Fufang Xueshuantong protects retinal vascular endothelial cells from high glucose by targeting YAP

Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Dec:120:109470. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109470. Epub 2019 Oct 4.

Abstract

Fufang Xueshuantong (FXST), a Chinese patent medicine, is composed of Panax notoginseng, Salviae miltiorrhizae, Astragali Radix and Radix Scrophulariae and has been found to prevent diabetic retinopathy. Yes-associated protein (YAP) participates in the pathophysiology of retinal disease and promotes endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Although it is known that YAP activity is altered by FXST, the role of YAP in mediating the effect of FXST remains unclear. In high glucose-treated retinal vascular endothelial cells (RVECs), FXST significantly reduced cell viability, the number of migrating cells and tube length in the present study. Moreover, FXST decreased the levels of YAP mRNA and protein and inhibited the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Transfection of sh-YAP into the cells decreased the ability of FXST to modulate cell migration and tube formation. The effect of FXST on VEGF expression was also decreased. Similar results were obtained when the cells were stimulated with a YAP inhibitor in combination with FXST. Thus, FXST is shown to protect high glucose-injured RVECs via YAP-mediated effects.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy; Endothelial cells; Traditional Chinese medicine; YAP.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Haplorhini
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Retina / drug effects*
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Retinal Vessels / drug effects*
  • Retinal Vessels / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Panax notoginseng extract
  • Protective Agents
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Glucose