Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has advanced our understanding of cell types and their heterogeneity within the human liver, but the spatial organization at single-cell resolution has not yet been described. Here we apply multiplexed error robust fluorescent in situ hybridization (MERFISH) to map the zonal distribution of hepatocytes, resolve subsets of macrophage and mesenchymal populations, and investigate the relationship between hepatocyte ploidy and gene expression within the healthy human liver. We next integrated spatial information from MERFISH with the more complete transcriptome produced by single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), revealing zonally enriched receptor-ligand interactions. Finally, analysis of fibrotic liver samples identified two hepatocyte populations that are not restricted to zonal distribution and expand with injury. Together these spatial maps of the healthy and fibrotic liver provide a deeper understanding of the cellular and spatial remodeling that drives disease which, in turn, could provide new avenues for intervention and further study.
Competing Interest Statement
R.J.X. is a co-founder of Celsius Therapeutics and Jnana Therapeutics, board director at MoonLake Immunotherapeutics, and consultant to Nestle. J.R.M is a co-founder of, stake-holder in, and advisor for Vizgen. J.R.M. is an inventor on patents associated with MERFISH applied for on his behalf by Harvard University and Boston Children's Hospital. J.R.M.'s interests were reviewed and are managed by Boston Children's Hospital in accordance with their conflict-of-interest policies. A.C.M. receives research funding from Boehringer Ingelheim and GlaxoSmithKline for unrelated projects.
