Single-cell RNA-seq reveals keratinocytes and fibroblasts heterogeneity and their crosstalk via epithelial-mesenchymal transition in psoriasis

Abstract

Abstract As a chronic inflammatory autoimmune skin disease with high global prevalence, the pathogenesis of psoriasis remains inconclusive. We performed a high-resolution single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of 94 759 cells from 13 samples including psoriasis and wide-type mouse model. We presented a comprehensive single-cell transcriptional landscape of the skin immune cells in psoriasis, especially the heterogeneity of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. More interestingly, we discovered that special keratinocyte subtypes and fibroblast subtypes could interact with each other through epithelial–mesenchymal transition and validated the results with drug verification. What’s more, we conducted a tentative exploration of the potential involving pathway and disclosed that the IL-17 signaling pathway may be the most relevant one. Collectively, we revealed the full-cycle landscape of key cells associated with psoriasis and provided a more comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis.