Cited by 1,176Single-cell and spatial transcriptomicsRetinal Development and DisordersCell Image Analysis Techniques

Comprehensive Classification of Retinal Bipolar Neurons by Single-Cell Transcriptomics

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Shekhar, Karthik, Lapan, Sylvain W., Whitney, Irene E., Tran, Nicholas M., Macosko, Evan Z., Kowalczyk, Monika, Adiconis, Xian, Levin, Joshua Z. +6 more·2016·Cell

Abstract

Patterns of gene expression can be used to characterize and classify neuronal types. It is challenging, however, to generate taxonomies that fulfill the essential criteria of being comprehensive, harmonizing with conventional classification schemes, and lacking superfluous subdivisions of genuine types. To address these challenges, we used massively parallel single-cell RNA profiling and optimized computational methods on a heterogeneous class of neurons, mouse retinal bipolar cells (BCs). From a population of ∼25,000 BCs, we derived a molecular classification that identified 15 types, including all types observed previously and two novel types, one of which has a non-canonical morphology and position. We validated the classification scheme and identified dozens of novel markers using methods that match molecular expression to cell morphology. This work provides a systematic methodology for achieving comprehensive molecular classification of neurons, identifies novel neuronal types, and uncovers transcriptional differences that distinguish types within a class.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.cell.2016.07.054

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  • The paper grouped cells into 565 subclusters using network-based clustering on biological independent component cell loadings.

    “We then grouped cells based on combinations of “biological IC” cell loadings into 565 subclusters using network-based clustering”

    From Molecular diversity and specializations among the cells of the adult mouse brain (2018) · cites this paper as Shekhar et al., 2016

    The Methods section (page unavailable) supports the use of graph-based clustering, but says cells were clustered using scores on 37 significant principal components, not biological independent-component loadings. It reports 30 initial Louvain-Jaccard clusters, while the Results section (page unavailable) reports 26 putative cell-type clusters—not 565 subclusters. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • A modified GLM including a batch indicator variable was sufficient to correct for technical differences arising from two profiled batches of murine bipolar cells, though successful application requires all cell types to share a similar batch effect.

    “Indeed, we observed that a modified GLM including a batch indicator variable was sufficient to correct for technical differences arising from two profiled batches of murine bipolar cells [32], though successful application requires all cell types to share a similar batch effect (Additional file 2: Figure S8).”
  • The cellular transcriptomic state space can be modeled as a smooth, low-dimensional manifold or a set of manifolds.

    “We begin by modeling the cellular transcriptomic state space as a smooth, low-dimensional manifold or set of manifolds.”
  • Clustering 13,313 nuclei from frozen adult mouse hippocampus and PFC revealed groups corresponding to known cell types and anatomically distinct brain regions.

    “Clustering11 of 13,313 nuclei profiled from frozen adult mouse hippocampus (n=4 mice) and prefrontal cortex (PFC, n=4)”

    From Massively parallel single-nucleus RNA-seq with DroNc-seq (2017) · cites this paper as [11]

  • Massively parallel scRNA-seq methods such as Drop-seq can be applied at scale cost-effectively but require intact single-cell suspensions.

    “massively parallel scRNA-seq methods, such as Drop-seq7 and related methods8–10 can be readily applied at scale11 in a cost-effective manner12, but require intact single cell suspension as input.”

    From Massively parallel single-nucleus RNA-seq with DroNc-seq (2017) · cites this paper as [11]

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Authors
Shekhar, K., Lapan, S. W., Whitney, I. E., Tran, N. M., Macosko, E. Z., Kowalczyk, M., Adiconis, X., Levin, J. Z., Nemesh, J., Goldman, M., McCarroll, S. A., Cepko, C. L., Regev, A., & Sanes, J. R.
Affiliations
  • Broad Institute (US)
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
  • Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Cepko, Constance L.
  • Regev, Aviv
  • Sanes, Joshua R.
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-08
Volume
166
Issue
5
Pages
1308-1323.e30
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2510746232
Cited by
1,176
References
75
Citations by year
2026: 71 · 2025: 89 · 2024: 101 · 2023: 113 · 2022: 105 · 2021: 159 · 2020: 158 · 2019: 157 · 2018: 135 · 2017: 79 · 2016: 7 · 2012: 1
FWCI
65.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • DSpace@MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
  • PMC
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R25MH094612, U01MH105960)
  • National Eye Institute (F32EY024833)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Retinal Development and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Cell Image Analysis Techniques
Keywords
retinal bipolar cells, neuron classification, single-cell transcriptomics, cell morphology, transcriptional heterogeneity, mouse retina
MeSH terms
Animals, Female, Genetic Markers, Male, Mice, Inbred Strains, Mice, Transgenic, Transcription, Genetic, Cluster Analysis, Sequence Analysis, RNA, Amacrine Cells, Retinal Bipolar Cells, Mice, Single-Cell Analysis, Transcriptome

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