LOESS-Corrected UMI Counts Enable Absolute RNA Quantification in Single-Cell Transcriptomics

The parathyroid gland is one of the endocrine glands in the body and plays a key role in regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis through the production and release of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Despite its physiological importance, research on the parathyroid gland remains limited due to its small size and concealed anatomical location. Previous studies have suggested that the parathyroid gland consists of principal cells, acidophilic cells, and other cell types. While recent studies have applied single-cell sequencing to investigate the rat parathyroid gland, a comprehensive analysis of cell subpopulations, gene expression differences, and rare cell types is still needed. Therefore, this study aims to further utilize single-cell sequencing technology to analyze the transcriptional profiles of different cell types in the normal rat parathyroid gland, refine the characterization of cellular diversity, and provide additional insights into the molecular landscape of the rat parathyroid gland. Parathyroid glands of twelve-week-old male wild-type Sprague-Dawley rats were promptly excised and preserved in ice-cold tissue preservation solution (Miltenyi Biotec, USA) for immediate transport and processing.