Single cell sequencing reveals sex bias in autism associated cells and genes

Here we performed single-cell RNA sequencing to examine the transcriptomes of over 45,000 cells isolated from the hippocampus of an autistic mouse model. Each cell was assigned to one of twelve major cell types based on distinct expression profiles. Differential expression analysis identified cell type specific genes with altered expression after prenatal valproic acid exposure. The largest number of differentially expressed genes was detected in neurons, choroid plexus epithelial cells, and microglia. In microglia, there were more male-specific than female-specific inflammation-related pathways that were important to induce autistic-like behavior. Meanwhile, there were several X-linked genes among the male-specific DEGs of neurons, and the changes of those genes after prenatal VPA exposure may be another key reason why more male than female ASD patients are seen in clinic. Examination of 4 control and 4 prenatally VPA exposed mice hippocampi samples