Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.
Queensland Lung Transplant Service, Ground Floor, Clinical Sciences Building, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 22;24(19):14442. doi: 10.3390/ijms241914442.
This study investigated immune cell characteristics in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), focusing on CD39-expressing cells' impact on inflammation and tissue remodelling. Lung tissue from an HP patient was analysed using single-cell transcriptomics, flow cytometry, and gene expression profiling. The tissue revealed diverse cell types like macrophages, T cells, fibroblasts, and regulatory T cells (Tregs). CD39-expressing Tregs exhibited heightened ATP hydrolysis capacity and regulatory gene expression. CD39hi cells displayed markers of both Tregs and proinflammatory Th17 cells, suggesting transitional properties. Communication networks involving molecules like SPP1, collagen, CSF1, and IL-1β were identified, hinting at interactions between cell types in HP pathogenesis. This research provides insights into the immune response and cell interactions in chronic HP. CD39-expressing cells dual nature as Tregs and Th17 cells suggests a role in modulating lung inflammation, potentially affecting disease progression. These findings lay the groundwork for further research, underscoring CD39-expressing cells as potential therapeutic targets in HP.
本研究探讨了慢性超敏性肺炎（HP）中的免疫细胞特征，重点研究了表达 CD39 的细胞对炎症和组织重塑的影响。使用单细胞转录组学、流式细胞术和基因表达谱分析了一位 HP 患者的肺组织。该组织揭示了多种细胞类型，如巨噬细胞、T 细胞、成纤维细胞和调节性 T 细胞（Treg）。表达 CD39 的 Treg 表现出增强的 ATP 水解能力和调节基因表达。CD39hi 细胞表现出 Treg 和促炎性 Th17 细胞的标志物，表明其具有过渡特性。鉴定出涉及 SPP1、胶原蛋白、CSF1 和 IL-1β 等分子的通信网络，提示在 HP 发病机制中细胞类型之间存在相互作用。这项研究提供了对慢性 HP 中免疫反应和细胞相互作用的深入了解。表达 CD39 的细胞兼具 Treg 和 Th17 细胞的双重特性，表明其在调节肺部炎症中发挥作用，可能影响疾病进展。这些发现为进一步研究奠定了基础，强调了表达 CD39 的细胞作为 HP 潜在治疗靶点的重要性。
