Cell state · L2
GRANU.MAST.activated_acute
155 cells in the full atlas (not the displayed sample).
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Marker genes
ADAMTS9, COL4A1, CPEB4, FIGN, GJA1, ITGA2, KDM6A, LATS2, LRIG3, NCEH1, PDE5A, PTGS2, SLC19A2, SLC20A1, TFRC
Annotation genes
ADAMTS9, COL4A1, GJA1, ITGA2, PTGS2
Annotation rationales
In the cervix, stromal cells must continuously sense and adapt to cyclical stretch (intercourse, pregnancy) and to changes in epithelial integrity. ITGA2 (collagen/laminin-binding integrin) and COL4A1 (basement-membrane collagen) together indicate strong engagement with the epithelial BM. ADAMTS9 edits proteoglycans to soften or re-space matrix around glands and vessels, enabling controlled compliance. GJA1/Connexin-43 provides electrically and metabolically coupled syncytia for coordinated responses across the stromal sheet. PTGS2/COX-2 links mechanotransduction to prostaglandin biosynthesis (PGE₂/PGF), which influences vascular tone, leukocyte trafficking, and epithelial mucus properties. Mechanosensory signaling likely flows through Hippo (LATS2) and PDE5A–cGMP pathways to tune contractility and secretion.
Functional implications
A mechano-vascular “tuner” that remodels pericellular ECM to modulate cervical stiffness and ripening, synchronizes stromal responses via gap junctions, and supplies PTGS2-dependent prostaglandins to regulate lubrication, angiopermeability, and controlled inflammation at the ecto/endocervical interface.
Marker and functional descriptions are atlas annotations. Explore gene expression, trait associations and regulatory elements in the interactive browsers; see the browser guide.