Elevated GDF15 in ocular fluids of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVE

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a multifunctional stress-responsive cytokine widely involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and microvascular injury. Its expression profile in the local intraocular microenvironment of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) remains unclear. This study aimed to detect GDF15 levels in aqueous humor (AH) and vitreous humor (VH) of PDR patients, analyze its differential expression, and provide preliminary evidence for understanding the intraocular expression pattern of GDF15 in PDR.

METHODS

GDF15 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in AH and VH samples from PDR patients and compared with those in AH from age-related cataract patients and VH from patients with macular hole or epiretinal membrane.

RESULTS

GDF15 levels in AH of PDR patients were significantly higher than those in cataract controls; GDF15 levels in VH of PDR patients were markedly higher than those in macular hole/epiretinal membrane controls. An exploratory comparison between AH and VH samples from independent PDR patient cohorts showed higher GDF15 levels in VH than in AH.

CONCLUSION

GDF15 expression is significantly upregulated in AH and VH of PDR patients, with a potential difference between ocular fluid compartments, suggesting an association between intraocular GDF15 upregulation and PDR. These findings provide preliminary evidence for further investigation of GDF15-related inflammatory and stress responses in the local intraocular microenvironment of PDR.