Ahmed M Abu El-Asrar1,2, Ajmal Ahmad1, Eef Allegaert3, Mohammad Mairaj Siddiquei1, Priscilla W Gikandi1, Gert De Hertogh3, Ghislain Opdenakker4. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University , Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2. Dr. Nasser Al-Rashid Research Chair in Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University , Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Laboratory of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, University of Leuven , Leuven, Belgium. 4. Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Leuven , Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of IL-11 and its receptor IL-11Rα and to quantify density of CD163+ M2 macrophages in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Vitreous samples from 29 PDR and 19 nondiabetic patients, epiretinal fibrovascular membranes from 15 patients with PDR and Müller cells were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: We showed a significant increase in expression of IL-11, soluble(s) IL-11Rα, sCD163 and VEGF in vitreous samples from PDR patients compared to nondiabetic controls. Significant positive correlations were found between levels of VEGF and levels of IL-11 and sCD163. Significant positive correlations were found between microvessel density and number of blood vessels and stromal cells expressing IL-11, IL-11Rα and CD163 in PDR epiretinal membranes. The hypoxia mimetic agent cobalt chloride induced upregulation of IL-11 and IL-11Ra in cultured Müller cells. CONCLUSIONS: IL-11/IL-11Rα signaling and CD163+ M2 macrophages might be involved in PDR angiogenesis.
PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of IL-11 and its receptor IL-11Rα and to quantify density of CD163+ M2 macrophages in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Vitreous samples from 29 PDR and 19 nondiabetic patients, epiretinal fibrovascular membranes from 15 patients with PDR and Müller cells were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: We showed a significant increase in expression of IL-11, soluble(s) IL-11Rα, sCD163 and VEGF in vitreous samples from PDR patients compared to nondiabetic controls. Significant positive correlations were found between levels of VEGF and levels of IL-11 and sCD163. Significant positive correlations were found between microvessel density and number of blood vessels and stromal cells expressing IL-11, IL-11Rα and CD163 in PDR epiretinal membranes. The hypoxia mimetic agent cobalt chloride induced upregulation of IL-11 and IL-11Ra in cultured Müller cells. CONCLUSIONS:IL-11/IL-11Rα signaling and CD163+ M2 macrophages might be involved in PDR angiogenesis.