Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the heterogeneity of IL-10 producing regulatory B cells in lupus-prone mice

B cells have both pathogenic and protective roles in autoimmune disease, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Deficiencies in the number or immunosuppressive function of IL-10 producing regulatory B cells (Bregs) can cause exacerbated autoimmune inflammation. However, the exact role of Bregs in lupus pathogenesis has not been elucidated. We carried out gene expression by scRNA-seq to characterize differences in splenic Breg subsets and molecular profiles through stages of disease progression in lupus-prone mice. Splenic CD19+ IL-10 producing B cells (Bregs) were isolated from female MRL/lpr mice at the pre-disease (6-8 weeks) and active-disease (10-12 weeks) stages and analyzed by scRNA-seq

B细胞在包括系统性红斑狼疮（Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE）在内的自身免疫性疾病中，兼具致病与保护双重功能。产生白细胞介素10（interleukin 10, IL-10）的调节性B细胞（regulatory B cells, Bregs）的数量不足或免疫抑制功能缺陷，可导致自身免疫性炎症加剧。然而，调节性B细胞在狼疮发病机制中的确切作用尚未阐明。为表征狼疮易感小鼠疾病进展不同阶段脾脏内调节性B细胞亚群的差异及其分子特征，本研究采用单细胞RNA测序（single-cell RNA sequencing, scRNA-seq）技术分析基因表达谱。具体而言，研究人员从处于疾病前期（6~8周）与疾病活动期（10~12周）的雌性MRL/lpr小鼠体内分离脾脏CD19+ 白细胞介素10阳性B细胞（即调节性B细胞，Bregs），并通过单细胞RNA测序完成后续分析。