Elevated Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine is associated with apoptosis of retinal pericytes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Advanced glycation end products including Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) are believed to contribute to retinal pericyte loss in diabetic retinopathy. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation has been considered as a potential cytotoxic modulator of retinal pericytes. Herein, we investigated whether CML accumulation can trigger NF-κB activation and apoptosis of retinal pericytes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Seven-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were made diabetic (STZ, 60 mg/kg). After 5 months, CML level and NF-κB activation were measured in trypsin-digested retinal vessels. In diabetic rats, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling)-positive and caspase 3-positive retinal pericytes were significantly increased. CML and NF-κB activation was also markedly increased in diabetic retinal vessels. Moreover, the immunoreactivity of NF-κB was localized within the region where CML were accumulated. Apoptosis occurred in CML-accumulating retinal pericytes. These results suggest that NF-κB could be activated in CML-accumulating pericytes from diabetic retina. CML accumulation is responsible, at least in part, for the apoptosis of retinal pericytes.