Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of scallop hemocytes

Bivalve blood cells, known as hemocytes, have the crucial functions of immune defense and tissue regeneration. However, various fundamental information of bivalve hemocytes remains obscure such as cell type classification, cell differentiation process. Hence, this project aimed to classify the cell type of bivalve hemocytes in Yesso scallop by using single-cell RNA-seq analysis. In the experiment, the singular hemocyte cell suspension was prepared from Yesso scallop (n=3) and immediately subjected for library preparation with C1 single-cell system (FLUIDIGM). The cDNA library was sequenced (Illumina NovaSeq6000) and applied for data analysis. These results provide a unified classification of scallop hemocytes, which improves the understanding of bivalve hemocyte functions.

双壳类软体动物的血细胞（hemocytes）具备免疫防御与组织再生的核心生理功能。然而，目前这类血细胞的诸多基础研究信息仍不明晰，例如细胞类型分类、细胞分化进程等。鉴于此，本研究采用单细胞RNA测序（single-cell RNA-seq）分析技术，针对虾夷扇贝的血细胞开展细胞类型分类研究。本实验中，研究人员从3只虾夷扇贝（n=3）中制备得到单一血细胞悬液，并即刻采用C1单细胞系统（FLUIDIGM）完成文库构建。所得cDNA文库经Illumina NovaSeq6000测序平台完成测序，随后用于后续数据分析。本研究结果实现了扇贝血细胞的统一分型，有助于深化对双壳类软体动物血细胞功能的认知。