Progress on single-cell sequencing technology in central nervous system autoimmune diseases

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2025.12.003

Abstract

Abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune diseases are characterized by complex pathogenesis involving interactions among diverse immune cells originating from both the CNS and the peripheral immune system. Single-cell sequencing technology enables high-resolution expression profiling at the single-cell level, allowing precise characterization of cellular heterogeneity and functional phenotypic dynamic. In recent years, this technology has been increasingly applied to the study of CNS autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs), autoimmune encephalitis (AE), and myasthenia gravis (MG). Single-cell sequencing technology has shown unique advantage in elucidating the immunopathogenesis of disease, identifying pathogenic immune cell subsets, elucidating clonal evolution patterns, and facilitating the discovery of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the development of single-cell sequencing technology and highlights the applications in CNS autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on the implications for advancing the understanding of disease mechanisms and supporting precision diagnosis and targeted therapeutic strategies.

Key words: Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Central nervous system, Cytological techniques, Review

摘要： 中枢神经系统免疫性疾病发病机制复杂，涉及多种中枢神经系统内部及外周来源细胞的交互作用。单细胞测序技术通过实现单个细胞水平的高分辨率表达谱分析，以精准解析细胞异质性及其功能表型动态。近年来，该项技术已广泛应用于多发性硬化、视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病、自身免疫性脑炎及重症肌无力等中枢神经系统免疫性疾病的研究中，在阐明疾病免疫发病机制、识别致病性细胞亚群、解析免疫克隆演化规律及发现潜在生物学标志物和治疗靶点等方面展现出独特优势。本文系统综述单细胞测序技术的发展概况及其在上述中枢神经系统免疫性疾病中的研究进展，并探讨其对理解疾病机制、推动精准诊断及靶向治疗研究的指导意义。

关键词: 神经系统自身免疫疾病, 中枢神经系统, 细胞学技术, 综述

WENG Shi-wen, LI Cheng-yu, SHAN Wei, WANG Qun. Progress on single-cell sequencing technology in central nervous system autoimmune diseases[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Neurology and Neurosurgery, 2025, 25(12): 1107-1112.

翁诗雯, 李承玉, 单伟, 王群. 单细胞测序技术在中枢神经系统免疫性疾病中的应用[J]. 中国现代神经疾病杂志, 2025, 25(12): 1107-1112.

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URL: https://journal11.magtechjournal.com/cjcnn/EN/10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2025.12.003

https://journal11.magtechjournal.com/cjcnn/EN/Y2025/V25/I12/1107

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