Dataset Information

Single Cell Immunophenotyping of Lyme Erythema Migrans [Single-Cell BCR Repertoire Sequencing]

ABSTRACT: Erythema migrans (EM) is a skin lesion caused by the spirochete B. burgdorferi (Bb) and is a hallmark initial sign of Lyme disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that T cells and innate immune cells mediate local inflammatory cytokine production that promote the reaction. Despite the established importance of B cells and antibodies in preventing Bb infection and resolving disease, the role of B cells in the skin immune response to Bb is incompletely defined. In this study, we characterized the immunophenotype of EM lesions and used single cell RNA-Seq to investigate B cell receptor (BCR) and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires in the EM skin lesions and peripheral blood of patients with Lyme disease. We hypothesized that B cells from the circulation, potentially primed by exposure to Bb antigens in regional draining lymph nodes, are recruited into EM lesions and play an active role in the local response to infection. We found that B cells are more abundant in the EM lesion in comparison to autologous uninvolved skin and possess distinct characteristics, including abundant expression of MHCII genes and preferential IgM isotype usage. A subset exhibited low levels of somatic hypermutation despite a gene expression profile more consistent with memory than naïve B cell subsets. Moreover, infiltrating B cells were clonally expanded and a large fraction could be directly traced to circulating relatives. By leveraging single cell gene expression with paired BCR and TCR repertoire sequencing, we demonstrate, for the first time, that B cells are recruited to the skin infection site in early Lyme disease and express a phenotype suggesting that they could play a role in local antigen presentation and antibody production.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE169437 | GEO | 2021/06/07

REPOSITORIES: GEO

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Chemokines and cytokines are key signaling molecules that orchestrate the trafficking of immune cells, direct them to sites of tissue injury and inflammation and modulate their states of activation and effector cell function. We have measured, using a multiplex-based approach, the levels of 58 immune mediators and 7 acute phase markers in sera derived from of a cohort of patients diagnosed with acute Lyme disease and matched controls. This analysis identified a cytokine signature associated with the early stages of infection and allowed us to identify two subsets (mediator-high and mediator-low) of acute Lyme patients with distinct cytokine signatures that also differed significantly (p<0.0005) in symptom presentation. In particular, the T cell chemokines CXCL9 (MIG), CXCL10 (IP-10) and CCL19 (MIP3B) were coordinately increased in the mediator-high group and levels of these chemokines could be associated with seroconversion status and elevated liver function tests (p=0.027 and p=0.021 respectively). There was also upregulation of acute phase proteins including CRP and serum amyloid A. Consistent with the role of CXCL9/CXCL10 in attracting immune cells to the site of infection, CXCR3+ CD4 T cells are reduced in the blood of early acute Lyme disease (p=0.01) and the decrease correlates with chemokine levels (p=0.0375). The levels of CXCL9/10 did not relate to the size or number of skin lesions but elevated levels of serum CXCL9/CXCL10 were associated with elevated liver enzymes levels. Collectively these results indicate that the levels of serum chemokines and the levels of expression of their respective chemokine receptors on T cell subsets may prove to be informative biomarkers for Lyme disease and related to specific disease manifestations. A total of 65 immune and inflammatory mediators were profiled in serum samples derived from early Lyme disease patients and age- and sex-matched controls. These samples have been generated as part of a prospective cohort study that includes a well-defined cohort of patients with acute Lyme disease enrolled from a Lyme endemic area of the mid-Atlantic United States. Only patients with untreated, confirmed early Lyme disease manifesting an active EM skin lesion at the time of enrollment, as defined by CDC case criteria are eligible. Patients with a history of prior Lyme disease or the presence of confounding preexisting medical conditions associated with prolonged fatigue, pain or neurocognitive symptoms are excluded. Controls are nonhospitalized age- and sex-matched and have no prior history of Lyme disease or any exclusionary medical conditions including lack of inflammatory disorders.

Dataset Information

Single Cell Immunophenotyping of Lyme Erythema Migrans [Single-Cell BCR Repertoire Sequencing]

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure