Structural changes in Schwann cells and nerve fibres in type 1 diabetes: relationship with diabetic polyneuropathy
Authors' conclusion
Cutaneous SC processes and nerves, but not SC soma, are degenerated and interdependent in individuals with diabetic polyneuropathy. However, an increase in structurally damaged nSCs was seen in individuals with diabetic polyneuropathy. Furthermore, dermal SC processes and nerve fibres correlate weakly with clinical measures of neuropathy and may play a partial role in the pathophysiology of diabetic polyneuropathy in type 1 diabetes.
Study context
- Population
- Carefully phenotyped participants with T1D with or without diabetic polyneuropathy, and healthy controls; 3 mm skin biopsies
- Participants
- 25 / 30 / 27 / 25
- Exposure
- T1D without DPN vs painless DPN vs painful DPN vs healthy controls
- T1Dn = 25
- T1DPNn = 30
- P-T1DPNn = 27
- Healthy controln = 25reference
- Outcome
- Cutaneous SC and nerve fibre structure
Methodological detailsskin biopsies, stereological quantification
- Skin biopsies
- Stereological quantification
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Dermal SC expression (dermal SC area fraction, subepidermal SC process density) and nerve fibre expression (IENFD, dermal nerve fibre area fraction, subepidermal nerve fibre density) differed between groups
- all p<0.05
- Significant differences in T1DPN and P-T1DPN vs those without DPN (healthy control and T1D)
- all p<0.05
- No difference between T1DPN and P-T1DPN, nor between T1D and healthy control
- all p>0.05
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlations
- Cutaneous SC processes and nerve fibres highly associated; weakly negatively correlated with different neuropathy measures
Original publication
Structural changes in Schwann cells and nerve fibres in type 1 diabetes: relationship with diabetic polyneuropathy. Diabetologia. Published 20 September 2023. doi:10.
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