PI16+ Fibroblast Identity
Gene co-expression module in Fibroblasts
| Category | ECM production |
|---|---|
| Genes | 19 |
| Annotation certainty | 4 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 10 of 19 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Hub genes PI16, FBLN2, PCOLCE2, CLEC3B, CD248, and ADAMTSL4 are hallmarks of the PI16+ interstitial/adventitial fibroblast subset described in intestinal stromal atlases. PI16 is a canonical marker of this quiescent fibroblast population. FBLN2, PCOLCE2, CLEC3B, and ADAMTSL4 are ECM-associated proteins consistent with a matrix-producing stromal identity. The module is uniformly expressed at low levels, negatively associated with inflammation, and positively associated with remission, consistent with a quiescent fibroblast state suppressed during active IBD. NT5E (CD73) and CD248 further support a stromal/pericyte-adjacent identity.
Genes
AADACL2, ADAMTSL4, ARHGAP29, C16orf89, CADM3, CD248, CLEC3B, CYP4B1, F10, FBLN2, NT5E, PCOLCE2, PHGDH, PI16, PLA2G2A, PLA2G5, SEMA3C, SGCG, VIT
Most correlated modules
- CD34+ Quiescent Fibroblast · correlation 0.87
- Elastin-Fibronectin ECM · correlation 0.63
- Wnt-niche Fibroblast · correlation 0.62
- Neural-crest Fibroblast · correlation 0.59
- Submucosal Fibroblast · correlation 0.58
- Inflammation-activated ECM · correlation 0.56
- BMP-antagonizing Fibroblast · correlation 0.49
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.