Comparative single-cell analyses identify shared and divergent features of human and mouse kidney development [human ATAC-seq]

Mammalian kidneys maintain fluid homeostasis through the cellular activity of nephrons and the conjoined collecting system. Each epithelial network originates from distinct progenitor cell populations that reciprocally interact during development. To extend our understanding of human and mouse kidney development, we profiled chromatin organization (ATAC-seq) and gene expression (RNA-seq) in developing human and mouse kidneys. Data were analyzed at a species level and then integrated into a common, cross-species multimodal data set. Comparative analysis of cell types and developmental trajectories identified conserved and divergent features of chromatin organization and linked gene activity, revealing species- and cell-type specific regulatory programs. Identification of human-specific enhancer regions linked through GWAS studies to kidney disease highlights the potential of developmental modeling to provide clinical insight. Human donor fetal kidneys were obtained, dated and dissected by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal Fetal Medicine Division of University of Southern California. Fetal embryonic age is estimated based on first day of last menstrual period (LMP). Non-nucleotide, processed feature-barcode information is provided. ***Controlled access to raw fastq files is available through dbGaP***