Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (Valproic Acid) on the Expression of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 Alpha in Human Retinal Müller Cells

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human retinal Müller cells under hypoxic conditions. METHODS Chemical hypoxia was induced in human retinal Müller cells (MIO-M1) by treatment with increasing concentrations of cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2). Müller cells were also treated with a set concentration of CoCl2, along with various concentrations of VPA. The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in the treated Müller cells was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Exposure of human retinal Müller cells to increasing concentrations of CoCl2 produced a dose-dependent increase in HIF-1α expression. The addition of increasing concentrations of VPA lead to a dose-dependent decrease in expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in Müller cells exposed to a set concentration of CoCl2. CONCLUSIONS HDACI VPA downregulated the expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF in human retinal Müller cells under hypoxic conditions. Using HDACI to target HIF-1α expression in Müller cells could be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of retinal vascular diseases.