Single-cell profiling reveals an endothelium-mediated immunomodulatory pathway in the eye choroid.

TitleSingle-cell profiling reveals an endothelium-mediated immunomodulatory pathway in the eye choroid.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsLehmann GL, Hanke-Gogokhia C, Hu Y, Bareja R, Salfati Z, Ginsberg M, Nolan DJ, Mendez-Huergo SP, Dalotto-Moreno T, Wojcinski A, Ochoa F, Zeng S, Cerliani JP, Panagis L, Zager PJ, Mullins RF, Ogura S, Lutty GA, Bang J, Zippin JH, Romano C, Rabinovich GA, Elemento O, Joyner AL, Rafii S, Rodriguez-Boulan E, Benedicto I
JournalJ Exp Med
Volume217
Issue6
Date Published2020 Jun 01
ISSN1540-9538
Abstract

The activity and survival of retinal photoreceptors depend on support functions performed by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and on oxygen and nutrients delivered by blood vessels in the underlying choroid. By combining single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing, we categorized mouse RPE/choroid cell types and characterized the tissue-specific transcriptomic features of choroidal endothelial cells. We found that choroidal endothelium adjacent to the RPE expresses high levels of Indian Hedgehog and identified its downstream target as stromal GLI1+ mesenchymal stem cell-like cells. In vivo genetic impairment of Hedgehog signaling induced significant loss of choroidal mast cells, as well as an altered inflammatory response and exacerbated visual function defects after retinal damage. Our studies reveal the cellular and molecular landscape of adult RPE/choroid and uncover a Hedgehog-regulated choroidal immunomodulatory signaling circuit. These results open new avenues for the study and treatment of retinal vascular diseases and choroid-related inflammatory blinding disorders.

DOI10.1084/jem.20190730
Alternate JournalJ. Exp. Med.
PubMed ID32196081
Grant ListR01 EY008538 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM034107 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States