Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulates photoreceptor cell autophagy after retinal detachment.

ABSTRACT: Photoreceptor cell death is the ultimate process underlying many retinal diseases, including retinal detachment (RD). Both autophagy and inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?), participate in photoreceptor cell death after RD. In this study, we examined whether TNF-? inhibition would impact the autophagy of photoreceptors and reduce the death of photoreceptors after retinal detachment (RD). RD models were created in C57BL/6J mice by a subretinal injection of 1% hyaluronic acid. The TNF-? inhibitor infliximab was administered via intraperitoneal injection two hours before RD. The levels of TNF-? and the autophagy-related proteins Atg5 and LC3B were assayed by immunofluorescence at 1?day, 3 days, and 7 days following RD. Apoptosis was examined at 3 days post-detachment via TUNEL assays. Photoreceptor cell counts were assessed at 7 days after RD. After RD, the protein levels of LC3B and Atg5 increased and reached a peak at 3 days, which decreased at 7 days. The expression of LC3B and Atg5 was prolonged and increased at a slower rate with TNF-? inhibition. The moderate augmentation and extension of autophagy through TNF-? inhibition resulted in the reduction of apoptosis and the enhancement of photoreceptor cell survival.

SUBMITTER: Xie J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5719449 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature