Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40598599›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2025

A single-cell transcriptomic atlas of human lens epithelium: identification and functional insights into lens stem/progenitor cells.

Yuzhou Gu, Lu Chen, Shuying Chen, Yuhao Wu, Shengjie Hao, Feiyin Sheng, Jiali Yuan, Zhenwei Qin, Di Wu, Yu Han and 7 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Global challenges for lens and cataract research.Frontiers in ophthalmology · 2026
    Article
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Cataract: Surgery first - is there still room for basic research?Advances in ophthalmology practice and research
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Yuzhou Gu *Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Lu Chen *Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Shuying ChenEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Yuhao WuEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Shengjie HaoEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Feiyin ShengEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Jiali YuanEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Zhenwei QinEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Di WuEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Yu HanEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Zengying YaoEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Zhijian ChenDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
I Michael WormstoneHuman Eye Research Lab, Research Centre for Life Science and Healthcare, Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute (CBI), University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.
Yibo YuEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China. yuyibo@zju.edu.cn.
Junbin QianEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China. dr_qian@zju.edu.cn.
Qiuli FuEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China. 2313009@zju.edu.cn.
Ke YaoEye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Disease, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China. xlren@zju.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6764-7365

Funding

Central Guidance for Local Scientific and Technological Development Funding Program 2024ZY01057Fundamental Research Funds of the Central Universities 2019QNA7026Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province 2019C03091Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province 2020C03035Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province 2025C02157National Natural Science Foundation of China 81300641National Natural Science Foundation of China 81670833National Natural Science Foundation of China 81870641National Natural Science Foundation of China 8207939National Natural Science Foundation of China 82201158National Natural Science Foundation of China 82271063National Natural Science Foundation of China 82471054
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe existence of stem/progenitor cells in the lens epithelium has been demonstrated, but their identification remains challenging. Accurate identification requires advanced technologies and a comprehensive understanding of lens epithelial cell (LEC) subtypes, presenting a significant challenge in age-related cataract research.

methodsEight pairs of human donor lens epithelium samples were collected for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). This included four non-aged (< 65 years) and four aged (> 65 years) individuals. Subsequent analyses involved cell (sub)type characterization, trajectory inference, and cell-cell communication. Experimental validation was conducted through transcriptome sequencing and immunofluorescence on human lenses, lens organoids, rabbit regenerated lenses, mouse lenses, and cell lines.

resultsSix groups were identified via UMAP mapping of scRNA-seq data: four LECs, one lens fiber cells (LFCs), and one immune cells. One of the four LEC clusters exhibited a distinct gene expression profile and was identified as transient amplifying cells (TACs). TACs specifically express TOP2A and are localized at the lens equator. CytoTRACE analysis to the LEC and LFC data sets provided a differentiation trajectory. The TAC group was determined as stage 2 in the trajectory and LFCs last. The 3 sub groups were labelled early, mid and late LECs and corresponded to stage 1, 3 and 4 in the path. While cell population demographics remained stable with age, transcriptomic changes in LECs were observed, including weaker intercellular crosstalk and adhesion, and fewer TACs in S phase. Lens progenitor-like cells (LPLCs) were identified as a sub-population in early LECs and express ID1. In addition, pleiotrophin (PTN) signaling was prevalent at all differentiation stages, with a notable weakening of PTN signaling in aged LPLCs.

conclusionsThis study identified four subclasses of LECs within the human lens epithelium that follow a progressive staged development pathway from progenitor cells to mature LECs. TOP2A can serve as a biomarker for TAC in the lens, and LPLCs sustain their dedifferentiated state by expressing ID1. The aging process does not appear to alter cell population demographics, but significant alteration in gene expression profile is observed. Moreover, PTN signaling emerges as a crucial factor in lens homeostasis and represents a potential target for cataract drug development.

Indexed as

Epithelial CellsLens, CrystallineSingle-Cell AnalysisStem CellsTranscriptomeAdultAgedAnimalsCell DifferentiationFemaleHumansMaleMiceMiddle AgedRabbitsAgingLens epithelial cellLens stem cellscRNA-seqTransient amplifying cell

Identifiers

PMID40598599
PMCPMC12211975

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