Biology subjects

Sagar,

Publications and source records attributed to Sagar,.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Memory T Cells in MHC-Deficient Humanized Mice

Major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) govern antigen presentation and T cell receptor (TCR) selection. Accurate in vivo modeling of human immunity therefore requires physiological human MHC TCR interactions. Humanized NOD scid IL2null (NSG) mice engrafted with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells are widely used to provide preclinical platforms for the development of advanced therapies; however, interactions between murine MHC and human TCR can promote xenoreactivity and alter T cell development. Here, we investigated how elimination of murine MHC together with different conditioning regimens shapes human T cell maturation in vivo. CD34+ cells from ten cord blood donors were transplanted into conventional NSG mice or murine MHC deficient NSG derivatives (DKO) following either sublethal irradiation or myeloablative busulfan conditioning. Integrated analyses combining flow cytometry, plasma cytokine profiling, and bulk and single cell TCR sequencing revealed marked differences in T cell differentiation across models. Busulfan conditioned DKO mice developed highly proliferative, activated, and cytotoxic T cells together with clonally expanded TCR repertoires. In contrast, irradiated NSG mice preferentially accumulated naive, NKT, and regulatory T cell populations. Busulfan-conditioned DKO mice showed no evidence of xenogeneic graft versus host disease and represent a refined enabling platform for human T cell development and provide a foundation for future preclinical evaluation of advanced gene and cell therapies.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2026

Crosstalk between Stromal cells and Macrophages Shapes Host Immunity to Mycobacteria

Granulomas are disease-defining heterocellular tissue structures in mycobacterial infections. They play a multifaceted role ranging from containing the pathogen to causing tissue destruction. Here, we established a mature peritoneal granuloma model in C57BL/6 mice to investigate the dynamic cell-cell interactions during mycobacterial infection, including long-term immune alterations in serous cavities as important sites of disease manifestation. We found that mycobacteria reside in stromal cells, which actively modulate the local tissue environment and shape macrophage responses, particularly through formation of chemokines and colony-stimulating factor 1. Chronic infection induces sustained reprogramming and diversification of stromal cells toward specialized, immune-like states, including active transfer of mycobacteria to macrophages and a pronounced interferon response. Consequently, stromal cells acquire immunoregulatory properties and support pathogen handling, monocyte recruitment and macrophage maturation, thereby playing a decisive role in granuloma formation and thus in the immune response to mycobacteria. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIA novel peritoneal mycobacterial infection model reveals heterocellular crosstalk in mature granulomas. C_LIO_LIMycobacterial infections persistently reshape immune architecture of serous cavities as important disease sites. C_LIO_LIStromal cells act as mycobacterial host cells and acquire immune effector functions. C_LIO_LIStromal cells co-organize the tissue host-pathogen interface by recruiting and directly communicating with bone marrow-derived monocytes. C_LI

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Tissue imprinting defines functional mosaic of dermal macrophages

Dermal macrophages (macs) protect the skin from invading pathogens. They are derived from embryonic as well as hematopoietic progenitors. However, the functional impact of their diverse origin and the control networks defining different subsets remain unclear. Here, using multidimensional analysis of dermal macs, we reveal that the absence of circulating monocytes in interferon regulatory factor 8 (Irf8) deficient mice delays mac renewal during the steady state. Yet, the functional mosaic of dermal macs remains largely intact, i.e., major dermal mac subsets develop independently of monocyte replenishment. Thus, the tissue microenvironment is sufficient to induce alternative differentiation pathways and functional specialization of resident cells. Mycobacterial skin infection induces a steep increase in mac density due to monocyte-derived macs which execute urgent antibacterial functions and differentiate into site-adapted mac subsets in wildtype but not Irf8-/-mice, while long-term resident macs are required to initiate a tissue repair program already in early stages of infection. In summary, we introduce a model, where an intricate network of specialized mac subsets develops to meet microanatomical needs and external cellular input is required only during immunological emergency situations. HighlightsO_LIIrf8-/--driven monocytopenia has negligible impact on homeostatic dermal macrophage diversity. C_LIO_LIResident dermal macrophages have diverse specializations but remain flexible to adapt to challenges such as lacking monocyte influx C_LIO_LIBone marrow-derived macrophages differentiate into specialized resident cells, with microenvironmental cues overriding origin-dependent programming. C_LIO_LIIn chronic bacterial infections, distinct specialized bone-marrow-derived macrophages mount the defense, while resident macrophages activate a tissue-modifying program from early on. C_LI

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

A rapid microglial metabolic response controls metabolism and improves memory

Chronic high-fat feeding triggers chronic metabolic dysfunction including obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. How high-fat intake first triggers these pathophysiological states remains unknown. Here, we identify an acute microglial metabolic response that rapidly translates intake of high-fat diet (HFD) to a surprisingly beneficial effect on metabolism and spatial / learning memory. High-fat intake rapidly increases palmitate levels in cerebrospinal fluid and triggers a wave of microglial metabolic activation characterized by mitochondrial membrane activation and fission as well as metabolic skewing towards aerobic glycolysis. These effects are detectable throughout the brain and can be detected within as little as 12 hours of HFD exposure. In vivo, microglial ablation and conditional DRP1 deletion show that the microglial metabolic response is necessary for the acute effects of HFD. 13C-tracing experiments reveal that in addition to processing via {beta}-oxidation, microglia shunt a substantial fraction of palmitate towards anaplerosis and re-release of bioenergetic carbons into the extracellular milieu in the form of lactate, glutamate, succinate, and intriguingly, the neuro-protective metabolite itaconate. Together, these data identify microglia as a critical nutrient regulatory node in the brain, metabolizing away harmful fatty acids and releasing the same carbons as alternate bioenergetic and protective substrates for surrounding cells. The data identify a surprisingly beneficial effect of short-term HFD on learning and memory. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=146 SRC="FIGDIR/small/535373v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (32K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b9699corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c48efcorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18757d0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@962cf6_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

physiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Prostaglandin E2 controls the metabolic adaptation of T cells to the intestinal microenvironment

Immune cells must adapt to different environments during the course of an immune response. We studied the adaptation of CD8+ T cells to the intestinal microenvironment and how this process shapes their residency in the gut. CD8+ T cells progressively remodel their transcriptome and surface phenotype as they acquire gut residency, and downregulate expression of mitochondrial genes. Human and mouse gut-resident CD8+ T cells have reduced mitochondrial mass, but maintain a viable energy balance to sustain their function. We found that the intestinal microenvironment is rich in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which drives mitochondrial depolarization in CD8+ T cells. Consequently, these cells engage autophagy to clear depolarized mitochondria, and enhance glutathione synthesis to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) that result from mitochondrial depolarization. Impairing PGE2 sensing promotes CD8+ T cell accumulation in the gut, while tampering with autophagy and glutathione negatively impacts the T cell population. Thus, a PGE2-autophagy-glutathione axis defines the metabolic adaptation of CD8+ T cells to the intestinal microenvironment, to ultimately influence the T cell pool.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Eomes restricts Brachyury functions at the onset of mammalian gastrulation

Mammalian specification of mesoderm and definitive endoderm (DE) is instructed by the two related Tbx transcription factors (TFs) Eomesodermin (Eomes) and Brachyury sharing partially redundant functions. Gross differences of mutant embryonic phenotypes suggest specific functions of each TF. To date, the molecular details of separated lineage-specific gene-regulation by Eomes and Brachyury remain poorly understood. Here, we combine embryonic and stem cell-based analyses to delineate the non-overlapping, lineage-specific transcriptional activities. On a genome-wide scale binding of both TFs overlaps at promoters of target genes, but shows specificity for distal enhancer regions, that is conferred by differences in Tbx DNA-binding motifs. The unique binding to enhancer sites instructs the specification of anterior mesoderm (AM) and DE by Eomes and caudal mesoderm by Brachyury. Remarkably, EOMES antagonizes BRACHYURY gene-regulatory functions in co-expressing cells during early gastrulation to ensure the proper sequence of early AM and DE lineage specification followed by posterior mesoderm derivatives. HighlightsO_LIDetailed comparative analysis of the two critical developmental regulators Eomes and Brachyury in mouse embryos and differentiating embryonic stem cells C_LIO_LITbx factors EOMES and BRACHYURY control distinct gene programs to specify different mesoderm and endoderm subsets C_LIO_LIProgram specificity is conferred by binding to non-overlapping enhancers with distinct binding motifs C_LIO_LIEOMES restricts the activities of BRACHYURY thus ensuring the proper sequence of mesoderm and endoderm lineage specification C_LI

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Ex vivo detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells: rapid induction, prolonged contraction, and formation of functional memory

CD8+ T cells are critical for the elimination and long-lasting protection of many viral infections, but their role in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is unclear. Emerging data indicates that SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells are detectable in the majority of individuals recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, optimal virus-specific epitopes, the role of pre-existing heterologous immunity as well as their kinetics and differentiation program during disease control have not been defined in detail. Here, we show that both pre-existing and newly induced SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T-cell responses are potentially important determinants of immune protection in mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. In particular, our results can be summarized as follows: First, immunodominant SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T-cell epitopes are targeted in the majority of individuals with convalescent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Second, MHC class I tetramer analyses revealed the emergence of phenotypically diverse and functionally competent pre-existing and newly induced SARS-CoV-2-specific memory CD8+ T cells that showed similar characteristics compared to influenza-specific CD8+ T cells. Third, SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T-cell responses are more robustly detectable than antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2-spike protein. This was confirmed in a longitudinal analysis of acute-resolving infection that demonstrated rapid induction of the SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells within a week followed by a prolonged contraction phase that outlasted the waning humoral immune response indicating that CD8+ T-cell responses might serve as a more precise correlate of antiviral immunity than antibody measurements after convalescence. Collectively, these data provide new insights into the fine specificity, heterogeneity, and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory CD8+ T cells, potentially informing the rational development of a protective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2019

A Human Liver Cell Atlas: Revealing Cell Type Heterogeneity and Adult Liver Progenitors by Single-Cell RNA-sequencing

The human liver is an essential multifunctional organ, and liver diseases are rising with limited treatment options. However, the cellular complexity and heterogeneity of the liver remain poorly understood. Here, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of ~5,000 cells from normal liver tissue of 6 human donors to construct the first human liver cell atlas. Our analysis revealed previously unknown sub-types among endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatocytes with transcriptome-wide zonation of these populations. We show that the EPCAM+ population is highly heterogeneous and consists of hepatocyte progenitors, cholangiocytes and a MUC6+ stem cell population with a specific potential to form liver organoids. As proof-of-principle, we applied our atlas to unravel phenotypic changes in cells from hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and to investigate cellular phenotypes of human hepatocytes and liver endothelial cells engrafted into a humanized FAH-/- mouse liver. Our human liver cell atlas provides a powerful and innovative resource enabling the discovery of previously unknown cell types in the normal and diseased liver.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2019

Benchmarking Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Protocols for Cell Atlas Projects

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is the leading technique for charting the molecular properties of individual cells. The latest methods are scalable to thousands of cells, enabling in-depth characterization of sample composition without prior knowledge. However, there are important differences between scRNA-seq techniques, and it remains unclear which are the most suitable protocols for drawing cell atlases of tissues, organs and organisms. We have generated benchmark datasets to systematically evaluate techniques in terms of their power to comprehensively describe cell types and states. We performed a multi-center study comparing 13 commonly used single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-seq protocols using a highly heterogeneous reference sample resource. Comparative and integrative analysis at cell type and state level revealed marked differences in protocol performance, highlighting a series of key features for cell atlas projects. These should be considered when defining guidelines and standards for international consortia, such as the Human Cell Atlas project.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

The Polycomb-dependent epigenome controls β-cell dysfunction, dedifferentiation and diabetes

Chromatin is the physical template that stabilizes and specifies transcriptional programs. To date, it remains largely unclear to what extent chromatin machinery contributes to the susceptibility and progression of complex diseases. Here, we combined deep epigenome mapping with single cell transcriptomics to mine for evidence of chromatin dysregulation in type-2 diabetes. We identify two chromatin-state signatures that track the trajectory of {beta}-cell dysfunction in mice and humans: ectopic activation of bivalent Polycomb-domains and a loss of expression at a subclass of highly active domains containing key lineage-defining genes. {beta}-cell specific deletion of Polycomb (Eed/PRC2) triggers parallel transcriptional signatures. Intriguingly, these {beta}-cell Eed-knockouts also exhibit highly penetrant hyperglycemia-independent dedifferentiation indicating that Polycomb dysregulation sensitizes the {beta}-cell for dedifferentiation. These findings provide novel resources for exploring transcriptional and epigenetic control of {beta}-cell (dys)function. They identify PRC2 as necessary for long-term maintenance of {beta}-cell identity. The data suggest a two-hit model for loss of {beta}-cell identity in diabetes and highlight epigenetic therapeutic potential to block dedifferentiation.

genomics↗