Figure 1

ROCK-1 activation in micro vessels of diabetic retina (A). Phalloidin-stained actin on flat-mounted retina vessels of 12 months-old rats. a- WS control rat, b- GK rat showing focal vasoconstrictions (arrowheads). (B) RECA-1 stained endothelial cells on flat-mounted retina vessels of 12 months-old rats. a-WS control rats, b- GK rats showing irregular labeling (arrowheads). (C) Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showing micro vascular constriction (arrowhead) and vacuoles in endothelial cells (inset) but preserved nuclei in GK rat retinal vessels as compared to normal WS structure. (D) ROCK1-phalloidin double staining (ROCK-1 in green, phalloidin in red and DAPI in blue) a–b: on flat-mounted retina, ROCK-1 is faintly expressed in WS rat vessels but is located in constricted area where smooth muscle cells are contracted (b, double arrow). c–e: on GK retina sections, focal ROCK-1 expression is located in the endoluminal side of constricted vessel (c and magnification), in aggregated luminal cells (d and magnification) and at the membrane of endothelial cells where the vascular lumen is diminished (e, double arrow and magnification). Scale bar = 10 µm, for TEM scale bar = 3 µm.