Interleukin-6 Trans-Signaling Mediated Regulation of Paracellular Permeability in Human Retinal Endothelial Cells

Long-term hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation lead to the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) dysfunction and increased vascular permeability associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the primary mediators of retinal vascular inflammation. IL-6 signaling through its membrane-bound IL-6 receptor is known as classical signaling, and through a soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) is known as trans-signaling. Increasing evidence suggests that classical signaling is primarily anti-inflammatory, whereas trans-signaling induces the pro-inflammatory effects of IL-6. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of these two pathways on paracellular permeability and expression of genes involved in inter-endothelial junctions in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs). IL-6 trans-signaling activation caused significant disruption to paracellular integrity, with increased paracellular permeability, and was associated with significant changes in gene expression related to adherens, tight, and gap junctions. IL-6 classical signaling did not alter paracellular resistance in HRECs and had no distinct effects on gene expression. In conclusion, IL-6 trans-signaling, but not classical signaling, is a major mediator of the increased paracellular permeability characteristic of inner BRB breakdown in diabetic retinopathy. This study also identified potential inter-endothelial junction genes involved in the IL-6 trans-signaling mediated regulation of paracellular permeability in HRECs.