Imbalance of the Nerve Growth Factor and Its Precursor as a Potential Biomarker for Diabetic Retinopathy

Figure 6

Shedding of p is consistent in vitreous and serum. (a) Representative bands show p expression in vitreous and serum for diabetic compared to nondiabetic control groups. The full length p (75 kD) and receptor ectodomain (50 kD) had similar levels of expression in control and diabetic (DB) groups of both vitreous and serum. The possible proteolytic C terminal fragment (CTF) and intracellular domain (ICD) appeared at 27 kD and 22 kD. Differences in expression patterns between vitreous and serum as well as between diabetic and control groups were evident for both CTF and ICD. (b) In vitreous, 27 kD p receptor fragment was significantly increased in diabetic (1.65-fold ) compared to nondiabetic control group ( = 4–11, ). (c) In serum, a significant increase in 22 kD p occurred in diabetic samples (1.85-fold ± 0.30) compared to nondiabetic controls ( = 6–10, ).

(a)

(b)

(c)