Quantitative High-Resolution Cellular Map of the Organ of Corti

• Unbiased clustering of single organ of Corti cells based on gene expression data
• Clusters correspond to nine major medial-to-lateral aligned organ of Corti cell types
• Spatial reconstruction of apex-to-base localization of each organ of Corti cell
• Statistical analysis reveals changes in gene expression along the tonotopic axis

SummaryThe organ of Corti harbors highly specialized sensory hair cells and surrounding supporting cells that are essential for the sense of hearing. Here, we report a single cell gene expression data analysis and visualization strategy that allows for the construction of a quantitative spatial map of the neonatal organ of Corti along its major anatomical axes. The map displays gene expression levels of 192 genes for all organ of Corti cell types ordered along the apex-to-base axis of the cochlea. Statistical interrogation of cell-type-specific gene expression patterns along the longitudinal gradient revealed features of apical supporting cells indicative of a propensity for proliferative hair cell regeneration. This includes reduced expression of Notch effectors, receptivity for canonical Wnt signaling, and prominent expression of early cell-cycle genes. Cochlear hair cells displayed expression gradients of genes indicative of cellular differentiation and the establishment of the tonotopic axis.

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