biostudies-arrayexpressLanxin GengHomo sapienshttps://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/E-MTAB-16629The clinical manifestations and presentation of rhinophyma closely resemble those of hypertrophic scar tissue, both presenting as firm, fibrotic growths. Despite this phenotypic similarity, a critical divergence is observed following surgical intervention: the affected skin in rhinophyma can revert to its normal state without scar recurrence, a favorable outcome starkly contrasting with the behavior of hypertrophic scars. The underlying mechanisms for this phenomenon have yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to uncover the cellular and molecular disparities between these two pathological conditions using single-cell sequencing technology to resolve this clinical paradox. The objective of this study is to compare the single-cell transcriptomic profiles of rhinophyma and hypertrophic scar tissues to identify key cell types and molecular pathways that may account for the distinct healing fate of rhinophyma post-surgery and provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars.biostudies-arrayexpressNucleic Acid Extraction - Tissues were minced and enzymatically digested with 0.75mg/mL collagenase I, 2mg/mL collagenase IV, 0.2mg/ml hyaluronidase and 75 U/mL DNase I for 45 min at 37°C. Cells were filtered through 70µm and 35µm strainers, centrifuged, and resuspended. Cell viability was assessed using AO/PI staining and Countstar Fluorescence Cell Analyzer.Sample Collection - This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shuguang Hospital (No.2024-1488-071-01 and No.2024-1598-181-01). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Hypertrophic scar tissue was collected during elective plastic surgery. Rhinophyma specimens were harvested via five-blade scarification surgery. Normal skin was acquired from donors undergoing routine circumcision. Each sample measured approximately 0.5 cm³ (normal skin: 0.25 cm³, two samples per donor). Patients had received no prior topical/systemic treatments affecting the sampled areas for ≥4 weeks before surgery. All procedures complied with the Declaration of Helsinki.Library Construction - Single-cell RNA-seq libraries were generated using the 10X Genomics Chromium Controller Instrument and Chromium Single Cell 3' V3.1 Reagent Kits. Cells were loaded to generate Gel Bead-In-Emulsions (GEMs). After reverse transcription, barcoded cDNA was amplified, fragmented, and ligated with adaptors. Library quality and quantity were assessed using the Qubit High Sensitivity DNA assay and Bioanalyzer 2200.Sequencing - All libraries were sequenced on an Illumina sequencer (Illumina, San Diego, CA) using a 150 bp paired-end run.OrganizationMINSEQE ScoreAssays and DataProcessed DataMAGE-TAB FilesData Transformation - Processed data files were generated using the 10X Genomics Cell Ranger pipeline (v6.1.1). Reads were aligned to the human reference genome (GRCh38, Ensembl v104). Gene expression matrices were obtained after cell calling, UMI counting, and basic filtering.MetabolomicsUnknownTranscriptomicsGenomicsProteomics10X Genomics Chromium Controller Instrument, Thermocycler (PCR machine), Bioanalyzer 2200 (Agilent), Qubit Fluorometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific)Surgical scalpelBiological safety cabinet, Water bath (37°C), Centrifuge, 70 µm and 35 µm cell strainers, Countstar Fluorescence Cell AnalyzerIllumina NovaSeq 6000RNA-seq of coding RNA from single cellsHomo sapiensLanxin GengfalseDistinct diversity of skin cell populations of rhinophyma and hypertrophic scar illustrated by scRNA-seqThe clinical manifestations and presentation of rhinophyma closely resemble those of hypertrophic scar tissue, both presenting as firm, fibrotic growths. Despite this phenotypic similarity, a critical divergence is observed following surgical intervention: the affected skin in rhinophyma can revert to its normal state without scar recurrence, a favorable outcome starkly contrasting with the behavior of hypertrophic scars. The underlying mechanisms for this phenomenon have yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to uncover the cellular and molecular disparities between these two pathological conditions using single-cell sequencing technology to resolve this clinical paradox. The objective of this study is to compare the single-cell transcriptomic profiles of rhinophyma and hypertrophic scar tissues to identify key cell types and molecular pathways that may account for the distinct healing fate of rhinophyma post-surgery and provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars.2026-02-18T00:00:00Z2026-05-27T15:14:25.339Z2026-02-10T13:28:05.917ZE-MTAB-16629ERP188949EFO_0002944EFO_0004170EFO_0005684EFO_0005518EFO_0003816EFO_0004184