Analysis of the heterogeneity and complexity of murine extraorbital lacrimal gland via single-cell RNA sequencing

Our findings reveal the diversity of cell types in the lacrimal gland and their transcriptomic profiles. More importantly, this study provides a dataset that serves as a resource, deepening our understanding of the development, composition, and function of the lacrimal glands, as well as the pathogenesis of lacrimal gland diseases. Over 37 subclasses of cells were identified, including seven types of glandular epithelial cells, three types of fibroblasts, ten types of myeloid-derived immune cells, at least eleven types of lymphoid-derived immune cells, and five types of vascular-associated cell subsets. The cell-cell communication network analysis revealed that fibroblasts and immune cells play a pivotal role in the dense intercellular communication network within the mouse ELG.