Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025
The Role of PKM2 in Diabetic Microangiopathy
Chao Tu1, Liangzhi Wang1, Lan Wei1
1Department of Internal Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213000, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Diabetic microangiopathy is among the most common complications affecting patients with diabetes, and includes both diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic nephropathy (DKD). Diabetic microangiopathy remains a persistent threat to the health and quality of life of affected patients. Mechanistically, the severity of DR and DKD is tied to mitochondrial and glucose metabolism abnormalities, with the activation of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) contributing to mitochondrial and glomerular dysfunction, abnormal renal hemodynamics, and retinopathy. PKM2 can activate inflammatory bodies in macrophages to promote the release of inflammatory mediators, and serves as a key regulator of inflammatory factors, chemokines and adhesion molecules. As such, there is sufficient evidence that PKM2 can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of diabetes and diabetic microangiopathy. Here, we survey the mechanisms whereby PKM2 contributes to diabetes-related microvascular diseases, associated regulatory roles, post-translational modifications, and the potential utility of PKM2 as a therapeutic target. Through this literature review, we have determined that PKM2 offers promise as both a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target with direct relevance to research pertaining to diabetic microangiopathy.
Insights
Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) plays a key role in diabetic microangiopathy, including diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. Targeting PKM2 may offer new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these common diabetes complications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
- Pathology
Background:
- Diabetic microangiopathy, encompassing diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic nephropathy (DKD), is a major complication of diabetes.
- These conditions significantly impact patient health and quality of life.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and altered glucose metabolism are central to DR and DKD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms linking pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) to diabetic microvascular diseases.
- To explore PKM2's regulatory roles, post-translational modifications, and therapeutic potential.
- To assess PKM2's utility as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for diabetic microangiopathy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on PKM2 in diabetes and its complications.
- Analysis of PKM2's role in mitochondrial function, glucose metabolism, and inflammation.
- Examination of PKM2's involvement in glomerular and retinal pathologies.
Main Results:
- PKM2 activation contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction, glomerular damage, and retinopathy in diabetes.
- PKM2 regulates inflammatory responses by activating inflammatory bodies in macrophages.
- PKM2 is implicated in the release of inflammatory mediators, chemokines, and adhesion molecules.
Conclusions:
- PKM2 is a key regulator in the development of diabetic microangiopathy.
- PKM2 shows significant promise as a diagnostic biomarker for diabetes and its microvascular complications.
- Targeting PKM2 presents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
01:25cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways