Abnormal expression and function of Dectin-1 receptor in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c>8%) Metabolism, 05/17/2012

Cortez–Espinosa N et al. – The data indicate that Dectin–1 may be involved in the abnormal immune responses that are observed in patients with T2D.

• Dectin–1 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry and RT–PCR in monocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations from T2D patients (n=34) and healthy subjects (n=29).
• Functional assays were used to assess cytokine synthesis, ROS levels and oxidative stress ratio.

• The authors found increased expression (MFI) of Dectin–1 in monocytes from T2D patients.
• Significantly higher Dectin–1 expression was also detected in CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T, B cells and NK cells from T2D patients compared to controls.
• In contrast, monocytes from T2D patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c>8%) showed a diminished percentage of Dectin–1⁺/TLR2⁺ cells.
• Negative correlations between the percent of Dectin–1⁺/TLR2⁺ cells and fasting plasma glucose levels (FPG) and HbA1c levels were found.
• A significant reduction in basal levels of IL–10 was observed in patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c>8%) compared to patients with appropriate glycemic control (HbA1c≤6.5%) and healthy controls, an effect that was not observed in monocytes stimulated with zymosan.
• Higher ROS levels in zymosan–stimulated cells from patients with poor glycemic control positively correlated with FPG levels, and the oxidative stress ratio was higher in T2D cells compared with controls.