Overview
The atlas, part of the Human Cell Atlas initiative, maps the "cancer-ready" postmenopausal microenvironment, where FT epithelial cells express high levels of ovarian cancer risk-associated genes (CCDC170, RND3, TACC2).
A molecular atlas of the human postmenopausal fallopian tube (FT) and ovary, established via single-cell RNA and ATAC-seq, identified 11 distinct cell types in the FT and 6 in the ovary, dominated by stromal cells. The atlas, part of the Human Cell Atlas initiative, maps the "cancer-ready" postmenopausal microenvironment, where FT epithelial cells express high levels of ovarian cancer risk-associated genes (CCDC170, RND3, TACC2).
Key Findings of the Postmenopausal Atlas:
- Cellular Composition: The fallopian tube consists of 11 major cell types (including ciliated/secretory cells), while the ovary is mostly composed of stromal cells.
- Tissue Dominance: Stromal cells are the dominant cell type in both tissues, exhibiting high expression of aging-associated genes.
- Cancer Risk Mapping: Epithelial cells in the fallopian tube (specifically the fimbriae) express genes associated with high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
- Functional Differences: The fimbrial end of the FT displays high immune activity and strong communication with the ovary, while the regulatory landscape of the fimbriae differs from the isthmus and ampulla.
- Regulatory Changes: Paired single-cell RNA and ATAC-seq revealed that many FT cell types maintain similar gene expression despite having different chromatin accessibility and transcription regulation.
- Implications: The studies suggest that postmenopausal tissues undergo significant molecular remodeling toward a "cancer-ready" state, aiding research into gynecological disease prevention.