scholarly journals VirtualCytometry: a webserver for evaluating immune cell differentiation using single-cell RNA sequencing data

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 546-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyungsoo Kim ◽  
Sunmo Yang ◽  
Sang-Jun Ha ◽  
Insuk Lee
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Signaling Molecules ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing ◽  
Functional States

Abstract Motivation The immune system has diverse types of cells that are differentiated or activated via various signaling pathways and transcriptional regulation upon challenging conditions. Immunophenotyping by flow and mass cytometry are the major approaches for identifying key signaling molecules and transcription factors directing the transition between the functional states of immune cells. However, few proteins can be evaluated by flow cytometry in a single experiment, preventing researchers from obtaining a comprehensive picture of the molecular programs involved in immune cell differentiation. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have enabled unbiased genome-wide quantification of gene expression in individual cells on a large scale, providing a new and versatile analytical pipeline for studying immune cell differentiation. Results We present VirtualCytometry, a web-based computational pipeline for evaluating immune cell differentiation by exploiting cell-to-cell variation in gene expression with scRNA-seq data. Differentiating cells often show a continuous spectrum of cellular states rather than distinct populations. VirtualCytometry enables the identification of cellular subsets for different functional states of differentiation based on the expression of marker genes. Case studies have highlighted the usefulness of this subset analysis strategy for discovering signaling molecules and transcription factors for human T-cell exhaustion, a state of T-cell dysfunction, in tumor and mouse dendritic cells activated by pathogens. With more than 226 scRNA-seq datasets precompiled from public repositories covering diverse mouse and human immune cell types in normal and disease tissues, VirtualCytometry is a useful resource for the molecular dissection of immune cell differentiation. Availability and implementation www.grnpedia.org/cytometry

scholarly journals Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals the Expansion of Cytotoxic CD4+ T Lymphocytes and a Landscape of Immune Cells in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoping Hong ◽  
Shuhui Meng ◽  
Donge Tang ◽  
Tingting Wang ◽  
Liping Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Susceptibility Genes ◽  
Primary Sjögren’S Syndrome ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Immune Cell Subsets ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing

ObjectivePrimary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease, and its pathogenetic mechanism is far from being understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to pathogenesis of this disease.MethodsWe applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to 57,288 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from five patients with pSS and five healthy controls. The immune cell subsets and susceptibility genes involved in the pathogenesis of pSS were analyzed. Flow cytometry was preformed to verify the result of scRNA-seq.ResultsWe identified two subpopulations significantly expand in pSS patients. The one highly expressing cytotoxicity genes is named as CD4+ CTLs cytotoxic T lymphocyte, and another highly expressing T cell receptor (TCR) variable gene is named as CD4+ TRAV13-2+ T cell. Flow cytometry results showed the percentages of CD4+ CTLs, which were profiled with CD4+ and GZMB+ staining; the total T cells of 10 patients with pSS were significantly higher than those of 10 healthy controls (P= 0.008). The expression level of IL-1β in macrophages, TCL1A in B cells, as well as interferon (IFN) response genes in most cell subsets was upregulated in the patients with pSS. Susceptibility genes including HLA-DRB5, CTLA4, and AQP3 were highly expressed in patients with pSS.ConclusionsOur data revealed disease-specific immune cell subsets and provided some potential new targets of pSS. Specific expansion of CD4+ CTLs may be involved in the pathogenesis of pSS, which might give valuable insights for therapeutic interventions of pSS.

scholarly journals Single-cell RNA-sequencing of peripheral neuroblastic tumors reveals an aggressive transitional cell state at the junction of an adrenergic-mesenchymal transdifferentiation trajectory

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Yuan ◽  
Janith A. Seneviratne ◽  
Shibei Du ◽  
Ying Xu ◽  
Yijun Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Transitional Cell ◽  
Malignant Cell ◽  
Cell State ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing ◽  
Neuroblastic Tumors

AbstractPeripheral neuroblastic tumors (PNTs) are the most common extracranial solid tumors in early childhood. They represent a spectrum of neural crest derived tumors including neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma. PNTs exhibit heterogeneity due to interconverting malignant cell states described as adrenergic/nor-adrenergic or mesenchymal/neural crest cell in origin. The factors determining individual patient levels of tumor heterogeneity, their impact on the malignant phenotype, and the presence of other cell states are unknown. Here, single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of 4267 cells from 7 PNTs demonstrated extensive transcriptomic heterogeneity. Trajectory modelling showed that malignant neuroblasts move between adrenergic and mesenchymal cell states via a novel state that we termed a “transitional” phenotype. Transitional cells are characterized by gene expression programs linked to a sympathoadrenal development, and aggressive tumor phenotypes such as rapid proliferation and tumor dissemination. Among primary bulk tumor patient cohorts, high expression of the transitional gene signature was highly predictive of poor prognosis when compared to adrenergic and mesenchymal expression patterns. High transitional gene expression in neuroblastoma cell lines identified a similar transitional H3K27-acetylation super-enhancer landscape, supporting the concept that PNTs have phenotypic plasticity and transdifferentiation capacity. Additionally, examination of PNT microenvironments, found that neuroblastomas contained low immune cell infiltration, high levels of non-inflammatory macrophages, and low cytotoxic T lymphocyte levels compared with more benign PNT subtypes. Modeling of cell-cell signaling in the tumor microenvironment predicted specific paracrine effects toward the various subtypes of malignant cells, suggesting further cell-extrinsic influences on malignant cell phenotype. Collectively, our study reveals the presence of a previously unrecognized transitional cell state with high malignant potential and an immune cell architecture which serve both as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals A molecular cell atlas of the human lung from single cell RNA sequencing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J. Travaglini ◽  
Ahmad N. Nabhan ◽  
Lolita Penland ◽  
Rahul Sinha ◽  
Astrid Gillich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Cell Trafficking ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing

AbstractAlthough single cell RNA sequencing studies have begun providing compendia of cell expression profiles, it has proven more difficult to systematically identify and localize all molecular cell types in individual organs to create a full molecular cell atlas. Here we describe droplet- and plate-based single cell RNA sequencing applied to ∼75,000 human lung and blood cells, combined with a multi-pronged cell annotation approach, which have allowed us to define the gene expression profiles and anatomical locations of 58 cell populations in the human lung, including 41 of 45 previously known cell types or subtypes and 14 new ones. This comprehensive molecular atlas elucidates the biochemical functions of lung cell types and the cell-selective transcription factors and optimal markers for making and monitoring them; defines the cell targets of circulating hormones and predicts local signaling interactions including sources and targets of chemokines in immune cell trafficking and expression changes on lung homing; and identifies the cell types directly affected by lung disease genes and respiratory viruses. Comparison to mouse identified 17 molecular types that appear to have been gained or lost during lung evolution and others whose expression profiles have been substantially altered, revealing extensive plasticity of cell types and cell-type-specific gene expression during organ evolution including expression switches between cell types. This atlas provides the molecular foundation for investigating how lung cell identities, functions, and interactions are achieved in development and tissue engineering and altered in disease and evolution.

scholarly journals Early transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of CD8+ T cell differentiation revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 422-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boyko Kakaradov ◽  
Janilyn Arsenio ◽  
Christella E Widjaja ◽  
Zhaoren He ◽  
Stefan Aigner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Epigenetic Regulation ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
T Cell Differentiation ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing

scholarly journals The differential immune responses to COVID-19 in peripheral and lung revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Xu ◽  
Furong Qi ◽  
Hanjie Li ◽  
Qianting Yang ◽  
Haiyan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Close Association ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Peripheral T Cells ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing

Abstract Understanding the mechanism that leads to immune dysfunction in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for the development of effective treatment. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we characterized the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from uninfected controls and COVID-19 patients and cells in paired broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We found a close association of decreased dendritic cells (DCs) and increased monocytes resembling myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which correlated with lymphopenia and inflammation in the blood of severe COVID-19 patients. Those MDSC-like monocytes were immune-paralyzed. In contrast, monocyte-macrophages in BALFs of COVID-19 patients produced massive amounts of cytokines and chemokines, but secreted little interferons. The frequencies of peripheral T cells and NK cells were significantly decreased in severe COVID-19 patients, especially for innate-like T and various CD8+ T cell subsets, compared to healthy controls. In contrast, the proportions of various activated CD4+ T cell subsets among the T cell compartment, including Th1, Th2, and Th17-like cells were increased and more clonally expanded in severe COVID-19 patients. Patients’ peripheral T cells showed no sign of exhaustion or augmented cell death, whereas T cells in BALFs produced higher levels of IFNG, TNF, CCL4, CCL5, etc. Paired TCR tracking indicated abundant recruitment of peripheral T cells to the severe patients’ lung. Together, this study comprehensively depicts how the immune cell landscape is perturbed in severe COVID-19.

Integrative single cell RNA-sequencing descrambles a substantial divergence of adaptive immune cell identities and transcriptional programs in mouse and human atherosclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Horstmann ◽  
N Anto Michel ◽  
X S Sheng ◽  
S Hansen ◽  
A Lindau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Cell Repertoire ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing ◽  
Human Atherosclerosis ◽  
Human Immune

Abstract Aims The distinct function of immune cells in human atherosclerosis has been mostly defined by preclinical mouse studies. Contrastingly, the immune cell composition of human atherosclerotic plaques and their contribution to disease progression is only poorly understood. It remains uncertain whether genetic animal models allow for valuable translational approaches. Methods and results We performed single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) to define the immune cell landscape in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The human immune cell repertoire was dominated by T cells with a considerable inter-patient variability and an unexpected heterogeneity. We performed bioinformatical integration with 7 mouse data sets and discovered a total of 38 cellular identities, of which some were not conserved between species and exclusively found in mice or humans. Locations, frequencies, and transcriptional programs of immune cells in preclinical mouse models did not resemble the immune cell landscape in human atherosclerosis. In contrast to mice, human plaques were not myeloid- and B cell-dominated and instead contained several T cell phenotypes with hallmarks of T cell memory, dysregulation, exhaustion, and activation. Human immune cells were predominantly enriched for transcriptional programs of hypoxia, glucose, and autoimmunity. In a validation cohort of 43 patients activated immune cell subsets defined by multi-colour flow cytometry associated with cerebral ischemia and coronary artery disease. Conclusion Here, we uncover yet undefined immune cell types associating with clinical disease. This leukocyte atlas of human atherosclerosis builds the conceptual basis for subsequent identification of cellular targets for clinical immunomodulatory therapies and risk prediction. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): ERC Starting Grant

scholarly journals Molecular determinants and heterogeneity of tissue-resident memory CD8+ T lymphocytes revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia S. Kurd ◽  
Zhaoren He ◽  
J. Justin Milner ◽  
Kyla D. Omilusik ◽  
Tiani L. Louis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Gene Expression Patterns ◽  
Microbial Infection ◽  
Molecular Determinants ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing

AbstractDuring an immune response to microbial infection, CD8+ T cells give rise to distinct classes of cellular progeny that coordinately mediate clearance of the pathogen and provide long-lasting protection against reinfection, including a subset of non-circulating tissue-resident memory (TRM) cells that mediate potent protection within non-lymphoid tissues. Here, we utilized single-cell RNA-sequencing to examine the gene expression patterns of individual CD8+ T cells in the spleen and small intestine intraepithelial lymphocyte (siIEL) compartment throughout the course of their differentiation in response to viral infection. These analyses revealed previously unknown transcriptional heterogeneity within the siIEL CD8+ T cell population at several states of differentiation, representing functionally distinct TRM cell subsets as well as a subset of TRM cell precursors within the tissue early in infection. Taken together, these findings may inform strategies to optimize CD8+ T cell responses to protect against microbial infection and cancer.One sentence summaryHere, we applied single-cell RNA-sequencing to elucidate the gene expression patterns of individual CD8+ T cells differentiating throughout the course of infection in the spleen and small intestinal epithelium, which revealed previously unidentified molecular determinants of tissue-resident T cell differentiation as well as functional heterogeneity within the tissue-resident CD8+ T cell population.

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