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Bejarano E, Weinberg J, Clark M, Taylor A, Rowan S, Whitcomb EA. Redox Regulation in Age-Related Cataracts: Roles for Glutathione, Vitamin C, and the NRF2 Signaling Pathway. Nutrients 2023; 15:3375. [PMID: 37571310 PMCID: PMC10421530 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Age is the biggest risk factor for cataracts, and aberrant oxidative modifications are correlated with age-related cataracts, suggesting that proper redox regulation is important for lens clarity. The lens has very high levels of antioxidants, including ascorbate and glutathione that aid in keeping the lens clear, at least in young animals and humans. We summarize current functional and genetic data supporting the hypothesis that impaired regulation of oxidative stress leads to redox dysregulation and cataract. We will focus on the essential endogenous antioxidant glutathione and the exogenous antioxidant vitamin C/ascorbate. Additionally, gene expression in response to oxidative stress is regulated in part by the transcription factor NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [NFE2L2]), thus we will summarize our data regarding cataracts in Nrf2-/- mice. In this work, we discuss the function and integration of these capacities with the objective of maintaining lens clarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloy Bejarano
- JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (E.B.); (J.W.); (M.C.); (A.T.); (S.R.)
- School of Health Sciences and Veterinary, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jasper Weinberg
- JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (E.B.); (J.W.); (M.C.); (A.T.); (S.R.)
| | - Madison Clark
- JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (E.B.); (J.W.); (M.C.); (A.T.); (S.R.)
| | - Allen Taylor
- JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (E.B.); (J.W.); (M.C.); (A.T.); (S.R.)
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Department of Developmental, Chemical and Molecular Biology, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Sheldon Rowan
- JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (E.B.); (J.W.); (M.C.); (A.T.); (S.R.)
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Whitcomb
- JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (E.B.); (J.W.); (M.C.); (A.T.); (S.R.)
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Wormstone IM, Collison DJ, Hansom SP, Duncan G. A focus on the human lens in vitro. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2006; 21:215-221. [PMID: 21783660 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2005.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The lens is a unique organ in that it is avascular and non-innervated, obtaining all nutrients from the aqueous and vitreous humours that bathe the lens. All lenses attempt to achieve the same goal, namely to maintain transparency and focus light on to the retina. However, the mechanisms by which these processes are maintained, or disrupted leading to a loss of transparency, are likely to differ in some cases between animals and humans. To allow comparison to take place, human in vitro models have been developed, ranging from whole organ culture to the generation of human lens cell lines. All have their merits and limitations, but as a whole, they permit extensive studies of lens cell behaviour and function to be carried out. Together, these in vitro methods allow the biological events of the lens to be further understood. Moreover, they could help identify the mechanisms that give rise to cataract and posterior capsule opacification, a problem that occurs following surgery, providing therapeutic targets for their prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Michael Wormstone
- The Humane Research Trust, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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Doughty M, Cullen A, Monteith-McMaster C. Aqueous humour and crystalline lens changes associated with ultraviolet radiation or mechanical damage to corneal epithelium in freshwater rainbow trout eyes. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s1011-1344(97)00101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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