A collection of over forty new studies about the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) has now been published in Nature. This work encompasses the efforts of more than 3,600 HCA members from over one hundred countries, and together, they are creating a sophisticated reference tool that can reflect the characteristics of individual cells in human tissues. The aim is to catalog every cell in the human body, which can lead to new insights about physiology, health, and disease. So far, more than 100 million cells that have been obtained from over 10,000 people have been analyzed. As it continues to develop, this tool has vast potential to open new avenues in research.
These latest studies provide new information about the construction of large cell atlases, and reveal more about the developmental biology of structures such as the placenta and skeleton; newly identified states of the gut and vasculature; the respiratory response to COVID-19; the influence of genetic variations on disease states, and more.
Some work includes a detailed analysis of tissues and organs, and a range of new information that relates to human disease has been revealed. The human gut cell atlas, for example, analyzed healthy and diseased tissue. This study identified a cell type in the gut that may relate to inflammation, and could be relevant to conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. A study on the development of the human skeleton may aid researchers studying the mechanisms underlying arthritis or some skeletal diseases.
"The Human Cell Atlas ... establishes a benchmark for detecting and understanding the changes that underlie health and disease," said Professor Sarah Teichmann, founding Co-Chair of the HCA, now of the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. "This new level of insight into the specific genes, mechanisms and cell types within tissues is laying the groundwork for more precise diagnostics, innovative drug discovery and advanced regenerative medicine approaches."
"This large-scale, community-driven, globally representative and rigorously curated atlas will evolve continuously and remain accessible to all to advance our understanding of the human body in health and treatments for disease," noted Dr. Aviv Regev, founding co-Chair of the HCA, now of Genentech.
In the video above, a three-dimensional rendering of the developing skeleton is shown, where the cartilage forms a scaffold to form bone; the process is colored purple. The cellular composition of a developing cranium is also shown: there is no cartilage at the top of the skull, which appears in blue, and highlights the unique formation that does not require cartilage.
Ethical guidance on genetic studies were also a part of this work.
"A key priority for HCA is to ensure a representation of the vast range of human diversity; genetic, cultural and geographical...and the analysis of distinctive histopathological differences in COVID-19 samples from Malawi demonstrate the remarkable power of large-scale international scientific collaboration." noted Co-Chair of the HCA Equity Working Group Professor Partha Majumder a member of the HCA Organizing Committee member.
"The insights emerging from these discoveries are already reshaping our understanding of health and disease, paving the way for transformative health benefits that will impact lives worldwide," added Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist, World Health Organization.
Sources: Human Cell Atlas Consortium, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Nature