Elastic Fiber ECM
Gene co-expression module in Fibroblasts
| Category | ECM production |
|---|---|
| Genes | 9 |
| Annotation certainty | 4 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 5 of 9 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Hub genes TNXB (tenascin-X, large ECM glycoprotein), FBLN5 (fibulin-5, elastic fiber assembly), SVEP1 (sushi/von Willebrand/EGF domain ECM protein), SLIT2 (axon guidance/ECM-associated), and ADD3 (adducin, cytoskeletal) define an ECM structural program. PLTP (phospholipid transfer protein) and ASPA (aspartoacylase) are less canonical but present. FRMD3 (FERM domain) and SLC29A1 (nucleoside transporter) are peripheral. TNXB and FBLN5 are strongly associated with elastic fiber/ECM organization in connective tissue fibroblasts. The module is significantly downregulated in UC inflammation and recovers in remission, consistent with a homeostatic ECM-producing fibroblast state. This is a neighbor to M65 (homeostatic fibroblast) and M132, reinforcing the ECM production theme.
Genes
ADD3, ASPA, FBLN5, FRMD3, PLTP, SLC29A1, SLIT2, SVEP1, TNXB
Most correlated modules
- Quiescent Stromal Identity · correlation 0.82
- Microfibril ECM Fibroblast · correlation 0.81
- Stromal Niche Signaling · correlation 0.78
- Subepithelial Fibroblast Identity · correlation 0.77
- Subepithelial Fibroblast · correlation 0.74
- CCL11 Secretory Fibroblast · correlation 0.72
- ASPN+ Submucosal Fibroblast · correlation 0.71
- Homeostatic Fibroblast Identity · correlation 0.71
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.