scRNA-seq of mouse cochlea organoid cells

Neonatal mouse cochlear epithelium retains regenerative capacity, attributed to the greater epithelial ridge (GER) cells. GER cells proliferate to form organoids and give rise to nascent hair cells and supporting cells. To investigate the growth-promoting pathways in GER cells, we generated organoids from highly enriched mouse GER cells and performed single-cell RNA sequencing. Data analysis revealed changes in gene expression in GER-derived cells during the early growth phase of organoid development. Integrating single-cell RNA sequencing data with in vitro and in vivo functional assays, we identified galectins and Myc activity as essential regulators of GER cell proliferation.