Epac1 regulates TLR4 signaling in the diabetic retinal vasculature

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) polymorphisms occur in diabetic patients. Previous work showed that TLR4 is in the retina of diabetic mice, as well as in retinal endothelial cells (REC) and Müller cells. Since we have shown that exchange protein activated by cAMP 1 (Epac1) can reduce inflammatory mediators, we hypothesized that Epac1 would inhibit TLR4 signaling. We also hypothesized that direct TLR4 inhibition would protect the diabetic retina....