摘要：SummaryUnderstanding the dynamic transcriptional landscape throughout organ development will provide a template for regenerative therapies. Here, we generated a single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of murine submandibular glands identifying transcriptional profiles that revealed cellular heterogeneity during landmark developmental events: end bud formation, branching morphogenesis, cytodifferentiation, maturation, and homeostasis. Trajectory inference analysis suggests plasticity among acinar and duct populations. We identify transcription factors correlated with acinar differentiation includingSpdef, Etv1, andXbp1, and loss ofYbx1,Eno1, Sox11,andAtf4. Furthermore, we characterize two intercalated duct populations defined by eitherGfra3andKit, orGstt1. This atlas can be used to investigate specific cell functions and comparative studies predicting common mechanisms involved in development of branching organs.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Generated scRNAseq atlas of E12, E14, E16, P1, P30, and adult SMG•SmgcandBpifa2define two proacinar populations in the developing SMG•Loss ofYbx1, Eno1, Sox11, andAtf4associated with acinar phenotype•Gstt1definesKit-negative and sexually dimorphic intercalated duct cellsBiological Sciences; Developmental Biology; Systems Biology; Transcriptomics
