Figure 4. Effect of high glucose (HG) on caspase-14 expression in retinal endothelial cells (RECs) and pericytes (PCs). The qRT–PCR analysis of caspase-14 mRNA in retinal PCs and ECs showed a significant increase by HG compared with normal glucose (NG; A). The level of caspase-14 mRNA was relatively higher in retinal PCs under normal or high glucose conditions compared to retinal ECs. Western blot analysis of the caspase-14 protein level in PCs showed a significant increase by high glucose compared with normal glucose or L-glucose (B; * p<0.05).