Vascular Permeability
Gene co-expression module in Pericytes
| Category | Migration & adhesion |
|---|---|
| Genes | 8 |
| Annotation certainty | 4 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 7 of 8 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Top hub genes FLT1 (VEGFR1) and PLVAP are canonical markers of vascular permeability and fenestration regulation. PLVAP is specifically expressed at fenestrae and vesicles in vascular cells and regulates paracellular and transcellular permeability. FLT1 acts as a decoy receptor modulating VEGF gradients. TM4SF18 is a tetraspanin enriched in vascular endothelium/pericytes. ITGA6 mediates basement membrane adhesion. NQO1 provides cytoprotection. The module is strongly downregulated in inflammation and recovers in remission, consistent with loss of vascular barrier integrity programs during IBD. Neighbor M0 shares vascular receptor identity, supporting this as a complementary vascular permeability module.
Genes
ABI3, FLT1, GALNT18, ITGA6, NQO1, PLVAP, PRKCH, TM4SF18
Most correlated modules
- Pericyte Contractile Tone · correlation 0.99
- Vascular Pericyte Identity · correlation 0.99
- BMP-SMAD Signaling · correlation 0.98
- Angiogenic Receptor Signaling · correlation 0.98
- Rho GTPase Signaling · correlation 0.98
- Basement Membrane Maintenance · correlation 0.96
- MHC-II Antigen Presentation · correlation 0.96
- Vascular Junction Adhesion · correlation 0.95
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.