Transcriptomes of major renal collecting duct cell types in mouse identified by single-cell RNA-seq

Significance A long-term goal in mammalian biology is to identify the genes expressed in every cell type of the body. In the kidney, the expressed genes (i.e., transcriptome) of all epithelial cell types have already been identified with the exception of the cells that make up the renal collecting duct, which is responsible for regulation of blood pressure and body fluid composition. Here, single-cell RNA-sequencing was used in mouse to identify transcriptomes for the major collecting duct cell types: type A intercalated cells, type B intercalated cells, and principal cells. The information was used to create a publicly accessible online resource. The data allowed identification of genes that are selectively expressed in each cell type, which is informative for cell-level understanding of physiology and pathophysiology.