Role of Autophagy in Angiogenesis Induced by a High-Glucose Condition in RF/6A Cells

Purpose: To study the effect of autophagy on vitality, migration, and tube formation of RF/6A cells under the condition of D-glucose. Methods: Cultured RF/6A cells were randomly divided into 4 groups (control, low glucose, high glucose, and high glucose with 3-methyladenine [3-MA]). Autophagy-related proteins (Atg7, p62, and LC3) were monitored. Cell vitality, cell migration, tube formation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis were assessed. Results: Cell vitality significantly decreased and cell migration and tube formation significantly increased in the high-glucose group (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with 3-MA significantly increased cell viability and inhibited cell migration and tube formation (p < 0.05). ROS production increased in the high-glucose group and decreased in the high-glucose with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group (p < 0.05). The level of apoptosis increased in the high-glucose group, while it was reduced in the high-glucose with 3-MA group. Conclusion: Autophagy maybe participates in the formation of retinal neovascularization induced by high glucose.