Smart RNA Sequencing of hepatic Regulatory T Cells from mice with autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterized by progressive liver inflammation, often associated with the dysfunction of regulatory T (Treg) cells within the liver microenvironment. To investigate the potential role of Treg dysregulation in AIH progression, we established an AIH mouse model and utilized Foxp3-GFP reporter mice to isolate liver-resident Treg cells through flow cytometric sorting. Subsequently, we performed Smart RNA sequencing to comprehensively profile the transcriptomic landscape of these cells. Our analysis provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying Treg dysfunction in AIH and offers potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Overall design: To explore the involvement of Treg cells in the progression of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), we developed a murine AIH model using well-established protocols. Foxp3-GFP reporter mice were employed to enable the precise identification and sorting of liver-resident Treg cells via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Sorted Treg cells were subjected to Smart RNA sequencing, a method optimized for low-input RNA samples, to obtain high-resolution transcriptomic data. This approach facilitated the identification of key genes, pathways, and molecular signatures associated with Treg dysfunction in the context of AIH.