Read the full paper: A FZD4/LRP5 agonist restores pericyte coverage and vascular integrity by increasing PDGFB signaling

Multiple cell types have been implicated in pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis with pericytes emerging as a new focus due to their role in promoting fibrotic remodeling. Fibrotic environment changes normal pericyte functions, but transcriptional programs regulating pericyte transition towards fibrotic state remain unclear. Utilizing single cell RNA-sequencing of human pulmonary fibrotic lungs and mouse genetic models, we identified a unique cluster of fibrosis-associated pericytes which was not present in normal lungs and exhibited a distinctive transcriptional signature indicating transition of normal pericytes to a fibrotic state. FOXF1 was identified as one of the transcription factors decreased in fibrotic pericytes. Pericyte-specific deletion of Foxf1 increased severity of pulmonary fibrosis in bleomycin mouse model as demonstrated by reduced survival, impaired lung functions, increased body weight loss and increased fibrotic remodeling. Pericyte-specific overexpression of Foxf1 a

Read the full paper: A pericyte-to-myofibroblast transition links APOE4 to cerebrovascular degeneration