Neuroendocrinology of the lung revealed by single cell RNA sequencing

Single cell RNAseq has revolutionized study of rare cell types. Here we use single cell RNA sequencing to determine the expression profiles of hundreds of the rare pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) in mouse and human lungs. Overall design: Normal mouse PNECs were permanently labeled with ZsGreen by intaperitoneal injection of mice with 3 mg tamoxifen to induce Cre-ERT2, and 3-7 days later (PN21, PN90, and PN120) euthanized. Lungs were micro-dissected en bloc at room temperature, and the trachea and peripheral regions of each lobe removed with a razor blade. The remaining bronchiolar regions (where PNECs reside) of individual lobes were prepared as described in Kuo, et al for dissociation to single cell suspension.