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.