Single-cell RNA-seq reveals new types of human blood dendritic cells, monocytes, and progenitors

TLDR

Blood contains many cell types, including immune components, and while previously classified by markers, current classification relies on gene expression profiles. The authors performed single‑cell RNA‑seq with unbiased clustering to define six dendritic cell and four monocyte populations, and subsequent cell culture identified potential differentiation progenitors within these groups. This refined analysis identified a previously unknown dendritic cell population that potently activates T cells. Villani et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

What's in a drop of blood? Blood contains many types of cells, including many immune system components. Immune cells used to be characterized by marker-based assays, but now classification relies on the genes that cells express. Villani et al. used deep sequencing at the single-cell level and unbiased clustering to define six dendritic cell and four monocyte populations. This refined analysis has identified, among others, a previously unknown dendritic cell population that potently activates T cells. Further cell culture revealed possible differentiation progenitors within the different cell populations. Science , this issue p. eaah4573