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A single cell atlas of frozen shoulder capsule identifies features associated with inflammatory fibrosis resolution

Abstract:
Frozen shoulder is a spontaneously self-resolving chronic inflammatory fibrotic human disease, which distinguishes the condition from most fibrotic diseases that are progressive and irreversible. Using single-cell analysis, we identify pro-inflammatory MERTKlowCD48+ macrophages and MERTK + LYVE1 + MRC1+ macrophages enriched for negative regulators of inflammation which co-exist in frozen shoulder capsule tissues. Micro-cultures of patient-derived cells identify integrin-mediated cell-matrix interactions between MERTK+ macrophages and pro-resolving DKK3+ and POSTN+ fibroblasts, suggesting that matrix remodelling plays a role in frozen shoulder resolution. Cross-tissue analysis reveals a shared gene expression cassette between shoulder capsule MERTK+ macrophages and a respective population enriched in synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients in disease remission, supporting the concept that MERTK+ macrophages mediate resolution of inflammation and fibrosis. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling and spatial analysis of human foetal shoulder tissues identify MERTK + LYVE1 + MRC1+ macrophages and DKK3+ and POSTN+ fibroblast populations analogous to those in frozen shoulder, suggesting that the template to resolve fibrosis is established during shoulder development. Crosstalk between MerTK+ macrophages and pro-resolving DKK3+ and POSTN+ fibroblasts could facilitate resolution of frozen shoulder, providing a basis for potential therapeutic resolution of persistent fibrotic diseases.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41467-024-45341-9

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDORMS
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDORMS
Sub department:
Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDORMS
Sub department:
Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDORMS
Role:
Author


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/02jkpm469
Grant:
22425
Programme:
Versus Arthritis Career Development Fellowship
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/029chgv08
Grant:
222426/Z/21/Z
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/04e3zg361
Grant:
PGL21/10048
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/0187kwz08
Grant:
RTF1906\121
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/03x94j517
Grant:
MR/S035850/1


Publisher:
Springer Nature
Journal:
Nature Communications More from this journal
Volume:
15
Issue:
1
Article number:
1394
Publication date:
2024-02-19
Acceptance date:
2024-01-19
DOI:
EISSN:
2041-1723


Language:
English
Pubs id:
1619026
Local pid:
pubs:1619026
Deposit date:
2024-02-16

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