Single Cell atlas of uterine myometrium and leiomyomas reveals diverse and novel cell types of non-monoclonal origin.

Abstract

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common tumors of the female reproductive tract with significant morbidity that includes excessive bleeding, infertility and pregnancy complications. The origin and cellular composition of leiomyomas is controversial, yet very important in better understanding the pathogenesis of these tumors. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to better understand cellular heterogeneity of uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium at the molecular level. Our data reveal previously unknown heterogeneity in the smooth muscle cells, fibroblast cells, and endothelial cells of normal myometrium and leiomyomas. We discovered a novel lymphatic endothelial cell population in uterine leiomyomas and that the immune as well as transcriptional profile of leiomyomas is MED12 genotype-dependent. Moreover, we show that leiomyoma cell moiety is not monoclonal in nature. Our work describes unprecedented single cell resolution of normal uterine myometrium and leiomyoma tumors and provides insight into tumor specific hormone responsiveness and extracellular matrix accumulation.