Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and vision impairment. The Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha (CaMK2A) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway has been implicated in various neurological disorders. However, its role in DR pathogenesis remains elusive. We established a DR mouse model by streptozotocin administration and performed histological, biochemical, and molecular analyses to investigate the involvement of CaMK2A/CREB signaling and its interplay with mitophagy. Additionally, we employed in vitro high-glucose (HG) treatment in primary mouse retinal ganglion cells to dissect the underlying mechanisms. Pharmacological and genetic modulations were utilized to target CaMK2A/CREB pathway and mitophagy. In the DR model, we observed retinal degeneration, increased apoptosis, and reduced neurotransmitter production, accompanied by enhanced mitophagy and activation of the CaMK2A/CREB pathway. HG induction in retinal ganglion cells recapitulated these findings, and autophagy inhibition partially rescued cell death but failed to suppress CaMK2A/CREB activation, suggesting mitophagy as a downstream consequence. CaMK2A knockdown or CREB phosphorylation inhibition attenuated HG-induced mitophagy, apoptosis, and neurotransmitter depletion, while CREB activation exacerbated these effects. CaMK2A silencing mitigated DR progression, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal loss, akin to dopamine/carbidopa administration in DR mouse model. Our findings reveal the involvement of CaMK2A/CREB signaling activation and enhanced mitophagy in DR, suggesting these pathways may be therapeutically relevant targets for DR management.
基金:
Yunnan Science and Technology Talents and Platform Plan; Yunnan Youth Talent Support Program [YNWR-QNBJ-2018-315]; Yunnan Province Applied Basic Research Program Project [202101AY070001-275]; [2019HB050]
第一作者机构:[1]Kunming Univ Sci & Technol, Peoples Hosp Yunnan Prov 1, Affiliated Hosp, Kunming 650032, Peoples R China
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推荐引用方式(GB/T 7714):
Yang Xiaochun,Zhang Yuxin,Zhou Yikun,et al.CaMK2A/CREB pathway activation is associated with enhanced mitophagy and neuronal apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy[J].SCIENTIFIC REPORTS.2025,15(1):doi:10.1038/s41598-025-97371-y.
APA:
Yang, Xiaochun,Zhang, Yuxin,Zhou, Yikun,Liu, Mingzhi,Zhao, Haiyan...&Su, Jianyun.(2025).CaMK2A/CREB pathway activation is associated with enhanced mitophagy and neuronal apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy.SCIENTIFIC REPORTS,15,(1)
MLA:
Yang, Xiaochun,et al."CaMK2A/CREB pathway activation is associated with enhanced mitophagy and neuronal apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy".SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 15..1(2025)