Abstract
A balance between pro-inflammatory decidual CD4+ T cells and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (FOXP3+ Tregs) is important for maintaining fetomaternal tolerance. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing and T cell receptor repertoire analysis, we determined that diversity and clonality of decidual CD4+ T cell subsets depend on gestational age. Th1/Th2 intermediate and Th1 subsets of CD4+ T cells were clonally expanded in both early and late gestation, whereas FOXP3+ Tregs were clonally expanded in late gestation. Th1/Th2 intermediate and FOXP3+ Treg subsets showed altered gene expression in preeclampsia (PE) compared to healthy late gestation. The Th1/Th2 intermediate subset exhibited elevated levels of cytotoxicity-related gene expression in PE. Moreover, increased Treg exhaustion was observed in the PE group, and FOXP3+ Treg subcluster analysis revealed that the effector Treg like subset drove the Treg exhaustion signatures in PE. The Th1/Th2 intermediate and effector Treg like subsets are possible inflammation-driving subsets in PE.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1401738 |
Journal | Frontiers in Immunology |
Volume | 15 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2024 |
Keywords
- Humans
- Female
- Pre-Eclampsia/immunology
- Pregnancy
- Single-Cell Analysis/methods
- Gestational Age
- Adult
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Sequence Analysis, RNA
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Decidua/immunology