Stromal Niche Signaling
Gene co-expression module in Fibroblasts
| Category | Developmental |
|---|---|
| Genes | 16 |
| Annotation certainty | 3 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 10 of 16 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Hub genes LIFR (LIF receptor, cytokine signaling), KITLG (stem cell factor), IL7 (cytokine), ROR1 (receptor tyrosine kinase-like), and UNC5D (netrin receptor) point to a niche signaling/stromal identity program. SEMA6D (axon guidance/cell communication), PCDH19 (protocadherin), ARHGAP20 (Rho GAP), COL15A1 (basement membrane collagen), and ITIH5 (matrix-associated) further support a specialized stromal fibroblast identity with niche-signaling capacity. The module is significantly downregulated in UC inflammation and recovers in remission, consistent with a homeostatic stromal niche state. ST8SIA4 (polysialyltransferase) and KCNS3 (potassium channel) are less canonical but fit a specialized cell-state context. This resembles the 'mucosal niche' or 'trophic fibroblast' program described in intestinal subepithelial fibroblasts.
Genes
ARHGAP20, COL15A1, CPNE8, IL7, ITIH5, KCNS3, KITLG, LIFR, PCDH19, PLEKHA6, RNF112, ROR1, SEMA6D, ST8SIA4, UNC5D, WWP1
Most correlated modules
- Subepithelial Fibroblast · correlation 0.91
- Homeostatic Fibroblast State · correlation 0.85
- Homeostatic Fibroblast Identity · correlation 0.79
- CCL11 Secretory Fibroblast · correlation 0.79
- Elastic Fiber ECM · correlation 0.78
- Microfibril ECM Fibroblast · correlation 0.77
- Quiescent Stromal Identity · correlation 0.67
- Interferon Response · correlation 0.65
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.