Single-cell RNA-sequencing of CD34+ bone marrow cells from patients with SLE, healthy individuals and umbilical cord blood samples

All immune cells that contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) derive from adult haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) within the bone marrow (BM). We reasoned that the fundamental abnormalities in the disease can be traced back to HSPCs. The aim of this study was to delineate human haematopoietic CD34+ progenitor subpopulations and to identify deregulated pathways in each subpopulation in SLE as compared to healthy controls and umbilical cord blood samples. This study revealed both quantitative-as evidenced by decreased numbers of non-proliferating early progenitors and qualitative differences- characterized by an IFN signature, which is known to drive loss of function and depletion of HSPCs.EGA study EGAS00001007317