Single cell-scale spatial transcriptome profiling of the adult cycling mouse uterus

Abstract

The adult uterus is highly regenerative during the reproductive cycle (menstrual in humans; estrous in mice), while the uterus prepares for a possible pregnancy. Until recently, the regenerative capacity of the mouse uterus was under-appreciated. Therefore, how uterine cell types and tissue compartments coordinate transcriptional and cellular changes across the estrous cycle is poorly understood. To begin to uncover the spatiotemporal molecular regulation of cell remodeling and regeneration, we conducted Visium HD spatial transcriptomics to analyze the adult cycling nulliparous mouse uterus. We integrated transcriptional data binned into 8x8 {micro}m spots across all four cycle stages to annotate cell types. This dataset provides highly resolved transcriptional information of uterine cell types, including luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, mesenchyme, blood vessels, immune cells, and smooth muscle. These data can be used to define subpopulations of uterine cells and how they change in the adult cycling uterus or determine where disease-related genes are spatially expressed. Collectively, rigorous analysis of this dataset will significantly advance our understanding of uterine biology.