Dysregulation of the TNF-α-OTUD3-PPARγ signaling axis exacerbates retinal oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic retinopathy.

AIMS: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes. In addition to hyperglycemia, various mechanisms contribute to the development of microvascular damage to the retina, which have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate Ovarian tumor domain-containing protein 3 (OTUD3)'s protection against DR by targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)-mediated dysfunction and identifying therapeutic strategies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted clinical analysis of 208 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with OTUD3 genotyping, combined with diabetic homozygous mutated (Otud3-/-) mouse models and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell lines (OTUD3 knockdown/mutation).

KEY FINDINGS: We found increased hyperreflective foci (HRF) associated with an increased immune activation in diabetic Otud3-/- mice compared to Otud3 wild-type (Otud3+/+) mice. OTUD3 knockdown or mutated cells showed increased cell dysfunction and oxidative stress markers under inflammatory conditions. Further upstream transcription factors predict analysis suggest PPARγ as the potential target of OTUD3. Finally, we found PPARγ agonist could rescue the phenotype in RPE cells characterized by increased ROS levels, enhanced migration, and elevated apoptosis resulting from OTUD3 loss of function through knockdown or mutation.

SIGNIFICANCE: Our study offers novel insights into how deubiquitylase OTUD3 maintains the normal function of the retina by deubiquitylating PPARγ and provides a novel therapeutic target for this vision-threatening diabetic complications.