Single-cell transcriptome profiling of the branching epithelium of mouse salivary glands

To explore the molecular signatures of subtypes among epithelial cells of mouse embryonic submandibular salivary glands undergoing branching morphogenesis, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing and profiled near 7,000 single-cell transcriptomes. These cells formed 7 main clusters that corresponded well to cells at distinct locations, based on known expression patterns of selective marker genes. This study revealed many additional genes with differential expressions among clusters or subtypes of epithelial cells. Those can be good candidates underlying the regulation of their distinct biophysical properties. Single-cell mRNA profiles of submandibular salivary gland epithelial rudiments from 13-day old wild type mouse embryos