The Advanced Glycation Endproduct Pentosidine Induces the Expression of PDGF-B in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Advanced glycation endproducts have been implicated in a number of diabetic and aging changes. Some of these effects occur in part through induction of cytokines such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which is expressed by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In this study, cultures of RPE were evaluated for PDGF expression after treatment with pentosidine, a well characterized advanced glycation endproduct. Northern analysis provided evidence for the increased expression of a 3.7 kb PDGF-B transcript over unstimulated controls in the established ARPE-19 cell line. Western analysis demonstrated increased PDGF-BB protein in conditioned medium compared to controls of ARPE-19 cells. In addition, two different early passage cultures of RPE showed increased PDGF-BB protein after pentosidine treatment compared to unstimulated controls. The enhanced production of PDGF-BB could play a role in the maintenance of the RPE-Bruch's membrane complex and influence changes associated with diabetes and aging.