Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
An Ex Vivo Tissue Culture Model for Fibrovascular Complications in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Published on: January 25, 2019
Increased vitreous shedding of microparticles in proliferative diabetic retinopathy stimulates endothelial
Sadri Chahed1, Aurélie S Leroyer, Mounir Benzerroug
1Paris-Cardiovascular Research Centre, Inserm U970, Paris, France.
Objective:
Diabetic retinopathy is associated with progressive retinal capillary activation and proliferation, leading to vision impairment and blindness. Microparticles are submicron membrane vesicles with biological activities, released following cell activation or apoptosis. We tested the hypothesis that proangiogenic microparticles accumulate in vitreous fluid in diabetic retinopathy.
Research Design And Methods:
Levels and cellular origin of vitreous and plasma microparticles from control (n = 26) and diabetic (n = 104) patients were analyzed by flow cytometry, and their proangiogenic activity was assessed by in vitro thymidine incorporation and neovessel formation in subcutaneous Matrigel plugs in mice.
Results:
Microparticles of endothelial, platelet, photoreceptor, and microglial origin were identified in vitreous samples. Levels of photoreceptor and microglial microparticles were undetectable in plasmas but were comparable in diabetic and control vitreous samples. Vitreous platelet and endothelial microparticles levels were increased in diabetic patients and decreased following panretinal laser photocoagulation or intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injection in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The ratio of vitreous to plasma microparticle levels was calculated to estimate local formation versus potential plasma leakage. In PDR, the endothelial microparticles ratio--but not that for platelet--was greater than 1.0, indicating local formation of endothelial microparticles from retinal vessels and permeation of platelet microparticles from plasma. Isolated vitreous microparticles stimulated by 1.6-fold endothelial proliferation and increased new vessel formation in mice.
Conclusions:
The present study demonstrates that vitreous fluid contains shed membrane microparticles of endothelial, platelet, and retinal origin. Vitreous microparticles levels are increased in patients with diabetic retinopathy, where they could contribute to disease progression.
Insights
Proangiogenic microparticles, particularly endothelial and platelet types, accumulate in the vitreous fluid of patients with diabetic retinopathy, contributing to disease progression. Vitreous microparticle levels decreased after treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) involves retinal capillary changes, potentially leading to vision loss.
- Microparticles are vesicles released from activated or apoptotic cells, carrying biological signals.
- The role of vitreous microparticles in DR pathogenesis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that proangiogenic microparticles accumulate in vitreous fluid in diabetic retinopathy.
- To identify the cellular origins and quantify vitreous and plasma microparticle levels in DR patients.
- To assess the proangiogenic activity of vitreous microparticles.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze microparticle levels and cellular origin in vitreous and plasma from control and diabetic patients.
- In vitro assays (thymidine incorporation) and in vivo studies (Matrigel plugs in mice) assessed microparticle proangiogenic activity.
- Vitreous to plasma microparticle ratios were calculated to differentiate local formation from plasma leakage.
Main Results:
- Vitreous samples contained microparticles of endothelial, platelet, photoreceptor, and microglial origin.
- Elevated levels of vitreous platelet and endothelial microparticles were observed in diabetic patients, decreasing post-treatment.
- Endothelial microparticles in proliferative DR showed evidence of local retinal origin, while platelet microparticles were linked to plasma permeation.
Conclusions:
- Vitreous fluid in diabetic retinopathy patients harbors increased levels of shed membrane microparticles.
- These vitreous microparticles, including those of endothelial and platelet origin, may play a role in the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
- Therapeutic interventions like anti-VEGF treatment and laser photocoagulation reduced vitreous microparticle levels.
More Related Videos
12:28Quantification of Vascular Parameters in Whole Mount Retinas of Mice with Non-Proliferative and Proliferative Retinopathies
Published on: March 12, 2022
11:13Adenoviral Gene Therapy for Diabetic Keratopathy: Effects on Wound Healing and Stem Cell Marker Expression in Human Organ-cultured Corneas and Limbal Epithelial Cells
Published on: April 7, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy