Integrative Single‐Cell RNA Sequencing and Spatial Transcriptomics Uncover Distinct Fibroblast–Macrophage Crosstalk in Human Hip Synovium Between Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement and Osteoarthritis
Authors' conclusion
The findings of this study offer a groundwork in tailoring novel targets and therapies for patients with FAI and hip OA.
Study context
- Population
- Synovial samples from a sex-matched cohort of patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and hip osteoarthritis (OA)n = 6 per condition
- Participants
- 6 vs 6
- Comparison
- Hip OA vs FAI synovium
- Hip OAn = 6
- FAIn = 6reference
- Outcome
- Synovial cell composition, transcriptomic profiles and cell-cell interactions
Methodological detailssex-matched, integrative single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics
- Sex-matched
- Integrative single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- EREG-enriched lining fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) significantly increased in hip OA vs FAI
- EREG+ FLS proinflammatory, with elevated CXCL1, IL8 and MMPs expression
- Pseudotime: EREG+ FLS predicted derived from DPP4+PI16+ sublining FLS, likely regulated by NFIX and REL (FAI) or ELK3 and ETV6 (OA) transcription factors
- Only putative cell-cell interaction: FGF2-SDC4 communication between COL1A1+IGFBP5+ fibrotic macrophages and EREG+ FLS; may induce IL-6, IL-8 and MMP1 expression in hip OA synovium
- Gene Ontology downstream of FGF2-SDC4: inflammation and angiogenesis up-regulated in hip OA; positive gene transcription and skeletal muscle differentiation dominant in FAI
- EREG+CCL20+MMP3hi lining FLS and most macrophage and monocyte populations unique to hip OA vs knee OA and RA
Original publication
Integrative Single‐Cell RNA Sequencing and Spatial Transcriptomics Uncover Distinct Fibroblast–Macrophage Crosstalk in Human Hip Synovium Between Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement and Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published 15 May 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →