Related Experiment Videos
Alterations in membrane fluidity of diabetic polymorphonuclear leukocytes
A Kantar1, P L Giorgi, G Curatola
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Ancona, Italy.
Biochemical Medicine and Metabolic Biology
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Diabetic patients show reduced plasma membrane fluidity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. This decrease in fluidity in resting cells may be linked to increased basal respiratory burst activity in individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is associated with altered immune cell function.
- Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) play a crucial role in innate immunity and are implicated in diabetic complications.
- Changes in plasma membrane fluidity can affect cellular functions, including immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma membrane fluidity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
- To compare PMN membrane fluidity between diabetic subjects and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between membrane fluidity and basal respiratory burst activity.
Main Methods:
- Plasma membrane fluidity was assessed using steady-state fluorescence anisotropy.
- The fluorescent probe 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) was incorporated into the PMN plasma membrane.
- Measurements were taken on resting (unstimulated) and stimulated (phorbol myristate acetate) PMNs from 28 diabetic patients and 30 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Resting PMNs from diabetic subjects exhibited significantly higher fluorescence anisotropy values compared to controls (0.318 +/- 0.003 vs 0.287 +/- 0.003, P < 0.001), indicating decreased membrane fluidity.
- Stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate induced a comparable increase in fluorescence anisotropy in both diabetic and control groups.
- No significant difference in fluorescence anisotropy was observed between stimulated PMNs from diabetic and control groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- These findings demonstrate reduced plasma membrane fluidity in resting PMNs from individuals with IDDM.
- The decreased membrane fluidity in diabetic PMNs may be partially attributed to elevated basal respiratory burst activity.
- Altered PMN membrane properties could contribute to the pathophysiology of diabetic complications.