VICM as a risk marker of kidney disease progression in people with type 2 diabetes
August 28, 2026
VICM, a biomarker of macrophage-driven inflammation, as a risk marker of kidney disease progression in people with type 2 diabetes
Introduction
Hyperglycemia-induced metabolic stress promotes macrophage recruitment, driving inflammation, fibrosis, and kidney damage. Early biomarkers that can serve as risk markers for progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are needed. We investigated whether circulating VICM—a fragment of citrullinated, MMP-degraded vimentin—is a risk marker for progression of DKD in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and moderately increased albuminuria.
Poster
Conclusion
Higher VICM is an independent risk marker of DKD progression in people with T2D. Biomarkers reflecting macrophage-driven immune dysregulation, such as VICM, may enable early identification of people at high risk of kidney complications.