(080) Cell Type Catalog of Middle Turbinate Epithelium

Introduction: Elucidation of the cellular makeup of the middle turbinate can provide a robust foundation for study of the pathogenesis of sinonasal disease. Mesenchymal stem cells and pluripotent basal cells found in middle turbinate mucosa can also potentially be used to develop cellular models to study brain disorders or in regenerative medicine to substitute neuronal tissues.

Methods: Single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of middle turbinate mucosa was performed to create the first single cell transcriptome catalog of this part of the human body. Samples were obtained from the head of the middle turbinate from healthy volunteers. After the specimen was prepared per lab protocol, cells were dissociated, suspended, and counted. Single cell libraries were then prepared according to the 10x Genomics protocol and sequenced using NovaSeq 6000 (Illumina). Sequencing data were processed using Cell Ranger, and clustering and gene expression analysis was performed using Seurat. Cell types were annotated through expression profiling of single cells using known markers and data from other single cell studies.

Results: Fourteen unique cell types were identified, including serous, goblet, club, basal, ciliated, endothelial, and mesenchymal cells, as well as multiple types of blood cells, and their genetic profiles.

Conclusions: This catalog provides a comprehensive depiction of the cellular composition of middle turbinate mucosa. By uncovering the cellular stratification of gene expression profiles in healthy middle turbinate epithelium, the groundwork has been laid for further investigation into the molecular pathogenesis and targeted therapy of sinonasal disease. Spatial transcriptomics analysis is now being performed to localize cell types to specific anatomic regions of the middle turbinate.