Dataset Information

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling provides insights into retinal endothelial barrier properties.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To better characterize retinal endothelial barrier properties through analysis of individual transcriptomes of primary bovine retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs).

Methods

Individual RMECs were captured on the Fluidigm C1 system, cDNA libraries were prepared using a Nextera XT kit, and sequencing was performed on a NextSeq system (Illumina). Data analysis was performed using R packages Scater, SC3, and Seurat, and the browser application Automated Single-cell Analysis Pipeline (ASAP). Alternative splicing events in single cells were quantified with Outrigger. Cytoscape was used for network analyses.

Results

Application of a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis workflow showed that RMECs form a relatively homogeneous population in culture, with the main differences related to proliferation status. Expression of markers from along the arteriovenous tree suggested that most cells originated from capillaries. Average gene expression levels across all cells were used to develop an in silico model of the inner blood-retina barrier incorporating junctional proteins not previously reported within the retinal vasculature. Correlation of barrier gene expression among individual cells revealed a subgroup of genes highly correlated with PECAM-1 at the center of the correlation network. Numerous alternative splicing events involving exons within microvascular barrier genes were observed, and in many cases, individual cells expressed one isoform exclusively.

Conclusions

We optimized a workflow for single-cell transcriptomics in primary RMECs. The results provide fundamental insights into the genes involved in formation of the retinal-microvascular barrier.

SUBMITTER: Watson MI

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7765706 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling provides insights into retinal endothelial barrier properties.

Watson Mark I MI Barabas Peter P McGahon Mary M McMahon Megan M Fuchs Marc A MA Curtis Tim M TM Simpson David A DA

Molecular vision 20201127

<h4>Purpose</h4>To better characterize retinal endothelial barrier properties through analysis of individual transcriptomes of primary bovine retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs).<h4>Methods</h4>Individual RMECs were captured on the Fluidigm C1 system, cDNA libraries were prepared using a Nextera XT kit, and sequencing was performed on a NextSeq system (Illumina). Data analysis was performed using R packages Scater, SC3, and Seurat, and the browser application Automated Single-cell An ...[more]

PMID: 33380778

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Dataset Information

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling provides insights into retinal endothelial barrier properties.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling provides insights into retinal endothelial barrier properties.

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