Biology subjects

Peterson, A. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Peterson, A. R..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A Single-Cell Atlas of PVOD Across the Lifespan Reveals Cellular and Molecular Therapeutic Targets

Rationale Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a progressive and lethal disease cured only lung transplant. While genetic mutations in EIF2AK4 have been identified in some cases, 70% of PVOD patients have no known etiology. Objectives To construct a single-cell atlas to define the cellular and molecular constituents driving pathophysiology in PVOD. Methods Lung samples were collected from four idiopathic non-EIF2AK4 mutation pediatric and adult PVOD patients and age-matched controls. Analyses of single-cell RNA sequencing, Xenium spatial transcriptomics, and immunohistochemistry were performed to identify cell state changes and differential gene expression between controls and PVOD and subsequent transcriptome comparison between our PVOD and published pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) datasets. Measurement and Main Results The single-cell atlas reveals marked changes in the PVOD endothelium compared to controls. EndMT and ectopic COL15A1+ systemic venous shunts and pulmonary vein endothelium are hallmarks of PVOD. Molecular analyses reveal activation of the integrated stress response (ISR)/ATF4, TGF{beta} signaling, MAPK signaling, and BRD4 are potential key players in the pathophysiology of PVOD. While PVOD and PAH share both pathological and some molecular mechanisms, ISR and TGF{beta} signaling are more prominent in PVOD than PAH. Conclusions These data indicate that endothelial dysfunction is a primary etiology in the development of PVOD with activation of multiple pathways with druggable targets.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

A postnatal human lung developmental atlas reveals windows of genetic vulnerability to chronic lung disease

At birth, the lungs undergo an abrupt physiologic change, as the function of gas exchange transitions from the placenta to the lung. Subsequent postnatal development of the lungs is marked by a rapid and profound increase in the growth of the distal airways and alveolar gas exchange compartment. Insults during this period increase the risk of developing lung disease later in life, though how early-life events affect adult disease onset remains unclear. We generated a single-cell atlas of postnatal human lung development from birth through adulthood and mapped temporally regulated gene expression changes in each cell lineage. Using this atlas, we identified disease risk-associated genes with developmentally regulated expression. These analyses reveal cell type-specific and temporally restricted expression of genes associated with adult lung disease risk, including COPD. Heritability enrichment analysis demonstrated that COPD genetic risk is enriched in genes active during early postnatal endothelial development, linking early-life vascular maturation to adult disease susceptibility. These findings characterize the early window of susceptibility for adult chronic lung diseases and establish a framework to guide mechanistic studies of disease-associated genes.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Resident Synovial Macrophages in Synovial Fluid: Implications for Immunoregulation in Infectious and Inflammatory Arthritis

ObjectivesResident synovial macrophages (RSM) provide immune sequestration of the joint space and are likely involved in initiation and perpetuation of the joint-specific immune response. We sought to identify RSM in synovial fluid (SF) and demonstrate migratory ability, in additional to functional changes that may perpetuate a chronic inflammatory response within joint spaces. MethodsWe recruited human patients presenting with undifferentiated arthritis in multiple clinical settings. We used flow cytometry to identify mononuclear cells in peripheral blood and SF. We used a novel transwell migration assay with human ex-vivo synovium obtained intra-operatively to validate flow cytometry findings. We used single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to further identify macrophage/monocyte subsets. ELISA was used to evaluate the bone-resorption potential of SF. ResultsWe were able to identify a rare population of CD14dim, OPG+, ZO-1+ cells consistent with RSM in SF via flow cytometry. These cells were relatively enriched in the SF during infectious processes, but absolutely decreased compared to healthy controls. Similar putative RSM were identified using ex vivo migration assays when MCP-1 and LPS were used as migratory stimulus. scRNA-seq revealed a population consistent with RSM transcriptionally related to CD56+ cytotoxic dendritic cells and IDO+ M2 macrophages. ConclusionWe identified a rare cell population consistent with RSM, indicating these cells are likely migratory and able to initiate or coordinate both acute (septic) or chronic (autoimmune or inflammatory) arthritis. RSM analysis via scRNA-seq indicated these cells are M2 skewed, capable of antigen presentation, and have consistent functions in both septic and inflammatory arthritis.

immunology↗