Monocyte attachment and migration through collagen IV in diabetes mellitus

The interactions between monocytes and extracellular matrix proteins have been implicated in atherosclerosis pathophysiology. In the present study we evaluated monocyte attachment and migration through oxidized and non-oxidized collagen IV. Monocyte attachment was tested on microwells coated with either native or oxidized collagen IV. Monocyte migration through collagen IV was examined on transwells. Monocytes derived from patients with diabetes mellitus showed an increased ability to attach and migrate through collagen IV as compared to those derived from healthy volunteers. Moreover, control monocytes attached to oxidized collagen at a higher degree, while they migrated through oxidized collagen at a lower degree, as compared to the native protein. Our results also showed the involvement of the alpha2 integrin subunit in the above phenomena suggesting a modified interaction between monocytes and collagen IV in diabetes mellitus.