Advances in Single-Cell Sequencing Technology in Human Embryo Immune System Development
HE Shuai, BEI Jinxin*
The development of immune system begins early during embryonic life, encompassing essential processes such as the generation, dispersion, differentiation, and maturation of immune cells. These processes are crucial not only for the development of embryonic tissues but also for establishing the foundation of immune defense mechanisms in newborns. However, due to the complexity of tissue cells, traditional methods based on tissue block have struggled to fully reveal the intricate processes of immune system differentiation and development in embryos. Single-cell sequencing, a high throughput technique for single-cell analysis, has significantly enhanced the understanding of the cellular complexity within tissues and organs. This technology has provided powerful support for studying the development of the human embryonic immune system, enabling researchers to analyze the diversity, dynamic changes, and developmental trajectories of immune cells at the single-cell level. This approach offers new perspectives for investigating the tissue distribution, developmental pathways, lineage relationships, and functional characteristics of immune cells during embryogenesis. Moreover, single-cell sequencing has proven to be valuable for studying the interactions between immune cells and their microenvironment, highlighting the critical impact of immune system developmental abnormalities on embryo development. This review aims to summarize the latest progress in the application of single-cell sequencing technology in human embryonic immune system, including key technical methods, major discoveries, and its potential clinical applications. By consolidating these cutting-edge studies, it is expected to provide valuable insights for a comprehensive understanding of the complexity and diversity of the embryonic immune system, offering new inspiration for immune system disease research and therapeutic strategies.
CN
EN