Hyperglycemia induced early growth response-1 regulates vascular dysfunction in human retinal endothelial cells

Early growth response-1 (Egr-1) protein upregulation is reported in diabetes and vascular disorders. This study aims at deciphering its role in hyperglycemia induced changes of retinal endothelium. Human retinal endothelial cells (hRECs) were exposed to hyperglycemia (25 mM) and normoglycemia (5.5 mM). Gene silencing was done using siRNA against Egr-1. Transcript and protein level analysis of Egr-1 and gene targets were done using qPCR and immunoblotting respectively in hRECs, diabetic and nondiabetic human retina and immunofluorescence for localization in retinal sections. Hyperglycemia induced Egr-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) but not pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) in hRECs. Expression of Egr-1 repressor NGFI-A binding protein-2 (NAB-2) was unaltered. Egr-1 downstream gene targets, tissue factor (TF) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression were increased in hRECs which was reduced by Egr-1 silencing in hyperglycemia. Diabetic retina, showed an increase in Egr-1, VEGF-A and gene target TF, ICAM-1 but not NAB-2 and PEDF similar to the changes seen in hyperglycemic hRECs. Hyperglycemic induction of Egr-1 and absence of NAB-2 repression in retinal endothelium, up-regulates downstream genes involved in pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory pathways linking Egr-1 in diabetes mediated vascular aberration of retina.