Characterization of T cells in the progression of dry eye disease using single-cell RNA sequencing in mice
Abstract Background Increasing evidence indicated that T cells have significant effects in dry eye disease (DED). However, the regulatory role of T cells in DED remains unclear. Methods In this study, we examined immune responses throughout the progression in murine DED model. Using cytometry by tim...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Medical Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02607-2 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Increasing evidence indicated that T cells have significant effects in dry eye disease (DED). However, the regulatory role of T cells in DED remains unclear. Methods In this study, we examined immune responses throughout the progression in murine DED model. Using cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we observed dynamic alterations in the proportions of immune cell landscape. Pseudotime trajectory and cell–cell communication analyses further illustrated T-cell differentiation and interaction networks. Results CD4+ and CD8+ T cells exhibited an initial decline on Day 3 (D3) and followed by a recovery on Day 7 (D7). Single-cell transcriptomics provided insights into 15 distinct subsets of T cells with heterogeneous functional states. Pseudotime trajectory analysis demonstrated coordinated differentiation patterns of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, indicating their collaborative involvement in the inflammatory process. Conclusions Our results clarify the dynamics of the adaptive immune response in DED and indicate that targeting T cells may serve as a promising immune-modulatory approach in the treatment of DED model. |
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| ISSN: | 2047-783X |