Response of Small Heat Shock Proteins in Diabetic Rat Retina

Abstract

The results indicate an upregulation of αAC, αBC, and Hsp22, but their solubility was compromised in the diabetic retina. There was increased phosphorylation at Ser59, Ser45, and Ser19 of αBC under diabetic conditions. Localization of sHsps and their phosphorylated forms was dispersed to many layers of the retina in diabetes. These results suggest that sHsps may be protecting the retinal neurons in chronic diabetes.