Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility. Gene expression was measured in whole testis from males aged 62-86 days. Samples include 190 first generation lab-bred male offspring of wild-caught mice from the Mus musculus musculus - M. m. domesticus hybrid zone.
Project description:The lymph node is home to resident macrophage populations that are essential for healthy immune function and homeostasis. They are involved in multiple processes including the initiation of the local response to pathogens, halting viral and bacterial spread, and clearance of apoptotic cells, but the macrophage niche and factors that create it are largely undefined. Here we analyse fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) as an essential component of the lymph node macrophage niche using single-cell RNA-sequencing. Our analysis revealed that most reticular cell subsets within lymph nodes expressed master macrophage regulator CSF1. We further show that signalling through CSF1R was sufficient to support macrophage development, while in the presence of LPS, FRCs underwent a mechanistic switch and maintained support through CSF1R-independent mechanisms. Our data reveal a critically important role for FRCs in the creation of the parenchymal macrophage niche within LNs.
Project description:Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells of the immune system. In lymph nodes (LN), they are also believed to dispose of apoptotic cells, a critical function usually achieved by macrophages (Mφ) in other tissues. We report a population of tolerogenic Mφ located in the T cell zone of LN. T zone Mφ (TZM) are long lived Mφ seeded after birth and slowly replaced by blood monocytes. We show that TZM but not DC act as the only professional scavengers clearing apoptotic cells in the LN T cell zone. Importantly, we demonstrate that TZM prevent the capture of apoptotic cells by DC and the associated potential noxious activation of T cell immunity. We thus propose a new model in which efferocytosis and T cell activation are uncoupled processes handled by TZM and DC respectively.
Project description:Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common malignancy in women worldwide. It is characterized by a natural continuous phenomenon, that is, it is in the initial stage of HPV infection, progresses to intraepithelial neoplasia, and then develops into invasion and metastasis. Determining the complexity of tumor microenvironment (TME) can deepen our understanding of lesion progression and provide novel therapeutic strategies for CC. We performed the single-cell RNA sequencing on the normal cervix, intraepithelial neoplasia, primary tumor and metastatic lymph node tissues to describe the composition, lineage, and functional status of immune cells and mesenchymal cells at different stages of CC progression. A total of 59913 single cells were obtained and divided into 9 cellular clusters, including immune cells (T/NK cells, macrophages, B cells, plasma cells, mast cells and neutrophils) and mesenchymal cells (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts). Our results showed that there were distinct cell subpopulations in different stages of CC. High-stage intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL) tissue exhibited a low, recently activated TME, and it was characterized by high infiltration of tissue-resident CD8 T cell, effector NK cells, Treg, DC1, pDC, and M1-like macrophages. Tumor tissue displayed high enrichment of exhausted CD8 T cells, resident NK cells and M2-like macrophages, suggesting immunosuppressive TME. Metastatic lymph node consisted of naive T cell, central memory T cell, circling NK cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and effector memory CD8 T cells, suggesting an early activated phase of immune response. This study is the first to delineate the transcriptome profile of immune cells during CC progression using single-cell RNA sequencing. Our results indicated that HSIL exhibited a low, recently activated TME, tumor displayed immunosuppressive statue, and metastatic lymph node showed early activated phase of immune response. Our study enhanced the understanding of dynamic change of TME during CC progression and has implications for the development of novel treatments to inhibit the initiation and progression of CC.
Project description:Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we provide a comprehensive map of lymph node resident lymphatic endothelial cells, identifying subpopulations, new markers and functions.
Project description:Tingible body macrophages (TBMs) exist in lymph node B cell follicles and are responsible for clearing apoptotic B cells. Our data suggests that TBMs are of Cd169-lineage. We isolated cells from Cd169Cre/+.Tdtomatofl/fl reporter mice and transcriptionally profiled them to identify putative TBMs and chacterise their development and function relative to other LN cells of the Cd169 lineage.
