Integrative scRNA-seq and scTCR-seq analyses decode dual TCR γδ T-cell characteristics in human and mouse.

The clonal selection theory of "one lymphocyte expresses one type of antigen receptor" has been challenged and complemented by the concept of dual receptor lymphocytes. However, the proportion, source, and characterization of dual TCR γδ T cells have not been determined. Using single-cell RNA plus single-cell TCR sequencing, we discovered a high proportion of dual γδ T cells datasets of the human thymus and mouse spleens. We observed differences in the proportion of single and dual TCR from γδ T cells, the types of δ and γ pairings, the frequency of TRDV and TRGV genes, and the expression of mRNA molecules across various γδ T-cell subgroups. Additionally, we investigated the likely genesis of dual TCR mRNA based on its compositional properties. This work provides a new perspective and scheme for the study of γδ T cells.