TGF-beta ECM 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
Strong coherence module highly upregulated in both UC and CD inflammation (delta_inflammation_UC=0.450, delta_inflammation_CD=0.313). Hub genes: RCAN1 (regulator of calcineurin 1, induced by VEGF, inflammatory cytokines, and calcineurin/NFAT signaling), LOXL3 (lysyl oxidase-like 3, ECM crosslinking enzyme), ITGB8 (integrin beta-8, binds TGF-beta and mediates ECM-cell interactions), GALNT2 (O-glycosyltransferase involved in mucin-type glycosylation), HCFC1R1 (host cell factor C1 regulator), S1PR3 (sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3, promotes cell survival and migration), PDGFA (platelet-derived growth factor A, mitogenic/pro-fibrotic), SPRY1 (Sprouty1, RTK signaling antagonist). The combination of RCAN1 (NFAT/calcineurin pathway, VEGF response), ITGB8 (TGF-beta activation), LOXL3 (ECM remodeling), and PDGFA (growth factor) points to a TGF-beta/VEGF-driven ECM remodeling and tissue repair program activated during inflammation. RCAN1 is notably induced by VEGF and inflammatory signals; ITGB8 on glia is a key activator of latent TGF-beta in the gut. This module likely represents a glial pro-fibrotic/repair response to intestinal inflammation.
Genes
GALNT2, HCFC1R1, ITGB8, LOXL3, PDGFA, RCAN1, S1PR3, SPRY1
Most correlated modules
- Reactive Glial Activation · correlation 0.84
- Glial Neural Scaffolding · correlation 0.83
- ER Stress Response · correlation 0.80
- AHR-Cytokine Activation · correlation 0.79
- S100 Glial Activation · correlation 0.74
- Collagen ECM Deposition · correlation 0.74
- Inflammatory Cytokine Signaling · correlation 0.70
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.