Single Cell Profiling of Th9 Cells Allows Identification of Functionally Different Subsets.
Institute of Medical Immunology, Charite University Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
Meeting: 2016 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: A24
Keywords: Gene expression, T cell activation, T helper cells
Session Information
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Saturday, June 11, 2016
Session Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Presentation Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Halls C&D
T helper type 9 (Th9) cells represent a distinct subset of CD4+ effector T cells that is characterized by high secretion of interleukin (IL)-9. Protective and pathogenic effector functions have been attributed to Th9 cells, but the expression pattern of activation and differentiation markers and their transcriptional profile are poorly defined. Additionally, the role of Th9 cells in solid organ transplantation has not been well studied yet, although IL-9 has been reported to be involved in both allograft rejection and tolerance. Study purpose: To gain insights into their functional capacities, we examined the phenotypic and functional properties of alloreactive Th9 cells.
Brief description of methods: Stimulation of enriched naïve CD4+ T cells from BALB/c mice with allogeneic bone marrow derived dendritic cells (DCs) from C57BL/6 mice under Th9-polarizing, Th1-polarizing or unpolarized conditions was performed. In order to reveal phenotypic differences and heterogeneities of Th9 cells we performed single-cell gene expression analysis (Fluidigm) of activated (CD44high) from all three conditions.
Summary of the results: Il9 mRNA expression was highly expressed in all polarized cells. Th9 polarized cells show higher expression of CD25, CD83, CTLA4 and IL7RA but reduced 41BB expression as compared to unpolarized and Th1 cells. Interestingly, a fraction of Th9 polarized cells was characterized by absence of CD96, known to regulate NK cell function. Both findings were validated at the protein level. Furthermore, sorted CD96- alloreactive Th9 cells did show a higher inflammatory potential upon transfer into Rag-/- mice compared to their CD96+ counterpart as they induced a faster rejection of allogeneic skin grafts and a more severe colitis.
Conclusions: Thus single cell profiling revealed a distinct surface marker expression profile and heterogenous functional properties of alloreactive Th9 cells.
CITATION INFORMATION: Stanko K, Schumann J, Vogt K, Schlickeiser S, Appelt C, Sawitzki B. Single Cell Profiling of Th9 Cells Allows Identification of Functionally Different Subsets. Am J Transplant. 2016;16 (suppl 3).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Stanko K, Schumann J, Vogt K, Schlickeiser S, Appelt C, Sawitzki B. Single Cell Profiling of Th9 Cells Allows Identification of Functionally Different Subsets. [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2016; 16 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/single-cell-profiling-of-th9-cells-allows-identification-of-functionally-different-subsets/. Accessed May 11, 2025.« Back to 2016 American Transplant Congress