Expression of cell surface antigens in diabetic patients and healthy controls after injury.
OBJECTIVE
Due to the systemic character of Type 2 diabetes, cellular disturbances paralleled by an altered expression of various growth factors constitute the basis for impaired wound healing. Cell-surface antigens are altered in chronic wounds and may also have an effect on the persistance of diabetic foot lesions.


METHODS
We investigated blood samples of diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcers (n=21) in comparison with those from healthy control patients subsequent to an injury (n=9). A blood sample (EDTA) was taken from each participant (in the trauma control group on the third day after injury) and examined by flow cytometry [fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS)]. Typical cell surface antigens involved in wound healing were studied [cluster of differentiation (CD)2, CD3, CD4, CD25 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-diabetic retinopathy (DR)].


RESULTS
known to adversely affect wound healing were elevated in diabetic patients (CD2 p<0.001; CD3 p=0.016, CD4 p=0.22, CD25 p<0.001). HLA-DR expression was also decreased in diabetic foot patients (p=0.023).


CONCLUSIONS
Cell-surface antigens appear to be altered in diabetic patients when compared to healthy controls. Thus, due to the systemic character of Type 2 diabetes, cellular disturbances may well constitute the basis for impaired wound healing in diabetes.
Lobmann
R
R
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Magdeburg Medical School, Magdeburg, Germany. ralf.lobmann@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
Ittenson
A
A
Schiweck
S
S
Motzkau
M
M
Schraven
B
B
Winckler
S
S
Lehnert
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000097:blood; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000276:immunology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000276:immunology
D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2