Retinoid Stromal Quiescence
Gene co-expression module in Fibroblasts
| Category | Developmental |
|---|---|
| Genes | 14 |
| Annotation certainty | 3 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 7 of 14 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
RBP4 (retinol-binding protein 4) and RXRG (retinoid X receptor gamma) define a retinoid/vitamin A signaling axis. NDUFA4L2 is a hypoxia-inducible mitochondrial gene expressed in quiescent/hypoxic cells. ACAN (aggrecan) is a large proteoglycan of deep stromal ECM. NTRK3 (neurotrophin receptor) and SCN9A (voltage-gated sodium channel) suggest a neural-crest-like or deep stromal identity. Very low expression (2.4% positive) and strong suppression during inflammation suggest a rare, deeply quiescent fibroblast subpopulation. The retinoid signaling axis (RBP4+RXRG) in intestinal fibroblasts is associated with quiescent stromal cells that regulate epithelial homeostasis.
Genes
ACAN, GALNT17, KCTD8, NDUFA4L2, NTRK3, PCDH17, PDE8B, RBP4, RXRG, SCN9A, STK26, STXBP6, SUSD3, ZMAT4
Most correlated modules
- ECM Glycan Remodeling · correlation 0.90
- Fibroblast Niche Identity · correlation 0.88
- Myofibroblast Subtype · correlation 0.77
- WNT-modulating Fibroblast · correlation 0.71
- Intestinal Fibroblast Identity · correlation 0.70
- TGF-beta Response · correlation 0.70
- Caveolae Mechanosensing · correlation 0.69
- Adventitial Fibroblast State · 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.