摘要：SummaryIn this work, we studied the generation of memory precursor cells following an acute infection by analyzing single-cell RNA-seq data that contained CD8 T cells collected during the postinfection expansion phase. We used different tools to reconstruct the developmental trajectory that CD8 T cells followed after activation. Cells that exhibited a memory precursor signature were identified and positioned on this trajectory. We found that these memory precursors are generated continuously with increasing numbers arising over time. Similarly, expression of genes associated with effector functions was also found to be raised in memory precursors at later time points. The ability of cells to enter quiescence and differentiate into memory cells was confirmed by BrdU pulse-chase experimentin vivo. Analysis of cell counts indicates that the vast majority of memory cells are generated at later time points from cells that have extensively divided.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Trajectory inference tools reconstruct the timing of memory precursors generation•The trajectory is defined by both cell cycle and effector functions encoding genes•Memory precursors numbers in lymphoid organs increase with time after priming•In vivoBrdU labeling validate thein silicodataImmunology; Cell biology; Cell; Bioinformatics.
