Glucose affects cell viability, migration, angiogenesis and cellular adhesion of human retinal capillary endothelial cells via SPARC

The Roles of Junctional Adhesion Molecules (JAMs) in Cell Migration

The review briefly summarizes the role of the family of adhesion molecules, JAMs (junctional adhesion molecules), in various cell migration, covering germ cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, several leukocytes, and different cancer cells. These functions affect multiple diseases, including reproductive diseases, inflammation-related diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. JAMs bind to both similar and dissimilar proteins and take both similar and dissimilar effects on different cells. Concluding relevant results provides a reference to further research.

Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine Mediates the Development and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy

BACKGROUNDS

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most severe microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) has been found to play an important role in many diseases, but its role and mechanism in DR remain unknown.

METHODS

We studied the role of SPARC and integrin β1 in vascular pathophysiology and identified potential therapeutic translation. The SPARC levels were tested in human serum and vitreous by ELISA assay, and then the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset was used to understand the key role of the target gene in DR. In human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRCECs), we analyzed the mRNA and protein level by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. The cell apoptosis, cell viability, and angiogenesis were analyzed by flow cytometry, CCK-8, and tube formation.

RESULTS

In this study, we investigated the role of SPARC in the development and progression of human DR and high glucose-induced HRCEC cells and found that the SPARC-ITGB1 signaling pathway mimics early molecular and advanced neurovascular pathophysiology complications of DR. The result revealed that DR patients have a high-level SPARC expression in serum and vitreous. Knockdown of SPARC could decrease the expressions of inflammatory factors and VEGFR, inhibit cell apoptosis and angiogenesis, and increase cell viability by regulating integrin β1 in HRCECs.

CONCLUSION

SPARC promotes diabetic retinopathy via the regulation of integrin β1. The results of this study can provide a potential therapeutic application for the treatment of DR.

Use of hypertonic glucose (10%) in the prevention of postoperative adhesions in rats

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of hypertonic glucose (10%), alone or in combination with the corticoid dexamethasone, to prevent peritoneal adhesion following hysterectomy in rats.

Methods

Forty-two adult rats underwent hysterectomy with peritoneal lavage: G1 – glucose (10%); G2 – glucose (10%) and dexamethasone 3 mg·kg^–1; and G3 – physiological saline (PS) 0.9%.

Results

In the macroscopic analysis after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 1, G2 of 1, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001), G3 compared to G1 and G2. There was no difference between groups after 28 days. In the microscopic analysis, the median vascular proliferation after 14 days was 2 for G1, 1 for G2, and 3 for G3 (p = 0.0037, G3 vs. G1 and G2). After 28 days, G1 showed a median vascular proliferation score of 2, G2 of 2.5, and G3 of 3 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. G1 and G2). Regarding the inflammatory reaction after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 2, G2 of 1, and G3 of 3 (p = 0.7916). After 28 days, G1 had a median score of 0.5 (0–1.75), G2 of 1.5, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. the others and G2 vs. G1). In the evaluation of fibrosis after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 1, G2 of 1, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. G1and G2). After 28 days, G1 had a median fibrosis score of 1, G2: 2, and G3: 2.5 (p < 0.0001), G3 vs. the others andG2 vs. G1).

Conclusions

The use of hypertonic glucose (10%) solution seems to reduce macroscopic and microscopic pelvic adhesions.

Integrative Computational Approach Revealed Crucial Genes Associated With Different Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

The increased incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the legacy effect associated with it has raised a great concern toward the need to find early diagnostic and treatment strategies. Identifying alterations in genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) is one of the most critical steps toward understanding the mechanisms by which a disease progresses, and this can be further used in finding potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and treatment methods. We selected different datasets to identify altered genes and miRNAs. The integrative analysis was employed to find potential candidate genes (differentially expressed and aberrantly methylated genes that are also the target of altered miRNAs) and early genes (genes showing altered expression and methylation pattern during early stage of DR) for DR. We constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to find hub genes (potential candidate genes showing a greater number of interactions) and modules. Gene ontologies and pathways associated with the identified genes were analyzed to determine their role in DR progression. A total of 271 upregulated-hypomethylated genes, 84 downregulated-hypermethylated genes, 11 upregulated miRNA, and 30 downregulated miRNA specific to DR were identified. 40 potential candidate genes and 9 early genes were also identified. PPI network analysis revealed 7 hub genes (number of interactions >5) and 1 module (score = 5.67). Gene ontology and pathway analysis predicted enrichment of genes in oxidoreductase activity, binding to extracellular matrix, immune responses, leukocyte migration, cell adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, ECM receptor interaction, etc., and thus their association with DR pathogenesis. In conclusion, we identified 7 hub genes and 9 early genes that could act as a potential prognostic, diagnostic, or therapeutic target for DR, and a few early genes could also play a role in metabolic memory phenomena.