BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) represents a key microvascular disorder resulting from prolonged diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia, a common driver of diabetes-related vision loss, can pathologically activate de novo lipogenesis (DNL); however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood.
This work sought to profile signature genes correlated with DNL and DR, and offer novel insights into the disease’s underlying pathogenesis.MethodsDR-related transcripts and DNL-associated genes were obtained from public databases. Genes with DNL-related signatures associated with DR were identified through integrated bioinformatics analyses.
These genes were incorporated into a nomogram, and their functional characteristics were further analyzed. The GraphBAN model was applied to predict potential gene–compound interactions, evaluate binding affinity, and assess docking stability.
Single-cell RNA sequencing data were used to characterize the cellular landscape and to map gene expression patterns to specific cell populations within DR fibrous membranes, providing cellular context for the transcriptomic findings. Finally, RT-qPCR was performed to measure whole-blood expression of key genes between DR patients and control subjects.ResultsAHR and SLC1A5 were identified as genes potentially associated with DR.
RT-qPCR confirmed significant upregulation of both genes in the DR group.
Frontiers in Immunology published a clinical update in Infectious Disease on 07 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Integrative analysis of transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, and GraphBAN identifies de novo lipogenesis-associated genes and their potential roles in diabetic retinopathy.
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