Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is the leading cause of blindness and accounts
for approximately 12% of all new cases of blindness. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nucleotide-binding domain and Leucine-rich repeat Receptor containing a Pyrin
domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes have been long considered to be associated with PDR.
Levels of pro-inflammatory mediators were examined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA) measurements. PGE2 levels were analyzed by using the Prostaglandin E2 Monoclonal EIA Kit. Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were stained
with Annexin V/propidium iodide and analyzed by flow cytometry for testing the apoptosis.
Expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components under various conditions were detected
by Western blot and real-time PCR. Inflammasome markers and PGE2 were highly expressed in the vitreous of PDR patients. PGE2 and NLRP3 induced apoptosis of HRMECs. PGE2 upregulated the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and inflammatory chemokines.
Knockdown of NLRP3 attenuated the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and inhibited
the effect of PGE2. Our results suggest that PGE2 levels and NLRP3 inflammasome activation are closely related to the pathogenesis of
PDR and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have a potential therapeutic effect
on PDR.
Key words
proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) - NLRP3 inflammasomes - prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
- apoptosis