An eNode-B for a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) downlink transmission to at least first and second wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) via resource elements (REs) of first and second spatial layers, the eNode-B comprising a transmitter and a processor, the processor coupled to the transmitter. The processor configured to generate the MU-MIMO downlink transmission including: allocating a first set of the REs, as first resources, to the first spatial layer for the first WTRU, and a second set of the REs, as second resources, to the second spatial layer for the second WTRU, mapping a first WTRU-specific reference signal (RS) associated with the first WTRU on a subset of the first resources, and a second WTRU-specific RS associated with the second WTRU on a subset of the second resources, muting allocated REs of the first resources overlapping with the subset of the second resources used for the second WTRU-specific RS, and allocated REs of the second resources overlapping with the subset of the first resources used for the first WTRU-specific RS. The transmitter configured to send the MU-MIMO downlink transmission.