Role of neuregulin-1 in the apoptosis of retinal Mueller cells induced by high glucose

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) on apoptosis of retinal Muller cells cultured with high glucose. Methods The cultured Muller cells were divided into control group (blank control), high glucose group (30 mmol/L glucose) and NRG-1 treatment group (30 mmol/L glucose + 80 g/L NRG-1). Cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium; malondialdehyde(MDA) content and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity were detected by kit; the apoptosis of Muller cells was detected by flow cytometry; the relative expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein were detected by Western blotting; mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1. Results Compared with control group, the cell viability, SOD activity, expression of Bcl-2 and mitochondrial membrane potential in high glucose group were decreased significantly; while the MDA content, expression of Bax and apoptotic rate of Muller cells were increased significantly(F=110.80-3 539.02, all P<0.01). Compared with high glucose group, the cell viability, SOD activity, expression of Bcl-2 and mitochondrial membrane potential in NRG-1 treatment group were increased significantly; while the MDA content, expression of Bax and the apoptotic rate of Muller cells were decreased significantly(F=110.80-3 539.02, all P<0.01). Conclusion NRG-1 can inhibit the apoptosis of Muller cells induced by high glucose, which may be related to the inhibition of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Key words: Neuregulin-1; Apoptosis; Muller cells; Oxidative stress