Fig. 7
Scheme of the transcriptomic organization of the carotid body stem cell niche. Representation of cellular relationships characterized within the adult carotid body stem cell niche, focusing on the neuronal lineage. The transcriptomic features depicted below the diagram represent the differences observed among the transcriptomes of the three principal cell types within the neuronal lineage. Specifically, these correspond to transcriptomic differences between progenitor cells, immature neuroblasts, and mature glomus cells, following a gradient of increasing intensity. These features reflect the molecular transitions associated with neuronal differentiation and maturation within the adult carotid body parenchyma. Moreover, the figure illustrates how hypoxic stimulation further promotes this differentiation process, amplifying transcriptomic divergence and thereby enhancing the acquisition of a mature glomus cell phenotype characterized by neurosecretory activity and oxygen sensitivity.
