Single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of postnatal camel liver development identifies candidate adaptive features

This study uses single-nucleus RNA sequencing to create a developmental atlas of the Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) liver across newborn, weaning, and adult stages, analyzing 57,036 cells and identifying 19 cell types, including hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), and immune cells.

We identified a special LSEC subtype, not seen in cattle or humans, with high hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFAC) expression that activates hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Hepatocyte pseudotime trajectories show a shift from proliferative to metabolically mature states, with fatty acid metabolism gene expression matching changes in milk composition. Immune cell composition shifts from Kupffer cell dominance in newborns to T cell dominance in adults, with high conservation between adult camels and cattle.