Netrin-1 promotes diabetic corneal wound healing through molecular mechanisms mediated via the adenosine 2B receptor

Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 16;8(1):5994. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24506-9.

Abstract

Netrins are secreted chemoattractants with the roles in axon guidance, cell migration and epithelial plasticity. In the present study, we investigated the roles of netrin-1 in the regulation of corneal epithelial wound healing, inflammation response and nerve fiber regeneration in diabetic mice and cultured corneal epithelial cells. In diabetic mice, the expression of netrin-1 was decreased when compared with that of normal mice. Furthermore, high glucose blocked the wounding-induced up-regulation of netrin-1 expression in corneal epithelial cells. Exogenous netrin-1 promoted the corneal epithelial wound healing in diabetic mice, and facilitated the proliferation and migration by reactivating the phosphorylation of ERK and EGFR in high-glucose treated corneal epithelial cells. Moreover, netrin-1 decreased the neutrophil infiltration and promoted M2 macrophage transition, accompanied with the attenuated expression of pro-inflammatory factors in diabetic mouse corneal epithelium. The promotions of netrin-1 on corneal epithelial wound healing and inflammation resolution were mediated at least through the adenosine 2B receptor. In addition, netrin-1 promoted the regeneration of corneal nerve fibers that was impaired in diabetic mice. Taken together, netrin-1 regulates corneal epithelial wound healing, inflammation response and nerve fiber regeneration in diabetic mice, indicating the potential application for the therapy of diabetic keratopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Cornea / metabolism
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Corneal Diseases / etiology*
  • Corneal Diseases / metabolism
  • Corneal Diseases / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Hyperglycemia / complications*
  • Hyperglycemia / metabolism
  • Hyperglycemia / pathology
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Netrin-1 / analysis
  • Netrin-1 / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2B / analysis
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2B / metabolism*
  • Wound Healing*

Substances

  • Receptor, Adenosine A2B
  • adora2b protein, mouse
  • Netrin-1