Kidney Single-Cell Atlas Reveals Myeloid Heterogeneity in Progression and Regression of Kidney Disease

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BACKGROUND: Little is known about the roles of myeloid cell subsets in kidney injury and in the limited ability of the organ to repair itself. Characterizing these cells based only on surface markers using flow cytometry might not provide a full phenotypic picture. Defining these cells at the single-cell, transcriptomic level could reveal myeloid heterogeneity in the progression and regression of kidney disease. METHODS: Integrated droplet- and plate-based single-cell RNA sequencing were used in the murine, reversible, unilateral ureteric obstruction model to dissect the transcriptomic landscape at the single-cell level during renal injury and the resolution of fibrosis. Paired blood exchange tracked the fate of monocytes recruited to the injured kidney. RESULTS: macrophage subset acts during repair. CONCLUSIONS: Complementary technologies identified novel myeloid subtypes, based on transcriptomics in single cells, that represent therapeutic targets to inhibit progression or promote regression of kidney disease.