Microfibrillar ECM Program
Gene co-expression module in Smooth muscle cells
| Category | ECM remodeling |
|---|---|
| Genes | 11 |
| Annotation certainty | 2 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 5 of 11 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Hubs MFAP2 (microfibril-associated glycoprotein-2), OLFML3 (olfactomedin-like matrix glycoprotein), CDC42EP3 (CDC42 effector driving actin/septin bundling in myofibroblast-like cells) and NREP/P311 (TGF-beta-inducible, pro-fibrogenic) define a matrix-associated, mesenchymal differentiation program, supplemented by developmental regulators (FOXP2, MAB21L2, MEIS-like) and the BMP co-receptor RGMA. ALDH1A1 and FGL2 are peripheral markers of a distinct interstitial/mural sub-state. Low mean expression and uniform distribution argue against contamination; this is a sparsely expressed matrix-microfibril sub-state of the SMC/mural compartment. Neighboring modules M59 (niche morphogen) and M53 (SMC identity) support a developmental/matrix axis in this neighborhood.
Genes
ALDH1A1, CDC42EP3, FGL2, FOXP2, MAB21L2, MFAP2, NREP, OLFML3, PNCK, RGMA, TMEM106C
Most correlated modules
- Microtubule biogenesis · correlation 0.75
- Contractile SMC phenotype · correlation 0.74
- Histone Variant Chromatin · correlation 0.73
- SMC Ion Signaling · correlation 0.71
- Mitotic Spindle · correlation 0.64
- Proliferative Biosynthesis · correlation 0.62
- Anaphase Cytokinesis · correlation 0.61
- BMP-antagonist Niche · correlation 0.58
Module annotations were drafted by a large language model from the module's genes, then reviewed and approved by a domain expert. See sources & licences.