Differentiation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells into neuronal phenotype by N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide

ARPE-19, a human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell line, has been widely used in studies of RPE function as well as gene expression. Here, we report the novel finding that N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (fenretinide), a synthetic retinoic acid derivative and a potential chemopreventive agent against cancer, induced the differentiation of ARPE-19 cells into a neuronal phenotype. The treated cells lost their epithelial phenotype and exhibited a typical neuronal shape with long processes (four to five times longer than the cell body). The onset of fenretinide-induced neuronal differentiation was dose and time dependent, started within 1-2 days, and lasted at least 4 weeks. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that the expression of neurofilament proteins (NF160 and NF200), calretinin and neural cell adhesion molecule was increased in these differentiated cells. Western blot analysis indicated that cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein, which is normally expressed in RPE cells, was decreased in treated cells. Protein analysis on a two-dimensional gel followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometric analysis demonstrated that heat-shock protein 70 was increased after fenretinide treatment. Thus, fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid, is able to induce neuronal differentiation of human RPE cells in culture.     

Live cell analyses of synaptonemal complex dynamics and chromosome movements in cultured mouse testis tubules and embryonic ovaries

During mammalian meiotic prophase, homologous chromosomes connect through the formation of the synaptonemal complex (SC). SYCP3 is a component of the lateral elements of the SC. We have generated transgenic mice expressing N- or C-terminal fluorescent-tagged SYCP3 (mCherry-SYCP3 (CSYCP) and SYCP3-mCherry (SYCPC)) to study SC dynamics and chromosome movements in vivo. Neither transgene rescued meiotic aberrations in Sycp3 knockouts, but CSYCP could form short axial element-like structures in the absence of endogenous SYCP3. On the wild-type background, both fusion proteins localized to the axes of the SC together with endogenous SYCP3, albeit with delayed initiation (from pachytene) in spermatocytes. Around 40% of CSYCP and SYCPC that accumulated on the SC was rapidly exchanging with other tagged proteins, as analyzed by fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assay. We used the CSYCP transgenic mice for further live cell analyses and observed synchronized bouquet configurations in living cysts of two or three zygotene oocyte nuclei expressing CSYCP, which presented cycles of telomere clustering and dissolution. Rapid chromosome movements were observed in both zygotene oocytes and pachytene spermatocytes, but rotational movements of the nucleus were more clear in oocytes. In diplotene spermatocytes, desynapsis was found to proceed in a discontinuous manner, whereby even brief chromosome re-association events were observed. Thus, this live imaging approach can be used to follow changes in the dynamic behavior of the nucleus and chromatin, in normal mice and different infertile mouse models.     

Vitamin A receptors. Retinoic acid binding in ocular tissues.

Analysis of the sucrose-density-gradient patterns of the 110 000g supernatant fractions of adult and foetal retina and pigment epithelium showed them to contain a limited number of highly specific binding sites ('receptors') for [3H]retinoic acid that sediment at approx. 2S. Binding in pigment epithelium is higher than in any tissue yet reported. A 5S binding component is also observed and is probably due to serum contamination. Fractionation studies indicate that [3H]retinoic acid binding in the retina is lower in the photoreceptor units than in the retinal inner layers. This is in contrast with previous results that show greater [3H]retinol binding in photoreceptors. Studies with dystrophic human and rat retinas, which lack the photoreceptor layers, confirm that [3H]retinoic acid binding is greater in the non-photoreceptor layers of the retina. No specific [3H]retinoic acid binding is found in corneal epithelium, although endothelium and the conjunctiva demonstrate specific 2S binding. Such differences in retinol and retinoic acid binding may indicate different roles for the two compounds in ocular tissues.     

Repeated determinants within the retinal interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP): immunological properties of the repeats of an immunodominant determinant.

Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), a glycoprotein which localizes in the retina and pineal gland, induces inflammatory changes in these organs (EAU and EAP, respectively) when injected into various mammals. We have previously identified a determinant (residues 1169-1191) in bovine IRBP which is immunodominant and highly immunogenic and immunopathogenic in Lewis rats. IRBP exhibits a fourfold repeat structure and we report here on the comparison between the active sequence 1179-1191 and its three repeat peptides. Only one of the repeats, 271-283, cross-reacted with 1179-1191 and exhibited immunodominance, albeit of a low level. Peptide 271-283 was also immunogenic and immunopathogenic in Lewis rats, but with a minimal dose approximately 100 times higher than that of 1179-1191. Peptide 880-892, a nondominant determinant, resembled 271-283 in its immunogenicity, but was markedly less immunopathogenic. No immunological activity was detected in the fourth repeat peptide, 579-591. Peptide 1179-1191 was superior to the other repeats also in its antigenicity, i.e., the capacity to stimulate presensitized lymphocytes in culture: the minimal stimulatory concentrations of 1179-1191 was greater than 1000 times lower than those of 271-283 or 880-892. Furthermore, 1179-1191 was stimulatory at concentrations lower than those of 271-283 even when tested with lymphocytes sensitized against 271-283. A correlation was also found between the immunological activities of the repeat peptides and their amphipathicity. This study thus identifies two new immunopathogenic determinants of IRBP and provides additional data to show the association between immunodominance of peptides and their various immunological activities.     

Dynamic localization of human RAD18 during the cell cycle and a functional connection with DNA double-strand break repair

The ubiquitin ligase RAD18 is involved in different DNA repair processes. Here, we show that in G1 phase, human RAD18 accumulates in a few relatively large spontaneous foci that contain proteins involved in double-strand break (DSB) repair. These foci persist until cells enter S phase, when numerous small foci appear. At these sites, only 20% of RAD18 colocalizes with PCNA, a known RAD18 substrate. In late G2 phase, RAD18 relocates to nucleoli. After UVC irradiation, PCNA accumulates at the damaged site, followed by RAD18, independent of the cell cycle phase. After induction of DSBs, using low-power multi-photon laser, RAD18 accumulated at the DSB sites, but no PCNA accumulation was observed. Our data show that RAD18 accumulates on DSBs independent of the cell cycle phase. DSBs marked by RAD18 and RAD51 are also positive for RPA in G1 phase, and these DSBs persist until S phase. In addition, we show that DSBs generated in G2 phase are not all repaired, and are observed again in the next G1 phase. We conclude that repair of induced and spontaneous DSBs that accumulate RAD18 and RAD51 in G1 phase cells is delayed until S phase.     

Visual cycle: Dependence of retinol production and removal on photoproduct decay and cell morphology

The visual cycle is a chain of biochemical reactions that regenerate visual pigment following exposure to light. Initial steps, the liberation of all-trans retinal and its reduction to all-trans retinol by retinol dehydrogenase (RDH), take place in photoreceptors. We performed comparative microspectrophotometric and microfluorometric measurements on a variety of rod and cone photoreceptors isolated from salamander retinae to correlate the rates of photoproduct decay and retinol production. Metapigment decay rate was spatially uniform within outer segments and 50-70 times faster in the cells that contained cone-type pigment (SWS2 and M/LWS) compared to cells with rod-type pigment (RH1). Retinol production rate was strongly position dependent, fastest at the base of outer segments. Retinol production rate was 10-40 times faster in cones with cone pigments (SWS2 and M/LWS) than in the basal OS of rods containing rod pigment (RH1). Production rate was approximately five times faster in rods containing cone pigment (SWS2) than the rate in basal OS of rods containing the rod pigment (RH1). We show that retinol production is defined either by metapigment decay rate or RDH reaction rate, depending on cell type or outer segment region, whereas retinol removal is defined by the surface-to-volume ratio of the outer segment and the availability of retinoid binding protein (IRBP). The more rapid rates of retinol production in cones compared to rods are consistent with the more rapid operation of the visual cycle in these cells.     

Increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 in human retinal pigment epithelial cells by transforming growth factor-β

Antibodies specific for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were produced in rabbits, using the multiple antigen peptide (MAP) technique, and were employed to investigate the ability of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to induce the HO-1 protein in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Western blot analyses showed that the cytokine induced HO-1 in these cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. TGF-β1 also increased the mRNA for HO-1 in treated cells prior to the increase in HO-1 protein. The induction was effectively blocked by a neutralizing antibody preparation against TGF-β1. When tested under similar conditions, other growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor-I, plateletderived growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factor-α, and epidermal growth factor did not show appreciable induction of HO-1. Lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ were also not inducers, although TGF-β2 effectively induced HO-1. Heavy metal ions and thiol reagents were also highly potent inducers of HO-1 in human RPE cells. The induction of HO-1 by TGF-β1 was also observed in bovine choroid fibroblasts, but not in HELA, HEL or bovine corneal fibroblasts. Our results demonstrate for the first time that HO-1 can be induced by an important cytokine, TGF-β1, causing an increase in the expression of both HO-1 message and protein in specific neuroepithelial and fibroblast cells. © 1994 wiley-Liss, Inc.

1 This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

     

Uveitogenic potential of lymphocytes sensitized to interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein

In our previous study rats immunized with bovine retinal interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) were found to develop inflammation in the eye and the pineal gland. This inflammatory disease was distinct in several aspects from experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) induced by the retinal S-antigen (S-Ag). The current study examined the adoptive transfer of IRBP-induced EAU. We established that lymphocytes from IRBP immunized donor rats were capable of transferring EAU after in vitro stimulation with either IRBP (lymph node or spleen cells) or concanavalin A (spleen cells only). Recipients of these cells developed uveoretinitis and pinealitis identical to the actively induced disease. As compared with the S-Ag system, recipients of IRBP sensitized cells developed disease earlier, and smaller numbers of cells were needed to transfer EAU. Development of inflammation was directly related to a cellular response to the specific retinal antigen used for sensitization. Moreover, the unique nature of ocular inflammation was reestablished in the IRBP system: high proportions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were found in the inflamed tissue of certain recipients despite a lack of a humoral response to the specific antigen. In contrast to the eye, only mononuclear leukocytes comprised the inflammation in the pineal gland.     

Suppression of experimental autoimmune uveitis in mice by induction of anterior chamber-associated immune deviation with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein.

Immunization with bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein induces autoimmune uveitis in B10.A mice. We have examined whether this soluble retina-specific Ag can induce anterior chamber-associated immune deviation when injected into the anterior chamber (AC) of the eye, and whether this deviant immune response has any effect on uveitis is susceptible mice. The results of these experiments indicate that interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) injected intracamerally altered the subsequent immune response of B10.A mice such that a) they were not able to develop IRBP-specific delayed hypersensitivity, nor (b) were they able to express significant autoimmune uveitis following a uveitogenic regimen. Moreover, spleen cells from mice that received IRBP in the AC suppressed uveitis when adoptively transferred into naive recipients. The splenic suppressor cells were able to prevent autoimmune uveitis in recipient mice when administered after the uveitogenic regimen. Most important, IRBP-specific splenic cells from mice treated with IRBP in the AC when injected into mice with established uveitis caused an abrupt cessation of the intraocular inflammation. The ability of intracamerally-injected soluble Ag to induce suppressor T cells that act on the efferent limb of the immune response suggests that the anterior-chamber-associated immune deviation phenomenon may have physiologic relevance in terms of preservation of the integrity of ocular tissue and renders this approach particularly suitable for treating already established experimental autoimmune diseases of this type. These results are discussed in terms of other methods that have been devised experimentally to suppress and prevent autoimmune uveitis and encephalomyelitis.     

Analysis of an in vitro-generated signal that induces systemic immune deviation similar to that elicited by antigen injected into the anterior chamber of the eye.

The selective deficit in delayed hypersensitivity that characterizes anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID) is the direct result of a blood borne, Ag-specific, cell-associated signal that is created after Ag is injected into the anterior chamber of the eye of normal mice. The cells that carry this signal via the blood to the spleen express the mature macrophage marker F4/80 and are similar to, or perhaps even arise from, F4/80+ dendritic cells found within the stroma of normal iris and ciliary body. We have recently reported that ACAID-inducing properties can be conferred upon conventional F4/80-bearing macrophages harvested from the normal peritoneal cavity by incubating these cells in vitro with the soluble protein Ag, BSA, in the presence of supernatants harvested from cultured iris and ciliary body cells. Using this in vitro induction system, we have examined the limiting conditions for conferring ACAID-inducing potential on peritoneal exudate cells. We have found that an ACAID-inducing signal can be created in vitro with several different soluble Ag, including the retinal autoantigen-interphotoreceptor retinol binding protein, and that active endocytosis and processing by peritoneal exudate cells is required because chloroquine prevents these cells from acquiring ACAID-inducing properties. In addition, we have determined that for supernatant-treated peritoneal macrophages to induce ACAID to soluble Ag the cells must be 1) alive, 2) injected i.v. or i.p. (but not s.c.), and 3) administered to recipients with an anatomically intact spleen. When these conditions are met, as few as 20 F4/80+ macrophages pulsed with Ag in the presence of iris and ciliary body supernatants are sufficient to induce ACAID. Macrophage hybridomas derived from "conventional" APC can acquire ACAID-inducing potential in vitro if exposed to iris and ciliary body supernatants, whereas macrophage hybridomas derived from "suppressor inducer" APC constitutively possess ACAID-induced potential. Peritoneal macrophages that were endowed with ACAID-inducing properties by in vitro exposure to supernatants were found to elicit splenic suppressor cells similar to those found in spleens of mice with ACAID. Moreover, the expression of experimental autoimmune uveitis in mice immunized with interphotoreceptor retinol binding protein was significantly suppressed if the animals were pretreated with peritoneal exudate cells pulsed with this Ag in the presence of iris and ciliary body supernatants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)