Single-cell profiling of premature neonate airways reveals a continuum of myeloid differentiation
We set out to develop a reference single-cell transcriptomic profile of airway aspirate samples from extremely premature neonates (collected within an hour of birth). In this study, we profiled samples from 10 subjects. We identified cells in the airways of premature neonates representing a continuum of myeloid differentiation, including fetal monocytes, differentiating myeloid cells, and macrophages. Trajectory analysis identified two trajectories consistent with interstitial and alveolar macrophages, and a bridging trajectory providing an alternative route between these terminal states. We defined 259 alveolar-specific genes, 666 interstitial-specific genes, and 285 bridging-specific genes providing the first single-cell transcriptional map of differentiating airway macrophages in... (for more see dbGaP study page.)