Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 5/2012

01-05-2012 | Basic Science

Methylglyoxal induces hyperpermeability of the blood–retinal barrier via the loss of tight junction proteins and the activation of matrix metalloproteinases

Authors: Junghyun Kim, Chan-Sik Kim, Yun Mi Lee, Kyuhyung Jo, So Dam Shin, Jin Sook Kim

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 5/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

One of the early signs of diabetic retinopathy is the alteration of the blood–retinal barrier (BRB), which may involve the breakdown of endothelial cell tight junctions. Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a cytotoxic metabolite that is produced from glycolysis in vivo. Elevated levels of MGO are observed in a number of pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders and diabetic complications. Herein, we hypothesize that increased levels of MGO disrupt the tight junction protein known as occludin protein by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), leading to breakage of the BRB.

Methods

MGO was intravitreally injected into eyes of rats. BRB leakage, MMPs activity, and occludin were investigated in intravitreally MGO-injected eyes.

Results

When normoglycemic rats were intravitreally injected with 400 μM MGO, there was widespread leakage of fluorescein isothiocyanate–bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) from the retinal vasculature when compared to control retinas. In addition, MGO-injected retinas demonstrated increases of both activity and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and the degradation of occludin was found in the MGO-injected retinas.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the activation of MMPs by elevated levels of MGO in the retina may facilitate an increase in vascular permeability by a mechanism involving proteolytic degradation of occludin. These findings may have implications for the role of MGO in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Cunha-Vaz J, Bernardes R (2005) Nonproliferative retinopathy in diabetes type 2. Initial stages and characterization of phenotypes. Prog Retin Eye Res 24:355–377PubMedCrossRef Cunha-Vaz J, Bernardes R (2005) Nonproliferative retinopathy in diabetes type 2. Initial stages and characterization of phenotypes. Prog Retin Eye Res 24:355–377PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Roy S, Sato T, Paryani G, Kao R (2003) Downregulation of fibronectin overexpression reduces basement membrane thickening and vascular lesions in retinas of galactose-fed rats. Diabetes 52:1229–1234PubMedCrossRef Roy S, Sato T, Paryani G, Kao R (2003) Downregulation of fibronectin overexpression reduces basement membrane thickening and vascular lesions in retinas of galactose-fed rats. Diabetes 52:1229–1234PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Sander B, Larsen M, Engler C, Lund-Andersen H, Parving HH (1994) Early changes in diabetic retinopathy: capillary loss and blood–retina barrier permeability in relation to metabolic control. Acta Ophthalmol 72:553–559 Sander B, Larsen M, Engler C, Lund-Andersen H, Parving HH (1994) Early changes in diabetic retinopathy: capillary loss and blood–retina barrier permeability in relation to metabolic control. Acta Ophthalmol 72:553–559
4.
go back to reference Patz A (1980) Studies on retinal neovascularization. Friedenwald Lecture. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 19:1133–1138PubMed Patz A (1980) Studies on retinal neovascularization. Friedenwald Lecture. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 19:1133–1138PubMed
5.
go back to reference Giebel SJ, Menicucci G, McGuire PG, Das A (2005) Matrix metalloproteinases in early diabetic retinopathy and their role in alteration of the blood–retinal barrier. Lab Invest 85:597–607PubMedCrossRef Giebel SJ, Menicucci G, McGuire PG, Das A (2005) Matrix metalloproteinases in early diabetic retinopathy and their role in alteration of the blood–retinal barrier. Lab Invest 85:597–607PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Sander CS, Hamm F, Elsner P, Thiele JJ (2003) Oxidative stress in malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Br J Dermatol 148:913–922PubMedCrossRef Sander CS, Hamm F, Elsner P, Thiele JJ (2003) Oxidative stress in malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Br J Dermatol 148:913–922PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Kuniyasu H, Oue N, Wakikawa A, Shigeishi H, Matsutani N, Kuraoka K, Ito R, Yokozaki H, Yasui W (2002) Expression of receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is closely associated with the invasive and metastatic activity of gastric cancer. J Pathol 196:163–170PubMedCrossRef Kuniyasu H, Oue N, Wakikawa A, Shigeishi H, Matsutani N, Kuraoka K, Ito R, Yokozaki H, Yasui W (2002) Expression of receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is closely associated with the invasive and metastatic activity of gastric cancer. J Pathol 196:163–170PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Stitt AW, McGoldrick C, Rice-McCaldin A, McCance DR, Glenn JV, Hsu DK, Liu FT, Thorpe SR, Gardiner TA (2005) Impaired retinal angiogenesis in diabetes: role of advanced glycation end products and galectin-3. Diabetes 54:785–794PubMedCrossRef Stitt AW, McGoldrick C, Rice-McCaldin A, McCance DR, Glenn JV, Hsu DK, Liu FT, Thorpe SR, Gardiner TA (2005) Impaired retinal angiogenesis in diabetes: role of advanced glycation end products and galectin-3. Diabetes 54:785–794PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Hirahara I, Kusano E, Yanagiba S, Miyata Y, Ando Y, Muto S, Asano Y (2006) Peritoneal injury by methylglyoxal in peritoneal dialysis. Perit Dial Int 26:380–392PubMed Hirahara I, Kusano E, Yanagiba S, Miyata Y, Ando Y, Muto S, Asano Y (2006) Peritoneal injury by methylglyoxal in peritoneal dialysis. Perit Dial Int 26:380–392PubMed
10.
go back to reference Schalkwijk CG, Posthuma N, ten Brink HJ, ter Wee PM, Teerlink T (1999) Induction of 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds, intermediates in the formation of advanced glycation end-products, during heat-sterilization of glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids. Perit Dial Int 19:325–333PubMed Schalkwijk CG, Posthuma N, ten Brink HJ, ter Wee PM, Teerlink T (1999) Induction of 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds, intermediates in the formation of advanced glycation end-products, during heat-sterilization of glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids. Perit Dial Int 19:325–333PubMed
11.
go back to reference Bento CF, Fernandes R, Matafome P, Sena C, Seica R, Pereira P (2010) Methylglyoxal-induced imbalance in the ratio of vascular endothelial growth factor to angiopoietin 2 secreted by retinal pigment epithelial cells leads to endothelial dysfunction. Exp Physiol 95:955–970PubMed Bento CF, Fernandes R, Matafome P, Sena C, Seica R, Pereira P (2010) Methylglyoxal-induced imbalance in the ratio of vascular endothelial growth factor to angiopoietin 2 secreted by retinal pigment epithelial cells leads to endothelial dysfunction. Exp Physiol 95:955–970PubMed
12.
go back to reference Berkowitz BA, Lukaszew RA, Mullins CM, Penn JS (1998) Impaired hyaloidal circulation function and uncoordinated ocular growth patterns in experimental retinopathy of prematurity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 39:391–396PubMed Berkowitz BA, Lukaszew RA, Mullins CM, Penn JS (1998) Impaired hyaloidal circulation function and uncoordinated ocular growth patterns in experimental retinopathy of prematurity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 39:391–396PubMed
13.
go back to reference Aiello LP, Gardner TW, King GL, Blankenship G, Cavallerano JD, Ferris FL 3rd, Klein R (1998) Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Care 21:143–156PubMed Aiello LP, Gardner TW, King GL, Blankenship G, Cavallerano JD, Ferris FL 3rd, Klein R (1998) Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Care 21:143–156PubMed
14.
go back to reference Randell EW, Vasdev S, Gill V (2005) Measurement of methylglyoxal in rat tissues by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 51:153–157PubMedCrossRef Randell EW, Vasdev S, Gill V (2005) Measurement of methylglyoxal in rat tissues by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 51:153–157PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Hammes HP (2003) Pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic angiopathy. J Diabetes Complicat 17:16–19PubMedCrossRef Hammes HP (2003) Pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic angiopathy. J Diabetes Complicat 17:16–19PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Hammes HP, Du X, Edelstein D, Taguchi T, Matsumura T, Ju Q, Lin J, Bierhaus A, Nawroth P, Hannak D, Neumaier M, Bergfeld R, Giardino I, Brownlee M (2003) Benfotiamine blocks three major pathways of hyperglycemic damage and prevents experimental diabetic retinopathy. Nat Med 9:294–299PubMedCrossRef Hammes HP, Du X, Edelstein D, Taguchi T, Matsumura T, Ju Q, Lin J, Bierhaus A, Nawroth P, Hannak D, Neumaier M, Bergfeld R, Giardino I, Brownlee M (2003) Benfotiamine blocks three major pathways of hyperglycemic damage and prevents experimental diabetic retinopathy. Nat Med 9:294–299PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Akhand AA, Hossain K, Mitsui H, Kato M, Miyata T, Inagi R, Du J, Takeda K, Kawamoto Y, Suzuki H, Kurokawa K, Nakashima I (2001) Glyoxal and methylglyoxal trigger distinct signals for map family kinases and caspase activation in human endothelial cells. Free Radic Biol Med 31:20–30PubMedCrossRef Akhand AA, Hossain K, Mitsui H, Kato M, Miyata T, Inagi R, Du J, Takeda K, Kawamoto Y, Suzuki H, Kurokawa K, Nakashima I (2001) Glyoxal and methylglyoxal trigger distinct signals for map family kinases and caspase activation in human endothelial cells. Free Radic Biol Med 31:20–30PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Fukunaga M, Miyata S, Liu BF, Miyazaki H, Hirota Y, Higo S, Hamada Y, Ueyama S, Kasuga M (2004) Methylglyoxal induces apoptosis through activation of p38 MAPK in rat Schwann cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 320:689–695PubMedCrossRef Fukunaga M, Miyata S, Liu BF, Miyazaki H, Hirota Y, Higo S, Hamada Y, Ueyama S, Kasuga M (2004) Methylglyoxal induces apoptosis through activation of p38 MAPK in rat Schwann cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 320:689–695PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Huang WJ, Tung CW, Ho C, Yang JT, Chen ML, Chang PJ, Lee PH, Lin CL, Wang JY (2007) Ras activation modulates methylglyoxal-induced mesangial cell apoptosis through superoxide production. Ren Fail 29:911–921PubMedCrossRef Huang WJ, Tung CW, Ho C, Yang JT, Chen ML, Chang PJ, Lee PH, Lin CL, Wang JY (2007) Ras activation modulates methylglyoxal-induced mesangial cell apoptosis through superoxide production. Ren Fail 29:911–921PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Kim J, Son JW, Lee JA, Oh YS, Shinn SH (2004) Methylglyoxal induces apoptosis mediated by reactive oxygen species in bovine retinal pericytes. J Korean Med Sci 19:95–100PubMedCrossRef Kim J, Son JW, Lee JA, Oh YS, Shinn SH (2004) Methylglyoxal induces apoptosis mediated by reactive oxygen species in bovine retinal pericytes. J Korean Med Sci 19:95–100PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Lapolla A, Flamini R, Dalla Vedova A, Senesi A, Reitano R, Fedele D, Basso E, Seraglia R, Traldi P (2003) Glyoxal and methylglyoxal levels in diabetic patients: quantitative determination by a new GC/MS method. Clin Chem Lab Med 41:1166–1173PubMedCrossRef Lapolla A, Flamini R, Dalla Vedova A, Senesi A, Reitano R, Fedele D, Basso E, Seraglia R, Traldi P (2003) Glyoxal and methylglyoxal levels in diabetic patients: quantitative determination by a new GC/MS method. Clin Chem Lab Med 41:1166–1173PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Lapolla A, Reitano R, Seraglia R, Sartore G, Ragazzi E, Traldi P (2005) Evaluation of advanced glycation end products and carbonyl compounds in patients with different conditions of oxidative stress. Mol Nutr Food Res 49:685–690PubMedCrossRef Lapolla A, Reitano R, Seraglia R, Sartore G, Ragazzi E, Traldi P (2005) Evaluation of advanced glycation end products and carbonyl compounds in patients with different conditions of oxidative stress. Mol Nutr Food Res 49:685–690PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Chaplen FW, Fahl WE, Cameron DC (1998) Evidence of high levels of methylglyoxal in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95:5533–5538PubMedCrossRef Chaplen FW, Fahl WE, Cameron DC (1998) Evidence of high levels of methylglyoxal in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95:5533–5538PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Kim J, Kim OS, Kim CS, Kim NH, Kim JS (2010) Cytotoxic role of methylglyoxal in rat retinal pericytes: Involvement of a nuclear factor-kappaB and inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway. Chem Biol Interact 188:86–93PubMedCrossRef Kim J, Kim OS, Kim CS, Kim NH, Kim JS (2010) Cytotoxic role of methylglyoxal in rat retinal pericytes: Involvement of a nuclear factor-kappaB and inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway. Chem Biol Interact 188:86–93PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Rajagopalan S, Meng XP, Ramasamy S, Harrison DG, Galis ZS (1996) Reactive oxygen species produced by macrophage-derived foam cells regulate the activity of vascular matrix metalloproteinases in vitro. Implications for atherosclerotic plaque stability. J Clin Invest 98:2572–2579PubMedCrossRef Rajagopalan S, Meng XP, Ramasamy S, Harrison DG, Galis ZS (1996) Reactive oxygen species produced by macrophage-derived foam cells regulate the activity of vascular matrix metalloproteinases in vitro. Implications for atherosclerotic plaque stability. J Clin Invest 98:2572–2579PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Vincenti MP (2001) The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) genes. Transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation, signal transduction and cell-type-specific expression. Methods Mol Biol 151:121–148PubMed Vincenti MP (2001) The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) genes. Transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation, signal transduction and cell-type-specific expression. Methods Mol Biol 151:121–148PubMed
27.
go back to reference Portik-Dobos V, Anstadt MP, Hutchinson J, Bannan M, Ergul A (2002) Evidence for a matrix metalloproteinase induction/activation system in arterial vasculature and decreased synthesis and activity in diabetes. Diabetes 51:3063–3068PubMedCrossRef Portik-Dobos V, Anstadt MP, Hutchinson J, Bannan M, Ergul A (2002) Evidence for a matrix metalloproteinase induction/activation system in arterial vasculature and decreased synthesis and activity in diabetes. Diabetes 51:3063–3068PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Uemura S, Matsushita H, Li W, Glassford AJ, Asagami T, Lee KH, Harrison DG, Tsao PS (2001) Diabetes mellitus enhances vascular matrix metalloproteinase activity: role of oxidative stress. Circ Res 88:1291–1298PubMedCrossRef Uemura S, Matsushita H, Li W, Glassford AJ, Asagami T, Lee KH, Harrison DG, Tsao PS (2001) Diabetes mellitus enhances vascular matrix metalloproteinase activity: role of oxidative stress. Circ Res 88:1291–1298PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Del Prete D, Anglani F, Forino M, Ceol M, Fioretto P, Nosadini R, Baggio B, Gambaro G (1997) Down-regulation of glomerular matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene in human NIDDM. Diabetologia 40:1449–1454PubMedCrossRef Del Prete D, Anglani F, Forino M, Ceol M, Fioretto P, Nosadini R, Baggio B, Gambaro G (1997) Down-regulation of glomerular matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene in human NIDDM. Diabetologia 40:1449–1454PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Song RH, Singh AK, Leehey DJ (1999) Decreased glomerular proteinase activity in the streptozotocin diabetic rat. Am J Nephrol 19:441–446PubMedCrossRef Song RH, Singh AK, Leehey DJ (1999) Decreased glomerular proteinase activity in the streptozotocin diabetic rat. Am J Nephrol 19:441–446PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Asahi M, Wang X, Mori T, Sumii T, Jung JC, Moskowitz MA, Fini ME, Lo EH (2001) Effects of matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene knock-out on the proteolysis of blood–brain barrier and white matter components after cerebral ischemia. J Neurosci 21:7724–7732PubMed Asahi M, Wang X, Mori T, Sumii T, Jung JC, Moskowitz MA, Fini ME, Lo EH (2001) Effects of matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene knock-out on the proteolysis of blood–brain barrier and white matter components after cerebral ischemia. J Neurosci 21:7724–7732PubMed
32.
go back to reference Alexander JS, Elrod JW (2002) Extracellular matrix, junctional integrity and matrix metalloproteinase interactions in endothelial permeability regulation. J Anat 200:561–574PubMedCrossRef Alexander JS, Elrod JW (2002) Extracellular matrix, junctional integrity and matrix metalloproteinase interactions in endothelial permeability regulation. J Anat 200:561–574PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Grant MB, Caballero S, Tarnuzzer RW, Bass KE, Ljubimov AV, Spoerri PE, Galardy RE (1998) Matrix metalloproteinase expression in human retinal microvascular cells. Diabetes 47:1311–1317PubMedCrossRef Grant MB, Caballero S, Tarnuzzer RW, Bass KE, Ljubimov AV, Spoerri PE, Galardy RE (1998) Matrix metalloproteinase expression in human retinal microvascular cells. Diabetes 47:1311–1317PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Behzadian MA, Windsor LJ, Ghaly N, Liou G, Tsai NT, Caldwell RB (2003) VEGF-induced paracellular permeability in cultured endothelial cells involves urokinase and its receptor. FASEB J 17:752–754PubMed Behzadian MA, Windsor LJ, Ghaly N, Liou G, Tsai NT, Caldwell RB (2003) VEGF-induced paracellular permeability in cultured endothelial cells involves urokinase and its receptor. FASEB J 17:752–754PubMed
35.
go back to reference Moore TC, Moore JE, Kaji Y, Frizzell N, Usui T, Poulaki V, Campbell IL, Stitt AW, Gardiner TA, Archer DB, Adamis AP (2003) The role of advanced glycation end products in retinal microvascular leukostasis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44:4457–4464PubMedCrossRef Moore TC, Moore JE, Kaji Y, Frizzell N, Usui T, Poulaki V, Campbell IL, Stitt AW, Gardiner TA, Archer DB, Adamis AP (2003) The role of advanced glycation end products in retinal microvascular leukostasis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44:4457–4464PubMedCrossRef
36.
go back to reference Furuse M, Hirase T, Itoh M, Nagafuchi A, Yonemura S, Tsukita S (1993) Occludin: a novel integral membrane protein localizing at tight junctions. J Cell Biol 123:1777–1788PubMedCrossRef Furuse M, Hirase T, Itoh M, Nagafuchi A, Yonemura S, Tsukita S (1993) Occludin: a novel integral membrane protein localizing at tight junctions. J Cell Biol 123:1777–1788PubMedCrossRef
37.
go back to reference Watson PM, Anderson JM, Vanltallie CM, Doctrow SR (1991) The tight-junction-specific protein ZO-1 is a component of the human and rat blood–brain barriers. Neurosci Lett 129:6–10PubMedCrossRef Watson PM, Anderson JM, Vanltallie CM, Doctrow SR (1991) The tight-junction-specific protein ZO-1 is a component of the human and rat blood–brain barriers. Neurosci Lett 129:6–10PubMedCrossRef
38.
go back to reference Hirase T, Staddon JM, Saitou M, Ando-Akatsuka Y, Itoh M, Furuse M, Fujimoto K, Tsukita S, Rubin LL (1997) Occludin as a possible determinant of tight junction permeability in endothelial cells. J Cell Sci 110(Pt 14):1603–1613PubMed Hirase T, Staddon JM, Saitou M, Ando-Akatsuka Y, Itoh M, Furuse M, Fujimoto K, Tsukita S, Rubin LL (1997) Occludin as a possible determinant of tight junction permeability in endothelial cells. J Cell Sci 110(Pt 14):1603–1613PubMed
39.
go back to reference Chen Y, Merzdorf C, Paul DL, Goodenough DA (1997) COOH terminus of occludin is required for tight junction barrier function in early Xenopus embryos. J Cell Biol 138:891–899PubMedCrossRef Chen Y, Merzdorf C, Paul DL, Goodenough DA (1997) COOH terminus of occludin is required for tight junction barrier function in early Xenopus embryos. J Cell Biol 138:891–899PubMedCrossRef
40.
go back to reference Wong V, Gumbiner BM (1997) A synthetic peptide corresponding to the extracellular domain of occludin perturbs the tight junction permeability barrier. J Cell Biol 136:399–409PubMedCrossRef Wong V, Gumbiner BM (1997) A synthetic peptide corresponding to the extracellular domain of occludin perturbs the tight junction permeability barrier. J Cell Biol 136:399–409PubMedCrossRef
41.
go back to reference Liu W, Hendren J, Qin XJ, Shen J, Liu KJ (2009) Normobaric hyperoxia attenuates early blood–brain barrier disruption by inhibiting MMP-9-mediated occludin degradation in focal cerebral ischemia. J Neurochem 108:811–820PubMedCrossRef Liu W, Hendren J, Qin XJ, Shen J, Liu KJ (2009) Normobaric hyperoxia attenuates early blood–brain barrier disruption by inhibiting MMP-9-mediated occludin degradation in focal cerebral ischemia. J Neurochem 108:811–820PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Methylglyoxal induces hyperpermeability of the blood–retinal barrier via the loss of tight junction proteins and the activation of matrix metalloproteinases
Authors
Junghyun Kim
Chan-Sik Kim
Yun Mi Lee
Kyuhyung Jo
So Dam Shin
Jin Sook Kim
Publication date
01-05-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-011-1912-5

Other articles of this Issue 5/2012

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 5/2012 Go to the issue