Transcriptome profiling of induced hair cells (iHCs) generated by combined expression of Gfi1, Pou4f3 and Atoh1 during embryonic stem cell differentiation

To gain new insights about the genetic networks controlling hair cell (HC) development, we previously developed a direct genetic programming strategy to generate an inexhaustible supply of HC-like cells (induced HCs, iHCs) in vitro, starting from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC). We found that combined activity of three transcription factors, Gfi1, Pou4f3, and Atoh1, can program ESC-derived progenitors towards HC fate with efficiencies of 55%–80%. These iHCs express several HC markers and exhibit polarized structures that are highly reminiscent of the mechanosensitive hair bundles, with many microvilli-like stereocilia. Here, we describe the experimental design, methodology, and data validation for the microarray analysis used to characterize the transcriptome profile of iHCs at different stages of their differentiation. This approach based on FACS sorting and microarray analysis revealed a highly similar iHC transcriptome to that of endogenous HCs in vivo. The data obtained in this study is available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (accession number GSE60352).