Author
Jens Hjerling-Leffler
Other affiliations: New York University, UCL Institute of Neurology
Bio: Jens Hjerling-Leffler is an academic researcher from Karolinska Institutet. The author has contributed to research in topics: Interneuron & Population. The author has an hindex of 38, co-authored 76 publications receiving 13096 citations. Previous affiliations of Jens Hjerling-Leffler include New York University & UCL Institute of Neurology.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: Large-scale single-cell RNA sequencing is used to classify cells in the mouse somatosensory cortex and hippocampal CA1 region and found 47 molecularly distinct subclasses, comprising all known major cell types in the cortex.
Abstract: The mammalian cerebral cortex supports cognitive functions such as sensorimotor integration, memory, and social behaviors. Normal brain function relies on a diverse set of differentiated cell types, including neurons, glia, and vasculature. Here, we have used large-scale single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to classify cells in the mouse somatosensory cortex and hippocampal CA1 region. We found 47 molecularly distinct subclasses, comprising all known major cell types in the cortex. We identified numerous marker genes, which allowed alignment with known cell types, morphology, and location. We found a layer I interneuron expressing Pax6 and a distinct postmitotic oligodendrocyte subclass marked by Itpr2. Across the diversity of cortical cell types, transcription factors formed a complex, layered regulatory code, suggesting a mechanism for the maintenance of adult cell type identity.
2,675 citations
TL;DR: RNA sequencing of half a million single cells was used to create a detailed census of cell types in the mouse nervous system and mapped cell types spatially and derived a hierarchical, data-driven taxonomy.
1,735 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that itching during inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis is linked to a distinct itch-generating type, and demonstrate single-cell RNA-seq as an effective strategy for dissecting sensory responsive cells into distinct neuronal types.
Abstract: The primary sensory system requires the integrated function of multiple cell types, although its full complexity remains unclear. We used comprehensive transcriptome analysis of 622 single mouse neurons to classify them in an unbiased manner, independent of any a priori knowledge of sensory subtypes. Our results reveal eleven types: three distinct low-threshold mechanoreceptive neurons, two proprioceptive, and six principal types of thermosensitive, itch sensitive, type C low-threshold mechanosensitive and nociceptive neurons with markedly different molecular and operational properties. Confirming previously anticipated major neuronal types, our results also classify and provide markers for new, functionally distinct subtypes. For example, our results suggest that itching during inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis is linked to a distinct itch-generating type. We demonstrate single-cell RNA-seq as an effective strategy for dissecting sensory responsive cells into distinct neuronal types. The resulting catalog illustrates the diversity of sensory types and the cellular complexity underlying somatic sensation.
1,609 citations
VU University Amsterdam1, Karolinska Institutet2, deCODE genetics3, Vanderbilt University4, Jönköping University5, University of Oslo6, Oslo University Hospital7, King's College London8, Stavanger University Hospital9, Akershus University Hospital10, University of Tromsø11, Innlandet Hospital Trust12, Norwegian University of Science and Technology13, University of California, San Francisco14, Vanderbilt University Medical Center15, University of Iceland16, University of Cambridge17, University of Bergen18, University College London19, Namsos Hospital20, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill21, Broad Institute22, Harvard University23, Charité24, VU University Medical Center25
TL;DR: A large genome-wide association study of clinically diagnosed AD and AD-by-proxy identifies new loci and functional pathways that contribute to AD risk and adds novel insights into the neurobiology of AD.
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is highly heritable and recent studies have identified over 20 disease-associated genomic loci. Yet these only explain a small proportion of the genetic variance, indicating that undiscovered loci remain. Here, we performed a large genome-wide association study of clinically diagnosed AD and AD-by-proxy (71,880 cases, 383,378 controls). AD-by-proxy, based on parental diagnoses, showed strong genetic correlation with AD (rg = 0.81). Meta-analysis identified 29 risk loci, implicating 215 potential causative genes. Associated genes are strongly expressed in immune-related tissues and cell types (spleen, liver, and microglia). Gene-set analyses indicate biological mechanisms involved in lipid-related processes and degradation of amyloid precursor proteins. We show strong genetic correlations with multiple health-related outcomes, and Mendelian randomization results suggest a protective effect of cognitive ability on AD risk. These results are a step forward in identifying the genetic factors that contribute to AD risk and add novel insights into the neurobiology of AD.
1,460 citations
TL;DR: The universal modulation of these neurons by serotonin and acetylcholine via ionotropic receptors suggests that they might be involved in shaping cortical circuits during specific brain states andbehavioral contexts.
Abstract: An understanding of the diversity of cortical GABAergic interneurons is critical to understand the function of the cerebral cortex. Recent data suggest that neurons expressing three markers, the Ca2+-binding protein parvalbumin (PV), the neuropeptide somatostatin (SST), and the ionotropic serotonin receptor 5HT3a (5HT3aR) account for nearly 100% of neocortical interneurons. Interneurons expressing each of these markers have a different embryological origin. Each group includes several types of interneurons that differ in morphological and electrophysiological properties and likely have different functions in the cortical circuit. The PV group accounts for ∼40% of GABAergic neurons and includes fast spiking basket cells and chandelier cells. The SST group, which represents ∼30% of GABAergic neurons, includes the Martinotti cells and a set of neurons that specifically target layerIV. The 5HT3aR group, which also accounts for ∼30% of the total interneuronal population, is heterogeneous and includes all of the neurons that express the neuropeptide VIP, as well as an equally numerous subgroup of neurons that do not express VIP and includes neurogliaform cells. The universal modulation of these neurons by serotonin and acetylcholine via ionotropic receptors suggests that they might be involved in shaping cortical circuits during specific brain states and behavioral contexts.
1,211 citations
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01 Feb 2015
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the integrative analysis of 111 reference human epigenomes generated as part of the NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Consortium, profiled for histone modification patterns, DNA accessibility, DNA methylation and RNA expression.
Abstract: The reference human genome sequence set the stage for studies of genetic variation and its association with human disease, but epigenomic studies lack a similar reference. To address this need, the NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Consortium generated the largest collection so far of human epigenomes for primary cells and tissues. Here we describe the integrative analysis of 111 reference human epigenomes generated as part of the programme, profiled for histone modification patterns, DNA accessibility, DNA methylation and RNA expression. We establish global maps of regulatory elements, define regulatory modules of coordinated activity, and their likely activators and repressors. We show that disease- and trait-associated genetic variants are enriched in tissue-specific epigenomic marks, revealing biologically relevant cell types for diverse human traits, and providing a resource for interpreting the molecular basis of human disease. Our results demonstrate the central role of epigenomic information for understanding gene regulation, cellular differentiation and human disease.
4,409 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), identified using nestin expression, constitute an essential HSC niche component and are indicative of a unique niche in the bone marrow made of heterotypic stem-cell pairs.
Abstract: The cellular constituents forming the haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche in the bone marrow are unclear, with studies implicating osteoblasts, endothelial and perivascular cells. Here we demonstrate that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), identified using nestin expression, constitute an essential HSC niche component. Nestin(+) MSCs contain all the bone-marrow colony-forming-unit fibroblastic activity and can be propagated as non-adherent 'mesenspheres' that can self-renew and expand in serial transplantations. Nestin(+) MSCs are spatially associated with HSCs and adrenergic nerve fibres, and highly express HSC maintenance genes. These genes, and others triggering osteoblastic differentiation, are selectively downregulated during enforced HSC mobilization or beta3 adrenoreceptor activation. Whereas parathormone administration doubles the number of bone marrow nestin(+) cells and favours their osteoblastic differentiation, in vivo nestin(+) cell depletion rapidly reduces HSC content in the bone marrow. Purified HSCs home near nestin(+) MSCs in the bone marrow of lethally irradiated mice, whereas in vivo nestin(+) cell depletion significantly reduces bone marrow homing of haematopoietic progenitors. These results uncover an unprecedented partnership between two distinct somatic stem-cell types and are indicative of a unique niche in the bone marrow made of heterotypic stem-cell pairs.
3,012 citations
TL;DR: A novel microglia type associated with neurodegenerative diseases (DAM) is described and it is revealed that the DAM program is activated in a two-step process that involves downregulation of microglian checkpoints, followed by activation of a Trem2-dependent program.
2,854 citations
TL;DR: Large-scale single-cell RNA sequencing is used to classify cells in the mouse somatosensory cortex and hippocampal CA1 region and found 47 molecularly distinct subclasses, comprising all known major cell types in the cortex.
Abstract: The mammalian cerebral cortex supports cognitive functions such as sensorimotor integration, memory, and social behaviors. Normal brain function relies on a diverse set of differentiated cell types, including neurons, glia, and vasculature. Here, we have used large-scale single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to classify cells in the mouse somatosensory cortex and hippocampal CA1 region. We found 47 molecularly distinct subclasses, comprising all known major cell types in the cortex. We identified numerous marker genes, which allowed alignment with known cell types, morphology, and location. We found a layer I interneuron expressing Pax6 and a distinct postmitotic oligodendrocyte subclass marked by Itpr2. Across the diversity of cortical cell types, transcription factors formed a complex, layered regulatory code, suggesting a mechanism for the maintenance of adult cell type identity.
2,675 citations
TL;DR: On a compendium of single-cell data from tumors and brain, it is demonstrated that cis-regulatory analysis can be exploited to guide the identification of transcription factors and cell states.
Abstract: We present SCENIC, a computational method for simultaneous gene regulatory network reconstruction and cell-state identification from single-cell RNA-seq data (http://scenicaertslaborg) On a compendium of single-cell data from tumors and brain, we demonstrate that cis-regulatory analysis can be exploited to guide the identification of transcription factors and cell states SCENIC provides critical biological insights into the mechanisms driving cellular heterogeneity
2,277 citations