Single-cell transcriptomics reveals dynamic reprogramming of testicular immunity in Brucella-infected goat testis

While its effects on reproductive organs are recognized, the mechanisms driving testicular immunopathology remain poorly understood. Here, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to systematically compare the transcriptional landscapes of normal and Brucella-infected goat testicular tissues, revealing dynamic remodeling of the testicular immune microenvironment.

Our analysis identified significant alterations in T cell and macrophage states following infection, with T cells exhibiting pronounced activation linked to CD45 signaling pathway activity. We further pinpointed key differentially expressed genes, including TXNIP (thioredoxin-interacting protein), a potential therapeutic target implicated in anti-Brucella. Cell-cell communication analysis highlighted disrupted intercellular networks in infected testes, particularly emphasizing the critical roles of CD39 and JAM signaling pathways in modulating immune privilege.