Glycated serum albumin induces chemokine gene expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Chronic hyperglycemia is thought to be important in the development of diabetic neovascularization but the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) is a leukocyte chemokine and activating agent with angiogenic properties that is present in diabetic vitreous and may play a role in diabetic vasculopathy. We studied IL‐8 and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1) production by human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells exposed to glycated human serum albumin (GHSA). Enzyme‐linked immunoassay GHSA (500 μg/mL)‐treated hRPE cells secreted levels of IL‐8 and MCP‐1 detectable within 4 h and reached 26.0 ± 1.3 and 42.2 ± 0.4 ng/106 cells/mL after 24 h, respectively. Induction of IL‐8 and MCP‐1 by GHSA at concentrations ranging from 62.5 to 3,000 μg/mL exhibited dose‐dependent kinetics. The GHSA‐induced chemokine secretion by hRPE was almost completely inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, suggesting that de novo mRNA and protein synthesis are necessary for the GHSA‐induced IL‐8 and MCP‐1 production. Northern blot analysis of GHSA‐induced hRPE IL‐8 and MCP‐1 mRNA expression corresponded to the time‐ and dose‐dependent increases measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. High concentrations of glucose (20 mM; 360 mg/dl) increased GHSA‐induced hRPE IL‐8 and MCP‐1 secretion, whereas added insulin (0.5 ng/mL) inhibited IL‐8 but not MCP‐1 protein secretion and mRNA expression. GHSA also induced hRPE to secrete GRO‐α, RAN‐TES, and NAP‐2 chemokines. GHSA induction of hRPE chemokines further suggests a role for the hRPE in leukocyte infiltration, vascular injury, and neovascularization. J. Leukoc. Biol. 60: 405–414; 1996.