Nrf2 signaling modulates cigarette smoke-induced complement activation in retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Whereas cigarette smoking (CS) and dysregulated complement are thought to play central roles in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), their exact roles are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine if CS activates complement and if the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 modulates this response. In AMD specimens, Nrf2 immunolabeling was strong in the cytoplasm, with scattered nuclear labeling of macular retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells that appeared normal, but was decreased and without nuclear labeling in dysmorphic cells overlying drusen, a hallmark AMD lesion. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation in RPE cells with increased antioxidant and complement gene expression. Whereas CFH protein was not altered by CSE, the cell membrane regulator pro

SUBMITTER: Wang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4006310 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature