Single-cell RNA-seq data analysis characterizing bronchoalveolar epithelial cells in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Deng, Zhiqin1; Li, Qin2; Li, Yongshen1; Deng, Zhenhan3; Chen, Xiaoqiang1; Zhao, Zhe1; Wang, Guganghui1; Wang, Daping1,4; Liu, Jianquan1; Li, Wencui1

2022-09-05

10.1186/s12950-022-00310-1

J INFLAMM   Impact Factor & Quartile

1476-9255

Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been reported to be the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection of host cells. Understanding the changes in bronchoalveolar epithelial cells after SARS-CoV-2 infection of host cells and the intercellular communication relationship between these epithelial cell changes and immune cells is of great significance for the development of therapeutic methods. Methods We explored the single-cell RNA sequence (scRNA-seq) of cells infected with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BaLF) of patients with different severities of SARS-CoV-2 and healthy people. Results We found 11 clusters of epithelial cells in the BaLF, and they were derived from the S group. In the S group, the proportion of cells with positive ACE2 expression was relatively high. ACE2 was relatively more expressed in epithelial cell clusters 1, 3, and 7. Clusters 4 and 5 represented the original state, and there were two differentiation directions: one was cluster 2, and the others were clusters 1, 3, and 6. Cluster 7 was the intermediate state. Clusters 1, 3, 6, and 7 had high similarities (> 0.9), and their main signaling pathways focused on inflammatory activation and immune response. Cluster 2 was relatively specific and was up-regulated in differential genes that were mainly related to apoptosis. The ligand-receptor expression pattern of TNFRSF10D-TNFSF10 showed a special inter-cell regulatory relationship between epithelial cell cluster 2 and macrophages. Conclusion This study revealed the changes in epithelial cells derived from alveolar lavage fluid after SARS-CoV-2 infection and the communication relationship with other immune cells.

SARS-CoV-2 Alveolar epithelial cells ACE2 scRNA-seq

SCI

English

Others

National Natural Science Foundation of China["81800785","81972085"] ; China University Industry-University-Research Innovation Fund[2021JH037] ; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province["2018A0303100027","2021A1515010706"] ; Guangdong Provincial Key Clinical Discipline-Orthopedics[2000005] ; Sanming Project of Shenzhen Health and Family Planning Commission[SZSM201612086] ; Shenzhen Science and Technology Planning["JCYJ20180228163401333","JCYJ20190806170612680"] ; Shenzhen Key Medical Discipline Construction Fund[SZXK025] ; discipline construction Capacity Improvement project of Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission[SZXJ2018065]

Immunology

Immunology

WOS:000850064600001

BMC

Web of Science

1.Shenzhen Univ, Hand & Foot Surg Dept, Shenzhen Second Peoples Hosp, First Hosp, 3002 Sungang West Rd, Shenzhen 518000, Peoples R China
2.Guizhou Prov Peoples Hosp, Dept Lab Med, Guiyang 550002, Peoples R China
3.Shenzhen Univ, Dept Sports Med, Shenzhen Second Peoples Hosp, Affiliated Hosp 1,Hlth Sci Ctr, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, Peoples R China
4.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Biomed Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China

Deng, Zhiqin,Li, Qin,Li, Yongshen,et al. Single-cell RNA-seq data analysis characterizing bronchoalveolar epithelial cells in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection[J]. J INFLAMM,2022,19(1).

Deng, Zhiqin.,Li, Qin.,Li, Yongshen.,Deng, Zhenhan.,Chen, Xiaoqiang.,...&Li, Wencui.(2022).Single-cell RNA-seq data analysis characterizing bronchoalveolar epithelial cells in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.J INFLAMM,19(1).

Deng, Zhiqin,et al."Single-cell RNA-seq data analysis characterizing bronchoalveolar epithelial cells in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection".J INFLAMM 19.1(2022).