Comprehensive Analysis of TCR and BCR Repertoires: Insights into Methodologies, Challenges, and Applications.

Abstract

The diversity of T-cell receptors (TCRs) and B-cell receptors (BCRs) underpins the adaptive immune system's ability to recognize and respond to a wide array of antigens. Recent advancements in RNA sequencing have expanded its application beyond transcriptomics to include the analysis of immune repertoires, enabling the exploration of TCR and BCR sequences across various physiological and pathological contexts. This review highlights key methodologies and considerations for TCR and BCR repertoire analysis, focusing on the technical aspects of receptor sequence extraction, data processing, and clonotype identification. We compare the use of bulk and single-cell sequencing, discuss computational tools and pipelines, and evaluate the implications of examining specific receptor regions such as CDR3. By integrating immunology, bioinformatics, and clinical research, immune repertoire analysis provides valuable insights into immune function, therapeutic responses, and precision medicine approaches, advancing our understanding of health and disease.