Single-cell eQTL Mendelian randomization reveals the monocyte-associated PRKCB–CTSL axis as a candidate regulatory pathway and potential therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Single-cell eQTL Mendelian randomization identifies a monocyte-linked PRKCB–CTSL pathway as a potential regulatory mechanism and therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis

  • By

  • Pengli Wang

  • Guohang Shen

  • Wenhua Liao

  • Ruoyan Wang

  • Li Zhang

  • Mingjia Zhao

  • Dong Zhang

  • Nanxiang Huang

  • Yupei Dai

  • October 19, 2026

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  • 1

    The study integrated cell-type-specific cis-eQTLs from 17 immune-cell populations with rheumatoid arthritis GWAS data to prioritize genetically associated eGenes.

  • 2

    Mendelian randomization estimates used the Wald ratio for exposures with one eligible instrument and inverse-variance weighting when multiple independent instruments were available.

  • 3

    The analysis combined genetic prioritization with transcriptomic, co-expression, machine-learning, and single-cell analyses to identify candidate targets and assess cellular specificity.

  • 4

    Computational gene perturbation and drug-screening analyses were used to examine potential regulatory relationships and translational relevance.

  • 5

    The study reports a monocyte-linked PRKCB–CTSL pathway as a potential regulatory mechanism and therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis.

Original Source(s)

Single-cell eQTL Mendelian randomization reveals the monocyte-associated PRKCB–CTSL axis as a candidate regulatory pathway and potential therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis

  • by Pengli Wang, Guohang Shen, Wenhua Liao, Ruoyan Wang, Li Zhang, Mingjia Zhao, Dong Zhang, Nanxiang Huang, Yupei Dai

  • October 19, 2026

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