Single cell sequencing reveals low levels of aneuploidy across mammalian tissues

Aneuploidy refers to the gain or loss of individual chromosomes within a cell. Typically, aneuploidy is associated with detrimental consequences at both the cellular and organismal levels. However, reports of high levels of aneuploidy in the brain and liver suggested that aneuploidy might play a positive role in these organs. Here we use single cell sequencing to determine the prevalence of aneuploidy in somatic tissues. We find that aneuploidy is a rare occurrence in the liver and brain and is no more prevalent in these tissues than in skin. Our results demonstrate high karyotypic stability in somatic tissues, arguing against a role for aneuploidy in organ function and reinforcing its adverse effects at the cellular and organismal levels.