Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis reveals cellular states and intercellular communication of human lumbar facet-joint degeneration

Figure 6 Intercellular crosstalk networks between chondrocytes and other cell clusters in the degeneration process of human lumbar facet joint. A: Intercellular crosstalk network of the interaction number between cell clusters in severely degenerated lumbar facet joints (LFJs) compared with mildly degenerated LFJs. Dots indicate cell clusters. The thickness of the directed line indicates the relative quantity of significant ligand-receptor pairs between any two pairs of cell clusters. Red represents the interaction amounts increased. Blue represents the interaction amounts decreased; B: Heatmap of the interaction number between cell clusters. The colored bar at the top and right represent the sum of receptor and ligand signals in each cell cluster, respectively; C: Intercellular crosstalk network of the interaction strength between cell clusters in severe degenerated LFJs comparing with mild degenerated LFJs. Red represents the interaction strength increased. Blue represents the interaction strength decreased; D: Heatmap of the interaction strength between cell clusters in severe degenerated LFJs comparing with mild degenerated LFJs.