New Insights From Single-Cell Sequencing Data: Synovial Fibroblasts and Synovial Macrophages in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology can analyze the transcriptome expression level of cells with high-throughput from the single cell level, fully show the heterogeneity of cells, and provide a new way for the study of multicellular biological heterogeneity. Synovitis is the pathological basis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synovial fibroblasts (SFs) and synovial macrophages are the core target cells of RA, which results in the destruction of articular cartilage, as well as bone. Recent scRNA-seq technology has made breakthroughs in the differentiation and development of two types of synovial cells, identification of subsets, functional analysis, and new therapeutic targets, which will bring remarkable changes in RA treatment.

Keywords: biomarkers; rheumatoid arthritis; single-cell RNA sequencing; synovial fibroblast; synovial macrophage.