scholarly journals Peroxisome turnover and diurnal modulation of antioxidant activity in retinal pigment epithelia utilizes microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren L. Daniele ◽  
Jennifer Caughey ◽  
Stefanie Volland ◽  
Rachel C. Sharp ◽  
Anuradha Dhingra ◽  
...  

AbstractThe retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) supports the outer retina through essential roles in the retinoid the visual cycle, nutrient supply, ion exchange and waste removal. Each day the RPE removes the oldest ∼10% of photoreceptor outer segments through phagocytic uptake, which peaks in a synchronous burst following light onset. Impaired degradation of phagocytosed OS material by the RPE can lead to toxic accumulation of lipids, oxidative tissue damage, inflammation and cell death. OSs are rich in very long chain fatty acids which are preferentially catabolized in peroxisomes. Despite the importance of lipid degradation in RPE function, the regulation of peroxisome number and activity relative to diurnal OS ingestion is relatively unexplored. Using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and catalase activity assays, we investigated peroxisome abundance and activity at 6 am, 7 am (at lights on), 8 am, and 3 pm, in WT mice and mice lacking microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), that have impaired degradation of phagosomes. We found that catalase activity, but not protein expression, is 50% higher in the morning compared with 3 pm, in RPE of WT but not LC3B-/- mice. Surprisingly, we found that peroxisome abundance was stable during the day, however numbers are elevated overall in LC3B-/- mice, implicating LC3B in autophagic organelle turnover in RPE. Our data suggest that RPE peroxisome function is regulated in coordination with phagocytosis, possibly through direct enzyme regulation, and may serve to prepare RPE peroxisomes for daily surges in ingested lipid-rich OS.

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (6) ◽  
pp. C1194-C1204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren L. Daniele ◽  
Jennifer Caughey ◽  
Stefanie Volland ◽  
Rachel C. Sharp ◽  
Anuradha Dhingra ◽  
...  

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) supports the outer retina through essential roles in the retinoid cycle, nutrient supply, ion exchange, and waste removal. Each day the RPE removes the oldest ~10% of photoreceptor outer segment (OS) disk membranes through phagocytic uptake, which peaks following light onset. Impaired degradation of phagocytosed OS material by the RPE can lead to toxic accumulation of lipids, oxidative tissue damage, inflammation, and cell death. OSs are rich in very long chain fatty acids, which are preferentially catabolized in peroxisomes. Despite the importance of lipid degradation in RPE function, the regulation of peroxisome number and activity relative to diurnal OS ingestion is relatively unexplored. Using immunohistochemistry, immunoblot analysis, and catalase activity assays, we investigated peroxisome abundance and activity at 6 AM, 7 AM (light onset), 8 AM, and 3 PM, in wild-type (WT) mice and mice lacking microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B ( Lc3b), which have impaired phagosome degradation. We found that catalase activity, but not the amount of catalase protein, is 50% higher in the morning compared with 3 PM, in RPE of WT, but not Lc3b−/−, mice. Surprisingly, we found that peroxisome abundance was stable during the day in RPE of WT mice; however, numbers were elevated overall in Lc3b−/− mice, implicating LC3B in autophagic organelle turnover in RPE. Our data suggest that RPE peroxisome function is regulated in coordination with phagocytosis, possibly through direct enzyme regulation, and may serve to prepare RPE peroxisomes for daily surges in ingested lipid-rich OS.


2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAURA S. FROST ◽  
VANDA S. LOPES ◽  
FRANK P. STEFANO ◽  
ALVINA BRAGIN ◽  
DAVID S. WILLIAMS ◽  
...  

AbstractCathepsin-D (Cat-D) is a major proteolytic enzyme in phagocytic cells. In the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), it is responsible for the daily degradation of photoreceptor outer segments (POSs) to maintain retinal homeostasis. Melanoregulin (MREG)-mediated loss of phagocytic capacity has been linked to diminished intracellular Cat-D activity. Here, we demonstrate that loss of MREG enhances the secretion of intermediate Cat-D (48 kDa), resulting in a net enhancement of extracellular Cat-D activity. These results suggest that MREG is required to maintain Cat-D homeostasis in the RPE and likely plays a protective role in retinal health. In this regard, in the Mregdsu/dsu mouse, we observe increased basal laminin. Loss of the Mregdsu allele is not lethal and therefore leads to slow age-dependent changes in the RPE. Thus, we propose that this model will allow us to study potential dysregulatory functions of Cat-D in retinal disease.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212096202
Author(s):  
Aowang Qiu ◽  
Yan Yu ◽  
Junlong Huang ◽  
Qinghuai Liu ◽  
Yannis M Paulus ◽  
...  

Retinitis punctata albescens (RPA) is generally diagnosed by the presence of numerous clusters of white punctate lesions in the retina that progress over time and are related to several gene variants. The multifocal variant of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) is characterized by multiple, grouped, sharply circumscribed, pigmented spots. The PRPH2 gene encodes a photoreceptor-specific glycoprotein, which is essential for the morphogenesis of rod and cone photoreceptor outer segments. A 39-year-old Chinese female with nyctalopia, complained about blurred vision, presented a unique co-existing feature of RPA and CHRPE. Dilated fundus exam demonstrated numerous porcelain white discrete dots in both eyes and multiple, small, flat clusters of round brown to black pigmented lesions in the left eye. The full field electroretinography (ERG) showed decreased responses after standard dark adaptation and normal b-wave amplitudes after a long (4-h) dark-adapted period. A heterozygous PRPH2 splicing variant was detected in the proband. In addition, the same variant was found in her mother, her son, and her daughter. We describe a PRPH2 variant in a rare case of RPA associated with multifocal CHRPE of the same individual.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Cruz-Guilloty ◽  
Ali M. Saeed ◽  
Jose J. Echegaray ◽  
Stephanie Duffort ◽  
Asha Ballmick ◽  
...  

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in the developed world. Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in AMD, but precise mechanisms remain poorly defined. Carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP) is an AMD-associated lipid peroxidation product. We previously demonstrated that mice immunized with CEP-modified albumin developed AMD-like degenerative changes in the outer retina. Here, we examined the kinetics of lesion development in immunized mice and the presence of macrophages within the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM), between the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor outer segments. We observed a significant and time-dependent increase in the number of macrophages in immunized mice relative to young age-matched controls prior to overt pathology. These changes were more pronounced in BALB/c mice than in C57BL/6 mice. Importantly, IPM-infiltrating macrophages were polarized toward the M1 phenotype but only in immunized mice. Moreover, when Ccr2-deficient mice were immunized, macrophages were not present in the IPM and no retinal lesions were observed, suggesting a deleterious role for these cells in our model. This work provides mechanistic evidence linking immune responses against oxidative damage with the presence of proinflammatory macrophages at sites of future AMD and experimentally demonstrates that manipulating immunity may be a target for modulating the development of AMD.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanee Bullock ◽  
Federica Polato ◽  
Mones Abu-Asab ◽  
Alexandra Bernardo-Colón ◽  
Elma Aflaki ◽  
...  

AbstractPurposeTo examine the contribution of PEDF-R to the phagocytosis process. Previously, we identified PEDF-R, the protein encoded by the PNPLA2 gene, as a phospholipase A2 in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). During phagocytosis, RPE cells ingest abundant phospholipids and protein in the form of photoreceptor outer segment (POS) tips, which are then hydrolyzed. The role of PEDF-R in RPE phagocytosis is not known.MethodsMice in which PNPLA2 was conditionally knocked out in the RPE were generated (cKO). Mouse RPE/choroid explants were cultured. Human ARPE-19 cells were transfected with siPNPLA2 silencing duplexes. POS were isolated from bovine retinas. The phospholipase A2 inhibitor bromoenol lactone was used. Transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, lipid labeling, pulse-chase experiments, western blots, and free fatty acid and β-hydroxybutyrate assays were performed.ResultsThe RPE of the cKO mice accumulated lipids as well as more abundant and larger rhodopsin particles compared to littermate controls. Upon POS exposure, RPE explants from cKO mice released less β-hydroxybutyrate compared to controls. After POS ingestion during phagocytosis, rhodopsin degradation was stalled both in cells treated with bromoenol lactone and in PNPLA2-knocked-down cells relative to their corresponding controls. Phospholipase A2 inhibition lowered β-hydroxybutyrate release from phagocytic RPE cells. PNPLA2 knock down also resulted in a decline in fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate release from phagocytic RPE cells.ConclusionsPEDF-R downregulation delayed POS digestion during phagocytosis. The findings imply that efficiency of RPE phagocytosis depends on PEDF-R, thus identifying a novel contribution of this protein to POS degradation in the RPE.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher DeVera ◽  
Jendayi Dixon ◽  
Micah A. Chrenek ◽  
Kenkichi Baba ◽  
P. Michael Iuvone ◽  
...  

AbstractThe diurnal peak of phagocytosis by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) is under circadian control, and it is believed that this process involves interactions from both the retina and RPE. Previous studies have demonstrated that a functional circadian clock exists within multiple retinal cell types and RPE cells. Thereby, the aim of the current study was to determine whether the circadian clock in the retina and or RPE controls the diurnal phagocytic peak of photoreceptor outer segments and whether selective disruption of the circadian clock in the RPE would affect RPE cells function and the viability during aging. To that aim, we first generated and validated an RPE tissue-specific KO of the essential clock gene, Bmal1, and then we determined the daily rhythm in phagocytic activity by the RPE in mice lacking a functional circadian clock in the retina or RPE. Then using electroretinography, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography, and optomotor response measurements of visual function we determined the effect of Bmal1 removal in young (6-month old) and old (18-month old) mice. RPE morphology and lipofuscin accumulation was also determined in young and old mice. Our data show that the circadian clock in the RPE controls the daily diurnal phagocytic peak of POS. Surprisingly, the lack of a functional RPE circadian clock or the diurnal phagocytic peak does not result in any detectable age-related degenerative phenotype in the retina or RPE. Thus, our results demonstrate that the loss of the circadian clock in the RPE or the lack of the daily peak in phagocytosis of POS does not result in deterioration of photoreceptors or the RPE during aging.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Escrevente ◽  
Ana S. Falcão ◽  
Michael J. Hall ◽  
Mafalda Lopes-da-Silva ◽  
Pedro Antas ◽  
...  

AbstractPurposeWe aim to characterize the pathways required for autofluorescent granule (AFG) formation by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells using cultured monolayers.MethodsWe fed RPE monolayers in culture with a single pulse of photoreceptor outer segments (POS). After 24h the cells started accumulating AFGs similar to lipofuscin in vivo. Using this model, we used a variety of light and electron microscopical techniques, flow cytometry and western blot to analyze the formation of AFGs. We also generated a mutant RPE line lacking Cathepsin D by gene editing.ResultsAFGs appear to derive from incompletely digested POS-containing phagosomes and are surrounded after 72h by a single membrane containing lysosome markers. We show by various methods that lysosome-phagosome fusion is required for AFG formation but that impairment of lysosomal pH or catalytic activity, particularly Cathepsin D activity, enhances AF accumulation.ConclusionsWe conclude that lysosomal dysfunction results in incomplete POS degradation and AFG accumulation.


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