Transforming growth factor-β induces cellular injury in experimental diabetic neuropathy

Abstract

The mechanism/s leading to diabetic neuropathy are complex. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has been associated with diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy but not neuropathy. In this study, changes in TGF-β isoforms were examined in vivo and in vitro. Two groups of animals, streptozotocin diabetic with neuropathy and non-diabetic controls were examined at 4 weeks ( n = 10/group) and 12 weeks ( n = 8/group). In diabetic DRG using quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR), TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA, but not TGF-β3, was increased at 4 and 12 weeks. In sciatic nerve TGF-β3 mRNA was primarily increased. Immunohistochemistry (DRG) and immunoblotting (sciatic nerve) showed similar differential protein expression. In sciatic nerve TGF-β formed homo- and hetero-dimers, of which β 2/β 3, β 1/β 1, and β 1/β 3 were significantly increased, while that of the TGF-β 2/β 2 homodimer was decreased, in diabetic compared to non-diabetic rats. In vitro, pretreatment of embryonic DRG with TGF-β neutralizing antibody prevents the increase in total TGF-β protein observed with high glucose using immunoblotting. In high glucose conditions, combination with TGF-β2 > β1 increases the percent of cleaved caspase-3 compared to high glucose alone and TGF-β neutralizing antibody inhibits this increase. Furthermore, consistent with the findings in diabetic DRG and nerve, TGF-β isoforms applied directly in vitro reduce neurite outgrowth, and this effect is partially reversed by TGF-β neutralizing antibody. These findings implicate upregulation of TGF-β in experimental diabetic peripheral neuropathy and indicate a novel mechanism of cellular injury related to elevated glucose levels. In combination, these findings indicate a potential new target for treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.