(M-499) Investigating Gene Expression of Inflammatory Markers in the Adventitia as Potential Indicators of Early-Stage Diabetic Vasculopathy in a Tissue Engineered Model
Associate Professor Wayne State University, College of Engineering Detroit, Michigan, United States
Introduction:: Introduction: Diabetic vasculopathy, characterized by the dysfunction and damage of blood vessels due to diabetes, remains a major complication and leading cause of death in diabetic patients. Currently, early detection of diabetic vasculopathy is limited and difficult to achieve. In this study, we investigated the potential of using Advanced Glycation End-Product receptor (RAGE), TNF- α receptor 1A, Interleukin-6, and Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene expressions as early indicators of diabetic vasculopathy.
Materials and Methods:: Materials and Methods: To provide proof of concept, in-vitro experiments were performed using our lab’s tissue engineered adventitia vessels. The vessels were constructed using our lab’s techniques regarding the isolation of patient derived fibroblasts (PtFibs) in addition to the formation and stacking of vascular tissue rings. The vessels were subjected to three varying blood glucose levels, two of which being hyperglycemic conditions and one being a control. For a given time period, media is changed daily and blood glucose measurements are taken to ensure stable test conditions and to monitor cell activity. Afterwards, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing is conducted to see if the chosen inflammatory markers are expressed.
Results, Conclusions, and Discussions:: Results and Discussion: Throughout the given duration in which cells are exposed to the given hyperglycemic and control conditions, blood glucose measurements show the vessels to be in a consistent state of hyperglycemia. In addition, it can be noted that some groups experience an overall drop in blood glucose concentrations as days of exposure increases. This can be indicative that within the vessels, there is a high count of living cells digesting the glucose present within the media.
Conclusions: Our study provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying early-stage diabetic vasculopathy. The identification of potential indicators of early-stage diabetic vasculopathy is essential for developing effective strategies for early diagnosis and treatment. Our findings suggest that the upregulation of AGE receptor and TNF-α receptor genes may serve as potential biomarkers for early-stage diabetic vasculopathy.
