Fund programs: Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province(No. 2508085QH303)
Authors:Li Peng, Liang Kun, Wu Feng, Li Jia, Liu Lun, Tao Yulin
Keywords:diabetic retinopathy;angiogenesis;FN1;P53 signaling pathway;tube formation
DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000–1492.2026.05.009
〔Abstract〕 Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms related to angiogenesis during the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy(DR). Methods Angiogenesis-related genes were obtained from the Gen ‑ card website and intersected with differentially expressed genes from DR datasets(GSE60436 and GSE94019). Functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were then used to screen candidate genes and evaluate their diagnostic value. Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was used to explore potential pathways underlying candidate genes,and immune infiltration analysis revealed associations between candidate genes and immune cells. Cellular experiments were conducted to validate the role of fibronectin 1(FN1)in human retinal mi_ crovascular endothelial cells(HRMECs)under high glucose(HG)conditions. Results A total of 237 differen_ tially expressed genes related to angiogenesis were identified,enriched in pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-ki_ nase/protein kinase B signaling pathway(PI3K-Akt), tumor suppressor protein 53(P53), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and Janus kinase(JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway(STAT). Among them,collagen type I alpha 1 chain(COL1A1), COL1A2,FN1,TNF,and tumor protein p53(TP53) were key genes with high diagnostic value. GSEA indicated that these genes were involved in multiple signaling pathways,including P53. CIBERSORTx analysis revealed significant associations with the infiltration of multiple immune cells. HG treatment led to the upregulation of FN1. In HG-induced HRMECs,compared with the si-NC control group,si-FN1 significantly reduced cell proliferation,migration,and tube formation,while P53 protein ex_ pression was increased. Conclusion This study reveals the important role of FN1 in angiogenesis in DR and sug_ gests that it may be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target.