Single-cell RNA Sequencing Data Analysis Reveals Structural Diversity of T-lymphocyte and Macrophage Infiltration in Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a multicomponent disease that depends on immune response, and physiological condition of the arteries. Innate and adaptive immunity act as a driver of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis rather than play an atheroprotective role. T-lymphocytes, as a key part of the immune response, can exhibit both pro- and anti-atherogenic properties. In this regard, the study of this cell population is of particular interest. In the present study, we performed the analysis of T-cells subpopulations depending on the T-cells to macrophages ratio. We applied bioinformatics methods to three single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets of human coronary and carotid arteries downloaded from the SRA database (SRP199578, SRP274629, SRP287809). The present study demonstrated a direct proportionality between CD8+ T memory stem cells (TSCM) and the ratio of the CD8+ T cells pool to the macrophage pool. In addition, we revealed differences in TSCM receptors (IL2RA, SELP, LEPR, SDC2, CCR6, TGFBR3, IL1R2, CD247, CXCR6, LIFR, ERBB3) that are involved in ligand-receptor interactions with other atherosclerotic plaques cell populations, between two groups of patients with high and low CD8+ T-cells to macrophages ratio.