Vitreous biomarkers in diabetic retinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Journal of diabetes and its complications Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 419 - 425
• Main Authors: McAuley, Annie K, Sanfilippo, Paul G, Hewitt, Alex W, Liang, Helena, Lamoureux, Ecosse, Wang, Jie Jin, Connell, Paul P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2014; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Biomarkers - metabolism; Candidates; Confidence intervals; Diabetes; Diabetic retinopathy; Diabetic Retinopathy - diagnosis; Diabetic Retinopathy - metabolism; Endocrinology & Metabolism; EPO; HGF; Humans; IL-6; IL-8; KEGG pathway; Macular edema; Pathogenesis; Proliferative retinopathy; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis - metabolism; Receptor, Endothelin A - metabolism; Receptor, Endothelin B - metabolism; Standard deviation; Statistical analysis; Studies; Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism; Vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGF; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body - metabolism; EPO; Proliferative retinopathy; KEGG pathway; VEGF; HGF; Vitrectomy; Macular edema; IL-8; IL-6
• ISSN: 1056-8727; 1873-460X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2013.09.010

Abstract The aim of this study was to perform a systematic meta-analysis of biomarkers investigated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the vitreous, and to explore the molecular pathway interactions of these markers found to be consistently associated with DR. Relevant databases [PubMed and ISI web of science] were searched for all published articles investigating molecular biomarkers of the vitreous associated with DR. Based on set exclusion/inclusion criteria available data from studies with human vitreous samples were extracted and used for our meta-analysis. The interactions of significant biomarkers in DR were investigated via STRING and KEGG pathway analysis. Our meta-analysis of DR identifies eleven biomarkers as potential therapeutic candidates alternate to current anti-VEGF therapy. Four of these are deemed viable therapeutic targets for PDR; ET receptors (ET A and ET B), anti-PDGF-BB, blocking TGF-β using cell therapy and PEDF. The identification of supplementary or synergistic therapeutic candidates to anti VEGF in the treatment of DR may aid in the development of future treatment trials.