# The roles and heterogeneity of CD8+ T cells in inflammatory bowel disease: A narrative review of insights from single-cell transcriptomics (Review)

## TL;DR

This review explores how different types of CD8+ T cells contribute to inflammatory bowel disease using detailed genetic analysis.

## Contribution

The paper highlights new insights into the diverse roles of CD8+ T cells in IBD through single-cell transcriptomics.

## Key findings

- CD8+ T cells in IBD show significant phenotypic and functional diversity.
- Distinct CD8+ T cell subsets have unique signaling pathway activation profiles linked to clinical outcomes.
- These cells interact with other cell types to influence inflammation and tissue balance in IBD.

## Abstract

The present review investigates the role and characteristics of CD8+ T cells in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using single-cell transcriptomics, revealing their pivotal functions and remarkable heterogeneity. In IBD, CD8+ T cells exhibit marked phenotypic and functional diversity, with distinct subpopulations exhibiting unique signaling pathway activation profiles that associate with varying clinical outcomes. Furthermore, CD8+ T cell subsets in IBD participate in complex crosstalk networks involving immune and non-immune cells, modulating inflammatory responses and tissue homeostasis. The present review synthesizes the dynamic complexity of CD8+ T cell behavior in IBD and identifies promising therapeutic opportunities through targeted modulation of specific T cell subsets and their interactions within the colonic microenvironment.