Single-nucleus RNA sequencing of the cells obtained from acupoint BL23 (Shenshu) in low back pain.

The cellular and molecular dynamics at human acupuncture points remain largely unexplored. To address this, we developed a novel acupuncture-needle technique capable of collecting sufficient numbers of cells from acupuncture points during treatment. Using this approach in combination with single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), we identified heterogeneous cell populations at the acupoint BL23. This study enabled characterization of the cellular and transcriptional changes occurring before and after acupuncture treatment in patients with lower back pain (lumbar sprain), offering new insights into the mechanisms underlying acupuncture-induced pain relief. Overall design: Cells adhering to the acupuncture needles were collected at the initial intervention and again two weeks later following twice-weekly acupuncture treatments. Paired samples from the acupoint BL23 (Shenshu) were obtained, and single nuclei were subsequently isolated for transcriptomic analysis.