The pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis atlas reveals aberrant cell states and their zonation as an alternate roadmap to lung fibrosis.

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) with defining histology of intra-alveolar fibrosis with septal elastosis (AFE), suggesting unique cellular disease processes. Here, we present a binational single-nucleus RNA sequencing atlas of PPFE, based on explanted lungs from 40 patients. Immunofluorescence microscopy, RNA in situ hybridization, micro-computed tomography (CT), and hierarchical phase-contrast (HiP) synchrotron CT provided spatial context. We identify PPFE-associated adventitial and elastofibrotic fibroblasts as key drivers of elastotic remodeling within an inflammatory microenvironment, maintained by immune cells forming tertiary lymphoid structures. Spatial mapping reveals an intriguing zonation of AFE, maintained by intercellular circuits between PPFE-associated cell types. Comparative analysis with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis highlights CTHRC1+ fibrotic fibroblasts and aberrant basaloid cells as conserved profibrotic cellular machinery mediating collagen deposition across ILDs. This integrative atlas defines the cellular landscape of PPFE and dissects elastotic from fibrotic remodeling, providing a molecular rationale for niche-specific therapeutic strategies.
Chronic respiratory disease
Care/Management

Authors

Ruwisch Ruwisch, Cazes Cazes, Leiber Leiber, Borie Borie, Neubert Neubert, Christian Christian, Thomas de Montpréville Thomas de Montpréville, Szmul Szmul, Moussa Moussa, Verleden Verleden, Gaedcke Gaedcke, Hegermann Hegermann, Fuge Fuge, Ballmaier Ballmaier, Kamp Kamp, Greer Greer, Braubach Braubach, Werlein Werlein, Ius Ius, Graalmann Graalmann, Aburahma Aburahma, De Sadeleer De Sadeleer, Egashira Egashira, Ackermann Ackermann, Yamada Yamada, Hoeper Hoeper, Falk Falk, Gottlieb Gottlieb, Schiller Schiller, Vanaudenaerde Vanaudenaerde, Seeliger Seeliger, Debray Debray, Bernaudin Bernaudin, Knudsen Knudsen, Bergot Bergot, Jacob Jacob, Mal Mal, Jonigk Jonigk, Dettmer Dettmer, Mordant Mordant, Prasse Prasse, Fadel Fadel, Wuyts Wuyts, Crestani Crestani, Kaminski Kaminski, Justet Justet, Schupp Schupp
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