Immunology in the Era of Single-Cell Technologies

Annu Rev Immunol. 2020 Apr 26:38:727-757. doi: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-090419-020340. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Abstract

Immune cells are characterized by diversity, specificity, plasticity, and adaptability-properties that enable them to contribute to homeostasis and respond specifically and dynamically to the many threats encountered by the body. Single-cell technologies, including the assessment of transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomics at the level of individual cells, are ideally suited to studying these properties of immune cells. In this review we discuss the benefits of adopting single-cell approaches in studying underappreciated qualities of immune cells and highlight examples where these technologies have been critical to advancing our understanding of the immune system in health and disease.

Keywords: heterogeneity; immune repertoire; immunology; single-cell; spatial imaging; trajectory inference.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Immune System / cytology
  • Immune System / immunology*
  • Immune System / metabolism*
  • Immunity*
  • Molecular Imaging
  • Single-Cell Analysis* / methods

Substances

  • Biomarkers