Single-nucleus transcriptomics uncovers a lymphatic endothelial cell-like subpopulation of Purkinje cells involved in cardiac remodeling

Although these cells were described over a century ago, their molecular and cellular features under physiological conditions and after myocardial infarction are not fully understood. Here we show that single nucleus transcriptome sequencing identifies three types of Purkinje cells in adult male mice, including standard, transitional, and lymphatic endothelial cell-like Purkinje cells.

Importantly, Purkinje cells are equipped with submembranous vesicles and exhibit potential functions, particularly after myocardial infarction, including regulating cardiomyocyte survival, extracellular matrix formation, cell migration and angiogenesis. Reelin, a secreted protein, is found to be a marker of lymphatic endothelial cell-like Purkinje cells. Reelin from induced Purkinje-like cells not only enhances cardiomyocyte survival but also suppresses hypoxia-induced fibrosis-related gene expression in fibroblasts.