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Whole body cell map tracks tissue-specific immune cell accumulation and plasticity loss through ageing

Mangiola, S.; Milton, M.; Ranathunga, N.; LiWaiSuen, C.; Yang, E.; Hutchison, W.; Garnham, A.; Iskander, J.; Pal, B.; Yadav, V. J.; Carey, V.; Kallies, A.; Bedoui, S.; Morgan, M.; Papenfuss, A. T.

2023-06-08 immunology
10.1101/2023.06.08.542671 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Understanding tissue biologys heterogeneity is crucial for advancing precision medicine. Despite the centrality of the immune system in tissue homeostasis, a detailed and comprehensive map of immune cell distribution and interactions across human tissues and demographics remains elusive. To fill this gap, we harmonised data from 12,981 single-cell RNA sequencing samples and curated 29 million cells from 45 anatomical sites to create a comprehensive compositional and transcriptional healthy map of the healthy immune system. We used this resource and a novel multilevel modelling approach to track immune ageing and test differences across sex and ethnicity. We uncovered conserved and tissue-specific immune-ageing programs, resolved sex-dependent differential ageing and identified ethnic diversity in clinically critical immune checkpoints. This study provides a quantitative baseline of the immune system, facilitating advances in precision medicine. By sharing our immune map, we hope to catalyse further breakthroughs in cancer, infectious disease, immunology and precision medicine.

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