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Human regulatory T cells locally differentiate and are functionally heterogeneous within the inflamed arthritic joint.


ABSTRACT:

Objective

Tregs are crucial for immune regulation, and environment-driven adaptation of effector (e)Tregs is essential for local functioning. However, the extent of human Treg heterogeneity in inflammatory settings is unclear.

Methods

We combined single-cell RNA- and TCR-sequencing on Tregs derived from three to six patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to investigate the functional heterogeneity of human synovial fluid (SF)-derived Tregs from inflamed joints. Confirmation and suppressive function of the identified Treg clusters was assessed by flow cytometry.

Results

Four Treg clusters were identified; incoming, activated eTregs with either a dominant suppressive or cytotoxic profile, and GPR56+CD161+CXCL13+ Tregs. Pseudotime analysis showed differentiation towards either classical eTreg profiles or GPR56+CD161+CXCL13+ Tregs supported by TCR data. Despite its most differentiated phenotype, GPR56+CD161+CXCL13+ Tregs were shown to be suppressive. Furthermore, BATF was identified as an overarching eTreg regulator, with the novel Treg-associated regulon BHLHE40 driving differentiation towards GPR56+CD161+CXCL13+ Tregs, and JAZF1 towards classical eTregs.

Conclusion

Our study reveals a heterogeneous population of Tregs at the site of inflammation in JIA. SF Treg differentiate to a classical eTreg profile with a more dominant suppressive or cytotoxic profile that share a similar TCR repertoire, or towards GPR56+CD161+CXCL13+ Tregs with a more distinct TCR repertoire. Genes characterising GPR56+CD161+CXCL13+ Tregs were also mirrored in other T-cell subsets in both the tumor and the autoimmune setting. Finally, the identified key regulators driving SF Treg adaptation may be interesting targets for autoimmunity or tumor interventions.

SUBMITTER: Lutter L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9525321 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Human regulatory T cells locally differentiate and are functionally heterogeneous within the inflamed arthritic joint.

Lutter Lisanne L   van der Wal M Marlot MM   Brand Eelco C EC   Maschmeyer Patrick P   Vastert Sebastiaan S   Mashreghi Mir-Farzin MF   van Loosdregt Jorg J   van Wijk Femke F  

Clinical & translational immunology 20220930 10


<h4>Objective</h4>Tregs are crucial for immune regulation, and environment-driven adaptation of effector (e)Tregs is essential for local functioning. However, the extent of human Treg heterogeneity in inflammatory settings is unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>We combined single-cell RNA- and TCR-sequencing on Tregs derived from three to six patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to investigate the functional heterogeneity of human synovial fluid (SF)-derived Tregs from inflamed joints. Confirma  ...[more]

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