# Heterogeneity and cellular hierarchy of lung cDC2

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2023 · $239,850

## Abstract

Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a fundamental role in bridging innate and adaptive immunity. Among DC subtypes,
conventional DC2 (cDC2) are pivotal in multiple diseases including allergy, fungal & parasite infection, and
cancer. However, studying cDC2 has been challenged by the small cell number and a lack of the subset-
specific animal model. To better understand the characteristics and roles of cDC2 subsets, we have utilized the
cutting-edge, RNA-based high-throughput transcriptomic profiling technique known as single cell RNA-
sequencing (scRNA-seq). This approach has enabled us to better understand lung cDC2 in terms of diversity
and cellular hierarchy.
Our preliminary data indicate that lung cDC2 can be categorized into 6 distinct subsets. Of interest, lung
CX3CR1hicDC2 subset are origin of rest of 5 subsets. In aim 1, we will test whether other lung cDC2 subsets
are derived from the CX3CR1hicDC2 subset. In aim 2, we will test whether a cDC-specific CX3CR1 depletable
stain (CX3CR1-DTRcDC) is responsible not only Th2 immunity but also Th17 immune responses.
Successful completion of this project will provide us with a better understanding of heterogeneity and cellular
dynamic lineage trajectory of lung cDC2. Moreover, our new mouse strain, cDC specific CX3CR1 depletable
strain (CX3CR1-DTRcDC), will be a great asset to study cDC2-mediated diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10665348
- **Project number:** 1R21AI171517-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Gye Young Park
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $239,850
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-03-06 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10665348

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10665348, Heterogeneity and cellular hierarchy of lung cDC2 (1R21AI171517-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10665348. Licensed CC0.

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