The world's first wiki where authorship really matters (Nature Genetics, 2008). Due credit and reputation for authors. Imagine a global collaborative knowledge base for original thoughts. Search thousands of articles and collaborate with scientists around the globe.

wikigene or wiki gene protein drug chemical gene disease author authorship tracking collaborative publishing evolutionary knowledge reputation system wiki2.0 global collaboration genes proteins drugs chemicals diseases compound
Hoffmann, R. A wiki for the life sciences where authorship matters. Nature Genetics (2008)
 
 
 
 
 

Advanced glycation end products increase, through a protein kinase C-dependent pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor expression in retinal endothelial cells. Inhibitory effect of gliclazide.

Accumulating evidence points to a causal role for advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the development of diabetic vascular complications, including retinopathy. Possible pathogenic mechanisms linking AGEs to diabetic retinopathy include protein kinase C (PKC) activation, oxidative stress, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. In the present study, we investigated the effect of AGEs on VEGF expression in bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs) and determined the role of PKC and oxidative stress in this effect. Incubation of BRECs with AGEs led to enhanced VEGF mRNA and protein expression. This treatment also induced PKC translocation in these cells. The AGE-induced increases in VEGF expression and PKC activation were inhibited by the pan-specific PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, and by the antioxidant drug and compounds, gliclazide, N-acetylcysteine, and vitamin E. In contrast, glyburide which does not exhibit antioxidant properties, did not affect the AGE-induced VEGF expression. Exposure of BRECs to AGEs resulted in a significant increase of nuclear protein binding to the NF-kappa B consensus sequence of the VEGF promoter region. Induction of DNA binding activity for NF-kappa B by AGEs was prevented by gliclazide. Treatment of BRECs with AGEs also increased the proliferation of these cells. This effect was abrogated by incubating the cells with an anti-VEGF antibody and was inhibited in the presence of gliclazide. Overall, these data demonstrate that AGEs increase VEGF expression in retinal endothelial cells through generation of oxidative stress and downstream activation of the PKC pathway. Targeting VEGF expression with specific pharmacological agents, such as antioxidants and PKC inhibitors, may prove efficacious for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.[1]

References

 
WikiGenes - Universities