Exploring single-cell data with deep multitasking neural networks

Nat Methods. 2019 Nov;16(11):1139-1145. doi: 10.1038/s41592-019-0576-7. Epub 2019 Oct 7.

Abstract

It is currently challenging to analyze single-cell data consisting of many cells and samples, and to address variations arising from batch effects and different sample preparations. For this purpose, we present SAUCIE, a deep neural network that combines parallelization and scalability offered by neural networks, with the deep representation of data that can be learned by them to perform many single-cell data analysis tasks. Our regularizations (penalties) render features learned in hidden layers of the neural network interpretable. On large, multi-patient datasets, SAUCIE's various hidden layers contain denoised and batch-corrected data, a low-dimensional visualization and unsupervised clustering, as well as other information that can be used to explore the data. We analyze a 180-sample dataset consisting of 11 million T cells from dengue patients in India, measured with mass cytometry. SAUCIE can batch correct and identify cluster-based signatures of acute dengue infection and create a patient manifold, stratifying immune response to dengue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cluster Analysis
  • Dengue / immunology
  • Humans
  • Neural Networks, Computer*
  • Single-Cell Analysis*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology