scholarly journals Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells increased endogenous complement-dependent inflammatory and angiogenic responses - independent from exogenous complement sources

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timon-Orest Trakkides ◽  
Nicole Schäfer ◽  
Maria Reichenthaler ◽  
Konstanze Kühn ◽  
Volker Enzmann ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTOxidative stress-induced damage of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) together with chronic inflammation has been suggested as major contributors to retinal diseases. Here, we examine the effects of oxidative stress and endogenous complement components on the RPE and its pro-inflammatory and –angiogenic responses.The RPE cell line, ARPE-19, treated with H2O2 reduced cell-cell contacts, increased marker for epithelial–mesenchymal transition but showed less cell death. Stressed ARPE-19 cells increased the expression of complement receptors CR3 and C5aR1. CR3 was co-localized with cell-derived complement protein C3, which was observed in its activated form in ARPE-19 cells. C3 as well as its regulators CFH and properdin accumulated in ARPE-19 cells after oxidative stress independent from external complement sources. This cell-associated complement accumulation promoted nlrp3 and foxp3 expression and subsequent increased secretion of pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic factors. The complement-associated ARPE-19 reaction to oxidative stress, independent from external complement source, was increased by the PARP-inhibitor olaparib.Our results indicated that RPE cell-derived complement proteins and receptors are involved in RPE cell homeostasis following oxidative stress and should be considered as targets for treatment developments for retinal degeneration. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTWe show a functional link between oxidative stress, complement receptors, endogenous complement proteins, pro-angiogenic and -inflammatory responses in ARPE-19 cells. These effects are independent from extracellularly added complement proteins or receptor ligands. We suggest an oxidative stress-associated autocrine mechanism of complement receptor regulation in ARPE-19 cells in connection with upregulated intracellular proteases.HIGHLIGHTSOxidative stress accumulates complement proteins and receptors in RPE cellsOxidative stress activates the RPE inflammasome without external complement proteinsOxidative stress increases foxp3 expression and IL-8/VEGF secretion in RPE cellsOlaparib enhances pro-inflammatory response of RPE

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trakkides ◽  
Schäfer ◽  
Reichenthaler ◽  
Kühn ◽  
Brandwijk ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress-induced damage of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and chronic inflammation have been suggested as major contributors to a range of retinal diseases. Here, we examined the effects of oxidative stress on endogenous complement components and proinflammatory and angiogenic responses in RPE cells. ARPE-19 cells exposed for 1–48 h to H2O2 had reduced cell–cell contact and increased markers for epithelial–mesenchymal transition but showed insignificant cell death. Stressed ARPE-19 cells increased the expression of complement receptors CR3 (subunit CD11b) and C5aR1. CD11b was colocalized with cell-derived complement protein C3, which was present in its activated form in ARPE-19 cells. C3, as well as its regulators complement factor H (CFH) and properdin, accumulated in the ARPE-19 cells after oxidative stress independently of external complement sources. This cell-associated complement accumulation was accompanied by increased nlrp3 and foxp3 expression and the subsequently enhanced secretion of proinflammatory and proangiogenic factors. The complement-associated ARPE-19 reaction to oxidative stress, which was independent of exogenous complement sources, was further augmented by the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor olaparib. Our results indicate that ARPE-19 cell-derived complement proteins and receptors are involved in ARPE-19 cell homeostasis following oxidative stress and should be considered as targets for treatment development for retinal degeneration.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10136
Author(s):  
Hui Zou ◽  
Chenli Shan ◽  
Linlin Ma ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Ning Yang ◽  
...  

Under physiological conditions, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a cellular monolayer composed of mitotically quiescent cells. Tight junctions and adherens junctions maintain the polarity of RPE cells, and are required for cellular functions. In proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), upon retinal tear, RPE cells lose cell-cell contact, undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and ultimately transform into myofibroblasts, leading to the formation of fibrocellular membranes on both surfaces of the detached retina and on the posterior hyaloids, which causes tractional retinal detachment. In PVR, RPE cells are crucial contributors, and multiple signaling pathways, including the SMAD-dependent pathway, Rho pathway, MAPK pathways, Jagged/Notch pathway, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway are activated. These pathways mediate the EMT of RPE cells, which play a key role in the pathogenesis of PVR. This review summarizes the current body of knowledge on the polarized phenotype of RPE, the role of cell-cell contact, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the RPE EMT in PVR, emphasizing key insights into potential approaches to prevent PVR.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chawanphat Muangnoi ◽  
Umar Sharif ◽  
Pahweenvaj Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket ◽  
Pornchai Rojsitthisak ◽  
Luminita Paraoan

Oxidative stress-induced damage to the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), a specialised post-mitotic monolayer that maintains retinal homeostasis, contributes to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Curcumin (Cur), a naturally occurring antioxidant, was previously shown to have the ability to protect RPE cells from oxidative stress. However, poor solubility and bioavailability makes Cur a poor therapeutic agent. As prodrug approaches can mitigate these limitations, we compared the protective properties of the Cur prodrug curcumin diethyl disuccinate (CurDD) against Cur in relation to oxidative stress induced in human ARPE-19 cells. Both CurDD and Cur significantly decreased H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and protected RPE cells from oxidative stress-induced death. Both drugs exerted their protective effects through the modulation of p44/42 (ERK) and the involvement of downstream molecules Bax and Bcl-2. Additionally, the expression of antioxidant enzymes HO-1 and NQO1 was also enhanced in cells treated with CurDD and Cur. In all cases, CurDD was more effective than its parent drug against oxidative stress-induced damage to ARPE-19 cells. These findings highlight CurDD as a more potent drug compared to Cur against oxidative stress and indicate that its protective effects are exerted through modulation of key apoptotic and antioxidant molecular pathways.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iswariyaraja Sridevi Gurubaran ◽  
Johanna Viiri ◽  
Ali Koskela ◽  
Juha M.T. Hyttinen ◽  
Jussi J. Paterno ◽  
...  

Increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage are observed in protein aggregation diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We have recently reported elevated levels of oxidative stress markers, damaged mitochondria, accumulating lysosomal lipofuscin and extracellular drusen-like structures in the retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) of the dry AMD-resembling NFE2L2/PGC1α double knockout (dKO) mouse model. Here, we provide evidence of a disturbance in the autolysosomal machinery handling mitochondrial clearance in the RPE cells of one-year-old NFE2L2/PGC1α-deficient mice. Confocal immunohistochemical analysis revealed an upregulation of autophagosome marker microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) as well as numerous mitophagy markers, such as PTE-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and E3 ubiquitin ligase (PARKIN) together with damaged mitochondria. However, we detected no evidence of increased autolysosome formation in transmission electron micrographs or of colocalization of lysosomal marker LAMP2 (lysosome-associated membrane protein 2) and the mitochondrial marker ATP synthase β in confocal micrographs. Interestingly, we observed an upregulation of late autolysosomal fusion Ras-related protein (Rab7) in the perinuclear space of RPE cells together with autofluorescence aggregates. Our results reveal that there is at least a relative decrease of mitophagy in the RPE cells of NFE2L2/PGC1α dKO mice. This further supports the hypothesis that mitophagy is a putative therapy target in AMD-like pathology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 600
Author(s):  
Gian Marco Tosi ◽  
Daniela Giustarini ◽  
Lorenzo Franci ◽  
Alberto Minetti ◽  
Francesco Imperatore ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiology of retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, which are the major causes of irreversible blindness in developed countries. An excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can directly cause functional and morphological impairments in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), endothelial cells, and retinal ganglion cells. Antioxidants may represent a preventive/therapeutic strategy and reduce the risk of progression of AMD. Among antioxidants, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is widely studied and has been proposed to have therapeutic benefit in treating AMD by mitigating oxidative damage in RPE. Here, we demonstrate that N-acetyl-L-cysteine ethyl ester (NACET), a lipophilic cell-permeable cysteine derivative, increases the viability in oxidative stressed RPE cells more efficiently than NAC by reacting directly and more rapidly with oxidizing agents, and that NACET, but not NAC, pretreatment predisposes RPE cells to oxidative stress resistance and increases the intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) pool available to act as natural antioxidant defense. Moreover, we demonstrate the ability of NACET to increase GSH levels in rats’ eyes after oral administration. In conclusion, even if experiments in AMD animal models are still needed, our data suggest that NACET may play an important role in preventing and treating retinal diseases associated with oxidative stress, and may represent a valid and more efficient alternative to NAC in therapeutic protocols in which NAC has already shown promising results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Marie-France Dorion ◽  
Mukandila Mulumba ◽  
Shuya Kasai ◽  
Ken Itoh ◽  
William D. Lubell ◽  
...  

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) performs many functions that maintain photoreceptor health. Oxidative damage to the RPE is a critical component in the pathogenesis of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ligands of the cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) have previously preserved photoreceptor integrity in mouse models of AMD. The cytoprotective effect of the CD36 ligand MPE-001 on RPE cells has now been elucidated employing a model of oxidative stress. Sodium iodate (NaIO3) induced formation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis in human RPE cells, which were decreased by MPE-001 without affecting antioxidant enzyme transcription. Immunoblotting and immunostaining assays showed a restorative effect of MPE-001 on the autophagic flux disrupted by NaIO3, which was associated with an increase in syntaxin 17-positive mature autophagosomes. The cytoprotective effect of MPE-001 was completely abolished by the autophagy inhibitors wortmannin and bafilomycin A1. In conclusion, we report for the first time an autophagy-dependent protection of RPE cells from oxidative stress by a CD36 ligand.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinzi Zhou ◽  
Fenghua Chen ◽  
Aimin Yan ◽  
Xiaobo Xia

Abstract Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive and degenerative ocular disease associated with oxidative stress. Madecassoside (MADE) is a major bioactive triterpenoid saponin that possesses antioxidative activity. However, the role of MADE in AMD has never been investigated. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of MADE on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells under oxidative stress condition. We used hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce oxidative damage in human RPE cells (ARPE-19 cells). Our results showed that H2O2-caused significant decrease in cell viability and increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were dose-dependently attenuated by MADE. MADE treatment also attenuated H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production in RPE cells. The reduced glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in H2O2-induced ARPE-19 cells were elevated after MADE treatment. MADE also suppressed caspase-3 activity and bax expression, as well as increased bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, H2O2-induced increase in expression levels of HO-1 and nuclear Nrf2 were enhanced by MADE treatment. Finally, knockdown of Nrf2 reversed the protective effects of MADE on H2O2-induced ARPE-19 cells. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that MADE protected ARPE-19 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by inducing the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2239-2245
Author(s):  
Daifeng Wu ◽  
Yulin Wang ◽  
Yueyang Wu ◽  
Shujuan Ding

We aimed to explore the protective effect of genipin on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells under hypoxia and hyperglycemia. RPE cells were cultured under hyperglycemia and hypoxia mimicking agent DFX. The cells were then exposed to genipin (10–50 μM), genipin + phospha-tidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphates (PIP3) as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, and genipin+ PI3K agonist, followed by CCK-8 assay to detect the cell viability. Western blot determined PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway, and apoptosis- and anti-apoptosis-related proteins levels. MitoSOXTM Red kit was conducted to analyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. Finally, confocal immunofluorescence staining assessed nuclear translocation of Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2). Hyperglycemia and hypoxia treatment induced injury in RPE cells, with nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and ROS production. Importantly, administration of genipin alleviated the injury, up-regulated Bcl-2 expression, inhibited caspase-3 activity and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and down-regulated the level of Bax and ROS. In addition, genipin pretreatment obviously increased PI3K and Akt phosphorylation and promoted cell proliferation and viability. On the contrary, PI3K inhibitor inactivated PI3K/AKT and decreased cell viability while PI3K agonist showed the opposite effect. Genipin prevented oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by hyperglycemia and hypoxia through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8183
Author(s):  
Blanca Chinchilla ◽  
Rosario Fernandez-Godino

The Bruch’s membrane (BrM) is a five-layered extracellular matrix (ECM) that supports the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Normal age-related changes in the BrM may lead to RPE cell damage and ultimately to the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the most common cause of visual loss among the elderly. A role for the complement system in AMD pathology has been established, but the disease mechanisms are poorly understood, which hampers the design of efficient therapies to treat millions of patients. In an effort to identify the mechanisms that lead from normal aging to pathology, we have developed a cell-based model using complement deficient human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived RPE cells cultured on an AMD-like ECM that mimics BrM. The data present evidence that changes in the ECM result in loss of differentiation and promote epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of healthy RPE cells. This pathological process is mediated by complement activation and involves the formation of a randomly oriented collagen meshwork that drives the dedifferentiation of the RPE monolayer. Genetic ablation of complement component 3 has a protective effect against EMT but does not prevent the abnormal deposition of collagens. These findings offer new insights into the sequence of events that initiate AMD and may guide the design of efficient therapies to treat this disease with unmet medical needs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1361
Author(s):  
Da Hye Kim ◽  
Jeong-Hwan Kim ◽  
Hyun Hwangbo ◽  
So Young Kim ◽  
Seon Yeong Ji ◽  
...  

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells occupy the outer layer of the retina and perform various biological functions. Oxidative damage to RPE cells is a major risk factor for retinal degeneration that ultimately leads to vision loss. In this study, we investigated the role of spermidine in a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress model using human RPE cells. Our findings showed that 300 μM H2O2 increased cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, whereas these effects were markedly suppressed by 10 μM spermidine. Furthermore, spermidine significantly reduced H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction including mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial activity. Although spermidine displays antioxidant properties, the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon H2O2 insult was not regulated by spermidine. Spermidine did suppress the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ levels resulting from endoplasmic reticulum stress in H2O2-stimulated human RPE cells. Treatment with a cytosolic Ca2+ chelator markedly reversed H2O2-induced cellular dysfunction. Overall, spermidine protected against H2O2-induced cellular damage by blocking the increase of intracellular Ca2+ independently of ROS. These results suggest that spermidine protects RPE cells from oxidative stress, which could be a useful treatment for retinal diseases.


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