FIGURE 7.

Aldose reductase represses RUNX2-mediated EC wound healing. A and B, HBME wound healing assays in response to 25 mm glucose were performed as in Fig. 6 using the AR inhibitor alrestatin (10 μm). The degree of wound healing was monitored at 24 h (panels 1 and 2) and 48 h (panels 3 and 4) and quantitated as described under “Experimental Procedures.” All photos are from representative results of three separate experiments. Dotted lines mark the wound margins. Bar graphs quantifying the degree of wound healing were calculated from n = 5–6 locations per treatment and plotted as mean ± S.D. * indicates p < 0.01 for alrestatin versus untreated cells in 25 mm glucose (24 h); ** indicates p < 0.01 at 48 h. C and D, HBME wound healing assays using siRNA targeting AR or control scrambled siRNA were performed in cells treated with 25 mm glucose for 24 h. Quantitation reflects the mean ± S.D. from n = 5–6 measurements. * indicates p < 0.01 for si.AR- versus si.scrambled-treated cells in 25 mm glucose.