Effects of protein kinase C inhibition and activation on proliferation and apoptosis of bovine retinal pericytes

Drop-out of capillary pericytes occurs early and selectively in diabetic retinopathy. High glucose concentrations decrease replication and increase apoptosis of cultured pericytes. Since glucose activates protein kinase C, we investigated the effects of modulating this intracellular mediator on replication, cell cycle and apoptosis of cultured bovine retinal pericytes. Pericytes cultured in 5.6 or 28 mmol/l glucose were exposed to a protein...