Hyaluronan-CD44 Remodeling
Gene co-expression module in Glial cells
| 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 gene CD44 is a canonical hyaluronan receptor and inflammation/reactive marker strongly upregulated in IBD. HAS2 (hyaluronan synthase 2) produces the CD44 ligand hyaluronic acid, forming a classic autocrine/paracrine ECM remodeling axis. WWTR1 (TAZ, a YAP/TAZ co-transcriptional activator) senses mechanical and inflammatory signals and drives tissue repair/remodeling. HES4 is a Notch target transcription factor associated with reactive glia and inflammatory activation. MIA (melanoma inhibitory activity) is a small secreted ECM-binding protein. PLEKHA4 is a PH domain protein linked to Wnt/cadherin signaling. CBX3 (HP1-gamma) regulates chromatin and is implicated in inflammatory gene regulation. The strong upregulation in both UC (delta ~0.53) and CD (delta ~0.21) inflammation with partial reversal at remission supports an inflammation-driven hyaluronan-CD44 ECM remodeling and reactive activation program in enteric glia.
Genes
C4orf48, CBX3, CD44, HAS2, HES4, MIA, PLEKHA4, WWTR1
Most correlated modules
- RNA Translation Processing · correlation 0.86
- Reactive Glial Activation · correlation 0.82
- Mitochondrial Housekeeping · correlation 0.82
- ER Stress Response · correlation 0.80
- Inflammatory Cytokine Signaling · correlation 0.76
- COX-2/NF-κB Inflammation · correlation 0.74
- TGF-beta Response · correlation 0.73
- Proteostasis Stress Response · correlation 0.73
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.