A cellular taxonomy of the adult human spinal cord

The mammalian spinal cord functions as a community of cell types for sensory processing, autonomic control, and movement. While animal models have advanced our understanding of spinal cellular diversity, characterizing human biology directly is important to uncover specialized features of basic function and human pathology. Here, we present a cellular taxonomy of the adult human spinal cord using single-nucleus RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptomics and antibody validation. We identified 29 glial clusters and 35 neuronal clusters, organized principally by anatomical location. To demonstrate the relevance of this resource to human disease, we analyzed spinal motoneurons, which degenerate in amyotrophic…

• UO
  University of Ottawa
• ON
  Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
• AN
  Agence Nationale de la Recherche
• IN
  Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
• CN
  Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: ZO1 AG000535, NS116350, AG076040, 1ZIA NS003153
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• NI
  National Institute on Aging

  Awards: ZO1 AG000535, AG000535
• NI
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

  Awards: 1ZIA NS003153, ZO1 AG000535
• CF
  Common Fund