Project description:We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing to create a cell census of the human thymus during development, early childhood and adult life. We sampled 15 embryonic and fetal thymi spanning thymic developmental stages between 7 post-conception weeks (PCW) to 17 PCW, and 9 postnatal thymi from paediatric and adult samples. We compared the cellular composition and T cell differentiation within human and mouse thymus using newly generated and repository mouse datasets. Finally, we investigated the bias in the recombination and selection of human versus mouse TCR repertoires.
Project description:The thymus provides a nurturing environment for the differentiation and selection of T cells, a process orchestrated by their interaction with multiple thymic cell types. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to create a cell census of the human thymus across the life span and to reconstruct T cell differentiation trajectories and T cell receptor (TCR) recombination kinetics. Using this approach, we identified and located in situ CD8αα+ T cell populations, thymic fibroblast subtypes, and activated dendritic cell states. In addition, we reveal a bias in TCR recombination and selection, which is attributed to genomic position and the kinetics of lineage commitment. Taken together, our data provide a comprehensive atlas of the human thymus across the life span with new insights into human T cell development.
Project description:We report that a large percentage of thymic B cells undergo class switching intrathymically. Thymic B cell class switching requires cognate T-B interaction. To determine whether B cell specificity was also important for thymic B cell class-switching, we sorted class-switched thymic B cells (CD19+B220+IgM-IgD-), unswitched B cells (CD19+B220+IgM+IgD+) and bulk splenic B cells in 3H9 heavy chain-fixed mice and performed high throughput sequencing analysis of the light chain of these populations. Results of this analysis indicated that class-switched thymic B cells have a distinct repertoire compared with unswitched thymic B cells and splenic B cells. Further reactivity tests indicated that a large part of BCRs enriched in class-switched thymic B cells are autoreactive. These data suggest that autoreactive B cells are selected into class-switched population and expanded in the thymus. Light chain repertoire profiles of class-switched thymic B cells, unswithced thymic B cells and splenic B cells from 3H9 mice were generated by deep sequencing.
Project description:We report that a large percentage of thymic B cells undergo class switching intrathymically. Thymic B cell class switching requires cognate T-B interaction. To determine whether B cell specificity was also important for thymic B cell class-switching, we sorted class-switched thymic B cells (CD19+B220+IgM-IgD-), unswitched B cells (CD19+B220+IgM+IgD+) and bulk splenic B cells in 3H9 heavy chain-fixed mice and performed high throughput sequencing analysis of the light chain of these populations. Results of this analysis indicated that class-switched thymic B cells have a distinct repertoire compared with unswitched thymic B cells and splenic B cells. Further reactivity tests indicated that a large part of BCRs enriched in class-switched thymic B cells are autoreactive. These data suggest that autoreactive B cells are selected into class-switched population and expanded in the thymus.
Project description:To illustrate the immune cell atlas and functional heterogeneity of T cell repertoire in murine heart transplantation,we established the murine heterotopic heart transplantation model and isolated CD45 positive cells from cardiac grafts and spleens for single cell transcriptome and TCR sequencing.
Project description:To investigate the impact of Influenza A virus (IAV) infection on thymic development of mouse regulatory T cells (Tregs) and conventional T cells (Tconv), the TCR repertoire of thymic Tregs and Tconv of IAV-infected and control mice was analyzed.