[PDF][PDF] Human intestinal tissue-resident memory T cells comprise transcriptionally and functionally distinct subsets

MEB FitzPatrick, NM Provine, LC Garner, K Powell… - Cell reports, 2021 - cell.com
MEB FitzPatrick, NM Provine, LC Garner, K Powell, A Amini, SL Irwin, H Ferry, T Ambrose…
Cell reports, 2021cell.com
Tissue-resident memory T (T RM) cells provide key adaptive immune responses in infection,
cancer, and autoimmunity. However, transcriptional heterogeneity of human intestinal T RM
cells remains undefined. Here, we investigate transcriptional and functional heterogeneity of
human T RM cells through study of donor-derived T RM cells from intestinal transplant
recipients. Single-cell transcriptional profiling identifies two transcriptional states of CD8+ T
RM cells, delineated by ITGAE and ITGB2 expression. We define a transcriptional signature …
Summary
Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells provide key adaptive immune responses in infection, cancer, and autoimmunity. However, transcriptional heterogeneity of human intestinal TRM cells remains undefined. Here, we investigate transcriptional and functional heterogeneity of human TRM cells through study of donor-derived TRM cells from intestinal transplant recipients. Single-cell transcriptional profiling identifies two transcriptional states of CD8+ TRM cells, delineated by ITGAE and ITGB2 expression. We define a transcriptional signature discriminating these populations, including differential expression of cytotoxicity- and residency-associated genes. Flow cytometry of recipient-derived cells infiltrating the graft, and lymphocytes from healthy gut, confirm these CD8+ TRM phenotypes. CD8+ CD69+CD103+ TRM cells produce interleukin-2 (IL-2) and demonstrate greater polyfunctional cytokine production, whereas β2-integrin+CD69+CD103 TRM cells have higher granzyme expression. Analysis of intestinal CD4+ T cells identifies several parallels, including a β2-integrin+ population. Together, these results describe the transcriptional, phenotypic, and functional heterogeneity of human intestinal CD4+ and CD8+ TRM cells.
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