Single-cell profiling identifies myeloid cell subsets with distinct fates during neuroinflammation

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 363 (6425) ◽  
pp. eaat7554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Joana Costa Jordão ◽  
Roman Sankowski ◽  
Stefanie M. Brendecke ◽  
Sagar ◽  
Giuseppe Locatelli ◽  
...  

The innate immune cell compartment is highly diverse in the healthy central nervous system (CNS), including parenchymal and non-parenchymal macrophages. However, this complexity is increased in inflammatory settings by the recruitment of circulating myeloid cells. It is unclear which disease-specific myeloid subsets exist and what their transcriptional profiles and dynamics during CNS pathology are. Combining deep single-cell transcriptome analysis, fate mapping, in vivo imaging, clonal analysis, and transgenic mouse lines, we comprehensively characterized unappreciated myeloid subsets in several CNS compartments during neuroinflammation. During inflammation, CNS macrophage subsets undergo self-renewal, and random proliferation shifts toward clonal expansion. Last, functional studies demonstrated that endogenous CNS tissue macrophages are redundant for antigen presentation. Our results highlight myeloid cell diversity and provide insights into the brain’s innate immune system.

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 263310552090853
Author(s):  
Boris V. Zemelman

Functional dissection of mammalian neuronal circuits depends on accurate targeting of constituent cell classes. Transgenic mice offer precise and predictable access to genetically defined cell populations, but there is the pressing need to target neuronal assemblies in species less amenable to genomic manipulations, such as the primate, which is an important animal model for human perception, cognition, and action. We have developed several virus-based methods for accessing all forebrain inhibitory interneurons as well as the major excitatory and inhibitory neuron subclasses. These methods rely on the wealth of emerging single-cell transcriptome data and harness gene expression variations to refine neuron targeting. Our approach enables nuanced functional studies, including in vivo imaging and manipulation, of the diverse cell populations of the mammalian neocortex, and it represents a timely blueprint for transgenics-independent interrogation of functionally significant cell classes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joern Pezoldt ◽  
Carolin Wiechers ◽  
Florian Erhard ◽  
Ulfert Rand ◽  
Tanja Bulat ◽  
...  

AbstractOur understanding of the composition and functions of splenic stromal cells remains incomplete. Here, based on analysis of over 20,000 single cell transcriptomes of splenic fibroblasts, we characterized the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of these cells in healthy state and during virus infection. We describe eleven transcriptionally distinct fibroblastic cell clusters, reassuring known subsets and revealing yet unascertained heterogeneity amongst fibroblasts occupying diverse splenic niches. We further identify striking differences in innate immune signatures of distinct stromal compartments in vivo. Compared to other fibroblasts and to endothelial cells, Ly6C+ fibroblasts of the red pulp were selectively endowed with enhanced interferon-stimulated gene expression in homeostasis, upon systemic interferon stimulation and during virus infection in vivo. Collectively, we provide an updated map of fibroblastic cell diversity in the spleen that suggests a specialized innate immune function for splenic red pulp fibroblasts.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik Salmen ◽  
Joachim De Jonghe ◽  
Tomasz S. Kaminski ◽  
Anna Alemany ◽  
Guillermo Parada ◽  
...  

In recent years, single-cell transcriptome sequencing has revolutionized biology, allowing for the unbiased characterization of cellular subpopulations. However, most methods amplify the termini of polyadenylated transcripts capturing only a small fraction of the total cellular transcriptome. This precludes the detection of many long non-coding, short non-coding and non-polyadenylated protein-coding transcripts. Additionally, most workflows do not sequence the full transcript hindering the analysis of alternative splicing. We therefore developed VASA- seq to detect the total transcriptome in single cells. VASA-seq is compatible with both plate- based formats and droplet microfluidics. We applied VASA-seq to over 30,000 single cells in the developing mouse embryo during gastrulation and early organogenesis. The dynamics of the total single-cell transcriptome result in the discovery of novel cell type markers many based on non-coding RNA, an in vivo cell cycle analysis and an improved RNA velocity characterization. Moreover, it provides the first comprehensive analysis of alternative splicing during mammalian development.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A Hensel ◽  
Sarah-Anne E Nicholas ◽  
Evan R Jellison ◽  
Amy L Kimble ◽  
Antoine Menoret ◽  
...  

NFkB mediated endothelial activation drives leukocyte recruitment and atherosclerosis, in part through upregulation of adhesion molecules Icam1 and Vcam. The endothelium is primed for cytokine activation of NFkB by exposure to low and disturbed blood flow (LDF) in vivo and by LDF or static conditions in cultured cells. While priming leads to an exaggerated expression of Icam1 and Vcam following cytokine stimulation, the molecular underpinnings are not fully understood. We showed that alternative splicing of genes regulating NFkB signaling occurs during priming, but the functional implications of this are not known. We hypothesize that the regulation of splicing by RNA-binding splice factors is critical for priming. Here, we perform a CRISPR screen in cultured aortic endothelial cells to determine whether splice factors active in the response to LDF participate in endothelial cell priming. Using Icam1 and Vcam induction by TNFalpha stimulation as a marker of priming, we identify polypyrimidine tract binding protein (Ptbp1) as a required splice factor. Ptbp1 expression is increased and its motifs are enriched nearby alternatively spliced exons in endothelial cells exposed to LDF in vivo in a platelet dependent manner, indicating its induction by early innate immune cell recruitment. At a mechanistic level, deletion of Ptbp1 inhibited NFkB nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation. These changes coincided with altered splicing of key components of the NFkB signaling pathway that were similarly altered in the LDF response. However, these splicing and transcriptional changes could be restored by expression of human PTBP1 cDNA in Ptbp1 deleted cells. In vivo, endothelial specific deletion of Ptbp1 reduced myeloid cell infiltration at regions of LDF in atherosclerotic mice. In human coronary arteries, PTBP1 expression correlates with expression of TNF pathway genes and amount of plaque. Together, our data suggest that Ptbp1, which is activated in the endothelium by innate immune cell recruitment in regions of LDF, is required for priming of the endothelium for subsequent NFkB activation and myeloid cell recruitment in vascular inflammation.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thorsten Boroviak ◽  
Giuliano G Stirparo ◽  
Sabine Dietmann ◽  
Irene Hernando-Herraez ◽  
Hisham Mohammed ◽  
...  

AbstractThe mouse embryo is the canonical model for mammalian preimplantation development. Recent advances in single-cell profiling allow detailed analysis of embryogenesis in other eutherian species, including human, to distinguish conserved from divergent regulatory programs and signalling pathways in the rodent paradigm. Here, we identify and compare transcriptional features of human, marmoset and mouse embryos by single-cell RNA-seq. Zygotic genome activation correlates with the presence of Polycomb Repressive Complexes in all three species, while ribosome biogenesis emerges as a predominant attribute in primate embryos, supporting prolonged translation of maternally deposited RNAs. We find that transposable element expression signatures are species-, stage- and lineage-specific. The pluripotency network in the primate epiblast lacks certain regulators operative in mouse, but encompasses WNT components and genes associated with trophoblast specification. Sequential activation of GATA6, SOX17 and GATA4 markers of primitive endoderm identity is conserved in primates. Unexpectedly, OTX2 is also associated with primitive endoderm specification in human and nonhuman primate blastocysts. Our cross-species analysis demarcates both conserved and primate-specific features of preimplantation development and underscores the molecular adaptability of early mammalian embryogenesis.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianwei Liu ◽  
Na Pan ◽  
Le Sun ◽  
Mengdi Wang ◽  
Junjing Zhang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTVision formation is classically based on projections from the retinal ganglion cells (RGC) to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the primary visual cortex (V1). Although the cellular information of the retina and the LGN has been widely studied, the transcriptome profiles of single neurons with specific functions in V1 still remain unknown. Some neurons in mouse V1 are tuned to light stimulus. To determine the molecular properties of light-stimulated neurons in layer 2/3 of V1, we developed a method of functional in vivo single-cell transcriptome (FIST) analysis that integrates sensory evoked calcium imaging, whole-cell electrophysiological patch-clamp recordings, single-cell mRNA sequencing and three-dimensional morphological characterization in a live mouse, based on a two-photon microscope system. In our study, 58 individual cells from layer 2/3 of V1 were identified as either light-sensitive (LS) or non-light-sensitive (NS) by single-cell light-evoked calcium evaluation and action potential spiking. The contents of every single cell after individual functional tests were aspirated through the patch-clamp pipette for mRNA sequencing. Furthermore, the three-dimensional (3-D) morphological characterizations of the neurons were reconstructed in the live mouse after the whole-cell recordings. Our sequencing results indicated that V1 neurons with high expression of genes related to transmission regulation, such as Rtn4r, Nr4a1, and genes involved in membrane transport, such as Na+/K+ ATPase, NMDA-type glutamatergic receptor, preferentially respond to light stimulation. Our findings demonstrate the ability of FIST analysis to characterize the functional, morphological and transcriptomic properties of a single cell in alive animal, thereby providing precise neuronal information and predicting its network contribution in the brain.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leilei Zhong ◽  
Lutian Yao ◽  
Robert J. Tower ◽  
Yulong Wei ◽  
Zhen Miao ◽  
...  

AbstractBone marrow mesenchymal lineage cells are a heterogeneous cell population involved in bone homeostasis and diseases such as osteoporosis. While it is long postulated that they originate from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the true identity of MSCs and their in vivo bifurcated differentiation routes into osteoblasts and adipocytes remain poorly understood. Here, by employing single cell transcriptome analysis, we identified MSCs and delineated their bi-lineage differentiation paths in young, adult and aging mice. Among several newly discovered mesenchymal subpopulations, one is a distinct population of adipose-lineage cells that we named marrow environment regulating adipose cells (MERAs). MERAs are non-proliferative, post-progenitor cells that express many mature adipocyte markers but are devoid of lipid droplets. They are abundant in the bone marrow of young mice, acting as pericytes and stromal cells that form numerous connections among themselves and with other cells inside bone, including endothelial cells. Genetic ablation of MERAs disrupts marrow vessel structure, promotes de novo bone formation. Taken together, MERAs represent a unique population of adipose lineage cells that exist only in the bone marrow with critical roles in regulating bone and vessel homeostasis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i11-i12
Author(s):  
Andrew Donson ◽  
Kent Riemondy ◽  
Sujatha Venkataraman ◽  
Nicholas Willard ◽  
Anandani Nellan ◽  
...  

Abstract Medulloblastoma (MB) is a heterogeneous disease in which neoplastic cells and associated immune cells contribute to disease progression. To better understand cellular heterogeneity in MB we used single-cell RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry and deconvolution of transcriptomic data to profile neoplastic and immune populations in childhood MB samples and MB genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM). Neoplastic cells clustered primarily according to individual sample of origin which is in part due to the effect of chromosomal copy number gains and losses. Harmony alignment of single cell transcriptomic data revealed novel MB subgroup/subtype-associated subpopulations that recapitulate neurodevelopmental processes and are associated with clinical outcomes. This includes photoreceptor-like cells and glutamatergic lineage unipolar brush cells in both GP3 and GP4 subgroups of MB, and a SHH subgroup nodule-associated neuronally-differentiated cell subpopulation. We definitively chart the spectrum of MB immune cell infiltrates, which reveals unexpected degree of myeloid cell diversity. Myeloid subpopulations include subgroup/subtype-associated developmentally-related neuron-pruning as well as antigen presenting myeloid cells. Human MB cellular diversity is recapitulated in subgroup-specific MB GEMM, supporting the fidelity of these models. These findings provide a clearer understanding of both the neoplastic and immune cell heterogeneity in MB and how these impact subgroup/subtype classification and clinical outcome.


Author(s):  
Lei Han ◽  
Xiaoyu Wei ◽  
Chuanyu Liu ◽  
Giacomo Volpe ◽  
Zhifeng Wang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTStopping COVID-19 is a priority worldwide. Understanding which cell types are targeted by SARS-CoV-2 virus, whether interspecies differences exist, and how variations in cell state influence viral entry is fundamental for accelerating therapeutic and preventative approaches. In this endeavor, we profiled the transcriptome of nine tissues from a Macaca fascicularis monkey at single-cell resolution. The distribution of SARS-CoV-2 facilitators, ACE2 and TMRPSS2, in different cell subtypes showed substantial heterogeneity across lung, kidney, and liver. Through co-expression analysis, we identified immunomodulatory proteins such as IDO2 and ANPEP as potential SARS-CoV-2 targets responsible for immune cell exhaustion. Furthermore, single-cell chromatin accessibility analysis of the kidney unveiled a plausible link between IL6-mediated innate immune responses aiming to protect tissue and enhanced ACE2 expression that could promote viral entry. Our work constitutes a unique resource for understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of two phylogenetically close species, which might guide in the development of therapeutic approaches in humans.Bullet pointsWe generated a single-cell transcriptome atlas of 9 monkey tissues to study COVID-19.ACE2+TMPRSS2+ epithelial cells of lung, kidney and liver are targets for SARS-CoV-2.ACE2 correlation analysis shows IDO2 and ANPEP as potential therapeutic opportunities.We unveil a link between IL6, STAT transcription factors and boosted SARS-CoV-2 entry.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Soubéran ◽  
Sophie Brustlein ◽  
Caroline Gouarné ◽  
Lionel Chasson ◽  
Aurélie Tchoghandjian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Targeting angiogenesis has been and continues to be an attractive therapeutic modality in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. However, GBM rapidly becomes refractory to anti-VEGF therapies. Myeloid cell infiltration is an important determinant of tumor progression. Given that VEGF is a modulator of the innate immune response we sought to analyze the dynamics of this response in a mouse model of GBM undergoing anti-VEGF therapy. Methods We grafted GL261-DsRed cells in transgenic Thy1-CFP//LysM-EGFP//CD11c-EYFP reporter mice. We combined recurrent spectral two-photon imaging with multiparametric cytometry, immunostaining, and brain clearing to characterize at two critical stages of tumor development (day 21 and day 28 after tumor grafting) the nature and spatial distribution of the innate response in control and bevacizumab-treated mice. Results We report that at an early stage (21 day), VEGF blockade has a detectable effect on the number of microglial cells but only a mild effect on the number of infiltrating myeloid cells. At a later stage (day 28), the treatment resulted in a specific adjustment of dendritic cell subsets. In treated mice, the number of monocytes and their monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC) progeny was increased by approximately twofold compared to untreated mice. In agreement, by in vivo quantitative imaging, we observed that treatment increased the number of LysM-EGFP cells traveling in tumor blood vessels and doubled the densities of both infiltrated LysM-EGFP monocytes and double-labeled EGFP/EYFP moDC. The treatment also led to an increased density of conventional cDCs2 subset together with a decrease of cDCs1 subset, necessary for the development of anti-tumor immunity. Finally, we describe differential spatial cell distributions and two immune cell-traveling routes into the brain. LysM-EGFP cells distributed as a gradient from the meninges towards the tumor whereas CD11c-EYFP/MHCII+ cells were located in the basal area of the tumor. Brain clearing also revealed a flow of CD11c-EYFP cells following the corpus callosum. Conclusion We uncovered new features in the dynamics of innate immune cells in GBM-bearing mice and deciphered precisely the key populations, i.e., DC subsets controlling immune responses, that are affected by VEGF blockade. Since despite differences, human pathogenesis presents similarities with our mouse model, the data provide new insights into the effect of bevacizumab at the cellular level.


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