AIM:To provide the direct evidence for the crucial role of trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO)in vascular permeability and endothelial cell dysfunction under diabetic condition.METHODS:The role of TMAO on the in vitro biolog...AIM:To provide the direct evidence for the crucial role of trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO)in vascular permeability and endothelial cell dysfunction under diabetic condition.METHODS:The role of TMAO on the in vitro biological effect of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMEC)under high glucose conditions was tested by a cell counting kit,wound healing,a transwell and a tube formation assay.The inflammation-related gene expression affected by TMAO was tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression of the cell junction was measured by Western blotting(WB)and immunofluorescence staining.In addition,two groups of rat models,diabetic and non-diabetic,were fed with normal or 0.1%TMAO for 16wk,and their plasma levels of TMAO,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αwere tested.The vascular permeability of rat retinas was measured using FITC-Dextran,and the expression of zonula occludens(ZO)-1 and claudin-5 in rat retinas was detected by WB or immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:TMAO administration significantly increased the cell proliferation,migration,and tube formation of primary HRMEC either in normal or high-glucose conditions.RT-PCR showed elevated inflammation-related gene expression of HRMEC under TMAO stimulation,while WB or immunofluorescence staining indicated decreased cell junction ZO-1 and occludin expression after high-glucose and TMAO treatment.Diabetic rats showed higher plasma levels of TMAO as well as retinal vascular leakage,which were even higher in TMAO-feeding diabetic rats.Furthermore,TMAO administration increased the rat plasma levels of VEGF,IL-6 and TNF-αwhile decreasing the retinal expression levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5.CONCLUSION:TMAO enhances the proliferation,migration,and tube formation of HRMEC,as well as destroys their vascular integrity and tight connection.It also regulates the expression of VEGF,IL-6,and TNF-α.展开更多
AIM: To explore the interaction between macrophages and chemokines [monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1/CCL2) and fractalkine/CX3CL1] and the effects of their interaction on neovascularization.METHODS: Human peri...AIM: To explore the interaction between macrophages and chemokines [monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1/CCL2) and fractalkine/CX3CL1] and the effects of their interaction on neovascularization.METHODS: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, donated by healthy volunteers, were separated and cultured in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, then induced into macrophages by stimulation with 30 μg/L granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF). The expression of CCR2 and/or CX3CR1 in the macrophages was examined using flow cytometry. Macrophages were then stimulated with recombinant human CCL2(rh-CCL2) or recombinant human CX3CL1(rh-CX3CL1). The expression of angiogenesis-related genes, including VEGF-A, THBS-1 and ADAMTS-1 were examined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Supernatants from stimulated macrophages were used in an assay of human retinal endothelial cell(HREC) proliferation. Finally, stimulated macrophages were cocultured with HREC in a migration assay.RESULTS: The expression rate of CCR2 in macrophages stimulated by GM-CSF was 42%±1.9%. The expression rate of CX3CR1 was 71%±3.3%. Compared with vehicle-treated groups, gene expression of VEGF-A in the macrophages was greater in 150 mg/L CCL2-treated groups(P<0.05), while expression of THBS-1 and ADAMTS-1 was significantly lower(P<0.05). By contrast, compared with vehicle-treated groups, expression of VEGF-A in 150 mg/L CX3CL1-treated groups was significantly lower(P<0.05), while expression of THBS-1 and ADAMTS-1 was greater(P<0.05). Supernatants from CCL2 treated macrophages promoted proliferation of HREC(P<0.05), while supernatants from CX3CL1-treated macrophages inhibited the proliferation of HREC(P<0.05). HREC migration increased when co-cultured with CCL2-treated macrophages, but decreased with CX3CL1-treated macrophages(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: CCL2 and CX3CL1 exert different effects in regulation of macrophage in expression of angiogenesisrelated factors, including VEGF-A, THBS-1 and ADAMTS-1. Our findings suggest that CCL2 and CX3CL1 may be candidate proteins for further exploration of novel targets for treatment of ocular neovascularization.展开更多
AIM: To clarify the effect of autophagy on human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) under high glucose conditions.METHODS: HLECs were cultured with different concentrations of glucose and 3-methyladenine (3-MA);the express...AIM: To clarify the effect of autophagy on human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) under high glucose conditions.METHODS: HLECs were cultured with different concentrations of glucose and 3-methyladenine (3-MA);the expression of autophagy-related protein LC3B was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence histochemistry. The migration of HLECs was quantified by scratch wound assay and the expression of transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: Compared with 5 mmol/L normal glucose treatment, 40 mmol/L glucose treatment can significantly increase the gen eration of autophagosome in HLECs, which could be inhibited by 0.375 mmol/L 3-MA treatment. The migration of HLECs and the expression of TGF-β in HLECs induced by high glucose were significantly suppressed by 0.375 mmol/L 3-MA treatment.CONCLUSION: Autophagy promotes HLECs cell migration and increases the expression of TGF-β after exposed to high glucose, which may relate to the development of diabetic cataract.展开更多
AIM: To explore the effects and mechanism of vascular endothelial cadherin(VE-cadherin) on experimental corneal neovascularization(CRNV).·METHODS: Mouse corneas were burned with sodium hydroxide to build a CRNV m...AIM: To explore the effects and mechanism of vascular endothelial cadherin(VE-cadherin) on experimental corneal neovascularization(CRNV).·METHODS: Mouse corneas were burned with sodium hydroxide to build a CRNV model. The burned corneas were locally administrated with anti-mouse VE-cadherin neutralizing antibody. Annexin V and cluster of differentiation 31(CD31) double staining was used to measure vascular endothelial cell apoptosis with the use of flow cytometry(FCM). The protein expression of NADPH oxidase 2(Nox2), caspase-3, and protein kinase C(PKC) in the burned corneas were examined by Western blot. Human retinal endothelial cell(HREC)proliferation was detected using a Cell Counting Kit 8(CCK-8) assay in vitro.·RESULTS: The amount of CRNV peaked two weeks after the alkali burn. FCM confirmed that VE-cadherin neutralizing antibody treatment increased CD31 positive cell apoptosis. Western blot revealed that the intracorneal protein expression of Nox2 and caspase-3 were up-regulated, while PKC was down-regulated in the VE-cadherin neutralizing antibody administrated group.CCK-8 assay showed that VE-cadherin neutralizing antibody markedly inhibited HREC proliferation.·CONCLUSION: VE-cadherin exhibited an anti-apoptosis effect through enhanced PKC signaling and an enhanced cell proliferation pathway.展开更多
AIM:To analyze the retinal proteomes with and without conbercept treatments in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and identify proteins involved in the molecular mechanisms mediated by conbercept.METHODS:OIR was...AIM:To analyze the retinal proteomes with and without conbercept treatments in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and identify proteins involved in the molecular mechanisms mediated by conbercept.METHODS:OIR was induced in fifty-six C57 BL/6 J mouse pups and randomly divided into four groups.Group 1:Normal17(n=7),mice without OIR and treated with normal air.Group 2:OIR12/EXP1(n=14),mice received 75%oxygen from postnatal day(P)7 to 12.Group 3:OIR17/Control(n=14),mice received 75%oxygen from P7 to P12 and then normal air to P17.Group 4:Lang17/EXP2(n=21),mice received 75%oxygen from P7 to P12 with intravitreal injection of 1μL conbercept at the concentration of 10 mg/m L at P12,and then normal air from P12 to P17.Liquid ChromatographyMass Spectrometry(LC-MS)/MS data were reviewed to find proteins that were up-regulated after the conbercept treatment.Gene ontology(GO)analysis was performed of conbercept-mediated changes in proteins involved in single-organism processes,biological regulation,cellular processes,immune responses,metabolic processes,locomotion and multiple-organism processes.RESULTS:Conbercept induced a reversal of hypoxiainducible factor 1 signaling pathway as revealed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analysis and also induced down-regulation of proteins involved in blood coagulation and fibrin clot formation as demonstrated by the Database for Annotation,Visualization and Integrated Discovery(DAVID)and the stimulation of interferon genes studies.These appear to be risk factors of retinal fibrosis.Additional conbercept-specific fibrosis risk factors were also identified and may serve as therapeutic targets for fibrosis.CONCLUSION:Our studies reveal that many novel proteins are differentially regulated by conbercept.The new insights may warrant a valuable resource for conbercept treatment.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of nitric oxide and its synthetase on experimental corneal neovascularization (CRNV). METHODS: CRNV was induced by alkali injury in mice, nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) was inhibited by N...AIM: To investigate the effect of nitric oxide and its synthetase on experimental corneal neovascularization (CRNV). METHODS: CRNV was induced by alkali injury in mice, nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) was inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was inhibited by aminoguanidine hemisulfate salt (AG). The inhibitory effect was detected at day 2 and 4 after corneal alkali injury by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CRNV was compared between the control and the treated mice by microscopic observation and corneal whole mount CD31 immunostaining. RESULTS: The inhibition of L-NAME to NOS and AG to iNOS after corneal injury was confirmed by RT-PCR (P <0.05). Compared with control mice, L-NAME treated mice exhibited significantly decreased CRNV areas (P <0.05). In contrast, AG treatment failed to attenuate alkali induced CRNV (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that NOS but not iNOS plays a critical role in alkali injury induced CRNV.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effects of blockade of insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1) on the bio-function of tube formation of human choroidal endothelial cells(HCECs).METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymeras...AIM: To investigate the effects of blockade of insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1) on the bio-function of tube formation of human choroidal endothelial cells(HCECs).METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to determine the expression level of IRS-1 and phospho-IRS-1 in HCECs. Tube formation of HCECs was analyzed using three dimensional in vitro Matrigel assay with or without IRS-1 blockage via IRS-1 inhibitor(GS-101) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2) inhibitor. In addition, cell counting kit(CCK)-8 and Transwell migration assay were exerted to analyze the effects of blockade of IRS-1 on the bio-function of proliferation and migration of HCECs, respectively. The apoptosis of HCECs was examined using flow cytometry(FCM).RESULTS: RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that IRS-1 phospho-IRS-1 were expressed in HCECs and the expression level was enhanced by stimulation of VEGF-A. The number of tube formation was decreased significantly in GS-101 treated groups compared to phosphate buffered saline(PBS) treated control groups. Furthermore, both cell proliferation and migration of HCECs were decreased in the presence of GS-101. FCM analysis showed that the apoptosis of HCECs was enhanced when the cells were treated with GS-101. Western blot also showed that the expression level of cleaved-caspase 3 in GS-101 treated group was higher than that in control group.CONCLUSION: Blockade of IRS-1 can inhibit tube formation of HCECs through reducing cell proliferation and migration and promoting cell apoptosis.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation in China(No.81671641)Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Team(No.CXTDA2017039)Gusu Health Talents Program(No.GSWS 2022018).
文摘AIM:To provide the direct evidence for the crucial role of trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO)in vascular permeability and endothelial cell dysfunction under diabetic condition.METHODS:The role of TMAO on the in vitro biological effect of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMEC)under high glucose conditions was tested by a cell counting kit,wound healing,a transwell and a tube formation assay.The inflammation-related gene expression affected by TMAO was tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression of the cell junction was measured by Western blotting(WB)and immunofluorescence staining.In addition,two groups of rat models,diabetic and non-diabetic,were fed with normal or 0.1%TMAO for 16wk,and their plasma levels of TMAO,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αwere tested.The vascular permeability of rat retinas was measured using FITC-Dextran,and the expression of zonula occludens(ZO)-1 and claudin-5 in rat retinas was detected by WB or immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:TMAO administration significantly increased the cell proliferation,migration,and tube formation of primary HRMEC either in normal or high-glucose conditions.RT-PCR showed elevated inflammation-related gene expression of HRMEC under TMAO stimulation,while WB or immunofluorescence staining indicated decreased cell junction ZO-1 and occludin expression after high-glucose and TMAO treatment.Diabetic rats showed higher plasma levels of TMAO as well as retinal vascular leakage,which were even higher in TMAO-feeding diabetic rats.Furthermore,TMAO administration increased the rat plasma levels of VEGF,IL-6 and TNF-αwhile decreasing the retinal expression levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5.CONCLUSION:TMAO enhances the proliferation,migration,and tube formation of HRMEC,as well as destroys their vascular integrity and tight connection.It also regulates the expression of VEGF,IL-6,and TNF-α.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30972712No.31600736+5 种基金No.81671641)Jiangsu Province’s Key Provincial Talents Program(No.RC2011104)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China(No.BK20151208)Jiangsu Provincial Medical Youth Talent(No.QNRC2016718)the Soochow Scholar Project of Soochow University(No.R5122001)Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Team(No.CXTDA2017039)
文摘AIM: To explore the interaction between macrophages and chemokines [monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1/CCL2) and fractalkine/CX3CL1] and the effects of their interaction on neovascularization.METHODS: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, donated by healthy volunteers, were separated and cultured in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, then induced into macrophages by stimulation with 30 μg/L granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF). The expression of CCR2 and/or CX3CR1 in the macrophages was examined using flow cytometry. Macrophages were then stimulated with recombinant human CCL2(rh-CCL2) or recombinant human CX3CL1(rh-CX3CL1). The expression of angiogenesis-related genes, including VEGF-A, THBS-1 and ADAMTS-1 were examined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Supernatants from stimulated macrophages were used in an assay of human retinal endothelial cell(HREC) proliferation. Finally, stimulated macrophages were cocultured with HREC in a migration assay.RESULTS: The expression rate of CCR2 in macrophages stimulated by GM-CSF was 42%±1.9%. The expression rate of CX3CR1 was 71%±3.3%. Compared with vehicle-treated groups, gene expression of VEGF-A in the macrophages was greater in 150 mg/L CCL2-treated groups(P<0.05), while expression of THBS-1 and ADAMTS-1 was significantly lower(P<0.05). By contrast, compared with vehicle-treated groups, expression of VEGF-A in 150 mg/L CX3CL1-treated groups was significantly lower(P<0.05), while expression of THBS-1 and ADAMTS-1 was greater(P<0.05). Supernatants from CCL2 treated macrophages promoted proliferation of HREC(P<0.05), while supernatants from CX3CL1-treated macrophages inhibited the proliferation of HREC(P<0.05). HREC migration increased when co-cultured with CCL2-treated macrophages, but decreased with CX3CL1-treated macrophages(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: CCL2 and CX3CL1 exert different effects in regulation of macrophage in expression of angiogenesisrelated factors, including VEGF-A, THBS-1 and ADAMTS-1. Our findings suggest that CCL2 and CX3CL1 may be candidate proteins for further exploration of novel targets for treatment of ocular neovascularization.
基金Supported by the National Natural ScienceFoundation of China(No.81671641)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20151208)+1 种基金Jiangsu Province’s Outstanding Medical Academic Leader Program(No.CXTDA2017039)Soochow Scholar Project of Soochow University(No.R5122001)
文摘AIM: To clarify the effect of autophagy on human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) under high glucose conditions.METHODS: HLECs were cultured with different concentrations of glucose and 3-methyladenine (3-MA);the expression of autophagy-related protein LC3B was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence histochemistry. The migration of HLECs was quantified by scratch wound assay and the expression of transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: Compared with 5 mmol/L normal glucose treatment, 40 mmol/L glucose treatment can significantly increase the gen eration of autophagosome in HLECs, which could be inhibited by 0.375 mmol/L 3-MA treatment. The migration of HLECs and the expression of TGF-β in HLECs induced by high glucose were significantly suppressed by 0.375 mmol/L 3-MA treatment.CONCLUSION: Autophagy promotes HLECs cell migration and increases the expression of TGF-β after exposed to high glucose, which may relate to the development of diabetic cataract.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81200727No.30972712)+2 种基金Jiangsu Province's Key Provincial Talents Program (No.RC2011104)Suzhou Municipal Natural Science Foundation (No.SYS201448)the Soochow Scholar Project of Soochow University
文摘AIM: To explore the effects and mechanism of vascular endothelial cadherin(VE-cadherin) on experimental corneal neovascularization(CRNV).·METHODS: Mouse corneas were burned with sodium hydroxide to build a CRNV model. The burned corneas were locally administrated with anti-mouse VE-cadherin neutralizing antibody. Annexin V and cluster of differentiation 31(CD31) double staining was used to measure vascular endothelial cell apoptosis with the use of flow cytometry(FCM). The protein expression of NADPH oxidase 2(Nox2), caspase-3, and protein kinase C(PKC) in the burned corneas were examined by Western blot. Human retinal endothelial cell(HREC)proliferation was detected using a Cell Counting Kit 8(CCK-8) assay in vitro.·RESULTS: The amount of CRNV peaked two weeks after the alkali burn. FCM confirmed that VE-cadherin neutralizing antibody treatment increased CD31 positive cell apoptosis. Western blot revealed that the intracorneal protein expression of Nox2 and caspase-3 were up-regulated, while PKC was down-regulated in the VE-cadherin neutralizing antibody administrated group.CCK-8 assay showed that VE-cadherin neutralizing antibody markedly inhibited HREC proliferation.·CONCLUSION: VE-cadherin exhibited an anti-apoptosis effect through enhanced PKC signaling and an enhanced cell proliferation pathway.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81671641)Suzhou Science and Technology Fund of China(No.SYS2020137)。
文摘AIM:To analyze the retinal proteomes with and without conbercept treatments in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and identify proteins involved in the molecular mechanisms mediated by conbercept.METHODS:OIR was induced in fifty-six C57 BL/6 J mouse pups and randomly divided into four groups.Group 1:Normal17(n=7),mice without OIR and treated with normal air.Group 2:OIR12/EXP1(n=14),mice received 75%oxygen from postnatal day(P)7 to 12.Group 3:OIR17/Control(n=14),mice received 75%oxygen from P7 to P12 and then normal air to P17.Group 4:Lang17/EXP2(n=21),mice received 75%oxygen from P7 to P12 with intravitreal injection of 1μL conbercept at the concentration of 10 mg/m L at P12,and then normal air from P12 to P17.Liquid ChromatographyMass Spectrometry(LC-MS)/MS data were reviewed to find proteins that were up-regulated after the conbercept treatment.Gene ontology(GO)analysis was performed of conbercept-mediated changes in proteins involved in single-organism processes,biological regulation,cellular processes,immune responses,metabolic processes,locomotion and multiple-organism processes.RESULTS:Conbercept induced a reversal of hypoxiainducible factor 1 signaling pathway as revealed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analysis and also induced down-regulation of proteins involved in blood coagulation and fibrin clot formation as demonstrated by the Database for Annotation,Visualization and Integrated Discovery(DAVID)and the stimulation of interferon genes studies.These appear to be risk factors of retinal fibrosis.Additional conbercept-specific fibrosis risk factors were also identified and may serve as therapeutic targets for fibrosis.CONCLUSION:Our studies reveal that many novel proteins are differentially regulated by conbercept.The new insights may warrant a valuable resource for conbercept treatment.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 30771978 and 30972712)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK2006528)Qing-Lan Project of Education Bureau of Jiangsu Province (Lu PR)
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of nitric oxide and its synthetase on experimental corneal neovascularization (CRNV). METHODS: CRNV was induced by alkali injury in mice, nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) was inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was inhibited by aminoguanidine hemisulfate salt (AG). The inhibitory effect was detected at day 2 and 4 after corneal alkali injury by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CRNV was compared between the control and the treated mice by microscopic observation and corneal whole mount CD31 immunostaining. RESULTS: The inhibition of L-NAME to NOS and AG to iNOS after corneal injury was confirmed by RT-PCR (P <0.05). Compared with control mice, L-NAME treated mice exhibited significantly decreased CRNV areas (P <0.05). In contrast, AG treatment failed to attenuate alkali induced CRNV (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that NOS but not iNOS plays a critical role in alkali injury induced CRNV.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation in China(No.81671641 No.81970830+6 种基金 No.31600736)Suzhou Municipal Natural Science Foundation(No.SYS201745)Soochow University Doctoral Academic Talents Program(No.5832001313)Jiangsu Provincial Medical Youth Talent(No.QNRC2016718)Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Team(No.CXTDA2017039)Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Foundation(No.BK20151208)the Soochow Scholar Project of Soochow University(No.R5122001)
文摘AIM: To investigate the effects of blockade of insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1) on the bio-function of tube formation of human choroidal endothelial cells(HCECs).METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to determine the expression level of IRS-1 and phospho-IRS-1 in HCECs. Tube formation of HCECs was analyzed using three dimensional in vitro Matrigel assay with or without IRS-1 blockage via IRS-1 inhibitor(GS-101) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2) inhibitor. In addition, cell counting kit(CCK)-8 and Transwell migration assay were exerted to analyze the effects of blockade of IRS-1 on the bio-function of proliferation and migration of HCECs, respectively. The apoptosis of HCECs was examined using flow cytometry(FCM).RESULTS: RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that IRS-1 phospho-IRS-1 were expressed in HCECs and the expression level was enhanced by stimulation of VEGF-A. The number of tube formation was decreased significantly in GS-101 treated groups compared to phosphate buffered saline(PBS) treated control groups. Furthermore, both cell proliferation and migration of HCECs were decreased in the presence of GS-101. FCM analysis showed that the apoptosis of HCECs was enhanced when the cells were treated with GS-101. Western blot also showed that the expression level of cleaved-caspase 3 in GS-101 treated group was higher than that in control group.CONCLUSION: Blockade of IRS-1 can inhibit tube formation of HCECs through reducing cell proliferation and migration and promoting cell apoptosis.
