Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis of Rat Cavernous Tissue Reveals Cellular Heterogeneity and Molecular Alterations in Cavernous Nerve Injury-Induced Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to cavernous nerve injury (CNI) is a common complication of pelvic surgeries, yet its cellular pathophysiology remains incompletely characterized. Here, we generated a high-resolution single-cell transcriptomic atlas of rat cavernous tissue following CNI. Our analysis identified dysregulated gene networks in key cell populations (e.g., fibroblast, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, Schwann cells, and macrophages) associated with fibrosis, vascular dysfunction, and axonal degeneration. This dataset provides a foundation for understanding CNI-mediated ED and discovering targets for nerve regeneration and tissue repair. To induce CNIED, bilateral cavernous nerve injury was performed. Specifically, a hemostat was applied with full-tip closure to the cavernous nerve (CN) 5 mm distal to the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) for 1 minute. Rats in the control group underwent the same surgical procedure without nerve compression. Apomorphine (100 μg/kg) was used to screen CNIED rats. Penile tissues were harvested from the rats 4 weeks after nerve injury for further study. see PRJNA1079907 for raw data

海绵体神经损伤（cavernous nerve injury, CNI）继发的勃起功能障碍（erectile dysfunction, ED）是盆腔手术的常见并发症，但其细胞病理生理机制仍未完全阐明。本研究构建了海绵体神经损伤后大鼠海绵体组织的高分辨率单细胞转录组图谱。分析发现，与纤维化、血管功能障碍及轴突变性相关的关键细胞群（如成纤维细胞、内皮细胞、平滑肌细胞、施万细胞和巨噬细胞）存在基因网络失调。本数据集为理解海绵体神经损伤介导的勃起功能障碍、发掘神经再生与组织修复的潜在靶点提供了研究基础。为构建海绵体神经损伤继发勃起功能障碍（CNI-ED）模型，本研究实施双侧海绵体神经损伤造模：具体操作是在距主要盆腔神经节（major pelvic ganglion, MPG）远端5 mm处的海绵体神经（cavernous nerve, CN）应用止血钳完全夹闭尖端，持续1分钟。对照组大鼠接受相同手术操作，但不进行神经压迫。采用阿扑吗啡（100 μg/kg）筛选海绵体神经损伤继发勃起功能障碍模型大鼠。神经损伤4周后，采集大鼠阴茎组织用于后续研究。原始数据详见PRJNA1079907。