ROLE OF INTERCELLULAR ADHESION MOLECULES (ICAM-1), VASCULAR CELL ADHESION (VCAM-1) AND CALPROTECTIN (MRP8/14) IN PATHOGENESIS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Abstract

Aim of the research. The aim is to study the content of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and calprotectin in the blood serum of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and various stages of diabetic retinopathy. The aim is also to evaluate the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of the disease. Materials and methods. Four groups of people were formed: first group (control group) included 21 healthy individuals; second group included 21 patients with prediabetes, third group 21 patients with type 2 diabetes. The fourth group included 63 patients with diabetic retinopathy, and this group was further divided into 3 groups of 21 people each: with non-proliferative stage of DR, with preproliferative stage, with proliferative stage.. The concentrations of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and calprotectin (MRP8/14) in blood serum were determined using Human Vascular Inflammation Panel 1 multiplex analysis kits from Biolegend (USA). The results were assessed using CytoFlex flow cytometer (USA). The results were calculated using Jamovi version 2.3. Results. In individuals with prediabetes, the content of MRP8/14 was increased by 111,7% (p < 0,001) relative to the control group. In type 2 diabetes without retinopathy, the values of MRP8/14 protein exceed the control group values by 2,7 times (p < 0,001) and those in individuals with prediabetes by 29,2% (p = 0,049). In the group of patients who had non-proliferative stage of DR, the levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MRP8/14 are higher than control group values in the groups of people with prediabetes and patients with diabetes without complications. During the preproliferative stage, the number of adhesion molecules increases even more; during the proliferative stage, the concentrations of VCAM-1 and calprotectin remain high, and the level of ICAM-1 increases relative to the previous stages. Conclusion. Increasing of MRP8/14 level in diabetes and increasing of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations in the initial stage of DR demonstrate the role of these molecules in the initiation of DR in type 2 diabetes. Researching the relationship between these markers and the development of DR can provide additional information to develop strategies for prevention and treatment of DR as well as predicting its complications.