Three-dimensional spatial transcriptomics uncovers cell type localizations in the human rheumatoid arthritis synovium

The inflamed rheumatic joint is a highly heterogeneous and complex tissue with dynamic recruitment and expansion of multiple cell types that interact in multifaceted ways within a localized area. Rheumatoid arthritis synovium has primarily been studied either by immunostaining or by molecular profiling after tissue homogenization. Here, we use Spatial Transcriptomics, where tissue-resident RNA is spatially labeled in situ with barcodes in a transcriptome-wide fashion, to study local tissue interactions at the site of chronic synovial inflammation. We report comprehensive spatial RNA-Seq data coupled to cell type-specific localization patterns at and around organized structures of infiltrating leukocyte cells in the synovium. Combining morphological features and high-throughput spatially resolved transcriptomics may be able to provide higher statistical power and more insights into monitoring disease severity and treatment-specific responses in seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Sanja Vickovic et al. use spatial transcriptomics to probe the local synovial tissue interactions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Their results provide a valuable resource to understand the spatial organisation of cell populations in the synovium in the context of RA-associated inflammation.

Automated summary

Spatial transcriptomics is used to study the local interactions in synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis patients. The results provide valuable insights into the spatial organization of cell populations and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.