Single-cell transcriptomics combined with spatial transcriptomics reveals a fibrotic microenvironment in hyperuricemic nephropathy

Hyperuricemia nephropathy (HN) is a kidney disease caused by hyperuricemia, with renal fibrosis as its hallmark lesion. Renal fibrosis involves diverse cell populations and complex intercellular communication, but its cellular composition and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We employed single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to analyze kidney tissues from HN rats, identifying cell populations, gene expression patterns, and intercellular interactions. Differential gene-expression, pseudotime, gene-enrichment, and transcription factor network analyses were conducted.