Inflammatory cytokines in diabetic retinopathy

描述(申请人提供)：糖尿病视网膜病变是美国成年人致盲的主要原因。为了开发有效的方法来预防这种疾病，迫切需要更好地了解糖尿病引起的视网膜损伤的机制。我们最近发现，在糖尿病中，胶质穆勒细胞启动急性期反应，伴随着视网膜诱导炎性细胞因子白介素1(IL-1)。在这个项目中，我们打算调查IL-1上调导致糖尿病视网膜的神经胶质和血管异常的假说。其具体目的是：1.鉴定上调IL-1β的细胞类型/S，并鉴定糖尿病视网膜中IL-1系统的特征。糖尿病视网膜细胞类型/S表达IL-1将通过原位杂交和免疫组织化学方法进行鉴定。为了研究糖尿病对IL-1系统的影响，我们将研究两种内源性IL-1受体诱骗受体IL-1RII和受体拮抗剂IL-1Ra-以及IL-1信号受体的两种成分IL-1RI和IL-1RAcP在视网膜中的表达和细胞分布。2.探讨IL-1在视网膜细胞中表达上调的机制及后果。我们将进行体外研究，以确定高糖是否会上调细胞培养模型中的IL-1。然后，我们将研究IL-1是否足以模拟糖尿病对Muller细胞的影响，以及IL-1与其他糖尿病诱导因素的相互作用。3.确定抑制IL-1活性是否能预防糖尿病视网膜病变的发生。作为IL-1在糖尿病视网膜病变中作用的确凿证据，我们将评估IL-1ra在预防糖尿病大鼠视网膜异常中的作用。确认IL-1是糖尿病引起的视网膜损伤的介质将为预防视网膜病变开辟新的途径。重组IL-1ra或其他抗IL-1药物可能成为预防视网膜病变的有力工具--可能应用于其他具有炎症成分的糖尿病并发症，如动脉粥样硬化。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the US adult population. To develop, effective approaches to prevent this disease, there is a crucial need for a better understanding of the mechanisms of diabetes-induced retinal damage. We have recently found that glial Muller cells mount an acute-phase response in diabetes, which is accompanied by retinal induction of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1¿ (IL-1¿). In this project, we intend to investigate the hypothesis that IL-1¿ upregulation contributes to the glial and vascular abnormalities of the diabetic retina. The specific aims are: 1. To identify the cell type/s that upregulate IL-1¿ and characterize the IL-1¿ system in the diabetic retina. The retinal cell type/s expressing IL-1¿ in diabetes will be identified by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. To investigate the effect of diabetes on the IL-1¿ system, we will study the retinal expression and cellular distribution of the two IL-1¿ endogenous inhibitors - decoy receptor IL-1RII and receptor antagonist IL-1ra - and of the two components of the IL-1¿ signaling receptor - IL-1RI and IL-1RAcP. 2. To determine the mechanisms and consequences of IL-1¿ upregulation in retinal cells. We will perform in vitro studies to determine whether high glucose upregulates IL-1¿ in cell culture models. We will then investigate whether IL-1¿ is sufficient to mimic the effect of diabetes on Muller cells, and the interaction of IL-1¿ with other diabetes-induced factors. 3. To determine whether inhibition of IL-1¿ activity can prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy. As conclusive evidence for a role of IL-1¿ in diabetic retinopathy, we will evaluate the effect of retinal overexpression of IL-1ra in preventing retinal abnormalities in diabetic rats. Identifying IL-1¿ as a mediator of diabetes-induced retinal damage would open new avenues for the prevention of retinopathy. Recombinant IL-1ra or other anti-IL-1¿ drugs could become powerful tools to prevent retinopathy - with possible applications to other diabetic complications with an inflammatory component such as atherosclerosis.