Glucose-regulated protein 78 in the aqueous humor in diabetic macular edema patients

In this study, we explored the presence and elevation of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in aqueous humor of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). After comparing DME patients with the controls, we analyzed GRP78 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in DME patients. We examined factors associated with GRP78 levels in DME patients. GRP78 was detected in aqueous humor with elevated levels in DME patients. Stepwise backward regression analysis showed that GRP78 levels were associated with the VEGF levels and the duration of diabetes (P < .001 and P = .002, respectively). However, no statistical significance was observed between GRP78 levels and the decrease in CST following 3 monthly anti-VEGF treatments in univariate regression analysis (P = .695). We showed that GRP78 is elevated in DME patients. In addition, there is a correlation between GRP78 and VEGF levels in aqueous humor. However, GRP78 levels were not associated with the responsiveness of anti-VEGF in DME patients.