A physical wiring diagram for the human immune system

Jarrod Shilts (), Yannik Severin, Francis Galaway, Nicole Müller-Sienerth, Zheng-Shan Chong, Sophie Pritchard, Sarah Teichmann, Roser Vento-Tormo, Berend Snijder and Gavin J. Wright ()
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Jarrod Shilts: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Yannik Severin: ETH Zurich
Francis Galaway: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Nicole Müller-Sienerth: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Zheng-Shan Chong: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Sophie Pritchard: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Sarah Teichmann: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Roser Vento-Tormo: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Berend Snijder: ETH Zurich
Gavin J. Wright: Wellcome Sanger Institute

Nature, 2022, vol. 608, issue 7922, 397-404

Abstract: Abstract The human immune system is composed of a distributed network of cells circulating throughout the body, which must dynamically form physical associations and communicate using interactions between their cell-surface proteomes1. Despite their therapeutic potential2, our map of these surface interactions remains incomplete3,4. Here, using a high-throughput surface receptor screening method, we systematically mapped the direct protein interactions across a recombinant library that encompasses most of the surface proteins that are detectable on human leukocytes. We independently validated and determined the biophysical parameters of each novel interaction, resulting in a high-confidence and quantitative view of the receptor wiring that connects human immune cells. By integrating our interactome with expression data, we identified trends in the dynamics of immune interactions and constructed a reductionist mathematical model that predicts cellular connectivity from basic principles. We also developed an interactive multi-tissue single-cell atlas that infers immune interactions throughout the body, revealing potential functional contexts for new interactions and hubs in multicellular networks. Finally, we combined targeted protein stimulation of human leukocytes with multiplex high-content microscopy to link our receptor interactions to functional roles, in terms of both modulating immune responses and maintaining normal patterns of intercellular associations. Together, our work provides a systematic perspective on the intercellular wiring of the human immune system that extends from systems-level principles of immune cell connectivity down to mechanistic characterization of individual receptors, which could offer opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05028-x

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