While six proteins (oncostatin-M (OSM), TNF ligand superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14), TNF, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18R) were higher in the diabetes group, four proteins were lower in diabetes compared with control participants (stem cell factor (SCF), TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), C-C motif chemokine 23 (CCL23), C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCL5); Fig. 4b). Here, CCL23 is linked to diabetes mellitus.