Increased circulating PEDF and low sICAM-1 are associated with sickle cell retinopathy

Author(s):Show less -

Cruz, P. R. S. ^[1] ; Lira, R. P. C. ^[2] ; Pereira Filho, S. A. C. ^[2] ; Souza, B. B. ^[1] ; Mitsuushi, F. N. ^[2] ; Menaa, F. ^[1] ; Fertrin, K. Y. ^[3] ; Vasconcellos, J. P. C. ^[2] ; Conran, N. ^[3] ; Costa, F. F. ^[3] ; Melo, M. B. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Ctr Mol Biol & Genet Engn CBMEG, Lab Human Mol Genet, BR-13083875 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Fac Med Sci, Dept Ophthalmol, BR-13083875 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Hematol & Hemotherapy Ctr, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BLOOD CELLS MOLECULES AND DISEASES; v. 54, n. 1, p. 33-37, JAN 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Sickle cell retinopathy (SCR) develops in up to 30% of sickle cell disease patients (SCD) during the second decade of life. Treatment for this affection remains palliative, so studies on its pathophysiology may contribute to the future development of novel therapies. SCR is more frequently observed in hemoglobin SC disease and derives from vaso-occlusion in the microvasculature of the retina leading to neovascularization and, eventually, to blindness. Circulating inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic factors, and their interaction may contribute to the pathophysiology of this complication. Angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, E-selectin, P-selectin, IL1-beta, TNF-alpha, pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor plasmatic levels were determined in 37 SCD patients with retinopathy, 34 without retinopathy, and healthy controls. We observed that sICAM-1 is significantly decreased, whereas PEDF is elevated in HbSC patients with retinopathy (P = 0.012 and P = 0.031, respectively). Ang-1, Ang-2 and IL1-beta, levels were elevated in SCD patients (P = 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), compared to controls, and HbSS patients presented higher levels of Ang-2 compared to HbSC (P < 0.001). Our study supports the possible influence of sICAM-1 and PEDF on the pathophysiology of retinal neovascularization in SCD patients. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/15219-2 - BIOCHEMICAL AND GENETICAL ANALYSIS OF CELL ADHESION AND VASCULAR GROWTH PATHWAYS: ASSOCIATION WITH SICKLE CELL RETINOPATHY DEVELOPMENT
• Grantee: Pedro Rodrigues Sousa da Cruz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 08/57441-0 - Clinical, cellular and molecular alterations in hemoglobinopathies and other hereditary hemolytic anemias
• Grantee: Fernando Ferreira Costa
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants