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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.06.08.726441

Cellular Complexity and Systemic Immune Profiles across Ancestral Diversity in Thailand and Mainland Southeast Asia

Sriwilai, B.·Nguantad, S.·Jevapatarakul, D.·Thungsatianpun, N.·Chantaraamporn, J.·Chaiwijit, P.·Asian Immune Diversity Atlas Network,·Chatterjee, A.·Majumder, P. P.·Shin, J. W.·Ando, Y.·Park, J.-E.·Park, W.-Y.·Kock, K. H.·Tan, L. M.·Prabhakar, S.·Pithukpakorn, M.·Suktitipat, B.·Matangkasombut, P.·Charoensawan, V.
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Abstract

Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) remains under-represented in global immunogenomic references despite its extensive genetic heterogeneity. We present the first single-cell immune atlas of an MSEA population, utilizing Thai individuals from the Asian Immune Diversity Atlas (AIDA) as a representative cohort. We demonstrate that the Thai population is highly genetically diverse, reflecting its history as a geographic nexus for Asian admixture. By integrating single-cell transcriptomics with high-resolution genotyping, we show that genetic ancestry significantly shapes innate immune profiles, specifically CD14+ monocytes, highlighting potential evolutionary adaptations to regional pathogens. We identify specific sex-by-ancestry interactions that may drive the baseline activation of pro-inflammatory pathways in females, providing a long-sought cellular rationale for the high prevalence of autoimmune disorders observed in Southeast Asian populations. Ultimately, our study reveals that population-specific genetic architecture dictates immune heterogeneity often missed by self-reported ethnicity or country of origin, providing a critical immunogenomic reference for precision medicine in MSEA regions.

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Sriwilai, B., Nguantad, S., Jevapatarakul, D., Thungsatianpun, N., Chantaraamporn, J., Chaiwijit, P., Asian Immune Diversity Atlas Network,, Chatterjee, A., Majumder, P. P., Shin, J. W., Ando, Y., Park, J.-E., Park, W.-Y., Kock, K. H., Tan, L. M., Prabhakar, S., Pithukpakorn, M., Suktitipat, B., Matangkasombut, P., Charoensawan, V.. 2026-06-08. Cellular Complexity and Systemic Immune Profiles across Ancestral Diversity in Thailand and Mainland Southeast Asia. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.08.726441

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