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Mysore Y, Hytti M, Deen AJ, Ranta-Aho S, Piippo N, Toppila M, Loukovaara S, Harju N, Kauppinen A. Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and the Effect of Atorvastatin on it in ARPE-19 cells. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024:10.1007/s12013-024-01305-w. [PMID: 38777991 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-024-01305-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) develops after an unsuccessful or complicated recovery from rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery. Intraocular scar formation with the contribution of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in RPE cells is prominent in the pathology of PVR. In the present study, the EMT process was experimentally induced in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE; ARPE-19) cells, and the effect of atorvastatin on the process was studied. The mRNA and protein levels of mesenchymal markers actin alpha 2 (ACTA2) / alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN), and epithelial markers occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot methods, respectively. In addition, α-SMA and FN were visualized using immunofluorescence staining. Cells were photographed under a phase contrast light microscope. Changes in the functionality of cells following the EMT process were studied using the IncuCyte scratch wound cell migration assay and the collagen cell invasion assay with confocal microscopy. The induction of EMT in ARPE-19 cells increased the expression of mesenchymal markers ACTA2/α-SMA and fibronectin and reduced the expression of epithelial marker OCLN both at mRNA and protein levels. The mRNA levels of ZO-1 were lower after EMT, as well. Increased levels of α-SMA and FN were confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. Atorvastatin further increased the mRNA levels of mesenchymal markers ACTA2 and FN as well as the protein levels of α-SMA and reduced the mRNA levels of epithelial markers OCLN and ZO-1 under the EMT process. EMT promoted wound closure and cell invasion into the 3D collagen matrix when compared to untreated control cells. These data present cellular changes upon the induction of the EMT process in ARPE-19 cells and the propensity of atorvastatin to complement the effect. More studies are needed to confirm the exact influence of the EMT process and atorvastatin treatment on the PVR development after RRD surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashavanthi Mysore
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maria Hytti
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital and School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ashik Jawahar Deen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sofia Ranta-Aho
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Niina Piippo
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maija Toppila
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sirpa Loukovaara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Unit of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, and Individualized Drug Therapy Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Niina Harju
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
- Head and Neck Center, Ophthalmology Research Unit, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Anu Kauppinen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
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Zhang Z, Liang F, Chang J, Shan X, Yin Z, Wang L, Li S. Autophagy in dry AMD: A promising therapeutic strategy for retinal pigment epithelial cell damage. Exp Eye Res 2024; 242:109889. [PMID: 38593971 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent clinical condition that leads to permanent damage to central vision and poses a significant threat to patients' visual health. Although the pathogenesis of dry AMD remains unclear, there is consensus on the role of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are major contributors to RPE cell damage, and the NOD-like receptor thermoprotein structural domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome mediates the inflammatory response leading to apoptosis in RPE cells. Furthermore, lipofuscin accumulation results in oxidative stress, NLRP3 activation, and the development of vitelliform lesions, a hallmark of dry AMD, all of which may contribute to RPE dysfunction. The process of autophagy, involving the encapsulation, recognition, and transport of accumulated proteins and dead cells to the lysosome for degradation, is recognized as a significant pathway for cellular self-protection and homeostasis maintenance. Recently, RPE cell autophagy has been discovered to be closely linked to the development of macular degeneration, positioning autophagy as a cutting-edge research area in the realm of dry AMD. In this review, we present an overview of how lipofuscin, oxidative stress, and the NLRP3 inflammasome damage the RPE through their respective causal mechanisms. We summarized the connection between autophagy, oxidative stress, and NLRP3 inflammatory cytokines. Our findings suggest that targeting autophagy improves RPE function and sustains visual health, offering new perspectives for understanding the pathogenesis and clinical management of dry AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Zhang
- Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Fengming Liang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300193, China.
| | - Jun Chang
- Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Xiaoqian Shan
- Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Zhixian Yin
- Hebei University of Technology, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Li Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Shujiao Li
- Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100040, China
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Wu CY, Song DF, Chen ZJ, Hu CS, Lin DPC, Chang HH. Absence of the Klotho Function Causes Cornea Degeneration with Specific Features Resembling Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy and Bullous Keratopathy. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:133. [PMID: 38534403 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The Klotho loss-of-function mutation is known to cause accelerated senescence in many organs, but its effects on the cornea have not been published. The present study aims to investigate the effects of the Klotho null mutation on cornea degeneration and to characterize the pathological features. Mouse corneas of Klotho homozygous, heterozygous, and wild-type mice at 8 weeks of age for both genders were subject to pathological and immunohistological examinations. The results show an irregular topography on the corneal surface with a Klotho null mutation. Histological examinations revealed a reduced corneal epithelial cell density, endothelial cell-shedding, and decreased cornea stromal layer thickness in the absence of the Klotho function. Furthermore, guttae formation and the desquamation of wing cells were significantly increased, which was comparable to the characteristics of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and bullous keratopathy. The mechanism analysis showed multi-fold abnormalities, including oxidative stress-induced cornea epithelium apoptosis and inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling in the stroma, and a disruption of epithelial repair, presumably through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In conclusion, cornea degeneration was observed in the Klotho loss-of-function mutant mice. These pathological features support the use of Klotho mutant mice for investigating age-related cornea anomalies, including Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, bullous keratopathy, and dry eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yen Wu
- Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
| | - Da-Fong Song
- Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Jia Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Sheng Hu
- Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
| | - David Pei-Cheng Lin
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
| | - Han-Hsin Chang
- Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
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Wang MY, Liu WJ, Wu LY, Wang G, Zhang CL, Liu J. The Research Progress in Transforming Growth Factor-β2. Cells 2023; 12:2739. [PMID: 38067167 PMCID: PMC10706148 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2), an important member of the TGF-β family, is a secreted protein that is involved in many biological processes, such as cell growth, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. TGF-β2 had been thought to be functionally identical to TGF-β1; however, an increasing number of recent studies uncovered the distinctive features of TGF-β2 in terms of its expression, activation, and biological functions. Mice deficient in TGF-β2 showed remarkable developmental abnormalities in multiple organs, especially the cardiovascular system. Dysregulation of TGF-β2 signalling was associated with tumorigenesis, eye diseases, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, as well as motor system diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the research progress in TGF-β2 to support further research on TGF-β2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yan Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China; (M.-Y.W.); (W.-J.L.); (L.-Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Wen-Juan Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China; (M.-Y.W.); (W.-J.L.); (L.-Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Le-Yi Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China; (M.-Y.W.); (W.-J.L.); (L.-Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China; (M.-Y.W.); (W.-J.L.); (L.-Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Cheng-Lin Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China; (M.-Y.W.); (W.-J.L.); (L.-Y.W.); (J.L.)
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China; (M.-Y.W.); (W.-J.L.); (L.-Y.W.); (J.L.)
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