HCNetlas: A reference database of human cell type-specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses.

Cell type-specific actions of disease genes add a significant layer of complexity to the genetic architecture underlying diseases, obscuring our understanding of disease mechanisms. Single-cell omics have revealed the functional roles of genes at the cellular level, identifying cell types critical f...

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Main Authors: Jiwon Yu, Junha Cha, Geon Koh, Insuk Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-02-01
Series:PLoS Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002702
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author Jiwon Yu
Junha Cha
Geon Koh
Insuk Lee
author_facet Jiwon Yu
Junha Cha
Geon Koh
Insuk Lee
author_sort Jiwon Yu
collection DOAJ
description Cell type-specific actions of disease genes add a significant layer of complexity to the genetic architecture underlying diseases, obscuring our understanding of disease mechanisms. Single-cell omics have revealed the functional roles of genes at the cellular level, identifying cell types critical for disease progression. Often, a gene impact on disease through its altered network within specific cell types, rather than mere changes in expression levels. To explore the cell type-specific roles of disease genes, we developed HCNetlas (human cell network atlas), a resource cataloging cell type-specific gene networks (CGNs) for various healthy tissue cells. We also devised 3 network analysis methods to investigate cell type-specific functions of disease genes. These methods involve comparing HCNetlas CGNs with those derived from disease-affected tissue samples. These methods find that systemic lupus erythematosus genes predominantly function in myeloid cells, and Alzheimer's disease genes mainly play roles in inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Additionally, they suggest that many lung cancer-related genes may exert their roles in immune cells. These findings suggest that HCNetlas has the potential to link disease-associated genes to cell types of action, facilitating development of cell type-resolved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for complex human diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-fc5e12ff5c8347249946c3ba95c2af242025-02-12T05:30:22ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Biology1544-91731545-78852025-02-01232e300270210.1371/journal.pbio.3002702HCNetlas: A reference database of human cell type-specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses.Jiwon YuJunha ChaGeon KohInsuk LeeCell type-specific actions of disease genes add a significant layer of complexity to the genetic architecture underlying diseases, obscuring our understanding of disease mechanisms. Single-cell omics have revealed the functional roles of genes at the cellular level, identifying cell types critical for disease progression. Often, a gene impact on disease through its altered network within specific cell types, rather than mere changes in expression levels. To explore the cell type-specific roles of disease genes, we developed HCNetlas (human cell network atlas), a resource cataloging cell type-specific gene networks (CGNs) for various healthy tissue cells. We also devised 3 network analysis methods to investigate cell type-specific functions of disease genes. These methods involve comparing HCNetlas CGNs with those derived from disease-affected tissue samples. These methods find that systemic lupus erythematosus genes predominantly function in myeloid cells, and Alzheimer's disease genes mainly play roles in inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Additionally, they suggest that many lung cancer-related genes may exert their roles in immune cells. These findings suggest that HCNetlas has the potential to link disease-associated genes to cell types of action, facilitating development of cell type-resolved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for complex human diseases.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002702
spellingShingle Jiwon Yu
Junha Cha
Geon Koh
Insuk Lee
HCNetlas: A reference database of human cell type-specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses.
PLoS Biology
title HCNetlas: A reference database of human cell type-specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses.
title_full HCNetlas: A reference database of human cell type-specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses.
title_fullStr HCNetlas: A reference database of human cell type-specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses.
title_full_unstemmed HCNetlas: A reference database of human cell type-specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses.
title_short HCNetlas: A reference database of human cell type-specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses.
title_sort hcnetlas a reference database of human cell type specific gene networks to aid disease genetic analyses
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002702
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