Endothelial plasticity in atrial fibrosis by integrating single-cell sequencing and genetic lineage tracing

Atrial fibrosis represents a critical determinant in atrial fibrillation (AF) pathogenesis. Although endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark feature of AF, the precise mechanisms by which endothelial cells (ECs) contribute to atrial fibrosis remain incompletely understood.

This study employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze intercellular communication networks in atrial tissues from both sinus rhythm (SR) and AF patients. Cdh5-CreERT2;RFP mice were generated to track endothelial plasticity following transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Cell-cell interactions were investigated using isolated human primary atrial ECs and fibroblasts (FBs) in vitro. To elucidate the regulatory role of endothelial-derived TGF-β1 on FB function, endothelial-specific Tgf-β1 knockout (Tgf-β1^ECKO) mice were generated.

scRNA-seq analysis identified ECs as predominant signal-sending cells with extensive FB connectivity in both SR and AF atrial tissues. During fibrosis progression, ECs displayed significant mesenchymal activation at the transcriptional level. However, immunofluorescence and high-content screening revealed minimal complete endothelial-to-FB transition. Cell-cell communication analysis and in vitro studies identified TGF-β1 as the key mediator through which mesenchymal-activated ECs (EndoMA) promoted FB proliferation and collagen production. Notably, endothelial-specific Tgf-β1 deletion attenuated TAC-induced atrial fibrosis and reduced AF susceptibility.

Our findings demonstrate that EndoMA-derived TGF-β1 critically regulates FB function and drives atrial fibrosis progression. Targeting endothelial-specific pathways represents a promising therapeutic strategy for attenuating atrial fibrosis in AF pathogenesis.