Proteomic study of vitreous in proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients after treatment with aflibercept: a quantitative analysis based on 4D label-free technique

Ting-Ting Feng; Xiang Gao; An-Ran Liang; Bo-Wen Zhao; Guang-Hui He; Song Chen

doi:10.18240/ijo.2024.04.11

International Journal of Ophthalmology (Apr 2024)

Proteomic study of vitreous in proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients after treatment with aflibercept: a quantitative analysis based on 4D label-free technique

Ting-Ting Feng,
Xiang Gao,
An-Ran Liang,
Bo-Wen Zhao,
Guang-Hui He,
Song Chen

Affiliations

Ting-Ting Feng: Song Chen. Tianjin Medical University, Department of Vitreous and Retinopathy, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, No.4 Gansu Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300020, China. [email protected]
Xiang Gao: Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Anyang Eye Hospital, Anyang 455000, Henan Province, China
An-Ran Liang: Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining 272011, Shandong Province, China
Bo-Wen Zhao: Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300020, China
Guang-Hui He: Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300020, China
Song Chen: Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300020, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2024.04.11
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17, no. 4
pp. 676 – 685

Abstract

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AIM: To identify different metabolites, proteins and related pathways to elucidate the causes of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and resistance to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs, and to provide biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of PDR. METHODS: Vitreous specimens from patients with diabetic retinopathy were collected and analyzed by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses based on 4D label-free technology. Statistically differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway representation and protein interactions were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 12 samples were analyzed. The proteomics results showed that a total of 58 proteins were identified as DEPs, of which 47 proteins were up-regulated and 11 proteins were down-regulated. We found that C1q and tumor necrosis factor related protein 5 (C1QTNF5), Clusterin (CLU), tissue inhibitor of metal protease 1 (TIMP1) and signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) can all be specifically regulated after aflibercept treatment. GO functional analysis showed that some DEPs are related to changes in inflammatory regulatory pathways caused by PDR. In addition, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network evaluation revealed that TIMP1 plays a central role in neural regulation. In addition, CD47/SIRPα may become a key target to resolve anti-VEGF drug resistance in PDR. CONCLUSION: Proteomic analysis is an approach of choice to explore the molecular mechanisms of PDR. Our data show that multiple proteins are differentially changed in PDR patients after intravitreal injection of aflibercept, among which C1QTNF5, CLU, TIMP1 and SIRPα may become targets for future treatment of PDR and resolution of anti-VEGF resistance.

Published in International Journal of Ophthalmology

ISSN: 2222-3959 (Print); 2227-4898 (Online)
Publisher: Press of International Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO PRESS)
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Medicine: Ophthalmology
Website: http://www.ijo.cn/gjyken/ch/index.aspx

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