During UTI, males showed unique interactions relating to pro-fibrotic wound healing responses, including mesenchymal stem cell activation through TGF 1 superfamily signaling44–46 (GAS6 and THBS1 by PCs; Fig. 6c) and Wnt signaling47 (DKK2 by ICs; Fig. 6d), as well as interactions relating to activation (FGF)48 and pro-inflammatory signaling (IL34)49 by both ICs and PT cells (Fig. 6d, e). This evidence concerns the gene THBS1 and bacterial urinary tract infection.