Figure 7.

EGR1 exacerbated oxidative stress and dysfunctions of HG-treated hRMECs. (a) The expression level of EGR1 after the cells were transfected with EGR1 overexpression plasmid. (b) MDA contents, (c) SOD, and (d) GSH-PX activities in hRMECs were detected using the corresponding kits after the indicated treatments. (e) Western blotting for the proteins of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD-1. GAPDH was used to normalize the protein levels. (f) MTT assay was performed to determine the cell viability. (g) The migrated cells were fixed and stained after the transwell migration assay. (h) Quantification of G. (i) Images of the tube-like structures were observed under an inverted microscope. (j) Quantification of I. Each experiment was performed in triplicate. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001. HG, high glucose; MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide; hRMECs, human retinal microvascular endothelial cells; MDA, malondialdehyde; SOD, superoxide dismutase; GSH-PX, glutathione peroxidase