Oxidative Stress Induces a VEGF Autocrine Loop in the Retina: Relevance for Diabetic Retinopathy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a central role in diabetic retinopathy (DR), triggering expression and release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the increase of which leads to deleterious vascular changes. We tested the hypothesis that OS-stimulated VEGF induces its own expression with an autocrine mechanism.

Methods

MIO-M1 cells and ex vivo mouse retinal explants were treated with OS, with exogenous VEGF or with conditioned media (CM) from OS-stressed cultures.

Results

Both in MIO-M1 cells and in retinal explants, OS or exogenous VEGF induced a significant increase of VEGF mRNA, which was abolished by VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) inhibition. OS also caused VEGF release. In MIO-M1 cells, CM induced VEGF expression, which was abolished by

SUBMITTER: Rossino MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7349409 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature