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European Journal of Medical Research
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Diabetic Retinopathy | Research

Deciphering Müller cell heterogeneity signatures in diabetic retinopathy across species: an integrative single-cell analysis

Authors: Xiyuan Deng, Ya Mo, Xiuying Zhu

Published in: European Journal of Medical Research | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of visual impairment, demands a profound comprehension of its cellular mechanisms to formulate effective therapeutic strategies. Our study presentes a comprehensive single-cell analysis elucidating the intricate landscape of Müller cells within DR, emphasizing their nuanced involvement. Utilizing scRNA-seq data from both Sprague–Dawley rat models and human patients, we delineated distinct Müller cell clusters and their corresponding gene expression profiles. These findings were further validated through differential gene expression analysis utilizing human transcriptomic data. Notably, certain Müller cell clusters displayed upregulation of the Rho gene, implying a phagocytic response to damaged photoreceptors within the DR microenvironment. This phenomenon was consistently observed across species. Additionally, the co-expression patterns of RHO and PDE6G within Müller cell clusters provided compelling evidence supporting their potential role in maintaining retinal integrity during DR. Our results offer novel insights into the cellular dynamics of DR and underscore Müller cells as promising therapeutic targets for preserving vision in retinal disorders induced by diabetes.
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Metadata
Title
Deciphering Müller cell heterogeneity signatures in diabetic retinopathy across species: an integrative single-cell analysis
Authors
Xiyuan Deng
Ya Mo
Xiuying Zhu
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-024-01847-y

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