Ca2+-Channels in the RPE

Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Mitochondria-Associated Autoantibodies: A Review of the Specific Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a severe retinal disease that causes irreversible visual loss and blindness in elderly populations worldwide. The pathological mechanism of AMD is complex, involving the interactions of multiple environmental and genetic factors. A poor understanding of the disease leads to limited treatment options and few effective prevention methods. The discovery of autoantibodies in AMD patients provides an opportunity to explore the pathogenesis and treatment direction of the disease. This review focuses on the mitochondria-associated autoantibodies and summarizes the functional roles of mitochondria under physiological conditions and their alterations during the pathological states. Additionally, it discusses the crosstalk between mitochondria and other organelles, as well as the mitochondria-related therapeutic strategies in AMD.

Odorant Receptor 51E2 Agonist β-ionone Regulates RPE Cell Migration and Proliferation

The odorant receptor 51E2 (OR51E2), which is well-characterized in prostate cancer cells and epidermal pigment cells, was identified for the first time as the most highly expressed OR in human fetal and adult retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis revealed OR51E2 localization throughout the cytosol and in the plasma membrane. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining of diverse layers of the eye showed that the expression of OR51E2 is restricted to the pigment cells of the RPE and choroid. The results of Ca²⁺-imaging experiments demonstrate that activation of OR51E2 triggers a Ca²⁺ dependent signal pathway in RPE cells. Downstream signaling of OR51E2 involves the activation of adenylyl cyclase, ERK1/2 and AKT. The activity of these protein kinases likely accounts for the demonstrated increase in the migration and proliferation of RPE cells upon stimulation with the OR51E2 ligand β-ionone. These findings suggest that OR51E2 is involved in the regulation of RPE cell growth. Thus, OR51E2 represents a potential target for the treatment of proliferative disorders.

Bystander effects elicited by single-cell photo-oxidative blue-light stimulation in retinal pigment epithelium cell networks

‘Bystander effect’ refers to the induction of biological effects in cells not directly targeted. The retinal pigment epithelium consists of hexagonal cells, forming a monolayer interconnected by gap junctions (GJs). Oxidative stress initiated in an individual cell by photostimulation (488 nm) triggered changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca²⁺ and mitochondrial membrane potential (ψ_m). The Ca²⁺ signal was transmitted to neighboring cells slowly and non-uniformly; the ROS signal spread fast and radially. Increased Ca²⁺ levels were associated with a loss in ψ_m. GJ blockers prevented the spreading of the Ca²⁺, but not the ROS-related signal. The GJ-mediated Ca²⁺ wave was associated with cell death by 24 h, requiring endoplasmic reticulum–mitochondria Ca²⁺ transfer. Ensuing cell death was correlated with baseline Ca²⁺ levels, and baseline Ca²⁺ levels were correlated with pigmentation. Hence, local oxidative stress in a donor cell can trigger changes in certain connected recipient cells, a signal that required GJ communication and an ROS-Ca²⁺ dual-hit. Finally, damage apparently occurred in susceptible cells, which correlated with baseline Ca²⁺ levels.

In Pursuit of Authenticity: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium for Clinical Applications

For effective treatment, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) must recapitulate the physiology of native human RPE cells. A set of physiologically relevant functional assays that assess the polarized functional activity and maturation state of the intact RPE monolayer is provided. The study data show that donor-to-donor variability exceeds the tissue-to-tissue variability for a given donor and provides, for the first time, criteria necessary to identify iPSC-RPE cells most suitable for clinical application.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be efficiently differentiated into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), offering the possibility of autologous cell replacement therapy for retinal degeneration stemming from RPE loss. The generation and maintenance of epithelial apical-basolateral polarity is fundamental for iPSC-derived RPE (iPSC-RPE) to recapitulate native RPE structure and function. Presently, no criteria have been established to determine clonal or donor based heterogeneity in the polarization and maturation state of iPSC-RPE. We provide an unbiased structural, molecular, and physiological evaluation of 15 iPSC-RPE that have been derived from distinct tissues from several different donors. We assessed the intact RPE monolayer in terms of an ATP-dependent signaling pathway that drives critical aspects of RPE function, including calcium and electrophysiological responses, as well as steady-state fluid transport. These responses have key in vivo counterparts that together help determine the homeostasis of the distal retina. We characterized the donor and clonal variation and found that iPSC-RPE function was more significantly affected by the genetic differences between different donors than the epigenetic differences associated with different starting tissues. This study provides a reference dataset to authenticate genetically diverse iPSC-RPE derived for clinical applications.

Significance

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is essential for maintaining visual function. RPE derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-RPE) offer a promising cell-based transplantation therapy for slowing or rescuing RPE-induced visual function loss. For effective treatment, iPSC-RPE must recapitulate the physiology of native human RPE. A set of physiologically relevant functional assays are provided that assess the polarized functional activity and maturation state of the intact RPE monolayer. The present data show that donor-to-donor variability exceeds the tissue-to-tissue variability for a given donor and provides, for the first time, criteria necessary to identify iPSC-RPE most suitable for clinical application.

Ion Channels in the Eye: Involvement in Ocular Pathologies

The eye is the sensory organ of vision. There, the retina transforms photons into electrical signals that are sent to higher brain areas to produce visual sensations. In the light path to the retina, different types of cells and tissues are involved in maintaining the transparency of avascular structures like the cornea or lens, while others, like the retinal pigment epithelium, have a critical role in the maintenance of photoreceptor function by regenerating the visual pigment. Here, we have reviewed the roles of different ion channels expressed in ocular tissues (cornea, conjunctiva and neurons innervating the ocular surface, lens, retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and the inflow and outflow systems of the aqueous humor) that are involved in ocular disease pathophysiologies and those whose deletion or pharmacological modulation leads to specific diseases of the eye. These include pathologies such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, achromatopsia, glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis among others. Several disease-associated ion channels are potential targets for pharmacological intervention or other therapeutic approaches, thus highlighting the importance of these channels in ocular physiology and pathophysiology.

Singularities of calcium signaling in effector T-lymphocytes

CD4(+) helper T (Th) lymphocytes orchestrate the immune response and include several types of effectors such as Th1, Th17 and Th2 cells. They fight against intracellular, extracellular pathogens and parasites respectively. They may also cause distinct immunopathological disorders. Th1 and Th17 are implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases while Th2 cells can initiate allergic diseases. These subsets differ by their TCR-associated signaling. In addition, the regulation of intracellular calcium concentration is not the same in Th1, Th2 and 17 cells. Our group showed that Th2 cells selectively overexpressed voltage-activated calcium (Cav1)-related channels. An increasing number of groups report the presence of Cav1-related products in T-lymphocyte subsets. This is a matter of debate since these calcium channels are classically defined as activated by high cell membrane depolarization in excitable cells. However, the use of mice with ablation of some Cav1 subunits shows undoubtedly an immune phenotype raising the question of how Cav1 channels are regulated in lymphocytes. We showed that knocking down Cav1.2 and/or Cav1.3 subunits impairs the functions of Th2 lymphocytes and is beneficial in experimental models of asthma, while it has no effect on Th1 cell functions. Beyond the role of Cav1 channels in T-lymphocytes, the identification of key components selectively implicated in one or the other T cell subset paves the way for the design of new selective therapeutic targets in the treatment of immune disorders while preserving the other T-cell subsets. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 12th European Symposium on Calcium.

ZIP2 and ZIP4 mediate age-related zinc fluxes across the retinal pigment epithelium

Decreases in systemic and cellular levels of zinc (Zn(2+)) during normal aging correlate with several age-related pathologies including age-related macular degeneration. Zn(2+) homeostasis in tissues is not only dependent on dietary intake but also on optimal expression and function of its influx (ZIP) and efflux (ZnT) transporters. We recently showed that many of the Zn(2+) transporters are expressed by the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. In this study, we present evidence that RPE cells contain less endogenous Zn(2+) with increased aging and transport this ion vectorially with greater transport from the basal to apical direction. Expression of two Zn(2+) influx transporters, ZIP2 and ZIP4, is reduced as a function of RPE age. Gene silencing of ZIP2 and ZIP4 in RPE cells from young donors or their overexpression in cells from older donors confirms that these two transporters are essential in controlling Zn(2+) influx and sequestration in RPE cells. Both transporters are distributed on the basal surface of the RPE where they are likely to control Zn(2+) homeostasis in the outer retina.

A new strategy to identify and annotate human RPE-specific gene expression

Background

To identify and functionally annotate cell type-specific gene expression in the human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a key tissue involved in age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

Methodology

RPE, photoreceptor and choroidal cells were isolated from selected freshly frozen healthy human donor eyes using laser microdissection. RNA isolation, amplification and hybridization to 44 k microarrays was carried out according to Agilent specifications. Bioinformatics was carried out using Rosetta Resolver, David and Ingenuity software.

Principal Findings

Our previous 22 k analysis of the RPE transcriptome showed that the RPE has high levels of protein synthesis, strong energy demands, is exposed to high levels of oxidative stress and a variable degree of inflammation. We currently use a complementary new strategy aimed at the identification and functional annotation of RPE-specific expressed transcripts. This strategy takes advantage of the multilayered cellular structure of the retina and overcomes a number of limitations of previous studies. In triplicate, we compared the transcriptomes of RPE, photoreceptor and choroidal cells and we deduced RPE specific expression. We identified at least 114 entries with RPE-specific gene expression. Thirty-nine of these 114 genes also show high expression in the RPE, comparison with the literature showed that 85% of these 39 were previously identified to be expressed in the RPE. In the group of 114 RPE specific genes there was an overrepresentation of genes involved in (membrane) transport, vision and ophthalmic disease. More fundamentally, we found RPE-specific involvement in the RAR-activation, retinol metabolism and GABA receptor signaling pathways.

Conclusions

In this study we provide a further specification and understanding of the RPE transcriptome by identifying and analyzing genes that are specifically expressed in the RPE.

[The role of retinal pigment epithelium in visual functions]

The evolution of light sensitive cells probably began with a primitive functional unit composed of a photoreceptor cell and a pigmented cell. Even during embryonic development this functional unit is formed in a differentiation process in which the two interacting partners depend on each other. For some of the most important forms of retinal degeneration this knowledge on the functional cooperation between retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors is of great importance for analysis and development of therapeutic approaches. In this way mutations of genes which are expressed in photoreceptors can lead to diseases which start in the retinal pigment epithelium and vice versa. This article summarizes the variety of different functions of the retinal pigment epithelium and describes the failure of those functions which are of most clinical importance.

Lack of pendrin HCO3- transport elevates vestibular endolymphatic [Ca2+] by inhibition of acid-sensitive TRPV5 and TRPV6 channels

The low Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]) of mammalian endolymph in the inner ear is required for normal hearing and balance. We reported (Yamauchi et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun 331: 1353-1357, 2005) that the epithelial Ca(2+) channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 (transient receptor potential types 5 and 6) are expressed in the vestibular system and that TRPV5 expression is stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), as also reported in kidney. TRPV5/6 channels are known to be inhibited by extracellular acidic pH. Endolymphatic pH, [Ca(2+)], and transepithelial potential of the utricle were measured in Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger pendrin (SLC26A4) knockout mice in vivo. Slc26a4(-/-) mice exhibit reduced pH and utricular endolymphatic potential and increased [Ca(2+)]. Monolayers of primary cultures of rat semicircular canal duct cells were grown on permeable supports, and cellular uptake of (45)Ca(2+) was measured individually from the apical and basolateral sides. Net uptake of (45)Ca(2+) was greater after incubation with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3). Net (45)Ca(2+) absorption was dramatically inhibited by low apical pH and was stimulated by apical alkaline pH. Gadolinium, lanthanum, and ruthenium red reduced apical uptake. These observations support the notion that one aspect of vestibular dysfunction in Pendred syndrome is a pathological elevation of endolymphatic [Ca(2+)] due to luminal acidification and consequent inhibition of TRPV5/6-mediated Ca(2+) absorption.

The electro-oculogram

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lying distal to the retina regulates the extracellular environment and provides metabolic support to the outer retina. RPE abnormalities are closely associated with retinal death and it has been claimed several of the most important diseases causing blindness are degenerations of the RPE. Therefore, the study of the RPE is important in Ophthalmology. Although visualisation of the RPE is part of clinical investigations, there are a limited number of methods which have been used to investigate RPE function. One of the most important is a study of the current generated by the RPE. In this it is similar to other secretory epithelia. The RPE current is large and varies as retinal activity alters. It is also affected by drugs and disease. The RPE currents can be studied in cell culture, in animal experimentation but also in clinical situations. The object of this review is to summarise this work, to relate it to the molecular membrane mechanisms of the RPE and to possible mechanisms of disease states.

The cGMP/protein kinase G pathway contributes to dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium response and cytokine production in TH2 lymphocytes

Th2 lymphocytes differ from other CD4+ T lymphocytes not only by their effector tasks but also by their T cell receptor (TCR)-dependent signaling pathways. We previously showed that dihydropyridine receptors (DHPR) involved in TCR-induced calcium inflow were selectively expressed in Th2 cells. In this report, we studied whether cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG) activation was implicated in the regulation of DHPR-dependent calcium response and cytokine production in Th2 lymphocytes. The contribution of cGMP in Th2 signaling was supported by the following results: 1) TCR activation elicited cGMP production, which triggered calcium increase responsible for nuclear factor of activated T cell translocation and Il4 gene expression; 2) guanylate cyclase activation by nitric oxide donors increased intracellular cGMP concentration and induced calcium inflow and IL-4 production; 3) reciprocally, guanylate cyclase inhibition reduced calcium response and Th2 cytokine production associated with TCR activation. In addition, DHPR blockade abolished cGMP-induced [Ca2+]i increase, indicating that TCR-induced DHP-sensitive calcium inflow is dependent on cGMP in Th2 cells. Th2 lymphocytes from PKG1-deficient mice displayed impaired calcium signaling and IL-4 production, as did wild-type Th2 cells treated with PKG inhibitors. Altogether, our data indicate that, in Th2 cells, cGMP is produced upon TCR engagement and activates PKG, which controls DHP-sensitive calcium inflow and Th2 cytokine production.

Expression of bestrophin‐1, the product of the VMD2 gene, modulates voltage‐dependent Ca 2+ channels in retinal pigment epithelial cells

Mutations in the VMD2 gene cause Best's disease, an inherited form of macular degeneration. The reduction in the light-peak amplitude in the patient's electro-oculogram suggests that bestrophin-1 influences the membrane conductance of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Systemic application of the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nimodipine reduced the light-peak amplitude in the rat electroretinogram but not a- and b-waves. Expression of bestrophin-1 in a RPE cell line (RPE-J) led to changes in L-type channel properties. Wild-type bestrophin-1 induced an acceleration of activation kinetics of Ba2+ currents through L-type Ca2+ channels and a shift of the voltage-dependent activation to more negative values, closer to the resting potential of RPE cells. Expression of bestrophin-1 with Best disease-causing mutations led to comparable shifts in voltage-dependent activation but different effects on activation and inactivation kinetics. Bestrophin W93C exhibited slowed activation and inactivation, and bestrophin R218C accelerated the activation and inactivation. Thus, transfection of RPE cells with bestrophin-1 distinctively changed L-type Ca2+ channel kinetics and voltage-dependence. On the basis of these data, we propose that presence of bestrophin-1 influences kinetics and voltage-dependence of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and that these effects might open new ways to understand the mechanisms leading to retinal degeneration in Best's disease.

Voltage-dependent ion channels in the mouse RPE: comparison with Norrie disease mice

We studied electrophysiological properties of cultured retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from mouse and a mouse model for Norrie disease. Wild-type RPE cells revealed the expression of ion channels known from other species: delayed-rectifier K(+) channels composed of Kv1.3 subunits, inward rectifier K(+) channels, Ca(V)1.3 L-type Ca(2+) channels and outwardly rectifying Cl(-) channels. Expression pattern and the ion channel characteristics current density, blocker sensitivity, kinetics and voltage-dependence were compared in cells from wild-type and Norrie mice. Although no significant differences were observed, our study provides a base for future studies on ion channel function and dysfunction in transgenic mouse models.

The fibroblast growth factor receptors, FGFR-1 and FGFR-2, mediate two independent signalling pathways in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

To examine the effects and potential implications for the expression of the two basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) receptors, FGFR-1 and FGFR-2, in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, bFGF-dependent changes in gene expression and RPE cell function were studied. bFGF increased L-type Ca2+ channel activity of RPE cells, which in turn resulted in an increase of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) secretion from RPE cells. Also, both bFGF and direct stimulation of L-type Ca2+ channels by BayK8644 increased the expression of c-fos in RPE cells, to the same extent. bFGF-induced-c-fos expression was reduced by inhibition of FGFR-1, but not by L-type Ca2+ channel inhibition, demonstrating that stimulation of FGFR-1 results in a Ca2+ channel-independent change of gene expression. In contrast, stimulation of FGFR-2 results in a Ca2+ channel-dependent stimulation of VEGF secretion. Furthermore, immunohistological investigation of neovascular tissues obtained from patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) revealed FGFR-1 and FGFR-2 expression in the RPE of the diseased tissue. Our findings support the hypothesis that there are two different FGFR-1- and FGFR-2-dependent pathways that modulate the role of bFGF in induction of neovascularisation in AMD.

Plasma membrane localization and function of TRPC1 is dependent on its interaction with beta-tubulin in retinal epithelium cells

Mammalian homologues of the Drosophila canonical Transient Receptor Potential (TRPC) protein have been proposed to encode the store-operated Ca2+ influx (SOC) channel(s). This study examines the role of TRPC1 in the SOC mechanism of retinal cells. htrpc1 transcript was detected in bovine retinal and in human adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE) cells. Western blot analysis also confirmed the expression of TRPC1 protein in neuronal cells including retina and ARPE cells. To determine the role of TRPC1 protein in retinal cells, TRPC1 was recombinantly expressed in ARPE cells and changes in intracellular Ca2+ were analyzed. ARPE cells stably transfected with htrp1 cDNA displayed 2-fold higher Ca2+ influx with no significant increase in the basal influx. Consistent with this the overexpressed TRPC1 protein was localized in the plasma membrane region of ARPE cells. Interestingly, both bovine retinal tissues and ARPE cells showed that TRPC1 protein co-localizes and could be co-immunoprecipitated with beta-tubulin. Disruption of tubulin by colchicine significantly decreased both plasma membrane staining of the TRPC1 protein and Ca2+ influx in ARPE cells. These results suggest that TRPC1 channel protein is expressed in retinal cells, further, targeting/retention of the TRPC1 protein to the plasma membrane in retinal cells is mediated via its interaction with beta-tubulin.

The retinal pigment epithelium in visual function

Located between vessels of the choriocapillaris and light-sensitive outer segments of the photoreceptors, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) closely interacts with photoreceptors in the maintenance of visual function. Increasing knowledge of the multiple functions performed by the RPE improved the understanding of many diseases leading to blindness. This review summarizes the current knowledge of RPE functions and describes how failure of these functions causes loss of visual function. Mutations in genes that are expressed in the RPE can lead to photoreceptor degeneration. On the other hand, mutations in genes expressed in photoreceptors can lead to degenerations of the RPE. Thus both tissues can be regarded as a functional unit where both interacting partners depend on each other.

[Function of bestrophin]

Clarification of the function of bestrophin, the gene product of VMD2, establishes a basis for the understanding of the pathomechanisms leading to Best's vitelliform macular degeneration. Studies of heterologously expressed bestrophin showed that bestrophin can function as a Cl(-) channel. All four known bestrophins were found to display Cl(-) channel activity. A loss in Cl(-) channel function would elegantly explain the development of the leading symptom for Best's disease, the reduction of the light peak amplitude in the patient's electro-oculogram. However, there are still gaps in the chain of evidence demonstrating that bestrophin is a Cl(-) channel, and this hypothesis is inconsistent with newly published follow-up observations. In an alternative hypothesis bestrophin appears as a regulator of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels assuming an indirect involvement of bestrophin in the generation of the light peak. Further studies on either bestrophin-deficient mice or transgenic mice will show that either one of the hypotheses is right or maybe both will be proven correct, showing bestrophin as a Cl(-) channel and Ca(2+) channel regulator.

Mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation in the human eye and brain: implications for the retinopathy of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choriocapillaris are affected early in the retinopathy associated with long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency. RPE in culture possesses the machinery needed for mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation in vitro. To further elucidate pathogenesis of LCHAD retinopathy, we performed immunohistochemistry of the human eye and brain with antibodies to beta-oxidation enzymes. Human eye and brain sections were stained with antibodies to medium-chain (MCAD) and very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD), short-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCHAD), and mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) harboring LCHAD. Antibodies to 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (MHBD) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX I) were used as a reference. VLCAD, MTP, MCAD, SCHAD, MHBD, and COX I antibodies labeled most retinal layers and tissues of the human eye actively involved in oxidative metabolism (extraocular and intraocular muscle, the RPE, the corneal endothelium, and the ciliary epithelium). MTP and COX I antibodies labeled the inner segments of photoreceptors. The choriocapillaris was labeled only with SCHAD and MCAD antibodies. In the brain, the choroid plexus and nuclei of the brain stem were most intensely labeled with beta-oxidation antibodies, whereas COX I antibodies strongly labeled neurons in several regions of the brain. Mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation likely plays a role in ocular energy production in vivo. The RPE rather than the choriocapillaris could be the critical affected cell layer in LCHAD retinopathy. Reduced energy generation in the choroid plexus may contribute to the cerebral edema observed in patients with beta-oxidation defects.