Advanced glycation alters expression of the 67kDa laminin receptor in retinal microvascular endothelial cells

The 67kDa laminin receptor (67LR) plays an important role in vascular cell function and dysfunction. The present study has examined 67LR expression in retinal microvascular endothelial cells after exposure to AGEs. Retinal mi crovascular endothelial cells were exposed to either AGE-BSA, or were grown on methylglyoxal-modified laminin or Matrigel (TM) and expression of 67LR analysed by Western Blotting and RT-PCR/Southern blotting. Western blotting of plasma membrane and RT-PCR/Southern blotting revealed a significant upr egulation of 67LR protein/mRNA expression after exposure to AGEs (p <0.05-0 .01). The results show that 67LR is upregulated in cells exposed to AGEs an d suggests a previously unrecognised role for this receptor in retinal micr ovascular endothelial cell interaction with glycated substrates. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.