Identification of biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy

In this thesis Ward Fickweiler identified certain protective factors that help prevent diabetic eye disease from developing in some individuals with type 1 diabetes. One protein, known as retinol binding protein 3, was shown to protect both the neuroretina and vascular retina from diabetes-induced disease. Also we found that common protective factors between diabetic eye disease and cardiovascular disease may exist. We also examined a potential new pathway in the development of diabetic eye disease, the kallikrein kinin system. Lastly, we evaluated the usefulness of non-invasive imaging techniques and peripheral blood compounds to predict treatment response in diabetic eye disease. We found several characteristics on retinal imaging and peripheral blood compounds that may be helpful in predicting treatment response in diabetic eye disease.