Defining heterogeneity and biological signature in human effector memory CD8+ T cells expressing different levels of IL-7 receptor alpha by high-dimensional analysis

FACS-purified human effector memory (EM) CD8+ T cells were analyzed for single cell gene expression profile using single cell RNA-seq. The relationship of IL-7 receptor alpha expression with other molecules was determined at the single cell level. The results showed heterogeneity in human EM CD8+ T cells as defined by IL-7Ra expression that has distinct but organized relationships with a set of molecules, including effector molecules, chemokine receptors, and transcription factors. Overall design: Effector memory (EM) CD8+ T cells were FACS-sorted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a healthy adult donor. Purified cells were analyzed using single cell RNA-seq.