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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Characterization of a Novel Human Organotypic Retinal Culture Technique
Published on: June 9, 2021
Circulating immune cell phenotyping is potentially relevant for diabetic retinopathy risk assessment
Bo Li1, Xu Zhao2, Zhenzhen Hong3
1Department of Endocrinology, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Biomedical Research Institute, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China.
Background:
Inflammation is believed to play a central role in the development of diabetes mellitus and is a common feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the association with diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a topic of debate.
Methods:
This study employed two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to establish causal associations between immune cell characteristics and DR. Using publicly available GWAS genetic data, we investigated the causal relationship between 731 immune cell characteristics and the risk of DR. A total of four types of immune features, including relative cell (RC), absolute cell (AC), median fluorescence intensities (MFI), and morphological parameters (MP), were included. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the robustness, heterogeneity, and potential horizontal pleiotropy of the results.
Results:
Thirty-five immune cell phenotypes were correlated with the risk of developing DR among four immune traits (MFI, RC, AC, and MP), and DR resulted in altered expression of twenty-six immune cells.
Conclusion:
We have demonstrated a strong correlation between immune cell traits and DR using a genetic approach. This finding offers valuable insights for early DR prevention and future clinical research and treatment.
