Single-Cell RNA-Seq Reveals Coronary Heterogeneity and Identifies CD133 + TRPV4 high Endothelial Subpopulation in Regulating Flow-Induced Vascular Tone in Mice

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Single-cell RNA-Seq analysis can determine the heterogeneity of cells between different tissues at a single-cell level. Coronary artery endothelial cells (ECs) are important to coronary blood flow. However, little is known about the heterogeneity of coronary artery ECs, and cellular identity responses to flow. Identifying endothelial subpopulations will contribute to the precise localization of vascular endothelial subpopulations, thus enabling the precision of vascular injury treatment. METHODS: Here, we performed a single-cell RNA sequencing of 31 962 cells and functional assays of 3 branches of the coronary arteries (right coronary artery/circumflex left coronary artery/anterior descending left coronary artery) in wild-type mice. RESULTS: We found a compendium of 7 distinct cell types in mouse coronary arteries, mainly ECs, granulocytes, cardiac myocytes, smooth muscle cells, lymphocytes, myeloid cells, and fibroblast cells, and showed spatial heterogeneity between arterial branches. Furthermore, we revealed a subpopulation of coronary artery ECs, CD133 + TRPV4 high ECs. TRPV4 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 4) in CD133 + TRPV4 high ECs is important for regulating vasodilation and coronary blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: Our study elucidates the nature and range of coronary arterial cell diversity and highlights the importance of coronary CD133 + TRPV4 high ECs in regulating coronary vascular tone.