huang, q. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

The Role of Microglia and Complement C5/C5a in the Pathogenesis of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment with Choroidal Detachment

BackgroundRhegmatogenous retinal detachment with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) is an uncommon and sight-threatening disorder marked by fast development and significant inflammation. This study aimed to identify cellular and molecular signatures distinguishing RRDCD from typical rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and to investigate the roles of microglia and the complement C5/C5a pathway in disease pathogenesis. MethodsSingle-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to analyze vitreous samples from patients with RRD and RRDCD, indicating its involvement in blood-retina barrier impairment. ResultsOur findings revealed a distinct cellular landscape in RRDCD, characterized by enhanced connectivity between microglia and dendritic cells, alongside a significant upregulation of the complement C5-C5AR1 interaction. In vitro experiments indicated that treatment with complement C5 promoted microglial proliferation and activation, induced apoptosis in RF/6A endothelial cells, and disrupted tight junctions in ARPE-19 epithelial cells, suggesting a role in blood-retina barrier dysfunction. ConclusionThe findings substantiate the inflammatory hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of RRDCD, emphasizing the critical functions of microglia and the complement C5/C5a pathway in intensifying retinal inflammation and undermining vascular integrity.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2024

AKR1C mediates the acquired resistance to T-Dxd in a HER-2 positive gastric cancer line

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-Dxd), an anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate, has significantly enhanced clinical outcomes for patients as a HER2-directed therapy compared to previous standards of care. However, acquired resistance is always a concern, necessitating further investigation into the underlying resistance mechanism. In this study, we successfully established T-Dxd-resistant cell line (N87-R) by exposing HER2-positive N87 gastric cancer cells to increasing concentrations of T-Dxd, and demonstrated its resistance phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. While there were no changes in HER2 expression or T-Dxd binding in N87-R, a signature of drug metabolism genes were found upregulated, among which AKR1C played a critical role in the resistance mechanism. The resistance phenotype of N87-R cells was mitigated by both siRNA-mediated knockdown of AKR1C and pharmacological inhibition of its enzymatic activity. Our preclinical study underscores the critical role of AKR1C function in mediating T-Dxd resistance and suggests potential therapeutic innovation for combating T-Dxd resistance.

cancer biology↗