High‐resolution spatial transcriptomic atlas of mouse soleus muscle: Unveiling single cell and subcellular heterogeneity in health and denervation
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- 2Space Planning and Analysis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- 3Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- 4Human Genetics Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is essential for both movement and metabolic processes, characterized by a complex and ordered structure. Despite its importance, a detailed spatial map of gene expression within muscle tissue has been challenging to achieve due to the limitations of existing technologies, which struggle to provide high-resolution views. In this study, we leverage the Seq-Scope technique, an innovative method that allows for the observation of the entire transcriptome at an unprecedented submicron spatial resolution. By applying this technique to the mouse soleus muscle, we analyze and compare the gene expression profiles in both healthy conditions and following denervation, a process that mimics aspects of muscle aging. Our approach reveals detailed characteristics of muscle fibers, other cell types present within the muscle, and specific subcellular structures such as the postsynaptic nuclei at neuromuscular junctions, hybrid muscle fibers, and areas of localized expression of genes responsive to muscle injury, along with their histological context. The findings of this research significantly enhance our understanding of the diversity within the muscle cell transcriptome and its variation in response to denervation, a key factor in the decline of muscle function with age. This breakthrough in spatial transcriptomics not only deepens our knowledge of muscle biology but also sets the stage for the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating the effects of aging on muscle health, thereby offering a more comprehensive insight into the mechanisms of muscle maintenance and degeneration in the context of aging and disease.
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BibTeX
@article{hsu2026highresolution,
title = {{High‐resolution spatial transcriptomic atlas of mouse soleus muscle: Unveiling single cell and subcellular heterogeneity in health and denervation}},
author = {Jer-En Hsu and Lloyd Ruiz and Yongha Hwang and Steve D. Guzman and Chun‐Seok Cho and Weiqiu Cheng and Yichen Si and Peter C. D. Macpherson and Angelo Anacleto and Qingyang Zhao and Xiaoya Zhao and Mitchell Schrank and Goo Jun and Hyun Min Kang and Myungjin Kim and Susan V. Brooks and Jun Hee Lee},
journal = {FEBS Journal},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1111/febs.70726},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.70726},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - High‐resolution spatial transcriptomic atlas of mouse soleus muscle: Unveiling single cell and subcellular heterogeneity in health and denervation
AU - Jer-En Hsu
AU - Lloyd Ruiz
AU - Yongha Hwang
AU - Steve D. Guzman
AU - Chun‐Seok Cho
AU - Weiqiu Cheng
AU - Yichen Si
AU - Peter C. D. Macpherson
AU - Angelo Anacleto
AU - Qingyang Zhao
AU - Xiaoya Zhao
AU - Mitchell Schrank
AU - Goo Jun
AU - Hyun Min Kang
AU - Myungjin Kim
AU - Susan V. Brooks
AU - Jun Hee Lee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/21
JO - FEBS Journal
DO - 10.1111/febs.70726
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.70726
AB - Skeletal muscle is essential for both movement and metabolic processes, characterized by a complex and ordered structure. Despite its importance, a detailed spatial map of gene expression within muscle tissue has been challenging to achieve due to the limitations of existing technologies, which struggle to provide high-resolution views. In this study, we leverage the Seq-Scope technique, an innovative method that allows for the observation of the entire transcriptome at an unprecedented submicron spatial resolution. By applying this technique to the mouse soleus muscle, we analyze and compare the gene expression profiles in both healthy conditions and following denervation, a process that mimics aspects of muscle aging. Our approach reveals detailed characteristics of muscle fibers, other cell types present within the muscle, and specific subcellular structures such as the postsynaptic nuclei at neuromuscular junctions, hybrid muscle fibers, and areas of localized expression of genes responsive to muscle injury, along with their histological context. The findings of this research significantly enhance our understanding of the diversity within the muscle cell transcriptome and its variation in response to denervation, a key factor in the decline of muscle function with age. This breakthrough in spatial transcriptomics not only deepens our knowledge of muscle biology but also sets the stage for the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating the effects of aging on muscle health, thereby offering a more comprehensive insight into the mechanisms of muscle maintenance and degeneration in the context of aging and disease.
SN - 1742-464X
SN - 1742-4658
ER -