Biology subjects

Montanya, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Montanya, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Spatial map of native duct cell populations in human pancreas and their representation in pancreatic cancers

BackgroundA resemblance of pancreatic tumors to their native tissue architecture remains largely unexplored, while it may reveal novel insights into the healthy and diseased tissue. ObjectiveThis study aims at generating a spatially resolved map of human pancreatic duct cell populations in the native tissue and in tumors, i.e. pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and adenosquamous cancer of the pancreas (ASCP). DesignNew datasets were acquired with several spatial transcriptomics platforms and were integrated with public single-cell RNAseq datasets and validated by multiplex immunofluorescence. Cell lines and primary human cell cultures were genetically manipulated. ResultsGroups of Keratin-5+ cells in larger ducts have a gene signature reminiscent of stem cells and (supra)basal cells from other tissues. At single cell resolution, this group comprises {Delta}Np63+ basal cells (BAS) and {Delta}Np63- supra-basally residing luminal-B cells (LUM-B). The latter express previously unreported MUC4 and MUC16. Additionally, we identified three other luminal cell populations in the ducts (LUM-A, -C, -D). In cancer, BAS and LUM-B signatures associate with basal-like (BL) PDAC, and correlate with lower survival. However, PDAC exhibits a random spatial pattern and fragmented native expression programs while ASCP preserve the identity of LUM-B and BAS in a spatially unmixed pattern. {Delta}Np63 drives cell plasticity to BAS, conserved from the native tissue to cancer. ConclusionSpatially distinct duct cell populations are revealed, and the extent of preservation of the native cell identities in pancreatic cancer underpins distinct tumor identities. This warrants a separate consideration in research and therapy. What is already known on this topicWhile tumors in the pancreas can exhibit basal-like and squamous features resembling tumors of other tissues, their resemblance to the native duct cells, and possible subpopulations thereof, had not been studied in detail. What this study addsOne basal and four luminal spatially distinct cell populations exist in human pancreatic ducts. These are best conserved in ASCP while PDAC shows loss of the native cell identity program. How this study might affect research, practice or policyOur study demonstrates fundamental differences between the tumor cells of the BL PDAC versus the rare ASCP, highlighting the necessity for a clear distinction between them in research and in tumor-specific treatments. Meanwhile, the research community should acknowledge the spatial and functional heterogeneity of human duct cells, including in their experimental models.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Implications of noncoding regulatory functions in the development of insulinomas

Insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours arising from the pancreatic {beta}-cells. While retaining the ability to produce insulin, insulinomas feature aberrant proliferation and altered hormone secretion resulting in failure to maintain glucose homeostasis. With the aim of uncovering the role of noncoding regulatory regions and their aberrations to the development of these tumors, we coupled epigenetic and gene expression profiling with whole-genome sequencing. As a result, we mapped H3K27ac sites in the tumoral tissue and unraveled overlapping somatic mutations associated with changes in regulatory functions. Critically, these regions impact insulin secretion, tumor development and epigenetic modifying genes, including key components of the polycomb complex. Chromatin remodeling is apparent as insulinoma-selective regions are mostly clustered in regulatory domains, shared across patients and containing a specific set of regulatory sequences dominated by the binding motif of the transcription factor SOX17. Moreover, a large fraction of these regions are H3K27me3-repressed in unaffected {beta}-cells, suggesting that tumoral transition is coupled with derepression of {beta}-cell polycomb-targeted domains. Our work provides a compendium of aberrant cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors that alter {beta}-cell function and fate in their progression to pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and a framework to identify coding and noncoding driver mutations.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2023

Interferons are the key cytokines acting on pancreatic islets in type 1 diabetes

The pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN, IFN{gamma}, IL-1{beta} and TNF may contribute to innate and adaptive immune responses during islet inflammation (insulitis) in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We used deep RNA-sequencing analysis to characterize the response of human pancreatic beta cells to each cytokine individually and compared the signatures obtained with those present in islets of individuals affected by T1D. IFN and IFN{gamma} had a much greater impact on the beta cell transcriptome when compared to IL-1{beta} and TNF. The IFN-induced gene signatures have a strong correlation with those observed in beta cells from T1D patients, and the level of expression of specific IFN-stimulated genes is positively correlated with proteins present in islets of these individuals, regulating beta cell responses to "danger signals" such as viral infections. These data suggest that IFN and IFN{gamma} are the central cytokines at the islet level in T1D, contributing to the triggering and amplification of autoimmunity.

immunology↗