Small GTPase ARF6 controls VEGFR2 trafficking and signaling in diabetic retinopathy.

ABSTRACT: The devastating sequelae of diabetes mellitus include microvascular permeability, which results in retinopathy. Despite clinical and scientific advances, there remains a need for new approaches to treat retinopathy. Here, we have presented a possible treatment strategy, whereby targeting the small GTPase ARF6 alters VEGFR2 trafficking and reverses signs of pathology in 4 animal models that represent features of diabetic retinopathy and in a fifth model of ocular pathological angiogenesis. Specifically, we determined that the same signaling pathway utilizes distinct GEFs to sequentially activate ARF6, and these GEFs exert distinct but complementary effects on VEGFR2 trafficking and signal transduction. ARF6 activation was independently regulated by 2 different ARF GEFs - ARNO and GEP100. In

SUBMITTER: Zhu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5707163 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature