%0 Journal Article
%T Single-Cell Transcriptome Profiles Reveal Fibrocytes as Potential Targets of Cell Therapies for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
%A Li B
%A Song X
%A Guo W
%A Hou Y
%A Hu H
%A Ge W
%A Fan T
%A Han Z
%A Li Z
%A Yang P
%A Gao R
%A Zhao H
%A Wang J
%A Li B
%A Song X
%A Guo W
%A Hou Y
%A Hu H
%A Ge W
%A Fan T
%A Han Z
%A Li Z
%A Yang P
%A Gao R
%A Zhao H
%A Wang J
%J Front Cardiovasc Med
%V 8
%N 0
%D 2021
%M 34901214
%F 5.846
%R 10.3389/fcvm.2021.753711
%X Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is potentially life-threatening in aging population due to the risk of aortic rupture and a lack of optimal treatment. The roles of different vascular and immune cells in AAA formation and pathogenesis remain to be future characterized. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on an angiotensin (Ang) II-induced mouse model of AAA. Macrophages, B cells, T cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells were identified through bioinformatic analyses. The discovery of multiple subtypes of macrophages, such as the re-polarization of Trem2 + Acp5 + osteoclast-like and M2-like macrophages toward the M1 type macrophages, indicates the heterogenous nature of macrophages during AAA development. More interestingly, we defined CD45+COL1+ fibrocytes, which was further validated by flow cytometry and immunostaining in mouse and human AAA tissues. We then reconstituted these fibrocytes into mice with Ang II-induced AAA and found the recruitment of these fibrocytes in mouse AAA. More importantly, the fibrocyte treatment exhibited a protective effect against AAA development, perhaps through modulating extracellular matrix production and thus enhancing aortic stability. Our study reveals the heterogeneity of macrophages and the involvement of a novel cell type, fibrocyte, in AAA. Fibrocyte may represent a potential cell therapy target for AAA.