ObjectiveTo predict as well as bioinformatically analyze the target genes of has-miR-451. MethodsmiRBase, miRanda, TargetScan and PicTar were used to predict the target genes of hsa-miRNA-451. The functions of the target genes were demonstrated by Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analysis. P < 0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results18 target spots of hsa-miRNA-451 were predicted by 3 databases or prediction software at least. The functions of the target genes were enriched in proliferation and development of epithelial cells and regulation of kinase activity (P < 0.05). Pathway analysis showed that transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, epidermal growth factor signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway were significantly enriched (P < 0.05). Conclusionhsa-miRNA-451 might be involved in various signaling pathways related to proliferation and development of epithelial cells.
Objective To observe apoptotic and proliferative characteristics of the retinal vascular end othelial cells (RVECs) of the 1～16 weeks diabetic rats and p53 and bcl-2 expressions of the rats,in order to probe the pathogenic mechanism of diabetic retinopathy(DR). Methods Models of diabetic Wistar rats were made by alloxan venous injection.The retinal blood vessels were filled by ink,the wholemounts and paraffin-embedded sections of the retinas were made,TUNEL staining and Immunohistochemical ABC staining were used,and light microscopy was taken,in succession. Results Apoptosis of the RVECs was not found.Compared with control group,the morphologic features of the RVECs and the structure of the retinal blood vessels remained unchanged.In the period from the 10th to the 16th week,the immunohistochemical stain of PCNA,BrdU,p53,and bcl-2 for RVECs revealed positive results,but there was no any sign of the RVECs stacking and proliferating or new blood vessels forming in the retinas.In control group,the reaction of immunological stain of the aforementioned parameters was negative. Conclusions No accelerated apoptosis and proliferation of the RVECs in the 1～16 week diabetic rats happen after alloxan injection.Almost all of the RVECs were stimulated to enter the cell cycle in the 10th week.Expression of p53 and bcl-2 might play an important role in stabilizing the RVECs in early stage of diabetes. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: 157-159)
Objective To observe the morphological changes of dendrite and soma in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) which subsisted in early diabetic rats. Methods The RGCs of 3-months-course diabetic rats and coeval normal rats were marked by gene gun techniques. To collect RGCs photographs by Leica microscope with Z axis and CCD camera；to observe the changes of diameter, variance of structural features in dendritic field and somata after classification which according to the size and morphology. Thy-1 antibody marks on the retinal RGCs, taking a photograph under fluorescent microscope, counting the changes of retinal RGCs density in early diabetic rat. Results In three-month diabetic rats,the density of retinal RGCs was decreased obviously. Morphological changes of RGCs in the dendritic fields were observed with gene gun technique. There was no severe variation in all kinds of the bole of cell dendrite, in which some only showed crispation partially and sparseness also twisting in the dendritic ramus. The mean diameter of dendritic field and soma in class A of diabetic rats was (401plusmn;86) mu;m, the mean diameter of dendritic field in control group was (315plusmn;72) mu;m,compared with each other, there is statistically significant differences (t=21.249，Plt;0.001); the mean diameter of soma in class A of diabetic rats was (24plusmn;6) mu;m, the mean diameter of soma in control group was (22plusmn;5) mu;m, compared with each other, there is no statistically significant differences (t=0.927，Pgt;0.05); the mean diameter of dendritic field and soma in class B of diabetic rats were (170plusmn;36)、(14plusmn;2) mu;m respectively, in control group were (165plusmn;36)、(16plusmn;2) mu;m, the mean diameter of dendritic field and soma in class C of diabetic group were(265plusmn;78)、(17plusmn;5) mu;m respectively, in control group were (251plusmn;57)、(17plusmn;4) mu;m , compared with each other, there are on statistically significant differences(t=1.357，0.798，0.835，1.104，Pgt;0.05). Conclusions In short-term diabetes, the survived RGCs show good plasticity in adult diabetic rats, especially in class A. The changes of dendrites were more sensitive than the soma, which could be the leading index of the morphologic changes of RGCs in the early stage. The good plasticity showed by the RGCs and the time window from changing in dendrite to cell death provide us many evidences not only for the research but also for the nerve protection in clinic. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:249-254)
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and inflammatory cytokines, leucocytic density and permeability in retina of diabetic rat. MethodsA total of 106 Brown Norway rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group with 53 rats in each group. Diabetic model was established in experimental group by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and control rats received intraperitoneal injection of an equal volume of citric acid-sodium citrate buffer. Four weeks later, the retinas were collected for further analysis. TLR4 RNA and protein expression were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in rat retina homogenate. Leukocyte density in the retina was measured by acridine orange fundus angiography. The retinal permeability was evaluated by Evans blue (EB) staining. ResultsTLR4 expression was significantly increased in diabetic rats of experimental group compared with non-diabetic rats of control group (F=1.606, 0.789; P < 0.05). Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and MCP-1) were significantly increased in retina of diabetic rats of experimental group versus non-diabetic rat of control group (F=24.622, 5.758, 4.829; P < 0.05). The retinal leukocyte density was (6.2±0.5)×10-5, (2.2±0.3)×10-5 cells/pixel2 in experimental and control group respectively, the difference was statistically significant (F=2.025, P < 0.05). The amount of retinal EB leakage was (23.41±4.47), (13.22±3.59) ng/mg in experimental and control group respectively, the difference was statistically significant (F=21.08, P < 0.05). ConclusionTLR4 and inflammatory cytokines expression, leucocytic density and permeability increased significantly in retina of diabetic rat.
ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of Zhicao Tea Mixture on Müller cells and the expression of inflammatory factors in mice with diabetic retinopathy.MethodsSeventy-five C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal control group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group, low concentrations group, medium concentrations group and high concentrations group, with 16 mice in each group. The diabetes model of mice in all groups except the normal control group were established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Four weeks after the successful modeling, the Zhicao Tea Mixture with low (30 ml/kg), medium (60 ml/kg) and high concentrations (120 ml/kg) were respectively administered by gavage. Weight and blood glucose of mice in each group were measured every two weeks. After 8 weeks, Western blot method was used to detect the mice retina Müller cells activation marker gelatinous fibrous acidic protein (GFAP). Immunofluorescence was performed to detect the expression GFAP and glutamine synthetase (GS). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and ELISA were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of mouse retinal VEGF, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 respectively.ResultsThe weight of mice in the DM group was lower than that of the normal control group, and the blood glucose was increased. Zhicao Tea Mixture had no effect on the weight of DM mice, but had a significant hypoglycemic effect. The GFAP expression (t=38.318, P＜0.001) in the retina of mice in the DM group was increased and GS expression (t=29.737, P＜0.001) was decreased compared with the control group. The GFAP expression (t=13.677, 19.387, 16.305; P＜0.05) in the retina of mice in the low, medium and high concentrations group were decreased and GS expression (t=5.170, 19.399, 6.705; P＜0.05) were increased compared with the DM group. The expressions of retinal inflammatory factors VEGF, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in DM group all increased, while the expressions of the above-mentioned inflammatory factors in the retina of mice decreased in the low, medium and high concentrations group.ConclusionZhicao Tea Mixture can decrease the blood glucose of DM mice and reduces the diabetic retinal inflammatory response.
Objective To observe the opticin expression in the eyes of nonobese diabetes (NOD) mice and nondiabetic NOD mice.Methods Twenty NOD mice were divided into diabetic group (experimental group) and nondiabetic group (control group). All the mice were killed by cervical dislocation method.The eyes were harvested, and the vitreous, retina and sclera were separately collected. Western blot and realtime reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）were respectively used to determine opticin protein and OPTC mRNA levels.Results The opticin protein level in the vitreous and retina was lower in the experimental group（t=4.42,4.58;P=0.002,0.002）,but is same in thesclera between the 2 groups（t=0.27,P=0.794）.OPTCmRNA level was vitreousgt;retinagt;sclera. OPTCmRNA levels of vitreous and retina in diabetic group were significantly lower（t=3.30,2.48；P=0.01,0.04）; there was no statistical significant on OPTC mRNA of sclera between two groups（t=0.27,P=0.80）.Conclusion Expression of opticin was suppressed in retina and vitreous of diabetic mice.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor 91 (GPR91) on blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in diabetic rats. MethodsA lentiviral vector of shRNA targeting rat GPR91 and scrambled shRNA were constructed. Healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected in this study. The 60 rats were randomized into 4 groups and treated as follows:(1) control group (Group A, n=15), the rats received injections of an equal volume of 0.1% citrate buffer; (2) streptozocin (STZ) group (Group B, n=15), the rats received injections of STZ; (3) LV.shScrambled group (Group C, n=15), diabetic rats received an intravitreal injection of 1 μl 1×108 TU/ml scrambled shRNA lentiviral particles at 2 weeks after the induction of diabetes; (4) LV.shGPR91 group (Group D, n=15), diabetic rats received an intravitreal injection of 1 μl 1×108 TU/ml pGCSIL-GFP-shGPR91 lentiviral particles. At 12 weeks after intravitreal injection, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to assess the expression of GPR91, p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)1/2, t-ERK1/2, p-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), t-JNK, p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and t-p38 MAPK. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Evans blue dye were used to assess the structure and function of the retinal vessel. Immunohistochemistry enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the protein level of VEGF. ResultsImmunohistochemistry staining showed that GPR91 was predominantly localized to the cell bodies of the ganglion cell layer. Western blot showed that GPR91 expression in Group D decreased significantly compared with Group C (F=39.31, P < 0.01). HE staining showed that the retina tissue in Group B and C developed telangiectatic vessels in the inner layer of retina, while the telangiectatic vessels attenuated in Group D. It was also demonstrated in Evans blue dye that the microvascular leakage in Group D decreased by (33.8±4.11)% compared with Group C and there was significant difference (F=30.35, P < 0.05). The results of ELISA showed the VEGF secretion of Group B and C increased compared with Group A and the VEGF expression in Group D was significantly down regulated after silencing GPR91 gene (F=253.15, P < 0.05).The results of Western blot indicated that compared with Group A, the expressions of p-ERK1/2, p-JNK and p-p38 MAPK were significantly upregulated (q=6.38, 2.94, 3.45;P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the activation of ERK1/2 was inhibited by GPR91 shRNA and the difference was statistically significant (F=22.50, P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe intravitreal injection of GPR91 shRNA attenuated the leakage of BRB in diabetic rats. GPR91 regulated the VEGF release and the leakage of BRB possibly through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Metabolic memory means if the hyperglycemia can't be controlled at early stage of diabetes, chronic complications such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) will continue to develop even if the blood glucose level maintains normal level at later stage. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the "metabolic memory" of DR, which interacts with the nitrative stress, advanced glycation end products, genetic modification and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathogenesis of DR. Further elucidation of the relationship between oxidative stress and "metabolic memory" of DR can open the way for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets to prevent DR progression.