Single-cell transcriptomics provides insights into the stress-immune interplay and informs disease risk.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals cell-type-specific immune responses to stress hormones, identifying signatures linked to stress-related diseases in humans.

• Why it matters: Understanding how stress hormones influence immune cells at the molecular level is crucial for addressing immune dysregulation in diseases like cardiovascular, mental, and autoimmune disorders.
• What they did: The study used an ex vivo model to analyze transcriptomic responses of primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells and neutrophils to physiological levels of cortisol and norepinephrine at single-cell resolution, uncovering novel gene regulation patterns.
• The result: Distinct stress-hormone-dependent signatures were identified that differentiate individuals with stress-related diseases, offering insights into immune modulation and potential biomarkers for disease risk.