Metformin reverses gene expression signautres in hyperglycaemics endothelial cells

Metformin is a well tolerated and often prescribed treatment for type 2 diabetes. However, the effect of metformin on gene expression in endothelial cells remains unknown. We used RNA-seq to profile gene expression in primary human aortic endothelial cells stimulated with metformin in normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic conditions. We identified novel pathways in hyperglycaemic endothelial cells that may be involved in the development of endothelial dysfunction. Hyperglycaemic endothelial cells expressed interferon-response pathway genes such as MX1 and IFI27. Transcription factor analysis implicates the activation of STAT1 and IRF1. Co-treatment of hyperglycaemic cells with metformin prevented glucose-dependent changes in gene expression, including interferon response genes. Indeed, the effects of metformin in endothelial cells were dependent on glucose levels. In normoglycaemic cells, metformin subtly regulated changes in gene expression. In contrast, metformin was strongly associated with the reversal of gene expression changes induced by hyperglycaemia. Human aortic endothelial cells were stimulated with DMSO (control), metformin (2 mM), D-glucose (30 mM) or metformin and D-glucose (2 mM and 30 mM respectively) for 64 hours. Study performed in triplicate.