Single-cell transcriptomics to explore the immune system in health and disease

Abstract

The immune system varies in cell types, states, and locations. The complex networks, interactions and responses of immune cells produce diverse cellular ecosystems composed of multiple cell types, accompanied by genetic diversity in antigen receptors. Within this ecosystem, innate and adaptive immune cells maintain and protect tissue function, integrity and homeostasis upon changes in functional demands and diverse insults. Characterizing this inherent complexity requires studies at single-cell resolution. Recent advances such as, massively-parallel single cell RNA-Seq and sophisticated computational methods are catalysing a revolution in our understanding of immunology. Here, we provide an overview of the state of single cell genomics methods and an outlook on the use of single-cell techniques to decipher the adaptive and innate components of immunity.

Comprehensive single cell RNAseq analysis of the kidney reveals novel cell types and unexpected cell plasticity

“…Immune cells and endothelial cell clusters separated from epithelial cells. The ureteric bud-(cluster 6-8) and metanephric mesenchyme-derived epithelial clusters (cluster [2][3][4][5] formed closer clusters (Fig. 1A).…”

The (gradual) rise of memory inflation

“…This is a more complex issue in some ways as the definitions vary but the emergence of single cell RNAseq approaches will be hugely valuable here 92. This approach also allows some tracking or reconstruction of cellular development which may allow correlation of specific surface markers with specific cellular functions.…”

Tissue-Specific Immunoregulation: A Call for Better Understanding of the “Immunostat” in the Context of Cancer

“…For example, single-cell sequencing (38) combined with quantitative and spatial proteomic analysis (47,48) is already being used to elaborate the specific immune ecosystem of different tissues in normal and disease conditions. Once we have a complete understanding of each organ-specific immunostat, we will be able to anticipate with much greater precision how to treat cancers that arise in different organs with specific CIT cocktails.…”