Erythropoietin Protects Retinal Cells in Diabetic Rats Through Upregulating ZnT8 via Activating ERK Pathway and Inhibiting HIF-1 alpha Expression

摘要

PURPOSE. Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) was downregulated in hypoxic retina, which could be rescued by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) inhibition. Erythropoietin (EPO) protects retinal cells in diabetic rats through inhibiting HIF-1 alpha as one of its mechanisms. We hence tried to explore the effect of EPO in regulating ZnT8 and protecting retinal cells in diabetic rats and possible mechanisms.