Stromal Fibroblast Activation
Gene co-expression module in Fibroblasts
| Category | ECM remodeling |
|---|---|
| Genes | 8 |
| Annotation certainty | 4 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 7 of 8 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Hub genes TWIST2 and PRRX2 are mesenchymal transcription factors driving stromal identity. FMOD (fibromodulin) and LOXL1 are ECM structural/crosslinking proteins. DDR2 is a collagen receptor marking activated fibroblasts. PRSS23 is a serine protease involved in ECM remodeling. HSD11B1 metabolizes glucocorticoids in stromal cells. The module increases significantly with UC and CD inflammation and reverses with remission, consistent with an activated deep stromal fibroblast program. Neighbor context: sits near M55 (OSM-response) and M123 (TGF-β/ECM), supporting a broader activated fibroblast neighborhood.
Genes
DDR2, FMOD, HSD11B1, LOXL1, METRNL, PRRX2, PRSS23, TWIST2
Most correlated modules
- Proteolytic Fibroblast State · correlation 0.86
- Complement-secreting Fibroblast · correlation 0.81
- Homeostatic Fibroblast Identity · correlation 0.77
- ECM Homeostasis · correlation 0.75
- OSM Cytokine Response · correlation 0.75
- Interferon Response · correlation 0.69
- Elastin-Fibronectin ECM · correlation 0.67
- TGF-beta ECM Regulation · correlation 0.64
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.