Interpericyte tunnelling nanotube loss in very early diabetic retinal disease
Authors' conclusion
These observations suggest that IP-TNT loss is a very early feature of diabetic retinopathy that can selectively precede alterations to pericytes and retinal capillaries. Given that IP-TNTs are intimately associated with pericytes, there is the potential that IP-TNT loss contributes to perfusion abnormalities and may be one of the major pathogenic factors in diabetic retinopathy. Future studies should confirm this exploratory work; the development of therapeutic agents designed to maintain IP-TNT structure and function may be an important factor for the preservation of retinal health.
Study context
- Population
- Human donor retinas; macular vasculature of individuals with preclinical diabetic retinopathy and controls
- Participants
- 7 vs 12
- Comparison
- Preclinical diabetic retinopathy vs control
- Diabeticn = 7
- Controln = 12reference
- Outcome
- IP-TNTs per 500 × 500 µm area
Methodological detailshuman donor retina, high-resolution confocal microscopy with isolated perfusion labelling
- Human donor retina
- High-resolution confocal microscopy with isolated perfusion labelling
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Superficial vascular plexus (SVP): diabetic vs control, mean ± SD
2.5 ± 0.79 vs 3.93 ± 0.82
p<0.0001
Intermediate capillary plexus (ICP): diabetic vs control, mean ± SD
1.40 ± 0.83 vs 1.98 ± 0.88
p=0.012
Deep capillary plexus (DCP): diabetic vs control, mean ± SD
1.11 ± 0.87 vs 1.75 ± 0.99
p=0.011
Original publication
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