Unravelling CD4+ T cell diversity and tissue adaptation of Tregs in abdominal aortic aneurysms through single-cell sequencing

Abstract

Immune cell infiltration is a significant pathological process in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). T cells, particularly CD4⁺ T cells, are essential immune cells responsible for substantial infiltration of the aorta. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) in AAA have been identified as tissue-specific; however, the time, location, and mechanism of acquiring the tissue-specific phenotype are still unknown. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on CD4⁺ T cells from the AAA aorta and spleen, we discovered heterogeneity among CD4⁺ T cells and identified activated, proliferating and developed aorta Tregs. These Tregs originate in the peripheral tissues and acquire the tissue-specific phenotype in the aorta. The identification of precursors for Tregs in AAA provides new insight into the pathogenesis of AAA.