Dynamic Expression of HDAC3 in db/db Mouse RGCs and Its Relationship with Apoptosis and Autophagy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a neurovascular complication of diabetes mellitus.
• Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss contributes to vision impairment in diabetic patients.
• The role of Histone deacetylase3 (HDAC3) in DR and RGCs remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the chronological changes in RGCs during diabetic retinopathy.
• To examine the expression patterns of HDAC3, Caspase3, and LC3B in RGCs of diabetic mice.

Main Methods:

• Utilized db/db mice as a model for diabetic retinopathy, with db/m mice as controls.
• Analyzed morphological and immunohistochemical changes of HDAC3, Caspase3, and LC3B over time.
• Assessed RGC variations in relation to disease progression.

Main Results:

• Db/db mice exhibited elevated blood glucose and body weight compared to controls.
• Progressive RGC loss was observed with increasing disease duration in db/db mice.
• HDAC3 expression increased, Caspase3 expression accelerated, and LC3B expression changed dynamically in RGCs of db/db mice.
• HDAC3 expression showed a positive correlation with Caspase3 expression (r=0.7424, P<0.01).

Conclusions:

• Clarified dynamic expression changes of HDAC3, Caspase3, and LC3B in diabetic retinopathy.
• HDAC3 expression positively correlates with apoptosis and autophagy in RGCs.
• Findings suggest HDAC3's involvement in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.