Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42989387›Full record

ArticleJournal of translational medicine2026

ITPR2 regulates microglial pyroptosis by Ca

Cong Liu, Jinjin Xiang, Suyu Liu, Chang He, Yinglin Liao, Rongpei Zhang, Ying Xia, Yueqin Chen, Genhong Yao, Zhenggao Xie

Abstract read
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Article in Journal of translational medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Cong Liu *Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Jinjin Xiang *Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Suyu Liu *Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Chang HeDepartment of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Yinglin LiaoDepartment of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Rongpei ZhangDepartment of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Ying XiaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Wuxi Fifth Hospital of Jiangnan University, The Fifth People's Hospital of Wuxi, Wuxi, 214000, China.
Yueqin ChenDepartment of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China. luna198703@hotmail.com.
Genhong YaoDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China. yaogenhong@nju.edu.cn.
Zhenggao XieDepartment of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210006, China. zgxie87@163.com.

Funding

Basic Research Program of Jiangsu Province BK20251719Nanjing University Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine Research Open Project ICMN2024003National Natural Science Foundation of China 82501303Youth Fund of the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province BK20240245
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic diabetes-induced retinal microvascular complication that can lead to blindness. While vascular dysfunction and inflammation are recognized contributors, the regulatory mechanisms governing pyroptosis in DR remain poorly defined. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (ITPR2) has been implicated in calcium signaling and inflammatory responses, yet its role in DR pathogenesis is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether ITPR2 regulates mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane formation, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and microglial pyroptosis in DR.

methodsA diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection, and an advanced glycation end products (AGEs) -treated microglial cell model was used for in vitro studies. ITPR2 expression was manipulated by siRNA knockdown and plasmid overexpression. Mitochondrial morphology and function were assessed by transmission electron microscopy, MitoTracker staining, oxygen consumption rate, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, and membrane potential assays. Endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contacts were evaluated by imaging and Pearson correlation analysis. Pyroptosis was measured by flow cytometry, Western blotting of NLRP3, GSDMD-N, caspase-1, and IL-1β, and ELISA of inflammatory cytokines. Blood-retinal barrier integrity was examined by tight junction protein expression, FITC-dextran permeability, and transendothelial electrical resistance.

resultsITPR2 expression was elevated in diabetic rat retinas and AGEs stimulated microglia. ITPR2 knockdown suppressed AGEs induced mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane formation, reduced mitochondrial calcium overload, and ameliorated mitochondrial structural damage and dysfunction. These changes attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and microglial pyroptosis, thereby reducing proinflammatory cytokine release. Consequently, endothelial tight junction protein degradation was alleviated and blood-retinal barrier permeability decreased. In vivo, intravitreal injection of adeno-associated virus shRNA targeting ITPR2 mitigated diabetes induced retinal capillary leakage, reduced acellular capillary formation, preserved tight junction protein expression, and suppressed microglial activation and pyroptosis in diabetic rats.

conclusionsITPR2 promotes DR progression by enhancing mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane formation, driving mitochondrial calcium overload and dysfunction, and activating NLRP3-mediated microglial pyroptosis, which ultimately disrupts the blood-retinal barrier. Targeting the ITPR2 signaling pathway may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for alleviating DR.

Indexed as

CalciumDiabetic RetinopathyEndoplasmic ReticulumInositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate ReceptorsMicrogliaMitochondriaPyroptosisAnimalsBlood-Retinal BarrierDiabetes Mellitus, ExperimentalInflammasomesMaleMitochondria Associated MembranesNLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 ProteinRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyCalciumInflammasomesInositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate ReceptorsNLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 ProteinCa2+ homeostasisDiabetic retinopathyITPR2Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs)

Identifiers

PMID42989387
PMCPMC13737546

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.