Expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptors in cultured retinal Müller cells under high glucose circumstance.

This study aimed to explore the effect of high glucose concentration on the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its family ligand receptors (GFRs) GFRα1 and GFRα2 in Müller cells and the protective role of GDNF in cultured Müller cells under high glucose circumstance. Cultured Müller cells (untreated or treated with 200 ng/mL of GDNF) were exposed to high glucose conditions (20 mmol/L glucose). We found that the expression levels of GDNF and GFRα1 mRNA and protein increased gradually over time under high glucose and exogenous GDNF-treated conditions, whereas the upregulation in GFRα2 expression was observed only in the early stage of high glucose conditions. Exogenous GDNF not only decreased apoptosis in cultured Müller cells under high glucose circumstance, but also accelerated the levels and speed of synthesis of GDNF and GFRα1 proteins in Müller cells. These results suggest that Müller cells can synthesize GDNF and GFRs under high glucose conditions, and GDNF may play important role in protecting Müller cells during the early stage of diabetic retinopathy. The difference in GFRs expression indicated that GDNF and neurturin may exert different effects on Müller cells under high glucose circumstance.

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