Human microglia (HMC) are stress-induced inflammatory cells of the retina. It is unknown whether severe hypoglycaemia causes inflammation in microglia, affects the permeability of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs), and causes retinal damage. This study aimed to explore the effects of severe hypoglycaemia on retinal microglial inflammation and endothelial cell permeability and evaluate the damage caused by hypoglycaemia to the retina. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell viability. Western blotting was used to detect IL-1β, IL-6, TNF- α, claudin-1, and occludin expression. ELISA was used to detect IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF- α. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and haematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the retinal structure. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining assays were also used to detect IL-1β, IL-6, TNF- α, claudin-1, and occludin expression. Severe hypoglycaemia promoted inflammation in HMC3 cells. Inflammation caused by hypoglycaemia leads to the decreased expression of tight junction proteins. In vivo, severe hypoglycaemia induced structural damage to the retina, increased the expression of inflammatory factors, and decreased the expression of tight junction proteins. Our results suggest that severe hypoglycaemia leads to acute retinal inflammation, affecting the permeability of HRMECs and causing retinal damage.
Keywords: Severe hypoglycaemia; human microglia; human retinal microvascular endothelial cells; inflammation; retinal damage.