Exploring the dendritic cell subset regulating naïve CD8 T cell homeostasis

The maintenance of naïve CD8 T cells within lymphoid organs is a finely tuned process involving multiple factors provided by stromal cells and antigen-presenting cells, particularly dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we employed Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by sequencing (CITE-Seq) to comprehensively profile dendritic cell subsets and their potential roles in supporting naïve CD8 T cell homeostasis. By integrating transcriptomic and surface protein expression data, we identified distinct dendritic cell populations with specialized gene expression signatures and immunological features. These findings provide novel insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing CD8 T cell maintenance, with implications for immune regulation and potential therapeutic strategies. Overall design: Peripheral lymph nodes (pLNs; comprising axillary, brachial, inguinal, and submandibular lymph nodes) from 16-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were harvested and utilized for DC isolation by collagenase D digestion. Cells were depleted with T and B cells, and CD11c+I-A/I-E+ cells were sorted for the staining of CITE-Seq antibodies (ADTs) by following the TotalSeq protocol (BioLegend).