Multiomic single-cell sequencing defines tissue-specific responses in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic epidermal necrolysis.

ABSTRACT

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is a rare but life-threatening cutaneous drug reaction mediated by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-restricted CD8+ T-cells. To obtain an unbiased assessment of SJS/TEN cellular immunopathogenesis, we performed single-cell (sc) transcriptome, surface proteome, and TCR sequencing on unaffected skin, affected skin, and blister fluid from 17 SJS/TEN patients. From 119,784 total cells, we identified 16 scRNA-defined subsets, confirmed by subset-defining surface protein expression. Keratinocytes upregulated HLA and IFN-response genes in the affected skin. Cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell subpopulations of expanded and unexpanded TCRαß clonotypes were shared in affected skin and blister fluid but absent or unexpanded in SJS/TEN unaffected skin. SJS/TEN blister fluid is a rich reservoir of oligoclonal CD8+ T-cells with an effector phenotype driving SJS/TEN pathogenesis. This multiomic database will act as the basis to define antigen-reactivity, HLA restriction, and signatures of drug-antigen-reactive T-cell clonotypes at a tissue level.