Diabetic WT Mice Research Articles

Mice deficient in PAPP-A show resistance to the development of diabetic nephropathy

We investigated pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in diabetic nephropathy. Normal human kidney showed specific staining for PAPP-A in glomeruli, and this staining was markedly increased in diabetic kidney. To assess the possible contribution of PAPP-A in the development of diabetic nephropathy, we induced diabetes with streptozotocin in 14-month-old WT and Papp-A knockout (KO) mice. Renal histopathology was evaluated after 4 months of stable hyperglycemia. Kidneys from diabetic WT mice showed multiple abnormalities including thickening of Bowman's capsule (100% of mice), increased glomerular size (80% of mice), tubule dilation (80% of mice), and mononuclear cell infiltration (90% of mice). Kidneys of age-matched non-diabetic WT mice had similar evidence of tubule dilation and mononuclear cell infiltration to those of diabetic WT mice, indicating that these changes were predominantly age-related. However, thickened Bowman's capsule and increased glomerular size appeared specific for the experimental diabetes. Kidneys from diabetic Papp-A KO mice had significantly reduced or no evidence of changes in Bowman's capsule thickening and glomerular size. There was also a shift to larger mesangial area and increased macrophage staining in diabetic WT mice compared with Papp-A KO mice. In summary, elevated PAPP-A expression in glomeruli is associated with diabetic nephropathy in humans and absence of PAPP-A is associated with resistance to the development of indicators of diabetic nephropathy in mice. These data suggest PAPP-A as a potential therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy.

Development of diabetic nephropathy in nude mice.

Immune dysfunction is very common in diabetes mellitus (DM). However, there is no evidence whether such immune dysfunction can influence the development of DM, especially the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). To investigate the influence of absence of T cells on DN. Balb/c nude mice and Balb/c wild-type nude (WT) mice were injected with streptozotocin (STZ). Serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), blood glucose, body weight, urine albumin/creatinine ratio and rate of kidney weight to body weight (KW/BW) were measured. After modeling, there was no difference of blood glucose level between nude mice and WT mice except at week 2 (28.3 ± 4.9 mmol/l vs 23.1 ± 3.9 mmol/l, p<0.01). At week 4, the serum TNF- α level of nude mice got to 175.08 ± 46.03 pg/ml (p<0.05, compared with baseline level 80.19 ± 8.46 pg/ml), whereas the TNF- α levels of WT mice was stable. At week 4, the body weight of nude mice was lower than that of WT mice (14.7 ± 3.15 g vs 17.97 ± 2.85 g, p<0.05); the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (Alb/Cr) of nude mice was higher than that of WT mice (50.96 ± 5.57 mg/mmol vs 41.09 ± 5.79 mg/mmol, p<0.05); the kidney weight to body weight of nude mice was higher than that of WT mice (0.01352 ± 0.00163 vs 0.01173 ± 0.00131, p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed urine Alb/Cr positively correlated with serum TNF-α level at week 4 (r = 0.588, p<0.01). At week 4, the increase of type IV collagen in the glomeruli was more prominent in diabetic nude mice than in diabetic WT mice (p<0.05). Absence of T cells in DM might influence the development of DN.

Deletion of Aldose Reductase from Mice Inhibits Diabetes-Induced Retinal Capillary Degeneration and Superoxide Generation

PurposePharmacologic inhibition of aldose reductase (AR) previously has been studied with respect to diabetic retinopathy with mixed results. Since drugs can have off-target effects, we studied the effects of AR deletion on the development and molecular abnormalities that contribute to diabetic retinopathy. Since recent data suggests an important role for leukocytes in the development of the retinopathy, we determined also if AR in leukocytes contributes to leukocyte-mediated death of retinal endothelial cells in diabetes.MethodsWild-type (WT; C57BL/6J) and AR deficient (AR−/−) mice were made diabetic with streptozotocin. Mice were sacrificed at 2 and 10 months of diabetes to evaluate retinal vascular histopathology, to quantify retinal superoxide production and biochemical and physiological abnormalities in the retina, and to assess the number of retinal endothelial cells killed by blood leukocytes in a co-culture system.ResultsDiabetes in WT mice developed the expected degeneration of retinal capillaries, and increased generation of superoxide by the retina. Leukocytes from diabetic WT mice also killed more retinal endothelial cells than did leukocytes from nondiabetic animals (p<0.0001). Deletion of AR largely (P<0.05) inhibited the diabetes-induced degeneration of retinal capillaries, as well as the increase in superoxide production by retina. AR-deficiency significantly inhibited the diabetes-induced increase in expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in retina, but had no significant effect on expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), phosphorylated p38 MAPK, or killing of retinal endothelial cells by leukocytes.ConclusionsAR contributes to the degeneration of retinal capillaries in diabetic mice. Deletion of the enzyme inhibits the diabetes-induced increase in expression of iNOS and of superoxide production, but does not correct a variety of other pro-inflammatory abnormalities associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Role of Nox2 in diabetic kidney disease

NADPH oxidase (Nox) isoforms have been implicated in contributing to diabetic microvascular complications, but the functional role of individual isoforms in diabetic kidney are unclear. Nox2, in particular, is highly expressed in phagocytes and may play a key inflammatory role in diabetic kidney disease. To determine the role of Nox2, we evaluated kidney function and pathology in wild-type (WT; C57BL/6) and Nox2 knockout (KO) mice with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes was induced in male Nox2 KO and WT mice with a multiple low-dose streptozotocin protocol. Groups were studied for kidney disease after 8 and 20 wk of diabetes. Hyperglycemia and body weights were similar in WT and Nox2 KO diabetic mice. All functional and structural features of early and later stage diabetic kidney disease (albuminuria, mesangial matrix, tubulointerstitial disease, and gene expression of matrix and transforming growth factor-β) were similar in both diabetic groups compared with their respective nondiabetic groups, except for reduction of macrophage infiltration and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the diabetic Nox2 KO mice. Systolic blood pressure by telemetry was surprisingly increased in Nox2 KO mice; however, the systolic blood pressure was reduced in the diabetic WT and Nox2 KO mice by tail-cuff. Interestingly, diabetic Nox2 KO mice had marked upregulation of renal Nox4 at both the glomerular and cortical levels. The present results demonstrate that lack of Nox2 does not protect against diabetic kidney disease in type 1 diabetes, despite a reduction in macrophage infiltration. The lack of renoprotection may be due to upregulation of renal Nox4.

Increased TGFβ Signaling in Hearts of Type I Diabetic Mice May Result in Diabetic Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction

Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy (DAN), a complication of diabetes is associated with cardiac parasympathetic dysfunction, severe arrhythmias and sudden death. Increased TGFβ signaling has been implicated in the mechanism of end organ damage in type I diabetes. We had shown that in atrial myocytes TGFβ attenuates the negative chronotropic response of the heart to the acetylcholine analogue Carbamylcholine (Carb). To determine whether TGFβ signaling was increased in the diabetic heart we compared PAI‐1 and TGFβRII levels in atria of Akita Type I diabetic mice (DM) and WT mice. PAI‐1 mRNA determined by qPCR increased 1.6±0.33 fold, n=4 p&lt;0.03. Western blots demonstrated increased pSmad2/3 and a 3.4±0.5fold, n=3 p&lt;0.03 increase in the TGFβRII. Treatment of mice with insulin pellets reversed these effects. Using EKG transmitters we compared carb‐induced bradycardia in WT and DM. Duration of bradycardia was 5.1 min in DM vs 12.6 min in WT. SB‐505124 (SB, an inhibitor of TGFβ signaling) treatment for 10d restored the level of PAI‐1 mRNA in the DM to WT levels, increased duration of bradycardia in response to carb to 11.1 min. In whole cell patch clamp studies of Akita atrial myocytes SB increased IKAch, the K current which mediates the decrease in heart rate to levels similar to those in WT cells: −248±15 pA/pF to 341±15 pA/pF n=15, p&lt;0.01. Thus elevated TGFβ signaling in type I diabetic mouse appears to be associated with cardiac DAN.

Damaged Mitochondrial DNA Replication System and the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy

In the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, retinal mitochondria are damaged, superoxide levels are elevated, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) biogenesis is impaired. mtDNA has a noncoding region, displacement loop (D-loop), which has essential transcription and replication elements, and this region is highly vulnerable to oxidative damage. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of diabetes on the D-loop damage and the mtDNA replication machinery. Using retina from wild-type (WT) and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase transgenic (Tg) mice, we have investigated the effect of diabetes on retinal D-loop damage and on the replication system. The results were confirmed in the isolated retinal endothelial cells in which the DNA polymerase gamma 1 (POLG1) function was genetically manipulated. Diabetes damaged retinal mtDNA, and the damage was more at the D-loop region compared with the cytochrome B region. Gene transcripts and mitochondrial accumulation of POLG1, POLG2, and mtDNA helicase, the enzymes that form replisome to bind/unwind and extend mtDNA, were also decreased in WT-diabetic mice compared with WT-normal mice. Tg-diabetic mice were protected from diabetes-induced damage to the D-loop region. Overexpression of POLG1 prevented high glucose-induced D-loop damage. This was accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial superoxide levels. Integrity of the retinal D-loop region and the mtDNA replication play important roles in the mtDNA damage experienced by the retina in diabetes, and these are under the control of superoxide. Thus, the regulation of mtDNA replication/repair machinery has the potential to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Role of the USF1 transcription factor in diabetic kidney disease.

The predominant transcription factors regulating key genes in diabetic kidney disease have not been established. The transcription factor upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1) is an important regulator of glucose-mediated transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression in mesangial cells; however, its role in the development of diabetic kidney disease has not been evaluated. In the present study, wild-type (WT; USF1 +/+), heterozygous (USF1 +/-), and homozygous (USF1 -/-) knockout mice were intercrossed with Akita mice (Ins2/Akita) to induce type 1 diabetes. Mice were studied up to 36 wk of age. The degree of hyperglycemia and kidney hypertrophy were similar in all groups of diabetic mice; however, the USF1 -/- diabetic mice had significantly less albuminuria and mesangial matrix expansion than the WT diabetic mice. TGF-β1 and renin gene expression and protein were substantially increased in the WT diabetic mice but not in USF1 -/- diabetic mice. The underlying pathway by which USF1 is regulated by high glucose was investigated in mesangial cell culture. High glucose inhibited AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and increased USF1 nuclear translocation. Activation of AMPK with AICAR stimulated AMPK activity and reduced nuclear accumulation of USF1. We thus conclude that USF1 is a critical transcription factor regulating diabetic kidney disease and plays a critical role in albuminuria, mesangial matrix accumulation, and TGF-β1 and renin stimulation in diabetic kidney disease. AMPK activity may play a key role in high glucose-induced regulation of USF1.

Deletion of soluble epoxide hydrolase gene improves renal endothelial function and reduces renal inflammation and injury in streptozotocin‐induced type 1 diabetes

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) provides renal protection in salt-sensitive hypertension. We hypothesize that targeted disruption of the sEH gene (Ephx2) improves endothelial function and reduces renal damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic renal injury. Afferent arteriolar relaxation to acetylcholine was impaired in WT diabetic mice compared to WT control and Ephx2 gene KO improved relaxation in diabetes. Urinary MCP-1 excretion greatly increased in WT diabetic compared to WT control (868±195 vs. 31.5±7 pg/day) and this was attenuated in Ephx2 KO diabetic mice (420±98 pg/day). The renal phospho-IKK/IKK ratio and NFKappaB as well as NADPH oxidase activity and TBARs excretion all significantly decreased while hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression increased in Ephx2 KO diabetic compared to WT diabetic mice. Albuminuria was also elevated in WT diabetic mice compared to WT control (170±43 vs. 37±13 (g/day) and Ephx2 KO reduced this elevation in diabetes (50±15 (g/day). We postulate that inhibition of NFkappaB signaling and activation of the HO-1 antioxidant mechanism contributes to decreased renal injury in Ephx2 KO diabetic mice.

Depletion of 14-3-3 Protein Exacerbates Cardiac Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Remodeling Process via Modulation of MAPK/NF-ĸB Signaling Pathways after Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Mammalian 14-3-3 proteins are dimeric phosphoserine-binding proteins that participate in signal transduction and regulate several aspects of cellular biochemistry. The aim of the study presented here was to clarify the role of 14-3-3 protein in the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kB (NF-ĸB) signaling pathway after experimental diabetes by using transgenic mice with cardiac-specific expression of a dominant-negative 14-3-3 protein mutant (DN 14-3-3). Significant p-p38 MAPK activation in DN 14-3-3 mice compared to wild type mice (WT) after diabetes induction and with a corresponding up regulation of its downstream effectors, p-MAPK activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK-2). Marked increases in cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammation were observed with a corresponding up-regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide, osteopontin, connective tissue growth factor, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and cellular adhesion molecules. Moreover, reactive oxygen species, left ventricular expression of NADPH oxidase subunits, p22 phox, p67 phox, and Nox4, and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly increased in diabetic DN 14-3-3mice compared to diabetic WT mice. Furthermore, myocardial NF-ĸB activation, inhibitor of kappa B-α degradation and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in DN 14-3-3 mice compared to WT mice after diabetes induction. In conclusion, our data suggests that depletion of 14-3-3 protein induces cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and remodeling after experimental diabetes induction mediated through p38 MAPK, MAPKAPK-2 and NF-ĸB signaling.

The Lectin-Like Domain of Thrombomodulin Protects Against Diabetic Nephropathy by Inhibiting Complement Activation

AbstractAbstract 654 Introduction:Thrombomodulin (TM) is type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein predominately expressed on vascular endothelial cells. TM consists of distinct structural domains, which enable interaction with multiple ligands and thus modulation of coagulation, fibrinolysis, complement activation, inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. We have previously shown that TM protects against diabetic nephropathy (dNP) through activation of protein C (PC), which inhibits glomerular apoptosis. Recent studies showed that TM mediates cytoprotective effects independent of PC activation through it's lectin-like domain (LLD). The LLD directly interferes with complement activation and protect against arthritis. dNP is associated with an infiltration of inflammatory cells, enhanced cytokine production, and complement activation raising the question whether endothelial TM may protect against DN through a dual mechanism depending on (a) PC activation and (b) complement inhibition through the LLD. Methods:Experimental dNP was evaluated in mice with targeted deletion of the LLD of TM (TMLed/Led mice). Persistent hyperglycemia was induced using streptozotocin in TMLed/Led mice and in control wild type mice (wt). Subgroups of mice were treated with low molecular heparin (LMWH) to inhibit complement activation and coagulation activation, fondaparinux to inhibit coagulation activation, or treated with minocycline to inhibit glomerular apoptosis. After 28 weeks albuminuria was determined and mice were sacrificed to isolated tissues and blood samples for analyses. Results:Albuminuria, histological indices of diabetic nephropathy and glomerular C3 deposition were increased in diabetic wt mice and further increased in diabetic TMLed/Led mice. Only treatment with LMWH, but not with fondaparinux corrected the aggravated DN in TMLed/Led mice, despite equal anticoagulation in both groups. Glomerular complement depositions (immunohistochemistry) were significantly reduced following in vivo LMWH treatment, but no in fondaparinux treated mice. In vitro, endothelial cells expressing a TM mutant lacking the LLD had diminished capacity to bind and inactivate C3b and were thus sensitive to complement mediated cell lyses. Of note, apoptosis (TUNEL) and expression levels of apoptosis regulators (p53, Bax/Blc-2 ratio, Western) did not differ between untreated or LMWH/fondaparinux treated diabetic TMLed/Led mice, indicating that the protective effect of the LLD is independent of apoptosis inhibition. Consistently, inhibition of apoptosis with minocycline failed to normalize albuminuria or prevent histological indices of dNP in diabetic TMLed/Led mice. Likewise, we did not observe difference in HMGB-1 levels within the kidney or in plasma sample, and inhibition of HMGB-1 using sodium Tanshinon II asilate failed to reduce dNP in diabetic TMLed/Led mice. Discussion and Conclusion:We identify a novel pathway through which endothelial TM protects against dNP. TM protects against dNP by inhibiting complement activation through its LLD. This function is independent of the recently identified activated PC dependent inhibition of glomerular apoptosis. Thus, endothelial TM prevents dNP through two independent pathways. These results provide further experimental support for a causative role of endothelial dysfunction for DN. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Vascular Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) Expression in Mice Retinal Vessels Is Affected by Both Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia

BackgroundInflammation has been proposed to be important in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. An early feature of inflammation is the release of cytokines leading to increased expression of endothelial activation markers such as vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Here we investigated the impact of diabetes and dyslipidemia on VCAM-1 expression in mouse retinal vessels, as well as the potential role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα).Methodology/Principal FindingsExpression of VCAM-1 was examined by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy in vessels of wild type (wt), hyperlipidemic (ApoE−/−) and TNFα deficient (TNFα−/−, ApoE−/−/TNFα−/−) mice. Eight weeks of streptozotocin-induced diabetes resulted in increased VCAM-1 in wt mice, predominantly in small vessels (<10 µm). Diabetic wt mice had higher total retinal TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA than controls; as well as higher soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) in plasma. Lack of TNFα increased higher basal VCAM-1 protein and sVCAM-1, but failed to up-regulate IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA and VCAM-1 protein in response to diabetes. Basal VCAM-1 expression was higher in ApoE−/− than in wt mice and both VCAM-1 mRNA and protein levels were further increased by high fat diet. These changes correlated to plasma cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, but not to triglycerides levels. Diabetes, despite further increasing plasma cholesterol in ApoE−/− mice, had no effects on VCAM-1 protein expression or on sVCAM-1. However, it increased ICAM-1 mRNA expression in retinal vessels, which correlated to plasma triglycerides.Conclusions/SignificanceHyperglycemia triggers an inflammatory response in the retina of normolipidemic mice and up-regulation of VCAM-1 in retinal vessels. Hypercholesterolemia effectively promotes VCAM-1 expression without evident stimulation of inflammation. Diabetes-induced endothelial activation in ApoE−/− mice seems driven by elevated plasma triglycerides but not by cholesterol. Results also suggest a complex role for TNFα in the regulation of VCAM-1 expression, being protective under basal conditions but pro-inflammatory in response to diabetes.

DUAL INHIBITION OF CLASSICAL PKC-ALPHA AND PKC-BETA-ISOFORMS IN A PHARMACOLOGICAL AND DOUBLE KNOCK-OUT MOUSE APPROACH LEADS TO PROTECTION AGAINST DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY: 5A.04

Both classical PKC isoforms, PKC-α and -β, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular diseases. We previously elucidated the specific role of these individual isoforms and revealed that activation of the PKC-β-isoform contributes to high-glucose-induced renal fibrosis whereas perlecan as well as nephrin and VEGF expression are regulated by a PKC-α-isoform-dependent signaling pathway leading to diabetic albuminuria. We now tested the hypothesis if deletion of both classical PKC isoforms is able to completely abolish the development of diabetic nephropathy in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model. We therefore studied distinct pharmacological approaches while inhibiting both classical PKC isoforms and validated the phenotype of nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic homozygeous PKC-α/β double knock-out mice (PKC-α/β-/-) compared to appropriate 129/SV wild type mice. After 8 weeks of diabetes mellitus the high-glucose-induced renal and glomerular hypertrophy as well as the increased expression of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen and fibronectin was abolished in the PKC-α/β-/- mice compared to WT controls. Furthermore, the high-glucose-induced expression of the profibrotic cytokine TGF-â1 was significantly diminished in the PKC-α/β-/- mice in comparison to diabetic WT mice. The loss of the basal membrane proteoglycan perlecan and the podocyte protein nephrin is prevented in the diabetic state in the PKC-α/β-/- mice. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate, that a PKC-α/β inhibitor had a similar effect. In summary, blockade of the two prominent PKC isoforms α and β are able to prevent early diabetic nephropathy while inhibiting prosclerotic glomerular and tubulo-interstitial changes as well as the development of albuminuria. These results demonstrate that downregulation of the dual PKC-isoform activation in the diabetic state in vivo is a suitable therapeutic target in the prevention of diabetic microvascular complications such as diabetic nephropathy.

Altered TLR2 Expression and Signaling contribute to the Hyperinflammation in diabetic wounds

Toll‐like receptor‐2 (TLR2) is a pivotal pathogen recognition signaling receptor and plays a key role in inflammation and injury. Hyperglycemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress induce TLR2, and are major pathophysiological mechanisms in impaired diabetic wound healing process. However, an in vivo contribution of TLR2 to the inflammatory state of diabetic wounds remains elusive. The aim of the study is to examine the contribution of TLR2 to the hyperinflammation in wounds of diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced in male C57BL/6J (WT) and TLR2 Knockout mice (KO) using streptozotocin with suitable non diabetic controls (n=6/group). Full thickness excisional wounds were made on the backs of all the mice aseptically. Total RNA and protein were subjected to RT‐PCR, Western blots, and wound sizes were recorded. TLR2 mRNA expression increased 2.5 fold in diabetic wounds of WT mice (P&lt;0.05) with corresponding Myd88 expression, IRAK‐1phosphroylation, and NF‐κB activation compared to non diabetic wounds. Wounds of diabetic TLR2KO mice showed less lipid peroxidation (−70%), Myd88 signaling, NF‐κB(−62%), IL‐1β(−82%), and smaller wound sizes compared to diabetic WT mice after 10 days. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that increased TLR2 expression and signaling contribute to the diabetic wound hyper inflammatory state and TLR2 deficiency decreases inflammation and improves diabetic wound healing.

Decreasing Intracellular Superoxide Corrects Defective Ischemia-induced New Vessel Formation in Diabetic Mice

Tissue ischemia promotes vasculogenesis through chemokine-induced recruitment of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Diabetes significantly impairs this process. Because hyperglycemia increases reactive oxygen species in a number of cell types, and because many of the defects responsible for impaired vasculogenesis involve HIF1-regulated genes, we hypothesized that HIF1 function is impaired in diabetes because of reactive oxygen species-induced modification of HIF1alpha by the glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) substrate methylglyoxal. Decreasing superoxide in diabetic mice by either transgenic expression of manganese superoxide dismutase or by administration of an superoxide dismutase mimetic corrected post-ischemic defects in neovascularization, oxygen delivery, and chemokine expression, and normalized tissue survival. In hypoxic fibroblasts cultured in high glucose, overexpression of GLO1 prevented reduced expression of both the EPC mobilizing chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and of vascular epidermal growth factor, which modulates growth and differentiation of recruited EPCs. In hypoxic EPCs cultured in high glucose, overexpression of GLO1 prevented reduced expression of both the SDF-1 receptor CXCR4, and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase, an enzyme essential for EPC mobilization. HIF1alpha modification by methylglyoxal reduced heterodimer formation and HIF1alpha binding to all relevant promoters. These results provide a basis for the rational design of new therapeutics to normalize impaired ischemia-induced vasculogenesis in patients with diabetes.

Oxidative Damage in the Retinal Mitochondria of Diabetic Mice: Possible Protection by Superoxide Dismutase

Superoxide levels are elevated in the retina in patients with diabetes, and cytochrome c is released from the mitochondria. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism involved in the oxidative damage of retinal mitochondria in diabetes and to determine whether mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) provides protection. Effects of diabetes were investigated on superoxide and GSH levels, electron transport complexes I and III, and membrane permeability in the isolated mitochondria prepared from the retinas of streptozotocin diabetic mice. To investigate the effect of MnSOD, retinal mitochondrial oxidative stress and electron transport complexes were determined in mice overexpressing MnSOD (MnSOD-Tg). Histopathology was evaluated in trypsin-digested retina. Retinal mitochondria had twofold increase in superoxide levels in nontransgenic (wild-type [WT]) diabetic mice compared with WT nondiabetic mice. In the same retina, diabetes decreased mitochondrial GSH levels by 40% and complex III activity by approximately 20%, and it increased mitochondrial membrane permeability (swelling) by more than twofold; however, complex I activity was not affected. Overexpression of MnSOD inhibited diabetes-induced increases in mitochondrial superoxide levels and membrane permeability and the decrease in complex III activity. GSH values, however, were not statistically different in WT and MnSOD-Tg diabetic mice. In contrast to the diabetes-induced increase in the number of degenerate (acellular) capillaries in WT diabetic mice, the numbers of acellular capillaries in MnSOD-Tg nondiabetic and diabetic mice were similar to those in WT nondiabetic mice. Retinal mitochondria experience increased oxidative damage in diabetes, and complex III is one of the sources of increased superoxide. MnSOD protects the retina from diabetes-induced abnormalities in the mitochondria and prevents vascular histopathology, strongly implicating the role for MnSOD in the pathogenesis of retinopathy in diabetes.

Critical role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in degeneration of retinal capillaries in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Diabetes results in the upregulation of the production of several components of the inflammatory response in the retina, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of iNOS in the pathogenesis of the early stages of diabetic retinopathy using iNOS-deficient mice (iNos (-/-)). iNos (-/-) mice and wild-type (WT; C57BL/6J) mice were made diabetic with streptozotocin or kept as non-diabetic controls. Mice were killed at different time points after the induction of diabetes for assessment of vascular histopathology, cell loss in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), retinal thickness, and biochemical and physiological abnormalities. The concentrations of nitric oxide, nitration of proteins, poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR)-modified proteins, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, prostaglandin E(2), superoxide and leucostasis were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in retinas of WT mice diabetic for 2 months compared with non-diabetic WT mice. All of these abnormalities except PAR-modified proteins in retinas were inhibited (p < 0.05) in diabetic iNos (-/-) mice. The number of acellular capillaries and pericyte ghosts was significantly increased in retinas from WT mice diabetic for 9 months compared with non-diabetic WT controls, these increases being significantly inhibited in diabetic iNos (-/-) mice (p < 0.05 for all). Retinas from WT diabetic mice were significantly thinner than those from their non-diabetic controls, whereas diabetic iNos (-/-) mice were protected from this abnormality. We found no evidence of cell loss in the GCL of diabetic WT or iNos (-/-) mice. Deletion of iNos had no beneficial effect on diabetes-induced abnormalities on the electroretinogram. We demonstrate that the inflammatory enzyme iNOS plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular lesions characteristic of the early stages of diabetic retinopathy in mice.

Retinopathy Is Reduced during Experimental Diabetes in a Mouse Model of Outer Retinal Degeneration

Diabetic patients who also have retinitis pigmentosa (RP) appear to have fewer and less severe retinal microvascular lesions. Diabetic retinopathy may be linked to increased inner retinal hypoxia, with the possibility that this is exacerbated by oxygen usage during the dark-adaptation response. Therefore, patients with RP with depleted rod photoreceptors may encounter proportionately less retinal hypoxia, and, when diabetes is also present, there may be fewer retinopathic lesions. This hypothesis was tested in rhodopsin knockout mice (Rho-/-) as an RP model in which the diabetic milieu is superimposed. The study was designed to investigate whether degeneration of the outer retina has any impact on hypoxia, to examine diabetes-related retinal gene expression responses, and to assess lesions of diabetic retinopathy. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes was created in male C57Bl6 (wild-type; WT) and Rho-/- mice, and hyperglycemia was maintained for 5 months. The extent of diabetes was confirmed by measurement of glycated hemoglobin (%GHb) and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Retinal hypoxia was assessed using the bioreductive drug pimonidazole. The retinal microvasculature was studied in retinal flatmounts stained by the ADPase reaction, and the outer retina was evaluated histologically in paraffin-embedded sections. Retinal gene expression of VEGF-A, TNF-alpha, and mRNAs encoding basement membrane component proteins were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. The percentage GHb increased significantly in the presence of diabetes (P < 0.001) and was not different between WT or Rho-/- mice. Hypoxia increased in the retina of WT diabetic animals when compared with controls (P < 0.001) but this diabetes-induced change was absent in Rho-/- mice. Retinal gene expression of VEGF-A was significantly increased in WT mice with diabetes (P < 0.05), but was unchanged in Rho-/- mice. TNF-alpha gene expression significantly increased (4.9-fold) in WT mice with diabetes (P < 0.05) and also increased appreciably in Rho-/- mice but to a reduced extent (1.5 fold; P < 0.05). The outer nuclear layer in nondiabetic Rho-/- mice was reduced to a single layer after 6 months, but when diabetes was superimposed on this model, there was less degeneration of photoreceptors (P < 0.05). Vascular density was attenuated in diabetic WT mice compared with the nondiabetic control (P < 0.001); however, this diabetes-related disease was not observed in Rho-/- mice. Loss of the outer retina reduces the severity of diabetic retinopathy in a murine model. Oxygen usage by the photoreceptors during dark adaptation may contribute to retinal hypoxia and exacerbate the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Unique role of CD4+CD62L+ regulatory T cells in the control of autoimmune diabetes in T cell receptor transgenic mice.

Converging experimental evidence indicates that CD4(+) regulatory T cells control progression of autoimmune insulitis in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. Here, we studied the nature of these regulatory T cells and their mode of action in diabetes-prone NOD Rag(-/-) or severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice harboring a transgenic T cell receptor derived from the diabetogenic T cell clone BDC2.5. We first show that diabetes onset is prevented in such mice by infusion of polyclonal CD4(+) T cells expressing L-selectin (CD62L) but not prevented or only marginally prevented by CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells. Similarly, we found with a cotransfer model that CD4(+)CD62L(+) T cells but not CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells inhibited diabetes transfer into NOD SCID recipients by transgenic NOD BDC2.5 SCID cells. Unexpectedly, cotransfer of transgenic NOD BDC2.5 SCID cells and spleen cells from WT diabetic NOD mice did not induce diabetes, whereas each individual population did so. Data are presented arguing for the role of CD4(+)CD62L(+) T cells present within the polyclonal diabetogenic population in mediating this apparently paradoxical effect. Collectively, these data confirm the central role of CD4(+)CD62L(+) regulatory T cells in controlling disease onset in a well defined transgenic model of autoimmune diabetes and suggest the intervention of homeostatic mechanisms as part of their mode of action.