Summary

Naïve CD4+ T cells coordinate the immune response by acquiring an effector phenotype in response to cytokines. However, the cytokine responses in memory T cells remain largely understudied. Here we use quantitative proteomics, bulk RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq of over 40,000 human naïve and memory CD4+ T cells to show that responses to cytokines differ substantially between these cell types. Memory T cells are unable to differentiate into the Th2 phenotype, and acquire a Th17-like phenotype in response to iTreg polarization. Single-cell analyses show that T cells constitute a transcriptional continuum that progresses from naïve to central and effector memory T cells, forming an effectorness gradient accompanied by an increase in the expression of chemokines and cytokines. Finally, we show that T cell activation and cytokine responses are influenced by the effectorness gradient. Our results illustrate the heterogeneity of T cell responses, furthering our understanding of inflammation.

Overall design

Cytokines affect T cell responses by polarising them to different phenotypes. We isolated T cells from healthy platelet donors and cultured them in resting and stimulated condition, as well as in the presence of Th2, iTreg and Th17 polarizing cocktail. To characterize the efficacy of cytokine induced porization and subpopulation specific response, we profiled single cell transcriptome five days following polarization using 10x platform (3' v2).

Contributors

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Contact

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