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Published on: August 25, 2023
Plasma proteomics identifies potential drug targets for diabetic polyneuropathy: Evidence from prospective cohorts
Haoning Lan1, Songchao Xu1, Huili Li1
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Aims:
Effective, targeted drug therapies for diabetic polyneuropathy (DP) are currently lacking. This study was designed to pinpoint new drug targets to enhance treatment efficacy.
Materials And Methods:
Using large-scale clinical and genetic datasets, we scrutinised proteins potentially involved in the onset and progression of DP. We further probed their associations with clinical symptoms and risk factors, and explored potential pathogenic mechanisms via single-cell sequencing.
Results:
We identified six proteins linked to DP, with Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily Member 14 (TNFRSF14) standing out as a particularly compelling target. Notably, TNFRSF14 levels correlated with clinical scale (as assessed by the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument) and might mediate the impact of metabolic syndrome on DP. At the cellular level, single-cell sequencing hinted that TNFRSF14 could drive DP progression by activating macrophages and compromising endothelial cell function.
Conclusions:
TNFRSF14 emerges as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for the early detection and specific treatment of DP, paving the way for improved patient outcomes.
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