The morphological features and mitochondrial oxidative stress mechanism of the retinal neurons apoptosis in early diabetic rats.

This paper aims to explore the relationship of retinal neuron apoptosis and manganese superoxidase dismutase (MnSOD) at early phase of diabetic retinopathy. Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped into normal controls and diabetics. Data were collected after 4, 8, and 12 weeks (n = 12). The pathological changes and ultrastructure of the retina, the apoptosis rate of retinal neurons by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end label (TUNEL), mRNA expressions of MnSOD and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), and the activities of total SOD (T-SOD) and subtypes of SOD were tested. For the controls, there was no abnormal structure or apoptosis of retinal neurons at any time. There was no change of structure for rats with diabetes at 4 or 8 weeks, but there was a decrease of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) number and thinner inner nuclear layer (INL) at 12 weeks. The apoptosis ratio of RGCs was higher than that of the controls at 8 and 12 weeks (P < 0.001). The activity and mRNA levels of MnSOD were lower in diabetics at 4, 8, and 12 weeks (P < 0.05). In summary, the apoptosis of the retinal neurons occurred at 8 weeks after the onset of diabetes. Retinal neuron apoptosis in early diabetic rats may be associated with the decreased activity and mRNA of MnSOD.

1. Introduction

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), the leading cause of blindness in adults, affecting 51 million people all over the world [1, 2]. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is about 20.5%∼46.9% [3, 4]. DR is not just a microvascular complication of DM [5-7]. All types of cells within the retina are involved in an array of pathophysiological processes even at the early stages of diabetes. A growing number of studies suggested that DR is also the lesion of the retinal neurons [8, 9]. The newly onset clinical features of DR, breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), and various visual deficits all support this concept in human studies [10-13].

Because of gradual and accelerating deterioration, intervention should be implemented before irreversible DR occurs [14, 15]. Although the mechanism remains unclear, it is generally believed that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) from mitochondria induce apoptosis. With the consequent oxidative damages, it contributed to the development of diabetes and DR [16-19]. The importance of mitochondria in regulating apoptosis has been well documented. Under hyperglycemic conditions, inflammation [20] and excessive ROS damage mitochondria and thus promote the release of apoptosis-inducing factors such as cytochrome C, which further activates the neuronal apoptosis process [21-23]. Therefore, alleviation of mitochondrial oxidative damage may reduce apoptosis of retinal neurons and thus provide a new strategy for treatment of newly onset DR. One effective method to reduce mitochondrial oxidative damage is lowering ROS. SOD, an important antioxidant enzyme, combines and disproportionates superoxide anion and thus reduces their effects on lowering SOD activity [24]. Therefore, it is very important to understand and restore SOD activity to protect mitochondria. There were two types of SODs: Mn SOD and Cu-Zn SOD [25]. It remains unknown which one plays a key role in preventing retinal neurons apoptosis.

In this study, by examining the activity and mRNA expressions of Mn SOD and Cu-Zn SOD in retinal neuron of rats with diabetes, we hope to demonstrate the relationship of retinal neurons apoptosis and expression/activity of Mn SOD in rats at the early phase of diabetes.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Animals and Diabetic Models

A total of 72 male healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (8 weeks old, weighted at 230–250 g) were provided by PLA Academy of Military Medical Experimental Animal Center, grouping into normal controls and diabetics. STZ 60 mg/kg body weight was injected intraperitoneally to establish diabetic models [26]. A blood glucose >16.7 mmol/L after 48 hours was regarded as diabetic.

The rats were kept at 12 hr day-night cycle room, with free access to chaw diet and water. Data were collected at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The left or right eyeballs from 6 rats in each group were used for histopathology HE staining, TdT-mediated DNA nick end dUTP label (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling, TUNEL) detection, SOD activity detection, and tissue RNA extraction and detection respectively.

2.2. Chemicals

STZ and TUNEL detection kits were purchased from Sigma, USA. Xanthine oxidase enzymatic detection kit for SOD detection was purchased from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute. Primers used were as follows: for Cu-Zn SOD [27], forward: 5′-GTT CCG AGG CCG CGC GT-3′ and reverse: 5′-GTC CCC ATA TTG ATG GAC-3′; for Mn SOD [28], forward: 5′-GGC CAA GGG AGA TGT TAC AA-3′ and reverse: 5′-GCT TGA TAG CCT CCA GCA AC-3′; and for Rat β-actin [29], forward: 5′-CCT GCT TGC TGA TCC ACA-3′ and reverse: 5′-CTG ACC GAG CGT GGC TAC-3′. RNA extraction kit was from Tiandz, Inc., Reverse-transcription kit was from Promega, USA, and Real Master Mix (SYBR Green) was from Tiangen Biotech (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

2.3. Paraffin Section Preparation

Left eyes were quickly removed and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 15–20 min. Sections were made at the front corneal limbus. The vitreous were then carefully removed and the remaining “eye cup” was fixed for 2 more hours and then followed by graded ethanol dehydration, xylene, and embedded wax. Starting at 2 mm from the optic nerve, the sections were made (4 μm thick) and stained with HE.

2.4. TUNEL Detection of the Apoptosis Rate of Neurons in Retinal Ganglion Cell Layer

As described in our previous study [30], the paraffin was dewaxed, and then the tissues were treated with 3% H2O2 at room temperature for 10 min, followed by proteinase K treatment at 37°C for 10 min and then with TdT and DIG-d-UTP. The biotinylated antidigoxin antibody was added and incubated at 37°C for 30 min and then 1 : 100 diluted streptavidin-biotin complex reagents were added; the sample was further processed with 3, 3′-diaminobenzidine coloration, slightly redyed with Mayer hematoxylin, then washing, dehydration, transparent and mounting. Three slices from each sample were used to count cell number with 5 independent fields for each. The average was used to calculate apoptotic index.

The apoptosis index of neurons in retinal ganglion cell layer was calculated as follows:

2.5. Detection of Retinal Total SOD (T-SOD) and Subtype SOD

Retina tissue was homogenized in lysis buffer. After being centrifuged at 2,000 rpm for 15 min, the supernatant was collected. The protein concentration was measured by use of Bradford method; T-SOD and Cu-Zn SOD activities were detected by use of xanthine oxidase enzymatic detection according to the instruction manual. Mn SOD activity was calculated by subtracting Cu-Zn SOD activity from T-SOD activity.

2.6. mRNA Expression of Retinal Mn SOD, Cu-Zn SOD

Total retina RNA were extracted from retina tissues with TRIzol. Reverse transcription was performed according to the instruction manual (SYBR Green Master Mix, ABI). A 7500 quantitative PCR machine was used and the relative quantitative (RQ) values were used for analysis.

2.7. Statistical Analysis

SPSS 13.0 statistical software was used for data analysis. The data was presented as mean ± standard deviation (mean ± SD). The differences among groups were analyzed with ANOVA. Pearson correlation was used to detect the relationship of mRNA levels of Cu-Zn and Mn SOD with apoptosis of the retina neurons. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

3. Results

3.1. Values of Blood Glucose Levels and Weight

The results were summarized in Table 1.

Table 1

Values of rat blood glucose and weight at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Group	Rat number	Values of blood glucose (mmol/L)			Weight of rats (gram)
		4 weeks	8 weeks	12 weeks	4 weeks	8 weeks	12 weeks
Control	12	5.1 ± 0.5	4.942 ± 0.664	5.017 ± 0.681	263 ± 6.179	360 ± 9.391	433.083 ± 10.561
Diabetic	12	28.9 ± 2.2a	30.233 ± 2.053a	28.375 ± 1.573a	257.333 ± 4.849b	249.333 ± 5.914a	239.5 ± 6.516a
P value		<0.001			<0.001

Compared with the control: a = 0.000; b = 0.07.

In the controls, body weights of the rats were about 230–250 g after week 8. The coat is smooth and supple. Fasting blood glucose was between 4.2 and 6.3 mmol/L and urine sugar test was negative. Eye cornea and lens were transparent. Daily water intake and urine output were normal. There was an upward trend for body weight with time, not statistically significant. In the diabetics, fasting blood glucose was between 19.7 and 35.5 mmol/L. There was no self-normalization of blood glucose. The daily water intake and urine output were higher than those of the controls. Body weight decreased gradually and the rats were emaciated finally. The lens was cloudy, which was worsening with time.

3.2. The Morphology of the Retinal Structure under Light Microscope

In the controls, at week 4 (Figure 1(a)), week 8 (Figure 1(b)), and week 12 (Figure 1(c)), all the retinal layers were clear and arranged in order; the retinal ganglion cells were arranged in a layer; the nucleus of RGCs was big, circle- or oval-shaped with light staining; the inner plexiform layer was net-shaped with loose structure; the inner nuclear cell layer consisted of 3 to 5 layers of cells; the nucleus was big with dark staining; the outer plexiform layer was thinner than the inner plexiform layer; the outer nuclear layer was thicker and arranged tightly with 8 to 10 layers of cells; the nucleus was small with dark staining; and the rods and cones layers were thicker. There is no difference in the diabetics at week 4 (Figure 1(d)) or week 8 (Figure 1(e)). At week 12 (Figure 1(f)), the intercellular space increased and the number of the cells decreased in retinal ganglion cells layer, and the inner nuclear layer was thinner.

Figure 1

The morphology of retinal structure under light microscope (hematoxylin-eosin staining ×400). (a–c) Control group; (d–f) diabetic group. Numbers 1–6 represent layers of ganglion cell, inner plexiform, inner nuclear, outer plexiform, outer nuclear, rods, and cones.

3.3. The Ultrastructure of the Retina under EM

In the controls, RGCs (Figure 2(a)) showed a big but low electronic density nucleus, with abundant organelles including mitochondria (with normal structure and clear mitochondrial ridge, without swollen), endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosome. The cells of the INL were circle- or oval-shaped with big nucleus and more organelles (Figure 2(b)) and were arranged tightly (Figure 2(c)); the outer nuclear layer of retina composed of the nucleus of the photoreceptor and arranged tightly and trimly, with uniform nuclear chromatin distribution (Figure 2(d)).

Figure 2

The ultrastructure of retina under electron microscope. (a–d) Control group; (e–h) diabetic group at week 4; (i–k) diabetic group at week 8; (l–o) diabetic group at week 12. In control group, RGC (a ×15 K); INL (b ×15 K), (c ×8000); ONL (d ×10 K). In diabetic group at week 4, RGC (e ×15 K); INL (f ×15 K), (g ×15 K), and (h ×15 K). In diabetic group at week 8, RGC (i ×15 K), (j ×15 K); INL (k ×15 K). In diabetic group at week 12, RGC (l ×15 K), (m ×15 K); INL (n ×15 K); ONL (o ×15 K).

In the diabetics at week 4, there was mitochondrial swollen in some RGCs (Figure 2(e)), with undefined ridge, shorter than normal or diminished; some chromatin of INL cells was distributed asymmetrically (Figure 2(f)) or condensed as crescent (Figure 2(g)) with undefined cell membrane (Figure 2(h)). There was no significant difference in the outer nuclear layer of retina compared with the controls.

In the diabetics at week 8, more mitochondrial RGCs were swollen (Figure 2(i)), and some RGCs were shrunk with condensed cytoplasm and decreased organelles (Figure 2(j)). Some inner nuclear cells became smaller with undistinguishable nuclear membrane but with more vacuolization in cytoplasm (Figure 2(k)). There was no significant difference at the outer nuclear layer compared with controls.

In the diabetic at week 12, some retinal ganglion cells became smaller (Figure 2(l)) with barely defined nuclear membrane (Figure 2(m)), even with nucleus collaps (Figure 2(m)); there were more vacuolization in some fragments of the nucleus in the inner nuclear cells (Figure 2(n)); the electrical density of the cytomembrane was asymmetrical and condensed with asymmetrical chromatin in ONL (Figure 2(o)).

3.4. Apoptotic Index of Neurons in Retinal Ganglion Cell Layer

For the controls, at week 4, 8, and 12, there was no apoptosis of neurons in retinal ganglion cell layer (Figures 3(a)–3(c)). At week 4 of the diabetics, scattered apoptotic cells appeared and distributed at the inner nuclear layer of the retina. No apoptotic cells appeared in ganglion cell layer or outer nuclear layer cells (Figure 3(d)) with an apoptosis index of (0.48 ± 0.53)%. After week 8, there were more apoptotic cells within the inner nuclear layer of retina ganglion cells. There were apoptotic cells within the neurons of retinal ganglion cell layer (Figure 3(e)), with an apoptotic index of (5.66 ± 2.1)%. At week 12, there was dramatic increase of apoptotic cells within neurons of retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer (Figure 3(f)), with an apoptotic index of (11.83 ± 1.58)%. The difference of apoptosis index between the controls and diabetics was not significant at week 4 (P = 0.405) but was statistically significant at weeks 8 and 12 (F = 112.896, P < 0.001).

Figure 3

Microscopic detection of retina neuron apoptosis (×400). (a–c) Control group; (d–f) diabetic group. (Apoptosis is labeled with arrow.)

3.5. Total SOD (T-SOD), Cu-Zn SOD, and Mn SOD Activity Test

There were significant differences for the activities of T-SOD, Cu-Zn SOD, and Mn SOD, between the controls and the diabetics (T-SOD: F = 40.907, P < 0.05; Cu-Zn SOD: F = 15.735, P < 0.05; Mn SOD: F = 17.636, P < 0.05). As shown in Table 2, there was no significant change of the activities of Cu-Zn SOD or Mn SOD in the controls at all-time points. While the activities of T-SOD, Cu-Zn SOD, and Mn SOD decreased with time in the diabetics, which mainly occurred at weeks 4 and 8 for Mn SOD and weeks 8 and 12 for Cu-Zn SOD.

Table 2

Activity comparison of T-SOD, Cu–Zn, and Mn SOD at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Group	Weeks	Rat number	Activity of SOD (U/mg)
			T-SOD	Cu–Zn SOD	Mn SOD
Control	4	6	161.002 ± 9.996	113.884 ± 9.07	47.118 ± 5.018
	8	6	158.334 ± 7.788	112.301 ± 5.24	46.033 ± 6.835
	12	6	163.333 ± 5.369	117.52 ± 7.982	45.813 ± 6.858
Diabetic	4	6	143.656 ± 4.981a	109.793 ± 7.468c	33.863 ± 6.909b
	8	6	121.465 ± 11.203b	98.588 ± 9.212d	22.877 ± 7.875b
	12	6	98.202 ± 11.813b	78.168 ± 12.180b	20.034 ± 6.796b
F value			40.907	15.735	17.636
P value			0.000	<0.05	<0.05

Compared with the control group: a = 0.001; b = 0.000; c = 0.36; d = 0.003.

3.6. mRNA Expression of Mn SOD and Cu-Zn SOD

As shown in Table 3, there was no significant difference for mRNA expressions (RQ values) of Cu-Zn SOD and Mn SOD in the controls at any time point. While in the diabetics, both mRNA expressions of Cu-Zn SOD and Mn SOD decreased gradually with time. There was significant difference between controls and diabetics (Cu-Zn SOD: F = 10.917, P < 0.05; Mn SOD: F = 75.579, P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of Mn SOD decreased at week 4, 8 and 12, while that of Cu-Zn SOD decreased at week 8 and 12. There was a negative correlation between Mn SOD mRNA and apoptosis of the retina neurons but not with Cu-Zn SOD mRNA (P < 0.001, r = −0.89).

Table 3

RQ value of Cu–Zn and Mn SOD mRNA expression at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Group	Weeks	Rat number	RQ value of Cu–Zn and Mn SOD mRNA expression
			Cu–Zn SOD mRNA	Mn SOD mRNA
Control	4	6	1.066 ± 0.111	0.973 ± 0.123
	8	6	1.055 ± 0.119	0.974 ± 0.085
	12	6	1.092 ± 0.180	0.994 ± 0.074
Diabetic	4	6	0.976 ± 0.108a	0.627 ± 0.083c
	8	6	0.829 ± 0.048b	0.333 ± 0.080c
	12	6	0.621 ± 0.033c	0.256 ± 0.057c
P value			0.000	0.000
R value to apoptosis			−0.27	−0.89

Compared with the control group: a = 0.157; b = 0.001; c = 0.000.

4. Discussion

Diabetic retinopathy includes retinal neuropathy and microvascular pathology, both causing retinal lesion and visual function defect. In our study, we investigated the onset, the morphological features of retinal neuron apoptosis, and the mitochondrial structure features along with the development of diabetes and provided an evidence of retinal neuron apoptosis in newly onset diabetic rats.

Our study showed that there were increased intercellular space, decreased cell number in retinal ganglion cell layer with time, and thinner inner nuclear layer at week 12 in the diabetic rats. Apoptosis of retinal neurons is the initial presentation in diabetic retinopathy. In previous studies [31, 32], retinal ganglion cells were labeled by injection of 3% fluorogold into both sides of superior colliculus and the numbers and distribution of RGC were observed. This is a complicated but indirect method. With EM, we found multistage nonsynchronous apoptosis of retinal neurons along with time. Our study confirmed that there was a series of ultrastructure changes of retinal neurons in newly onset diabetic rats, varying in mitochondrial swollen, cytoplasm condensation, chromatin margination, and apoptosis.

Although EM provides direct vision of apoptosis, it can not be used to quantify apoptosis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) is an in situ method for detecting the 3′-OH ends of DNA exposed during the internucleosomal cleavage during apoptosis [33]. It is a combination of molecular biology and morphology. The incorporation of biotinylated dUTP allows detection by immunohistochemistry. The labeled apoptotic cells may be visualized under light microscope. It can be used to quantify apoptotic degree sensitively and specifically, especially for newly onset apoptosis. Our research demonstrated that apoptotic cells were mainly located at retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, getting more significant with the development of diabetes. Barber et al. [34] showed there were 22% and 14% reductions in the thickness of the inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers in rats with 7.5 months of diabetes. It was believed that these reductions were related to apoptosis of retinal neurons. Our consistent results from TUNEL and EM further support this concept.

Apoptosis of retinal neurons affected visual function in patients with diabetes. If the mechanism of apoptosis can be identified, it may be very helpful for preventing or alleviating diabetic retinopathy. Two classical cellular apoptotic pathways were identified: extracellular (cell surface death receptor) and intracellular (mitochondrial-mediated) pathways. Mitochondria play a key role in regulating apoptosis. The reactive oxidant intermediates can trigger the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria, a key event in activation of caspase-3 and a downstream pivotal step in the initiation of apoptosis [35, 36]. The mitochondrial electron transport chain is a major source of superoxide, converting up to 5% of molecular O2 to superoxide normally but even more under pathologic conditions [37, 38]. Studies suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) in nmol level improve cell proliferation, cause apoptosis in pmol level, and induce cell necrosis in mmol level [39]. At low density, it is a normal physiological process. At high density, excessive ROS leads to irreversible cell damage [40]. Hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress and plays an important role in the onset and development of diabetic complications [41]. Mitochondrion is vulnerable to oxidative stress and thus releases more ROS, which accelerates oxidative stress and leads to vicious circle. Excessive ROS causes mitochondrial swollen and excessive mitochondrial permeability thus induces release of cytochrome C and activates the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Under hyperglycemic conditions, oxidative stress is increased in retina and isolated retinal capillary cells (both endothelial cells and pericytes) [42]. In another rat model of DR induced by galactose, it was reported that long term administration of antioxidants inhibits the development of DR [41, 43]. This further supported the importance of oxidative stress in the development of DR. Under normal condition, the excessive ROS can be scavenged by antioxidative defense system. Whereas, in diabetes, the activity and defense system of the antioxidative enzymes were impaired significantly, and thus the damage of ROS was worsened. SOD was considered as an important antioxidative enzyme, which combines superoxide anion and converts them into nonreactive products. Consistent with our results, it is shown that the activity of SOD is decreased in diabetic retina [44, 45]. Overexpression of SOD reduces oxidative stress, decreases release of cytochrome C and apoptosis of neurons, and prevents diabetes-induced glomerular injury, suggesting its major role of regulating apoptosis [46-49]. There were 2 types of SODs: Mn SOD and Cu-Zn SOD. Due to its location, Mn SOD is considered as the first line to prevent oxidative damage. Thus, it is very important to investigate the change of Mn SOD to clarify the apoptosis pathway. However, in previous studies, the focus has been placed on total SOD or Cu-Zn SOD. Our analysis demonstrated that both activities of Cu-Zn and Mn SOD of rat retina decreased with extended course of diabetes, suggesting that the longer the course of diabetes, the worse oxidative damage of the retina and the less the anti-oxidative capacity of SOD [50]. Although the content of Cu-Zn SOD in T-SOD was higher than that of Mn SOD, its activity decreased at a quite late stage. In contrast, there was significant decrease for the activity of Mn SOD even at week 4, further confirming its frontier activity against oxidative stress under diabetic conditions. More interestingly, this is consistent with the reduction of its mRNA expression, suggesting the possibility cause of decreased activity. Our study showed that mRNA overexpression of Mn SOD could enhance its activity and antioxidative capacity. Study has reported that Mn SOD activity in nontransfected retinal endothelial cells was 20% of the total SOD activity and increased to 60% in Mn SOD-transfected cells. Overexpression of Mn SOD prevented glucose-induced increase of oxidative stress and apoptosis of retinal endothelial cells [27, 51]. Cu-Zn SOD was located in the cytoplasm. It also plays an important role in preventing oxidative damage but may not influence the newly onset mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis because its changes only occurred at a rather late stage. Thus, in newly onset DR, overexpression or increased activity of Mn SOD is more significant than that of Cn-Zn SOD and T-SOD. It may challenge the concept that Cu-Zn SOD plays an irreplaceable role in scavenging ROS because of its large proportion in T-SOD [52]. There are other studies on antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E. However, their antioxidative effects were not promising. This may be due to the fact that they only change Cu-Zn SOD activity and are short of protection for mitochondria.

In summary, our study suggested a protective role for Mn SOD in the apoptosis of retinal neurons and, ultimately, in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. It may elucidate a better understanding of Mn SOD in modifying the course of diabetic retinopathy and suggest an important molecular target for future pharmacological interventions.