Project description:Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a cornerstone of immune regulation. Recent evidence indicates that human Treg show plasticity in specific settings. A subpopulation of Treg expressing CD161, a marker associated with T helper (Th)17 cells, have T effector -like characteristics and are enriched at sites of autoimmune inflammation. Here we used RNAseq to confirm the effector-like signature of CD161+ Treg and demonstrated a shared transcriptional signature between CD161+ Treg and CD161+ conventional T cells (Tconv). Pathway analysis suggested that CD161+ T cells have a migratory phenotype, expressing high levels of CCR9 and integrin α4β7, markers associated with gut homing. In response to all-trans retinoic acid, CD161+ T cells expressed higher levels of CCR9 and integrin α4β7 than CD161- T cells. Our data suggest that blood CD161+ T cells may have adopted gut homing properties upon retinoic acid exposure. In contrast to their peripheral counterparts, CD161+ T cells from the site of autoimmune arthritis have a diminished gut homing phenotype and blunted response to retinoic acid. In health, the TCRβ repertoires of CD161+ and CD161- T cells showed limited overlap whereas there is clear overlap in T cell clones from synovial fluid of autoimmune arthritis patients. We therefore propose that CD161+ and CD161- T cells are largely distinct populations in the healthy immune system but that the inflamed site creates an environment where CD161 levels in T cells can be altered, potentially contributing to disease pathogenesis.
Project description:Human T-cells that express CXCR5 and/or CCR6 provide help to naive B-cells for IgG production. To understand the molecular pathways that are shared or unique to individual B helper T-cell subsets in human peripheral blood, CD4+IL-7R+CD25-/lo helper T-cells were purified according to the expression of CXCR5, CCR6, CXCR3, CD161 and CCR5 as follows: 1) TFH17(CD161-): CXCR5+CXCR6+CXCR3-CD161- 2) Th17: CXCR5-CCR6+CXCR3-, CD161+ or CCR5+ 3) CCR6”SP”: CXCR5-CCR6+CXCR3-CD161-CCR5- RNA-seq was performed with FACS-purified T-cell subsets from 3 healthy individuals.
Project description:Memory stem CD8 T cells (TSCM) are a long-lived T cell subset displaying stem cell-like properties, which play a significant role in anti-viral defense and exhibit a gene expression profile between naïve and central memory T cells. Yet, comprehensive transcriptional profiling of antigen-specific CD8 TSCM cells at the single cell level has not previously been undertaken. In this analysis, we utilized an in vitro single cell colony expansion protocol to study human CD8 T cell clones specific for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) epitopes - phenotypically, functionally, and in transcriptomes. We characterized clonal lineages from 3 donors by single cell sorting dextramer positive CD8 T cells of varied effector and memory surface phenotypes, all recognizing one of two HLA restricted CMV epitopes. Phenotypic and functional characterization of clonal lineages derived from antigen-specific TSCM revealed differentiated memory and effector subsets (TCM, TEM, TEFF) as well as TSCM, with the latter subset featuring multi-potentiality and multi-cytokine production. Studying TSCM-derived progeny of these varied differentiation phenotypes in single cell transcriptomic analysis revealed strong progenitor-to-progeny effects, whereby daughter cells from a shared progenitor clustered closely regardless of progeny differentiation phenotype, suggesting a dominant impact associated with heritable genes. The TSCM-derived TSCM-progeny revealed distinct transcriptomic profiles featuring expression of both recognized early differentiation memory T cell genes, such as IL7R, CCR7, SELL and CD27; as well as several novel genes which were shared across subjects and epitopes. The transcriptional features of clonal lineages are strongly dependent on the progenitor cell, but TSCM have an additional transcriptomic signature likely underpinning the unique differentiation and functional characteristics. These findings have important implications for identification of long-lived and multi-potent CD8 T cells for immunotherapy and immunization against viral infections.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE33374: Expression data from healthy human CD161++CD8aa and CD161++CD8ab T cells GSE33424: Expression data from human cord blood CD161++/CD161+/CD161- CD8+ T cell subsets Refer to individual Series
Project description:Functionality of the accessory gene regulator (agr) quorum sensing system is an important switch promoting either acute or chronic infections, mediated by the notorious opportunistic human and veterinary pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Spontaneous alterations of the agr system are known to frequently occur in human healthcare-associated S. aureus lineages. However, data on agr integrity and function are sparse regarding other major lineages. Here we report on the agr system functionality and activity level in mecC-carrying methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) of various animal origins (n=33) in Europe together with closely related isolates of human patients (n=12). Whole genome analysis assigned all isolates to four clonal complexes (CC) with distinct agr types (CC599 agr I, CC49 agr II, CC130 agr III and CC1943 agr IV). Different levels of agr functionality were detected by use of different phenotype assays and proteomics for isolates of each CC, including completely non-functional variants. Genomic comparison of the agr I-IV encoding regions revealed that variants of AgrA and AgrC were associated with these phenotype changes, especially among the isolates of pet- and wild animal origin. Since a role in adaptation is most likely when genomic changes occur independently in divergent lineages, agr variation might foster viability and niche adjustment capacities of rare MRSA lineages.
Project description:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by functional intratumor heterogeneity that shares many similarites with the hierarchical organization of the normal intestinal epithelium. In order to relate transcriptional subtypes to functional tumor cell heterogeneity we applied scRNA-seq to 12 patient-derived CRC spheroid cultures. We identified shared expression programs that relate to intestinal lineages and revealed metabolic signatures that are linked to cancer cell differentiation. In addition, we validated and complemented sequencing results by quantitative microscopy using live-dyes and multiplexed RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, thereby revealing metabolic compartmentalization and potential cell-cell interactions. FInally, we demonstrate functional differences between metabolically distinct lineage subtypes that might have strong implications for future treatment strategies of CRC.