Single-cell T cell receptor sequencing of paired human atherosclerotic plaques and blood reveals autoimmune-like features of expanded effector T cells.

ABSTRACT: Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease; however, whether it can be classified as an autoimmune disease remains unclear. In this study, we applied single-cell T cell receptor seqencing (scTCR-seq) on human carotid artery plaques and matched peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples to assess the extent of TCR clonality and antigen-specific activation within the various T cell subsets. We observed the highest degree of plaque-specific clonal expansion in effector CD4⁺ T cells, and these clonally expanded T cells expressed genes such as CD69, FOS and FOSB, indicative of recent TCR engagement, suggesting antigen-specific stimulation. CellChat analysis suggested multiple potential interactions of these effector CD4⁺ T cells with

SUBMITTER: Depuydt MAC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11041750 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature