Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) antagonises experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy established by TGF-β2 stimulation in retinal pigment epithelial cells through modulation of the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways

The formation of the epiretinal fibrotic membrane by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is a primary pathological change for proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) is an antifibrogenic factor in various cells. To date, it is still unknown whether BMP6 can interfere with the fibrogenesis of RPE cells during the progression of PVR. This work aimed to address the relationship between BMP6 and transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2)-elicited fibrogenesis of RPE cells, an experimental model for studying PVR in vitro. The BMP6 level was down-regulated, while the TGF-β2 level was up-regulated in the vitreous humor of PVR patients. The BMP6 level was down-regulated in human RPE cells challenged with TGF-β2. The treatment of RPE cells with TGF-β2 resulted in significant increases in proliferation, migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. These effects were found to be inhibited by the overexpression of BMP6 or exacerbated by the knockdown of BMP6. BMP6 overexpression reduced the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK in TGF-β2-stimulated RPE cells, while BMP6 knockdown showed the opposite effects. The inhibition of p38 or JNK partially reversed the BMP6-silencing-induced promoting effects on TGF-β2-elicited fibrogenesis in RPE cells. Taken together, BMP6 demonstrates the ability to counteract the proliferation, migration, EMT, and ECM remodelling of RPE cells induced by TGF-β2. This is achieved through the regulation of the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways. These findings imply a potential connection between BMP6 and PVR, and highlight the potential application of BMP6 in therapeutic interventions for PVR.

Anthocyanins Inhibits Oxidative Injury in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial ARPE-19 Cells via Activating Heme Oxygenase-1

Anthocyanins belong to phenolic pigments and are known to have various pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate whether anthocyanins could inhibit hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in human retinal pigment epithelial ARPE-19 cells. Our results indicated that anthocyanins suppressed H2O2-induced genotoxicity, while inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and preserving diminished glutathione. Anthocyanins also suppressed H2O2-induced apoptosis by reversing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and inhibiting caspase-3 activation. Additionally, anthocyanins attenuated the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, which was achieved by interfering with mitochondrial membrane disruption. Moreover, anthocyanins increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as well as its activity, which was correlated with the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, the cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of anthocyanins were significantly attenuated by the HO-1 inhibitor, demonstrating that anthocyanins promoted Nrf2-induced HO-1 activity to prevent ARPE-19 cells from oxidative stress. Therefore, our findings suggest that anthocyanins, as Nrf2 activators, have potent ROS scavenging activity and may have the potential to protect ocular injury caused by oxidative stress.

ITF2357 regulates NF-κB signaling pathway to protect barrier integrity in retinal pigment epithelial cells

The robust integrity of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which contributes to the outer brain retina barrier (oBRB), is compromised in several retinal degenerative and vascular disorders, including diabetic macular edema (DME). This study evaluates the role of a new generation of histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), ITF2357, in regulating outer blood-retinal barrier function and investigates the underlying mechanism of action in inhibiting TNFα-induced damage to RPE integrity. Using the immortalized RPE cell line (ARPE-19), ITF2357 was found to be non-toxic between 50 nM and 5 μM concentrations. When applied as a pre-treatment in conjunction with an inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, the HDACi was safe and effective in preventing epithelial permeability by fortifying tight junction (ZO-1, -2, -3, occludin, claudin-1, -2, -3, -5, -19) and adherens junction (E-cadherin, Nectin-1) protein expression post-TNFα stress. Mechanistically, ITF2357 depicted a late action at 24 h via attenuating IKK, IκBα, and p65 phosphorylation and ameliorated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1. Also, ITF2357 delayed IκBα synthesis and turnover. The use of Bay 11-7082 and MG132 further uncovered a possible role for ITF2357 in non-canonical NF-κB activation. Overall, this study revealed the protection effects of ITF2357 by regulating the turnover of tight and adherens junction proteins and modulating NF-κB signaling pathway in the presence of an inflammatory stressor, making it a potential therapeutic application for retinal vascular diseases such as DME with compromised outer blood-retinal barrier.

Mitochondrial damage and clearance in retinal pigment epithelial cells

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a devastating eye disease that causes permanent vision loss in the central part of the retina, known as the macula. Patients with such severe visual loss face a reduced quality of life and are at a 1.5 times greater risk of death compared to the general population. Currently, there is no cure for or effective treatment for dry AMD. There are several mechanisms thought to underlie the disease, for example, ageing-associated chronic oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, harmful protein aggregation and inflammation. As a way of gaining a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind AMD and thus developing new therapies, we have created a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (PGC1α/NFE2L2) double-knockout (dKO) mouse model that mimics many of the clinical features of dry AMD, including elevated levels of oxidative stress markers, damaged mitochondria, accumulating lysosomal lipofuscin and extracellular drusen-like structures in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). In addition, a human RPE cell-based model was established to examine the impact of non-functional intracellular clearance systems on inflammasome activation. In this study, we found that there was a disturbance in the autolysosomal machinery responsible for clearing mitochondria in the RPE cells of one-year-old PGC1α/NFE2L2-deficient mice. The confocal immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increase in autophagosome marker microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) as well as multiple mitophagy markers such as PTE-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and E3 ubiquitin ligase (PARKIN), along with signs of damaged mitochondria. However, no increase in autolysosome formation was detected, nor was there a colocalization of the lysosomal marker LAMP2 or the mitochondrial marker, ATP synthase β. There was an upregulation of late autolysosomal fusion Ras-related protein (Rab7) in the perinuclear space of RPE cells, together with autofluorescent aggregates. Additionally, we observed an increase in the numbers of Toll-like receptors 3 and 9, while those of NOD-like receptor 3 were decreased in PGC1α/NFE2L2 dKO retinal specimens compared to wild-type animals. There was a trend towards increased complement component C5a and increased involvement of the serine protease enzyme, thrombin, in enhancing the terminal pathway producing C5a, independent of C3. The levels of primary acute phase C-reactive protein and receptor for advanced glycation end products were also increased in the PGC1α/NFE2L2 dKO retina. Furthermore, selective proteasome inhibition with epoxomicin promoted both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and mitochondrial-mediated oxidative stress, leading to the release of mitochondrial DNA to the cytosol, resulting in potassium efflux-dependent activation of the absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome and the subsequent secretion of interleukin-1β in ARPE-19 cells. In conclusion, the data suggest that there is at least a relative decrease in mitophagy, increases in the amounts of C5 and thrombin and decreased C3 levels in this dry AMD-like model. Moreover, selective proteasome inhibition evoked mitochondrial damage and AIM2 inflammasome activation in ARPE-19 cells.

Gigantol protects retinal pigment epithelial cells against high glucose-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting MTDH-mediated NF-kB signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

As a frequent complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic retinopathy (DR) is now one of the major causes of blindness. Recent reports have shown that retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPEC) damage plays an essential part in DR development and progression. This work intended to explore the potential effects of Gigantol on high glucose (HG)-stimulated RPEC damage and identify potential mechanisms.

METHODS

Cell viability, cell damage, and cell apoptosis were evaluated by CCK-8, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and flow cytometry assays. The levels of oxidative stress biomarkers and pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed using corresponding commercial kits and ELISA. Additionally, the levels of MTDH and NF-kB signaling pathway-related proteins were detected by western blotting.

RESULTS

Gigantol dose-dependently enhanced cell viability and decreased apoptosis in HG-challenged ARPE-19 cells. Also, Gigantol notably relieved oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in ARPE-19 cells under HG conditions. Gigantol dose-dependently suppressed MTDH expression. In addition, MTDH restoration partially counteracted the protective effects of Gigantol on ARPE-19 cells subject to HG treatment. Mechanically, Gigantol inactivated the NF-kB signaling pathway, which was partly restored after MTDH overexpression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that Gigantol protected against HG-induced RPEC damage by inactivating the NF-kB signaling via MTDH inhibition, offering a potent therapeutic drug for DR treatment.

Oxidized-LDL Induces Metabolic Dysfunction in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Recently, mitochondrial dysfunction has gained attention as a causative factor in the pathogenesis and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Mitochondrial damage plays a key role in metabolism and disrupts the balance of intracellular metabolic pathways, such as oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis. In this study, we focused on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), a major constituent of drusen that accumulates in the retina of patients with AMD, and investigated whether it could be a causative factor for metabolic alterations in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. We found that prolonged exposure to ox-LDL induced changes in fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO), OXPHOS, and glycolytic activity and increased the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in RPE cells. Notably, the effects on metabolic alterations varied with the concentration and duration of ox-LDL treatment. In addition, we addressed the limitations of using ARPE-19 cells for retinal disease research by highlighting their lower barrier function and FAO activity compared to those of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE cells. Our findings can aid in the elucidation of mechanisms underlying the metabolic alterations in AMD.

Urban aerosol particulate matter promotes mitochondrial oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence in human retinal pigment epithelial ARPE-19 cells

Environmental exposure to urban particulate matter (UPM) is a serious health concern worldwide. Although several studies have linked UPM to ocular diseases, no study has reported effects of UPM exposure on senescence in retinal cells. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of UPM on senescence and regulatory signaling in human retinal pigment epithelial ARPE-19 cells. Our study demonstrated that UPM significantly promoted senescence, with increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity. Moreover, both mRNA and protein levels of senescence markers (p16 and p21) and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, including IL-1β, matrix metalloproteinase-1, and -3 were upregulated. Notably, UPM increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-dependent nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation during senescence. In contrast, use of NF-κB inhibitor Bay 11-7082 reduced the level of senescence markers. Taken together, our results provide the first in vitro preliminary evidence that UPM induces senescence by promoting mitochondrial oxidative stress-mediated NF-κB activation in ARPE-19 cells.

Reduction of high glucose-induced oxidative injury in human retinal pigment epithelial cells by sarsasapogenin through inhibition of ROS generation and inactivation of NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a major risk factor for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Sarsasapogenin is a natural steroidal saponin that is known to have excellent antidiabetic effects and improve diabetic complications, but its potential efficacy and mechanism for DR are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The current study was designed to explore whether sarsasapogenin inhibits hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) ARPE-19 cells and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

To mimic hyperglycemic conditions, ARPE-19 cells were cultured in medium containing high glucose (HG). The suppressive effects of sarsasapogenin on HG-induced cell viability reduction, apoptosis and ROS production were investigated. In addition, the relevance of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway was explored to investigate the mechanism of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of sarsasapogenin.

RESULTS

Sarsasapogenin significantly alleviated cytotoxicity and apoptosis in HG-treated ARPE-19 cells through inhibition of intracellular ROS generation. Sarsasapogenin also effectively attenuated HG-induced excess accumulation of mitochondrial superoxide, reduction of glutathione content, and inactivation of manganese superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The HG condition markedly increased the expression and maturation of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 through the activation of the NF-kB signaling pathway, whereas sarsasapogenin reversed these effects. Moreover, although the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome multiprotein complex molecules was increased in ARPE-19 cells cultured under HG conditions, their levels remained similar to the control group in the presence of sarsasapogenin.

CONCLUSION

Sarsasapogenin could protect RPE cells from HG-induced injury by inhibiting ROS generation and NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent to improve the symptoms of DR.

Anaphylatoxin C5a receptor signaling induces mitochondrial fusion and sensitizes retinal pigment epithelial cells to oxidative stress

Mitochondrial dynamics is a morphological balance between fragmented and elongated shapes, reflecting mitochondrial metabolic status, cellular damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The anaphylatoxin C5a derived from complement component 5 cleavage, enhances cellular responses involved in pathological stimulation, innate immune responses, and host defense. However, the specific response of C5a and its receptor, C5a receptor (C5aR), in mitochondria is unclear. Here, we tested whether the C5a/C5aR signaling axis affects mitochondrial morphology in human-derived retinal pigment epithelial cell monolayers (ARPE-19). C5aR activation with the C5a polypeptide induced mitochondrial elongation. In contrast, oxidatively stressed cells (H2O2) responded to C5a with an enhancement of mitochondrial fragmentation and an increase in the number of pyknotic nuclei. C5a/C5aR signaling increased the expression of mitochondrial fusion-related protein, mitofusin-1 (MFN1) and - 2 (MFN2), as well as enhanced optic atrophy-1 (Opa1) cleavage, which are required for mitochondrial fusion events, whereas the mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (Erk1/2) phosphorylation were not affected. Moreover, C5aR activation increased the frequency of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria contacts. Finally, oxidative stress induced in a single cell within an RPE monolayer (488 nm blue laser spot stimulation) induced a bystander effect of mitochondrial fragmentation in adjacent surrounding cells only in C5a-treated monolayers. These results suggest that C5a/C5aR signaling produced an intermediate state, characterized by increased mitochondrial fusion and ER-mitochondrial contacts, that sensitizes cells to oxidative stress, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation and cell death.

The Bcl-2/Bcl-xL Inhibitor ABT-263 Attenuates Retinal Degeneration by Selectively Inducing Apoptosis in Senescent Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in elderly individuals. However, the currently used intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor are invasive, and repetitive injections are also accompanied by a risk of intraocular infection. The pathogenic mechanism of AMD is still not completely understood, but a multifactorial mechanism that combines genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including cellular senescence, has been suggested. Cellular senescence refers to the accumulation of cells that stop dividing due to the presence of free radicals and DNA damage. Characteristics of senescent cells include nuclear hypertrophy, increased levels of cell cycle inhibitors such as p16 and p21, and resistance to apoptosis. Senolytic drugs remove senescent cells by targeting the main characteristics of these cells. One of the senolytic drugs, ABT-263, which inhibits the antiapoptotic functions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, may be a new treatment for AMD patients because it targets senescent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. We proved that it selectively kills doxorubicin (Dox)-induced senescent ARPE-19 cells by activating apoptosis. By removing senescent cells, the expression of inflammatory cytokines was reduced, and the proliferation of the remaining cells was increased. When ABT-263 was orally administered to the mouse model of senescent RPE cells induced by Dox, we confirmed that senescent RPE cells were selectively removed and retinal degeneration was alleviated. Therefore, we suggest that ABT-263, which removes senescent RPE cells through its senolytic effect, has the potential to be the first orally administered senolytic drug for the treatment of AMD.

LncRNA NORAD defects deteriorate the formation of age-related macular degeneration

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the effect of long non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD) on AMD remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of NORAD on RPE cell senescence and degeneration. Irradiated adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line-19 (ARPE-19) and sodium iodate-treated mice were used as in vitro and in vivo AMD models. Results showed that irradiation-induced AMD characteristics of ARPE-19 and NORAD-knockdown aggravated cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, cell apoptosis and cell senescence along with the increased expression of phosphorylated P53 (p-P53) and P21. AMD factors C3, ICAM-1, APP, APOE, and VEGF-A were also increased by NORAD-knockdown. Moreover, NORAD-knockdown increased irradiation-induced reduction of mitochondrial homeostasis factors, (i.e., TFAM and POLG) and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex genes (i.e., ND1 and ND5) along with mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also identified a strong interaction of NORAD and PGC-1α and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in ARPE-19; that is, NORAD knockdown increases the acetylation of PGC-1α. In NORAD knockout mice, NORAD-knockout accelerated the sodium iodate-reduced retinal thickness reduction, function impairment and loss of retinal pigment in the fundus. Therefore, NORAD-knockdown accelerates retinal cell senescence, apoptosis, and AMD markers via PGC-1α acetylation, mitochondrial ROS, and the p-P53-P21signaling pathway, in which NORAD-mediated effect on PGC-1α acetylation might occur through the direct interaction with PGC-1α and SIRT1.

Triptolide protects human retinal pigment epithelial ARPE-19 cells against high glucose-induced cell injury by regulation of miR-29b/PTEN

Oxidative stress and inflammation are necessary pathogenic factors contributing to the aetiology of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Triptolide (TPL) is derived from the traditional Chinese herb lei gong teng with anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and antitumor activities. This article was developed to examine the effect of TPL on DR. ARPE-19 cells were pre-treated with TPL and then stimulated by high glucose (HG). We found that TPL treatment enhanced cell viability, decreased apoptosis and ROS production in HG-treated RPE cells. MiR-29b was low-expressed in HG-treated cells, but TPL raised its expression. In addition, the protective activity of TPL towards ARPE-19 cells was attenuated when miR-29b was reduced. By utilising bioinformatics evaluation, PTEN was predicted as a downstream target of miR-29b. Also, TPL obstructed PI3K/AKT signalling pathways in HG-treated ARPE-19 Cells. Taken together, TPL secured ARPE-19 cells from HG-induced oxidative damage via regulating miR-29b/PTEN axis.

Lycium barbarum L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge protect retinal pigment epithelial cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lycium barbarum L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Gouqi and Danshen, LS) are traditional herbs for the treatment of retinal degeneration in China. LS have been integrated into pharmacopoeia and health care system of many countries around the world. However, the mechanisms by which LS protect retina are not fully clarified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed at exploration of the effect of LS on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells apoptosis as well as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress mechanisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

ARPE-19 cells were exposed to tunicamycin to induce ER stress, followed by LS treatment for 24 h. The cell morphology was photographed using the Incucyte S3 instrument, and the potential cytotoxic effect and viability were evaluated by CCK-8 assays. The Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and TUNEL assay were conducted to detect cells apoptotic. Western blot and digital PCR were used to detected related protein and gene expression.

RESULTS

The ARPE-19 cells are increased in number and aligned after treating with LS. 1 mg/ml is the LS high dose group dose and treatment with LS increased cell vitality. LS significantly inhibit ARPE-19 cells apoptosis. Moreover, LS were markedly decreased the expression levels of ER stress-related factors in the ARPE-19 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals that LS relieve ARPE-19 cells apoptosis by inhibiting ER stress, and here we can speculate that LS have a certain protective effect on retina.

In vitro and in vivo anti−Toxoplasma activities of HDAC inhibitor Panobinostat on experimental acute ocular toxoplasmosis

Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is retinochoroiditis caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection, which poses a huge threat to vision. However, most traditional oral drugs for this disease have multiple side effects and have difficulty crossing the blood-retinal barrier, so the new alternative strategy is required to be developed urgently. Histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitors, initially applied to cancer, have attracted considerable attention as potential anti-Toxoplasma gondii drugs. Here, the efficacy of a novel HDAC inhibitor, Panobinostat (LBH589), against T. gondii has been investigated. In vitro, LBH589 inhibited the proliferation and activity of T. gondii in a dose-dependent manner with low toxicity to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. In vivo, optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination and histopathological studies showed that the inflammatory cell infiltration and the damage to retinal architecture were drastically reduced in C57BL/6 mice upon treatment with intravitreal injection of LBH589. Furthermore, we have found the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased in LBH589–treated group. Collectively, our study demonstrates that LBH589 holds great promise as a preclinical candidate for control and cure of ocular toxoplasmosis.

Roles of Transepithelial Electrical Resistance in Mechanisms of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Barrier and Retinal Disorders

Transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) is a widely accepted quantitative technique to measure the integrity of tight junction dynamics in cell culture models of endothelial and epithelial monolayers. The value of TEER reflects the physical structure and characteristics of epithelial/endothelial cells. TEER value is a preferred physiological indicator reflecting transport rate of ions and macromolecules through the paracellular pathway, which is used to evaluate permeability of paracellular pathway. TEER value has a high specificity for the permeability of reactive tightly connected complex. TEER value is an effective indicator to evaluate the integrity of cell barrier. The cell barrier not only controls the diffusion penetration of various substances in adjacent intercellular spaces, but also regulates the transport of ions and macromolecules across. On one hand, the cell barrier protects the body from harmful substances; on the other hand, it restricts the entry of therapeutic drugs. Therefore, with the increase of permeability in paraepithelial pathway, the TEER value decreased, otherwise, it increased. In this review article, we compared the advantages and disadvantages of the existing methods for measuring TEER and summarized the factors affecting TEER accuracy, as well as the roles of TEER in mechanisms of retinal pigment epithelial barrier and retinal disorders such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Chlorophyll derivatives as visual pigments for super vision in the red

The primary event in vision is light-initiated activation of visual pigments. All visual pigments consist of the protein opsin bound to 11-cis-retinal and are responsible for initiating the transformation of light into an electrical signal. In a mouse model, we show that derivatives of chlorophyll can act as visual pigments initiating the transformation of light into an electrical signal and thus change the primary event in vision to initial activation of a chlorophyll derivative. Electroretinographic b-wave amplitudes recorded in response to red and blue light were two-fold greater in mice administered chlorin e(6), which accumulated in photoreceptor outer segments.

Isolation of intact lysosomes from human RPE cells and effects of A2-E on the integrity of the lysosomal and other cellular membranes

BACKGROUND

Accumulation of lipofuscin in RPE cells occurs with age and in association with various retinal diseases. Lipofuscin and its major retinoid compound and fluorophore A2-E interfere with the cellular metabolism of RPE cells in various ways. One of these mechanisms is thought to be related to detergent properties of A2-E.

METHODS

We isolated pure and intact lysosomes from RPE cell cultures and investigated detergent-like effects of the lipofuscin compound A2-E on the integrity of lysosomal membrane and other cellular membranes, using latency measurements. A postnuclear supernatant prepared from cultured human RPE cells was used to isolate intact lysosomes by fractionation of cellular organelles in two sequential gradients. Destabilization of the lysosomal membrane was tested by incubating the purified lysosomal fraction in the presence of A2-E and subsequent measurement of the latency of the lysosomal luminal marker beta-hexosaminidase. In order to compare the effect of A2-E on other cellular membranes, latencies of the specific markers succinate dehydrogenase and UDP-galactosyltransferase were assessed using partially purified mitochondria and microsomes. Intactness of the plasma membrane was tested by including A2-E in the culture medium before leakage of lactate dehydrogenase into the medium was determined.

RESULTS

A more than 100-fold purification of the lysosomal fraction was achieved. Except for a minor activity of the mitochondrial marker, no contamination with other cell fractions was observed. Intactness of the purified lysosomes was well preserved upon incubations in isotonic media providing the base for investigations on a possible detergent-like action of A2-E on lysosomal integrity. At concentrations above 2 microM A2-E, progressive leakage of the lysosomal marker was observed. In comparison, leakage of the mitochondrial marker was induced at significantly lower concentrations (1 microM), whereas ER/Golgi membranes and the plasma membrane were relatively insensitive to a detergent effect of the retinoid. The described methodology to obtain highly purified and intact lysosomes from RPE cells provides a suitable tool for investigations on compounds affecting lysosomal structure. A2-E was shown to cause desintegration of the lysosomal membrane at relatively low concentrations, which may implicate an involvement of such mechanism in triggering lipofuscin-induced dysfunction of RPE in vivo. Secondary to disintegration of the lysosomal membrane, damage to mitochondria might be an additional pathogenic mechanism.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data provide evidence for surfactant-like properties of A2-E on biomembranes which might be operative in retinal diseases associated with excessive lipofuscin-accumulation, such as age-related macular degeneration.

Inhibition of lysosomal degradative functions in RPE cells by a retinoid component of lipofuscin

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of the lipofuscin component N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2-E) on degradative functions of lysosomes in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and to evaluate its mechanism of action.

METHODS

A2-E was coupled to low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Human RPE cell cultures were loaded with the A2-E/LDL complex, and controls were run with medium containing LDL alone. To determine whether A2-E accumulated in lysosomes, cells were fractionated in a Percoll gradient, and protein degradation was determined by metabolic labeling and measurement of the release of low-molecular-weight radioactivity. Lysosomal degradation was distinguished from nonlysosomal degradation by inclusion of NH4Cl in the medium. The metabolism of sulfated glycosaminoglycans was studied by radiosulfate incorporation in pulse-chase experiments. Intralysosomal pH was determined using a fluorescent lysosomotropic pH indicator.

RESULTS

A2-E accumulated almost exclusively in the lysosomal compartment. Lysosomal protein degradation was reduced in a dose-dependent fashion in A2-E-treated cells. The selectivity of A2-E on lysosomal function was demonstrated by its lack of effect on degradation of extralysosomal protein. Lysosomal glycosaminoglycan catabolism of RPE cells was also strongly inhibited by A2-E. Lysosomal pH was increased by A2-E.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that accumulation of A2-E in RPE cells interferes with lysosomal functions as exemplified by its inhibitory effect on protein and glycosaminoglycan catabolic pathways. The quaternary amine character of the A2-E apparently causes a perturbation of the acidic intralysosomal milieu, resulting in diminished hydrolase action and consequent accumulation of undegraded material. Such mechanism could be operative in retinal diseases associated with excessive lipofuscin accumulation including age-related macular degeneration.

Binding of GTP to transducin is not inhibited by arrestin and phosphorylated rhodopsin

In the presence of a photobleaching intermediate of unphosphorylated or phosphorylated rhodopsin (Rh*), the binding of GppNHp to transducin was measured with or without arrestin for elucidation of the shut-off mechanism of the visual transduction process in bovine rod outer segments. The ability of Rh* to catalyze the formation of the transducin-GppNHp complex in the absence of arrestin was independent of the degree of phosphorylation of Rh*. Furthermore, the catalyzing ability of the phosphorylated Rh* was not reduced by the addition of arrestin. These observations indicate that the interaction between phosphorylated Rh* and transducin was not inhibited by arrestin. Thus, the hypothesis was not supported that the PDE shut-off process is a simple competition between transducin and arrestin for binding to phosphorylated Rh*.

Rhodopsin expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells regulates adenylyl cyclase activity

The cDNA encoding bovine opsin was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to generate stable clones expressing the rod cell photoreceptor protein. Cells expressing opsin, when incubated in 11-cis retinal and exposed to light, inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. Rhodopsin-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase was prevented by treatment of cells with pertussis toxin. In the same cells, thrombin stimulated phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis through G protein-mediated pathways, but rhodopsin neither significantly influenced the action of thrombin nor stimulated phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis. Our findings indicate that rhodopsin selectively regulates a Gi protein in intact CHO cells that is coupled to adenylyl cyclase but not to phospholipase C.

Can metarhodopsin I activate rod outer segment phosphodiesterase?

The rod photoreceptors of vertebrate retinas contain a cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) that is activated by light. The light is absorbed by rhodopsin that activates an intermediate GTP-binding protein; this species then activates the PDE. Photo-excited rhodopsin passes through a series of transient states, and the purpose of this study is to identify the earliest state that interacts with the GTP-binding protein and thus activate the PDE. The majority of evidence points to this state being metarhodopsin II (MII), but PDE activation is seen at low temperatures where the rhodopsin reaction sequence is not expected to pass beyond the metarhodopsin I (MI) stage. Light thresholds for PDE activation have been determined under conditions where little MII is generated, and these are compared with the concentration of MII. The conclusion is that for a criterion threshold of PDE activity, the MII concentration is constant, irrespective of the amount of MI present, which suggests that MI cannot activate the PDE system.

Regulation of retinal transducin by C-terminal peptides of rhodopsin

Transducin is a multi-subunit guanine-nucleotide-binding protein that mediates signal coupling between rhodopsin and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase in retinal rod outer segments. Whereas the T alpha subunit of transducin binds guanine nucleotides and is the activator of the phosphodiesterase, the T beta gamma subunit may function to link physically T alpha with photolysed rhodopsin. In order to determine the binding sites of rhodopsin to transducin, we have synthesized eight peptides (Rhod-1 etc.) that correspond to the C-terminal regions of rhodopsin and to several external and one internal loop region. These peptides were tested for their inhibition of restored GTPase activity of purified transducin reconstituted into depleted rod-outer-segment disc membranes. A marked inhibition of GTPase activity was observed when transducin was pre-incubated with peptides Rhod-1, Rhod-2 and Rhod-3. These peptides correspond to opsin amino acid residues 332-339, 324-331 and 317-321 respectively. Peptides corresponding to the three external loop regions or to the C-terminal residues 341-348 did not inhibit reconsituted GTPase activity. Likewise, Rhod-8, a peptide corresponding to an internal loop region of rhodopsin, did not inhibit GTPase activity. These findings support the concept that these specific regions of the C-terminus of rhodopsin serve as recognition sites for transducin.

The effect of rhodopsin phosphorylation on the light-dependent activation of phosphodiesterase from bovine rod outer segments

ATP quenches light-dependent phosphodiesterase (PDE) activation in rod outer segments presumably due to rhodopsin phosphorylation. Here we compared the efficiency of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated rhodopsins as PDE activators in a reconstituted cell-free system. It is shown that the ability of phosphorylated membranes to activate this enzyme is suppressed compared with non-phosphorylated ones.

Effects of guanyl nucleotides and rhodopsin on ADP-ribosylation of the inhibitory GTP-binding component of adenylate cyclase by pertussis toxin

Hormonal inhibition of adenylate cyclase is mediated by a guanyl nucleotide binding protein, Gi, which is composed of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits (Gi alpha, G beta gamma). Pertussis toxin blocks hormonal inhibition by catalyzing the ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha. With purified Gi subunits, but without nucleotides, it was observed that toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha was negligible in the absence of G beta gamma; ATP, previously shown to increase ADP-ribosylation in membranes, enhanced the ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha in the absence, more than in the presence, of G beta gamma. Prior studies (Kanaho, Y., Tsai, S.-C., Adamik, R., Hewlett, E.L., Moss, J., and Vaughan, M. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 7378-7381) had demonstrated that rhodopsin, the retinal photon receptor protein, can replace inhibitory hormone receptors, and stimulate the hydrolysis of GTP by Gi alpha in the presence of G beta gamma. Photolyzed rhodopsin, but not the inactive, dark protein, inhibited ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha in the presence of G beta gamma. ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha, in the presence of G beta gamma and photolyzed (but not dark) rhodopsin was increased by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) or GDP, but not by (beta, gamma-methylene)guanosine triphosphate or guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Presumably, photolyzed rhodopsin and nucleoside triphosphate analogues activate Gi, whereas with dark rhodopsin and nucleoside diphosphates Gi is in the inactive state. The latter appears to be the preferred substrate for pertussis toxin. These observations are consistent with other evidence that rhodopsin and inhibitory hormone receptors are functionally similar.

Rhodopsin-enhanced GTPase activity of the inhibitory GTP-binding protein of adenylate cyclase

Work in several laboratories has shown that Gi, the inhibitory guanyl nucleotide-binding protein of the adenylate cyclase system, is similar in many ways to transducin, the guanyl nucleotide-binding protein of the retinal light-activated cGMP phosphodiesterase system. Separated subunits of purified transducin, T alpha (approximately 39 kDa) and T beta gamma (approximately 35 and approximately 10 kDa), do not exhibit GTPase activity; GTPase activity is observed when the subunits are combined in the presence of rhodopsin ( Fung , B. K.-K. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 10495-10502). Subunits of Gi, Gi alpha (approximately 41 kDa), and Gi beta gamma (approximately 35 and approximately 10 kDa) were prepared from rabbit liver membranes. It was found that Gi beta gamma could replace T beta gamma in reconstituting the rhodopsin-stimulated GTPase activity of T alpha. Gi alpha exhibited rhodopsin-stimulated GTPase activity when reconstituted with Gi beta gamma or T beta gamma. GTPase activity was a function of Gi alpha concentration when Gi beta gamma or T beta gamma was constant, and the GTPase activity of a given amount of Gi alpha was dependent on Gi beta gamma concentration. These studies demonstrate that the GTPase activity of Gi resides in Gi alpha and further establish that Gi alpha and Gi beta gamma are functionally analogous to T alpha and T beta gamma, respectively.

GTP binding protein: properties and lack of activation by phosphorylated rhodopsin

Taking advantage of the capability of GTP binding protein to bind GTP, we purified the catalytic subunit (G alpha) of bovine rod GTP binding protein by nucleotide-affinity chromatography on Blue Sepharose CL6B. Purified G alpha was essentially free of bound guanine nucleotide and activated by photoactivated rod membranes. Circular dichroism spectra suggested that a significant portion of the protein would be in alpha-helical conformation. No appreciable differences were detected in the circular dichroism spectra when G alpha . GDP and G alpha . GppNp were compared. The extent of G protein activation by rod membranes was reduced moderately by phosphorylation of rhodopsin during photolysis. However, if the pigment had been phosphorylated and regenerated, the ability of rhodopsin to activate G protein was markedly suppressed.

Activation of phosphodiesterase by rhodopsin and its analogues

Activation of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.35.) in frog rod outer segment membrane by rhodopsin and its analogues was investigated. The Schiff-base linkage between opsin and retinal in rhodopsin was not always necessary for the phosphodiesterase activation. The binding of beta-ionone ring of retinal to a hydrophobic region of opsin was not enough to induce the enzyme activation. A striking photo-activation of the enzyme was induced by photo-isomerization of rhodopsin analogues from cis to trans form. It seems probable that an "expanded" conformation of opsin around the retinylidene chromophore induced by the cis to trans isomerization may be the trigger for the activation of phosphodiesterase. On the other hand, the phosphodiesterase in frog rod outer segment was activated by warming of bathorhodopsin to -12 degrees C and then incubating it at the same temperature. Thus, metarhodopsin II or an earlier intermediate than metarhodopsin II should be a direct intermediate for the enzyme activation.

Activation of phosphodiesterase in frog rod outer segment by rhodopsin analogues

Activation of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.35) in frog rod outer segment membrane by rhodopsin analogues has been investigated. A rhodopsin analogue modified at the Schiff-base linkage (N-retinyl-opsin) or the beta-ionone ring (3-dehydro-rhodopsin) in the retinylidene chromophore of rhodopsin has some ability in activation of the enzyme. In consideration of our previous observation that opsin including a retinal-oxime can activate the enzyme, it seems likely that the Schiff-base linkage is not always necessary for the phosphodiesterase activation. On the other hand, a change in the length of the side chain of retinal (complex of opsin and beta-ionone, beta-ionylideneacetaldehyde or retinylideneacetaldehyde) or dissection of the conjugate double-bond system of the side chain (retro-gamma-rhodopsin) remarkably reduces the activation ability. However, 5,8-epoxy-rhodopsin having a similar dissected conjugate double-bond system induces some enzyme activation because of its rigid conformation around C7-C8-C9 single bonds. Consequently, it is suggested that the necessary portion of rhodopsin chromophore for the activation of the enzyme is the rigid conjugate double-bond system between the beta-ionone ring and the Schiff-base linkage in its all-trans form.

[Thermal stability of rhodopsins and opsins in warm- and cold-blooded vertebrates]

Thermal stability of rhodopsins and opsins has been studied in endothermic (sheep, cattle, pig, rat) and ectothermic (frog) animals under two different conditions -- in the intact photoreceptor membranes (PM) and after substitution of the lipid surrounding of rhodopsins by molecules of a detergent Triton X-100. Lipid composition of PM in these animals was also studied, as well as the effect of proteases (pronase and papaine) upon thermal stability of rhodopsins in PM and in 1% Triton X-100 solutions. The thermal resistance of rhodopsins in PM was found to vary in the animals used to a great extent. The maximal differences in thermal stability of rhodopsins in ecto- and endothermic animals were due to the properties of photoreceptor protein itself, whereas in ectothermic animals they resulted mainly from differences in the lipid composition of PM. PM of endothermic animals differ from those of ectothermic ones by a lower content of polyenoic fatty acids and by a higher amount of phosphatidyl ethanolamine. The thermal stability of rhodopsins is not due to rhodopsin molecule as a whole, and depends mainly on its part which is directly bound to 11-cis retinal, located in hydrophobic region of PM and inaccessible to protease attack.

Activation of phosphodiesterase in frog rod outer segment by an intermediate of rhodopsin photolysis. II

Frog (Rana catesbeiana) rod outer segment membrane contains cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.1). Irradiation of dark-adapted rod outer segment membrane increased the enzyme activity by 5-20-fold in the presence of GTP. The phosphodiesterase in rod outer segment membrane is also activated by mixing a photo-product of 11-cis (regenerated), 9-cis or 7-cis rhodopsin which is stable at 0 degrees C. However, neither opsin in the membrane nor all-trans retinal activates the enzyme. The phosphodiesterase in rod outer segment membrane is also activated by irradiation at -4 degrees C. Thus, we conclude that the phosphodiesterase in activated by a common photolysis intermediate of these rhodopsin isomers, perhaps before metarhodopsin II decays.

Activation of phosphodiesterase in frog rod outer segment by an intermediate of rhodopsin photolysis I

Guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.1) in frog rod outer segment prepared by a sucrose stepwise density gradient method was activated by light in the presence of GTP. Rhodopsin in rod outer segment was solubilized with sucrose laurylmonoester and then purified by concanavalin A-Sepharose column. Addition of photo-bleached preparation of the purified rhodopsin to the crude rod outer segment, which had been prepared by 43% (w/w) sucrose floatation, caused the activation of phosphodiesterase in the dark, while each component of the photo-product eluted from the column (all-trans retinal and opsin) did not. Regenerated rhodopsin prepared from 11-cis retinal and purified opsin activated phosphodiesterase when it was bleached. From these facts it is suggested that an intermediate or a process of photolysis of rhodopsin causes activation of phosphodiesterase.

13-desmethyl rhodopsin and 13-desmethyl isorhodopsin: visual pigment analogues

The preparation and properties of three geometric isomers of 13-desmethyl retinal (13-dmr) are described. They are analogous to the all-trans, 11-cis, and 9-cis isomers of retinal since two of the cis isomers combine with cattle opsin to form pigments which are spectrally indistinguishable from rhodopsin and isorhodopsin and the all-trans isomer is unreactive.The pigment which resembles rhodopsin, 13-desmethyl (13-dm) rhodopsin, is formed at about one ninth the rate at which 11-cis retinal reacts with opsin at 20 degrees C. The reaction with 13-dmr does not go to completion; and 0.05 M hydroxylamine, to which rhodopsin is stable, decomposes 13-dm rhodopsin. Irradiation of 13-dm rhodopsin results in a cis --> trans isomerization of the chromophore; but the photosensitivity of 13-dm rhodopsin is only 40 per cent that of rhodopsin.13-dm isorhodopsin, the 13-desmethyl analogue of isorhodopsin, is formed at approximately the same specific rate as 13-dm rhodopsin. The reaction goes to completion and the pigment is not decomposed by 0.03 M hydroxylamine. 13-dm isorhodopsin can also be photolyzed to the all-trans chromophore plus opsin.