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. Overall design: CD4+ and CD8+ Treg were defined by their cell surface markers (CD25high and CD127low) and (CD45RClow/-), respectively and EGFP was then used as a marker of Treg to define populations of EGFP+ and EGFP- cells within each of the Treg subsets. RNAseq analysis of this 4 populations of cells was performed.