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. 2012 Dec;4(4):181-5.
doi: 10.1556/IMAS.4.2012.4.2. Epub 2012 Dec 27.

Elevation of monocyte-platelet aggregates is an early marker of type 2 diabetes

Zsófia Patkó  1 , Albert Császár, György Acsády, Iván Ory, Eva Takács, József Fűrész
Affiliations

Elevation of monocyte-platelet aggregates is an early marker of type 2 diabetes

Zsófia Patkó et al. Interv Med Appl Sci. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes has been shown to be an accelerating factor in the progression of atherosclerosis. The metabolic changes in diabetes contribute to modified platelet function and enhanced leukocyte-platelet aggregate formation. The attachment of activated platelets leads to the activation of leukocytes causing enhanced cytokine production and upregulation of surface adhesion molecules. Therefore, platelet-leukocyte aggregates may be of great importance in the development of cardiovascular complications.

Materials and methods: Monocyte-platelet aggregates and monocyte Mac-1 expression were measured by flow cytometry to obtain differences between type 2 diabetic and healthy subjects. Inflammatory mediators were evaluated to assess the presence of inflammation.

Results: We found no signs of inflammation in type 2 diabetes; however, we observed enhanced aggregation level of monocytes and platelets. The expression of Mac-1 did not differ between diabetic and control subjects, but it was significantly higher on monocytes bearing platelets in both groups.

Conclusions: Elevation of monocyte-platelet aggregates is an early marker of diabetes, which precedes the signs of inflammation. Enhanced Mac-1 expression can be observed on monocytes bearing platelets, independent from the presence of diabetes.

Keywords: adhesive receptor Mac-1; cell aggregation; diabetes mellitus; inflammation; monocytes; platelets.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Monocyte–platelet aggregate formation in diabetic and control subjects in the percentage of total monocyte count. Aggregate formation was significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects. p = 0.027
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Mac-1 expression (CD11b fluorescence) on CD14 positive cells. There was no difference between diabetic and control subjects regarding the expression of Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18). p = 0.73
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
CD11b fluorescence on CD41 positive (platelet-bound) and CD41 negative (single) monocytes. There was no difference in Mac-1 expression between the diabetic (DM) and control group; however, a significant difference could be observed between monocytes attached to platelets compared to single monocytes, in both diabetic and control subjects. (p = 0.005 for CD41 positive vs. CD41 negative monocytes)
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