Effects of trans, trans-2,4-decadienal on gene expression in ARPE-19 cells

trans, trans-2,4-decadienal (tt-DDE) is a toxic compound generated during frying processes. Emerging evidence suggests its potential role in inducing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we performed transcriptome sequencing on ARPE-19 cells following a 24-hour treatment with tt-2,4-DDE. The results revealed significant alterations in the expression of genes involved in pathways regulating endomembrane system homeostasis, including those associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. These findings indicate that tt-2,4-DDE may disrupt endomembrane system function in retinal pigment epithelial cells, providing novel insights into the molecular basis by which environmental toxicants like tt-2,4-DDE could contribute to AMD pathogenesis.