Induction of the enzyme aldose reductase in a lens epithelial cell line from a transgenic mouse

Molecular characterization of mouse lens epithelial cell lines and their suitability to study RNA granules and cataract associated genes

The discovery of cytosolic RNA granule (RG) component proteins associated with human cataract has initiated investigations on post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene expression control in the lens. Application of established mouse lens epithelial cell lines (LECs) can provide rapid insights on RG function in lens cells, especially because mouse mutants in several RG components are not available. However, although these LECs represent potential reagents for such analyses, they are uncharacterized for lens gene expression or RG formation. Therefore, a detailed molecular and cellular characterization of three permanent mouse LECs 17EM15, 21EM15 and αTN4 is performed in this study. Comparative analysis between microarray gene expression datasets on LEC 21EM15 and iSyTE lens tissue demonstrates that 30% of top 200 iSyTE identified lens-enriched genes are expressed in these cells. Majority of these candidates are independently validated to either have lens expression, function or linkage to cataract. Moreover, analysis of microarray data with genes described in Cat-Map, an online database of cataract associated genes and loci, demonstrates that 131 genes linked to cataract loci are expressed in 21EM15 cells. Furthermore, gene expression in LECs is compared to isolated lens epithelium or fiber cells by qRT-PCR and by comparative analyses with publically available epithelium or fiber-specific microarray and RNA-seq (sequencing) datasets. Expression of select candidate genes was validated by regular and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of lens epithelium-enriched genes Foxe3, Pax6, Anxa4 and Mcm4 is up-regulated in LEC lines, compared to isolated lens fiber cells. Moreover, similar to isolated lens epithelium, all three LECs exhibit down-regulation of fiber cell-expressed genes Crybb1, Mip and Prox1 when compared to fiber cells. These data indicate that the LEC lines exhibit greater similarity to lens epithelium than to fiber cells. Compared to non-lens cell line NIH3T3, LECs exhibit significantly enriched expression of transcription factors with important function in the lens, namely Pax6, Foxe3 and Prox1. In addition to these genes, all three LECs also express key lens- and cataract-associated genes, namely Dkk3, Epha2, Hsf4, Jag1, Mab21l1, Meis1, Pknox1, Pou2f1, Sfrp1, Sparc, Tdrd7 and Trpm3. Additionally, 21EM15 microarrays indicate expression of Chmp4b, Cryab and Tcfap2a among others important genes. Immunostaining with makers for Processing bodies (P-bodies) and Stress granules (SGs) demonstrates that these classes of RGs are robustly expressed in all three LECs. Moreover, under conditions of stress, 17EM15 and αTN4 exhibit significantly higher numbers of P-bodies and SGs compared to NIH3T3 cells. In sum, these data indicate that mouse LECs 21EM15, 17EM15 and αTN4 express key lens or cataract genes, are similar to lens epithelium than fiber cells, and exhibit high levels of P-bodies and SGs, indicating their suitability for investigating gene expression control and RG function in lens-derived cells.

Osmolarity and glucose differentially regulate aldose reductase activity in cultured mouse podocytes

Podocyte injury is associated with progression of many renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy. In this study we examined whether aldose reductase (AR), the enzyme implicated in diabetic complications in different tissues, is modulated by high glucose and osmolarity in podocyte cells. AR mRNA, protein expression, and activity were measured in mouse podocytes cultured in both normal and high glucose and osmolarity for 6 hours to 5 days. Hyperosmolarity acutely stimulated AR expression and activity, with subsequent increase of AR expression but decrease of activity. High glucose also elevated AR protein level; however, this was not accompanied by respective enzyme activation. Furthermore, high glucose appeared to counteract the osmolarity-dependent activation of AR. In conclusion, in podocytes AR is modulated by high glucose and increased osmolarity in a different manner. Posttranslational events may affect AR activity independent of enzyme protein amount. Activation of AR in podocytes may be implicated in diabetic podocytopathy.

Effects of melatonin on ionic currents in cultured ocular tissues

The effects of melatonin on ionic conductances in a cultured mouse lens epithelial cell line (alpha-TN4) and in cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells were measured using the amphotericin perforated patch whole cell voltage-clamp technique. Melatonin stimulated a voltage-dependent Na+-selective current in lens epithelial cells and trabecular meshwork cells. The effects of melatonin were observed at 50 pM and were maximal at 100 microM. Melatonin enhanced activation and inactivation kinetics, but no change was observed in the voltage dependence of activation. The results are consistent with an increase in the total number of ion channels available for activation by membrane depolarization. Melatonin was also found to stimulate a K+-selective current at high doses (1 mM). Melatonin did not affect the inwardly rectifying K+ current or the delayed rectifier type K+ current that has been described in cultured mouse lens epithelial cells. The results show that melatonin specifically stimulated the TTX-insensitive voltage-dependent Na+ current by an apparently novel mechanism.

Transport of fluid by lens epithelium

We report for the first time that cultured lens epithelial cell layers and rabbit lenses in vitro transport fluid. Layers of the alphaTN4 mouse cell line and bovine cell cultures were grown to confluence on permeable membrane inserts. Fluid movement across cultured layers and excised rabbit lenses was determined by volume clamp (37 degrees C). Cultured layers transported fluid from their basal to their apical sides against a pressure head of 3 cmH2O. Rates were (in microliter. h-1. cm-2) 3.3 +/- 0.3 for alphaTN4 cells (n = 27) and 4.7 +/- 1.0 for bovine layers (n = 6). Quinidine, a blocker of K+ channels, and p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate and HgCl2, inhibitors of aquaporins, inhibited fluid transport. Rabbit lenses transported fluid from their anterior to their posterior sides against a 2.5-cmH2O pressure head at 10.3 +/- 0.62 microliter. h-1. lens-1 (n = 5) and along the same pressure head at 12.5 +/- 1.1 microliter. h-1. lens-1 (n = 6). We calculate that this flow could wash the lens extracellular space by convection about once every 2 h and therefore might contribute to lens homeostasis and transparency.

Identification and characterization of multiple osmotic response sequences in the human aldose reductase gene

Aldose reductase (AR) has been implicated in osmoregulation in the kidney because it reduces glucose to sorbitol, which can serve as an osmolite. Under hyperosmotic stress, transcription of this gene is induced to increase the enzyme level. This mode of osmotic regulation of AR gene expression has been observed in a number of nonrenal cells as well, suggesting that this is a common response to hyperosmotic stress. We have identified a 132-base pair sequence approximately 1 kilobase pairs upstream of the transcription start site of the AR gene that enhances the transcription activity of the AR promoter as well as that of the SV40 promoter when the cells are under hyperosmotic stress. Within this 132-base pair sequence, there are three sequences that resemble TonE, the tonicity response element of the canine betaine transporter gene, and the osmotic response element of the rabbit AR gene, suggesting that the mechanism of osmotic regulation of gene expression in these animals is similar. However, our data indicate that cooperative interaction among the three TonE-like sequences in the human AR may be necessary for their enhancer function.

Regulation of aldose reductase expression in rat astrocytes in culture

Aldose reductase (AR) is known to be responsible for many side effects of diabetes. In the present work, we studied the effects of various extracellular signals on the regulation of the expression of AR in astrocytes in culture, by determining its enzymatic activity or its mRNA level. We found that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and hypertonic NaCl were able to increase the expression of AR in astrocytes. A superinduction was found when bFGF was combined with hypertonicity. We also observed that AR activity was independent of glucose concentration in the culture medium. However, when the concentration of glucose in the culture medium was under 1 g/l, bFGF did not increase the activity of AR. Thus, when glucose is depleted, the regulation of AR expression by bFGF does not operate. In addition, AR does not seem to be involved in control of astrocyte proliferation, in contrast to the effects reported on other cell types. These results indicate that AR is expressed in astrocytes and that its expression is upregulated by hypertonicity but also by FGFs and EGF. This suggests that in these cells, AR elicits some regulatory functions.

A mechanism for regulatory volume decrease in cultured lens epithelial cells

PURPOSE

To identify mechanisms contributing to regulatory volume decrease in lens epithelial cells.

METHODS

Cells of the lens epithelial cell line alpha TN4 were cultured in four-well culture dishes in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. After confluence cell water space was determined by measuring the equilibrium distribution of 3-O-methylglucose. Potassium influx and efflux in isotonic and hypotonic solutions were measured using 86rubidium (86Rb) as tracer. Total cell potassium and sodium content were determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy. Protein content per well was assayed with a modified Lowry assay and flux data and ion concentrations were normalized per mg of protein.

RESULTS

Lens epithelial cells responded to hypotonic solutions with rapid swelling followed by regulatory volume decrease (RVD). During swelling and subsequent volume decrease the unidirectional Rb efflux was increased proportionaly to the osmotic challenge. Rubidium efflux was highly sensitive to changes in extracellular osmolarity and responded with a measurable activation to changes of 12.5 mOsm. No changes in 86Rb influx were observed with small changes (< 20%) in osmolarity and only relatively small changes occurred with larger changes in osmolarity. The resulting net loss of 86Rb and potassium (K+) was demonstrated by measuring the change of intracellular [K+] in hypotonic solutions using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The K(+)-channel blockers quinine-HCl and BaCl2 and the Cl(-)-channel blockers diphenyl-2-carboxylate (DPC) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenyl propylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) did not significantly affect the 86Rb efflux induced by hypotonic solutions. However, [(dihydroindenyl)oxy]alkanoic acid (DIOA), reported to be a specific inhibitor of the K-Cl cotransporter, inhibited the activation of 86Rb efflux. 86Rb efflux could be activated in isosmotic solutions by the addition of 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). This activation of Rb efflux could be prevented by the addition of 1 mM dithiothreitol and could be 90% blocked by DIOA. The activation of rubidium efflux by NEM led to a significant decrease of the intracellular water content. The volume regulatory changes in NEM and in hypotonic solutions could be inhibited in DIOA.

CONCLUSIONS

The observations are consistent with the presence in lens epithelial cells of a K-Cl cotransporter serving as a mechanism for regulatory volume decrease.

The duck gene for alpha B-crystallin shows evolutionary conservation of discrete promoter elements but lacks heat and osmotic shock response

The gene for alpha Beta-crystallin from a bird (the domestic duck, Anas platyrhynchos) has been cloned and sequenced to allow comparison with its mammalian homologues. The duck gene has the same general structure as those of humans and rodents although, unlike those of mammals, the duck gene has two polyadenylation signals at the 3' end. The most interesting comparisons are in the 5'flanking promoter regions. In contrast to the broad conservation of promoter sequence among mammals, only two significant blocks and a few smaller elements have been conserved during evolution in the more distantly related avian gene. Block 1 (-350/-308) corresponds to alpha BE-2, a functional element defined in the mouse gene. Further downstream, block 2 (-98/-65) shows 27/33 identity among all three species but does not correspond to any previously defined element. Other regions are less well-conserved. In particular, putative heat-shock response elements of the mammalian alpha B-crystallin genes are absent from the duck gene. In contrast to the heat and osmotic stress-inducibility of mouse alpha B-crystallin in NIH 3T3 cells, duck alpha B-crystallin showed no inducibility in duck cells in culture. Thus, although high expression in lens is common to alpha B-crystallin genes in birds and mammals, other modes of expression appear to be taxon-specific.

Sodium channels in ocular epithelia

Voltage-gated, tetrodotoxin(TTX)-blockable sodium channels are found in most excitable cells and are the primary contributors to action potentials generated by many of these cells. To date, there has only been one report of a non-cultured vertebrate epithelial cell type containing TTX-blockable Na+ channels: rabbit non-pigmented ciliary body epithelial cells [Cilluffo MC et al. (1991) Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci 32: 1619-1629], and three reports of cultured epithelial cells containing TTX-blockable Na+ channels: rabbit non-pigmented and pigmented ciliary body epithelium [Ciluffo MC et al. (1991) Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci 32: 1619-1629; Fain GL, Farahbakhsh (1989) J Physiol (Lond) 417: 83-103] and human lens epithelium [Cooper K et al. (1990) J Membr Biol 117: 285-298]. We report here the presence of sodium currents in two different non-cultured, freshly dissociated transporting epithelial cell types: the rabbit corneal endothelium and the frog lens epithelium. We also report the occurrence of sodium currents in six additional cultured ocular epithelial cell types from three different species. These currents have a current/voltage (I/V) relationship consistent with traditional voltage-gated Na+ currents, are quinidine- and TTX-blockable (of the low-affinity TTX-sensitive type), and disappear following bath substitution of Na+ with Cs+ or K+.

Effects of naphthalene metabolites on cultured cells from eye lens

Naphthalene is toxic to the eye and results in opacification of the lens. To investigate the metabolic events that may be occurring in the lens epithelial cells, a cell line of lens from a transgenic mouse was incubated with various metabolites of naphthalene. Naphthoquinone at 50 microM was toxic to most cells with a depletion of glutathione levels noted within 6 h of incubation. At 10 microM, naphthoquinone caused an increase in specific activity of the enzyme DT-diaphorase. This enzyme is thought to be a defense against quinones since semiquinone formation is thought to be lessened. Naphthalene-1,2-dihydrodiol at 50 microM also caused an increase in the specific activity of the DT-diaphorase, while at 10 microM no apparent change occurred in the cells. Although there was evidence of metabolic alterations in the cells with the metabolites of naphthalene, the protein profile by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis did not change and there was no indication of an increase in carbonyl formation in the soluble proteins of the cells. These experiments indicate that the metabolites of naphthalene can cause alteration in the metabolism of the lens cells but may not cause apparent changes in the major proteins within the lens epithelium.