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Expression of HIF-1α and Robo4 in the retinas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice
Xin Liu1, Haitao Xu1, Mei Han1
1Eye Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University Changchun, Jilin, China.
Purpose:
This study investigated the expression of HIF-1α and Robo4 in the retinas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mice and determined the expression correlation of these two factors in early diabetic retinas in vivo.
Methods:
A high-fat diet together with STZ stimulated type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). HE staining was used to observe the morphologic features of the retinas following 4, or 8 weeks of hyperglycemia. Immunofluorescence was carried out to analyze the expression of HIF-1α and Robo4 in the retinas at different time points. HIF-1α and Robo4 mRNA and protein expressions were quantified by real-time PCR and western blot.
Results:
The arrangements of the retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL) and the ganglion cell layer (GCL) were slightly turbulent in the 4-week old diabetic mice, which became aggravated by NFL edema and cytoplasmic vacuoles in the 8-week old group. In the 4-week old group, HIF-1α was expressed slightly higher in NFL and GCL, and Robo4 expression increased in NFL and GCL. In the 8-week old diabetic retinas, HIF-1α expression was enhanced in NFL, GCL, and the outer plexiform layer (OPL); Robo4 expression increased apparently in NFL and GCL. HIF-1α and Robo4 mRNA and protein expressions were also increased slightly in the 1-week old retinas and significantly after 4 and 8 weeks.
Conclusions:
With aggravating retina structure turbulence in DM mice, both HIF-1α and Robo4 expressions were increased and mainly concentrated in the GCL, INL, and OPL, suggesting a regulatory role of HIF-1α on Robo4 and their combined effect on DM retina damage in vivo.
