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. 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.

本研究采用单细胞RNA测序（single cell RNA-seq）技术，对经荧光激活细胞分选（Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting，FACS）纯化的人类效应记忆（effector memory, EM）CD8+ T细胞的单细胞基因表达谱展开分析。本研究在单细胞层面解析了白细胞介素7受体α（IL-7 receptor alpha, IL-7Rα）的表达与其他分子间的关联。研究结果显示，以IL-7Rα表达为特征的人类EM CD8+ T细胞存在异质性，该分子与效应分子、趋化因子受体及转录因子等一系列分子间具有独特且有序的关联。本研究从一名健康成年供者的外周血单个核细胞中通过FACS分选得到效应记忆CD8+ T细胞。随后采用单细胞RNA测序技术对纯化后的细胞进行分析。