AUTHOR=Gao Xinxiao , Xie Pinxue , Feng Wen , Han Jindong , Tan Xiaobo 

TITLE=ATG16L1 promotes cell migration and invasion in high glucose–induced retinal capillary endothelial cells

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1515936

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2025.1515936

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=PurposeDiabetic retinopathy (DR), a common chronic complication of diabetes, often results in irreversible visual dysfunction. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying the expression of ATG16L1, a potential biomarker of DR.MethodsWe investigated the role of ATG16L1 in high glucose (HG)–induced retinal capillary endothelial cells (RCECs). Rat RCECs were cultured in normal glucose (NG) or HG medium with or without ATG16L1 transfection.ResultsThe mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG16L1 were significantly upregulated in RCECs exposed to HG medium. The migration ability and invasion rate of RCECs were significantly higher in the HG group than in the NG group but decreased markedly after transfection with ATG16L1 siRNA, compared with those in the control group (p < 0.01).ConclusionATG16L1 might be involved in the development of DR by promoting the migration of RCECs.