The Distinct Monocyte Subsets and Intercellular Communication in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Revealed by Single-Cell...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Rheumatology
• Genomics

Background:

• Monocyte subsets are crucial in rheumatic disease development.
• Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) involves complex immune dysregulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize monocyte subset variations in pSS using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).
• To identify functional roles and molecular pathways associated with these monocyte alterations in pSS.

Main Methods:

• Monocyte samples from pSS patients and healthy controls (HCs) were analyzed via scRNA-seq.
• Divergent gene expression, transcription factors, and immune cell interactions were identified.

Main Results:

• Three major monocyte subsets (classical, non-classical, cDC2) were identified, with distinct sub-populations.
• pSS patients showed increased proportions of specific classical and non-classical monocyte sub-populations.
• Elevated pathways in pSS monocytes included viral responses, interferon activity, and oxidative phosphorylation, with specific gene upregulation (e.g., IFI44, IFI44L, LY6E).

Conclusions:

• scRNA-seq revealed significant alterations in monocyte subsets and gene expression in pSS.
• These findings pinpoint potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pSS intervention.