Figure 7. Schematic summary of chemerin/ChemR23 pathway in rat primary retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RRMECs). A high concentration of glucose increases the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chemerin in RRMECs. High concentration of glucose increases the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) receptor (TNFR) but has no effect on the expression of ChemR23. Chemerin increases the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) via chemerin/ChemR23 pathway. TNF-α can also increase the mRNA and protein expression of ICAM-1 via activation of TNFR and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). TNF-α and chemerin both regulate ICAM-1 expression.