Increased expression of TSPO-VDAC complex is correlated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation in diabetic retinopathy

• DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12869
• Publication Date: 2022-10-05T11:48:00Z
• Authors: Yue Guo; Zhongcui Sun; Ling Wang; Rui Jiang; Qinmeng Shu; Gezhi Xu
• Keywords: Pyrin domain; Translocator protein; Voltage-dependent anion channel; Interleukin 18

The present study aimed to investigate the level of translocator protein (TSPO) and its correlation with different inflammatory cytokines in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 54 DR patients 22 age-related cataract (ARC) mRNA expression TSPO, voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), apoptosis-associated speck like a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), NOD-like receptors pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) caspase-1 examined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Interleukin-1β interleukin-18 levels detected enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. VDAC, ASC, NLRP3 capase-1, IL-β IL-18 all significantly higher group compared those ARC group. aforementioned cytokines/proteins more subgroup active proliferative (PDR) inactive PDR (P<0.05). Significant positive correlations between TSPO/VDAC complex NLRP3, found These outcomes suggested that inflammasomes may play an important role development progression DR.