TMEM97 governs partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition of retinal pigment epithelial cells via the CTNND2-ADAM10 axis.

ABSTRACT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction in degenerative retinal diseases. However, the role of partial EMT (pEMT), a hybrid state exhibiting both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, remains poorly understood in this context. Our previous research demonstrated that TMEM97 ablation in mice worsens photoreceptor loss in an oxidant-induced RPE damage model. Here, we link TMEM97 to pEMT in RPE cells and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that re-expressing TMEM97 in the RPE of TMEM97-knockout mice, via subretinal lentiviral delivery, mitigated oxidant (NaIO₃)-induced photoreceptor loss. Interestingly, TMEM97 knockout in ARPE19 cells in vitro led to upregulation of cadherin/adhesion-binding pathw

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11848774 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature