Aldose reductase inhibitor counteracts the attenuated adhesion of human corneal epithelial cells induced by high glucose through modulation of MMP-10 expression

Abstract

Aims We investigated the preventive effect of aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) on the adhesion of SV40-transformed human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) exposed to high glucose, and the underlying mechanism focusing on the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-10. Methods HCECs were cultured in medium containing a normal (5.5 mM) or high (31.2 mM) concentration of d-glucose in the presence or absence of ARI, fidarestat. Cell attachment ability was evaluated by short-term adhesion assay. The levels of intracellular polyol were measured by liquid-gas chromatography. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blotting were used to determine the expression levels. Results Decreased attachment activity and increased accumulation of polyol induced by exposure to high glucose were abrogated by ARI. Supply of recombinant MMP-10 decreased integrin α3β1-expression and cell adhesion. The expression level of MMP-10 was enhanced at both protein and mRNA levels by exposure to high glucose, while that of integrin α3β1 was decreased at the protein level, but remained unchanged at the mRNA level. These alterations in the expression levels of MMP-10 and integrin α3β1 were normalized by ARI. Conclusions ARI counteracts the decreased adhesion of HCECs induced by high glucose exposure, through the modulation of the expression of MMP-10.