AIM: To investigate the effects of exogenous CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells under a high glucose environment and explore its mechanisms.

METHODS: The cells in logarithmic growth stage were divided into control group(glucose concentration 5.5mmol/L), low glucose group(glucose concentration 5mmol/L), high glucose group(glucose concentration 30mmol/L). CXCL9(100ng/mL), CXCL10(10ng/mL)and CXCL11(100ng/mL)were added respectively, cultured for 24, 48 and 72h. CCK-8 method was used to detect cell proliferation, RT-PCR was used to detect CXCR3 mRNA expression, and immunofluorescence was used to detect Ki-67 expression.

RESULTS: The results of CCK-8 method showed that the absorbance value of the control group increased gradually with the increase of time after adding three exogenous chemokines. The absorbance value of the low glucose group increased first and then decreased, reaching the peak at 48h. The absorbance value of the high glucose group decreased generally. The results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of CXCR3 mRNA in low glucose group and high glucose group was higher than that in 24h after adding CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 for 48 and 72h. The results of immunofluorescence showed that the fluorescence intensity of Ki-67 decreased in the low and high glucose 72h after adding CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11. The change in the high glucose group is more obvious.

CONCLUSION: Exogenous CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 can decrease the activity of human umbilical vein cell under high glucose environments and induce the increase in CXCR3 expression. The increase of CXCR3 reached the highest after adding exogenous CXCL10 and CXCL11, suggesting a target for clinical intervention of diabetic retinopathy.