Single-cell profiling of bronchoalveolar cells reveals a Th17 signature in neutrophilic severe equine asthma.
Immunology
; 171(4): 549-565, 2024 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38153159
ABSTRACT
Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a complex respiratory condition characterized by chronic airway inflammation. It shares many clinical and pathological features with human neutrophilic asthma, making it a valuable model for studying this condition. However, the immune mechanisms driving SEA have remained elusive. Although SEA has been primarily associated with a Th2 response, there have also been reports of Th1, Th17, or mixed-mediated responses. To uncover the elusive immune mechanisms driving SEA, we performed single-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on cryopreserved bronchoalveolar cells from 11 Warmblood horses, 5 controls and 6 with SEA. We identified six major cell types, including B cells, T cells, monocytes-macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and mast cells. All cell types exhibited significant heterogeneity, with previously identified and novel cell subtypes. Notably, we observed monocyte-lymphocyte complexes and detected a robust Th17 signature in SEA, with CXCL13 upregulation in intermediate monocytes. Asthmatic horses exhibited expansion of the B-cell population, Th17 polarization of the T-cell populations, and dysregulation of genes associated with T-cell function. Neutrophils demonstrated enhanced migratory capacity and heightened aptitude for neutrophil extracellular trap formation. These findings provide compelling evidence for a predominant Th17 immune response in neutrophilic SEA, driven by dysregulation of monocyte and T-cell genes. The dysregulated genes identified through scRNA-seq have potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SEA and provide insights into human neutrophilic asthma.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Asthma
/
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Immunology
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Suiza
Country of publication:
Reino Unido