Abstract
Purpose :
The activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contributes to the destruction of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) and neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Although blocking RAS in clinical studies reduced the incidence of DR, it did not reduce the progression of DR. The goal of this study was to decipher the role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), cytochrome P450 (CYP)-derived eicosanoids, and EETs degrading enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) in angiotensin II (Ang II)- and diabetes-induced retinal microvascular damage. We also determine the interactions between EETs/sEH and angiotensin receptor-1 (AT1) in the retina.
Methods :
We induced experimental diabetes in wild-type and sEH knockout mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Some mice received chronic treatment with Ang II via SC minipump (3 mg/kg/day), with or without AT1 blocker telmisartan (2.5 mg/kg/day). Some mice received intravitreal injection of Ang II with or without 11,12 EET. Integrity of blood retinal barrier (BRB) was assessed by analysis of albumin leakage in the retina. Analysis of the plasma levels of bioactive lipids in normal and diabetic mice was done using LC/MS/MS.
Results :
Ang II increases retinal expression of sEH by 2.8-fold (2.84 ± 1.1 vs. 1 ± 0.08, P < 0.05, n = 4), which is blunted by AT1 blockade. Moreover, sEH blockade and knockout (KO), which accumulate EETs, enhance Ang II-induced BRB injury as shown by 1.58 folds increase in retinal albumin leakage (1.58 ± 0.4 vs. 1 ± 0.13, P < 0.05, n = 4) and 2.8-folds (2.8 ± 1.7 vs. 1 ± 0.09, P < 0.05, n = 4), respectively. These results were confirmed by fluorescein angiogram (FA) analysis. Administration of synthetic 11,12-EET enhances intravitreal Ang II-induced retinal albumin leakage by 2.2-fold (2.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1 ± 0.18, P < 0.05, n = 4). In addition, 11,12-EET induces retinal hyperpermeability by FA and retinal albumin leakage. Moreover, sEH KO potentiates diabetes-induced retinal damage. This was associated with upregulation of retinal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1).
Conclusions :
Our data indicate that in DR, the activation of retinal AT1 triggers a compensation mechanism by increasing retinal sEH, thereby reducing the production of EETs. Therefore, the combined use of EETs blockers and AT1 blockers is expected to become a new treatment strategy to prevent or reduce DR.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.