Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Immune Cell Infiltration in Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Mendelian Randomization and...

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a multifactorial complication of diabetes involving mitochondrial dysfunction and immune cell infiltration. However, the causal relationships remain unclear.

We applied Mendelian randomization (MR) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the roles of mitochondrial gene expression and immune cells in DKD. Additionally, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from DKD patients were analyzed for differential gene expression.

Higher expression of mitochondrial genes PCCB, ACADM, ADHFE1, OCIAD1, and FIS1 increased DKD risk, while genes like NT5DC2, ATP5MC3, and GLYCTK decreased risk. Immune traits, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR + plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), mediated the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction on DKD. scRNA-seq revealed significant downregulation of ATP5MC3, GLYCTK, and NT5DC2 in podocytes (PODOs) and tubular cells in DKD kidneys, alongside increased infiltration of helper T cells, B cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and plasma cells. PBMC analysis highlighted the upregulation of proinflammatory genes (CXCL2, CXCL3, and others) in DKD patients.

This study highlights the complex interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction and immune cell infiltration in DKD pathogenesis. Key mitochondrial genes and immune traits identified here offer novel therapeutic targets such as ATP5MC3, GLYCTK, and DC pathways.