Lack of FasL expression in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells have been proposed to play a part in maintaining the eye as an immune privileged organ. However, our knowledge of the implicated mechanism is still sparse. Fas ligand (FasL) expression of RPE cells is generally recognized to be essential for the immune privilege of the eye, but due to contradictory published results, it is unclear whether RPE cells express this molecule. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of FasL in RPE cells in vitro and in vivo. Cultured human fetal and adult RPE cells were examined by flow cytometry, Western blotting, RT-PCR and RNase Protection assay for FasL expression. Additionally, sections of ocular tissue were stained for FasL by immunohistochemistry. None of the used methods indicated FasL expression in cultured fetal or adult RPE cells of various passages. However, RPE cells in vivo, as judged from tissue sections, were positive for FasL, indicating a discrepancy between RPE cells in vitro and in vivo with regard to this molecule.     

Expression of a tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ current in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

We observed a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive Na+ current in cultured fetal and adult cells of the human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), but not in any freshly isolated fetal (n = 54) or adult (n = 47) cells, using the whole-cell version of the patch-clamp technique. A similar current was found in cultured, but not in freshly isolated, adult monkey RPE cells. The rapid activation and inactivation of this current resembled that of the voltage-dependent Na+ current of excitable cells. The voltage dependence of inactivation followed a Boltzmann function with half-maximal inactivation at -52.1 +/- 4.8 mV (n = 9), thus classifying this current as 'neuronal' in type. Recovery from inactivation followed a single exponential function with a time constant of 12.0 +/- 1.4 ms (n = 5) at -100 mV. The current was very sensitive to the Na+ channel blocker TTX, with a half-inhibition concentration of 1.87 +/- 0.37 nM (n = 5). Of special interest are the findings that current density was high when cells were rapidly proliferating and had lost their melanin pigment, and that the density declined after the cells reached confluence and repigmented. This pattern of current expression was consistently found in cells cultured with three different protocols, including a serum-free medium, indicating that serum was not necessary for its expression. We hypothesize that expression of this Na+ current in culture is regulated by an intrinsic programme related to cell differentiation. It may represent a tendency of proliferating RPE cells to dedifferentiate towards a more embryonic and neuroepithelial phenotype. Similar expression of Na+ current might occur in vivo when RPE cells proliferate, as in wounding.     

Transport of protons and lactate in cultured human fetal retinal pigment epithelial cells

Monolayer cultures of human fetal retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were examined for ultrastructural characteristics and junctional integrity by means of electron microscopy. Intracellular pH (pHi) and cell volume changes were measured using the fluorescent dye BCECF. The EM studies indicate that the RPE cells preserve in vivo morphology before and after loading with BCECF. Monolayer cultures were placed in a perfusion chamber in which the solution facing the retinal cell membrane could be changed rapidly. Removal of Na+ or the addition of amiloride caused intracellular acidifications. pHi recovery from an NH4+-induced acid load was blocked by sodium removal or amiloride addition. These results suggest the presence of a Na+-H+ exchange mechanism in the retinal cell membrane. When Cl- was replaced isotonically by lactate or pyruvate the cells acidified. The intracellular acidifications were saturable, reversibly reduced with the inhibitor probenecid (2 mM), and the lactate-induced acidifications were reversibly inhibited by equimolar concentrations of pyruvate. These results indicate the presence of a H+-lactate cotransport mechanism in the retinal membrane. When Cl- was replaced by lactate the cells not only acidified, they also swelled. The data are compatible with water transport induced by the H+-lactate cotransporter.     

In vitro replication of varicella-zoster virus in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Here we describe for the first time the productive in vitro infection of human retinal pigment epithelial cells by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), resulting in a typical cytopathic effect (CPE) that is characterized by enlarged cells with increased granularity. Depending on the CPE dissemination, high titers of up to 1.6 x 10(6) PFU of cell-free and cryostable VZV/ml can be recovered.     

Regulation of intracellular pH in cultured bovine retinal pigment epithelial cells

Regulation of intracellular pH (pH_i) in bovine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was investigated in cell culture. pH_i was measured using the pH-sensitive absorbance of intracellularly trapped 5 (and 6)-carboxy-dimethyl-fluorescein (CDMF). (1) Regulation of pH_i after induction of an acid load by removal of NH₄Cl could be blocked either totally by removal of extracellular sodium, or subtotally (about 90%) by application of amiloride (1 mmol/l). Additional flux measurements revealed a dose-dependent, amiloride-sensitive²²Na⁺-uptake into Na⁺-loaded cells. Both results suggest the presence of a Na⁺/H⁺ antiport.(2) When alkalinization of the cells was induced by preincubation with 50 mmol/l acetate in HCO ₃ ^– -Ringer's and subsequent removal of the weak acid, the following regulation was dependent on the presence of extracellular chloride. This process could be blocked with DIDS (1 mmol/l), suggesting the presence of a Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– exchange mechanism.(3) We found no evidence for a Na⁺/HCO ₃ ^– -cotransport, which had been postulated to be present in RPE by others. We conclude that two processes are involved in regulation of pH_i in RPE: A Na⁺/H⁺ antiport responsible for recovery of pH_i from acid load, and a DIDS-sensitive Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– exchange mechanism responsible for recovery of pH_i after alkalinization.Parts of this work jhave been published in abstract from [20, 21]     

Appearance of defective simian virus 40 following infection of cultured human glioblastoma cells.

Infection of human glioblastoma cells (A172) with SV40 is followed by virus propagation and cell death. Abbreviated viral genomes, however, appear rapidly in the virus pool. These are shown to be defective (i.e., they require helper activity from standard virus) and to exhibit interference with the lytic growth of standard virus. Experiments with triply plaque-purified SV40 have demonstrated (1) that substantial levels of defectives appear within one very low multiplicity infection of A172 cells or within two to three moderately low multiplicity passages; (2) that defectives are in fact generated at a high rate in A172 cells; and (3) that the generation and amplification processes do not select strongly for particular genome sizes. Carrier cultures have been established in the A172 cells. The unusual features of the accumulation of defective SV40 in A172 cells are the high rate of accumulation and the lack of a requirement for high multiplicity passage to amplify and to maintain high levels of defectives.     

Altered membrane fatty acids of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium persistently infected with rubella virus may affect secondary cellular function

Summary Persistent infection with rubella virus (RV) can alter secondary functions of host cells. Previously we had documented defective phagocytosis of latex beads by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE), persistently infected with M-33 RV (RPE/RV). Here, examining possible mechanisms for altered function, we reported significant differences between the total esterified fatty acids (FA) of RPE and RPE/RV membranes, measured by gas liquid chromatography. RPE/RV contained an increased proportion of saturated FA, particularly palmitic acid, with a presence of unusual chromatographic FA peaks co-eluting with odd-numbered long-chain carbon atom FA not normally found in human cells. Apical membrane microvilli, structures essential to phagocytic activity of RPE and RPE/RV, observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, were similar in number and appearance between uninfected RPE and RPE/RV cells before and after latex bead addition. However, RPE/RV microvilli, possibly reflecting altered membrane FA composition, engaged latex beads less effectively than uninfected RPE microvilli. In addition, microvilli remained abnormally distributed on RPE/RV cell surfaces at 48 h after latex addition. Thus, RV persistent infection may affect the cellular membrane fluidity and functional activity of human cells with increased saturated FA proportions and altered FA components of membrane phospholipids. These changes may participate in the defective phagocytosis of RPE/RV.     

Parainfluenza virus infection of cultured airway epithelial cells

Studies of the cellular effects of respiratory viruses have generally used cultures of non-airway (particularly renal) epithelial cells. This requires the assumption that, despite the marked differences between renal epithelium and airway epithelium, the virus-host cell interactions in cultures of renal epithelium will be relevant to those in airway epithelium. To study viral infection of airway epithelial cells, we removed the epithelial cells from ferret tracheas using 0.1% pronase solution, and plated them at a density of 5 X 10(5) cells/cm2 in collagen-coated plastic tissue culture wells. Cultures grew to confluence after 5-7 days. Viral inocula, consisting of supernatants from parainfluenza type 1-infected rhesus monkey kidney cell monolayers, were added to the culture medium in a concentration 10(3) times that sufficient to produce infection in 50% of rhesus monkey kidney monolayers (TCID50). Cytopathic changes, consisting of cellular elongation and detachment, became apparent after 3-6 days, at which time the medium contained 5 X 10(8) TCID50/ml. The monolayer appeared to be uniformly infected as revealed by adsorption of guinea pig erythrocytes. Specific immunofluorescence revealed uniformly positive staining for parainfluenza type 1 antigens. The ability to infect pure cultures of airway epithelial cells with viruses will allow us to examine the effects of these viruses on epithelial cell function, and to study virus-host cell interactions in cell cultures derived from the natural host cell.     

Two-photon excited autofluorescence imaging of human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells severely impairs the visual function of retina photoreceptors. However, little is known about the events that trigger the death of RPE cells at the subcellular level. Two-photon excited autofluorescence (TPEF) imaging of RPE cells proves to be well suited to investigate both the morphological and the spectral characteristics of the human RPE cells. The dominant fluorophores of autofluorescence derive from lipofuscin (LF) granules that accumulate in the cytoplasm of the RPE cells with increasing age. Spectral TPEF imaging reveals the existence of abnormal LF granules with blue shifted autofluorescence in RPE cells of aging patients and brings new insights into the complicated composition of the LF granules. Based on a proposed two-photon laser scanning ophthalmoscope, TPEF imaging of the living retina may be valuable for diagnostic and pathological studies of age related eye diseases.     

Ebola virus defective interfering particles and persistent infection.

Ebola virus (Zaire subtype) is associated with high mortality disease outbreaks that commonly involve human to human transmission. Surviving patients can show evidence of prolonged virus persistence. The potential for Ebola virus to generate defective interfering (DI) particles and establish persistent infections in tissue culture was investigated. It was found that serial undiluted virus passages quickly resulted in production of an evolving population of virus minireplicons possessing both deletion and copyback type DI genome rearrangements. The tenth undiluted virus passage resulted in the establishment of virus persistently infected cell lines. Following one or two crises, these cells were stably maintained for several months with continuous shedding of infectious virus. An analysis of the estimated genome lengths of a selected set of the Ebola virus minireplicons and standard filoviruses revealed no obvious genome length rule, such as "the rule of six" found for the phylogenetically related Paramyxovirinae subfamily viruses. Minimal promoters for Ebola virus replication were found to be contained within 156 and 177 nucleotide regions of the genomic and antigenomic RNA 3' termini, respectively, based on the length of authentic termini retained in the naturally occurring minireplicons analyzed. In addition, using UV-irradiated preparations of virus released from persistently infected cells, it was demonstrated that Ebola virus DI particles could potentially be used as natural minireplicons to assay standard virus support functions.     

Variable infection of Vero cells and homologous interference after co-cultivation with HeLa cells with persistent defective infection by Edmonston measles virus.

The HeLa subline K11A-HG-1 (line of HeLa cells persistently infected with Edomonston measles virus but containing little or no transmissible infectious virus) was co-cultivated with Vero cells. Focal syncytia were formed containing measles antigen and accumulations of nucleocapsid-like structures with no detectable production of transmissible infectious virus or positive hemadsorption. The infection aborted between 2 and 3 weeks after preparation of co-cultures. Upon subculture of co-cultures, occasionally complete infections (progressive syncytial degeneration, hemadsorption, and production of transmissible infectious virus) appeared. A linear dose response curve for nontransmissible infection was obtained along with evidence that measles antigen had to be present on the surface of K11A-HG-1 cells for their infectivity for Vero cells. The basis for initiation of Vero cell infection by living K11A-HG-1 cells, but not by nonviable intact K11A-HG-1 cells killed by a virus-preserving technique, nor by disrupted K11A-HG-1 cells, is, at present, a matter of speculation. However, several lines of evidence were obtained which suggested that subsequent development of delayed variable transmissible Vero cell infection occurred because of a type of viral interference, including the presence of an inhibitor in K11A-HG-1 cultures, the bulk of which was cell-associated.     

Infection of cultured human fetal pancreatic islet cells by rubella virus

A high incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) has been reported in children and young adults previously afflicted with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The authors have studied the effect of rubella virus infection on human pancreatic islet cells in tissue culture. These experiments were performed with the use of both monolayers and free-floating human fetal islets of Langerhans tissue. Levels of production of immunoreactive insulin by islet cells that had been infected by rubella virus were lower than those observed in control cultures, under conditions of high glucose concentration (11.1 mmol/L) in the medium. The presence of rubella viral antigens in human pancreatic beta and non-beta cells was demonstrated by double-label immunofluorescence. These results suggest that rubella virus can infect human pancreatic islet cells and that such infection may lead to significant reductions in levels of secreted insulin.     

The role of defective interfering particles in persistent infection of Vero cells by measles virus.

Persistent infections by measles virus were rapidly established in the majority of Vero cells when monolayers were infected with virus stocks that had been passed three to five times from an undiluted inoculum. These virus stocks had low infectivity titres but normal haemagglutinin titres and were able to cause interference. The ability of such virus stocks to establish persistent infections seems to be due to the presence of defective interfering particles rather than of virus mutants. Measles virus released from a persistently infected Vero cell line at the 93rd passage had properties similar to the undiluted passage virus that generated persistent infections.     

Different effects of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine on lysosomal function in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells

Although relatively rare, retinopathy based on a disturbed metabolism of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), with ensuing degeneration of photoreceptors, is a known complication of treatment with the 4-aminoquinolones, chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), in autoimmune diseases. The reported frequency of retinopathy, however, is much lower for HCQ than for CQ (less than 0.08% versus 1-2%). To test whether the difference in toxicity between the two lysosomotropic drugs is related to different lysosomal influence, we exposed confluent RPE cell cultures to CQ or HCQ for 2 weeks. To induce lipofuscin (LF) formation, known to be accelerated by increased lysosomal pH and intra-lysosomal oxidation during degradation of auto-/heterophagocytosed material, such treatment was combined with feeding of cells with photoreceptor outer segments (POS) and hyperoxia (40% ambient oxygen). HCQ was found to be a less potent enhancer of lipofuscinogenesis compared to CQ, apparently due to its less effective inhibition of lysosomal degradative capacity (evaluated by vital staining of lysosomes with Lyso Tracker Red, and periodic acid-Schiff reaction). This conclusion is supported by the fact that NH4Cl, a non-fluorescent substance which acts similarly to 4-aminoquinolones, induced an increase in LF fluorescence paralleled by increased periodic acid-Schiff reactivity of RPE cells.     

Secretion of rubella virions and virus-like particles in cultured epithelial cells.

Rubella virus (RV) is an enveloped RNA virus that causes systemic infections in humans. More importantly, first trimester in utero infection leads to a collection of devastating birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome. Epithelial cells are the first line of defense against viruses and consequently, the polarity of virus secretion is an important factor affecting viral spread. As a first step toward understanding how RV interacts with epithelial cells, we have examined the release of RV-like particles and virions from polarized cells in culture. RV structural proteins were targeted to the Golgi complex and virus particle formation occurred on intracellular membranes in three different polarized epithelial cells. Polarized cells could be infected from the apical and basal membranes, indicating that receptors are not confined to one surface. The secretion of virus-like particles and infectious virions varied according to cell type. In two of the three polarized cell lines examined, virus was released primarily from the apical surface, but significant quantities were also secreted from the basolateral membrane. Release of virus from the apical surface may facilitate virus spread from person to person, whereas basolateral secretion could be important for establishing a systemic infection and/or crossing the placenta prior to fetal infection.     

Replication of measles virus in cultured human thymic epithelial cells

Measles virus can replicate in cultures of both infantile and fetal human thymic epithelial cells. Virus-induced cytopathology including syncytium formation was first evident around 24 hr after viral inoculation of these cultures. At the same time, the cultures began to lose their characteristic thymus-like organizational structure. Viral antigens were detected in infected cells by indirect immunofluorescence, and the presence of progeny virions was demonstrated in culture fluids.     

Monocyte chemotactic protein gene expression by cytokine-treated human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Inflammation involving the retina and choroid is a common clinical problem, but the mechanisms that elicit and maintain ocular inflammation remain poorly understood. Interposed between the sensory retina and the systemic blood circulation within the choroid is the neural-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which forms part of the blood-retina barrier. The RPE is actively phagocytic and shares several features with mononuclear phagocytes of bone marrow origin, including the production of a neutrophil chemotactic factor, interleukin 8, after stimulation with interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Because monocyte-derived macrophages are present in retinal lesions of many common and blinding diseases, we monitored human RPE cells or monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP) mRNA expression and activity following cytokine stimulation. Cultured human RPE cells were left unstimulated or exposed to recombinant human IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, or lipopolysaccharide. MCP mRNA expression in RPE cells and biologically active MCP in RPE cell supernatants were present 1 hour after stimulation and maintained for 24 hours. Conditioned media from RPE cells stimulated with 20 ng/ml of IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha for 24 hours contained biologically active monocyte chemotactic activity that rose rapidly from baseline levels over 4 hours and plateaued over the subsequent 20 hours. RPE chemotactic activity was dose dependent using concentrations of these cytokines ranging from 20 pg/ml to 20 ng/ml of 4-hour assays. Time- and concentration-dependent expression of RPE cell MCP mRNA was also found in the same cultures. Peak MCP mRNA expression occurred after 8 hours of stimulation with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. Maximal steady-state MCP mRNA expression occurred at 20 ng/ml for IL-1 beta. Immunohistochemical staining using specific anti-MCP antibodies resulted in distinctive RPE cell staining, confirming the presence of MCP in human RPE cells. These findings demonstrate that cytokine-stimulated RPE cells may evoke or augment mononuclear phagocyte-mediated ocular inflammation by synthesizing MCP.     

二十二碳六烯酸抑制氧化应激状态下人视网膜色素上皮细胞凋亡

 目的: 观察二十二碳六烯酸(docosahexaenoic acid,DHA)对外源性H₂O₂诱导人视网膜色素上皮细胞凋亡的影响及分子机制。方法: 体外培养人视网膜色素上皮细胞系ARPE-19,加入终浓度为12.5 mol/L的H₂O₂诱导氧化应激,随后用30~100μmol/L DHA作用细胞4~24 h;real-time PCR和Western blot分别检测血红素氧合酶-1(heme oxygenase-1,HO-1) mRNA和蛋白的表达;比色法分析HO-1酶活性;荧光探针检测活性氧簇(reactive oxygen species,ROS)的产生;免疫荧光检测转录因子NF-E2相关因子2(NF-E2-related factor 2,Nrf2)的核转位。最后通过HO-1 siRNA干扰后,流式细胞术观察其对ARPE-19细胞凋亡的影响。结果: DHA能以浓度依赖性方式诱导ARPE-19细胞表达HO-1 mRNA和蛋白,同时,HO-1的酶活性也随着DHA浓度的递增而增强;DHA处理也能诱导Nrf2核转位。此外,H₂O₂处理可促进ARPE-19细胞凋亡,并诱导其产生ROS。同时给予100μmol/L DHA处理后,细胞凋亡率和ROS生成显著降低。转染HO-1 siRNA或用HO-1抑制剂ZnPP处理后,可明显降低DHA对细胞凋亡率和ROS的抑制作用。结论: DHA可能通过Nrf2途径诱导视网膜色素上皮细胞表达HO-1,从而发挥对细胞的保护作用。