Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling of the Human Fallopian Tube Epithelium Reveals Region-specific Gene Expression Patterns
The fallopian tube (FT) plays a crucial role in fertility, gynecological health, and high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) development. Despite its importance, the spatial transcriptome of the FT's distinct anatomical regions (fimbria, infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus) remains underexplored. Using the GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) and a targeted ~1,800 gene panel, we analyze premenopausal FT epithelium, identifying region-specific gene expression patterns. Our analysis reveals upregulation of mature ciliated cell markers (FOXJ1, MLF1, SPA17, and CTSS) approaching the fimbria, elevated ROS and apoptosis-related transcripts (TXNIP, PRDX5, BAD, GAS1) in the distal FT, and a switch in cell-cell adhesion transcripts (CDH1, CDH3) along the distal-to-proximal axis. We also provide evidence that MHC-II transcripts in the FT are differentially regulated throughout the menstrual cycle, with lower expression in follicular phase.   These results suggest spatially regulated expression of FT transcripts with implications for fertilization and early neoplastic changes contributing to HGSOC. Overall design: To profile the fallopian tube along the proximal to distal axis, we collected seven tissue specimens from premenopausal patients (age 25-48, mean 39) undergoing salpingectomy for non-cancer indications unrelated to fallopian tube health. Samples were divided into four anatomical regions (isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum, and fimbria). We used immunofluorescence to distinguish secretory (PAX8) and ciliated (FOXJ1) epithelial cells and selected representative segments in each anatomical region. Transcriptomes were profiled using the GeoMx Cancer Transcriptome Atlas, covering ~1,800 cancer-related and cell marker transcripts. Please note that "DSP-1001660037560-B-A07" is mentioned in the annotations, but there are no associated .dcc or fastq files (due to an error with sequencing for well A07)