CD11b+Ly6g+CD69+CD74+ cells produce interferon-α in <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>infected alcohol diet-fed mice

Abstract Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with significant mortality and morbidity in people affected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Our Lab previously reported that diet increased young mice infected Mtb an Interferon-α (IFN-α) dependent manner. We also found CD11b+Ly6g+ cells are major source for IFN-α. In the current study, using single cell RNA sequencing, we further characterized IFN-α producing lungs of alcohol-diet fed mice. analysis revealed ‘6’ distinct clusters population based on gene signatures. identified cluster ‘6’, through gene-set scoring expression interferon related genes such as IRF1, IRF5 to be responsible type I production. Pseudotime along KEGG enrichment, transcriptome a separate trajectory compared core cluster, suggesting differentiated phenotype. Similarly, CD69 CD74 surface marker this unique which was subsequently verified t-sne flow cytometry. currently characterizing cellular mechanisms regulating expansion these able target them effective early neutralization.