Figure 1.

DR induces the inflammatory response and microvascular cell proliferation. (A) mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory-related cytokines, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, were enhanced in the DR group. (B) The expression of the vascular marker, CD31, was increased in the DR group, as indicated by confocal analysis. (C) The VEGF secretion levels in the DR group were increased compared with the control group. Values are expressed as the means ± SD (n=6; ^***P<0.001 compared with the control). DR, diabetic retinopathy; IL, interleukin; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; Ctrl, control.