Lithium treatment increases endothelial cell survival and autophagy in a mouse model of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lithium previously has been shown to reduce both endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress in other in vitro and in vivo model systems. We investigated lithium's effects on cultured corneal endothelial cells (CECs) exposed to these types of stress and in a mouse model of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).

Methods

Viability of cultured bovine CECs was determined by CellTiter-Glo. 2-month-old Col8a2(Q455K/Q455K) mutant (Q455K) and C57/Bl6 wild type animals were divided into two groups of 15 mice. Group I received 0.2% lithium carbonate-containing chow and Group II received control chow for 7 months. Confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot were performed.

Results

Pretreatment with lithium in

SUBMITTER: Kim EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3793892 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature