part of cell differentiation neuromast development neuromast mantle cell differentiation biological_process GO:0048888 The process in which a relatively unspecialized cell acquires specialized features of a neuromast mantle cell. Mantle cells are non-sensory cells that surround the sensory strip, separating the neuromast from the epidermis. Mantle cells secrete the cupula in which the ciliary bundles of all of the hair cells are embedded.