single cell RNA sequencing reveals cellular heterogeneity of DLE and SLE

Lupus, a server and complex autoimmune disease, is clinically divided into cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) which featured in skin damage, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which characterized in systemic multi-organ damage. The distinction of these two types of lupus is widely unknown. Here, we collected 23 skin biopsies of healthy control(HC), DLE (discoid lupus erythematosus, a main type of CLE) and SLE, separated epidermis and dermis and performed single cell RNA sequencing through microfluidics based 10x genomics system. Our results demonstrated larger numbers of immune cells infiltrated in skin lesions of DLE than SLE, which may help to distinguish them. Then, non-immune cells such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts were showed functions like immune cells. Moreover, ISGs(interferon stimulated genes), HSP70 coding genes were found to be overexpressed in multi expanded subclusters. Some biological progresses such as autophagy and neutrophil activation were enriched in expanded subclusters. We collected totally 23 skin biopsies from 5 HC, 8 DLE patients and 10 SLE patients and separated epidermis and dermis. Finally, 14 epidermal single-cell suspensions (4 HC,5 DLE and 5 SLE) and 16 dermal single-cell suspensions (4 HC,5 DLE and 7 SLE) were successfully prepared for scRNA-seq by 10× genomics. ***Please note that raw data is not provided due to patient privacy concerns***