Albrecht, J. P. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2024

Polarity-JaM: An image analysis toolbox for cell polarity, junction and morphology quantification

Cell polarity involves the asymmetric distribution of cellular components such as signaling molecules and organelles within a cell, asymmetries of a cell"s shape as well as contacts with neighbouring cells. Gradients and mechanical forces often act as global cues that bias cell polarity and orientation, and polarity is coordinated by communication between adjacent cells. Advances in fluorescence microscopy combined with deep learning algorithms for image segmentation open up a wealth of possibilities to understand cell polarity behaviour in health and disease. We have therefore developed the open-source package Polarity-JaM, which offers versatile methods for performing reproducible exploratory image analysis. Multi-channel single cell segmentation is performed using a flexible and userfriendly interface to state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms. Interpretable single-cell features are automatically extracted, including cell and organelle orientation, cell-cell contact morphology, signaling molecule gradients, as well as collective orientation, tissue-wide size and shape variation. Circular statistics of cell polarity, including polarity indices, confidence intervals, and circular correlation analysis, can be computed using our web application. We have developed data graphs for comprehensive visualisation of key statistical measures and suggest the use of an adapted polarity index when the expected polarisation direction or the direction of a global cue is known a priori. The focus of our analysis is on fluorescence image data from endothelial cells (ECs) and their polarisation behaviour. ECs line the inside of blood vessels and are essential for vessel formation and repair, as well as for various cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and inflammation. However, the general architecture of the software will allow it to be applied to other cell types and image modalities. The package is built in in Python, allowing researchers to seamlessly integrate Polarity-JaM into their image and data analysis workflows, see https://polarityjam. readthedocs.io. In addition, a web application for statistical analysis, available at www.polarityjam.com, and a Napari plugin are available, each with a graphical user interface to facilitate exploratory analysis.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2023

Single-cell profiling and zebrafish avatars reveal LGALS1 as immunomodulating target in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most malignant primary brain tumor, with a median survival rarely exceeding 2 years. Tumor heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment are key factors contributing to the poor response rates of current therapeutic approaches. GBM-associated macrophages (GAMs) often exhibit immunosuppressive features that promote tumor progression. However, their dynamic interactions with GBM tumor cells remain poorly understood. Here, we used patient-derived GBM stem cell cultures and combined single-cell RNA sequencing of GAM-GBM co-cultures and real-time in vivo monitoring of GAM-GBM interactions in orthotopic zebrafish xenograft models to provide insight into the cellular, molecular, and spatial heterogeneity. Our analyses revealed substantial heterogeneity across GBM patients in GBM-induced GAM polarization and the ability to attract and activate GAMs - features that correlated with patient survival. Differential gene expression analysis, immunohistochemistry on original tumor samples, and knock-out experiments in zebrafish subsequently identified LGALS1 as a primary regulator of immunosuppression. Overall, our work highlights that GAM-GBM interactions can be studied in a clinically relevant way using co-cultures and avatar models, while offering new opportunities to identify promising immune-modulating targets.

cancer biology↗