GPR120/FFAR4 protects retinal vascular endothelial cells against high glucose injury suppressing ROS-ERS mediated apoptosis.

AIM

To evaluate the role of reactive oxygen species-endoplasmic reticulum stress (ROS-ERS) in the cellular protection of G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120/FFAR4) against high glucose (HG) induced human retinal vascular endothelial cell (HRVEC) injury and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

HRVECs were divided into the control group, GW9508 (an agonist of GPR120) group, HG group, and HG+GW9508 group. The cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by cell counting kit-8 and annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit, respectively. Western blotting analysis was performed to assess the protein expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1). The ROS assay kit was used for the detection of ROS production. Then the cells were transfected with siRNA of GPR120 and the ROS level and protein levels of ATF6, PERK, and IER1 were compared.

RESULTS

GW9508 promoted the proliferation of HRVECs, which was significantly reduced by the stimulation of HG. GW9508 remarkably reduced the apoptosis rate of HRVECs under HG and the expression of proapoptotic protein Bax, while increased the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Under HG condition, a significant increase of ROS production was noticed in HRVECs, and GW9508 treatment greatly decreased it. The over-expressions of ERS-related proteins ATF6, PERK, and IER1 under HG were down-regulated by GW9508 treatment. After successfully transfected with siGPR120, the effects of GW9508 on the production of ROS as well as the expressions of ATF6, PERK, and IER1 were reversed.

CONCLUSION

GPR120 protects HRVECs against HG induced apoptosis, and suppressing ROS-ERS pathway is one of the mechanisms involved. Activation of GPR120 may be considered as a potential therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy.