there.
Additional insights came from the fallopian tube cells from women with hydrosalpinx, specifically, that the disease may lead to a type of scarring called fibrosis. The implication is that for women who dont want to have their tubes removed, you could think about treating them with anti-fibrotic drugs such as the ones used to treat lung fibrosis as a way to save their tubes during reproductive age, noted Hammoud.
Compared to past efforts, the study provides much more detailed information about cell types and functions in the tube for researchers interested in a host of questions about the normal female reproductive system. This really is a basecamp to launch future studies, says Li, including ones that look at the effects of age, the menstrual cycle, hormone therapy, and ancestral background on cellular diversity and disease pathology.
Reference:Ulrich ND, Shen Y chi, Ma Q, et al. Cellular heterogeneity of human fallopian tubes in normal and hydrosalpinx disease states identified by scRNA-seq. Dev. Cell. 2021. doi: 10.1101/2021.09.16.460628
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.
Go here to read the rest:
Detailed Cell Atlas of the Fallopian Tube Created - Technology Networks
- SCARY GHOST ENCOUNTER! (The Hidden) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Human Genetics and Genomics: The Science for the 21st Century - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- DNA Research - 07-09-2012 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Replying to Equestions on Junk DNA - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- 2013 Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Awards Announced [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- Jackson Lab CEO Leads From Heart [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- Love of science lifts Hobe Sound teen to genetics conference in Germany [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Nobel Laureates and Experts Gather to Discuss Genetics and Society [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics and Millennium Complete Enrollment in Phase III AETHERA Trial of ADCETRIS® for Post-Transplant ... [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- GENETICS Journal Highlights for October 2012 [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- Myriad Genetics Sponsors Cancer Awareness Initiatives in Support of National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Study Says Genetics Of Intelligence Remains A Riddle, For Now [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- ORF Genetics to Offer endotoxin- and Animal-free FGFb and mLIF for Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- Research and Markets: Human Genes and Genomes. Science, Health, Society Provides Students and Professionals Alike With ... [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Mosquito genetics may offer clues to control malaria, researchers say [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Delphi Genetics Grants Merck License for the Use of the StabyExpress™ System [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2012]
- This Week in PNAS [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Outsmarting breast cancer [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Economics and genetics meet in uneasy union [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Nurture trumps nature in study of oral bacteria in human twins, study finds [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Nurture trumps nature in study of oral bacteria in human twins, says CU study [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Claim That Links Economic Success and Genetic Diversity Draws Criticism [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Master-builder of the Human Genetics Unit [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Genetics Society of America announces 2013 award recipients [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Myriad Genetics to Announce First Fiscal Quarter 2013 Results on Monday, November 5, 2012 [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Petes Wins Lifetime Achievement Award in Genetics [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- 23andMe Names Christine Castro, Neil Rothstein and Jonathan Ward to Leadership Positions [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Privately owned genetic databases may hinder diagnosis and bar the way to the arrival of personalized medicine [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Neil Risch - Wiki Article - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- GHOST DANCE (The Hidden) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- SCARY GAME - "The Hidden" With Mr.Mitch361, Charlie, and ChildDolphin - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- International Academy of Cardiology: Neil Bowles, Ph.D.: GENETIC CAUSES OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Best Of: "The Hidden" - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- MEAT SHIELD (The Hidden) - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- The 10000 Year Explosion: How Civilization Accelerated Human Evolution - , Henry Harpending - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- Humans, chimpanzees and monkeys share DNA but not gene regulatory mechanisms [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Surprising findings from NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project reported [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- New method helps link genomic variation to protein production [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Ariosa Diagnostics to Present Clinical Data on the Harmony™ Prenatal Test at American Society of Human Genetics Annual ... [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- ALEX JONES Talks To DAVID ICKE: Human Genetics, Election FRAUD [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- David Icke Exposes ROYAL PAEDOPHILES - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Alex Jones - David Icke: Human Genetics, The Religion Of Death - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- David Icke - Infowars Election Coverage 2012 - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- David Icke: Human Genetics, The Religion of Death - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Evening with the UC Davis Genome Center - Oct 6, 2012 - David Segal - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- The Hidden - (Blood For The Blood God, I Must Feed) - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- GHOST ISSUES (The Hidden) - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- The Hidden - (Fart Grenades And Friendly Fire) - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- GHOST ISLAND (The Hidden) - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Growth Hormone - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Social Anthropology And Human Origins - Alan Barnard - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Protein Structural Biology In Biomedical Research. Advances In Molecular And Cell Biology, Volume 22 - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Exome sequencing: Potential diagnostic assay for unexplained intellectual disability [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Unexplained intellectual disability explained by state-of-the-art genetic analysis [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- DNA variants explain over 10 percent of inherited genetic risk for heart disease [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Novel type 2 diabetes genetic study involves 5 major ancestry groups [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Significant relationship between mortality and telomere length discovered [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Alex Jones on David Icke 2001 - The Turd - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- David Icke Human Genetics [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- BLINDNESS (The Hidden) - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Human Genetics, The Religion of Death : David Icke - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Alex Jones Show - David Icke: Human Genetics, Paedophile Gov., The Religion of Death - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Human Genetics - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- DAVID ICKE: Human Genetics, The Religion of Death (11/6/2012) - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Human Genetics: The Basics - Ricki Lewis - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- The Hidden - (Meat Shields Everywhere, Face Of Protection) - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2012]
- Leading Genomic Services Company and Its Partners Raise More Than $150,000 in Support of Pediatric Genetics Research [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- Verinata Health Announces New Findings At The American Society Of Human Genetics [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- DAVID ICKE: Human Genetics, The Religion of Death! ALEX JONES [INFOWARS Nightly News] - Video [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- ALEX-JONES-Talks-To-DAVID-ICKE--Human-Genetics,-Election-FRAUD-n-The-Religion-Of-DEATH - Video [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- Illumina Bioninformatics Overview at ASHG 2012 - Video [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- The Hidden - Fun With No Silence [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- David Icke - Human Genetics, The Religion of Death [11/06/2012] - Video [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- Genetics Center takes part in global meet [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2012]
- Half Life 2 Mods: The Hidden | Part 4 | TO WIN, OR NOT TO WIN! - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2012]
- US-X - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2012]
- Personalized Medicine From Genomics and Bioinformatics Highlighted at UCSF Genetics Symposium [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2012]
- News in Brief: Highlights from the American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2012]
- Star Visitors - Dr. Richard Boylan - Coast to Coast AM Classic - Video [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2012]
- Protein Structural Biology In Biomedical Research, Part A - C. Woodward - Video [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2012]