title: Translocation of protein kinase C δ contributes to the moderately high glucose-, but not hypoxia-induced proliferation in primary cultured human retinal endothelial cells.
abstract: Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications in patients with diabetes and affects ~75% of them within 15 years of the onset of the disease. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is a key feature of diabetes mellitus and may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The present study aimed to examine the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, which are triggered by high an moderately high glucose levels as well as hypoxic conditions. The underlying cell mechanisms of PKC translocation in primary cultured human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) were also investigated. The expression levels of PKC isoforms were assessed using western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was determined using the MTT assay and DNA synthesis was assessed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Translocation of PKC isoforms was examined by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. The expression of PKC α, βI, βII, δ and ε was detected, while PKC ζ was not detected in HRECs. The results of the present study were consistent with the findings of a previous study by our group, reporting that moderately high glucose levels and hypoxia, but not high glucose levels, significantly increased cell proliferation. It was demonstrated that the PKC δ isoform was translocated from the cytosol to the membrane only under moderately high glucose conditions, while PKC α and ε isoforms were translocated from the cytosol to the membrane at high glucose conditions. In addition, PKC βI was translocated under all three conditions. Translocation of PKC βII was comparable among all groups. Furthermore, rottlerin, an inhibitor of PKC δ, blocked cell proliferation, which was induced by moderately high glucose levels, but not by hypoxia. Ro32-0432, an inhibitor of PKC α, βI and ε, did not significantly affect proliferation of HRECs in all treatment groups. In conclusion, the present study suggested that PKC α, βI, βII, δ and ε were expressed in primary cultured HRECs, whereas PKC ζ was not. Cell proliferation induced by moderately high glucose concentrations was associated with translocation of the PKC δ isoform; however, hypoxic conditions did not induce translocation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Chun
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.
authors.forename: En-Hong
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Chang
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shi-Bo
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Bang-Hao
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000494:pharmacology; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism*; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D051745:Protein Kinase C-delta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D001578:Benzopyrans; D007211:Indoles; D011758:Pyrroles; C085989:Ro 32-0432; C085746:rottlerin; D051745:Protein Kinase C-delta; D005947:Glucose