Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) synovial tissue single-cell analysis demonstrates differential fibroblast populations with distinct phenotypes and functional capacities
Authors' conclusion
RA and PsA possess distinct FLS populations with unique functional and metabolic properties, which may facilitate improved understanding of disease pathogenesis and therapeutic response.
Study context
- Population
- Synovial cell suspensions from patients with RA and PsA
- Comparison
- RA vs PsA synovial fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS)
- Outcome
- Phenotypic and functional characteristics of distinct FLS populations in RA vs PsA
Methodological detailssingle-cell RNA sequencing, multiparametric flow cytometry (21 markers), ex vivo and in vitro functional assays
- Single-cell RNA sequencing
- Multiparametric flow cytometry (21 markers)
- Ex vivo and in vitro functional assays
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- PDPN+ FLS: HLA-DR+, yes-associated protein (YAP)+, Cad11+ and phosphorylated protein S6+ FLS increased in RA
- all P < .05
- CD55 increased in PsA-FLS
- P < .001
- Coexpression of Cad11+CD44+HLA-DR+ICAM-1+ FLS enhanced in RA
- P < .01
- Coexpression of CD44+HLA-DR+ICAM-1+VCAM-1+ FLS enhanced in RA
- P < .05
- Coexpression of pAKT+pmTOR+ increased in PsA-FLS
- P < .01
- THY1+ FLS dominant in RA
- P < .05
- THY1⁻ FLS dominant in PsA
- P < .05
- THY1+FAP+ FLS correlated with disease activity score (DAS28)
- r = 0.55, P < .05
- THY1+FAP+ FLS correlated with synovitis
- r = 0.54, P < .05
- 6 main distinct FLS populations; THY1+CD34⁻CD55⁻FAP+ and THY1+CD34+CD55⁻FAP+ FLS enriched in RA
- P < .05
- THY1+CD34-CD55+FAP+ FLS enriched in PsA
- P < .05
- THY1⁻CD34⁻CD55+FAP+ FLS enriched in PsA
- P < .001
Original publication
RA and PsA synovial tissue single-cell analysis demonstrates differential fibroblast populations with distinct phenotypes and functional capacities. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 11 April 2026. doi:10.
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