Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
07:38
Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue
Published on: June 14, 2020
8.0K
T cell monocyte complexes exhibit distinct immune signatures during infection
Ningxin Kang1, Ashu Chawla2, Hannah Hillman1
1Center for Vaccine Innovation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Iscience
|September 24, 2025
Summary
Immune cell complexes in active tuberculosis (TB) and dengue show unique gene activity compared to single cells. This study reveals insights into cell-cell interactions and immune responses during infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Immune cell communication via direct contact is vital for immune responses.
- Understanding cell-cell interactions at a molecular level is crucial for deciphering immune dynamics during infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-throughput method for analyzing the transcriptome and adaptive immune receptor repertoire of single cells within complexes.
- To investigate the transcriptomic differences between immune cells forming complexes and those that are not, in the context of active tuberculosis (TB) and dengue infections.
- To explore the role of intercellular RNA acquisition in cell-cell interactions during infection.
Main Methods:
- Developed an innovative high-throughput workflow for single-cell analysis of immune cell complexes.
- Utilized transcriptomic and adaptive immune receptor repertoire sequencing.
- Compared gene expression profiles and immune cell characteristics of cells in complexes versus singlets.
Main Results:
- Immune cell complexes in active TB and dengue exhibit distinct transcriptomic signatures compared to single cells, with increased immune activation and MHC-II complex gene expression.
- In TB patients, T cells within complexes showed a higher proportion of cytotoxic T cells, increased T cell receptor (TCR) clonality, and heightened immune activity at diagnosis versus post-therapy.
- A significant enrichment of 'dual-expressing' cells (co-expressing T cell and monocyte genes) was observed in complexes, suggesting intercellular RNA transfer.
Conclusions:
- Studying immune cell complexes at single-cell resolution offers novel insights into cell-cell interactions within the bloodstream during infection.
- The findings highlight the importance of cell-cell contact in shaping immune responses and gene expression patterns.
- Intercellular RNA acquisition may play a role in modulating immune cell function during infectious diseases.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
14.8K
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
14.8K
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
83.5K
Overview
83.5K
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
2.2K
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
2.2K
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
16.0K
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
16.0K
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
1.3K
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
1.3K
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
3.9K
Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
3.9K