High-dimensional multiomics reveals perturbations to IL-6/IL-6R axis and RUNX3 in CD4 T cells during third-trimester pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: CD4+ T cells play key roles in regulating immune responses during pregnancy; therefore, we aimed to understand the CD4+ T-cell surface proteome and transcriptome during pregnancy. Methods: CD4+ T cells were analysed in blood and decidua from term pregnancies (> 37 weeks) and non-pregnant blood. > 350 surface proteins were screened via flow cytometry, and transcriptomes were analysed using single-cell RNA sequencing with > 130 CITE-seq barcoded antibodies. Results: Surface protein screening identified changes to ILT4/CD85d, CD9, IFN-γ receptor β-chain, CX3CR1 and CCR5 in the pregnant blood and decidual CD4+ T cells. CX3CR1 and CCR5 had the highest expression on the effector-memory..