RNAseq analysis of CD4+EGFP+ and CD8+EGFP+ regulatory T cells

Gene-edited rats were generated in which EGFP was placed under the transcriptional control of the Foxp3 promoter. EGFP expression by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells allowed to define regulatory T cells (Treg) in both T cell compartments. This Foxp3-EGFP rats constitute a useful model to identify CD4+ and CD8+ natural and induced Treg. Transcriptomic analyses showed similarities but also differences among CD4+ and CD8+ EGFP+ cells, this being the first description of the transcriptomic profile in natural FOXP3+ CD8+ Treg.本研究构建了将增强型绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）置于Foxp3启动子转录调控下的基因编辑大鼠。通过检测CD4阳性与CD8阳性T细胞的EGFP表达水平，可在两类T细胞群体中精准界定调节性T细胞（Treg）。该Foxp3-EGFP基因编辑大鼠可作为有效模型，用于鉴定CD4阳性及CD8阳性的天然与诱导型调节性T细胞。转录组分析结果显示，CD4阳性与CD8阳性EGFP阳性细胞之间既存在相似性，也存在显著差异；本研究首次报道了天然FOXP3阳性CD8阳性调节性T细胞的转录组谱特征。