AUTHOR=Jiang Yushu , Dai Shuhua , Pang Rui , Qin Lingzhi , Zhang Milan , Liu Huiqin , Wang Xiaojuan , Zhang Jiewen , Peng Gongxin , Wang Yongchao , Li Wei 

TITLE=Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cell type-specific immune regulation associated with human neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1322125

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2024.1322125

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>One rare type of autoimmune disease is called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and the peripheral immune characteristics of NMOSD remain unclear.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Here, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is used to characterize peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals with NMOSD.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The differentiation and activation of lymphocytes, expansion of myeloid cells, and an excessive inflammatory response in innate immunity are observed. Flow cytometry analyses confirm a significant increase in the percentage of plasma cells among B cells in NMOSD. NMOSD patients exhibit an elevated percentage of CD8+ T cells within the T cell population. Oligoclonal expansions of B cell receptors are observed after therapy. Additionally, individuals with NMOSD exhibit elevated expression of CXCL8, IL7, IL18, TNFSF13, IFNG, and NLRP3.</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>Peripheral immune response high-dimensional single-cell profiling identifies immune cell subsets specific to a certain disease and identifies possible new targets for NMOSD.</p></sec>