title: Inflammatory biomarkers and progression of diabetic retinopathy in African Americans with type 1 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether baseline plasma levels of markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are associated with the incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in African Americans with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (T1DM).
  
  
  METHODS
  At baseline and follow-up examinations, detailed ocular examination, structured clinical interview, venous blood specimens, and masked grading of seven standard field retinal photographs were obtained. Baseline plasma levels of 28 inflammatory biomarkers, measured using multiplex bead analysis system, were measured in the participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for age, glycemic control, and other potential confounders, baseline plasma levels of E-selectin were associated significantly with progression of DR, E-selectin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels with incidence of proliferative DR (PDR), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and TNF-α levels with incidence of macular edema (ME).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In African Americans with T1DM, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction precede the development of DR, thus supporting the notion that inflammation may influence progression/incidence of disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, 90 Bergen Street, Room 6164, Newark, NJ 07101-1709, USA. monique.roy@rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Monique S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Malvin N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Janal
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: African Americans; biomarkers; diabetic retinopathy; incidence; inflammation